Can't get early seating...

[jac07]

We are planning to go on the Wonder 7/20. All they have is late seating available. We have a 12 year old and a 5 year old. The youngest won't make it till 8:30 p.m. to eat dinner. I was told we could be put on a wait list, with no guarantees. Has anyone ever had this experience and were able to get the early seating? I know there is enough food on the ship to hold him over till dinner, but I'd like him to save most of his appetite for dinner, and having him not finish dinner till 10 p.m., is too late for him. The cruise the week before has the early seating available. I guess with a lot of finagling, we could do that cruise, but really prefer the 20th. Thanks! Judy

 

[floridaminnie]

With having the late seating, you will be able to go to the early show. If you have the late seating the young one's will probably fall asleep during the show. There are several alternatives with eating earlier, the kids can eat in the clubs (5:30), the buffet, or by the pool there are some alternatives along with room service.

 

[my3kids]

Mine were somewhat similar in age last trip and we had early seating and we didn't like it. We requested late for next trip. There is so much fun on the ship that it was a shame to have to go inside to take showers for dinner. We are very excited to actually be able(i.e. have room!) to enjoy a snack in the afternoon, stay outside and play, then enjoy a late dinner when the sun is setting. The early seating was just too early.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Our first cruise back in 1998 was booked eons in advance with early seating. When the ship was late the cruise we rebooked for only had late seating available. So we waitlisted. When we checked in we had been moved to early seating. It does happen.

And if it hasn't by the time you board the ship check your Navigator right away and go to the spot indicated for changing - the head waiters will be there doing what they can.

So much depends on what you and your family is used to. This next cruise our children will be 13 & 15 (almost 16) and we gave them the choice. They selected to go with early. We generally eat about 6:30 at home and they like the idea of eating, then having the evening to play once again. Both are in sports so they've learned the shower and change quickly routine.

Have never sailed with a 5 year old so don't know how much extra work that would be to get him ready.

Either way...enjoy the cruise!

Deb

 

[padams]

We went our cruise in Feb. with DSs 5 and 7. We booked so late that we could only get late seating. I was concerned about eating so late because we eat at 6pm at home. It turned out to be great. I would definitely request a late seating if we cruise again. We went to the shows and then to dinner. DSs also were able to fit in some of the kids' clubs activities late in the day, which would not have worked if we had the early seating. DS 5 was sleepy at the end of the first night but by the time we got by to our room, he was ready for more action. Also, our waiters were great about moving dinner along, we weren't hurried but they were quick to bring the appetizers, bread basket, drinks, etc.

 

[dizmomof2]

I was put on the wait list for early seating and was able to get it. Disney told me that they do their best to get all the young children in early seating that request it.

If you don't I would try to change it once on board. We had late seating on another cruise line and loved it but with the kids and the way the club schedual is we really wanted the early seating.

If you can't change I wouldn't worry to much about it. You'll have a great meal either way!

 

[kangaroodle]

See if there is anyone on this site that will be on the cruise with you that has the early seating. Then, see if they wouldn't mind "linking" your reservations together. Then they call and you can get your time changed because you are traveling together. It has worked for someone else in your same situation! Good luck!!!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

When my TA recently went to the College of Disney, this was discussed because another TA had a family that was going to cancel their reservatin because they couldn't get early dining.

The moderator told them not to let their clients do this. He explained that even if you can't change immediately upon arriving on board, to check back on the second night because so many kids start attending the clubs and eating with them that many parents end up changing to the late, therefore opening up seats on the early shift.

I don't know if this is true or not, or just rhetoric so people don't cancel for frivolous reasons, but sounded plausible.

We are also waitlisted for early dining with a DS (9 years old) and a DD (4 years old). If it happens, great, if it doesn't, that will be okay and we will make the best of it.

I have read so many things both ways that we will be fine and we will adjust.

 

[Bev J]

When we went on our DC we had late seating, our young son was 5.5 and he did fine with it, take into consideration the time changes and it might not be as late as you think, for us it ended up being 730 for home time. We would have a good size snack around 4 or so to help with the hunger pangs. Many evenings he had the mickey pool almost to himself since most of the kids had early seating. He could swim untill 630 go back to the cabin have a shower and some down time or we could go to the early show then head for dinner.
The waiters will bring the kids their dinner quickly so if they want to go to the clubs or something after they can.
Now it did catch up with our son on the day we were at Castaway Cay, he got his juice started to color his menue and laid his head down on the table and fell fast asleep, he slept untill the next morning!
Kids will usually go with the flow-our kids loved being able to eat pizza in the late afternoon, we never do that at home, and they still ate all their dinner.