What are your thoughts on the new online pre-booking?

[starwood]

We weren't looking to book Palo - just excursions. I may try to get Palo later on. I 'd really like to know our rotation before making ressies. I don't see why you couldn't book a reservation for more than just you. You may need to include their reservation number in your request.

 

[goofymama]

Is this option for anyone or did you have to book directly thru Disney?

Its for everyone. You just need your confirmation number. Castaway Club members can book 90 days prior to embarkation and first timers can book 75 days out. Check out the DCL website for more info.

 

[DisneyDarwin]

On the up side, if I opt for a DCL shore excursion the online booking is a snap and a hassle saver. I do most of my shore excursions with other operators, so I still have some hassle. Booking DD into Oceaneer's is another nice hassle saver. If the option had been there, I would have prepaid unlimited internet and weeklong rainforest pass too, but those options aren't yet available. Also on the up side, I established my profile, booked excursions and registered DD in one sitting only 3 days before my departure. I got a bit sloppy and left everything until late this time.

On the down side, by the time I got there the Palo pickings were slim to none, and as of today they are none. I can only assume (or hope) that they withhold some openings for walkup ressies and aren't completed booked. I'll find out when I am onboard. Another semi-negative involves a glass half-empty/half full view. While doing all this is online is a big plus, it's now one more thing I have to worry about doing the appropriate number of days out if I'm going to get what I want, when I want it. As this becomes more widely known and more widely used, it may well become habit for everyone to jump right out and book stuff on the first day they can. I'm in the half-full camp, because overall I prefer the ease of on-line, but it's still "one more thing".

If I didn't plan things so much none of this would matter. I like to dream about booking a cruise and doing zero planning or prep work and just walking on board with clothes on my back and a spare swimsuit! It'll never happen, but dreaming is fun too.

 

[jlima]

We have 2 cabins with one parent & one child booked in each cabin; had to log in 2x to sign up kids; 2x to sign up myself & DS11 (he's in DH's room) for the dolphin encounter, etc. Very time consuming to do everything twice.

 

[Bethipooh4]

We booked a REAS package long before this online ressie system became available(HI SueEllen, thanks again for ALL your help). However I did go online to register DS and book our Palo brunch. I had no problems using the system. We're not taking any excursions this cruise, so that wasn't a problem either.

Now next summer may be interesting, we are in a group of 12, and we are the only returning CC members, so I am not sure how us booking Palo and excursions will work.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I love the idea and it worked great for me. I only wish we would know our rotation and the semi and semi formal nights for the Aug repo cruise. Booking the excursions online would have been great but picking up the phone wasn't that bad. I love knowing that there will not be any ressie scramble upon boarding. I love seeing the confirmations online, also.

 

[scrapperjill]

sort of off the topic of the on-line thing...but I just wanted to say and ask...When we went to Palo's last Sept for both dinner and brunch...the place was EMPTY...tops maybe three other tables occupied...is that the norm or was it just the people cancled or didn't show or just didn't book for Palo at that time. After all the hype on the board on how hard it was to get in...I was shocked to see the place soooo empty.

Myself I think some people alway change their mind and opening become available...As a matter of fact...we made reservations for the high tea...but when it came around to doing it we...totally forgot....just too busy doing other things.

 

[paulmc80]

....
I have a question for those that have done online booking: How early have you been able to make your reservations on the day you are allowed to start? That is, on the 75th/90th/105th day before embarkation (whichever applies), what time does the site begin accepting reservations? 8:00 AM EDT? 6:00 AM? 12:01 AM?

I will let you know when I make my reservations at the 90 day mark for our upcoming 9/17/05 cruise. Since we are 6 hours behind the east coast I'll probalby try at about 6:30p.m. or 7:00p.m. my time (12:30a.m. - 1:00a.m. eastern time).
One of the benefits of living out in the middle of no where when it comes to this online stuff. lol

 

[CamColt]

Love it!

We booked Palo and the couples massage on line and then were able to call and book 1 excursion for PV. Now that I'm paid in full Ive signed the kids up for the clubs and I'm ready to go. But I do agree, I would like to know my dining rotation(and character breakfast...due to possible conflict with the massage).

