Table location in MDR

[lucky1]

Does your cabin assignment have any play into where your table location is in the Main dining room?

Our last 3 cruises (2 wonder and 1 Magic) we have been on the exact same table location (no the table numbers were not the same) each of the MDR.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

It seems like the most efficient way to do the assignments would be based on some kind of cabin order. However, since you are typically seated with other families, and that seating seems very intentional (when DD was younger, we were seated at a table with 3 other girls without siblings who were exactly her age - not a coincidence!), I would guess that the order gets thrown off pretty quickly. Our tables weren't in the same physical location from restaurant to restaurant though.

 

[dvcdisney]

I don't know but in all our DCL cruises, we've never had the same table on each ship but we've had the same stateroom. Even when we did B2B, we didn't have the same table, but we did have the same server (but not the assistant server who left for his break).

The only time I felt there was some kind of system is when we eat at the MDR for breakfast or lunch. It seems like we've had the same table multiple times on the same cruise. But it wasn't always the same servers. It happen on the Dream, Fantasy and Magic...don't recall it happening on the Wonder.

 

[GPaLarry]

Out of eight DCL cruises we have been assigned tables usually on the left side of the room, as you enter. Can't be an alphabetical thing, probably random. We have been on three without kids/gkids and the tables have never been the same. The only time we had an opportunity to make a change/remain the same was when we did a B2B (Med./WBTA). Last dinner of the first leg we were asked if we wanted to stay at the same table with the same servers...we did. The folks who joined us, of course, changed. Each cruise is truly an adventure.

 

[dvcdisney]

I do believe there is some system, but it likely doesn't have anything to do with stateroom locations or category or CC status.

I think they may take into consideration requests for table size and possibly server requests when assigning the tables. I do believe they change the table numbers so that guests can't request certain tables to make it more equitable.

I also think that even without requests, they need to ensure that larger families can be accommodated with respect to the seating map. In this respect, I do believe they do move the tables as well.

Other than those, it seems quite random.

We've had, what we considered, some tables that were wonderful and other tables that seem to be just an after-thought (didn't really seem to fit anywhere).

 

[lucky1]

It just seemed strange that we were at the exact same table location each of the 3 trips. We never make any dining requests. Using Tiana's and Rapunzel (those new dining rooms have the same configuration) as am example. we were to the right of the stage on the far side, at a table right up against a porthole. One time the table sat 4 and others 2 times it sat 6.

 

[dvcdisney]

It just seemed strange that we were at the exact same table location each of the 3 trips. We never make any dining requests. Using Tiana's and Rapunzel (those new dining rooms have the same configuration) as am example. we were to the right of the stage on the far side, at a table right up against a porthole. One time the table sat 4 and others 2 times it sat 6.

I agree. It does seem strange. We've been on 9 DCL cruises so far and not once did we have the same table. My children seem to know exactly where we sat for each cruise. We were just talking about the fact that we have been in several sections. It's interesting to see the restaurant from different views.

Actually, I will say that we had those "special booths" (at Enchanted Garden) 3 times but different tables. The first time was the second booth on the right side, then the next time was the 3rd booth on the left side, and finally, the last booth on the right side.

 

[FigmentSpark]

It just seemed strange that we were at the exact same table location each of the 3 trips. We never make any dining requests. Using Tiana's and Rapunzel (those new dining rooms have the same configuration) as am example. we were to the right of the stage on the far side, at a table right up against a porthole. One time the table sat 4 and others 2 times it sat 6.

Do you remember if it was the same table number, as well?

I did notice that our table number from the previous year's Fantasy trip was at the same table as it had been. We got a different number, but I remembered our number and checked for it when we were in the MDR just to see.

 

[lucky1]

Do you remember if it was the same table number, as well?

I did notice that our table number from the previous year's Fantasy trip was at the same table as it had been. We got a different number, but I remembered our number and checked for it when we were in the MDR just to see.

nope not the same table number.. Just the same physical location in the restaurant. We typically have the same type of cabin each trip.

 

[professorandmom]

Can you imagine the research that might be possible if table numbers predicted location in the MDR? We might just have "MDR Table reports" just like stateroom reports!

 

[Shanti]

Can you imagine the research that might be possible if table numbers predicted location in the MDR? We might just have "MDR Table reports" just like stateroom reports!

 

[clten]

OP, I think there may be something to the "location" thing but I'm not sure it is based on stateroom, I think the table assignment system just loops some people to the same area each cruise. For a long stretch (10+ cruises) we were always in the same corner. Not always the exact same table but one of the six or seven in the same corner. (In fact the first night of one of the cruises, when we got to the restaurant, the head server checking table numbers recognized us, looked at our table number and told us we "knew the way". We thought he was kidding but no, he didn't have anyone escort us so we just started walking toward the back corner and sure enough, that's where our table was.)

Then we brought my parents along and noted on the reservation that they would be using wheelchairs and our dining location changed to closer to the main aisle. Now even if we don't bring "wheelchair" guests, our "standard" location is nearer to the front of the restaurant rather than our back corner.

 

[MomOTwins]

We have only done one cruise, on the dream, but I noticed we had a great central loction table in Royal Court, very bad table in Animators not near crush and in a heavy traffic lane where people kept bumping us walking by, and bad table in enchantred garden all the way in the back behind a server station where we couldnt see the magic ceiling change color. I figured maybe we were at the bottom of the totom pole as first time cruisers, but from these posts it sounds a bit random. I guess I should be glad we had one good table out of three!

 

[Sytrace]

They are more based on if you request a certain server for dinner in the dining room than any other factor. Wherever they are placed is where you will go. But if you did not request a server and ended up there 3 times in 3 cruises, then that is pretty odd.

Out of all our cruises, we have had the same table only twice...we have been all over the dining rooms too. Left side, Enchanted Garden round tables in the center (very uncomfortable for our family of 4 by the way) Center, Right side, by windows, not by windows, by the screen for Crush to interact with many times etc. No rhyme or reason to it.