early or late seating

[dancechick99]

Is there any advantage or disadvantage to having either the early or late seating for dinner? I would assume they schedule the shows around either seating. Would we be missing anything during either seating? Thanks

 

[martinez03]

We had the late seating at 8:30 and it was fine. There is 6:30 show and a 8:30 show so you will not miss the show. An advantage to the late seating is that on the day you disembark your breakfast is at 8:00 am instead of 6:30 for the early seating.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

They run the shows twice a night, to accomodate everyone. I like the early seating because I think 8 is late to be eating dinner. But if you don't mind that I have heard that the later seating is more relaxing and less rushed. Also, if you have the later seating your character breakfast will be at 9:30 and not 8:15, and your breakfast the last morning will be later too, I think 8 as opposed to 6:30.

 

[jackdis]

We loved the later seating. We didn't feel as rushed to get ready for dinner and could spend more time doing things before we got ready.

 

[Padre Disney]

We had early on our first cruise and never seemed to have enough time to get ready. We needed to cut some things off early and get ready for dinner. Plus we never were very hungry at the early seating.
Second cruise we had late and it was great. Would never pick early again. All our kids are older so it works well for us. Most people with younger children need the early.

 

[jackdis]

We have a DD4, and originally I was worried about the late seating. But it worked out perfectly! We would feed her (room service or a snack by the pool) around 5 or 6. Then she would get ready to go to the kids club, and we actually ate our meals alone, except for one night. Wow! Can't remember when that happened last! By the way, it hasn't happened since we came home either....LOL....

 

[luvndisney358]

We loved the late night dinner seating and specifically requested it. We had plenty of time to do the things we wanted and didn't feel "rushed"

 

[Doctor P]

We were skeptical, but we loved the late seating. Would do it again.

 

[alexandrew]

late seating is less crowded and less rushed

 

[dancechick99]

Thanks everyone. I think Im going to change to the late seating. You twisted my arm.

 

[rae519]

Both have advantages and disadvantages - I like late but the family votes for main so that's what we get when we can book early enough!

I didn't like the late dining for the fact that you do get off the ship later IF YOU CHOOSE to have your breakfast in your dining room, and have an early flight.....

This past cruise - we were the last ones off the ship ( 9AM) and waited 1 hr 40 minutes outside the port so we could have our luggage checked in and depart on the DCL bus for the airport.

Again, if you drive or have the shuttle to the Radison available, it would not be a concern.

We are going to drive next time
Rae

 

[DreaminDisney]

We requested late seating. We have 2 kids. I don't like feeling rushed and feel this way we'll have more time for things before dinner.

 

[disney6]

When the kids are with us we choose early. Seems like most of the really good kids club evening activities start around 7 or 7:30. We really like to have a nice dinner with the kids, then rush them to the club and we have dessert (they eat dessert before we do!). I like the kids to try different foods and they will eat anything. Lunch is when they can eat the chicken fingers (yummy!) and pizza and stuff like that, they do not eat lunch with the kids clubs but once or twice maybe. It works for us. And don't think kids only fall asleep during late seating - my 4 year old fell asleep at the table before dinner even arrived one night and slept until the next morning! Unfortunately it was the night all the princesses were out but there was NO WAY I was going to wake her! (you can see her sleeping on my cruise pictures at
Oct 2002 MAGIC )

This Nov. we have late seating with just the adults and I am really looking forward to it!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We did early in Feb 2000 and requested it again for our Nov. 30, 2002 Eastern. When they cancelled our trip the Wed before I rebooked the Dec. 1 2002 Wonder to replace the cruise. We had no choise but to take the late seating.....we loved it!!! We requested it for our Nov. 29 2003 Eastern.

 

[rae519]

Late is more relaxing, that's for sure!!!!

Rae

 

[jlawall]

I really like the late seating. On my first DCL cruise I chose early and it was stressful. We like the evening activities and late seating leads right into them.

 

[professorandmom]

One of the huge benefits I experienced (which I hardly ever see mentioned) is that the early shows are less crowded for the late seating people - plently of good seats right up to the beginning of the show (Disney Dreams on a sold out cruise)
Barb

 

[Michelle]

Dinner is not the highlight of my evening...we VASTLY prefer early seating, especially with our daughter. We did late dining with her once and it was a disaster, she just wanted to go to the club and we rushed her dinner delivery and she ended up eating in the club many times.

I like to get dinner out of the way and then go and enjoy the FUN!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by WebmasterMichelle
Dinner is not the highlight of my evening...we VASTLY prefer early seating, especially with our daughter. We did late dining with her once and it was a disaster, she just wanted to go to the club and we rushed her dinner delivery and she ended up eating in the club many times.

I like to get dinner out of the way and then go and enjoy the FUN! [/QUTE]


Ohhh yes, kids wanting to stay and eat at the club....now that is an extra bonus!!!!!!
ThanksMichelle!!!!!!!!
Rae

 

[BrinxFam]

We've only been on one cruise and had main dining then. We have booked our second cruise and also chose main dining for that one. DH takes meds and has to take them at the same time each day with meal so we eat an early dinner at home. DD's also would rather have early dinner so they can order room service if they get hungry later.

I guess there are pros and cons to each so it's all personal preferance.

Enjoy it all!