Late dining time? Can we go earlier?

[Alaska777]

Hi all-
New to these boards. Sailing the Fantasy on March 18th (assuming a lot of things have to go right and I’m doubtful). We could only get late dining but 8:00 is late for us. It seems like things are more flexible now and maybe we could start a little earlier? TIA

 

[erionm]

You need to contact DCL or your TA to see if you can change your assigned dining time. If it can't be done ahead of time, there should be a designated time and location on embarkation day to try and change it.

 

[Travel60]

There are usually two seatings. Every party is assigned a table number and servers. If you go earlier your table may be occupied by earlier scheduled party or not yet ready. As mentioned, you can try to get it changed to earlier sitting. There has been reports that arrival times are being staggered...5:00, 5:10, 5:20, etc. So everyone doesn't arrive at once and stand in line.

 

[Alaska777]

Okay, we’ll try to change it. I’m torn between eating when I want but also dealing with larger crowds. A lot of anxiety about this cruise…

 

[lanejudy]

Call DCL (or have your TA call) to get on the wait list for early dining. If that hasn't come through before boarding, go to the location specified for dining changes that first afternoon and they may be able to adjust.

Otherwise, the quick-service locations near the pool are open and room service. I don't think Cabanas is open for dinner at this time.

 

[Travel60]

We are on WBPC and figure if we don't like setup, we'll eat in room.

 

[happycamper47]

There has been reports that arrival times are being staggered...5:00, 5:10, 5:20, etc. So everyone doesn't arrive at once and stand in line.

That was supposed to be the plan, but as usual there were still lines....because 5:00 means arrive at 4:50..

 

[auntlynne]

I don’t think there will be larger crowds in March, based on reports since the cruise restart.

Disney is a two-seating system, unlike cruises with Anytime Dining.

Your best bet is to call and request and, failing that, go to the designated location on boarding day to ask for a change.

We have ended up with Late Dining numerous times and have not had any real problems, other than being a little hungry by dinner.

At least give the dining rooms a chance, whichever seating you get. You have paid for these meals. And a first timer deserves to have the experience.

Do you need to change your sail to a future date until things settle down? We cancelled a January cruise (different line) due to the surge in cases. But I would willingly go on DCL tomorrow if I had the vacation $.

I won’t do a vacation if it is causing me worry. Takes the vacation aspect out of the trip.

 

[Alaska777]

Oh I’m terrible at quoting on my phone.

This will actually be our third Disney cruise. We were supposed to do this one in March 2020. At this point, I cannot be the person that takes away something fun from the kids yet again. We’re going to do our best to not get exposed/sick but the kids are in school every day.

 

[Calantha]

go to the location specified for dining changes that first afternoon and they may be able to adjust

So I was not able to figure out where this was BUT while we were waiting in the terminal to board, I went to the 'contact guest services' in the app - and one of the options is "Dining Services" and they opened at 12:30. So at 12:30 I joined the queue and within a few minutes they had moved us from 8:30 dining to 5:50 dining. (We were still standing in the terminal at this point - it was one of the best times the app worked!)

 

[bedgraynexl]

We've done the late dining and never really had an issue with it. We actually prefer it now. It seems late but really you are pretty busy during the day and it seemed like we were always rushing to get to dinner. But like others have said all you can do is ask GS and see what can they will do. Best of luck!

We are on the same cruise! So looking forward to it. I just wonder if we'll stay Eastern or get shifted to Western?