Assigned to dine with strangers on DCL?

[LCoulter]

I went to the Maitr’d as soon as we boarded and requested a table for just the 3 of us. He told us to come see him when we arrive at the dining room that evening and he would see what he could do. He made it happen.

I didn’t know that you could make a request ahead so I’ll have to change our upcoming reservation but I will still plan to check on the reservation as soon as we board.

 

[Bill Seattle]

For many families that's the point of getting a table to themselves... the opportunity to socialize with only their family members. You don't know her or the dynamics of her family. Dinner may be the time they reconnect and talk about their day and/or make plans for next day. IMO, you are making a lot of assumptions about the OP and her situation.

I am typically a shy person so I feel particularly embolden to put it as bluntly as I can. I am really not trying to offend or put down I just want people to put trust in Disney's system. I know I went in thinking that maybe this or that would be better for us than what Disney was suggesting only to realize that I was wrong. They have not become the most popular entertainment company in history without knowing how to entertain everyone equally including the parents. There is something to be said about the value of a family with teenagers sitting by themselves so the parents can reconnect with their children and Disney has that figured out too.

 

[sabrecmc]

I didn't think I would like being at a table with "strangers," but now I'm kind of hoping we'll be put at a table with "new people to meet," lol. We usually have a 4 top to ourselves, and I find that I kind of miss chatting with people.

However, if that's not your thing, just make a request when you book and if that doesn't take care of it, talk to the head server or guest services when you board. Worst case scenario, you can eat at Topsiders,etc. and Palo/Remy or room service. Not a bad worst case! Either way, I'll bet you'll have a great time.

 

[kaseyC]

I am typically a shy person so I feel particularly embolden to put it as bluntly as I can. I am really not trying to offend or put down I just want people to put trust in Disney's system. I know I went in thinking that maybe this or that would be better for us than what Disney was suggesting only to realize that I was wrong. They have not become the most popular entertainment company in history without knowing how to entertain everyone equally including the parents. There is something to be said about the value of a family with teenagers sitting by themselves so the parents can reconnect with their children and Disney has that figured out too.

You're joking, right? You are not seriously suggesting that Disney... a profit driven organization knows what's best for my family. We can be entertained and enjoy all of the magic Disney offers without sharing a dinner table with others.

 

[AKLFan3]

No offense but I feel sorry for someone that feels this way. Disney has the dining seating down to science. While they can't guarantee your tablemates won't be drunken flakes they have a pretty good record since they know all of your vital stats and more if you have ever visited the park resorts. I was nervous going in thinking I would not be socialable enough. But after seven days not only did we all open up we actually looked forward to talking about your day with our new friends. We are a middle-aged couple with one young child and were matched with exactly the same. The kids hit it off immediately and became best friends on the cruise and even kept each other entertained so much so that we sometimes forgot they were there. For both parties we typically spend most of dinner time trying to keep the kid happy so the meals were particularly nice. It worked out so well we realized that Disney is much smarter than they get credit for.

I'm not saying that eating dinner with strangers is a bad thing. If that is what you like to do on your cruise, that's great! But it just isn't for us.

A few years ago, Mom and I took the Sunset Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge which included a full dinner with wine at a large group table. We loved the safari, the food was delicious and our 6 table mates were pleasant. But, given the option to have a dinner with just the 2 of us or eating with other people, we will choose the 2 of us each time.

We all go out to eat at our local restaurants with just friends or family and don't ever expect to be seated with strangers. I really don't know why most cruise lines seat you with others. But regardless, some people go on vacations to meet other families and make connections. We don't. Nothing wrong with either.

 

[sws.london]

On our past DCL cruises we have sat with lovely people. We share christmas cards and my daughters is still pen pal with some of them. It is interesting to see how people spend their day in different ways. Last year we were alone and were a little dissapointed.

 

[lillygator]

do families of 5 normally sit alone?

 

[biohaz_man]

I wouldn't worry too much, we have always ended up with great table mates. You can, if you want, request a table to yourselves or ask to be linked with another family if you know someone on the cruise or from the Disboards. On our last cruise on the Dream, we changed to first dining when we got on board and ended up with a table to ourselves, just DW and I.

 

[famviramontes]

We love sitting with others and have had some great experiences. One one cruise we were all laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our faces. We did one cruise line where we did anytime dining and really missed having others at our table. I do understand that it is very uncomfortable for some, that is why Disney has tables of varies sizes so they can meet everyone's needs.

 

[jdb in AZ]

If you have breakfast or lunch in one of the main dining rooms, the maitre d' will ask if you would like to be seated with another family. Almost everybuddy I saw preferred to eat without another group. The one time we tried breakfast with strangers I was quite uncomfortable -- probubbly cuz I wasn't quite awake? DH is a lot more sociable than I am and basically has never met a stranger he didn't like (other than overly obnoxious kids.)

On our last Disney cruise we were assigned a dinner table with three other couples and two of the couples were fine. If I'm assigned to sit with the third couple again I'll immediately request a change. Even tho Disney tries to match us with similar aged couples/families, there's still some luck involved. I hope everybuddy ends up in a comfortable situation. Different strokes and all that.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I usually am nervous as first about sitting with others, but most of the times it's worked out great. When we did a back-2-back cruise on the Dream February 17-24th we had tablemates for the first cruise, the second part just myself and my dad, that's the only time we have got seated alone, and while it was nice I like meeting new people