Platinum Palo, can it be used for brunch?

[Weedy]

We sailed lst May and were told that it was for dinner only, but we has both brunch and dinner booked. They took the free meal at brunch.

 

[disneypoor]

We are sailing for spring break and are platinum. I had brunch booked, but after calling three different times and getting the same answer three different times, I cancelled our brunch reservations because I was told it was only for dinner. I guess I will find out when we sail for sure. Sometimes it is very difficult to get into Palo, so it would be nice if DCL would make it clear before you sail and inform platinum cruisers that Palo is one of the things they offer to guests since advance reservations are often required. Oh well...I'm going on a Disney cruise! Doesn't matter if I eat at Palo or not!

 

[Heard02]

We've used it for brunch the past 3 cruises. Yes, it can be done.

 

[Dug720]

We are sailing for spring break and are platinum. I had brunch booked, but after calling three different times and getting the same answer three different times, I cancelled our brunch reservations because I was told it was only for dinner. I guess I will find out when we sail for sure. Sometimes it is very difficult to get into Palo, so it would be nice if DCL would make it clear before you sail and inform platinum cruisers that Palo is one of the things they offer to guests since advance reservations are often required. Oh well...I'm going on a Disney cruise! Doesn't matter if I eat at Palo or not!

Genuine question: when is it hard for Platinum to get into Palo?

 

[over50visits]

I don't agree with you there. While someone who has personal experience only can report that one incidence, someone who reads these boards regularly, will have an overview over many reported experiences. I think an answer that indicates that the reports seem to vary is far more helpful than an answer that one person was able to use the discount. If I know that there have been differing reports, I know to expect inconsistency and will not be disappointed when for me it was different than someone else's experience. Over all the years I have been on the DIS, I found that regularly the information gathered by those who are regulars is far more valuable than one single experience.

I disagree. Reading the boards is fun, but for someone to distill information here and present it as fact is very bad. Responses that indicate the consensus of board posting are good, but responses that appears to factually state a Disney policy based on reading here are not useful, even harmful. There is a frequent poster here who always has a quick opinion, often correct, but sometimes not correct, and it's hard to tell the difference (that's why I blocked them). We don't know how much the waiters are paid. We don't know why Disney is enforcing age limits in clubs. We don't know why Disney chose to sail into hurricane Sandy. We don't know why the drinking age is 21. We don't know why Disney once allowed art "auctions." We don't know a lot of things, but they are sure fun to talk about. Just don't think the board has the final answers.

It's fun reading the boards, and it's important that postings answering a question of Disney policy clearly establish the answer's credibility. This harmless thread is an example, but sometimes people ask about passports, medical care, child care, etc., and they probably rely on the information they get here rather than the more difficult process of researching laws or contacting Disney. And that is usually, but not always, all they need to do.

If everyone used the search button before asking a question these boards would have only about 1/10 of the threads being posted here.

How dull it would be if we only had 1/10 of the threads! New information, new views on old topics, these are the lifeblood of friendly and interesting discussions. It makes a newbie feel welcome when they ask "how much do you tip" and get personalized responses.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

A case of me misreading it, I thought one of us was free, and the other had to pay. Very happy to hear we both get to eat a free meal in Palo

My husband read it this way, too. Last September on the Dream when I sailed in the same stateroom with my platinum friend (I was still gold) we had Palo brunch. Because she was platinum we both were complemented the meal. This is particularly useful info to me now because when we sail the Panama Canal in May this year I am the only platinum cruiser in my stateroom but 3 of us will be dining at Palo. Several times. Husband wanted to argue (he does that, silly man ) that only I will receive the one complimentary meal. Nope. From firsthand experience, all 3 of us will get it for one of our Palo meals.

And I would disagree with this..When I come to the boards I am looking for first hand experiences and not advice from something they read. If I wanted second hand info then it is simple to use the search button. I personally prefer many single hand experiences rather than one persons knowledge from simply reading about it.. I tend to think that I know a lot on DCL but I would not post about it unless I have done it personally. To each his own though, This is just how I feel about it.

