Palo with a large party?

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Hey guys I am going on the Dream for my birthday in October for my birthday meal I would love to go to Palo with my group (about 12 - 15) right now…

When I was looking online I found a picture of a large round table on the DFB that looked perfect for my group! Is it possible to request this area or does it cost extra? I had never seen this and would love some feedback I tried to call DCL but the wait was over 30 minutes I figured I would get a better answer here anyway

Here is a photo from the DFB

I know I have time but wouldn't want to miss out on something like this
Thanks in advance

 

[GervaisCouple]

We will have a group of 8 adults...curious about the same...and also how booking goes if some of us are Silver and others are first time cruisers. If our ressie's are linked, will I be able to book a table for all of us at the earlier registation date?

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

We will have a group of 8 adults...curious about the same...and also how booking goes if some of us are Silver and others are first time cruisers. If our ressie's are linked, will I be able to book a table for all of us at the earlier registation date?

I am pretty sure that the earliest can book for everyone if your linked... one of us is gold so hoping they will book for us all

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We will have a group of 8 adults...curious about the same...and also how booking goes if some of us are Silver and others are first time cruisers. If our ressie's are linked, will I be able to book a table for all of us at the earlier registation date?

No, you can only book reservations for whoever's window is open. Each CC level will have to book their own reservation when their window opens. You should try to get the reservations close to the same time on the same day. Then once, you board, go to the Palo dining changes desk and have them merged, so you are all seated together at the same time.

I found this info by doing a search for "Palo group room"

The charge for the private room is the same as the charge for Palo in the main room--$25 per person.

You used to be able to reserve the private room in advance only if you had a party of 12. I don't know if that is still the case, but previously, they would not reserve it for 10 or 11! Once on board, there is a whole different set of non-rules. If there is no party of 12 that has an advance reservation, they can opt to put a party of any size in that area.

The only "extra" cost is whatever additional tip you choose to leave and any bar items you purchase.

and

The "private" Palo room on the Dream/Fantasy is not really a separate room like it is on the Magic/Wonder. It is more of an alcove off the main Palo dining room on the new ships.

It is the same area that is used for part of the actual Palo brunch offerings during the day. It's not a completely private, separate room for the Palo "private room" on Dream/Fantasy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am pretty sure that the earliest can book for everyone if your linked... one of us is gold so hoping they will book for us all

Used to be able to do this. They closed that loophole about a year ago. Now everyone must book when their window opens.

 

[stlouismickey]

We have everyone book on their own around the same time and then contact Disney about having us sit together. We have had times when we are at the table together and other times when they couldn't accommodate us.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Used to be able to do this. They closed that loophole about a year ago. Now everyone must book when their window opens.

Thank you! That stinks but I will hopefully get the table!

I will just wait until the 75 day window because half the party is 1st time cruisers, we have 11-15 as of right now so I will plan on calling at that point if it works out its meant to be if not its okay I'll be on a Disney Cruise for my birthday how lucky am I!

Its a 3 night Dream in hurricane season so I hope its not that likely to get booked for my birthday

 

[lbgraves]

Actually the private room at Palo is handled completely differently . You need to request this ahead of time ASAP through DCL. The email I have is probably old since it's been a few years but the main number should be able to get you in touch with the correct department. It doesn't matter what your CC level is. You will need to provide the names and reservation numbers for each person. They can make the reservation for ONLY 12-14 people, no more and no less before the cruise. I always faxed/emailed my request as soon as I booked the reservation opening day when we traveled with a group of friends. You won't get confirmation for this until 30 days out. That means that each party still needs to try and make a separate reservation so that if you don't get it you will have a chance to be seated together in the main dining area. These are processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

 

[HappyTogether]

For the right amount of money it is possible to rent out the entire restaurant. It is a fixed menu with 2-3 choices, but it can be done. The answer is always no if you don't ask.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Actually the private room at Palo is handled completely differently . You need to request this ahead of time ASAP through DCL. The email I have is probably old since it's been a few years but the main number should be able to get you in touch with the correct department. It doesn't matter what your CC level is. You will need to provide the names and reservation numbers for each person. They can make the reservation for ONLY 12-14 people, no more and no less before the cruise. I always faxed/emailed my request as soon as I booked the reservation opening day when we traveled with a group of friends. You won't get confirmation for this until 30 days out. That means that each party still needs to try and make a separate reservation so that if you don't get it you will have a chance to be seated together in the main dining area. These are processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Oh wow so I will contact DCL tomorrow!

 

[orion2185]

For the right amount of money it is possible to rent out the entire restaurant. It is a fixed menu with 2-3 choices, but it can be done. The answer is always no if you don't ask.

Have you personally rented out Palo?

We have called DCL multiple times and spoke with a number of people...and our group event host as well.....and Disney fairytale weddings department...
Even spoke with the ships captain ( all request for large groups must be approved by the captain as he has the final say on anything that happens on the ship)
All of them said you can not buy out the restaurant.

As we are sailing with a large group and getting married at castaway cay. Their wedding package does not have a more traditional wedding reception.
We initially wanted to hire out palo or rehmy for a private event. Just like a normal wedding plated meal...and we pay the cost for all,of our guest...so we can create that more traditional wedding reception.

