6- MDR for bfast and lunch.- prefer over buffet at least on handful of days. Can they get you in and out fairly quickly or is it a leisurely experience. Is there usually a significant wait for a table?
Depends on what time you get there and how busy it is. Because there's no set time - just a window when it's open - it's hard to know in advance how many people will show up and at what time. I've usually not had to wait more than a few minutes but I've seen line-ups in the past too. They may seat you with other people but the servers won't wait until the table is full to serve you so it can be relatively quick if you don't linger.
7- Based on our schedule we might arrive a little early from our port time. I don't mind waiting but is there places to sit and maybe walk around (or are u confined to a tight spot)?
Not really. There are very few seats and the building isn't that big. Once you are in, you can't just pop out and back in again so I'd recommend that you do your best to arrive as close as possible to your PAT. If it's a late PAT, it doesn't really matter since open boarding is typically about 12:15-12:30 pm. If it's early, you won't board until about 11:30 am.
8- sodas are free at dinner correct? just had some friends come back and thought they were charged.
Yes. Juice and coffee/tea are also included. Speciality non-alcoholic drinks are an upcharge (e.g., smoothies or speciality non-alcoholic cocktails listed on the menu, I think cappuccino/espresso as well). If you order from room service or the bar, you'll likely be charged. If you're on deck and you want soda, you're best to just go to the self serve drink station rather than ordering from the bar.
11- Adult dining- can you just show up and ask for a table and wait without a Ressie?
It's possible, but unlikely. We have been in the bar a couple of times (this was on the Magic where the bar is in Palo and you can go there without a reservation) and were asked if we were interested in eating there. This was a night where it obviously wasn't terribly busy relatively early in the evening but it was not only too early for us but we had planned to eat with our friends in the MDR already. Typically, it will be booked. You can, however, go on boarding day to the designated place and see if you can book something or check each day if they have any openings. But just showing up will likely be a No.
My DD11 enjoys food and will want to order off adult menu with app, entrée, dessert- is that possible or do they push them towards the kids menu?
Anyone can order off either kids or adults menu. There is, for example, always chicken soup on the children's menu which I sometimes have if I don't like any of the appetizers that night and we don't even have kids. It's actually a great opportunity for kids to try new things off the adults menu since you don't need to worry about being out of pocket for something they don't like. Or you could order a couple of different appetizers and share amongst yourself and the kids so that they can get a taste of something they might not normally want to order on their own. You can order off the kids menu yourself and they may bring you a larger order of it.
