NightGuardianAngel Posted July 23 #1 Share Posted July 23 (edited) I was wondering on Disney cruise lines if there is alternative dining for dinner (especially on formal nights) other than main dining room where you can wear the exact same casual wear as you were if you were dining at McDonald’s? I prefer staying in shorts and comfortable clothes and I don’t want to pay extra for dinner. It worked out perfect for me on the Royal Caribbean because the Windjammer buffet is always open every meal and their dress code is the same as Mcdonald’s every night. Edited July 23 by NightGuardianAngel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Kat Posted July 23 #2 Share Posted July 23 9 minutes ago, NightGuardianAngel said: I was wondering on Disney cruise lines if there is alternative dining for dinner (especially on formal nights) other than main dining room where you can wear the exact same casual wear as you were if you were dining at McDonald’s? I prefer staying in shorts and comfortable clothes and I don’t want to pay extra for dinner. It worked out perfect for me on the Royal Caribbean because the Windjammer buffet is always open every meal and their dress code is the same as Mcdonald’s every night. Hello @NightGuardianAngel Welcome to the Cruise Critic website and our message boards! Thank you for your first new thread on the Ask s Cruise Question forum! However, it is the forum for general questions regarding cruising. Your inquiry was off topic there since it concerns a specific cruise line. Your new thread has been moved to the Disney Cruise Line forum where it will be on topic. 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mommb Posted July 23 #3 Share Posted July 23 Unfortunately, Disney cruises do not have a buffet or alternate full-service venue open for dinner. You can get food at the quick-service places on the pool deck, though they may close earlier than you'd prefer to dine. You could also order room service, although that have a limited menu. Do be aware that there isn't really a dress code for dinner. Even on "formal night," there will be some people who are not dressed up. As long as you're dressed in clothes other than a bathing suit, you won't be turned away. Paying extra wouldn't even work because the adult dining locations on Disney Cruises do have a dress code. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KatRangoon Posted July 23 #4 Share Posted July 23 We were just on the Wish and there was no Formal Night. It's all very casual. The Buffet is closed during dinner time, but they do have a fast food type setup open in the evenings on the pool deck. Usually it was Pizza or Burgers/Fries. There was also a sports bar that served appetizers in the evening (but you have to pay) and room service was pretty quick when we ordered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinnesotaDreamer Posted July 23 #5 Share Posted July 23 Even on formal nights, people will be in a wide variety of attire. Don't let that stop you from just dining as normal, especially if you are a new cruiser. The dinner shows are part of the experience! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare D&N Posted July 24 #6 Share Posted July 24 16 hours ago, NightGuardianAngel said: I prefer staying in shorts and comfortable clothes I prefer to be comfortable too. For me that would be a tux or dark suit with tie. I wear shorts during the hottest part of our summer when the temperature is usually around 30C/86F and I want to avoid using the air-con. If I did dress casually I would look like a tramp in photos beside my wife in her finery. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Illbcruzn4life Posted July 29 #7 Share Posted July 29 what time would late seating be on the Wish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KatRangoon Posted July 30 #8 Share Posted July 30 13 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said: what time would late seating be on the Wish? 2nd seating on the wish is 8:15 which is horribly late for kids. The food doesn't end up being served until 8:45-9:00, so if you end up with that, make sure everyone has a 1st dinner or large snack around 5 from the quick service on the pool deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted July 30 #9 Share Posted July 30 38 minutes ago, KatRangoon said: 2nd seating on the wish is 8:15 which is horribly late for kids. The food doesn't end up being served until 8:45-9:00, so if you end up with that, make sure everyone has a 1st dinner or large snack around 5 from the quick service on the pool deck. There used to be a service for kids where they would have their meal expedited, and then the kids club would pick them up. Is this not the case anymore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurUSCG Posted July 30 #10 Share Posted July 30 10 minutes ago, 1025cruise said: There used to be a service for kids where they would have their meal expedited, and then the kids club would pick them up. Is this not the case anymore? You can still have the meal expedited, but they club pickup didn't come back after covid. But you can walk them to the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurUSCG Posted July 30 #11 Share Posted July 30 49 minutes ago, KatRangoon said: 2nd seating on the wish is 8:15 which is horribly late for kids. The food doesn't end up being served until 8:45-9:00, so if you end up with that, make sure everyone has a 1st dinner or large snack around 5 from the quick service on the pool deck. For us East coast people it's late, but if you came from the west coast and didn't time adjust yet, it is only 5:15 with food coming out around 5:45-6. