Does anyone have opinions on late seating? Or prefer it for one reason or another?

[disboo]

We had late seating last time, and I really liked it. We felt very relaxed and had no problems getting to shows, etc.

To the poster who said they got kicked off CC at 5:00 - was it really 5:00? We had to leave 4:15 or 4:30.

We will be on early dining next month, due to my 80 year old father's preference to dine earlier, so I am looking forward to seeing which I prefer. Either way, there is plenty to do on board!

 

[DISNEYGATOR]

Sonya, I guess it depends on how long it takes a family/person to get ready. I can get ready fast, so I usually just go to shows casual, and get ready in between. Also, I think it's different for 3/4 day when there is no formal night. Don't have to get dolled up, just make sure you aren't in jeans/shorts/t-shirts.

Also, the only show I absolutely have to see is Hercules, because well, I LOVE Hercules!!!! I usually do Hercules, and Disney Dreams, and the others I skip. I guess it's a decision thing. If you have late seating you have the option to stay by the pool later, miss a show, and still enjoy dinner, or just go the the show in your shorts and get cleaned up fast. But with early seating, unless you are willing to skip dinner, you are leaving that pool at 5pm. Late seating gives you a choice, and I know some of it might be mental, but it's nice knowing I have no commitment really until 8:30--feels like I really do have an entired day of fun in the sun!

 

[cumickey]

We also found things went smoothly with late seating even with a young child (ds3.5). He would have a late nap (us too sometimes lol) around 3pm, at 4pmish we'd order roomservice cheese platter and coffee and enjoyed some peace on the verandah. He would wake at 5pm, we'd get him something to eat, than go to the show casual. After that he'd have the choice to go to the club or come with us to change & go to dinner. If he came with us he would sometimes eat again or just have a Mickey Bar, but he loved to play with the crayons. It was so very laid back and lazy, we loved it, and no one was rushed. Another thing, the Kids Club seemed to have the best evening activity at around 8, which if you had early seating would clash with the show times at 8.30pm.

 

[mickeymom629]

If the best activities for kids start at 8, wouldn't that interfere with those who dine at 8:30 also? I have late seating, but I'm thinking of changing. I was looking at it that if we had early and my kids don't want to go to the shows, they can enjoy the clubs after dinner. It all seems like a catch-22, no matter how I try to decide. I'm hoping my kids want to eat with us, but I hope they enjoy the clubs too. I don't think my older boys will care too much for the shows anyway.

 

[stitchfansmom]

We did early seating on our first cruise, and went to all of the shows. At the time, we lived in the US and were accustomed to eating earlier. We have since moved to France, where 8 pm (or later) is a normal dinner time, so on our second cruise, in August, we did late seating, and ordered the cheese and crackers platter from room service to tide us over. That cruise had the modified 7:45 pm late seating. We only went to one show, Disney Dreams. I wouldn't have minded seeing Hercules again.

Overall, however, I prefer the late seating as we weren't rushed to leave the dining room and as a result got to know our tablemates and servers, who were all great. On our next cruise, a 7-day Eastern, we have signed up for early seating, but I'm hoping to convince my parents, who will accompany us (first DCL cruise), to switch to the late seating. Don't know whether my Dad will go for it, as he is 70 and likes his meals on time!



stitch fan's mom

 

[stitchfansmom]

We did early seating on our first cruise, and went to all of the shows. At the time, we lived in the US and were accustomed to eating earlier. We have since moved to France, where 8 pm (or later) is a normal dinner time, so on our second cruise, in August, we did late seating, and ordered the cheese and crackers platter from room service to tide us over. That cruise had the modified 7:45 pm late seating. We only went to one show, Disney Dreams. I wouldn't have minded seeing Hercules again.

Overall, however, I prefer the late seating as we weren't rushed to leave the dining room and as a result got to know our tablemates and servers, who were all great. On our next cruise, a 7-day Eastern, we have signed up for early seating, but I'm hoping to convince my parents, who will accompany us (first DCL cruise), to switch to the late seating. Don't know whether my Dad will go for it, as he is 70 and likes his meals on schedule!



stitch fan's mom

 

[mickeymom629]

Well, I called DCL yesterday and the early seating was already filled. I did ask to be placed on the waiting list. What happens at the table when your kids don't come? Just a bunch of empty seats? Does the waiter mind? Obviously we will tip just the same, but it just seems strange. I have also requested a table for just us 6 (after reading about some of the unfortunate tablemate situations). Does that mean my DH and I will "feel lonely" if the kids go their own way and everyone else is sitting with others?