Not being switched to early dining

[dhutchin12]

We are currently stuck with late dining and need early dining. We have wait listed and know that we have to go to the restaurant to try to get switched to early dining if not moved prior to the start of the cruise.

Has anyone not been moved before? We have a medical reason why we cannot have the late dining and are concerned we aren’t being switched.

The dining room dinners have been a big part of our past cruises and will be very disappointed if we don’t go.

 

[xavier2001]

Have you called the Special Services line, they may be able to help if its medical? They really do try to accommodate, but its not a guarantee.

 

[clten]

I second contacting Special Services. We usually e-mail them (specialservices@disneycruise.com) and get a pretty quick response. (We're usually just contacting them to notify them of allergies.) I would explain that you have put your reservation on the waitlist for early dining and wanted to provide them addition information regarding a medical condition that requires dining early to see if they can assist in prioritizing your waitlist request. If you explain the medical situation, I think they would be the most likely to be able to assist at this point.

 

[dhutchin12]

Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[kj2mom]

I just wanted to say I completely understand the need to eat at a certain time. My dad is diabetic and eats like clock work every single day. We plan our holiday meal times around him, we plan parties around him and do absolutely everything we can do to make special events that involve meals easier on him. This would be especially true if we were on a cruise where his rhythm would be thrown off in general just by the nature of being on vacation we would definitely want to keep his meals times right on track. That would make late dinner impossible for us too. Definitely reach out for assistance from special services. You can't lose anything by asking!

 

[dcassetta]

If you don't get moved, there really isn't anything to worry about as the person who needs to eat at exactly 5:45 will be able to get a meal. Cabanas is open for dinner every night except the first and last night of the cruise. There are numerous available options on deck with everything from burgers and hotdogs to wraps and salads. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Perhaps that person could have their meal at 5:45, and you could still enjoy the MDRs during the late seating.

 

[otten]

If you don't get moved, there really isn't anything to worry about as the person who needs to eat at exactly 5:45 will be able to get a meal. Cabanas is open for dinner every night except the first and last night of the cruise. There are numerous available options on deck with everything from burgers and hotdogs to wraps and salads. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Perhaps that person could have their meal at 5:45, and you could still enjoy the MDRs during the late seating.

Not the OP but tbh we don’t pay cruise prices to eat hot dogs, burgers or the limited room service options. All guests need to have the option of eating in the MDR so Disney should be accommodating that if there’s a reason why late seating doesn’t work.

Good luck OP. I hope special services can help you.

 

[dhutchin12]

Thanks. We are only a party of 3, so we would prefer to eat together. Really hoping that the switch happens.

 

[dcassetta]

Not the OP but tbh we don’t pay cruise prices to eat hot dogs, burgers or the limited room service options. All guests need to have the option of eating in the MDR so Disney should be accommodating that if there’s a reason why late seating doesn’t work.

Good luck OP. I hope special services can help you.

I'm not sure if the OP is traveling on the classic ships or not, but the Magic and Wonder really have great options at Daisy's Delites now. There's a noodle and Rice station with a variety of options, lots of wraps and salads and fresh fruits. There is also a Shwarma station. You can have a very good high-quality meal there that is healthy and filling.

Thanks. We are only a party of 3, so we would prefer to eat together. Really hoping that the switch happens.

Obviously everyone's needs are different, but when traveling with my aunt who has a medical issue involving food times, she was able to meet all of her needs and still enjoyed being with us at late seating. I was just trying to provide you with a little reassurance that you could have a great, and safe, cruise even if they weren't able to change your dining time.

 

[dhutchin12]

I just emailed the special services address explaining our medical concerns in detail. Thank you for the email address. I hope they can switch us.

 

[dhutchin12]

Received a disappointing response from them saying that the request will be hard to fulfill because we booked recently.

We cannot eat the pool deck food each night as it’s all carbs and this is the issue with the medical condition. We were on this ship a few months ago and are familiar with the current choices for food.

I’ve also read that Cabanas isn’t even open for dinner on the first and last night, so that would leave this person with no options for dinner.

 

[otten]

Received a disappointing response from them saying that the request will be hard to fulfill because we booked recently.

We cannot eat the pool deck food each night as it’s all carbs and this is the issue with the medical condition. We were on this ship a few months ago and are familiar with the current choices for food.

I’ve also read that Cabanas isn’t even open for dinner on the first and last night, so that would leave this person with no options for dinner.

Don't panic. When do you sail? If nothing else you can plead your case on board. I am fairly confident that Disney will work with you on this.

 

[xavier2001]

Received a disappointing response from them saying that the request will be hard to fulfill because we booked recently.

We cannot eat the pool deck food each night as it’s all carbs and this is the issue with the medical condition. We were on this ship a few months ago and are familiar with the current choices for food.

I’ve also read that Cabanas isn’t even open for dinner on the first and last night, so that would leave this person with no options for dinner.

Definitely check on board, sometimes check the day of too. On our last cruise we told the servers we would be at Palo the next night. We got a call from the head server about 15 minutes before our Palo dinner asking if they could give our MDR table for the evening to someone who was in late seating that night who wanted to eat early, we of course said yes. It will work out!

 

[dhutchin12]

Don't panic. When do you sail? If nothing else you can plead your case on board. I am fairly confident that Disney will work with you on this.

We sail in 2 weeks.

 

[Adventurelawyer]

Deck food is not “ALL carbs.” I eat chicken on deck without a problem in the late afternoon so I’m not ready to eat my arm by late seating. Its grilled, not breaded and fried. You can also get a hamburger patty.

As a previous poster mentioned, Cabanas will be open for dinner as well, most night nights.

 

[otten]

We sail in 2 weeks.

I think you’re best bet is probably to plead your case when you board. Check the navigator when you get to the port to find out where you need to go to request a change in assignment.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Of course, if OP is in a Concierge suite, it's possible to dine from the MDR dining menu in their room. At whatever time they wish.

 

[Rob1872]

Hope that it works out for you; however, you can't expect them to kick someone out of Main Dining because you want to move. If it was really that critical, then I am surprised that you booked the cruise without a guarantee of Main Dining.

 

[dhutchin12]

Thank you for all of the nice suggestions and options. It is much appreciated.

 

[xiphoid76]

Received a disappointing response from them saying that the request will be hard to fulfill because we booked recently.

We cannot eat the pool deck food each night as it’s all carbs and this is the issue with the medical condition. We were on this ship a few months ago and are familiar with the current choices for food.

I’ve also read that Cabanas isn’t even open for dinner on the first and last night, so that would leave this person with no options for dinner.

Sorry to hear that, but don’t fret about the carbs. I don’t eat carbs and prefer my meals from room service or the pool deck food. Lots of great meat, cheese options and salads - carb free

It’s actually easier to eat a carb-free diet from the pool deck food and room service I found that the MDRs. Perhaps your relative can eat food there and then join everyone for their company during the late meal service. Best of both worlds - gets no carb food early and then can truly enjoy the company of his family at a relaxing dinner.