On waiting list for early dining. What are my chances?

[fairytalelover]

So we booked our October 2015 cruise while on board our October 2014 cruise and the early dining slot was already sold out so we were put on a waiting list. What are the odds of us getting the early dining through the waiting list since we were put on it a year before the cruise?

 

[Happy100]

Likely. Certain October cruises may fill up but most won't. The January cruise we leave on in a few days just opened up main seating for new bookings a few weeks back. All months previous you could only get second.

As a side note, I love second seating and have ever since my son was 4. Search the disboards, there are many threads comparing the two.

 

[fairytalelover]

Likely. Certain October cruises may fill up but most won't. The January cruise we leave on in a few days just opened up main seating for new bookings a few weeks back. All months previous you could only get second.

As a side note, I love second seating and have ever since my son was 4. Search the disboards, there are many threads comparing the two.

We've done second seating on all of opur previous cruises. It was fine but this last time we found it was not as convenient for us.

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

Not sure if how often it happens, but I can tell you it does happen. Had second seating assigned when we booked the cruise (since we were doing it so late) and I was concerned with a late dinner and a 6 year old on East Coast time. I was happy when we got to the room and saw the tickets with the main seating.

 

[wallawallakids]

I was worried about this on our cruise and called them over and over about it. About 3 weeks before we were to cruise, I called again and the CM told me, no chance. It was a long wait list. I was really bummed out, but tried to accept it. Imagine my surprise when 3 days before our cruise I logged in to check my reservation and it said Main Dinning! So it does happen! Keep the faith.

 

[Justacruiser]

On embarkation day, on the front of your Navigator it will tell you when and where you go to request time changes, REMY and PALO reservations. I show up 15 minutes prior to the start time. I always get to change. There could be several that want to change, so I eat lunch and then head down to get in line, while the DW stays on the deck and enjoys the view.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Just echoing as the other said, don't give up hope. We've been wait listed for main dining a few times and I've received calls from DCL and they've explained they don't even assign seating until the week of the cruise (in the 7 days prior). For Alaska, we were moved about 6 days prior to sailing. You can definitely get switched before then, but if not - don't give up! As noted, if by the time you receive your KTTW card at check in and you don't see main dining, then go to the designated place to see about switching.

Heather

 

[runnerchick]

Just wanted to add my experience. I booked our April 2015 four night cruise in August. At the time, the main dining was not available. I called in September and was put on the wait list. I called back two more times - once in Oct and once in Nov. - still on the wait list. Well about 3 weeks ago I received an email with our reservation info and it had on it MAIN DINING! So just keep touching base with DCL - I think you will get it!

 

[JCinMN]

Early dining was 'full' in March 2014 when we booked our June 2015 Norway cruise. In November I called to upgrade my room category and asked to be put on the Main Dining wait list. The CM at Disney really tried to talk me out of Main Dining, but I insisted I wanted it. About a month later, I received an updated reservation with the main dining confirmed. I'd get on the wait list and if you don't receive it prior to your trip, try to change it first thing once you board.

Late dining did not work for us with a 7 year old. The waiters did not bring her food fast enough and we could never find the kids club cast members, so late dining had no advantages for us. We also did not enjoy going to the shows before dinner.

Good luck!

 

[fairytalelover]

Thanks everyone! We will keep the hope!

 

[ireoyellet]

The January cruise we leave on in a few days just opened up main seating for new bookings a few weeks back.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

We have been on the wait list for early three times and gotten it every time. You won't be notified, you will just check online and see it in your reservation, FYI.

Once I sent an email explaining with young kids how I needed that earlier dining, but in retrospect, that was probably unnecessary.

 

[wrathie]

Does the fact that you're on early dining for dinner impact the fact that you're on early dining for breakfast? Or can you do early dinner and late breakfast? (Never cruised with Disney...)

 

[holula]

Does the fact that you're on early dining for dinner impact the fact that you're on early dining for breakfast? Or can you do early dinner and late breakfast? (Never cruised with Disney...)

If you have early dining you are scheduled for late breakfast. You may be able to change it by talking to your head server but it's not guaranteed and you may end up with different servers. There is always Cabanas on the final morning.

 

[Dug720]

What do you mean late breakfast? The only morning you are assigned a breakfast time is the last morning. And early has early and late has slightly less early.

 

[scootch]

What do you mean late breakfast? The only morning you are assigned a breakfast time is the last morning. And early has early and late has slightly less early.

You can also go to Cabanas the last morning, it is not really advertised as they want people off the ship and will be more limited menu items, but works well for us if we are not in need to get off the ship before 830am.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Another zombie thread. OP's cruise was last month.