Press Release on new dining times

[Kristaia]

Hi all, I was just on Deb's Unofficial Cruise Line Info (http://www.wdwig.com/cruise.htm) and was looking at the latest news/press releases.
In there it shows an August press release changing all of the dining times to the newest trial times.
I also was talking to a DCL cast member the other day, booking excursions, and she said the head of dining had just had a meeting and news would be out shortly on what they had discussed.
What do you all think?
Any other news?
Krista

[prymsu]

well, it is pretty disappointing to me. If you do the early dinner, then you have problems with getting back from excursions and trying to get ready for dinner on time. Also I just think that is too early and cuts off your day's activiites in general. On sea days when you dine in the dining room, will you be that hungry to eat a big dinner? I guess i would not be able to consider dining early seating again, and would have to hope that my son could last until the later seating for dinner.

[Kristaia]

I just called the castaway club line and Cynthia told me that the dining times had not permanently been changed, AS PER HER KNOWLEDGE.
She did state that they continue to move the trial dates later and later.
As of now, she states that the trial dining (5:30/7:45) are through the September 28th cruise on the Magic and through the October 3rd cruise on the Wonder.

HMMMM, now what to think,
Krista

[SweetSpot]

I'm really not too upset about the time switch. I already have early seating and thought 6:00 was too late for us as we always eat early and when we go out to dinner with the kids it's usually fairly early. My kids are early sleepers so even though I was hoping they would be better at staying up late while on the cruise at least we have a better chance of them making it through the show without falling asleep. I sure we will be some of the few happy with the change but I can imagine it will be difficult getting ready for dinner, especially formal night, that early.

[taswira]

I'm hoping they keep the new dining times because I always choose LATE seating but would like "late" to be a little earlier. Of course, if they do this it will probably mean that late seating will become the one with a waiting list!

[shmoogrrrl]

It will be a bummer on the first day when early seaters won't be able to linger on deck and watch the ship sail, but other than that one day, I'm not opposed to it!

Kathy

[Señor Ferrari]

I agree with shmoogrrrl, the only time I found the early seating interfering with something else I wanted to do was on the first day. You'd now have to leave the sailaway party even earlier to make a 5:30 dinner seating. As it is, I'm usually a bit late for the 6:00 seating on the first night.

[FOJMO]

I don't know for sure, but I would think if they are changing the dining times, and probably throughtout the trial period too, they are also going to change other activities/events to accommodate these new dining times. The sailaway party may be changed to accommodate this, as well as show times, etc. Wouldn't you think...?:p

[DawnL]

I had always liked the early seating, but it was enough of a rush to get the 4 of us showered and dressed for 6:00 p.m. - I can't imagine making it any earlier than that - it will definitely be the late seating for us from now on.

[Kelsie]

I am on the 9/21 cruise and we have the late dining. I like the idea that it might be little earlier but my on-line reservation is still showing the later time. We will see :)

[Gillian]

When you have late dinner, what time are the shows?

5:30 is too early, but 7:45 is a little late. We usually feed our 2 year old around 6:30, so I don't know what to do! We would prefer late seating if it was just the adults.

[my3kids]

I just called and they said it has not been extended past the end of September, but they (reservationists) hope it will be. I had the cm check with a supervisor who confirmed it has not been made into a new policy yet.

[Señor Ferrari]

Originally posted by FOJMO
I don't know for sure, but I would think if they are changing the dining times, and probably throughtout the trial period too, they are also going to change other activities/events to accommodate these new dining times. The sailaway party may be changed to accommodate this, as well as show times, etc. Wouldn't you think...?:p

I would agree with this, except in the case of the sailaway party. They can't start that until the lifeboat drill is complete. They shut down all the ship's services from 3:30-4:30pm for the lifeboat drill, and the party starts afterward. Unless they move up the time of the drill, thus moving up the time that everyone must be on board, I don't see how they could change it.

[disneyholic family]

i guess that means you would go straight from the early show into dinner, with no break in between as there was when we sailed in july....

[scottie]

I just got off the phone with DCL reservations…its OFFICIAL…our 9/22 sailing has been adjusted to the news times. I am happy with the change, as we have the late seating but I can understand where the early seating guests might have an issue. Why time are the shows at with the adjusted dinner times?

