Chances of getting 1st seating, when waitlisted?

[princesslondon]

I Currently have a cruise reserved for Sept, but will be waitlisted for 1st seating for dining. Second seating is not an option for our family. Does anyone know for sure what the chances are of getting early seating? Also, will we know ahead of time?
Thanks

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

We booked our cruise for this September about 2 weeks ago. When we booked, we were waitlisted for the first seating, but when I checked the reservation one day last week, we had been switched.

You can also call every so often to check for openings. During the week before final payment is due, call every day, as that's when most cancellations will happen.

If all else fails, the dining manager is available onboard on embarkation day. You can request a change through him/her. They usually can accomodate you, but can't guarantee.

I wouldn't worry, though. On almost all of our cruises, we've been waitlisted for first seating, and have never had to have late dinner.

 

[sy1203]

I agree keep checking.

For example we are booked for Nov. 2006 cruise and because we booked early we have early seating. I was advised to keep the early seating as it is harder to get the later you book your cruise. I am thinking about changing it but until I am sure I don't want to give it up just yet. So there may be others with the same dilema as me who might decide to go for the later seating. I promise to make up my mind soon for any hopefuls wanting early seating on my upcoming cruise.

Good luck and hope you get your request!

 

[Belle1997]

Our travel agent originally had us down in the first sitting I guess because it is the hardest to get. It is just me and my DH and as soon as I saw this I told her I would rather give it to a family with young children. I would feel so bad knowing some family could not enjoy the Disney dinning experience when their children were to tired or a sleep. So I know it can happen because I gave up our spot. I hope some other couples give up their spot too for you.

 

[videogal1]

I Currently have a cruise reserved for Sept, but will be waitlisted for 1st seating for dining. Second seating is not an option for our family. Does anyone know for sure what the chances are of getting early seating? Also, will we know ahead of time?
Thanks

I've read the responses to your question and there's one possibility missing...If you are hoping to get your seating fixed before you cruise find someone on your cruise with the same dinner seating that you want by posting on the cruise meets board. Then, if they are agreeable, link your dining reservations. I just got popped into early seating from being confirmed second and waitlisted first by doing that. I was surprised that it worked, but it did. Perhaps I just got lucky but...It's a possibility you might try...AND you'd meet someone else on your cruise, too...

 

[minniemouse1]

on our first and second cruise we had second seating. when you board the ship there is a place to request to change your dinner rotation. We were changed from 2nd to 1st both cruises and we were a party of 9 so this is always an option if it doesn't come through on your ressie.

 

[MrsMork]

We are adults only and were waitlisted for early dining on the 10 day. I was told it was probably hopeless since they move folks with children first, but they would place us on the list anyway. We were moved to the early dining about a month prior to the cruise. There is hope

 

[seaulater]

Hi fellow 10 day Christmas Cruisers!

There were 13 of us and we were all on main seating, but then when I changed our stateroom to DVC points on day 1, 11 months out, I had to go to the late for 3 of us. I waitlisted us and kept us linked with all our kids and just like Angie, 1 month before when I called about something else I checked and ta-da we had been moved to main.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just check when you are about 30 days out after they have worked on placement. I bet you'll get to main with no problem!

Linda

 

[tvguy]

I Currently have a cruise reserved for Sept, but will be waitlisted for 1st seating for dining. Second seating is not an option for our family. Does anyone know for sure what the chances are of getting early seating? Also, will we know ahead of time?
Thanks

Switching is possible, but not likely.

Why isn't late seating an option? Reason I ask is a lot of folks say that until they are "forced" to take late seating....then realize after doing it that late seating actually worked better than early.
Those with younger kids and late seating have found a nap and a snack can overcome any potential problems with late seating.
I can't imagine even attempting early seating on port days.

 

[currygina]

On our first cruise in Dec. 03 - we had second seating, which I wanted to begin with, but my dd-4 started getting cranky towards dessert time. This time I wanted main seating but was put in second (reservation in Feb for May 05 cruise). However, my Mom is going with us and she is a diabetic and I just found out when I got my papers that they moved us up to main seating.

 

[webray]

Always keep checking, and when you get on the ship..check the spot listed in the navigator to change dining times..and go there. Be persistant. On our first cruise, we had the opposite problem. Hubby made two attempts on ship, when we boarded..they finally changed it for us. We didn't notice the mistake in dining time until late, late that afternoon after boarding.

 

[princesslondon]

tvguy,
Sadly for me, my daughter has not taken a nap since she was 9 months old. Even recently since she has started school in the mornings and has gymnastics at night we make her lay down and the darn child will lay there eyes open FOREVER!!! The one good thing is she goes to sleep around 8pm, so if anything we will have room service. I won't let it ruin our vacation though. We are booked in a Cat 3 so I think we can even possibly order room service from the regular resturants (once again "I THINK")
Thanks to everyone for all the great replies. You are great bunch of people!!

One more thing-we are booked thru DU, will they just post it on my reservation if it changes or will Disney notify me?
THANKS!!!

 

[Stimpy]

I've read the responses to your question and there's one possibility missing...If you are hoping to get your seating fixed before you cruise find someone on your cruise with the same dinner seating that you want by posting on the cruise meets board. Then, if they are agreeable, link your dining reservations. I just got popped into early seating from being confirmed second and waitlisted first by doing that. I was surprised that it worked, but it did. Perhaps I just got lucky but...It's a possibility you might try...AND you'd meet someone else on your cruise, too...

How far in advance did you find out you were moved up? We've been on the waitlist for Main since September and we are linked to my parents who are confirmed Main. I just checked with our TA last week and she said we are still waitlisted for Main. Thanks!