Animator’s Palate is one of the table service restaurants on board the Disney Dream cruise ship. Located on Deck 3 Aft, all guests will have dinner here at least once during their cruise, as part of the rotational dining system.

Guests who have previously cruised on the Disney Magic or Wonder will find this Animator’s Palate very different to that on the classic ships.

The entrance to the restaurant features black and white drawings of familiar Disney characters, and a sparkly Mickey floor.

Inside, the black and white of the classic ships’ Animator’s Palate has gone. Red, yellow and black Mickey themed chairs are ready for guests to be seated, and an array of screens adorn the walls.

The theming is carried out beautifully at each table, with an artist’s paint pot showing the table number, brush shaped bread knives, and even the napkins are folded to look like brushes. The kid’s menu features a “learn to draw Mickey Mouse,” which the kids will enjoy.

When you’re first seated, the screens around the room will show pencil sketches and artwork from the film Finding Nemo.

Before long, Crush the sea turtle will appear and start talking to guests. If you’ve been to Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot, or Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom, you’ll be familiar with the concept. However, this is on a much larger scale, as Crush swims around the room, from screen to screen, conversing with guests at different tables. The kids will love it as he asks them their name and gets everyone to say hello!

Before Crush arrives and after he has gone, different characters from the film will visit, although they don’t interact with guests. You’ll see Nemo, Dory, Squirt and Bruce the shark.

It all finishes off with a surfing lesson led by Crush as the EAC (East Australian Current) swirls around the room. As Crush swims away, the other characters from Finding Nemo make a final appearance before magically turning into pencil sketches.

By the end of your meal, the room will be lit up in shades of blue.

Watch this video clip we recorded on our cruise:

If you return here for a 2nd dinner you won’t get the Crush show.

This was definitely my favorite restaurant on board the Dream, and I can’t wait to see Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy.