Disney Cruise Line just made a major change to its popular onboard adult–only dining experience. This new change will be implemented in phases, depending on which ship you are sailing on over the next month. This change might also result in a price increase for higher-end menu items while offering a better value for lower-cost options.
This is one of our favorite dining experiences on Disney Cruise Line as it is currently, but this news is not necessarily a negative thing for guests that prefer more flexibility. Keep reading for the newest change impacting the best dining on Disney Cruise Line. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including a new discount Disney gift card offer and the best Disney World holiday experiences that don’t require a park ticket.
Disney Cruise Line Palo Restaurants Phasing Out Dinner Prix-Fixe Menu
Palo Steakhouse, the name used on Disney’s Wish-class ships, is Disney Cruise Line’s adults-only specialty restaurant offering an upscale Italian-inspired dining experience with dishes like handmade pasta, steaks, seafood, and desserts. On the other ships, the restaurant is simply called Palo. Palo is a popular dining experience for many adult cruisers, but it is an additional charge and is not included in your general cruise fare.
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Palo primarily offers two dining experiences onboard: a brunch and dinner option, both featuring upscale Italian-inspired cuisine in an adults-only setting. Guests can pick between a prix fixe menu or an à la carte menu for dinner, while brunch only offers a prix fixe menu.
The prix-fixe dinner menu costs $55 per person and includes four courses. Guests can select from antipasti options such as fried calamari and shrimp or heirloom tomato and burrata caprese, followed by a salad course with selections such as crisp romaine or baby arugula.
As for the main course, there are several entrées options to pick from, including pasta, seafood, and steak options. Dessert options include popular dishes like Palo’s signature chocolate soufflé. An 18% gratuity brings the total to $64.90 per person, before drinks or additional add-ons.
Disney Cruise Line’s Palo restaurants will begin phasing out the prix-fixe dinner menu and start moving to an à la carte menu this month. The changes will happen in phases across the fleet of ships following this schedule:
- Oct. 22: Wonder
- Oct. 23: Fantasy, Dream, Wish
- Oct. 24: Magic, Treasure, Destiny
- Oct. 26: Adventure
Platinum and Pearl Castaway Club members will still receive a $55 per-person stateroom credit for Palo, Palo Steakhouse, and Palo Trattoria but it can only be used towards the à la carte dinner items. Previously it was advertised for dinner, but was available for both brunch and dinner. It will no longer be redeemable for Palo brunch.
For guests who just want to order a pasta dish and dessert for dinner, it could make the Palo experience cheaper by moving to the à la carte menu. However, for guests who want to order a salad, premium steak, sides, and dessert to mimic that four-course experience, that price will increase.
In many ways, this can be seen as a price increase if you want to replicate the same four-course experience for higher-end menu items, which could top out at $106 per person, or $125.08 with 18% gratuity. For guests selecting lower-end menu items, to replicate that four-course experience, the price could fall to $39 per person, or $46.02 with 18% gratuity. Keep in mind this math is based on the most recent pricing for the à la carte menu which could change when the new policy goes into effect.
Palo is most popular for its prix-fixe brunch offerings, which include an all-you-care-to-enjoy dining experience that combines a buffet with made-to-order dishes for $55 per person, including an 18% gratuity.
Brunch options typically include an assortment of cheeses, fresh fruit, cured meats, seafood, salads, grilled vegetables, breads, pastries, and desserts.
Guests can also order items prepared fresh, with options that may include Eggs Benedict, omelets, pancakes, pasta, pizza, and entrées such as steak, chicken, or seafood. Brunch also includes a complimentary mimosa or Prosecco.
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For now, there are no changes to the Palo brunch prix-fixe menu. Let’s hope it stays that way as this is a great, affordable luxury meal option that many cruise guests enjoy. There would be a large negative reaction from cruisers if Disney removed the prix-fixe menu for Palo brunch!
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