What's the best time to arrive at the port to secure Palo Reservations?

[C230K]

Hello,

We're planning a land/sea cruise and considering FL Tours for our transportation. What time should we schedule a FL Tours pick up at our hotel to arrive at the port in time to secure Palo reservations?

Happy Holidays!

 

[alexandrew]

Palo ressies usually start about 1pm (although official time states 130)

 

[inkkognito]

It depends on whether you want to eat lunch first. If you do, then get there around the time the port opens. Boarding typically starts at 11:30 or 11:45, with the port opening at 10:30. We typically stay in a hotel near MCO, which is less than an hour's drive, but it will take you longer if you are at WDW. We also usually do a grocery stop at a convenience store.
If you want to eat afterwards, get to the port later, after everyone is already on board, and just go straight to Palo. There will still be plenty of shrimp left in the buffet!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by inkkognito
just go straight to Palo. There will still be plenty of shrimp left in the buffet!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

There has better be, Barb! You know how I get when I don't have my shrimp and orange-mango/rum concoction!

Actually, we get their early and RACE to Dining Room Changes to get our favorite servers, then RACE to Palo reservations where usually we can't get High Tea because it's booked up - but can get brunch and often the dining day and hour we have in mind!

Too much RACING around!!!

Disney needs to make a change - say, let us request our servers while still at embarkation or let us make Palo reservations when we pay our cruise off.

Barb - you are Disney Royalty, can you put in a word to the Mouse for this?

Happy trails -
Rae

 

[LG123]

On our 12/6 cruise we boarded about noon and went staight to the Palo reservations. We had no problem with any of them. We got dinner and tea.

 

[mcnuss]

I didn't get to Palo until really late, something like 2 hours after they opened the books, and I got everything I wanted. It may make a difference whether you're on a 7 day or shorter, though.