What would people be wanting to prebook

[Jobelly]

I've seen a lot about early check in when you have cruised before and it means you get the best chance to prebook things, but what exactly do people prebook? Is it to get on the ship early? We are going on the Disney dream 28th August for our first cruise and not sure what we would want to be booking. I'm happy to stay with our restaurants and not book any of the supplement ones. The kids will probably try the kids club and want to see the characters but do these need to be prebooked?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've seen a lot about early check in when you have cruised before and it means you get the best chance to prebook things, but what exactly do people prebook? Is it to get on the ship early? We are going on the Disney dream 28th August for our first cruise and not sure what we would want to be booking. I'm happy to stay with our restaurants and not book any of the supplement ones. The kids will probably try the kids club and want to see the characters but do these need to be prebooked?

Getting tickets for the Princess Gathering and Frozen meet & greets. Adult dining (Palo/Remy). Highly desired excursions.

Only the Princess Gathering & Frozen are pre-bookable. All other meet & greets are stand in line option.

 

[Jobelly]

The two girls will definitely want to meet the princesses, is it likely we will be able to prebiotic them if we have never cruised before? (DS will be happy if we don't get them!)

 

[KristiMc]

The two girls will definitely want to meet the princesses, is it likely we will be able to prebiotic them if we have never cruised before? (DS will be happy if we don't get them!)

You should not have a problem if you log on at 75 days. Let your son go to the kids club so he doesn't have to endure the Princess'

 

[twodogs]

What activities at the kids club need to be booked at boarding time? I've seen mention of doing some registration at boarding time but I'm not sure what I'm registering for? I did "register" online at check in for the cruise at 75 days.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

What activities at the kids club need to be booked at boarding time? I've seen mention of doing some registration at boarding time but I'm not sure what I'm registering for? I did "register" online at check in for the cruise at 75 days.

You would just be getting their band for the club if you are registered online. You don't have to register for the actual programs that take place in the club. You just show up!

 

[o&smom]

Also, prebooking Bibiddy Bobiddy Boutique for princess or pirate makeovers. Also, the Royal Tea is now available on all the ships. All of these are at an additional fee.

 

[Shanti]

I've seen a lot about early check in when you have cruised before and it means you get the best chance to prebook things, but what exactly do people prebook? Is it to get on the ship early? We are going on the Disney dream 28th August for our first cruise and not sure what we would want to be booking. I'm happy to stay with our restaurants and not book any of the supplement ones. The kids will probably try the kids club and want to see the characters but do these need to be prebooked?

Most activities are pre-booked online now, no longer on the ship, so some advice you've seen to get on early to book things might be outdated. Some people still like to arrive at port/board the ship asap, so they can:

• Try to get a stateroom upgrade at the port at check-in,
• Go to dining changes to check the status of a special request, or try to get a second Palo or Remy reservation,
• To get on the waiting list for a Castaway Cay cabana, should someone else cancel,
• Try to sign up for mixology (adults only)

 

[Jobelly]

Most activities are pre-booked online now, no longer on the ship, so some advice you've seen to get on early to book things might be outdated. Some people still like to arrive at port/board the ship asap, so they can:

• Try to get a stateroom upgrade at the port at check-in,
• Go to dining changes to check the status of a special request, or try to get a second Palo or Remy reservation,
• To get on the waiting list for a Castaway Cay cabana, should someone else cancel,
• Try to sign up for mixology (adults only)

Thank you, not sure there are any of those we would need (an upgrade but not sure one would be available as a family of 5!). Still hope to get there as early as possible.

 

[twodogs]

Thank you!

 

[Sytrace]

Here is a list of things that you would want to prebook at your check in day:
1. Elsa and Anna meet and greet
2. Princess meet and greet
3. Disney Jr. Breakfast
4. BBB (extra cost)
5. Reserve sports simulators
6. Princess Tea (extra cost)
7. Palo and or Remy dining
8. Excursions can fill up quickly for the desired times. For example, they might have 2 times of day for an excursion...one could be at 7:45 AM and the other might be at 11:45 AM. Our family would prefer the later time slot because...well... we are on vacation and don't want to wake up early to go on an excursion.
9. Cabana at Castaway Cay. These are typically filled up by concierge and platinum cruisers as they can book 120 in advance. But you might get one if you put your name on a wait list once onboard.

