1st timer question about Palo/Remy and other Dinner planning

[pkkz124]

First time cruiser, traveling with DH, DD6,DD4, DD2 in a little over a month on Disney Fantasy 2/13-20. Have read through this forum and the FAQ but still a bit confused about which days to do Palo/Remy. Husband and I currently have Remy Dinner booked for Day 2 (which I believe is the formal day, Pros/Cons of doing that so early?) and which also happens to fall on Valentine's-Day.

We definitely want to do at least 2-3 adult only meals, thoughts about booking Remy Dinner, Palo Brunch vs dinner and on which day? I have heard about people skipping Pirates Night to do an adult dinner, but not sure if our kids would miss the pirate party (although they are much more girly girl and into princesses, etc) as its our first trip. Also considering dinner rotation, how do we request not to miss certain places (AP?) on nights we are doing adult only dining? What time are the show, and is there a must not miss one? Appreciate the help as this is all a bit overwhelming!

Missy

 

[missyp]

That is sort of a tough question to answer. The regular rotational dining experience is very nice. As a first time cruiser I would not want to miss many or any of the regular dinners. You can also just go to a regular dinner without your children (just an option) and you would not have the additional upcharge of Palo or Remy. If it were my first cruise I would only schedule Palo and Remy Brunches and experience all the regular dinners.

I am also going on the Fantasy and we are choosing to do a Palo dinner on Pirate night. Our reasoning is we have experienced Pirate night numerous times, our kids are older and can go to pirate night dinner themselves and we don't particularly care for that menu at all.

I like to go to the dining room dinners and establish a relationship with the servers, it is a fun and great experience.

I am sure everyone has different reasons why they pick which night to miss but this is how we do it.

 

[missyp]

As far as requesting to not miss a certain restaurant, you can never be certain that any request you make will be granted ( though they usually are). You need to call DCL or your travel agent to make that type of request. This is another reason people pick to go to Remy and Palo on pirate night, they know for certain what they are missing

 

[JMHDisney]

Pirate night is pretty fun for the kids in the dining room. The food in main dining that night is probably the worst of the cruise, but you could take the kids to dinner early (assuming you have early dining) and then go to Palo afterwards.

 

[Trera]

Pirate night is pretty fun for the kids in the dining room. The food in main dining that night is probably the worst of the cruise, but you could take the kids to dinner early (assuming you have early dining) and then go to Palo afterwards.

We have done this before.

 

[stacecakes]

I would agree with the suggestion that you try doing adult-only in the main dining room as an option, especially if it's your first cruise. Your kids, if anything like mine, would likely be amenable to having an early dinner of pizza, chix tenders, burger etc. up on the pool deck and then head to the kids club for a couple of hours while you have dinner. WIth this too, you don't have to second-guess your dining rotation and you don't have to pay anything extra. since whatever's on the main menu will be a novelty. I'd go for it. This is our third DCL and the first time we are going to one of the non-MDR. We know the menu options at this point and were able to say- we want to skip that night with a degree of confidence.
I'd also advise that you book your 2 year old into the nursery as soon as you are allowed for the times you'e hoping for adult time- nursery isn't the same open drop-off as the age 3 and up kids clubs. So as you do make remy/ palo reservations, make your small world reservations too. From what I' remember, you're only permitted to pre-book so many, then additional are available depending on demand once you board.

As for pirate night activities- there is usually a pirate party in between the two dining seatings, and the the main event after both regular dining are over, so maybe 7:00 and 10:15? if you can find a thread where someone as posted a navigator from a similar sailing you'd be able to get a better idea. SO whether you eat in the MDR or elsewhere if you plot your meal during one oft he standard mealtimes you'd still be able to get to pirate stuff if you wish.

 

[VS85]

We did Remy dinner on pirate night on our first cruise because neither the menu nor the activities appealed to us. Our reservations were for around 6 or 6:30 and we were done by 9ish. Gave us enough time to change into casual clothes (we were stuffed!) and go back up to the pool deck to stake out a spot right in time for the end of the pirate show and the fireworks! Perfect way to end a really fantastic evening. We also went to dinner a little early and enjoyed a cocktail at Meridian before getting seated. In the end, it really doesn't matter which night you go. Yes, you might miss out on something unique in the MDR but the experience at Remy far outweighs any dining experience you'll have in the MDR. Just my opinion Since your Remy reservation falls on v-day, I think you have it really well planned out!