I totally agree. Firsthand experience is golden. However, a few times (not necessarily here) a person asked a very specific question and nothing. Crickets. No response at all. For days. I felt bad for the asker. I wouldn't want them to think they're being ignored. So I have responded that I don't know firsthand because I've not been in that situation but here are the things I've read on the subject and here's where I read them. Not that I'm passing off read information as personal experience but just to say "Hey, you aren't invisible. Maybe go read here." Ya know? Always with the spirit of being helpful. But, if others with firsthand experience can share I'll totally defer to that any day. That's your best info right there.

Just wanted to share that little perspective because I did that once...then got flamed pretty harshly by someone with the firsthand info...and I was like "Well why didn't you answer this person if you knew????" Kinda feels sometimes like some wait for the opportunity to flame...not sure why...but it happens. Perhaps it should be chalked up to another instance of what's lost in the internets interactions. It's all good.

 

[tinkerone]

I disagree. Reading the boards is fun, but for someone to distill information here and present it as fact is very bad. Responses that indicate the consensus of board posting are good, but responses that appears to factually state a Disney policy based on reading here are not useful, even harmful. There is a frequent poster here who always has a quick opinion, often correct, but sometimes not correct, and it's hard to tell the difference (that's why I blocked them). We don't know how much the waiters are paid. We don't know why Disney is enforcing age limits in clubs. We don't know why Disney chose to sail into hurricane Sandy. We don't know why the drinking age is 21. We don't know why Disney once allowed art "auctions." We don't know a lot of things, but they are sure fun to talk about. Just don't think the board has the final answers.

It's fun reading the boards, and it's important that postings answering a question of Disney policy clearly establish the answer's credibility. This harmless thread is an example, but sometimes people ask about passports, medical care, child care, etc., and they probably rely on the information they get here rather than the more difficult process of researching laws or contacting Disney. And that is usually, but not always, all they need to do.



How dull it would be if we only had 1/10 of the threads! New information, new views on old topics, these are the lifeblood of friendly and interesting discussions. It makes a newbie feel welcome when they ask "how much do you tip" and get personalized responses.

very well said and i agree 100 percent! i also read one posters answers, a poster who has sailed lots and posts lots, and see some errors even though they like to tell it as fact. i'm sure its not meant to be malicious and they do believe what they say but wrong none the less. the more people who answer the better imo.
i've sailed tons and still learn a lot by reading these threads. keep them coming.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I was informed on the Magic in October 2014 that they would take the platinum benefit for your first Palo booking, whether it was brunch or dinner.

The problem with calling Disney is that they will give you the wrong answer. A lot.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I was informed on the Magic in October 2014 that they would take the platinum benefit for your first Palo booking, whether it was brunch or dinner.

The problem with calling Disney is that they will give you the wrong answer. A lot.

Or, a fun game for those who have time....call multiple times to see how many different responses you can get. Maybe an idea for a drinking game if there's no better ideas on the table. J/K! I always think that to myself, tho. Heehee!

 

[ImprovGal]

I only had one set of sailings (it was B2B) in which I was told that I could not use the Platinum Palo benefit for brunch. It was on the Wonder January 2014 and I wondered if it was just policy as interpreted by that specific manager, as I was also told that I couldn't order individual courses from the wine pairing menu unless I ordered the accompanying wine pairings. I've had 3 sailings since then (1 Wonder, 2 Magic) in which I was told that my first reservation (whether brunch or dinner) would get the platinum benefit.

 

[disneypoor]

Genuine question: when is it hard for Platinum to get into Palo?

To my knowledge, there aren't any reserved time slots for platinum guests. This is our first time actually sailing as platinum, but I've never heard of them giving preferential treatment for reservations at Palo just because of a CC status. In all of our cruises, I have had difficulty booking Palo (especially brunch) if I wasn't on the ball prior to sailing. I know it is possible at times to get ressies once onboard, but it seems like if the Palo meal is a gift from them for cruising with them so many times, they'd make that known prior to sailing. I honestly wouldn't have even known it was a perk if it wasn't for the DIS. Then again, I wouldn't know much of anything about DCL if it wasn't for the DIS. LOL! I'm not complaining regardless though! I'm just happy I'm going! Can't wait!

