If you think they are a significant cost then how do you even afford a
disney cruise? They are so cheap compared to anything on land even remotely equivalent. And make a reservation just like anywhere else in this world. And if you want a quick meal with kids then go for the food on the top deck. Everyone is catered for on this ship. Quick junk food perfect for kids then top deck, moderate family restaurant then main dining rooms or quality food then one of two fine dining restaurants. Everyone is catered for. The complaints here are just ridiculous.
What people decide is of value to them when they spend their money has nothing to do with whether they can afford it or not.
Upgraded dining experiences are very time consuming you have to commit to missing trivia, show times etc. It isn't something I personally would want to do multiple times a cruise especially when traveling with minors who can't join us for dinner.
You may not even be allowed to do it multiple nights in the same cruise, you can reserve one dinner and one brunch, unless your conceirge. Then you have to ask if they have any openings for the other nights, the first night of the cruise is usually wide open and I have been allowed to go more then one night for dinner several times on solo crusies but it isn't something I think you could count on. It depends on the demand from the guests. Even concerige is not garunteed every night, but they do try very hard to make it happen in my experience you might have to be flexible with the time you eat.
I do wish
DCL would bring back some of the room service items they removed that BLT had to have had half pound of bacon on it. Grilled cheese, mediterrean salad, steak pannini are missed dearly by my family. I also remember when Cabanas was open for sit down dining in evening for training purposes of the new staff, that was nice also wouldn't mind that for an option again. If they had that awesome PIRATE BUFFET back then we wouldn't even worry about dinner on pirate night and hit the buffet after the pirate show. Watch funnel vision till 1 AM. Miss that too Disney!
Disney has decreased the options for food alot in my opinon and I don't feel that we are as catered to as we once were on DCL. Especially for their repeat crusiers who step on the same ship multiple times a year and there are alot of us out there.
None of this means we won't keep crusing DCL, on the Wish again Feb but probably will eat Tacos and BBQ for dinner before 6 PM or hamburger in the room. Not a big fan of the MDR on the Wish at all.