Palo on Panama Canal crossing day

[Queenofthecastle]

I can't decide whether or not we should do Palo brunch on the day of crossing. Does anyone have pictures of their views when they did it? My husband says he would rather not waste time eating when we could be out and about on the deck watching. I say it would be a nice break from being up on deck, with a different view in A/C, but then again I don't want to feel "trapped" if there is something specific we'd like to see. Any thoughts?

 

[kerstfan1]

i would not do it u will be up at the rack of dawn and there is so much to do on that day u will miss out i wont be doing a solo brunch on that day or a group brunch no even dinner on that day

 

[Disneypeach]

I spent the entire day going from deck to deck and side to side so that I could see as much of the canal "sights" as possible. There were CMs providing coffee and danish on deck in the morning and a real nice BBQ lunch outside as well so I sure wasn't going hungry! The canal is so varied in beauty that I was never bored between the jungle, the lake (Gatun), the "cut", and the locks themselves. As much as I love, love, love, Palo brunch I didn't want to do it that day.

Have fun on your trip! I'll be doing the WBPC next April...gotta see those new locks!

 

[dclpluto]

One good thing no one is in your way from your view from palo. They block it off so no one can stand outside the windows of palo.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I spent the entire day going from deck to deck and side to side so that I could see as much of the canal "sights" as possible. There were CMs providing coffee and danish on deck in the morning and a real nice BBQ lunch outside as well so I sure wasn't going hungry! The canal is so varied in beauty that I was never bored between the jungle, the lake (Gatun), the "cut", and the locks themselves. As much as I love, love, love, Palo brunch I didn't want to do it that day.

Have fun on your trip! I'll be doing the WBPC next April...gotta see those new locks!

I would definitely do Palo on a day at sea. You don't want to miss the BBQ. When you're ready for a break from th heat/humidity you can do that in an A/C lounge with a beverage of your choice. They make great pina colada smoothies.

 

[GPaLarry]

We did the EBPC in '08 on the Magic, our first cruise with the mouse. Been a while since then so our experience might be dated. However, we stayed on the top deck almost all day because something was always going on...locks, bridges, other ships, interesting landmarks, food on deck and you might see Goofy or Mickey between sites. It was warm and sunny, but lots of fun. During dinner we watched, through a porthole, as the Magic "sank" in a lock at the end of our canal day. Wife ran up top to look down and we only had a foot or two on each side to make it through...in the dark. Loved that cruise!! Advantage of going east to west is you gain time...and they stop at CC, too (for now).

 

[MunFam]

We got up at the crack of dawn and went outside to watch as we pilled in to the first lock. It is a SLOW process. We watched 1 and 2 from outside and then went inside to the MDR for breakfast. We were seated at a window and I ordered a mimosa and coffee...and eggs benedict. We watched the ship pull in to the lock and out the window was the wall of the lock. Best memory of our cruise!!! Our favorite spot the rest of the day was a table outside of the buffet...at the rear of the ship. There was hardly anyone there, so we did not feel like we were "hogging" someone's spot.

 

[tutumomickey]

After being on the inaugural cruise through the new locks, I can sadly say it is not as interesting or exciting as the original locks. However, as a veteran of 6 Disney Wonder canal crossings , I would never book Palo on canal day. Timing is freeflowing, not exact. The best way to experience the crossing is from all sides and all decks.You need to be free to move around to get the total experience. At some point, be sure to be on deck 3 at a porthole while in the lock.It is a unique experience that many miss by being on the front of the top deck all day.There should be lots of other opportunities for Palo.

 

[BartmanLA]

On our WBPC trip this year (2017) I organized 4 group brunches in Palo during the cruise, one taking place on Panama Canal day at 10am, we booked the private room for 14 people and everyone told me afterwards (I didn't attend that group brunch that day) that the brunch was fantastic, and the views crossing Gatun Lake (this was after transiting the brand new expanded Aqua Clara Locks (Atlantic side) were great to see while enjoying the brunch and getting a bit of respite from the humidity and heat on deck. Sure there will be people that want to experience the entire transit (lock to lock) on deck to take in all that the canal has to offer, but the people attending the brunch that day enjoyed it immensely.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

On our WBPC trip this year (2017) I organized 4 group brunches in Palo during the cruise, one taking place on Panama Canal day at 10am, we booked the private room for 14 people and everyone told me afterwards (I didn't attend that group brunch that day) that the brunch was fantastic, and the views crossing Gatun Lake (this was after transiting the brand new expanded Aqua Clara Locks (Atlantic side) were great to see while enjoying the brunch and getting a bit of respite from the humidity and heat on deck. Sure there will be people that want to experience the entire transit (lock to lock) on deck to take in all that the canal has to offer, but the people attending the brunch that day enjoyed it immensely.

This. I haven't been through the new locks yet. Only the old ones. My original thinking was that a brunch could be a nice little respite. Get out to see the first locks in the morning. Relax, cool off, have a nice meal. Be recharged and refreshed for the rest of the day. It is very hot & humid out during the canal crossing. Very.

 

[kerstfan1]

i realy hope this year it will be a less hot and humid

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I would definitely do Palo on a day at sea. You don't want to miss the BBQ. When you're ready for a break from th heat/humidity you can do that in an A/C lounge with a beverage of your choice. They make great pina colada smoothies.

I think the BBQ can be hit or miss. When I was on the Magic Panama Canal crossing back in 2008 I was kind of disappointed with it. The steaks were over done to my liking as I believe they just went with well done rather they trying to make them to order. Personally I would book a plao bruch as the Panama Canal zone can get very hot and humid and having a nice placer to sit in the air conditioning would make a nice change.