Check-in Changing to Tiered Castaway Club Status?

[gilsan]

My check-in date changed this morning to 35 days prior to the cruise.

Does anyone know if this will affect booking for Royal Gathering, etc? First time cruiser coming up next year and don't want to miss out on Royal Gathering or Woody's Roundup Breakfast because we won't be able to book until 30 days out when everything is probably already booked up!

The Royal Gathering is still showing bookings available at 30 days for all cruisers.

 

[cvjw]

But this raises the question, how can first-timers maximize their family vacations? For example, when we sail in October, I’d hate for my daughter to feel left out when we can’t get her into the Royal Gathering, BBB, etc. because everything is booked up (if it’s for lack of trying, it’s different). I can wait for Palo/Remy if needed but there are many experiences that parents want to make sure they squeeze in while on board. Kiddos don’t understand tiered systems, they just want the magic.

To be clear, I’m not complaining. This is a genuine question.

We have all been first time cruisers. We took what was available when we could book. Don’t promise anything to your kids. There is enough to entertain them with onboard even if you miss out on some specialty items.

 

[OpieDoodle]

I think it is a pretty good idea. Bummer that I'm only Silver and have to wait but I understand it. IMO DCL was behind the times on benefits for castaway level so I'm glad they're adding something extra in there. Only thing it changes for us is PAT which will be fine either way. We will all get on the ship

But this raises the question, how can first-timers maximize their family vacations? For example, when we sail in October, I’d hate for my daughter to feel left out when we can’t get her into the Royal Gathering, BBB, etc. because everything is booked up (if it’s for lack of trying, it’s different). I can wait for Palo/Remy if needed but there are many experiences that parents want to make sure they squeeze in while on board. Kiddos don’t understand tiered systems, they just want the magic.

To be clear, I’m not complaining. This is a genuine question.

Unfortunately, there are many things that may not be an option for first time cruisers. For me and my kids I try not to dwell on what we can't do but focus on what we can. There simply isn't enough spots for everyone to do it.
BUT even without doing any of those things you'll have an amazing cruise. There is so much to do on the ship! If parents dwell on not getting the BBB then the kids will dwell on it. I know in my situation, we couldn't get my niece into the BBB so we just did something special on our own. She had no idea she even "missed" anything and by far did not feel left out.

For me, as a parent I take this time to talk to my kids about how sometimes we can't always do everything but anything we do will be a blast. Focus on the positive not the negative. Kids understand more than you'd imagine!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Pearl cruisers check in date for WBPC cruise departing October 5th changed to 40 days for us.

 

[Dug720]

But this raises the question, how can first-timers maximize their family vacations? For example, when we sail in October, I’d hate for my daughter to feel left out when we can’t get her into the Royal Gathering, BBB, etc. because everything is booked up (if it’s for lack of trying, it’s different). I can wait for Palo/Remy if needed but there are many experiences that parents want to make sure they squeeze in while on board. Kiddos don’t understand tiered systems, they just want the magic.

To be clear, I’m not complaining. This is a genuine question.

As others have said, don't promise ANYthing.

As for princesses, almost all of them will have individual meeting times where you line up just like anyone else.

As for BBB, even IF everything is filled, you can go up and get pixie dusted only. No reservation needed. (And no age limit!)

 

[iannovich]

But this raises the question, how can first-timers maximize their family vacations? For example, when we sail in October, I’d hate for my daughter to feel left out when we can’t get her into the Royal Gathering, BBB, etc. because everything is booked up (if it’s for lack of trying, it’s different). I can wait for Palo/Remy if needed but there are many experiences that parents want to make sure they squeeze in while on board. Kiddos don’t understand tiered systems, they just want the magic.

To be clear, I’m not complaining. This is a genuine question.

Just engaging here on the Forums will at least help first time cruisers have a leg up over the other first time cruisers on their same voyage. If you're on a specialty or more rare itinerary (like Panama Canal, Hawaii, 10 nights, 8 nights sailings etc.) with lots of Gold/Platinum (and I guess Pearl now) it won't help you much. But I've been pretty surprised on some of the more 'normal' itineraries lately. There have been TONS of first time cruisers. Those folks might have an idea of what is available, but they will not know the tips and tricks that Forum members know, and the Forum folks will definitely have a better chance of grabbing things they'd like.

 

[sponica]

Just engaging here on the Forums will at least help first time cruisers have a leg up over the other first time cruisers on their same voyage. If you're on a specialty or more rare itinerary (like Panama Canal, Hawaii, 10 nights, 8 nights sailings etc.) with lots of Gold/Platinum (and I guess Pearl now) it won't help you much. But I've been pretty surprised on some of the more 'normal' itineraries lately. There have been TONS of first time cruisers. Those folks might have an idea of what is available, but they will not know the tips and tricks that Forum members know, and the Forum folks will definitely have a better chance of grabbing things they'd like.

Also people who don't know what they're missing, don't know what they're missing....

 

[bcwife76]

Still showing 30 days for my August cruise but some in my cruise group have reported their date has already changed.

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

Still showing 30 days for my August cruise but some in my cruise group have reported their date has already changed.

