Palo First Timer - Questions :)

[iHeartDisneyXo]

I'll be leaving for a cruise on the Wonder in just less than a week. I've sailed with DCL before, but never had the chance to splurge on a trip to Palo. Decided to finally go for it! We'll be dining there for both dinner and brunch this trip.

So far everything looks amazing! I've been reading quite a few blog and disboard reviews in preparation, as well as reviewing the menus. There are still a couple questions I still have about Palo in general.

How exactly does the ordering process go at brunch? You help yourself to the buffet offerings, and then order from your server specific entrees? Also, from photos it appears brunch dress may be more like 'cruise casual' than the fancier dress at dinner. Is that correct?

Also, are you limited on your selections (one app, one entree, etc..)? (Referring more so to dinner) I read on many reviews that people requested appetizer portions to sample different entrees. There are so many great selections we'd love to try a couple different things, but I don't know what would be considered excessive/going over and above what is included in the $20 fee. (We will probably keep our eats light in preparation so we can really enjoy the experience at Palo. )

Thanks in advance to anyone sharing their wisdom!

[PrincessShmoo]

Originally Posted by iHeartDisneyXo

I'll be leaving for a cruise on the Wonder in just less than a week. I've sailed with DCL before, but never had the chance to splurge on a trip to Palo. Decided to finally go for it! We'll be dining there for both dinner and brunch this trip.

So far everything looks amazing! I've been reading quite a few blog and disboard reviews in preparation, as well as reviewing the menus. There are still a couple questions I still have about Palo in general.

How exactly does the ordering process go at brunch? You help yourself to the buffet offerings, and then order from your server specific entrees? Also, from photos it appears brunch dress may be more like 'cruise casual' than the fancier dress at dinner. Is that correct?

Also, are you limited on your selections (one app, one entree, etc..)? (Referring more so to dinner) I read on many reviews that people requested appetizer portions to sample different entrees. There are so many great selections we'd love to try a couple different things, but I don't know what would be considered excessive/going over and above what is included in the $20 fee. (We will probably keep our eats light in preparation so we can really enjoy the experience at Palo. )

Thanks in advance to anyone sharing their wisdom!

At brunch, you will be escorted to your table. Then your server will take you on a tour of the various tables for the self-serve part. There is also a table with examples of the items you can order (chicken Parmesan, yummmm). You may return to the self-serve tables as many times as you wish.

If there are a couple of different items you'd like to try on the dinner menu, most certainly, you should discuss this with your server. Sometimes they will have a smaller offering of an item for tasting, but in most cases, you'll just get another full serving. They want you to be happy.

Do not do brunch and dinner the same day!!! Or dinner one night with brunch the next morning. Unless that's all you want to eat for a couple of days.

[iHeartDisneyXo]

Originally Posted by PrincessShmoo

At brunch, you will be escorted to your table. Then your server will take you on a tour of the various tables for the self-serve part. There is also a table with examples of the items you can order (chicken Parmesan, yummmm). You may return to the self-serve tables as many times as you wish.

If there are a couple of different items you'd like to try on the dinner menu, most certainly, you should discuss this with your server. Sometimes they will have a smaller offering of an item for tasting, but in most cases, you'll just get another full serving. They want you to be happy.

Do not do brunch and dinner the same day!!! Or dinner one night with brunch the next morning. Unless that's all you want to eat for a couple of days.

Thanks so much for your reply! We will be spreading brunch and dinner out to our two different sea days... I agree - I don't think the tummy could handle that in one day

That yummy looking chicken parm is definitely on my list of things to try!

[Minnie321]

We just did Palo for brunch on Valentine's Day and it was great - so worth the money. The PP poster did a great job explaining how brunch was set up.

[StephenKay]

Hi there,

For those who don't know much about Palo a little tip is not to take the elevator to either front or midships as your hair style can easily be wasted by the time you enter the restaurant. If you are at the aft simply take the elevators straight up, however if your forward or midships consider either taking the elevator to the pool deck which is sheltered or walking along deck 3 or 4 to the aft lifts. The reason I say this was after seeing a lady who had just had her hair done wasted by the wind on the top deck.

[PizzieDuster]

Originally Posted by iHeartDisneyXo

I'll be leaving for a cruise on the Wonder in just less than a week. I've sailed with DCL before, but never had the chance to splurge on a trip to Palo. Decided to finally go for it! We'll be dining there for both dinner and brunch this trip.

