Need boarding tips, activities and ressie info...and MORE ???'s

[lurontravel]

We just booked and paid for our first Disney cruise, and will be going on April 24(on a 7 day Western). How early can we get in line to check in, and at what time will they actually start to board passengers? Also, we'd prefer to avoid the busses etc. from WDW as the crowds arrive, so aprox. what time does this happen? What documents do we need (other then our passports and the boarding passes that Disney will mail us)? Are there a lot of papers to fill out while there before we can get in line? Any papers I can fill out before leaving home? When we get on, any thoughts on what to explore first (our kids are 4 and a half and 2 and a half years old)? Does anyone know what day and time the brunch at Palo's is, and do we need a ressie? Day and time of the "tea", do we need a ressie? Also, the boooklet says that they do a theme dinner, exactly what era is it (50's, 60's, 70's, 80's)??? For anyone familiar with Flounders, what days/times fill up first, and why, what is going on for the grown-ups at these times? Any other info would be more then greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Laura

 

[NYdiscuisers]

I'll try a couple of answers...

Boarding starts around noon. We arrived at the terminal for our first cruise at around 10:30am. While not first in line, we were among the first 100 or so...after the cat 1-3 boardings.

I believe Palo serves brunch every day and you will need ressies. This is one of the first things to do when you get onboard, make any reservations that you are interested in (ie. Palo, spa, etc.)

The documents that Disney sends should have all the paperwork you need, besides your ID's. Make sure you check and fill them out before leaving home as you don't want any errors.

Also, read this board and check out www.dcltribute.com and www.catawayclub.com for lots of useful information. Then enjoy your cruise!

 

[DVC4US]

I will try to answer a few.

How early can we get in line to check in, and at what time will they actually start to board passengers?

The terminal opens at 10:30 and boarding generally starts around noon, although offical boarding time is 1pm.

What documents do we need (other then our passports and the boarding passes that Disney will mail us)?

Disney will send you all the documents you need to fill out. They usually come about 2-4 weeks before your cruise. We are on the April 10th Western and some of our cruisers are getting their docs now. If you have all of the documents filled out before you get to the terminal you should not have any other paperwork to do. Just take your docs, birth certificate/passport, and photo ID.

Does anyone know what day and time the brunch at Palo's is, and do we need a ressie? Day and time of the "tea", do we need a ressie?

Palo has brunch and high tea on sea days.(For the western this is Monday & Thursday) Although on the western you will also have brunch on Sunday which is Key West because you do not get there until noon. You will need reservations for both of these and they do tend to fill up fast, so this would be the first thing I would do once you get on board.

Also, the boooklet says that they do a theme dinner, exactly what era is it (50's, 60's, 70's, 80's)???

The theme dinner happens on Wednesday when you are in Cozumel and it is Mexicalifragilistic night so the theme is tropical or mexican. There is also a 70's disco night in Rockin' Bar D. Just look for it on your navigator to see what night it is.

Hope this helps.

LeiLani

 

[jrabbit]

The dinners on the 7 night cruises are:
the 3 restaurants normal menu (each restaurant has it's own menu)
Mexicalli.. (west) or Tropicalli.. (east)
Formal night
Semi-Formal night
and finally - it's a small world menu (foods from around the world)

I'd try to arrive at the port around 11am. Since first cruise, you will want to check out the terminal, the model of the Magic, the real Magic outside, the characters and the kids will want to watch some Mickey cartoons. The time waiting in the terminal goes by very quickly.

Haven't done Palo for dinner, just Brunch. I enjoy our tablemates and server team to much to make the ressies for Palo dinner. Brunch is not to be missed. Don't do it the same day as your character breakfast. (the Palo folks can help you with this when making ressies)

If I was you, this would be my schedule for the first day.
Arrive at the port by 11am.
Upon boarding go to where Palo ressies are being taken (usually Rockin' Bar D)
Drop your carryon luggage except for cameras in your room.
If you want to do anything in the spa, go there next
Make Flounders ressies for the time you have brunch and spa
Check the 4yo into the club (doesn't take to long but there are a lot of kids to be checked in)
Now goto lunch either at Topsiders (can eat outside) or Parrot Cay
Relax and plan the rest of your day. This would be a good time to take the 4yo to the Mickey pool - won't be to crowded yet.
At 4 you have to participate in the safety drill.

Fill out as much of the paperwork as possible before arriving at the port. I know that we always have questions and we finish filling out that info at the check in desk, since they know what they want.

Here are the common links to the information web sites dedicated to DCL

Disney Cruise Line - Official
Castaway Club
Dave's DCL site
Magical Cruise Guide (Click on the link on the left to download doc-can save to your pc)


Have Fun - enjoy the cruise.

 

[lurontravel]

Thanks for all the great info. I really love to plan, and this will help a great deal!! I didn't even know that we had to check the four year old into the club! We're so excited! I am so happy to think that my WHOLE family will have a GREAT time on vacation with minimal stress, and even a little time alone!
Any more info that any one can give would be much appreciated!

 

[ksjayhawks]

There was also a 60's and 80's night dances on the cruise we just took (2/28).

Also don't miss the sail away celebration after safety drill--it is at the goofy pool.

Dinners were
Sat--casual
Sun--casual
Mon--formal

The above three were the rotational menus in each restaurant--suggested dress for Lumiere's is sports coat for men, dressy for women

Tues--casual, around the world
Weds--Mexicalli--tropical wear
Thurs--semi-formal, captains gala dinner
Fri--casual, chef's best

Do not miss the gala dinner!

I would go with a brunch at Palo's. You get the best of everything and the view out the windows during the day is great! Don't forget to make reservations at flounders for the time of your brunch!

With little kids, you will probably start out at Parrot Cay.

 

[Tandyc]

Lurontravel-

Hey! You're on the same cruise as we are. Glad to have you along. We have a Cruise meet thread. Check it out. We have a great group going. There is an informal meet on the ship scheduled for all Disers. Hope you can be there.

Welcome to Dis and DCL.

Tandy