Question re: Excursions & Palo

[McNabrat]

How difficult will it be for me to book excursions & Remy/Palo reservations 75 days out? We are first time cruisers and a DCL rep told me I'll most likely have trouble. Disney gives returning cruisers, concierge level & DVC members priority 90-115 days out which leaves very few reservations left for the lowly 4A category/first timer. Anyone have experience with this? Good or bad?

 

[trimix]

You won't have any problem making advanced reservations.
You don't have a chance at making advanced reservations.

You didn't mention what cruise you are on, or what meals you want. If you are on a three night cruise, you can completely forget about even trying for brunch or high tea in Palo - those meals are not offered. And, since the premium restaurants are only available for three days, you may find advanced bookings are all gone at 75 days out. However, reservations are held until boarding so you have a chance to book Palo or Remy when you board. Check the Personal Navigator when you check in, or ask a crew member when you board.

If you are on a four night cruise, there is only once chance for Palo brunch and it will be booked when you have a chance to make reservations. You might have a slightly better chance of dinner, but if anything is booked you can try making reservations.

And I have seen that Palo brunch or tea reservations are sometimes, but not always, available 75 days out for the seven night or longer cruises. But I don't recall ever seeing a cruise (other than special and first-time itineraries) where Palo dinner was completely booked at 75 days out.
If you are on a Transatlantic or Panama Canal cruise, there are so many sea days you won't have any problem getting any reservation you want.

Finally, if you are on the Magic or Wonder, you have no chance with Remy reservations. Remy is only found on the two new ships!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How difficult will it be for me to book excursions & Remy/Palo reservations 75 days out? We are first time cruisers and a DCL rep told me I'll most likely have trouble. Disney gives returning cruisers, concierge level & DVC members priority 90-115 days out which leaves very few reservations left for the lowly 4A category/first timer. Anyone have experience with this? Good or bad?

When we were first timers, and I didn't know any better, we were unable to book Palo when our window opened. I just kept checking, and about 2 weeks before our cruise a reservation opened.

That said, about half the reservations for Palo/Remy are held back from the online booking procedure. If you are unable to get the reservations you wish, as soon as you board, go to where the Palo/Remy reservations are being handled. Ask to be put on the wait list if the reservations are full. Almost everyone who wants to go to Palo/Remy is able to do so. Of course, the shorter cruises are harder to get ressies for (less availability to start with).

Remember, we were all first-timers once.

 

[McNabrat]

We are 7 night Eastern Caribbean on Fantasy in October 2012.

Thanks for the quick response...I guess I'll take may chances and keep an eye on reservations! Think positive right!!!

 

[DizDays]

Disney gives returning cruisers, concierge level & DVC members priority 90-115 days out which leaves very few reservations left for the lowly 4A category/first timer.

I have never heard this before regarding DVC members. Do you know where you heard that information? This would be great news for us if it's true.

 

[JAM113]

Our cruise was a B2B, so although we were silver by the second cruise, we were still non castaway club for both at the time of booking. Had no problem getting the excursion we wanted for the first 4 day cruise, and were able to get a Palo dinner for the 3 day on the second cruise. I think the dinner was not available the first day of booking, but did get it during follow up checks.

 

[ValenciaJoe]

I have never heard this before regarding DVC members. Do you know where you heard that information? This would be great news for us if it's true.

That's news to me too as I am a DVC member. Since this will be my fourth cruise, I have to wait 90 days out before booking.

 

[Smayco]

When we were first timers, and I didn't know any better, we were unable to book Palo when our window opened. I just kept checking, and about 2 weeks before our cruise a reservation opened.

That said, about half the reservations for Palo/Remy are held back from the online booking procedure.

The same thing happened to me. Originally, I was unable to get reservations at Palo (on a 4-night cruise), but I kept checking and one opened up about 5 days before we set sail. Unfortunately, it was at 8:30pm, which meant that the view wasn't much of anything to see. But it was still fantastic, and I would do it again.

 

[sissy_ib]

I have never heard this before regarding DVC members. Do you know where you heard that information? This would be great news for us if it's true.

That's news to me too as I am a DVC member. Since this will be my fourth cruise, I have to wait 90 days out before booking.

I booked on points for our first cruise and I had to wait until 75 days out just like all other first timers. I think the OP just mis-understood something somewhere.
ETA: I was able to get Palo dinner no problem and at the 75 day mark the only things I saw sold out were CC cabanas and Palo brunch. We got brunch no problem once on board.

 

[LuAnimal]

I'm on the June 20 Dream 4 day (59 days out) and dinner at Palo/Remy are still available for all nights except Palo @ sea day. Brunch @ Palo was never available for me as a first time cruiser.

Sea Lion encounter and the Dolphin swim went early, but I did get the one I wanted.

Good Luck!