I'm trying to read through this entire thread, but it's taking a while and I'm taking notes as I go.
Someone mentioned signing up for the least favorite restaurant for the first night so that you wouldn't have to do that one twice.
We are going on the Dream in February and it has Animator's Palate, Cabanas, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Palace. The other's are adult only. We'll be traveling with our boys, 12 and 10. Having never cruised before, is there a certain one that would be best for our family? Do characters show up? Specifically Peter Pan and Pluto? I would love Dopey!
When do we choose the restaurant we want to eat at first? On board?
Thanks in advance!
Mary
Like another poster stated, your dining rotation is assigned. If you are doing a 3 night cruise, you will be assigned dinner in each of the dining rooms : 1 night in Animators Palate, 1 night in Enchanted Garden, and 1 night in Royal Palace. You only get a repeat of resturants if you are doing a 4 night cruise and even then on one night you may physically be in the same resturant, the menu will be the pirate night menu. If you dont like your rotation, once you are onboard you can go to guest services and see if it can be changed, no guarantees but you can try.
There arent any characters at the meals but there are tons of opportunities to see the characters around the ship. Sometimes they are scheduled to be at a certain place for pictures and stuff and sometimes they are just walking around... you just never know who you might bump into...
Cabanas is buffet type for breakfast and lunch. And they are doing something new on the Dream for dinner where it is more casual, but you are seated and served just like in the main dining rooms with some items from the main dining rooms and some from the buffet type foods. I am cruising on the Dream in October 2011 so I dont have personal experience with this one but just what I have read. I would think this would be a good option for families with small children or if you want more flexibility in your dining times or dont want a "fancy" dinner.
Another option for the kids is for them to eat in the Kid's clubs. They offer a buffet of kid friendly cuisine at a certain time... 5:45, I think. And your kids can eat dinner there and continue with activities as well.
I would suggest, taking a look at the menus, see what appeals to you and your family and then decide what would work best. Try these websites:
the
disney cruise line website, or allears.net
Just so you ... if you want 2 appetizers, you can get 2, if you want 2 entrees , you can get 2. One night on the Wonder, I didnt want an appetizer, so I got a soup and a salad from the "soup and salad" selection. My husband couldnt decided between beef or duck... so the server brought him both.... not just a taste, but a full entree of both.... he had never had duck and ended up liking it very much. My 14 yo daughter gave escargot a try... she put one in her mouth and did swallow it but it ended up being escar..NOT! Point is, this is a great opportunity to try something new. To get dressed up for dinner if you choose, and to have a wonderful family memory.
The thing I like most about cruising for my family..... is it forces family time. For us it is a "no phone zone", and everyone is required to come to dinner... although .... if my kids were your kids ages, those kids club activities would be very tempting... I'm kinda short and wondered if I could sneek in to make Flubber !!!!
Read as much as you can so you can become familiar with what is offered, food and activities wise..... I will tell you that even armed with all this knowledge, you will feel overwhelmed, I know we did. I felt like I was walking around with my mouth wide open most of the time. I cant wait to go back and experience the magic of a
Disney cruise again.
Hope this helps.
Robin
Any more great secrets??? 
