Bon Voyage, Mary! I'm delighted to answer another question for you here at planDisney! Bingo is one of my very favorite activities on any Disney Cruise ship, and I'd love to tell you all my tips and tricks around the presale.
Bingo is offered most days at an extra charge. Anyone can play, but only adults can purchase cards and electronic handsets and receive payment for winning. The presale is when the cards and electronic handsets are sold for the next set of games, usually beginning a half hour before the games begin. Bingo is a very popular activity, and I find it's best to go about 15 minutes before the presale starts, maybe even earlier for the very popular final games of the cruise. I like to get there early to ensure I'm able to get the package I want and that I get a seat. Handsets do sell out sometimes, and I have seen the venues at standing room only at times.
Once the venue opens for presale, you'll buy your cards and settle into your seat while waiting for the games to begin. I like to use this time to make sure my handset is fully charged, check the markers they gave me to make sure they have ink, grab a drink and go get popcorn or another snack. Most of the time when I've been on the
Disney Wish, which I believe is the ship you'll soon be on, bingo has been held at
Luna, so Luna Libations is a great place to purchase snacks and drinks while you wait.
Each session usually has four games of bingo with cash prizes. They are fun and lively even if you don't win. We like to go just for the entertainment factor with no expectation of winning. Here are a few extra tips for you. Practice yelling, "Shake it up, Betty!" And get ready for the room to go crazy when B-11 is called.
You probably already know this, but you'll find all times and locations for bingo games and presales in your
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App once you're onboard. I like to place little hearts beside each of the sessions and presales so I get notifications 15 minutes before they begin. This is how I make sure I don't miss anything.
Mary, I hope you have some luck at bingo, but if not, you are still in for a fun time! If you have any other questions, please bring them back to us here at planDisney.
Have a magical cruise!
Melanie