Family dining
  • On Jan 30, 2025
    Amy from AL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi! We are planning on booking with a large group soon. We want to book concierge and some members of our extended party won't. Can we (concierge guests) choose NOT to have upgraded dining and seating at shows in order to be with them if we want?

    Hi, Amy!

    How exciting that you’re planning a Disney Cruise with a large group! My family did something similar on the Disney Magic in the summer of 2024, with some of us sailing Concierge Level while others did not. It worked out beautifully, and I’m happy to share what I learned!

    The good news is that you can absolutely enjoy your Concierge benefits while still spending plenty of time with your friends and family. There’s no separate dining for Concierge guests, so as long as your reservations are linked, you’ll all be seated together at dinner.

    One of my favorite Concierge perks was priority boarding. You’ll check in separately from your group and board before general guests, and there’s an optional Concierge-exclusive lunch when you arrive. If you’d like, you can attend that and then plan to meet your group at the pool afterward. At the end of the cruise, priority walk-off makes disembarkation super smooth, which was a big plus.

    The biggest advantage of sailing Concierge is the early booking window. You can start making requests 130 days before sailing and the Shoreside Concierge team books everything for you. This is especially valuable if you’re hoping to snag a private cabana at Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point. We were able to get a Grand Cabana for our group, and it was an incredible experience! If your friends’ reservations are fully paid by the time your booking window opens, you can also book adult dining like Palo or Remy for your party as long as you're all dining together.

    Spending time in the Concierge Lounge was one of the best parts of the experience. I loved stopping by for specialty coffees and chatting with the hosts in the morning, and the evening happy hour was a great perk. If you go, you can always meet your group in the dining room afterward. Concierge guests also get reserved seating in The Walt Disney Theatre for shows, but you’re not required to use it. We loved grabbing the complimentary popcorn from the lounge and sharing it with our friends during the shows—a fun little extra touch!

    Aside from the exclusive Concierge Lounge, there’s no difference in the overall cruise experience, so you’ll still be able to enjoy all the onboard entertainment, activities, and dining with your group. It helps to set expectations ahead of time, like letting them know you’ll be spending a little time in the lounge before dinner but will meet them at the restaurant. They’ll probably appreciate some downtime, too!

    Sailing Concierge was such a wonderful experience, and it blended seamlessly with our larger group. My biggest tip? Take advantage of the benefits while making time for your friends and family. It’s the best of both worlds!

    Hope this helps, Amy, and wishing you an absolutely magical cruise!

    Eean
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Meet the Panelist: Eean, Pennsylvania

Hi, I'm Eean from Pennsylvania! My name may be unique, but my love for Disney is something I share with many. I'm the mom who's always ready to sprinkle a little pixie dust at PTO meetings, in the grocery store aisle, or during my monthly Bunco club. Whether it's sharing tips for navigating the parks or helping someone plan their dream trip, I can't resist the chance to make someone's Disney vacation even more magical! Learn More About Eean

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