Ahoy, Brian!
Welcome aboard planDisney! I’m so glad you sailed by with this royal question—because getting to meet some of Disney’s most beloved princesses at the
Royal Gathering is a magical moment that’s sure to make your crew’s first Disney cruise truly fit for a king and queen.
Now, let’s clear the fog off the compass and steer straight toward the truth—you actually have just as good a shot at reserving Royal Gathering as most other sailors onboard! While Concierge Guests do have early booking access,
Royal Gathering opens for everyone else—including first-time cruisers—at midnight (Eastern time) exactly
30 days before your sail date. That’s right! When the clock strikes twelve, it’s not just Cinderella who needs to hurry—you should be ready to jump into action, too!
In my crew, we treat it like a team mission: I tackle the Online Check-In while my wife secures our onboard activities. If the Royal Gathering is at the top of your list, I recommend logging in right at midnight on your booking window and making that reservation your first priority. These coveted spots can go faster than Dash Parr on race day!
Now, if your mouse ears are a second too slow and the reservations are all claimed, don’t throw in the royal towel just yet. On a recent sailing, we missed snagging a spot initially—but once I connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi while waiting at the port, a few slots opened up like magic, and we were able to reserve one before we even stepped on board! Guests sometimes cancel or modify plans, so it never hurts to keep checking in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app throughout your voyage.
Royal Gathering is usually scheduled for several days of your itinerary, typically in the mid-morning in the Atrium. It’s a beautiful setup, and it’s the perfect chance to
meet several princesses all in one place, without the wait you'd normally expect in the parks. If you’ve got little royals in your party, this is the moment to have those autograph books and cameras ready!
I hope this helps you feel more confident as you chart a course for your very first Disney cruise! I know the planning can feel like trying to navigate through Wonderland at times, but you’ve got a friend in the planDisney panel who’s been right where you are. From one Disney Cruise Line superfan to another, you’re in for an unforgettable voyage filled with magic, music, and maybe even a royal wave or two!
Sea ya real soon with a splash of April fun and a boatload of Disney magic,
Dustin