What to book before a Disney Adventure cruise, and what you can only book on board

What can you book before a Disney Adventure cruise?

Only the premium experiences, the ones that cost extra. Disney names the ones to book early because they fill quickly:

• Palo Trattoria, the adults-only Italian restaurant.
• Mike & Sulley's Flavors of Asia, the other surcharge restaurant.
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Marvel Style Studio, the makeover salons.
• Royal Society for Friendship and Tea.
• Beverage seminars and spa treatments.

Disney does not publish Palo Trattoria's or Mike & Sulley's surcharge on the pages we could read, so the price shows when you book.

When does booking open for the Disney Adventure?

On the same windows as the rest of the fleet, set by your Castaway Club level, after your cruise is paid in full:

• A first-time Disney cruiser — 75 days before sailing
• Silver — 90 days
• Gold — 105 days
• Platinum — 120 days
• Pearl — 123 days
• In concierge — 130 days by phone, 123 online

Concierge guests request premium experiences and Royal Gathering through the Shoreside Concierge Services team. Our booking windows tool gives the exact dates for your sailing.

How do you book the rides on the Disney Adventure?

On board, in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Disney says Ironcycle Test Run, Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin can be reserved in the app at select times through the voyage. At other times you can ride without a reservation, and the app says which.

None of the three can be booked before you sail, so there is nothing to set an alarm for at home. Check the app on your first afternoon for the reservation windows.

Can you book Royal Gathering and character meets before the cruise?

Not on the Disney Adventure. On the rest of the fleet Royal Gathering opens 30 days before sailing, but Disney's rules make the Adventure the exception: it can only be booked on board, in the Navigator app. Many other character appearances need no reservation at all.

Two more exceptions from Disney:

• Concierge guests can request Royal Gathering up to 130 days out, and meet characters in the Concierge Lounge without reservations.
• Baymax, on San Fransokyo Street, needs an onboard reservation.

Do you need to book the shows or dinner?

No. Disney may assign your Walt Disney Theatre show to fit your dinner time, and other showtimes are first come, first served, both shown in the Navigator app.

Dinner rotates through three of the ship's six main restaurants, which run in sister pairs, so it is assigned rather than booked, the Disney Cruise Line Blog explains. Two of them, Enchanted Summer and Pixar Market, are buffets at breakfast and lunch.