We have tried on a number of occasions and offered a "good sum" of money to buy out the restaurant...and the answer was still no


From what everyone at Disney has told us...it's not a money issue
Both palo and rehmy stager reservations at different times. As the kitchens that prepares the food are small,and space is limited. The most the kitchen can accommodate in palo at one time is 14 ( private table that can be booked) while there will be other diners ( Palo on fantasy can seat over 80) they stagger the reservation times to offset the work load on the kitchen. So not everyone is arriving at the same time. They cant bring more than 14 completed meals to a table at one time. Now if you were to have food come out at different times ( not everyone getting their meal at same time) it might be a different story

The second issue is the backlash/guest complaints they get when something is closed for a private event. It appears that Disney use to in fact carter to groups hiring out event spaces for private functions. But other guest on the ship created so many complaints...when they we're denied access...it appears that Disney does not want to pull anything from service for other paying passengers.


Again would be curious to see if you have in fact rented out palo.
If you did when did you do it?
What ship?
And who did you speak with to do it?

As we know dealing with Disney and special requests..you tend to get told no- many times over
Until you speak with the correct person..and they it's a yes

 

[Leslie41]

I've not done it myself but I know it can be done, because my transatlantic cruise disboards group is arranging THREE different brunches at Palo for group members in that special room. I had to give the organizer my name and my room number, so Disney could bill my room.

 

[danfromca]

I've not done it myself but I know it can be done, because my transatlantic cruise disboards group is arranging THREE different brunches at Palo for group members in that special room. I had to give the organizer my name and my room number, so Disney could bill my room.

Yes - you can book groups in the private room - but that's not the same as renting out all of Palo.

 

[HappyTogether]

Have you personally rented out Palo?

Yes I have personally rented out Paulo. We had 20 guests it wasn't about feeding all of those people at the same time it was about privacy. We kept calling our travel agent kept calling until we got somebody to approve it wasn't cheap by any means because we had to account for lost revenue that whole evening. We got somebody to finally say yes. It can be done. It wasn't about something rule it was about not aking no for an answer.

 

[kaseyC]

Actually the private room at Palo is handled completely differently . You need to request this ahead of time ASAP through DCL. The email I have is probably old since it's been a few years but the main number should be able to get you in touch with the correct department. It doesn't matter what your CC level is. You will need to provide the names and reservation numbers for each person. They can make the reservation for ONLY 12-14 people, no more and no less before the cruise. I always faxed/emailed my request as soon as I booked the reservation opening day when we traveled with a group of friends. You won't get confirmation for this until 30 days out. That means that each party still needs to try and make a separate reservation so that if you don't get it you will have a chance to be seated together in the main dining area. These are processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Yes, that's exactly how it's done. I just sent in a request on Wednesday for 3 group brunches for our upcoming EBTA. One thing that has changed is the minimum number of guests and it must be a recent change because last year when I organized the group brunches for the 2013 EBTA it was 12-14. Now it seems to be 10-14. From my email reply from DCL:

Please note the private room is available for brunch at 10:00am on sea days only and is based on availability. If you party goes below 10 Guests or above 14 Guests you will have to forfeit the Private Room.

You are still only able to have one brunch and dinner booked before boarding. Once the Private room group brunch or dinner are confirmed, DCL cancels any individual brunch or dinner the group members have reserved.

Email address to request the private room for a group is:
DCL.Shore.Excursions@disney.com

 

[orion2185]

Yes I have personally rented out Paulo. We had 20 guests it wasn't about feeding all of those people at the same time it was about privacy. We kept calling our travel agent kept calling until we got somebody to approve it wasn't cheap by any means because we had to account for lost revenue that whole evening. We got somebody to finally say yes. It can be done. It wasn't about something rule it was about not aking no for an answer.

Sending you a PM
Thanks

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Yes I have personally rented out Paulo. We had 20 guests it wasn't about feeding all of those people at the same time it was about privacy. We kept calling our travel agent kept calling until we got somebody to approve it wasn't cheap by any means because we had to account for lost revenue that whole evening. We got somebody to finally say yes. It can be done. It wasn't about something rule it was about not aking no for an answer.

And how many people didn't get to eat at Palo on their cruise because of that?

 

[HappyTogether]

And how many people didn't get to eat at Palo on their cruise because of that?

I have no idea how many tables PALO turns on a night. It was not the whole cruise, it was one night. Policies might have changed but we had a TA who kept calling to find out who could make it happen.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I have no idea how many tables PALO turns on a night. It was not the whole cruise, it was one night. Policies might have changed but we had a TA who kept calling to find out who could make it happen.

Depending on the length of the cruise, one night can make a world of difference in whether someone gets a Palo ressie.

 

[lbgraves]

... Now it seems to be 10-14. From my email reply from DCL:



You are still only able to have one brunch and dinner booked before boarding. Once the Private room group brunch or dinner are confirmed, DCL cancels any individual brunch or dinner the group members have reserved.

Email address to request the private room for a group is:
DCL.Shore.Excursions@disney.com

Thanks for the update.