[MarkRG]

Can you go on the 'it's official' part? Is it official for all cruises or just the 9/22 one you're on?
We might be on the phone with DCL as well as DVC tomorrow if that's the case, that new early seating time is just TOO early now :(

[Spud]

Originally posted by scottie
Why time are the shows at with the adjusted dinner times?

Just got off the Wonder and the show times were 6:00 and 8:00 with the new dinner times.

[Gillian]

It's going to be tough to have a 2 year old eat at 5:30, stay awake until at least 9 (if we want to go to any shows) and not have him be hungry again by bedtime :)

Thanks for the info!

[MarkRG]

We don't have kids, but we don't want to miss sailaway, or have shore excursions cut short by such an early seating time, and we have one 7 day booked, and, hopefully a 4 day tomorrow that we're going to ask for late seating right off the bat either way.

[Mjasp]

I hope they go back to the regular time. I am currently on the early seating for May. But will definitely change it to late if its at 5:30. We always rushed and barely made the 6:00 seating.

Joanna

[SueEllen]

The times being changed will be tough with little ones. My DS will be 13 months old at the time of our sailing. 5:30 is a bit too early, as he normally eats dinner at 6:30; and 7:45 is a bit too late. The early time would be okay, if the shows didn't end up being so late for him. He is usually in bed by 7:30-8:00. Don't know if it would be easier to keep him up for dinner, or for the show! YIKES!

Sue Ellen

[scottie]

MarkRG-

I only asked DCL about our particular sailing date, though I am sure it has been changed for more then just the 9/22 sailing we are on.

[jlawall]

I just got back and I like the 7:45pm late time. The shows for us were at 6pm. The early seating shows were at 8pm. Many nights we were still at dinner at 9:15pm. A few days we had a snack at around 5pm to carry us over. However, it was usually very relaxing to not have to rush to dinner. Also, there were times when we didn't get to dinner until 8pm and it didn't seem to matter. After dinner, the kids participated in the teen programs and we went right to the adult programs. It really worked well for an older family.:p

[kendall]

With the old dining times, it appeared that the programing options for the kids in the clubs really encouraged families to have an early seating. With the newer times (if they ever indeed become permanent), would the programing change to better serve the kids during both dining times? Has anyone noticed how/if the activities for kids have been adjusted since the kids may likely be split between both dining times?

[Renee']

As of now, she states that the trial dining (5:30/7:45) are through the September 28th cruise on the Magic and through the October 3rd cruise on the Wonder. Hmmmm....I just called DCL regarding our dining times on the 9/28 Magic and they are showing us at the regular 6 - 8:30pm times.

[lpursell]

I've never cruised Disney before. If we would like to stay at the sail away party and have dinner at the buffet the first evening is that ok? We have early seating on 1/18/03 Western.

[disneyholic family]

the sail away party is NOT worth missing dinner for (i mean the rotation dinner)....
go to the sail away party dressed for dinner (the first night is casual anyway) and go straight from the party to dinner...
a half hour for the party is more than enough....it's really not that big a deal...
the ship sails from port at 5 ...you get to wave goodbye...that's fun...
after that it's no big deal...
don't skip dinner in the rotation restaurant (the various restaurants have a kind of little show surprise that you don't want to miss)...

[lpursell]

Disneyholic, I just thought we would like to see the ship leave and if it leaves at 5 and dinner for us is scheduled for 5 that would conflict.

[Mjasp]

It's 5:30 not 5:00. If that helps you.

[lpursell]

Mjasp, Thanks, yes I see now that dinner is at 5:30, not 5. 30 minutes will help with everything I need to do. I haven't worn a watch since I retired but it looks like I'll have to on the cruise!:D

[disneyholic family]

Linda,
first of all, the ship sails out of ports besides port canaveral...so they'll be more opportuniies then just the first day...
second, the rotation restaurants are what set disney cruises apart...the restaurants are really fun....especially animators palate, but also the others are nice and you shouldn't miss eating in them...at least the first time they appear in your rotation......