 

[disneypoor]

Can someone help me remember--how long do you have to cancel a Palo reservation? If I rebook for brunch in hopes of using our platinum gift and then find out once onboard that I can't use it for brunch, is there a time limit for canceling? I just checked our cruise, and we can book brunch on our first sea day or on day four. Was thinking of booking for day four and then inquiring about it as soon as we get onboard and canceling if possible if it won't cover it. We have two rooms, so we will have two certificates or enough for four of us. We were planning to take my daughter and her boyfriend with us but it isn't a "must do" so probably won't spend the money if we can't use our gift certificate for it. My daughter's boyfriend has never sailed, so it is important to them that he is able to attend dinners and the shows, so we don't want to book a dinner even if it is free. Plus, we're sailing with other family members and want to enjoy dinners with them. TIA!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

@disneypoor, I've always been TOLD by Palo folks that it's a 24 hr cancellation. That said, I have by my own EXPERIENCE cancelled a dinner Palo reservation the same day of the reservation just before lunchtime without penalty. Definitely less than 24 hrs. Even less than 12 hrs. Technically they could hold me to the cancellation policy but that one time they did not. I think if you go to the dining changes/additions location upon boarding to speak to the Palo representative personally they can help you sort things out best. If your brunch reservation is for the next day I would think they'd be okay with you making a cancellation or change the day before as soon as possible.

I'm not sure how old your daughter or her boyfriend are but your complimentary platinum meal extends to guests dining with you who are in the same stateroom as you. I'm not entirely sure it would extend to daughter & bf if they are in another stateroom even if you are the one who paid for their room. Does that make sense? I'd double-check that part. I've always read it to be strictly in the same stateroom. So for our upcoming Wonder PC cruise one of our Palo meals I expect to have covered for my husband, my 19 yro son, and me because we are all in the same stateroom. My MiL & FiL who will be dining with us but are in a different stateroom will not receive the complimentary meal.

 

[disneypoor]

@disneypoor, I've always been TOLD by Palo folks that it's a 24 hr cancellation. That said, I have by my own EXPERIENCE cancelled a dinner Palo reservation the same day of the reservation just before lunchtime without penalty. Definitely less than 24 hrs. Even less than 12 hrs. Technically they could hold me to the cancellation policy but that one time they did not. I think if you go to the dining changes/additions location upon boarding to speak to the Palo representative personally they can help you sort things out best. If your brunch reservation is for the next day I would think they'd be okay with you making a cancellation or change the day before as soon as possible.

I'm not sure how old your daughter or her boyfriend are but your complimentary platinum meal extends to guests dining with you who are in the same stateroom as you. I'm not entirely sure it would extend to daughter & bf if they are in another stateroom even if you are the one who paid for their room. Does that make sense? I'd double-check that part. I've always read it to be strictly in the same stateroom. So for our upcoming Wonder PC cruise one of our Palo meals I expect to have covered for my husband, my 19 yro son, and me because we are all in the same stateroom. My MiL & FiL who will be dining with us but are in a different stateroom will not receive the complimentary meal.

Thank you for your reply! We have connecting staterooms, and my name is listed on one and my husband's on the other. My son is also taking a friend, so my daughter's boyfriend and my son and his friend will be in one room, and my husband, daughter, and myself in the other. I figured since my husband and I are listed on one room each, we'd get one certificate per room. Like I said though, this is our first time sailing as platinum. I'm just basing this on what I've read on the DIS. I think I might go ahead and make another reservation and just speak to someone when I get there.

I was thinking you had to cancel excursions at least three days in advance (been a while since I've checked on that though), so I wondered if Palo was the same. I think I will rebook and hope to get it sorted out onboard. I guess the worst that can happen is I have to pay $100 for our meal, right? Thanks again!

Susan

 

[Dug720]

To my knowledge, there aren't any reserved time slots for platinum guests. This is our first time actually sailing as platinum, but I've never heard of them giving preferential treatment for reservations at Palo just because of a CC status. In all of our cruises, I have had difficulty booking Palo (especially brunch) if I wasn't on the ball prior to sailing. I know it is possible at times to get ressies once onboard, but it seems like if the Palo meal is a gift from them for cruising with them so many times, they'd make that known prior to sailing. I honestly wouldn't have even known it was a perk if it wasn't for the DIS. Then again, I wouldn't know much of anything about DCL if it wasn't for the DIS. LOL! I'm not complaining regardless though! I'm just happy I'm going! Can't wait!

Platinum gets first crack at reservations - well before gold, silver, or even never cruised before. That's why I find it surprising that a platinum would say it was "difficult".