Now, if you can get an earlier Port arrival time (PAT) and get on the ship sooner ( your boarding group number is based on your PAT) and get those desired items listed above. They do tend to hold some in reserve for guests to sign up for in case they missed it during their online check in.
For example, a PAT of 10:30 AM would most likely get you on the ship by 11:30 to 11:45 and you can make a beeline to sign up for those items mentioned.

 

[Jobelly]

Here is a list of things that you would want to prebook at your check in day:
1. Elsa and Anna meet and greet
2. Princess meet and greet
3. Disney Jr. Breakfast
4. BBB (extra cost)
5. Reserve sports simulators
6. Princess Tea (extra cost)
7. Palo and or Remy dining
8. Excursions can fill up quickly for the desired times. For example, they might have 2 times of day for an excursion...one could be at 7:45 AM and the other might be at 11:45 AM. Our family would prefer the later time slot because...well... we are on vacation and don't want to wake up early to go on an excursion.
9. Cabana at Castaway Cay. These are typically filled up by concierge and platinum cruisers as they can book 120 in advance. But you might get one if you put your name on a wait list once onboard.

Now, if you can get an earlier Port arrival time (PAT) and get on the ship sooner ( your boarding group number is based on your PAT) and get those desired items listed above. They do tend to hold some in reserve for guests to sign up for in case they missed it during their online check in.
For example, a PAT of 10:30 AM would most likely get you on the ship by 11:30 to 11:45 and you can make a beeline to sign up for those items mentioned.

I didn't know about the Disney junior breakfast thanks. Where's that at and is there an extra charge? Sure DS would also like the sports stimulators. Where do I find out about all of these things?

 

[WallyBear]

Do the mixology classes fill up quickly?

 

[Sytrace]

I didn't know about the Disney junior breakfast thanks. Where's that at and is there an extra charge? Sure DS would also like the sports stimulators. Where do I find out about all of these things?

When you do your online check in, you will see an area that has your itinerary and by day, will be able to sign up for activities.
The tabs you can select are as follows:
Port Adventures ( Excrusions at ports of call)
Adult Dining (Palo and Remy reservation area) this is for all adults 18 and over in your cabin.
Spa and Fitness (this is for spa services including mani/pedis, mens shaving/grooming etc.
Onboard Fun: (Disney Jr. Breakfast, Princess meet and greets, Anna and Elsa meet and greets, Simulators, BBB)
You do not pay for the meet and greets or DJ breakfast...but you do need tickets. Simulators and BBB require a fee.

 

[Sytrace]

Do the mixology classes fill up quickly?

Sometimes cruise groups set up a Mixology class for just their group members..these are organized ahead of time by the group liasion with Disney cruise line ahead of time.
However, you can sign up on the ship for the open classes as it fits your schedule and when they are scheduled. There is an extra fee (small when you think about the alcohol you get for your money) for these special seminars/classes. There is also Cognac, Whiskey, Beer, Wine and chocolate tastings along with Martini tastings and Mixology classes. You sign up for those once onboard, typically at GS or wherever the Navigator you are given at the terminal before boarding tells you to go.

 

[Jobelly]

When you do your online check in, you will see an area that has your itinerary and by day, will be able to sign up for activities.
The tabs you can select are as follows:
Port Adventures ( Excrusions at ports of call)
Adult Dining (Palo and Remy reservation area) this is for all adults 18 and over in your cabin.
Spa and Fitness (this is for spa services including mani/pedis, mens shaving/grooming etc.
Onboard Fun: (Disney Jr. Breakfast, Princess meet and greets, Anna and Elsa meet and greets, Simulators, BBB)
You do not pay for the meet and greets or DJ breakfast...but you do need tickets. Simulators and BBB require a fee.

Thanks so much.