Main Seating Vs Late Seating

[CastawayClubSuperfan]

Either way on the later seating they can usually get you out of the dining room around 9:30-9:40 if you have the later seating.

 

[DLM1980]

And you guys just made my decision to switch my selection to second seating

We hand 2nd before and it never dawned on me the benefits except for the possibility of less kids

I'm a night owl, I do not want to wake up extra early on bubbye day!

 

[Tink1010]

We booked our cruise late (compared to others) and were automatically given the late seating. I just checked online and we are now switched to the main seating. I had actually gotten used to the idea of late seating, so I'm now torn about which to choose! We have 2 boys, 6 & 9. Here are some of the pros I thought of about late seating:
-Less crowded character meetings during the main seating or just before main seating time (e.g. 5:15, 5:30)
-Less crowded pool/aquaduck late afternoon
-More likely to get a private table since more people choose main seating
-Ability to send kiddos to kids club & possibly catch some alone time to enjoy adult only areas after dinner (although I realize during main seating, we could feed them prior, eat dinner then grab them before the show)

What are your thoughts? Is it really less crowded?

Thanks!

I have to say I like first seating better. I personally do not like eating that late and I felt that we had the whole night left to do so many things. Your kids are still young so an earlier dinner will give you plenty of things to do before bed time. Either way, you will make it work for your family and you will have a blast!! Enjoy!

 

[cheermom2four]

IMO I loved second seating surprisingly. I really thought my DH and I would hate it when we went on a mini cruise this past February. Im not a night owl and it really didnt phase me so we decided to keep the 2nd seating for when we take the two younger kids on a 7 night this september. DD will be turning 5 and we arent worried about her falling asleep (maybe on the first day but we will give naps after that). If she gets hungry for a snack, I can always get her something at one of the places near the pool. DH and I loved walking deck 4 after we ate also and just relaxing. Plus, we loved the later morning on debarkment day lol.

 

[My2litteprincesses]

Last year on our 1st Disney cruise on the Dream we got "stuck" with 2nd seating. We had an 8 & 6 year old and I just knew the late dining would be a disaster. However, it turned out to be perfect! We actually loved it & chose 2nd seating for our upcoming Fantasy cruise. We never felt rushed to get to dinner. If the kids got hungry, we could just run to Cabanas to grab an "appetizer". The kids got accustomed to staying up later ( on vacation time!) and sleeping in. It was great & I don't think I would ever choose 1st seating going forward.

 

[jahber]

We used to love second seating, but now that they have cut pool hours, it's not as appealing. My kids love swimming late at night after dinner, but with the pool closing earlier than it used to, we may have to find a different routine
That said, I agree that there are pluses and minuses to late and early. Try late at least once to see if you like it. You might be surprised, as we were!

 

[Abatts]

We used to love second seating, but now that they have cut pool hours, it's not as appealing. My kids love swimming late at night after dinner, but with the pool closing earlier than it used to, we may have to find a different routine
That said, I agree that there are pluses and minuses to late and early. Try late at least once to see if you like it. You might be surprised, as we were!

Do you know what time they are closing the pools now?

 

[jahber]

Do you know what time they are closing the pools now?

Reports are they are closing at 10 instead of 11. With late dining we have actually been in the dining room until almost 10 at times, so this really affects us.

 

[ChipNDale86]

So my boyfriend and I just booked a 7-night Alaskan cruise for Aug 2017 (so far away!!!) and we went ahead and booked the main seating for dinner.
We were on the Fantasy this past January with his whole family and had the early dinner which we enjoyed but we had said if we were to do one just the two of us (which this Alaskan one is) we would choose the late seating to have a more relaxed dining experience.

However, we are from the East Coast and got a little afraid that eating at 8:15pm in Alaska may be a little rough. I adjust pretty well to switching time zones but I also much prefer eating on the earlier side when given the choice.

