Hooray, Jessica! Congratulations on booking your very first magical voyage on the Disney Cruise for next year. You and your family will have an awesome time for sure. And we here, at the Moms Panel, will be more than happy to help you with any planning questions that you may have.
My family and I always take the second seating for dinner as well. We prefer watching the evening shows first, and then enjoying the dining experiences afterwards. In those cases where you and the kids get the munchies in between meals - there is an abundance of food choices to snack on. Deck 9 by the pool area has
casual dining available, from burgers to fries and salads and sandwiches. Even ice cream & all you can drink soda & milk. As an alternate, you also have
24-hour room service available... and that means Mickey Ice Cream bars for everyone, anytime during the day!
Cruise Casual is the normal attire while onboard - this could be comfortable slacks, khakis and even nice jeans with a collared shirt or top for the boys. A nice blouse or top with a skirt, slacks, capri pants or a sundress for the girls will work. Pretty much anything that you would wear when you take the family out for dinner and a movie when you are back home... you can make it a notch dressier if you'd like, since there are always professional photographers at the lobby in the evenings to take signature Disney Cruise photos... these make great cruise mementos! For formal or Dress Up night - go ahead and bring out the bling! You'll find guests who wear cocktail dresses and sundresses, and the men with a jacket or a nice shirt on. Don't forget your Pirate gear for Disney's signature Pirate Night party!
Hope this helps! Happy planning!
~ Dolly