How long does dinner take?

[chasbos]

Oh my, I cannot wait - tomorrow it is down to double digits! But for today I would like to know how long dinner lasts? Dh and I love to have long drawn out meals but this is a family vacation and the kids will be eating with us every night so how long should we prepare them for?We have early seating (6:00) so what time will our dinner be over?

Now I know the shows are after that - but when and where.

Oh I have a lot to learn in 100 days!

 

[KEH]

Well second seating is at 8.30 so you will have to be finished in time for them to set up for that. I have seen peope still in the restaurant at 7.30ish and a bit beyond. When we did early seating I think about an hour to an hour and a quarter usually did it. Now we have late seating so can linger if we wish.

The shows will be at 8.30pm and will be in the Buena Vista theatre.

 

[jrabbit]

Early seating usually done by 7:30, Late seating by 10:30 (yes, 2 full hours).

Regardless of our seating time, our kids wanted to get out of their dress clothes asap, so as soon as they were done with dinner they would go back to the room and change their clothes (while we finised dinner), then usually head to the clubs. We trusted the 9yo to watch over the younger child and we had no problems. The other reason they wanted to get to the room was to see the towel animal. The rule was look but don't touch (because mom and dad wanted to enjoy it too)

 

[chasbos]

Thanks for the quick response. My DD's are 13, 11, 9 & 6 - so as long as everyone (good luck!) is in a good mood dinner should be a pleasant experience. 1 hour is not bad for dinner. Eating has always been a highlight of my kids vacations and this should be no different.

 

[HookedonMagic]

Also, your servers can bring your children's food early (at least this was the case a few years ago.) Disney understands that very few kids want to sit through a long, drawn-out dining experience. If your meal takes a little longer, and your kids like the clubs, you can drop them off between courses and return to the dining room to finish your meal before the show!

Happy Sailing!

 

[Azptcruiser]

What has been mentioned is correct. The servers attempt to clear out the dining areas from 1st seating in enough time to start setting up for second seating. But, they are not as strict about when one should leave on second seating.

On our cruise, there were several nights where we would sit around continuing with desert and coffee until a bit after 11:00pm. The servers did not attempt to rush us to get out.

As my kids are older 18 and 20 (I guess more adults, than kids) the second seating was much better.

 

[tvguy]

Yeah, late seating is very relaxed. Since the shows are before late seating dinner, no hurry to get out. Our kids spent a lot of time exchanging magic tricks with our servers.
Disney really is an early to bed, early to rise cruise.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

FYI: Evening live shows are in Walt Disney Theater, Buena Vista is the movie theater.
Matt

 

[KEH]

Originally posted by Donald's-best-pal

FYI: Evening live shows are in Walt Disney Theater, Buena Vista is the movie theater.
Matt

Whoops! Thanks for correcting that. I did know that - I was just testing! lol