Early Dining vs. Late

[Angie_Ohio]

What do you recommend for a family of 7? We have grandparents, mom and DH, DS11, DS9, and DS7 (he'll be 2 weeks shy of 8)? We were thinking "early" but after reading all there is to do in the evenings I thought we might be starting our day later that normal and all meals would then be pushed back. Can kids make it to the late seating? Do they stay up late for the night events for the most part?
Angie_OH

 

[Mickeyhugger]

We had no choice and were assigned the late seating on our first DCL. Our DD was 7. I had originally asked for early and after our first night, I was so grateful we hadn't dined earlier. We had time to relax before dinner, and saw the shows beforehand. Better yet, it gave us much more time in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and CC. We wouldn't have been happy campers (or cruisers? lol!) if we'd had to rush back and shower for an early dinner. From then on, we always requested late dining.

 

[RonnieJo66]

I totally agree with Mickeyhugger....late seating is the best!!!! You don't have to rush to get back to your room to get ready and also won't feel "hurried" out of the diningrooms (as you are the last seating of the night)

Hugs,

RonnieJo

 

[mommasita]

Wow, this is tough!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I preferred the late, due to not rushing, and taking it easy before dinner, and yada yada...

Lately I think I prefer early because I actually attend the shows after. Whenever I had late dining, I think I attended 2 if I was lucky...I also do not go to bed overstuffed. Who am I kidding on that one..

I really would not sweat it though... We have early in September, hubby seems to think it is better too. I really am no help, am I

The day of St.Thomas, I will try to go to Palo...

 

[tvguy]

Wow, this is tough!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I preferred the late, due to not rushing, and taking it easy before dinner, and yada yada...

Lately I think I prefer early because I actually attend the shows after. Whenever I had late dining, I think I attended 2 if I was lucky...I also do not go to bed overstuffed. Who am I kidding on that one..

I really would not sweat it though... We have early in September, hubby seems to think it is better too. I really am no help, am I

The day of St.Thomas, I will try to go to Palo...

Yeah, having the late seating shows BEFORE dinner really threw us for a loop.
Did not realize that until we got on the ship. I did feel rushed to make it to the shows. For Golden Mickey's, they did also have a third performance after late seating, that was wonderful. If you didn't want to go to your assigned show, you had an option, and if you wanted to see the show a second time, you had that option too.
They did an extra afternoon performance of one show also on a sea day, that was a great idea too.

 

[Hollua]

The problem I have with second seating is trying to feed my kids at the time when they would normally be winding down and getting ready for bed. I wouldn't rush back to the ship for a meal. There are lots of food options. I don't understand cutting short the island for yet more food. Just my thoughts.

 

[alexandrew]

I definitely recommend late seating, especially since your kids are old enough to stay up later

Late seating is much, much more relaxed than early, less crowded....In addition, the waitstaff seems to be in less of a hurry....

Also, it is much quieter in late seating....although I am not bothered by screaming crying children, having raised 2 , it is actually a pleasure to have the quieter atmosphere in the restaurants.....

 

[jhorstma]

Late seating is, well, late, especially for families. Eating from 8:30 to 10 really cuts into the evening activities, especially the Beat Street shows. After dinner most nights we just kind of wandered to work off a full stomach then went to bed. On the Wonder late dining makes sense, but on the Magic I suggest early dining with Palo and/or Topsiders (surprisingly good for dinner) on port days.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I wouldn't rush back to the ship for a meal. There are lots of food options. I don't understand cutting short the island for yet more food.

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If it's the first night in Animator's Palette, I wouldn't want anyone in my family to miss the light show. I also wouldn't want them to miss the fun of the dining rooms during pirate night and the last night when the servers do the parade of flags.

It's not always a matter of 'yet more food.'