Platinum Palo, can it be used for brunch?

[lovedisney123]

That is why I called, and I even mention to the CM that is said 'dinner', but she assured me that I could also use it at brunch. I guess I will find out in a few weeks.

 

[Dug720]

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

As over50visits quoted from the Castaway Club section of the DCL website, it is clearly displayed on the chart of benefits and elaborated upon with the quoted section. Maybe I'm weird, but I like to know what my benefits are, so I'm going to click on links that tell me those.

 

[Dizzyworld]

We were on the Fantasy in Jan. 2015. We had our brunch before our Palo dinner. They just used the freebie for brunch even without us asking.

 

[dizneeat]

My guess ... it depends. On the Dream and Fantasy we were told dinner only and it was dinner only. On the Magic last summer they did not even ask and applied it to brunch.

 

[disneypoor]

As over50visits quoted from the Castaway Club section of the DCL website, it is clearly displayed on the chart of benefits and elaborated upon with the quoted section. Maybe I'm weird, but I like to know what my benefits are, so I'm going to click on links that tell me those.

Yes, you're right. It is displayed on the chart. It still doesn't say brunch is allowed though, and it also doesn't warn that if you wait until you get on the ship to try to book Palo, your chances of getting a reservation go down tremendously. My point was that, as a benefit, it would be nice if customers were reminded (some people don't go to DCL's website unless it is to book or do online check in and some don't know about the DIS) about the perk prior to sailing (during online check in possibly or with an email). It really doesn't matter. I'm aware that it is a perk for me. I did see the chart you're referring to. Not everyone is on the internet as much as some of us are and it isn't like the Castaway Club section pops up when you are visiting the site, so I still think it would be nice for DCL to let people know what their benefits are prior to sailing without having to search for it on their site. JMO. This is irrelevant for me as I know that it is a perk (at least for dinner), but it would sure be nice for other cruisers who might not be aware.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We'll be sailing on a 4-nt in April and since we won't have formal night, we didn't plan to pack suits/dresses. This is why I chose the Palo brunch but honestly I assumed, maybe incorrectly, that the brunch would be free.
Our ds18 won't be sailing with us and we didn't want ds14 to have to go to the MDR alone, even if we do have tablemates.
We'll give it a try. Worst thing that can happen is they say no.

 

[disneypoor]

We'll be sailing on a 4-nt in April and since we won't have formal night, we didn't plan to pack suits/dresses. This is why I chose the Palo brunch but honestly I assumed, maybe incorrectly, that the brunch would be free.
Our ds18 won't be sailing with us and we didn't want ds14 to have to go to the MDR alone, even if we do have tablemates.
We'll give it a try. Worst thing that can happen is they say no.

That's what we are doing! Hoping it will be free but will adjust if it isn't. Have a great trip!
Susan

 

[Weedy]

We'll be sailing on a 4-nt in April and since we won't have formal night, we didn't plan to pack suits/dresses. This is why I chose the Palo brunch but honestly I assumed, maybe incorrectly, that the brunch would be free.
Our ds18 won't be sailing with us and we didn't want ds14 to have to go to the MDR alone, even if we do have tablemates.
We'll give it a try. Worst thing that can happen is they say no.

FYI: There is still a dress code for brunch. No jeans, no tennis shoes, no sandals (for men). Men need a shirt with a collar. No shorts

 

[lorimay]

We returned last Sunday from our Wonder cruise. It was our first platinum cruise. There was no option sadly for brunch since there were no sea days. But at our dinner, we had a wonderful server I can't remember his name exactly it was Hrisho or close to that. He was so sweet and took great care of us. He told us that the Disney Company pics up the tab for either a brunch or a dinner for platinum cruisers. We also asked to have our bottle of sparkling wine be sent to Palo for our dinner. When we walked in the manager welcomed us back and said our bottle was waiting at the table on ice.
We had our choice of one platinum gift either: Fresh fruit, chocolate truffles or a bottle of sparkling wine. We were called on our second day and asked which we preferred. We also had the platinum beach bag and a photo album in our room when we arrived in our cabin.

