Which Nights Formal on Western Itinerary?

[debg]

Does anyone know which nights are the formal & semi-formal dinners? If I've got the schedule correct and they do it on the 2nd & 5th nights (as on the Eastern) they'd be having them on port days. If they have them on the two sea days then both dinners would be in the same restaurant.

I'm trying to get my excursions figured out and don't want to miss a formal/semi-formal dinner or have to rush to be ready on time.

Thanks in advance for any info - I thought maybe some of you May 11th cruisers had more info than those of us going later.

debg

 

[Michelle]

That's the $64,000 question...no one knows for sure. Disney has said they will be the same as they are on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, but that would seem odd with the port days on the Western.

I think we won't know for sure until the May 11 cruisers report back to us!

 

[vacationqueen]

As we all of us getting different answers, I called and talked with someone at the Castaway Club # and they assured me the two formal nights would be at sea nights. I reminded them that it was not the same as the Eastern since we had four days at sea and the assured me again that the formal nights would still be the two we were at sea. Who knows? I look foward to the May 11th people returning................we need your insight so post ASAP when you return. hainkbounc

 

[vacationqueen]

Can you tell I was tired on that last post!!!!! ha. Yes, I realize that we only have two days at sea but my fingers typed four. After reminding her we had TWO days at sea vs three, she still insisted the formal nights would be the TWO at sea. I really don't think they have a clue yet.

 

[jennifersmith23]

Ya know...it really stinks being the Guniea (sp?) on this but I will make sure i post right away so everyone else will be prepared. Unfortunately, we are getting way to many different answers from Disney at this point to know what is going on.

As TNRobin pointed out in the Inaugural thread if they make the formal night Monday instead of Sunday, you will be in the same restaurant on both formal and Semi Formal night which means you wouldn't see the show in Animators if you are PLAPLAP. We will see what happens, but Disney will need to do some shuffling to work this out.

I will let everyone know.

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks

Here is the latest from DCL (Juanita) at 1 800-370-0097 select 0 and skip the options. She says Formal Night is Sunday, Semi is Thursday.

If you have LAPLAPL rotation you will have the Animators show on your Formal Sunday evening and you will be in a different location on your semi-formal night THURSDAY (Parrot Key).

If you have APLAPLA rotation you will have Parrot Key for your Formal, your Animators show on Tuesday and still be in a different location on your semi-formal night THURSDAY (Lumieres).

If you have PLAPLAP you will be in Lumieres for Formal night Sunday, Animators on Monday Night with light show, and will be in Animators (no show) on Thursday for semi-formal.

This makes absolutely perfectly good sense to me. If you put it on a spreadsheet you should find there are no conflicts.

 

[jennifersmith23]

I also just called DCL and received the same response. They are keeping the nights the same.

Jennifer

 

[debg]

So, if I understand correctly, with a Sunday formal night we are not at sea, and on Thursday we are at sea. Well, whatever they do is fine with me, I'm just one of those who likes to know every little detail. I drive myself crazy sometimes.

I do have the itinerary correct, don't I?
Sat-sail, Sun-Key West, Mon-at sea, Tue-Grand Caymen, Wed-Cozumel, Thur-at sea, Fri-Castaway Cay, Sat-depression day

Thanks to everybody.

debg

 

[LorraineinTO]

We are on the June 8 Western and are keen to have this settled as well. It does not make a lot of sense to have the formal night on Sunday since we are in port at Key West - where one of the most traditional things to do is to celebrate the sunset in Mallory Square. It would seem that you will have to choose between a night in a tux and a night on the town! In terms of the dual restaurant problem if they switch to sea days, - why can't they do the show on the semi-formal night in Animators for those on PLAPLAP? In any case, we will be anxiously waiting for news from the May 11 brigade - please post when you can!
Thanks,
Lorraine

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks

For what this is worth.

It makes no sense to have the formal on Monday. If you have APLAPLA rotation and Formal on Monday you will be in Lumieres with your tux on and you will have your Animators show on Tuesday night, keep in mind you will also be in Lumieres on Thursday night for Semi-formal night thus eliminating 1/3 of the diners from enjoying this experience all dressed up, you take up Lumieres on the Formal and Semi-Formal night.

If formal night is on Sunday and you have the APLAPLA rotation and you want to watch the sunset on the dock (it will probably be raining), watch the loonies on the street, then I would make a reservation for Palos this evening for say 9:30 PM. This way you can still be on the dock, have a reason to be on the dock, walk back and get dressed for Formal night, go to Palos with a photo shoot on the way. You will still have your show on Tuesday night.

If you have the PLAPLAP rotation and the formal night is on MONDAY, you will have your tux on and be in Animators and have the show and again be in Animators on Thursday for semi-formal with no show. If Formal night is on Sunday, great, you’re in your Formal attire and eating in Lumieres. You will eat there again on Wednesday and again on Friday, and have your Semi-formal in another room on Thursday. What a deal.

If this is confusing put in on paper and you will see that Sunday Formal is the no-brainer!

 

[Michelle]

Joe & Joanne, you've obviously put a lot of thought into your spreadsheet!

I have to say, though, that it's odd to have a formal night on a port day when the ship does not leave until 10:00 pm, and when the scheduled arrival time is noon. Many people will want to stay in Key West and have dinner, or just enjoy the town...they won't necessarily want to come back to the ship for a formal dinner. What restaurant you are in that night doesn't really matter with the rotation, what matters is that many people want to take full advantage of a port stop and not worry about being back on the ship early.

Formal night is not that important to me and if DCL keeps the schedule the same as the Eastern Caribbean we definitely will be leaving the formal wear at home and just enjoying Key West on Sunday.

 

[Joe & Joanne]

EMail from DCL
Currently, the Themed Dining information is as follows for the Western Itinerary:

Themed Dining

Night 3- Monday-Dessert Buffet: There is a Mickey's Gala Dessert Buffet in Lumiere's. Items may include chocolate cakes, fruit cakes, fruit mousse, petit fours, crepe's, ice cream and pastry display items.

Night 4 - Tuesday Master Chef Series ("semi-formal night" e.g. Men - Jacket and tie, suit Women - Cocktail dress, floor-length gown, dress/pant suit). On this evening, a Captain's Welcome Aboard Gala is held in the atrium lobby and dinner features the Master Chef Series which showcases some of the best culinary
offerings from Disney, including Disney Cruise Line and WALT DISNEY WORLD® .

Night 5 - Wednesday (night for guests to dress up in their colorful island attire - flowered shirts, muu muus) Guests will have a "MEXICALifragilisticexpialidocious!" dining experience. The menu for the three main dining rooms will focus on the rich heritage of the islands of the world (not just the Caribbean)

Night 6 - Thursday ("formal night" -resort elegant, cocktail, black tie optional). For this special evening there is a Captain's Gala Dinner featuring a French Continental menu.

Note: The Captain's Welcome Aboard Gala is held prior to both Formal and Semi-Formal dining times.

Night 7 - Friday
Guests dining experience is themed around "It's A Small World"
The menu for the three main dining rooms features classic, international foods, tastily prepared with the best ingredients.
A salute to the diversity of the Disney family. A special dinner allows the executive chef, chefs de cuisine, sous chefs, pastry
chefs and the rest of the culinary team to showcase some of the favorite dishes from all of the countries represented within Disney. Dining rooms will have a multi-national decor
Crew "farewell" event

NOTE: All items are subject to change and are not offered on every cruise.

We look forward to the chance to sail with you.

Sincerely,

Tracey, Guest Communications
Disney Cruise Line

Note: Subject to change!