not so much panicking but getting there

[lvmymcky]

I just talked with a former co-worker who went on the disney cruise last year (7 day land/sea December '03). Its actually around the same time we are booked (december 5, 2004). I was asking her how was her experience with Palo and the spa and she said she didn't get to do Palo because it was already booked (they were doing a 4 day sea). I'm not so worried about the dinner part at Palo (we have the romance plan added on) but i really really really would like to go to Palo brunch.

I decided to booked with dcl transportation, should i changed this and just get our own transport so we can get to the port earlier than other passengers who will be on the dcl transport or it doesn't make a difference? this is our first time cruising with dcl and i as much as i would love to go on a cruise right after that, it will be a couple of years before i can experience dcl again.

any advice will be appreciated. TIA

 

[jrabbit]

Are YOU going on a 3, 4 or 7 night cruise.

If you are on the 3 night - don't worry about Brunch in Palo - there isn't one.

If you are on the 7 night - again, don't worry (too much) because there are many times available for brunch (3 different days) and you probably can get in sometime.

If you are on the 4 nighter, probably panic because there is only 1 day available and you have "the whole ship" scrambling for those ressies.

 

[ohMom]

we cruised dec 7 - 11 on a 4 day -- we left the Poly at 11 a.m., we went private towncar business with FL Tours, and breezed right through (no check-in for land/sea) and right on board. I took family to find PC and then I headed straight for ressies and got in line -- had no trouble getting Palo; then headed straight up for spa and there was no line and I booked a surial bath and a CC cabana massage no problems at all. We did hear there was a accident on the highway so I don't know if that delayed some folks?

I have read that some have been able to book their Palo brunch through Debbie directly at Disney - in conjunction to the REAS package.

also - if by chance you don't get the ressie -- put your name on a wait list or call each day for cancellations. I'm sure they happen. I didn't even know about the brunch on my cruise! darn the luck!

personally, when I left I just wanted to go and not stop at other resorts, etc. I'm sure if you are one of the last pick-ups isn't not that bad; my luck would be I would be the first stop and be riding a bus around WDW for an hour before hitting the road. In that time I would be at the port already! It's your perference and budget, but my advice is go private if you can.

 

[lvmymcky]

jrabbit-yes i'll be on the 4 day cruise . We are staying at the poly for our land package.

ohmom-my cruise is for dec 5-9. i'm hoping against all hope that i'll make a palo brunch ressies.

One last question, if I do get my own transport let say a towncar/limo, how does boarding the ship go about? Do i still have to stand in line for boarding or am all set to go since I will turn all my paperwork in at the poly and how will our luggage be handled. sorry for all the questions, i'm sure its been addressed over and over