Honestly even as a lowly silver CC member I've never had an issue getting brunch and dinner - last year Presidents' Week on the Dream and upcoming next week on the Fantasy. Granted, I book the day my reservations open (and with dinner I'm not aiming to avoid Pirate Night as I love that menu), so I guess if you don't book it at that time and wait it might fill up, at least brunch.

Incidentally, we had no issues getting dinner on the Dream in July as a family when we booked well within the PIF date, and my parents had no issues getting dinner on the Fantasy when booking well within the PIF date. They didn't get brunch before and didn't check to see about it once on board.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you are on a cruise with lots of platinums and only a few sea days, you might have issues getting brunch. Dinner is not as difficult because they have it every night.

And you don't get a "gift certificate" or anything tangible. They will know you are platinum.

As long as there is at least one platinum member registered in the stateroom, ALL persons age 18 and over in the same stateroom are eligible for the Palo gift.

 

[disneypoor]

Platinum gets first crack at reservations - well before gold, silver, or even never cruised before. That's why I find it surprising that a platinum would say it was "difficult".

Honestly even as a lowly silver CC member I've never had an issue getting brunch and dinner - last year Presidents' Week on the Dream and upcoming next week on the Fantasy. Granted, I book the day my reservations open (and with dinner I'm not aiming to avoid Pirate Night as I love that menu), so I guess if you don't book it at that time and wait it might fill up, at least brunch.

Incidentally, we had no issues getting dinner on the Dream in July as a family when we booked well within the PIF date, and my parents had no issues getting dinner on the Fantasy when booking well within the PIF date. They didn't get brunch before and didn't check to see about it once on board.

I'm aware that gold and platinum get to book prior to others before the sail date. My point was that once onboard, there are no reservations reserved for gold or platinum that I'm aware of nor do I think there should be. It is first come served. I meant that it is difficult once onboard to get reservations for Palo. Basically, unless someone really knows the perks at each level, he or she might not know that they even get a dinner at Palo as a platinum DCL guest, and I just wondered why Disney doesn't make that known through an email or something when you check in online since booking in advance is often times a necessity. If you do some searching on the DCL site, it does state the perks at each level, but I had never even looked at that part of their site until recently. Obviously many of us here on the forums aren't sure what the perk is--does it include brunch or just dinner? Some people have had luck with brunch while others haven't. I'm not complaining--I understand it is a perk. I really just want to know if I can use it for brunch and want to be able to cancel once onboard if I can't use it.

I have had trouble getting Palo reservations in the past before our sailing--especially for brunch. I was able to go back and secure a brunch reservation again for my upcoming sailing. In fact, there was one time available for two separate days. Yeah!!! However, that has not always been the case when we've sailed.

Susan

 

[disneypoor]

If you are on a cruise with lots of platinums and only a few sea days, you might have issues getting brunch. Dinner is not as difficult because they have it every night.

And you don't get a "gift certificate" or anything tangible. They will know you are platinum.

As long as there is at least one platinum member registered in the stateroom, ALL persons age 18 and over in the same stateroom are eligible for the Palo gift.

Thanks for clarifying. I was unaware that it was for everyone in the room over 18 until I read this post. You learn something new everyday here on the DIS! I also didn't know if you received something in your stateroom stating that you were receiving Palo so thanks for clarifying that as well.

Susan

 

[over50visits]

Just to complete this discussion, here is the exact wording from today's Castaway Club Disney Website (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/castaway-club/membership-benefits/)

"Complimentary Dinner at Palo***
***Offer includes dining service fee ($25) for one dinner. Available to Platinum Castaway member and Guests staying in member's stateroom. Must be 18 years of age or older. Subject to availability"

 

[disneypoor]

Just to complete this discussion, here is the exact wording from today's Castaway Club Disney Website (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/castaway-club/membership-benefits/)

"Complimentary Dinner at Palo***
***Offer includes dining service fee ($25) for one dinner. Available to Platinum Castaway member and Guests staying in member's stateroom. Must be 18 years of age or older. Subject to availability"

It says that but people are reporting being able to use it for brunch. Who knows? I guess I will soon be finding out. I'll try to report back unless someone else sees this and has a cruise before mine and can let us know. Thanks though!

Susan