Late dinner = early show?

[mickeyfan0805]

How does show timing on the Disney Magic work? We're doing a 3-day cruise and had originally selected the main dining time. Are there two show times, of which we would get the later?

We are travelling with three younger kids (8, 7, 5), and the more I think about it, the more I think we might be best to take advantage of the dine and play option. They will not want to sit through a long dinner, and they will be fading by the time of the show if it doesn't start until 8 or later. If I'm correct on how this will work, I'm starting to think that and early show with a shortened dinner period before being dismissed to the clubs would be better.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How does show timing on the Disney Magic work? We're doing a 3-day cruise and had originally selected the main dining time. Are there two show times, of which we would get the later?

We are travelling with three younger kids (8, 7, 5), and the more I think about it, the more I think we might be best to take advantage of the dine and play option. They will not want to sit through a long dinner, and they will be fading by the time of the show. If I'm correct on how this will work, I'm starting to think that and early show with a shortened dinner period before being dismissed to the clubs would be better.

There are two dinner seatings and two shows. Basically at the same times. So early dinner goes to late show and late seating goes to early show.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

There are two dinner seatings and two shows. Basically at the same times. So early dinner goes to late show and late seating goes to early show.

That's what I thought, but couldn't find a confirmation anywhere. Thanks!

 

[birdman]

I read somewhere that one of the "issues" with the later dinner is that is seems to be much slower than the early dinner. People have been noting that while it might seat at 8:15 (or around there) they find themselves still in the dining room waiting for desert at 10:30 or later.

I am travelling in earlier Jan. with just my 10 year old son. While I originally thought eating later (second seating) was better because we both can generally wait to eat later and the dining room at that time may not be as busy (noisy) with very young kids (most of whom have eated at the early sitting), neither of us are too interested in sitting in the dining room for 2 + hours.

Any thoughts? (Or is what I have read a bunch of hooey and you can pretty much eat and be done at your own pace?) Thanx again.

 

[KBelle]

I'd have to agree with you birdman. We had second seating and often didn't get out until 10 or later. But we were seated with another family and they were late arriving almost every night. So our servers waited until we were all seated before serving. Our waiter told us that the mood is a bit more relaxed for second seating since they're not on as much of a time crunch. But the food came in a timely manner, imho. I would book 2nd seating every time. I really liked not having to rush to go to dinner at 6, and we could go to the show in our day clothes if needed. The show is over at 7, so we had over an hour to get ready for dinner.

 

[Meghatron]

How does show timing on the Disney Magic work? We're doing a 3-day cruise and had originally selected the main dining time. Are there two show times, of which we would get the later?

We are travelling with three younger kids (8, 7, 5), and the more I think about it, the more I think we might be best to take advantage of the dine and play option. They will not want to sit through a long dinner, and they will be fading by the time of the show if it doesn't start until 8 or later. If I'm correct on how this will work, I'm starting to think that and early show with a shortened dinner period before being dismissed to the clubs would be better.

Keep in mind that getting kids' meals faster is simply a matter of asking your server and not directly connected to Dine and Play. Since the stage shows are only 45min, we find that fading during the performance is not an issue (they skip the hired acts on the longer cruises).

So our evenings, when the kids don't want to stay for whole dinner, look like this:

Dinner 5:45, ask for kids' meal first.
When they are done, one of the adults escorts them to the clubs in between courses
Enjoy the rest of the dinner
If the kids want to go to the show, we pick them up for it.
Show 8:30, either with kids or without
Then either back to the clubs or head to one of the family events (ex: Golden Mickeys After Party) based on what the kids would prefer. If the kids choose clubs we go to the adult areas or Funnel Vision.

We do this because even with expedited serving there is no way our kids can do late dinner, and even the grownups have a hard time eating that late.

Just wanted to offer an alternative timeline showing that Dine and Play is really just the counselors coming to the door of the restaurants at a certain time and you have to be watching to use them. Everything else is changeable/customizable to your needs regardless of which dinner seating you have and how your family works best.

And remember, no matter what you decide, you will have a GREAT time!

 

[disneylove69]

I read somewhere that one of the "issues" with the later dinner is that is seems to be much slower than the early dinner. People have been noting that while it might seat at 8:15 (or around there) they find themselves still in the dining room waiting for desert at 10:30 or later.

I am travelling in earlier Jan. with just my 10 year old son. While I originally thought eating later (second seating) was better because we both can generally wait to eat later and the dining room at that time may not be as busy (noisy) with very young kids (most of whom have eated at the early sitting), neither of us are too interested in sitting in the dining room for 2 + hours.

Any thoughts? (Or is what I have read a bunch of hooey and you can pretty much eat and be done at your own pace?) Thanx again.

Everyone at the table eats at the same time. The waiter usually waits til every one is done with a course before going on. Most is time so people in the room are on or xlose to same course.

 

[Weedy]

We have always done the late dinner early show for the exact reasons you stated. The kids like to see the shows but don't want to sit through a long dinner. Lots of times we would go to the show and then go up to the pool deck and grab the kids dinner and take it to the room and have them eat as we got ready for dinner. Then we would drop them at the kids club and we would head to dinner. Also room service is available at no extra charge. (just a tip)

 

[Capt_BJ]

I read somewhere that one of the "issues" with the later dinner is that is seems to be much slower than the early dinner. People have been noting that while it might seat at 8:15 (or around there) they find themselves still in the dining room waiting for desert at 10:30 or later.

true, but not true ... a matter of perspective. In the traditional cruise world there was early seating and main. Early people must eat and clear in time for MAIN to seat ... and main seating had a tendency to sit and talk and enjoy . . . one did not want early seating because they would be rushed ... MAIN enjoyed.