Does anyone have experience doing late dining on an Alaskan cruise? Were you starving by dinner time or did you not really notice?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

Travel agent had us assigned to main seating but I called and had it switched to late because of all the info from those of you who have first hand experience.
Ozarkglittergirl

 

[Snowwhyt]

So my boyfriend and I just booked a 7-night Alaskan cruise for Aug 2017 (so far away!!!) and we went ahead and booked the main seating for dinner.
We were on the Fantasy this past January with his whole family and had the early dinner which we enjoyed but we had said if we were to do one just the two of us (which this Alaskan one is) we would choose the late seating to have a more relaxed dining experience.

However, we are from the East Coast and got a little afraid that eating at 8:15pm in Alaska may be a little rough. I adjust pretty well to switching time zones but I also much prefer eating on the earlier side when given the choice.

Does anyone have experience doing late dining on an Alaskan cruise? Were you starving by dinner time or did you not really notice?

Thanks for any input.

One thing you may not be aware of right now. Alaska has the latest times required to return to ship. You can explore most of the evening in town and still have a late dinner on Disney. Definitely something to think about.

 

[ChipNDale86]

One thing you may not be aware of right now. Alaska has the latest times required to return to ship. You can explore most of the evening in town and still have a late dinner on Disney. Definitely something to think about.

Thanks so much! We didn't know that. Definitely gives us something to think about over these next 488 days!

 

[The Notorious RIC]

We love second seating for pretty much all the reasons everyone has said.

 

[dclpluto]

Another benefit is sometimes they have a show at 7:30. If you are main dining you might not get your seat you want in the theatre. Late seating you won't have to worry about it.

 

[Mr. Green]

Second seating worked out well for us. Our kids are 6 and 9 and had no problems. Lots of food available for a snack later in the day and you get the 6:15pm show. You are not rushed and they have the kids club come pick up the kids at 9:15pm. Just tell your server and you can order right away for them.

 

[DisneyNurse19]

We prefer early seating as i don't like going to bed feeling full.

Everyone who opt for second seating say they don't like to feel rushed but you will still have to be ready at the same time if you want to see the show???

 

[swimfin]

We prefer early seating as i don't like going to bed feeling full.

Everyone who opt for second seating say they don't like to feel rushed but you will still have to be ready at the same time if you want to see the show???

Not always? I think some shows start after main seating starts?? I also think some people don't mind missing shows but would mind missing the MDR for dinner if they were the main seating ??

 

[Snowwhyt]

We prefer early seating as i don't like going to bed feeling full.

Everyone who opt for second seating say they don't like to feel rushed but you will still have to be ready at the same time if you want to see the show???

It's all about the ability to eat your meal and deserts then walk to the show. Or risk splitting up the group at the show.
You can choose to reschedule something before the first show. You can't reschedule desert, but you can get it to go and hold it in your lap during the show.

 

[wl1117]

We've done both seatings with younger kids. We prefer main seating. Mainly, because we can eat, and then not feel too full to go have drinks together once the kids go back to clubs (as ours always want to do). Also, several times we've had kids falling asleep at the table during our 2nd seating. lol.

 

[kenref1]

So my boyfriend and I just booked a 7-night Alaskan cruise for Aug 2017 (so far away!!!) and we went ahead and booked the main seating for dinner.
We were on the Fantasy this past January with his whole family and had the early dinner which we enjoyed but we had said if we were to do one just the two of us (which this Alaskan one is) we would choose the late seating to have a more relaxed dining experience.

However, we are from the East Coast and got a little afraid that eating at 8:15pm in Alaska may be a little rough. I adjust pretty well to switching time zones but I also much prefer eating on the earlier side when given the choice.

Does anyone have experience doing late dining on an Alaskan cruise? Were you starving by dinner time or did you not really notice?

Thanks for any input.

Just remember that when you get to Alaska there will a 4 hour time change. We live in Illinois and had late dining on a Alaska cruise and it was rough to stay awake for dinner! Hope this helps.