 

[Denine]

I loved being able to pre-book Palo for dinner and brunch and Flounder's and the spa. It would be helpful to know which nights are them nights and your dining rotation.
I knew about the problems booking excursions, so I just called and had no problems. It will be even better when they get that part fixed.
It is tough standing in Flounder's the first day trying to decide when you want to put your child in, especially when you don't know what ressies DH got for Palo. This way, everything gets coordinated.

 

[eye R.N.]

I'm neutral.

Seems that for the Aug. repo there are lots of glitches. No excursion booking, and the amazing disappering High Tea ressies are the ones I have personally experienced. But then again there have been glitches in the phone system as well, snorkling excursions that don't show up, castaway coming up completely full 20 minutes after opening the phones at the 90 day mark.

Spa ressies were simple, and I had a good selection. It would be nice to book rainforest pass on-line but I will still need to go up to register for exercise classes as those do fill up fast.

There was some confusion as to Palo being open for brunch on canal day but that has been cleared up. My dinner and brunch ressies are still in place.

Since my DD is 13 I don't have experience with club registration, but I can see how that would be a time saver. I wonder how they work giving out the beeper?

 

[MrsJobba1]

I am doing an August 3 nighter. I have had no problems booking, palo, spa and and excursion. It was really quick and easy !

I have printed all confirmations and keep checking incase they disappear. After 3 days they are still there !!

Will keep checking though

 

[aiken4mickey]

Palo reservations. I am traveling with 6 friends. 4 of us are CC members. I would love to know that 90 days out......we could get Palo reservations for all of us..but, it sounds like that is not possible for the 2 that aren't CC members......does anyone know if the 4 CC members can do the 90 days out and then at 75 days the other 2 can be added to our table? Or should we just wait until 75 days when everyone can make them together? Any thoughts or experiences with this situation??

 

[SueEllen]

Just an FYI also--they only open up about 50% of the Palo/Spa inventory online, so if you don't get what you want you can always try to change once you are onboard.

That also allows those that don't know about pre-booking or ( ) don't have internet access to still be able to book these options once on the ship.

Sue Ellen

 

[aiken4mickey]

That is good info to know! Thanks!

 

[ivanova]

Palo reservations. I am traveling with 6 friends. 4 of us are CC members. I would love to know that 90 days out......we could get Palo reservations for all of us..but, it sounds like that is not possible for the 2 that aren't CC members......does anyone know if the 4 CC members can do the 90 days out and then at 75 days the other 2 can be added to our table? Or should we just wait until 75 days when everyone can make them together? Any thoughts or experiences with this situation??

I was able to do a Palo ressie for "5-6 adults" so you can book a 5-6 adult ressie at 90 days out even though only 4 of you are CC members (this is based on availability, because I think they only allow a certain number of 5-6 adult ressies).

 

[txaggie94gigem]

SueEllen...

I am glad to hear that they do leave some space open...i know not everyone is a compulsive planner like i am and would simply book the cruise and show up without learning more (they need mental help ) and that others like my mom cannot operate a computer at all...so i am glad to know if my mom wants some spa treatments she can still have hopes of getting them when she arrives on board!!!

I had some excursion questions.....i remember disney sending a brochure about excusions with my documents...will they need to send those brochures earlier now??? the brochure listed the times and detailed descriptions, although i am planning on relying on my passporter...

 

[baward]

that Disney has implemented this. I'm looking forward to making the ressies ahead of time. This means more time in the pool, or more time to roam the ship on embarkation day. GOOD JOB Disney!!!!!!!!

 

[CM_Mom]

Ivanova, the 5-6 adult Palo ressies are seated at the circular booth like tables and they only have so many of those. We had 6 in our group and were at those tables both times.

Next trip it's only going to be DH and I and we're going to brunch and ask for a table by the window so we can watch the ocean!

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

I love, love, love the new system. Since I'm not too concerned about dining rotation and don't have reservations linked with anyone else, I'm have no complaints, but I can see how those two things can be issues.

The online system really changed our whole plan for the day. Instead of leaving WDW at the crack of dawn for the Port, we will be having Breakfast at Chef Mickey's first. It's nice that we can keep a leisurely pace.