We were able to pick a dining rotation because we had the AMEX package and I picked PLA because of all I read here. I did like that we were in the supposedly right restaurants on Formal and Tropical nights but the trade off is being in Parrot Cay three times for dinner. We saw alot of that restaurant because of Character Breakfast and the daily breakfast and it really wasn't our favorite restaurant. In the end it really doesn't matter because everyone eats the same food, no matter which restaurant you are in, it is the atmosphere and they are all really nice restaurants.
I was also able to request a table for six, which I really stressed over because I wanted meal times to be family time. I was surprised to see how many tables for 4 and 6 were available. I won't stress so much next time.
I was also able to make reservations with the AMEX package for Palo before the cruise. Palo reservations were probably one of the things I stressed most about because I tried to find the perfect time so that we wouldn't miss anything. We did go at a good time and I'm glad we went but truthfully we wouldn't go again. I thought the food was very good but the quality really wasn't so much better than what was available to eat at regular dinner or lunch at Lumiere's. I didn't think it was worth not eating with our children or the $40.00 we spent each time when we added an additional tip. I think we could have spent the close to 2 hours we spent there each time doing other things.
Don't stress too much. I over planned and I'm glad I did because we were informed about so many things we would have missed if I hadn't learned them here. But, when it comes to meal time I won't stress so much next year about dining rotation, clothes, Palo's etc. We didn't have the best of servers and we had many problems at dinner but I was eating a meal that I didn't cook or clean up after with my entire family. We were able to talk about our day and share wonderful family time. It won't matter where you are eating. All that matters is that you are together enjoying a wonderful vacation.
). Anyway, I had read the boards religiously and came to the conclusion that, though I had some preferences, I was going to accept the position that DCL doesn't officially take these preferences and that they probably don't make a significant difference. What I plan to do (and in some ways it will be more fun) is come up with a Palo's plan (in consultation with DW) for each rotation and then use whichever one we need. I have made my mind up that the late seating was very important to us, but that I could make any of the dining rotations work since they each have their advantages (and since we really don't have any first hand knowledge anyway--our opinions might differ). I am really looking forward to the cruise, and think that the mystery of the dining rotation might actually be a nice surprise for someone like me who has been known to over plan. Hope your cruise goes great!
