Where can you eat until you burst and not have to part with a penny?

Onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships!

Although, strictly, you’ve paid for all of your meals as part of the cruise package, the fact that you don’t have to pay for food once onboard (apart from Palo) does make it feel like it’s free.

Disney Cruise Line is unique in the way the dinner rotations are set up. Each evening, guests dine in one of three different onboard restaurants, rotating between the three each night. But despite the restaurant they are in, they’ll still be sat at the same numbered table, with the same dining companions, and the same wait staff. 

When you first check-in at Port Canaveral you’ll be handed a ticket that shows the dinner rotation for your stateroom. For a 4-night cruise, it might read-
APLA  

A is Animator’s Palette
P is Parrot Cay
L is Lumiere’s (T for Triton’s on the Disney Wonder)

Your table number will also be shown on the ticket. This will be the table you are seated at each evening, despite which restaurant you are in.

On your first evening you’ll be introduced to your dining team – the Head Server, Server and Assistant Server. They will move with you to each restaurant, along the way learning your preferences and becoming your new friends.

What do you want to eat tonight?

Choose from an enticing four course menu, featuring a wide selection of dishes to suit every taste. Even if you’re the fussy type you can just choose something plain and simple, like a steak or chicken breast with potatoes and veggies.

Can’t decide what to have?

If you can’t choose between the Lemon Peppered Oven-Baked Stuffed Chicken or the Veal Chop encrusted with Parmesan and Herb Crust, you don’t have to! Just ask your server if you can try both and they’ll be happy to oblige! I’ve known people with three, count ‘em, three dessert plates in front of them. Your server will be more than happy to oblige your indecision!

Each night features a different dress code, ranging from casual to formal. Formal night is a great excuse to get dressed up! Men can get away with a shirt & tie, but many choose to wear a suit, or even a tuxedo. Tuxedos can be booked prior to your cruise and the company will then deliver them to your stateroom for you. On formal night, women can be seen wearing anything from pantsuits or skirts, to fancy ballgowns.

Cruisers can also enjoy theme nights, starting with “Pirates IN the Caribbean” night on all cruises. The evening begins with a pirate themed dinner, with the menu presented on a treasure map scroll. After putting on your complimentary pirate bandana, you can start your dinner with Pirates Golden Pasta Envelopes or The Buccaneer’s Sun Ripened Pineapple, and finish it with Shiver-me-timbers White Chocolate Cheesecake or Walk the Triple Layered Chocolate Gangplank Cake. Then it’s up on deck for party time! Watch as Minnie and friends party on stage, then Mickey zooms in on an overhead zip line, followed by a fantastic fireworks show at sea. If you’ve still got room left after dinner, head for the late-night dessert buffet where you can choose from a tempting array of delicious desserts.

On 7-night or longer cruises, diners are treated to a number of different theme nights, including the Master Chef dinner, Captain’s Gala and ‘Til We Meet Again. Each with another menu full of dishes to tempt your tastebuds.

And then there’s Palo…

Palo is the adult’s only restaurant, and a very formal affair it is! This delightful restaurant must be booked in advance, and is very popular, meaning bookings often fill up quickly. It’s the only onboard restaurant where you’ll have to pay for your meal, but it’s worth every penny of the $15 per person charge. The dress code is formal and you’ll be treated to a feast of Italian delicacies from the extensive menu.

Brunch is also available here on cruises of 4-nights or more. Again, at $15 per person, but well worth it as you choose from the buffet which features caviar and a delicious array of desserts.

If you don’t want to dress up for dinner, or simply want a casual meal, head to the self-service buffet restaurant (Beach Blanket Buffet on the Wonder, and Topsider Buffet on the Magic) or one of the fast-food counters (Pluto’s Dog House, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, or Scoops/Goofy’s Galley).

Room service is also available for those who don’t want to leave their stateroom.

Soft drinks are free onboard, while dining in the restaurants, or from the 24 hour beverage station. However you will be charged for alcoholic and specialty drinks.

Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed as a casual affair in the buffet restaurant, something more formal in one of the sit-down restaurants, or in your room if you want to get an early start to the day.

Whatever your tastes and preferences the dining is sure to be a highlight of your Disney cruise, and you’re likely to disembark a few pounds heavier!

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