Skipping Dinners on your cruise?

[GoofyLovingFamily]

If you don't like what you ordered in MDR they will go get you something else.

 

[wilkeliza]

The "show" isn't all that interactive. It's usually a little (5 minutes) event of characters who show up and do a little dance. Occasionally, guests may be invited for a sort of conga line through the dining room, but you certainly don't have to participate, if you don't want to.

It's not something that goes on during the whole dining process.

It's fun.

On our 4 DCL experiences we've never had any of that. The only true show we have had was at Animators. Every other night it was just a normal dinner. Of course our service staff was great on our last crew and had brain teasers for us every night as we waited for dessert.

 

[Dug720]

Also, since no one else has mentioned it, do not use "we didn't eat dinners in the dining room" as an excuse to stiff your wait staff on their tips. They are the ones serving you in Cabanas, in the sit-down breakfast and lunches, and they also pull some shifts in the on-deck places. So unless you truly eat NOTHING the ship provides, you ARE using their services.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Very true Dug720. I have heard people at guest service trying to remove gratuity charges.

 

[lklgoodman]

We've been on 3 7nt cruises, all on different ships and so far have never had waiters who do magic tricks. Always had kids with us. I didn't know they did magic tricks until started reading about it on here. Doesn't matter though, we've always had wonderful servers. Love eating in the mdrs.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

On our 4 DCL experiences we've never had any of that. The only true show we have had was at Animators. Every other night it was just a normal dinner. Of course our service staff was great on our last crew and had brain teasers for us every night as we waited for dessert.

Parrot Cay on the Magic


Lumiere's


Animator's on the Magic


We've also had Ariel in Triton's come in and sing a song and grab all the kids for a line around the room.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@lklgoodman Maybe consider yourself lucky, on our last 7nt, we had the most peculiar assistant server who lingered waaaaay too long doing tricks, puzzles, and mind teasers with our kids to the point I would blurt out the answer as my husband and I secretly prayed he would leave us to enjoy our family time. Don't get me wrong, our previous two cruises, our waitstaff was excellent, fun, engaging, charming; we just felt this guy was maybe new and didn't "get" how to interact with the families in a fun but unobtrusive way, as our others had.

ETA: This was on the Fantasy, previous two were on the Magic

 

[wilkeliza]

Parrot Cay on the Magic
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Lumiere's
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Animator's on the Magic
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We've also had Ariel in Triton's come in and sing a song and grab all the kids for a line around the room.

hmm interesting have you only ever had it on the magic? We have only been on the Dream and fantasy and had nothing like that on any of the cruises. I guess it is kind of like your server doing magic it is really up to that sailing.

 

[mevelandry]

We did many times... but in order to visit Palo and Remy. That being said, you are free to do it.

I know some people prefer to tell their servers in advance that they are not going to eat at the MDR the following nights. Not sure why...

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Remember, some people go to Cabanas or the specialty restaurants on any given night too, so you won't be the only ones not there by any means. Feel free to do as you wish (but do tell the head server). Enjoy!

 

[mevelandry]

Yah, they sound fun, and after these great replies, I do think we should try them. Maybe I shouldn't have read all 38 pages of the 'Craziest table mates you have had' thread - that's scaring me a bit

You can call and ask to be seated alone (just your family).

My husband and I always do. It's not a guaranteed request but it always happened so far. (We are 2, seated alone on a table for 4).

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Thanks! We probably will eat in some of the restaurants, I think. I was really just curious what was 'acceptable', and if everyone does eat in them every night - just so I don't cause the servers any trouble/extra work.

So impressed with that statement and wanted you to know.

 

[lorimay]

Besides skipping dining room for Palo or Remy, we have only missed once in 13 cruises. We were in port overnight in San Francisco and we went to a restaurant we wanted to try in the city.

The portions are not huge at all, you can eat as much or as little as you like. Its really enjoyable for us. I am sad when I get home and no one is serving me or treating me like royalty anymore, its a definite withdrawal process.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

hmm interesting have you only ever had it on the magic? We have only been on the Dream and fantasy and had nothing like that on any of the cruises. I guess it is kind of like your server doing magic it is really up to that sailing.

Well, Magic & Wonder.

In Animator's on the Dream & Fantasy, of course, there's the Crush show as well as the Drawn to the Animation Show.

The dining rooms on the Magic class ship lend themselves better to a little show sequence. On the Dream class ships the dining rooms are laid out differently (more separate sort of spaces than one big room).

 

[Dug720]

In Feb we only had Sorcerer Mickey in Animator's. Nothing in Lumiere's. And only silly napkin hats in Carioca's.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When you look at menus, don't think "o now I have to eat a 15-course meal."

I had waiters trained on one cruise to bring me one of EVERY soup on that evening's menu, every night. Because I LIKE SOUP A LOT. Want to skip a course? Go for it! Want 5 appetizers, no entree, three desserts? Go for it!

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

Our upcoming cruise I kinda feel the same way as OP and I don't really want to be restricted to the set dining time but I agree I love the restaurants, the decor is amazing. I love getting to experiment with the menu. It's one of my favourite things to do, but yet I'm hesitant (possibly over worked, just can't be bothered). No matter what we will still go because it's part of the whole Disney cruise experience and I do not want to miss out since I won't have the opportunity to try it another night. We have seen many empty tables around the dining rooms, I wouldn't worry about not going after all your there for the best vacation you want

 

[MaleficentRN]

I don't think you want to spend your cruise balancing a mediocre cheeseburger on you lap while on your veranda. The dining rooms are an experience and you and your kids will be catered to. Don't deny yourself that.
I get the food thing. But as others mentioned, you don't have to have three courses. I often skip the appetizers and desserts or just have two apps. Whatever you want. If after the first night you feel it's not for you, then tell your servers you have other dining plans the rest of the trip. But at least give it a try.

 

[MaleficentRN]

.

I know some people prefer to tell their servers in advance that they are not going to eat at the MDR the following nights. Not sure why...

It's a courtesy. It's easier to work knowing that other guest aren't gong to show up in your section at any minute.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I know some people prefer to tell their servers in advance that they are not going to eat at the MDR the following nights. Not sure why...

You should let the head server know in case there are other guests trying to dine at your assigned time that couldn't get that seating or so that your servers and tablemates know that you will not be coming that evening.