Now that all the big issues are settled....

[goofyguy1958]

Is there any special thing I need to do to assure that we get the early seeting for dining? I am concerned because my DD and DS are used to eating by 6 PM and would not be any fun, not to mention DAD the bear if he doesn't eat, if they had to wait until 8 PM.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by goofyguy1958
Is there any special thing I need to do to assure that we get the early seeting for dining? I am concerned because my DD and DS are used to eating by 6 PM and would not be any fun, not to mention DAD the bear if he doesn't eat, if they had to wait until 8 PM.

Did you request early seating when you booked your trip? If your confirmation paperwork says early seating then you have early seating.

I'm actually debating on the early seating for us. We do usually eat by 6:00 at home...but there will be a time difference on the cruise, which will mean we're eating dinner earlier than usual. Plus with all the snacks available during the day, it could hold us all until the late seating. Hard decision

 

[the4nitz's]

If you end up with late seating, try to change it once you board. That's what we did in January. We had no problem changing it to early.

 

[Masonpips]

We actually switched from early to late on last year's cruise. My kids ended up ordering room service or eating at Pluto's around 5-6 and then wanting to go to the Kid's Club either before the show (DS) or before late dinner.

We ended up having all the kids (we traveled with another couple and their 2) on the first night and the last night. Another night (formal) we had 3 or the 4 - my DS went and did pictures, then went to the club as they were going to the movie theater and he refused to miss that. The Palo night we had none (obviously) and the other 2 nights, we had our friends kids only; their son slept through nearly every dinner and their daughter wasn't as into the clubs as my kids so she came to dinner.

You very quickly adjust to a later meal and there are a ton of food options (including Topsiders) if the kids are starving at 5-6ish.

It felt far less rushed to have late dinner and since we skipped some shows, made for a much more relaxing afternoon.

 

[PhotoLisa]

If you are on the Eastern Itinerary, you change time zones on Monday night (I think) -- so you are an hour difference from Eastern time for most of the cruise.

On Western, time change is later in the week.

I don't know whether this applies during Daylight Savings Time or not though.

On our 2/21 cruise, a passenger in the elevator told me there was a waiting list for early seating. Be sure you book what you really want -- it may or may not be easy to change once you're aboard.

The problem our 6 yo granddaughter had was that she was tired by the time we ate dinner (at the early seating) and had difficulties enjoying the shows after eating.

There are many things to consider when thinking about which seating for meals!!

Lisa

 

[goofyguy1958]

nydisneymom, You know I didn't even know that I could request early seating when I booked with my TA. I checked the one and only Disney document I have -reciept with passengers and room - and there is no mention of seating time only says main dining. I will have to call TA on Monday. Thanks for the advice.

Also, thanks the4nitz's, masonpips and photolisa. I really believe my DD and DS will not be all that interested in eating with mom and dad as they will be wanting to go back to their club, but we do want to have some family meals to discuss plans and what fun things they have done. After all this is a family vacation. Right?

 

[thegales]

Main Dining is the Early seating. You should be all set.

Since Time Zones were mentioned in the thread, Dave from Marietta has done a great job of summarizing.

Dave's Time Zone Chart

Have fun!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by goofyguy1958
nydisneymom, You know I didn't even know that I could request early seating when I booked with my TA. I checked the one and only Disney document I have -reciept with passengers and room - and there is no mention of seating time only says main dining. I will have to call TA on Monday. Thanks for the advice.

Looks like you're set then for early seating!! Don't ya love when stuff just works out?

How old is YOUR dino boy?! Mine is 9...he's been a dino freak since he was two! My house is full of dino books, models, toys..he even has a Jurassic Park theme in his bedroom!

Looks like you're sailing the week before us..have a GREAT cruise!!

 

[goofyguy1958]

NYdisneymom, My dinoboy is 4-years-old. He has been in love with them since before he could walk. He is now trying to teach poor old mom and dad the right way to say the names. "Say it with me now, car-char-o-dont-o-saur-us..." If you find any little dinos around the Magic, on your cruise, let me know because my son probably lost them. He only has about a thousand of them.