My family and I are gold status with Disney and my families cruise is still showing as 30 days for our August cruise.....so frustrating

 

[Flossbolna]

My family and I are gold status with Disney and my families cruise is still showing as 30 days for our August cruise.....so frustrating

Same here. Not that it matters right this moment, but I feel left out!!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

We were first time cruisers last summer and I was able to get Royal Gathering *and* Olaf's Picnic by compulsively checking every couple hours every day until I got them. No promises, but people do drop things as plans change. Just keep checking if you can handle the disappointment (because most times you don't find anything available). On our two most recent cruises, I was able to book my daughter BBB/move appointment around all the way up to the week before sailing, so I would be surprised if that's an issue if you try right at your opening date.

We are one cruise away from Gold now and now I want those 2 extra days to check in for early PAT... do any of you who have been around since the "before COVID times" remember with the staggered system when the earliest that Gold/Silver/1st Timers are usually able to get? I would think that between Pearl, Platinum, and Gold, that could be the first hour or more?

 

[dwg]

Any idea regarding how many or what percentage of guests already have reached Pearl status? I am guessing that the number could be pretty large since I do not know if there had previously been changes to Castaway Club status.

 

[dwg]

We were first time cruisers last summer and I was able to get Royal Gathering *and* Olaf's Picnic by compulsively checking every couple hours every day until I got them. No promises, but people do drop things as plans change. Just keep checking if you can handle the disappointment (because most times you don't find anything available). On our two most recent cruises, I was able to book my daughter BBB/move appointment around all the way up to the week before sailing, so I would be surprised if that's an issue if you try right at your opening date.

We are one cruise away from Gold now and now I want those 2 extra days to check in for early PAT... do any of you who have been around since the "before COVID times" remember with the staggered system when the earliest that Gold/Silver/1st Timers are usually able to get? I would think that between Pearl, Platinum, and Gold, that could be the first hour or more?

Before COVID Platinum did not need to schedule a PORT arrival time. You were able to just show up any time and check in at the concierge desk.

 

[gpjacobs]

We were first time cruisers last summer and I was able to get Royal Gathering *and* Olaf's Picnic by compulsively checking every couple hours every day until I got them. No promises, but people do drop things as plans change. Just keep checking if you can handle the disappointment (because most times you don't find anything available). On our two most recent cruises, I was able to book my daughter BBB/move appointment around all the way up to the week before sailing, so I would be surprised if that's an issue if you try right at your opening date.

We are one cruise away from Gold now and now I want those 2 extra days to check in for early PAT... do any of you who have been around since the "before COVID times" remember with the staggered system when the earliest that Gold/Silver/1st Timers are usually able to get? I would think that between Pearl, Platinum, and Gold, that could be the first hour or more?

That's encouraging! I have no problem putting in the work to make things happen!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Does anyone know if this will affect booking for Royal Gathering, etc? First time cruiser coming up next year and don't want to miss out on Royal Gathering or Woody's Roundup Breakfast because we won't be able to book until 30 days out when everything is probably already booked up!

You can usually try once onboard. I had friends that had to get the breakfast onboard, and they did. Do it right upon boarding.

 

[AquaDame]

We are one cruise away from Gold now and now I want those 2 extra days to check in for early PAT... do any of you who have been around since the "before COVID times" remember with the staggered system when the earliest that Gold/Silver/1st Timers are usually able to get? I would think that between Pearl, Platinum, and Gold, that could be the first hour or more?

In the beforetimes there was no port arrival time, just boarding number which you were assigned at the check in counter.

I'm a little worried getting Palo brunch is going to get harder now that Pearl status is a thing. I had been so excited when we reached platinum and now that feeling is gone.

 

[sfergy]

Man, I'm glad I checked the DIS boards today... I was only hours late checking in for our June 5th Alaskan with the check-in that got moved up to today with Gold status versus May 5th as previously scheduled!!!!

 

[MomOTwins]

But this raises the question, how can first-timers maximize their family vacations? For example, when we sail in October, I’d hate for my daughter to feel left out when we can’t get her into the Royal Gathering, BBB, etc. because everything is booked up (if it’s for lack of trying, it’s different). I can wait for Palo/Remy if needed but there are many experiences that parents want to make sure they squeeze in while on board. Kiddos don’t understand tiered systems, they just want the magic.

To be clear, I’m not complaining. This is a genuine question.

I feel like kids are so flexible--I remember on our last cruise walking by the lobby and my youngest said, can we go see those princesses, and I knew it was the royal gathering, so I just said "Now isn't our time to meet the princesses, we'll see some princesses later but right now we're going to the kids club." Then kid went in the kids club and was happy. And we saw his favorite princess Rapunzel later that night, who wasn't even in the Royal Gathering lineup, and he was thrilled.

Because that's the thing, everything on the disney cruise is fun for kids! Kids club, game shows, pirate nights, movies on the funnel vision, water slides, pools, randomly meeting characters in the hallway without a scheduled meet and greet etc. I could have easily booked royal gathering, but didn't (and won't when my gold day comes up for our next cruise) because I hate pre-scheduling things on disney cruises and prefer the flexibility to see what's happening on the schedule and do what we feel like.

As for BBB, bring a costume and some glitter hair gel from home and dress up before dinner or before a princess meet and greet--you'll save $100+ and the kid will still get to be a princess.

 

[dreamer17555]

Another thing that can help for first time cruisers getting BBB and Royal gathering is to book a seven night for your first cruise. There are simply more spots available on those sailings because they are longer.

 

[bcwife76]

My family and I are gold status with Disney and my families cruise is still showing as 30 days for our August cruise.....so frustrating

Same here. Not that it matters right this moment, but I feel left out!!

yes I'm feeling left out too *pout* I want my date to change by 8 days, darn it!!