Getting the early dinner seating

[stellwag]

We're a family of four with two kids (7 & 9) going on the May 29th Magic Eastern sailing. We've got the late dinner seating and are waitlisted for early. My question is does anyone know any tricks or sure-fire way to clear the wait list ahead of time? I know you can try to switch after you board the ship, but I was wondering if anyone has any other suggestions. We most definitely want the early seating.

 

[WDWLVR]

First off - welcome to the DIS!

Don't know of any tricks that will get it for you. If you have already let Disney know (either direct or through your TA) and are on the waitlist that might just do it.

When you get your documents your confirmed dining will be noted then.

If it still hasn't changed then by all means go once you get on board and ask if you can change.

Good luck!

 

[hilltopfamily]

Don't know of any "tricks" but wanted to relate we were in the same "boat" and it worked out well for us. We booked in January for a late July cruise, and were waitlisted for early dining. We were worried!

When we got our KTTW cards we still didn't know how to tell if we got early dining, but luckily someone else in line knew how to decipher the card and verified that we did get our request. So I know 1st hand that it can happen. Good luck to you as well

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Stellwag.........welcome to the boards!!! First of all don't let the thought of "late seating" bother you. We did the early on our first sailing 02/2000 and DDs were 7 and 9. We asked for early for our next one which was the "cancelled 11/02 sailing". When we rebooked our "replacement" Wonder sailing (we were cancelled the day before we were to leave home....a whole other story) we were put on late seating. WE WILL NEVER DO THE EARLY SEATING AGAIN!!! Early is at 6:00 which means we have to be back to the room by 4 for showers, makeup etc.... In an earlier post I said "I thought about all the people wanting early seating when at 6:00 I was casually walking past the internet cafe with a large cold beer when I saw a family of 7 running down the hallway yelling at each other saying.....Hurry up, we are late!!!" I don't know where you are from, but we are from the midwest and there are 2 time changes on the Eastern sailing which means 6 is 4 and 8:30 is 6:30. FYI

 

[ruttie]

if your time still has not changed when yiuget on go straight to teh area you are suppose to go to even if it is early we got on at noon and if we had waited till the time (1 i think) we would not have been changed but we went starightthere were told they would call us before 4 with a tablke if change occured and by 2:00 we had our call so no pproblem just go early to make your change.

 

[daveanddonnadisney]

You may be happy with the later seating. When I booked our cruise and requested early seating, the agent asked if I was sure that I wanted that seating. His manager said that when she does the Disney cruise with her grandchildren, they prefer the later seating. They have a snack, see the show while the kids are still attentive, and then head to dinner. He said that a lot of the time, the kids opt to go to the children's area's during dinner time. He asked me, "What is more of a priority, having the kids enjoy the show while they are still fresh, or having them fresh during dinner time?" I really think he had a great point! I hear the entertainment is top notch. I would hate to have my ten year old DD and five year old DS fade out during the show. We are going to stick with the later seating. Would probably do the earlier seating if they were younger. You had a great question!

 

[Michigan RN]

When we went, we requested early seating because my teen takes medication with dinner and the late seating would throw his usual schedule off - so we had no problem. I don't know if that pertains to you but it did for us.

 

[2xcruiser]

We were on late seating, but kids were too young to handle it - we just went to the early seating the next night and asked the resturant manager if he could accomodate us - he said yes - on any given night there are always people eating at Palo, or otherwise don't show. He was also able to permantly swithc us to early - we tried the wait list at customer services, but to no avail - I think the resturant manager is the person best able to make the switch happen (at least it seemed so for us).

 

[Scott5150]

We were assigned late seating and just kept checking. Our docs had us in late seating, but when we got our KTTW cards at check in - we got early seating! At that point, I did not care about our rotation. That saved me the hassle of having to argue with someone onboard.

The best way to get early seating is to book EARLY!

Scott

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I had not thought about the time changes. If we are on daylight saving time and in the mid west (central time zone), will there still be 2 hours difference or will it only be 1 hour? We are also waitlisted but I may request that we keep late dinner if that means we are eating at 6:30 our time, as that is about our usual. How will that affect the kids doing activities in the club at night? Will they miss special events while at late dinner? Thanks

 

[crisi]

4:00! You primp much more than we do. We'd head down to the room about 5:30 to change and be at the restaurant before they opened. With two preschoolers.

(We didn't have formal night - we were on a four day. I can see formal night requiring an extra half hour for us).

Also, some of the shows have matinee performances, which work well for us early diners with children.

But I do agree....there are some pluses to late dining - especially if you are off on excursions, want to shower before dinner, are a person who primps, or want your kids to enjoy the shows.

 

[hopelea]

We were waitlisted for early on our first DCL vacation. We got our KTTW card........didn't notice anything on it that to us would have told us first or second seating. So, right after we boarded.....I took off running to get put on the waitlist for early. When we got to the location the CM said, you are already have early seating!! Made me feel dumb!

I agree with crisi.....5:30 is all the time I needed. But, I if my hair looks decent, throw on a sundress and go. I don't think I wore make up the whole trip. I wasn't there to impress.....I just was there to have a good time. I did follow the dress code guidlines, except for my face

Enjoy what ever seating you have you are in the most magical place ever!!!!