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KatRangoon Posted July 30 #12 Share Posted July 30 59 minutes ago, ArthurUSCG said: For us East coast people it's late, but if you came from the west coast and didn't time adjust yet, it is only 5:15 with food coming out around 5:45-6. I'm not disagreeing with you, but we ate breakfast and lunch as the designated times for 1923 and Marcelline's and with lunch over around 1pm, that would mean the kids had to wait 8 hours till dinner. It was too much for my 8 and 18 year old. Getting Pizza or Chicken Tenders/Fries around 5 or 6 from the pool deck was necessary. We mainly went to the dinners for the shows. On 1923 and Pirate meal (but no show) night, we let the 8 year old play in the kids club. The Marvel show was amazing and worth it. We were hugely disappointed in Arendelle and couldn't see or hear anything. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Illbcruzn4life Posted July 30 #13 Share Posted July 30 4 hours ago, KatRangoon said: 2nd seating on the wish is 8:15 which is horribly late for kids. The food doesn't end up being served until 8:45-9:00, so if you end up with that, make sure everyone has a 1st dinner or large snack around 5 from the quick service on the pool deck. Tyvm. When we got our quote yesterday only 2nd seating was available but when we pulled the trigger and booked 1st seating was available again so we lucked out. We are older with no kids and eating that late would not be ideal. Have a lot of problems with acid reflux. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STLCARDS82 Posted August 7 #14 Share Posted August 7 I think Disney should have some flexibility for a dinner buffet... I was only on a four day but I've seen some transatlantic that are what like 10 days. I don't think anybody wants to go to animators Palace as adults three times. Maybe on the longer cruises they should switch it out a little bit!!! Just a thought. Have any of you been on the longer 10 Trans Atlantic's or Tahiti or wherever? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinkLoverSam Posted August 9 #15 Share Posted August 9 (edited) On 8/7/2024 at 5:13 PM, STLCARDS82 said: I think Disney should have some flexibility for a dinner buffet... I was only on a four day but I've seen some transatlantic that are what like 10 days. I don't think anybody wants to go to animators Palace as adults three times. Maybe on the longer cruises they should switch it out a little bit!!! Just a thought. Have any of you been on the longer 10 Trans Atlantic's or Tahiti or wherever? I did a 10 day Alaskan on the Wonder and as the menus are different every night and the atmosphere feels different even in the same restaurants. I loved the personalized service and never felt like it was too repetitive going to "the same" restaurant 3 or 4 times Edited August 9 by TinkLoverSam spelling 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texter2 Posted August 21 #16 Share Posted August 21 (edited) We have been on two Disney transatlantic cruises. Food was good and not too repetitive. We were able to have a casual sit down evening meal in the area that was a buffet during the day. That said, the “formal” attire is flexible. You are not required to be too dressed up. I would say that our evening in Palo was the most dressed up we needed to be. Our transatlantic cruises on Disney were both pre-Covid. We will take another Disney transatlantic cruise, but the itineraries are a bit repetitive and we like to visit new places. Disney has the best entertainment we have experienced on any line. I just reread OP’s note and will add that evenings on most cruise ships are more dressy than casual dining on land. Edited August 21 by Texter2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted August 22 #17 Share Posted August 22 7 hours ago, Texter2 said: We have been on two Disney transatlantic cruises. Food was good and not too repetitive. We were able to have a casual sit down evening meal in the area that was a buffet during the day. That said, the “formal” attire is flexible. You are not required to be too dressed up. I would say that our evening in Palo was the most dressed up we needed to be. Our transatlantic cruises on Disney were both pre-Covid. We will take another Disney transatlantic cruise, but the itineraries are a bit repetitive and we like to visit new places. Disney has the best entertainment we have experienced on any line. I just reread OP’s note and will add that evenings on most cruise ships are more dressy than casual dining on land. Dinner in the buffet area has not returned post Covid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texter2 Posted August 22 #18 Share Posted August 22 16 hours ago, 1025cruise said: Dinner in the buffet area has not returned post Covid. I am sorry to hear that. It was a nice “go to” when you felt like a quick, informal meal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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