REAS Reservations

[oybolshoi]

My husband and I are sailing on the 10/23/04 Magic (7-night Western) and we made our reservations using our DVC membership, adding on the REAS package beacuse we are celebrating our 5th anniversary.

I started reading posts here from cruisers who are sailing after us in 2004 and even some sailing in 2005 who mentioned that they had already made Palo and Spa reservations and requested dining rotation changes. I began to get nervous about our reservations not being made yet and I called the cruise line to make them - I was told that it was too soon to make them and I should call back at the end of September. But then I was also told to call the DVC because they are my acting travel agent.

I am so confused, and not a little annoyed. Which is the real REAS reservation policy and could someone please give a long-time Disney fan and first-time Disney cruiser a little advice?

Thanks so much!

Oybolshoi

 

[happiest in Disney]

I have just made my REAS reservations and have all my times etc. and I am sailing on Oct. 30th.
What you need to do is call Debbie at 407-566-7411 and she will make your spa, Palo and brunch reservations she can also put in for whatever roatation you are requesting.
Good Luck...
She is Wonderful.
Donna

 

[TiggerKing]

Do call Debbie! I am sailing on 11/28 and made my reservations last month. I am SO excited!

 

[oybolshoi]

First of all I just want to thank both of you for this information - I will be sure to call Debbie first thing tomorrow.

Now here's the interesting part - I had emailed Disney Vacation Club member services with this same question and they are still researching but they initially told me that the cruise line told them reservations are not made until 30-45 days out from embarkation date. Why on earth would they tell someone they couldn't make those reservations early if, in fact, they are doing just that?

Oh, well. What we have here is a failure to communicate -

Thanks again for the info - I really appreciate it!

Oybolshoi

 

[TiggerKing]

I am sure that DCL's line on the 30-45 day window may have something to do with Concierge rooms being able to book their reservations ahead of time as well. As much as those of us in a Cat 9 may not like to hear it, if someone is paying concierge prices for a cabin, you want to be sure they get their choices in the spa and at Palo's. By "not allowing" REAS reservations to be made until 30-45 days out, they can be more confident that the concierge rooms have the reservations that they desire.

Just my opinion, but that seems to be a valid reason.

 

[allforpooh]

I think this is what most of the TA's are told, since DVC is really just a TA for the cruise that is why they stick with the 30 day info. I have my ressie's with allseastravel and they also told me someone from DCL would be contacting me 30 days out. I found out from the dis that you can call Debbie directly. When I called she didn't say anthing about not being 30 days out and was very friendly and helpful.

Denise

 

[oybolshoi]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Debbie was as wonderful as everyone here said she would be. And now I can relax because all those reservations are taken care of (I am a truly anal planner and I hate leaving things to the last minute).

I appreciate all the advice - DIS members are just as wonderful as Debbie is!

65 days until we sail!!!

Many thanks -

Oybolshoi

 

[leahvonleah]

Sorry for the ignorance, but what is REAS? stand for?

 

[AnnMorin]

REAS = Romantic Escape at Sea

I guess I am really lucky to have Sue Ellen as she handled it all for me, I never had to make a call, she is the best!

 

[leahvonleah]

Thank you. We are cruising the Eastern in January & I was just referred to this website & am learning so much everytime I visit. Thanks again!

 

[Mike320]

Everyone seems to be on a first name basis which really is a wonderful thing! But...who is debbie and how do we reach her?

 

[AnnMorin]

Debbie is the REAS coordinater at DCL. I hear she is very nice, as I said I didn't have to call her as my travel agent Sue Ellen (from Dreams Unlimited ) took care of that call for me, which makes her (IMHO) even nicer

 

[oybolshoi]

Mike320 - if you read further up in this thread you will see that Happiest in Disney left a post that includes Debbie's phone number. If you have the REAS package you should call her to schedule your dining and spa reservations. I talked to her this morning and she was as nice as could be and very helpful.

Oybolshoi

 

[Mike320]

thanks Oybolshoi

 

[Kalypso]

just a quick question to add to this thread - I'm doing the 3-day Wonder - we have Palo ressies on Friday for our REAS - can I call her and request dining rotation? If so....which restaurants does everybody think are best for the remaining two nights? since obviously...I'll have to miss one!

 

[oybolshoi]

Kalypso,
I know after speaking with Debbie today that you can request a specific dining rotation, but she does qualify that by telling you there is no guarantee that you will actually receive it.

I am a first time Disney cruiser so I really can't give any advice about which rotation is the best. I asked to have ours switched to Animator - Parrot - Lumieres because I wanted to be in the most formal of the three restaurants for the formal and semi-formal nights they have on the 7-night cruises.

Hope this helps a little.

Good luck!!

Oybolshoi