[MarkRG]

We've had the early seating rotation all 3 cruises, one of which was even before the relaxed dress code, so it was formal, and honestly, I don't think we'll go back to early seating, even if it is at 6. It's not just the sailaway party, it's the whole experience of being up on Deck 10, watching us leave port and sail down the coast. I am looking forward to actually experiencing that next cruise. :D

[disneyholic family]

we couldn't be on deck anyway....lightning storm...(don't you just LOVE florida weather....not.....just like we got stuck in orlando airport for 3 hours waiting to fly to LA....while watching the most incredible sound and light show i've ever seen)..

anyway...the sailaway party was in the atrium...
try to imagine 2,700 peple trying to squish into the atrium...not a pretty sight...

so naturally, we missed that party as well...

but we watched some of it from our verandah (like when the pilot got off the ship)...

but they got to do it right in nassau...

[Gillian]

Our first cruise was in 2000 to Bermuda out of NYC. Leaving NY was amazing! I have fantastic pictures of lower Manhattan & the Statue of Liberty. It was just beyond words.

This one will be different. I'm sure we'll be reminded of our last sailaway, and how things are now, especially since we sail September 15th, but I think we'll be ready to start enjoying Disney. 30 minutes & then dinner should work! :)

[disneyholic family]

well umm Gillian, there's a bit of a difference between lower manhattan and port canaveral...
i hope you're not expecting it to look like that....
there are no buildings at all (other than a few warehouse type terminal things)....

the most exciting thing you'll see this time around are the CMs who stand on the dock wearing those big mickey hands waving at the ship as it moves out...

i also sailed out of manhattan....back in 1963 on the Queen Mary (when i was 7 years old)....it seemed there were thousands on shore waving at us as we sailed away (heading for europe - my family was heading there for 3 months which is why we didn't fly for tht trip...too much stuff.... - now THAT was a ship.....it still had locked gates between the classes).....

[Gillian]

That's why I'm not worried about missing most of the party!! There are only so many worries a person can carry at one time. :)

I thought of a good thing about it. This way we can put DS in Flounder's after dinner 1 night and actually enjoy some time alone together early in the evening.

[disneyholic family]

as i said, we missed the sail away party out of port canaveral since it was indoors because of the weather...
there was no way we could see anything....the space is big enough for about 30 people, not the 2,700 on the ship...
basically, it was a pretty lousy party....
but the sail away out of nassau was spectacular....great music...great dancing...and a beautiful scenic view as we waved goodbye to the other cruise ships and saw nassau by night...really lovely...

[FantasticDisFamily]

On our past cruises we requested and received early seating. It was never a problem getting ready, although DDs hair was never dry from the pool! Also they were 3 & 4 - not 7with formal nights. We had Lumiere's first night in both cases and didn't have problem getting ready.

BUT! We went to the lifeboat drills with Mom (me) dressed for dinner and DH plus kids in swimsuits. Immediately after the drill I took the lifejackets back to the stateroom while dad and kids took a QUICK swim. Then they came back, changed, and headed topside for the sail away.

5:30 though is TOO early. Discussed this the other night and kids agreed that they'd rather have 7:45 in that case...

I don't want to call and request a change yet, in case they don't stay with the new times. But don't want to get caught either!

What to do? What to do? What to do?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Deb

[FantasticDisFamily]

On our past cruises we requested and received early seating. It was never a problem getting ready, although DDs hair was never dry from the pool! Also they were 3 & 4 - not 7with formal nights. We had Lumiere's first night in both cases and didn't have problem getting ready.

BUT! We went to the lifeboat drills with Mom (me) dressed for dinner and DH plus kids in swimsuits. Immediately after the drill I took the lifejackets back to the stateroom while dad and kids took a QUICK swim. Then they came back, changed, and headed topside for the sail away.

5:30 though is TOO early. Discussed this the other night and kids agreed that they'd rather have 7:45 in that case...

I don't want to call and request a change yet, in case they don't stay with the new times. But don't want to get caught either!

What to do? What to do? What to do?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Deb

[FantasticDisFamily]

On our past cruises we requested and received early seating. It was never a problem getting ready, although DDs hair was never dry from the pool! Also they were 3 & 4 - not 7with formal nights. We had Lumiere's first night in both cases and didn't have problem getting ready.