So far everything looks amazing! I've been reading quite a few blog and disboard reviews in preparation, as well as reviewing the menus. There are still a couple questions I still have about Palo in general.

How exactly does the ordering process go at brunch? You help yourself to the buffet offerings, and then order from your server specific entrees? Also, from photos it appears brunch dress may be more like 'cruise casual' than the fancier dress at dinner. Is that correct?

Also, are you limited on your selections (one app, one entree, etc..)? (Referring more so to dinner) I read on many reviews that people requested appetizer portions to sample different entrees. There are so many great selections we'd love to try a couple different things, but I don't know what would be considered excessive/going over and above what is included in the $20 fee. (We will probably keep our eats light in preparation so we can really enjoy the experience at Palo. )

Thanks in advance to anyone sharing their wisdom!

At dinner, try the grape/gonzola (sp?) pizza as one of your many appetizers. Yums.... it's sounds wierd but it was soooo good!

[NurseDave]

Originally Posted by PizzieDuster

At dinner, try the grape/gonzola (sp?) pizza as one of your many appetizers. Yums.... it's sounds wierd but it was soooo good!

That is on the pizza table for bunch as well.

[smootenloopers]

Originally Posted by iHeartDisneyXo

Also, from photos it appears brunch dress may be more like 'cruise casual' than the fancier dress at dinner. Is that correct?

Yes, brunch is cruise casual.

[daisywithak]

Originally Posted by PizzieDuster

At dinner, try the grape/gonzola (sp?) pizza as one of your many appetizers. Yums.... it's sounds wierd but it was soooo good!

This pizza is amazing! They have it at brunch also. We are doing brunch again just because I must have this! The risotto that comes with the chicken parm. is also wonderful!

Everything is great, but those were my two favorites!

[jedijill]

I believe the pizza is for brunch only now. I love the filet, the calimari, and the souffle at dinner! Yum!!!

Jill in CO

[rnhager07]

Originally Posted by iHeartDisneyXo

I'll be leaving for a cruise on the Wonder in just less than a week. I've sailed with DCL before, but never had the chance to splurge on a trip to Palo. Decided to finally go for it! We'll be dining there for both dinner and brunch this trip.

So far everything looks amazing! I've been reading quite a few blog and disboard reviews in preparation, as well as reviewing the menus. There are still a couple questions I still have about Palo in general.

How exactly does the ordering process go at brunch? You help yourself to the buffet offerings, and then order from your server specific entrees? Also, from photos it appears brunch dress may be more like 'cruise casual' than the fancier dress at dinner. Is that correct?

Also, are you limited on your selections (one app, one entree, etc..)? (Referring more so to dinner) I read on many reviews that people requested appetizer portions to sample different entrees. There are so many great selections we'd love to try a couple different things, but I don't know what would be considered excessive/going over and above what is included in the $20 fee. (We will probably keep our eats light in preparation so we can really enjoy the experience at Palo. )

Thanks in advance to anyone sharing their wisdom!

Hi So my DH and I have done the brunch on the Dream and dinner on the Wonder both in Palo, we both liked the brunch better. Maybe because when we cruise we want fun and a suit is not really fun for him. Dressing up is fine but the brunch had more variety and you got tots different foods, good cocktails. I think both are nice but will do another brunch when we are on the DD in Oct. Honestly the brunch food was better. I truly think the Disney food is good but it is not gourmet greatness, no cruise food is so I think the meal at brunch was exceptional for mass production. At brunch you help yourself and dinner you each get an appetizer and entree if my memory is correct. Service great at both meals although during brunch the sea views are better. My opinion for what it is worth.

[BriarRosie]

You can order as many plated items at either brunch or dinner as you want. If you want to try multiple items, you can always split one plate with someone just so both of you can taste it.

On the Fantasy, one of the appetizers was actually a trio of three of the offerings, so I was able to try smaller portions of multiple items. You're not limited, so you an order a pasta dish and a meat dish if you so choose.

I always save room for the chocolate soufflé after dinner, because it's just fantastic.

[KingRichard]

If there is two of you then be sure to order 3 different meals. They are not huge and you can share the 3rd and enjoy something new!

[WaltD4Me]

We will doing the Palo Brunch and I was wondering if we need to tip in addition to the $20 charge? I thought I read somewhere that the Brunch isn't the same as the dinner where the $20 is for the tip and you need to tip on top of the $20 for the brunch.

[wiigirl]

Originally Posted by smootenloopers

Yes, brunch is cruise casual.

....a delishious! :P