ck99c02, opinions vary on late vs. early dining for children. It's probably about 60-40 or 65-35 in favor of early dining. We had early dining on our 7-night cruise last year and this worked well for us. Our kids are 10 & 7 (so 9 and 6 then).
Some say kids are more awake for the early shows in the evening. Personally, I think my kids would be so hungry and grumpy that they wouldn't enjoy the shows if we didn't eat first. Our kids were wide awake for all the shows last time and they're good sleepers.
Others that prefer late dining say that they don't feel rushed from coming back from an excursion to get showered and dressed for dinner. But I guess you'd have to rush anyway if you wanted to catch that evening's show.
Even if we didn't have kids, I think my wife and I would prefer early dining any way. The kids aren't the only ones who get grumpy when they're hungry!
Lastly, I hear from others on the boards that their kids prefer to stay in the Oceaneer's Lab/Club and eat with the other kids, but our kids never wanted to miss eating in one of the restaurants.
We have late dining this time and are wait-listed for early dining. If they don't switch us before we board, we'll go to Guest Services and see if they can move us. If not, hey, we'll get over it! Late dining on a
Disney Cruise still means we're on a Disney Cruise!!! And where else would you rather be?
and not 
or 
or 
...shopping for my cruise! 
I've been to the mall twice this week (that would be Sunday and Monday) and need to go at least one more time. At least there are lots of sales this time of year (going broke saving money). DS is going to do this 
when he sees the bills 
on Friday!!
Oh well, that just means we'll get to DD sooner! 
