First or Second Dining on Your Disney Cruise?

When it comes to dinner, the seating time that you should select for your Disney Cruise is the one that works best for your family. Let's look at the pros and cons of both early and late dining and hopefully that will help you decide!

Your show time in the main theater will be based on your dinner seating, so the schedule will work like this: First dinner seating starts at 5:45pm, and goes to the theater for their show at 8:30pm. Second seating will go to their show first, and have dinner at 8:15p.m.

Many families with small children find the second seating to be too late for little ones to be eating, and they end up selecting the first seating. As a result, second seating typically is easier to get into, and has fewer children in the dining room. This also means that the Oceaneer's Club tends to have their activities based on the schedule of the earlier dinner. 

That's not to say that your children cannot attend if you are in the second seating, just that they are more likely to get there mid-activity. For those in the second seating, they do have counselors come to the dining rooms around 9:15pm, to pick up any kids that want to go to the club. It's a nice feature because your kids can eat with you, and then not have to stick around. You can take your time enjoying coffee and dessert, knowing that the kids are safe and off having way more fun than you somewhere.

Animators Palate

Second seating is nice if you can't get ready fast enough for early dinner. If you have been in a port that day, or even if you're just playing around the ship, getting dressed and being at the dining room by 5:45pm means wrapping up other activities by about 4:30pm or so and that can be tough. Second seating gives you the chance to take your time a bit more. 

World of Marvel

You can always go to the show in your casual attire, and then get dressed for dinner between the show and meal time. That way, you have more time to play and to enjoy a VERY quiet ship. If you go to the pool around 4:30pm or so, it will be almost empty.

By selecting the late dinner, you can enjoy a gorgeous sunset 

The servers have a bit more time to chat and for you to enjoy their company during second seating. (Of course, be mindful that they DO still have to clean up.) The one negative to second seating is that sometimes you may have to rush to get to some of the evening activities. If there's a particular show taking place, or if it's Pirate Night, you may have to scramble to wrap up dessert and get out the door.

Plaza de Coco

No matter what, you're guaranteed to have delicious meals, fabulous entertainment, and an incredible family vacation! If you need help planning your awesome Disney Cruise, or you want to learn how to get the best deals, contact us at Kingdom Konsultant Travel and we will hook you up! We will also add onoard credit to your account!

BON VOYAGE! ⚓

-Agent Summer

Summer Squires is a Mom of 4 who loves helping other parents plan memorable and stress-free family Disney vacations! You can email Summer at summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.