Animator’s Palate is the most creative restaurant on the high seas – or maybe anywhere. This popular dining location can be found on all four Disney Cruise ships and you’ve never seen anything like it – trust me.
Animator’s Palate is set up a little differently on each Disney cruise ship, so the menu and the show might vary a bit but the premise is the same – you’ll dine in a restaurant that comes to life with animation and interactive fun over the course of your meal!
Animator’s Palate
Animator’s Palate is one of the featured restaurants on Disney Cruise Line’s hallmark “rotational dining” system. On most cruise ships, you go to dinner at the same place every night where the menu changes but your server stays the same.
On a Disney Cruise, you get to switch restaurants each night but your server moves with you – which means you get excellent service and the chance to try new food and decor nightly.
When you arrive aboard the ship, you’ll get your dining rotation assignment which will include at least one night at Animator’s Palate (on longer itineraries you may have the chance to dine there more than once!).
You can say hi to Crush at Animator’s Palate – cool, Dude! Photo courtesy of Disney
What to Expect
On Disney’s original ships – the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic – Animator’s Palate is set up with a black and white decor theme – lighting and special effects are added throughout the evening so that the restaurant gradually comes to life with color.
These ships offer two shows – on longer itineraries you may have the chance to see both, and on shorter trips you’ll experience one. Drawn to Magic shares the animation process from pencil to screen – and Sorcerer Mickey makes an appearance in the finale. Animation Magic is the second show you’ll see (on 7 day or longer cruises) and uses the power of technology to include guests’ drawing in the show.
The two newer ships – the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy – feature more colorful decor at Animators Palate with rich blue, red and gold accents that have a real classic Disney animation vibe.
The Disney Dream offers the Undersea Magic show starring Crush from Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo. It’s so cool, Dude! It’s definitely Dad’s favorite because Crush interacts with guests just like at EPCOT’s Turtle Talk with Crush. The Disney Fantasy offers this show too, plus the interactive Animation Magic show.
Don’t miss all of the little animation themed surprises throughout the evening, from the table settings inspired by painter’s tools to little sketches on the menus. It’s pure magic.
Mrs. Mom’s favorite dish at Animator’s Palate. Photo by Carl Trent
Dinner at Animator’s Palate
Dinner at Animator’s Palate is billed as “Pacific Rim” fare but it’s pretty standard American food with items like butternut squash soup, marinated chicken breast, sirloin steak, and salmon. Mrs. Mom just loves the black truffle pursiettes. Dessert is standard with cake, ice cream, and cheesecake. You can read a full review of the experience here.
You can order as many or as few dishes as you like; it’s all included in the cost of the cruise. The only things you’ll pay extra for are specialty beverages such as cappuccinos or alcohol.
The Bottom Line
Animator’s Palate is one of the best Disney dining experiences anywhere. Don’t miss your chance to dine there on any of the Disney Cruise ships.
