7 night cruises: Which dining rotation do YOU prefer???

[SeaSpray]

I am trying to figure out which dining rotation would be preferable. As of now, I don't see what the differences would be, but then again, this is all new to me!

Can some of you please give me the reasons as to why you do or don't like the different dining rotations?? Thanks so much!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

For the May 10th Western we requested and received the APL rotation. We wanted the rotation for the following reasons:

Character breakfast the first morning to get the cruise off to a great start.

Being in Parrot Cay for both Key West night and Mexicali night.

Being in Lumiere for both Formal (though we went to Palo) and Semi-Formal night.

We were 4 adults on what is normally the younger children's rotation. You know what - we loved it. We enjoy the magic tricks as much as the kids at other tables!

We were prepared for any rotation and would have been happy with any, but really enjoyed this one.

 

[Masonpips]

We didn't request last year but assumed we'd get APL (3&5 year old kids) and we did. I think it's the best for Western:

Formal/Semi-Formal in Lumiere's
Tropical in Parrot Cay
The show the very first night of the cruise in Animator's Palate
Character breakfast on Sunday morning - first full day on the ship

Since we had done Parrot Cay for the breakfast, we did Palo Sunday night and didn't feel like we missed out on a restaurant that way.

We are doing the Eastern this year and requested APL again for many of the same reasons, although Tropical is Tuesday this time

 

[SeaSpray]

thanks so much to both of you for your answers, and they make a lot of sense to me! I have another question now though. Our DSs will be 16 and 13 when we're on the cruise and we're going to request the second dining seating, and I noticed that you both said that the APL rotation is often for people with younger kids. Would that necessarily be so for the second seating too?? We're hoping to be seated with another family with children somewhat close in age to ours. Do you think this is possible with the APL rotation? We figure at the second seating there'd be more older kids anyway, kwim?? Is Parrot Cay where the character breakfast always is? Or is only there for the APL rotation??

thanks again for any help with this!!

 

[RellingTwin]

Character Breakfast is always in PC.
We also had APL with kids from 2-12 years old (late seating)

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

I thought I read that Sunday is now formal night. Wouldn't APL put you in Parrot Cay for formal night?

 

[Doctor P]

Formal night is Monday on the Western 7 day.

 

[gometros]

I don't know if the rules about which rotation you get depends on the age of your group appiles anymore. We were on the July 5th cruise with a 15, 18 and 21-year old and expected the LAPLAPL rotation. We got the APLAPLA rotation instead and were pleasantly surprised. I agree it's best on the western for the reasons stated above.

 

[jrabbit]

Any dining rotation works, you get great food and great service in any case. Like others have said APL seems to be the "best" rotation for the Western. We had PLA and guess what, it did not ruin the cruise for us at all. We sat with a family that had kids about the same age as ours (for the first time really).

You can request a rotation and unless you are in a Cat 3 or higher stateroom it makes absolutly NO difference. DCL will make a "note" of it and then completely ignore it when assigning seating. And besides you have a 1 in 3 chance of getting the rotation you want (much better odds than playing Bingo or the lottery). If you are a compulsive planner (I'm married to one), this is something to cross off your list and discard and make up your mind not to worry about it because it is totally out of your control.