Is Palo Brunch still worth it without the Buffet?

[dwg]

We are sailing on the Wish in November. We currently are booked for Palo Brunch but are trying to decide if it is worth getting dressed for the brunch without the buffet anymore. The buffet was always a big part of the brunch to us. We are Platinum and have done both Palo dinner and brunch several times before. We really enjoyed the brunch with the buffet but fear we will be disapointed without it.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We tried it and really wanted to love it like we had in the past, but the wonderfulness wasn't there any longer. We'll not go back to Palo for brunch. Remy & Enchante, though. Yup.

 

[bcwife76]

We did it in July on the Wonder, thinking that we would probably not like it as much and would not go back....we were wrong, we loved the new way! I think we may be in the minority though ;-) Definitely booking Palo brunch for our upcoming cruises again.

 

[Kwami]

We did it in July on the Wonder, thinking that we would probably not like it as much and would not go back....we were wrong, we loved the new way! I think we may be in the minority though ;-) Definitely booking Palo brunch for our upcoming cruises again.

I never had a chance to experience the buffet, but I really did enjoy my visits to Palo for brunch without the buffet. Maybe it's just a case of not knowing that I'm missing. I admit that the photos of the giant buffet look really good, but... Eh, I like being served and not having to get my own food. And I like that random people aren't touching the food or the utensils, too! So, I'm satisfied without the buffet, but I'd still like to try it someday...

Anyway, have a look at the menu and decide if it's worth it. You can have as much from the menu as you'd like and they'll also bring you a basket of various breads and a large plate of pastries, too.

 

[Lillebelle]

I'm in the camp of really missing the buffet. We decided not to bother on our upcoming Wish cruise - we want to focus on enjoying other parts of the ship. But I ate ~80% from the buffet in the Beforetimes, so that influences my opinion heavily.

 

[Cheburashka]

No, I wouldn't bother with brunch without the buffet. Dinner is worthwhile imo.

 

[dwg]

We would definitely do dinner again except being a new ship we want to experience the MDR's. We think the buffet is what made the brunch special so still on the fence about that.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Of note, the mushroom risotto is back on the Palo menu for dinner on the Wish. It was amazing. Also, they've added a slice of carrot cake as big as your freakin' head. It was delicious

 

[CamColt]

We are big fans of brunch, like it better than dinner and do it every cruise. While I really liked having the buffet, especially those sticky buns which were the highlight, we still enjoy the experience and the food without it. In fact without the buffet, I got an extra entree and tried the pancakes which I never had.

I should also note though, we don't eat seafood so that table is not a consideration in my opinion.

 

[OKW Lover]

We did it on the Dream in May. Still very good. But definitely prefer the buffet version.

 

[Kwami]

especially those sticky buns which were the highlight

The sticky buns seem to be on the PALO Steakhouse brunch menu on the Wish, so maybe they'll make a comeback on the other ships, too!

 

[Engineman02]

Did it on the Wish beginning of Aug and thought would not like it. I think in ways it was actually better. Didn’t have to get up and wait in line to pick some things. We’re able to stay at the table the whole time and socialise and relax. Waiter was excellent making sure to be sure we had what we needed, made sure next dishes were ready at the appropriate time. Even on the “plated” appatizer with the seafood, was able to ask for none of the muscles and get extra tuna with no problem. And it has been a while since had palo brunch, so May not remember everything as it was, but I thought there were “tiny” desert things which were good. Now there are full size desert options, and they are excellent (definitely recommend the panda cotta, and the lemon cake).

 

[auntlynne]

It depends on what you actually ate from the buffet - were the items truly highlights of your brunch? Or is it the fact that something has been taken away?

I would miss the whipped cream and berries and the sticky buns. But realize I got other things just because they were available.

If they took away the chicken parm, I would have little need for brunch. I don’t think I have ever had a brunch worthy of a $45 (or even $25) price tag. The value of the free meal is better utilized by me in having dinner.

 

[Keyser]

We did brunch (and dinner) on our Wonder cruise last Christmas, and still enjoyed brunch a lot. Many (not all) of the items from the buffet and all the items you would order still seemed to be available, but you had to order them separately or they came as a basket of bread, etc. And as Engineman02 said, it was also kind of nice having the waiter bring you food and not have to get up to get everything.

The thing I miss most from the buffet was something I think they removed a while back - the caviar! I tried that for the first time at a Palo buffet, thinking I wouldn't like it but it was a chance to see what the fuss was about, and discovering just how good it was.

 

[holula]

I think it’s overpriced no matter how you look at it, but I have enjoyed my buffetless brunch since the restart.

 

[goofy4prez]

We did the Palo Brunch on the Fantasy back in 2019 and absolutely loved it. And with us not being really big fans of the MDR food, I even felt the upcharge was a real value. We are booked for Palo Brunch on the Dream in December; I shall see how I feel about the new version of the Palo Brunch at that time.

 

[Budzooka]

Yes. Still fantastic.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

still doing brunch because I have platinum perk, there's only 4 nights on the Wish and I'm doing Enchante, so I'd have to miss one of the new dining rooms to do dinner. as long as they will bring more tuna, OK

 

[Sherrilatte]

still doing brunch because I have platinum perk, there's only 4 nights on the Wish and I'm doing Enchante, so I'd have to miss one of the new dining rooms to do dinner. as long as they will bring more tuna, OK

I was told by Disney reps that you would not miss any MDRs if you have pre-booked any adult dining on a 4-night wish cruise.

 

[Kwami]

I was told by Disney reps that you would not miss any MDRs if you have pre-booked any adult dining on a 4-night wish cruise.

You've got four nights and three MDRs. So, you'll visit one MDR twice. One of those two nights will be pirate night.

If you schedule your adult dining for pirate night, then you won't miss any of the three new MDR menus. Otherwise, you will. On a 4-night sailing, pirate night is usually the third night and the dining rotation is ABBC.