 

[mmouse37]

Yes, you're right. It is displayed on the chart. It still doesn't say brunch is allowed though, and it also doesn't warn that if you wait until you get on the ship to try to book Palo, your chances of getting a reservation go down tremendously. My point was that, as a benefit, it would be nice if customers were reminded (some people don't go to DCL's website unless it is to book or do online check in and some don't know about the DIS) about the perk prior to sailing (during online check in possibly or with an email). It really doesn't matter. I'm aware that it is a perk for me. I did see the chart you're referring to. Not everyone is on the internet as much as some of us are and it isn't like the Castaway Club section pops up when you are visiting the site, so I still think it would be nice for DCL to let people know what their benefits are prior to sailing without having to search for it on their site. JMO. This is irrelevant for me as I know that it is a perk (at least for dinner), but it would sure be nice for other cruisers who might not be aware.

Just wanted to mention that your chances of getting a reservation at Palo once onboard does not go down. I have never been not able to get a brunch or a dinner reservation onboard. They hold back quite a few reservations for booking onboard so you have a good chance.

MJ

 

[disneypoor]

Just wanted to mention that your chances of getting a reservation at Palo once onboard does not go down. I have never been not able to get a brunch or a dinner reservation onboard. They hold back quite a few reservations for booking onboard so you have a good chance.

MJ

We have actually experienced the opposite and were not able to get reservations once onboard twice. It was for brunch both times so that could be the difference. There were some dinner reservations if I remember correctly, but we didn't want to miss dinner with our kids in the main dining rotation.
Susan

 

[mmouse37]

We have actually experienced the opposite and were not able to get reservations once onboard twice. It was for brunch both times so that could be the difference. There were some dinner reservations if I remember correctly, but we didn't want to miss dinner with our kids in the main dining rotation.
Susan

I guess there are so many variables involved that I should have said "your mileage may vary". It does help to hear the other side.

MJ

 

[lbgraves]

Last cruise DH wasn't feeling well the morning of our brunch reservation. I went to Palo to inform them, expecting we would be charged still. The manager told me that you have to cancel by 1 pm, for either brunch or dinner to not be charged. Our reservation was at 11 am. We were not charged at all.

It can definitely be difficult for platinum cruisers to get a reservation at Palo on the big cruises. The Fantasy's MV was a prime example. With all the VIPs onboard many platinums reported not being able to get anything when logging in at midnight. Due to the perk, DCL started calling plats offering them a reservation. If they left a message the person had a limited time to return the call or they would lose the option.

 

[cgolf]

We will just book a brunch and if it's free, it's free, if not we pay. My wife isn't interested in a palo supper, so the free meals may go unused.

 

[perdidobay]

On our Jan 31 2015 cruise, we had Palo brunch on our first sea day (February 1). They used our free Palo perk on that meal without us asking them too. In all my cruises since becoming Platinum, they have always made the first meal in Palo the free one, no matter if it was brunch or dinner.

 

[TXDCLfan]

True, But when I do post to ask a question that I would not know, I look for recent experiences. Things can and do change so one person posting about what they read about is not necessarily the way that it currently is.. So for me, I appreciate my questions being answered by someone who experienced it themselves.. Trip reports can be a wealth of information too..

 

[cgolf]

To those that said read the policy, I remember reading on here that the policy was not always followed. For us I hope that is the case, in our ten cruises we have never missed a MDR meal and hope to keep that string going. We do enjoy the palo brunch, and since that is probably the lower cost to DCL of the two meals I do hope we get it free. We really have no interest in a palo supper so we will have our fingers crossed when we next cruise, since it will be our first as platinum. Now I just wish they would make the platinum benefits better, but that would be a whole different topic.

Cgolf

 

[mmouse37]

It seems that more recent posts have whichever meal you eat first at Palo be the complimentary one. We are on the March 7th Fantasy and have brunch booked so I will post back our Platinum experience.

MJ

 

[samily]

Just got off a B2B on the Dream yesterday and it worked for brunch without asking for it.

 

[lovedisney123]

Just got off a B2B on the Dream yesterday and it worked for brunch without asking for it.

Thanks! That is good news!