first cruise

[jnsdgs]

My family, me, DH, DS 10 and DS 8 will be on the May 22nd Magic for 7 days. I am in over load with all the wonderful info you all provide!

Couple of quick questions. 1. What dining rotation will I probably get with an 8 and 10 year old? 2. How can I get my children in contact with boys going on the same cruise as us? I want them to look forward to the clubs! 3. What time do most families eat that have my age children? I can go either way!

Thank you all so much for your info. I am also going to order gift baskets for my family from Shirley, I can't wait!!

Hope to see some of you in May!

Deb

 

[kcashner]

To meet families with kids to match up with yours, you might check the "Cruise Meets" section of the boards. There is probably already a section (thread) for your cruise. Post the same sort of info that you put here. Also, read thru what others have written and either private message or e-mail anyone who looks compatible. You might also come to the Fri. nite chat....although your chances are better on the cruise meets.

Your kids will both be in the Lab, although in separate age groups.

There is a long post in the recent past on the advantages of each dinner choice. The biggest reason I can see for you to want early is that the big evening activity in the Lab each night occurs during late dinner. It usually starts at 9:30, which means the kids can go to the show and then the activity, but are not usually finished with dinner before the activity. That might not matter to your kids, and of course, you can choose to feed them early at Topsiders, Plutos, Pizza, or whatever. However, my daughter liked the dining room dinners, but sometimes regretted missing the activity. During early dinner, there is not a "big" activity in the Lab--it is usually something like "family hang out time."

You probably eat a lot earlier than 8:30 at home, so early would put you on a more normal schedule.

All that said, we really like late dinner. It is less crowded, and has way fewer little kids.

Personal opinion here--I think the boards make way too big a deal about which dinner rotation we have. It is nice to have Lumiere's on formal night and Parrot on tropical night, but it really doesn't make any difference. After 9 cruises, I'm sure we've had each of the rotations a couple of times. We request our favorite server and take whatever rotation he is on.

 

[rae519]

Often your children would prefer eating with their playmates than coming to dinner with you on the rotation.

Since we always have family dinners at home, we allow Michael to make his own decision on vacation whether he would like to eat with the kids or come with us. After all, it's his vacation also and we do enjoy dinner either with or without his company.

Rae

 

[luvindisneyworld]

There is a thread on the cruise meets board for the May 22nd cruise.Come and join us.
Misty