BUT! We went to the lifeboat drills with Mom (me) dressed for dinner and DH plus kids in swimsuits. Immediately after the drill I took the lifejackets back to the stateroom while dad and kids took a QUICK swim. Then they came back, changed, and headed topside for the sail away.

5:30 though is TOO early. Discussed this the other night and kids agreed that they'd rather have 7:45 in that case...

I don't want to call and request a change yet, in case they don't stay with the new times. But don't want to get caught either!

What to do? What to do? What to do?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Deb

[FantasticDisFamily]

On our past cruises we requested and received early seating. It was never a problem getting ready, although DDs hair was never dry from the pool! Also they were 3 & 4 - not 7with formal nights. We had Lumiere's first night in both cases and didn't have problem getting ready.

BUT! We went to the lifeboat drills with Mom (me) dressed for dinner and DH plus kids in swimsuits. Immediately after the drill I took the lifejackets back to the stateroom while dad and kids took a QUICK swim. Then they came back, changed, and headed topside for the sail away.

5:30 though is TOO early. Discussed this the other night and kids agreed that they'd rather have 7:45 in that case...

I don't want to call and request a change yet, in case they don't stay with the new times. But don't want to get caught either!

What to do? What to do? What to do?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Deb

[FantasticDisFamily]

Sorry for the multiple posts folks! My connection to the server was acting up...do you think computers can get the hiccups?;)

Deb

[dylan'smom]

Originally posted by FantasticDisFamily
I don't want to call and request a change yet, in case they don't stay with the new times. But don't want to get caught either!

What to do? What to do? What to do?:confused: :confused: :confused:

My sentiments exactly...

ps - you can delete those extra posts if you want (although hiccups are okay...) :)

[FantasticDisFamily]

Dylan's mom,

How do you delete the extra posts? I kept looking for a delete button...am I missing it?

Deb

[dylan'smom]

Hi Deb,
Unless it has changed... pull up your post & go to the edit button. Then you have the option of deleting. Sometimes this is disabled, so no biggie, but it should work. (?) :p :p :p

[moocow35]

I wish they would make up their minds also and make it official one way or another.

I might just change anyway :smooth:

Robin

[cmraman]

Based on this and other threads about the dinner times, it should be obvious that there is no right time for dinner. Some people feel that 5:30 is too early because it interferes with their normal feeding time or their excursions. Others seem to like the 7:30 time because it's closer to their normal dinner time. What is Disney supposed to do? Open the restaurants all evening and allow seating on demand? Everyone would come to eat at 6:00! Ever try to eat at a popular restaurant at 6:00PM? Our local Outback Steakhouse opens at 4:00 and at 6:00 has at least an hour wait. My solution: EAT AT 4:00! Does it jibe with my normal dinner time? No. Does eating without waiting or watching a crowd waiting for me to finish make a minor adjustment in my schedule worthwhile? YES! If you have small children who are on an inflexible schedule, you could start weeks prior to the cruise to adjust the schedule gradually. As far as the excursions, I scheduled around dinner. If an excursion you want to do is only available at a time when it interferes with dinner, consider it a handy excuse to go on another cruise.
Regardless, may I remind you that when all is said and done, it doesn't matter in the long term. Worry about real problems, the details will work themselves out.

Flame away but remember:

If you are lucky enough to be on a Disney Cruise, you are lucky enough.

[inkkognito]

Originally posted by cmraman
Flame away but remember:

If you are lucky enough to be on a Disney Cruise, you are lucky enough.

Well said!!! :D :D :D :D :D
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[onemichelle]

I called my travel agent yesterday and changed our dining time from early to late. According to the press release the new times are through the cruise right before ours(we're on the 10/6 wonder) but I changed it anyway. I am so excited at this point I don't really care when we eat, but having to stop and clean up for dinner at 5:30 does seem awfully early.

[disneyholic family]

onemichelle...
we had second seating and loved it (and that was before the change when 2nd seating was really late)...just remember that if you have late seating for dinner, you go to the early show (i think it's at 6 PM)...and the shows are MUST see....