Switching dining, and not sitting with a group questions About This Page:

[graygables]

When I look at the Dec cruise I'm thinking about, the website says that early dining is not available. There is no way that DDs will make it to the later seating. Both of them have special needs and will not do well if we are seated with strangers. Is there any way to make those kinds of changes before we get there or will I have to do it once on the ship? Will they even accomodate us?

[disneyfan4994]

We were on the wait list for early dining for our repo cruise this Aug. & were lucky enough to get it, so that would be 1 possibility. We are cruising with my Dad this Aug. He is a stoke patient & is also diabetic, so early seating is almost a must for him. You can get a medical form from Disney which is filled out partly by you & partly by your Dr. which lists any special needs or medical conditions you may have with your DDs. I faxed ours down a few months before the cruise & made sure it also stated early dining was a must for Dad. I remember seeing some tables in the dining room that seated 4 people. We are a party of 6 & have been seated by ourselves for both of our cruises. I'm not sure if they would guarantee any of these for things for you, but maybe with the medical form you would have a good case.

[Tink and co.]

I know there were several tables with families of 4 seated around us, I'd call and talk to someone. I found the folks at DCL so helpful in almost any respect that I got to know some of them by their first names. I called a lot... I'm sure they were thinking, "OMG, it's her again!" but no one ever made me feel that way.
Another thing to consider, we were disappointed by not having the early dinner on our cruise, and I put in a request to change it over the phone. They called to tell me it was available, and DH knew nothing about it, and so we wound up with the later seating. It was wonderful! I'd never do the early seating now. My kids ate whenever they were hungry, as food is available all the time. While the grownups enjoyed a nice dinner, my son would snack on stuff. Our server learned his tastes after one meal! and the girls were too busy for a sit down. They still talk about the food at Pluto's Dog House, too bad they didn't ever enjoy the real stuff!

[Dave Marx]

Actually, you shouldn't wait until you board at all - the more advanced notice DCL has, the better. Explain all your needs when you make your booking. Tables for four aren't a big problem, especially if you explain the need. If you need a special medical form, they'll send you that, too.

There are on-board coping strategies in case you don't get your requests (we cover them in our DCL guide), so even then, all will not be lost. But the cruise is not like a WDW visit - stateroom assignments, table assignments, rotations, etc. are all done way in advance by DCL - they don't wait until a few days before you cruise. Get those requests in immediately.

If you're looking at December, I suggest you pick up the phone ASAP and talk to DCL, even if you decide not to book at that moment. I have a feeling the reservations agent will be able to set your mind at rest.

[JoanW]

On our first cruise it was just the four of us at a table. We did not request it that way and for us, it worked out great. I do know you can request the time change once you are on board. We personally liked the late dinner, but each family is different. I'd make the requests now for your December cruise. The less you have to do when you board, the better.