We always ask for late .... at home we seldom eat dinner b4 7:30 ... often the kids were fed b4 the adults ate ... but our kids enjoyed being ALLOWED to stay up for late seating on early Disney cruises when they were very pre teen. They also enjoyed dressing for dinner . . . they were not pushed into these clothes ... they picked out their ensam' for formal night and looked forward to it



There are too many eating options for the kids to worry about their eating late IMO .... if they decide to eat early and not come to the dining room so what? But my kids always thought the dining room was a big part of the adventure and would ask to take naps to ensure they would not miss . . . some times at dinner they only picked .. but enjoyed the show ... the attention from the wonderful servers.

If they wanted to leave early ... b4 the adults had a leisurely coffee and desert ... this was easily arranged too. Run 'em back to the room for a clothes change and off to the clubs.

ds pictured above had memories good enuf after 7 cruises as a kid, to book 12 night Med' for his honeymoon . . .

 

[Mandersons04]

We've had second seating on 3 cruises and always had our food brought to us quickly and were out by 9:30. Even when we cruised with a group of 20, we were still out before 10 to catch other activities. Dinner was never rushed and very relaxing. Kiddies stayed up through dinner each time with the exception of one night. We love going to the early show before eating.

My mother-in-law who is notoriously known for eating dinner before 6:00 even enjoyed second seating. But when we all cruise, we know we're in it for the long nights of fun

 

[birdman]

Thx. Again, all very helpful. Normally I wouldn't think twice about doing the late and not worry about how long dinner takes but because I am only going with my 10 year old son (just the 2 of us) I was thinking that in and out may be the pref'd alternative.

Thx

 

[mcd2745]

I wish there was a third show after the late dinner. Then, we would definitely do late dinner. My issue with late dinner, is that the idea of going to a show and then dinner is sorta backwards to me. Plus, whether we have early dinner, or are going to the show before late dinner...we have to (for all intents and purposes) put an end to our "daytime" activities approx 4:30pm. If they had another show after the late dinner, and you had the second seating...you wouldn't have to end your daytime activities until 6:30pm or so. Why oh why doesn't DCL consult with me before all my cruises so that they can tailor their schedules according to all my wants and desires???

 

[GervaisCouple]

If we have late dinner, will we miss all the evening activities geared towards families?

 

[KristiMc]

If we have late dinner, will we miss all the evening activities geared towards families?

No, because when you are having late dinner, the early diner's will be watching the show. They don't start the after dinner/show activities until 9:45-10:00 so in most cases you should be out of dinner.

 

[Bonniec]

What activities do they do?

 

[KristiMc]

What activities do they do?

Games, Trivia, Karaoke, Dance Parties, comedians. It varies. You can pull up past Navigators to get an idea.

 

[crabby5]

We usually travel with 5-6 adults and one child (the grandparents, my husband and I and our daughter). We've been on the Dream twice and have done the late dinner both times. The first time, our daughter (who was almost 6 at the time) fell asleep at dinner every night. This was fine because we went to the early show and she essentially ate all day (anytime she wanted).
The last time on the Dream (Feb 2013) we also did the late seating and she stayed awake and ate then went to the "Club" to play until we were finished with dinner. It worked out really well and that's what we're planning to do in November when we go again. As soon as we sit down, she orders her food and they bring it out before we even order. We order while she eats then someone takes her up to the club and drops her off, then the adults can all eat as slowly as we want to. I would get her a drink and dessert to go each night and take it back to the room- she would eat it before going to bed if she wanted it.
They have some cuite things later at night at the kids club- like Pluto's pajama party (she still talks about this) where they dance and get to color a pillowcase.
Have fun- Hope this helps!!

 

[aprilchem]

I can only speak for myself, but we chose late dinner on our August 13 Fantasy cruise and for us it was a BIG mistake. We thought our kids (ages 4,6, and 8) would be fine with it, but they weren't. In our case, dinner took a long time (on average, we waited 45 minutes from the time we first sat down until we got our first course, and 15-30 in between each course), and by the time we got to dessert (after 10 pm sometimes) the kids were bored, tired, and wanted to go to bed. We ended up ordering room service for them for the last 4 nights of the cruise and allowing them to go to the kids club instead of dinner, which seemed to distress our servers.

On the BTB we have booked on the Dream for January I've booked early dinner. If we end up being assigned the late seating I think we'll probably skip the MDRs altogether.

 

[Meghatron]

On the BTB we have booked on the Dream for January I've booked early dinner. If we end up being assigned the late seating I think we'll probably skip the MDRs altogether.

If you have booked early seating (meaning it was available as an option and you did not have to call and waitlist) you will not be assigned to late.

Sent from my Tricorder using DISBoards

 

[birdman]

I am inclined to keep my early spot. I don't want to sound anti-social, but it seems as if the delay is often attributable to others at the table (other families etc) either arriving late, or larger parties etc. Given that it is just me and my 10 year old, is it possible to sit just the 2 of us and then eat and leave at our own pace? I am not going to send my son out to the club while I sit there and eat on my own in any event. If I was there with the rest of the family that might be a good choice but not likely with just the 2 of us