Just Heard - Magic Is Going To Test Staggered Dining Times

[budwmn]

Just got a newsletter that announced the Magic was going to test the new dining times (5:45, 6, 6:15, etc.). I guess it was a success on the Wonder.

 

[vossjemi]

Yes, I was just going to post that. Well, actually, I did in my previous post asking about it. Here is the cut and paste from the newsletter.

Staggered Dining Aboard the Disney Cruise Ships - Earlier this year, the Disney Wonder cruise ship began experimenting with staggered dining times. Seems the test period is over and staggered dining is now here to stay! In addition, the new dining times will be tested on the Disney Magic from October 29, 2005 through January 28, 2006. If you have the early seating, you will be dining at either 5:45 p.m., 6:00 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. Cruisers on the late seating will be dining at either 8:00 p.m., 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Times can be requested but are not guaranteed.

I've already sent an email off to my TA to see if we can really request our preffered staggered time or not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 6:15.

 

[rsjj]

can't imagine how this would work...since most people don't get to the dining restaurant exactly at 6 anyways...i know we tried, but there were days when we arrived at 6:10 or so. and the amount of table would still be the same, and you would still be at your same table...

mabye i'm just not seeing this...can't quite "visualize" what difference this would make? hmmm...

 

[tvguy]

can't imagine how this would work...since most people don't get to the dining restaurant exactly at 6 anyways...i know we tried, but there were days when we arrived at 6:10 or so. and the amount of table would still be the same, and you would still be at your same table...

mabye i'm just not seeing this...can't quite "visualize" what difference this would make? hmmm...

I can't visualize how this would work either, but for different reasons. There is always a huge line before dinner waiting to be let in, never seen too many people there late. HOWEVER, we always have late seating, so that may be why.

 

[professorandmom]

My understanding is that the time is tied to your rotation - so everyone in AP, for example would eat at one time etc...it is NOT that at each restaurant, there are three groups of people entering

To request a time means that you have in effect requested a rotation. I think we may have to wait or do some digging to know what time is connected to which rotation

Barb

 

[lillygator]

So what happens if you are scheduled at 5:45 and show up at 6:15? Are they going to turn you away?

 

[txtara]

Many other cruise lines do this and it works well.....instead of having 300 people coming in at 6 you will have 100 at 545, 100 at 6 and 100 at 615.......it actually helps the servers out.....

 

[Scotch]

So what happens if you are scheduled at 5:45 and show up at 6:15? Are they going to turn you away?

If you show up late, depending on the amount of delay either the rest of your tablemates waited for you and then got served first or the rest of the tablemates still awaits you. It becomes a matter of rudeness if folks deliberately show up at a later time than assigned; if it happens due to something unexpected you just seek the pardon of your tablemates and servers and no big deal. There may be a delay at the end as well while the servers wait to clean up your table to prepare for the late seating folks.

When we've experienced significant delay like 20-30 minutes on our other cruises we've skipped the regular dining room and opted for the alternative dining venues -- one of us usually goes and tells our dining room server, though, so they don't wait for us.

 

[KMovies]

Wouldn't this make attending shows more difficult.

The Main Stage show is 6:30; other shows at 7:45 which ends in time for the 8:30 dinner.

Now, how would this work with the 8:00 and 8:15 dinners. Now, they would miss the 7:45 PM shows. Also for the events prior to dinner, wouldn't that pose a problem (photographs, Captains Gala).

 

[beattyfamily]

Interesting...IMHO, it's better then what some other cruises have, which is open seating. That would really stink!

 

[lillygator]

I wonder how they choose who will be getting the 5:45 seating though? If it is random or if it is those with the youngest children. Hopefully they would be willing to let you change. 6pm is even early...they need a 7:30 - perfect time!!

 

[cindalu]

that would be difficult unless they change the show times. We will have to wait and see.

 

[DIS NURSE]

All great questions?????? I am more interested in securing a specific dining rotation than a specific time so if anyone came come up with a theory on which times go with what restaurants....please chime in!

 

[professorandmom]

from lilygator:
"I wonder how they choose who will be getting the 5:45 seating though? If it is random or if it is those with the youngest children. Hopefully they would be willing to let you change. 6pm is even early...they need a 7:30 - perfect time!!"

The rotation would determine what time...and the age of the children does seem to determine rotation

from txtara:
"Many other cruise lines do this and it works well.....instead of having 300 people coming in at 6 you will have 100 at 545, 100 at 6 and 100 at 615.......it actually helps the servers out....."

I am not sure that this really happens, since the entire restaurant shows up at the same time. For example, everyone in AP would show up at 6:15.

My understanding from the WOnder is that it helped with the character greetings...not the servers....staggered the amount of people showing up for photography

Lastly, seems to me this would be OK with the shows since, while you might have to go directly from the theater to dinner, it could be done.

Barb

 

[lillygator]

so has anyone on the Wonder posted their rotation and time anywhere for early dining?

 

[Wynn]

I was on the Wonder for a 4 night in June and our 8:00 rotation was Tritons, Animator, Animator, Parrot.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Anyone know what the 8:30 dining rotation is? Thanks.

 

[lbgraves]

There is a thread about the new dining times on the Wonder. I am not at all happy with this change. Since each dining room has it's own galley & the entire dining room would be seated at the same time this does NOTHING to change things for the cooks or serving staff. The only thing this does is try to cut back on the lines in the atrium for pictures before & after dinner. IDNK what the show times are on the Wonder are now.

 

[LynnTarrant]

There certainly was a post from the wonder saying which rotation linked to which times, but i can't find it a t the moment

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Thanks...I called DCL and they said there is no link between the rotation and the times....Guess we will need to be surprised!