I recently booked my disney cruise and they only had late dining available. The travel agent said when I board the ship to see about changing it to early dining if that is what I would like. How likely is it that I will be able to make that change given, early dining seems to be the more popular choice? Has anyone had success doing this?
First thing you need to do, is have your TA contact DCL and ask to put you on the waitlist for main dining. This is only a request. Many such requests are honored, some are not. It's not a bad idea for the TA to keep in contact with DCL about the status of your waitlist position. If the waitlist doesn't come through, as soon as you board your cruise there is a location to make dining changes. Go there and make your request again.
I booked in the beginning of March, waitlisted immediately for main dining, and got changed a couple of weeks ago. It can happen, just make sure you get on the waitlist, and be patient!
Since your TA isn't a DCL specialist, or they would know about the waitlist, they might tell you that it doesn't exist. You need to tell them that you want them to contact DCL and have you added to the waitlist. If they won't, ask how to have them release your reservation back to DCL so that you can take care of it yourself...and yes, they can do that as well.
That exactly what I was going to post, my wife booked with a USELESS travel agent as well. I havent even been on a Disney Cruise, and I have educated her on so many things. DO NOT book with a "friend of the family" travel agent unless they KNOW DISNEY! Depending on the CM you get, I am pretty sure you can call Disney and do the request yourself. Some CM's will help you, some will say call your TA. YMMV.
