Well ahoy out there Mercedes, I'd like to wish you a very warm Canadian welcome to planDisney!
As a former Entertainment officer at sea, I always love helping fellow Canucks as they prepare for their voyage and you might've had a chance to witness the
Disney Wonder as she
sets sail from the coast of British Columbia each summer to bring Pacific explorers to
Alaskan adventures and further afield.
Whenever you encounter a situation where a
Port Adventure or bookable activity may be unavailable to select nor reserve online, it could definitely be due to certain timeslots already being filled. I asked a Port Adventures crew member who let me know that what you may see on the guest-facing site is live and can fluctuate at any time as fellow adventurers shift their plans, or if tour operators decide to increase capacity and update the amount of available inventory accessible to Disney Cruise Line guests. Your best bet is to check frequently leading up to your cruise and always
contact the shoreside Cast Members over the phone in advance of your voyage to see whether they have access to assist you with this on their end. (It is important to note that the folks that answer questions in the online Chat function are unable to process payments and may only guide you through the process of doing it yourself so it's always better to call in for additional assistance!)
I encountered a similar situation when we were trying to book a
Port Adventure for a Glacier Discovery by Helicopter for the day when we were docked in
Skagway, Alaska. We inquired directly at the
Port Adventures desk after setting sail to see whether there were any spaces available; this is always a good idea as folks don't always make it to their cruise voyages for many reasons or change their mind after a few days out on the ocean. We were able to secure just one spot this way, and discovered upon making our way to the Heliport directly that there were also several standby spots open! (The staff informed us that there are instances where weight balancing in each of the helicopters may split parties up, and some folks end up "chickening out" just due to the nature of the activity.) If there's something that you really want to explore or accomplish on your expedition, I always think it's best to keep trying all of your options to make it happen.
One of my
Princely Picks, Tips and Tricks is to absolutely avoid wearing white or anything bright while you're in a helicopter as it can very easily reflect in the glass and may obscure your view of the world below you! I really hope you get the chance to reach new heights in a helicopter Mercedes; come on back to planDisney
for more advice ahead of your next adventure.
Whether you're sailing the sea or flying high - don't forget your sun protection!
Prince