Dining dilemma

[GarakDS9]

I will be sailing on the Wonder in 12 days. I just booked this trip a week ago. Because of that we have late dining. I am on the wait list but don't hold out much hope.

Here is my dilemma. I can try and change this when I get on board. However, on every previous cruise, DCL has done a wonderful job matching up our table mates for dinner. We have made great and life long friends. Every trip we have sat with families with children the same age as DS and often 1 or 2 other families of 3 just like our family.

If I change to main dining then I mess with the family assignments. However I am usually ready for supper by 430 (early riser)

What would you do?

 

[jdb in AZ]

I will be sailing on the Wonder in 12 days. I just booked this trip a week ago. Because of that we have late dining. I am on the wait list but don't hold out much hope.

Here is my dilemma. I can try and change this when I get on board. However, on every previous cruise, DCL has done a wonderful job matching up our table mates for dinner. We have made great and life long friends. Every trip we have sat with families with children the same age as DS and often 1 or 2 other families of 3 just like our family.

If I change to main dining then I mess with the family assignments. However I am usually ready for supper by 430 (early riser)

What would you do?

Go ahead and try to switch. Most families with young kids prefer main dining, so there aren't as many kids in late dining. You'd probably have better odds of being seated with a "matching" family with main dining than you would if you stayed with the late seating.

FWIW on our last Disney cruise we were "matched" with three other couples of similar "vintage" (empty nesters.) One woman spoke very little English so we couldn't carry on much of a conversation with her. Her DH was very pleasant, however. Another woman kept complaining about her shore excursion, and then there was the know-it-all cruiser who was so obnoxious, if we're ever assigned to sit with her again, I'll insist on making other arrangements.

Disney does their best to match similar family types, but they have no way of knowing which personalities will mesh, and which ones will clash.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I would stick and have a hearty breakfast, then later lunch, and maybe a snack (wrap or slice of pizza, with some pop) if I were hungry before the late seating.

JMO

Ex Techie

 

[kcashner]

We find that we like late dining. However, we do a "healthy snack" in the late afternoon--there are good options at Goofy's Galley.

 

[joannalh]

I've been wondering about this too. I have small kids (8, 5, and an infant) and we're on the wait list for early dining. I just saw in another thread that late dining can be an advantage in that pools etc. are less crowded during early dining. I'm not sure if I should try to switch or not. Of course I may not be able to anyway.

 

[braysmommy]

I've been wondering about this too. I have small kids (8, 5, and an infant) and we're on the wait list for early dining. I just saw in another thread that late dining can be an advantage in that pools etc. are less crowded during early dining. I'm not sure if I should try to switch or not. Of course I may not be able to anyway.

We loved late dining last year as did my 4 yr old. He would eat quickly and then watch for the CM's to come into the dining room to pick up kids doing dine and play. He is usually a very shy and reserved little boy but when he saw the yellow shirts of the CM's he was up and running towards them. Whichever dining you end up with you will have a great time. Enjoy!

 

[Jessika]

I have late dining too. I'm travelling with 8 and 9 year boys by myself. Even though our cruise is a year out, there is already a wait list for early dining. I called and asked DCL about this being kid appropriate, and she told me this:

If you are planning to go to the shows, the late dining is better for the kids enjoyment of the shows. They won't be so tired. Then, if they are worn out , they can eat dinner quick and head to the club, with early dining, the shows are later and you may end up with kids sleeping through the shows.

It made sense to me. Of course I KNOW it's their job to make me see the bright side of things, but I like the logic. Sometimes I feel like it's easier to just go with the flow than to stress about something you have no control over.

 

[sdeal]

I have late dining too. I'm travelling with 8 and 9 year boys by myself. Even though our cruise is a year out, there is already a wait list for early dining. I called and asked DCL about this being kid appropriate, and she told me this:

If you are planning to go to the shows, the late dining is better for the kids enjoyment of the shows. They won't be so tired. Then, if they are worn out , they can eat dinner quick and head to the club, with early dining, the shows are later and you may end up with kids sleeping through the shows.

It made sense to me. Of course I KNOW it's their job to make me see the bright side of things, but I like the logic. Sometimes I feel like it's easier to just go with the flow than to stress about something you have no control over.

This is the very reason we selected the late dining time...of course on our first cruise I stressed about it! It worked perfectly because the kids often enjoyed room service or a light dinner from the quick service counters while we got ready for the show. I do think we enjoyed the shows a lot more because the kids weren't worn out!

 

[EGHopeful]

We have late dinning as well, but I don't mind just in case my DD(10) doesnt adjust to the time change.

 

[GarakDS9]

I should have mentioned that DS is 13 and staying up late is not a concern. Personally I hate going to bed on a full stomach. DW and I always joke that we now go to bed when we used to go out during our college days. I guess if I don't/can't change dining we'll finally take advantage of some of the clubs for a change.

 

[shelbell77]

When we do late dining I have two dinners!

Something from quick service between 4:30-5:30 and then dinner dinner later!