Palo Brunch Buffet Back??

[cwis]

I am so confused as to how they can justify the buffet not coming back. They've already opened up the buffets elsewhere.

Palo is a much smaller space, and much fewer people going through, which would make sanitization that much easier.

Their top-secret decision-making flowchart basically is:

WILL THIS DECISION IMPACT NEGATIVELY HOW WE CAN FILL OUR SHIPS AND/OR SELL OUR STUFF?
                  NO                                       YES
     DOES IT LOWER PROFITABILITY?                        FORGET IT
         NO*           YES
     LET'S DO IT!    FORGET IT

*BONUS POINT IF IT RAISES PROFITABILITY (NOT REQUIRED)

 

[holula]

Their top-secret decision-making flowchart basically is:

WILL THIS DECISION IMPACT NEGATIVELY HOW WE CAN FILL OUR SHIPS AND/OR SELL OUR STUFF?
                  NO                                       YES
     DOES IT LOWER PROFITABILITY?                        FORGET IT
         NO*           YES
     LET'S DO IT!    FORGET IT

*BONUS POINT IF IT RAISES PROFITABILITY (NOT REQUIRED)

If people stopped booking Palo brunch without the buffet then maybe DCL would reconsider.

But since I can't get into Palo brunch on my upcoming cruise (booked at 30 days out) it's an easy moneysaver as long as brunch is still full.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I don’t have any ‘skin in the game’ on caring either way but maybe they’ve decided the experience is overall better without people constantly going back and forth and filling up on the buffet vs their signature entrees?

That people despite saying now they prefer the buffet their scores/reviews actually say the opposite?

Clearly their popularity isn’t in question regardless- I vividly remember when Palo went from $10 a person to $40 then to not ‘all you can eat/alacarte AND a price increase people threatened the popularity would tank and DCL would change it back..

 

[Doingitagain]

I also think the popularity is that Platinum Castaway Club members get a free brunch vs either a limited selection.$45 off at dinner. The newer/longer cruises run out of Palo brunch reservations very quickly Because the percentage of Platinum cruisers is higher,

 

[randumb0]

I also think the popularity is that Platinum Castaway Club members get a free brunch vs either a limited selection.$45 off at dinner. The newer/longer cruises run out of Palo brunch reservations very quickly Because the percentage of Platinum cruisers is higher,

I think that you have a greater chance of a reservation on a longer cruise because there are more days for dining opportunities

 

[otten]

I think that you have a greater chance of a reservation on a longer cruise because there are more days for dining opportunities

Except that that doesn't end up being the case. Despite having more days in which to schedule brunch on longer cruises it's often sold out even before gold can book because those cruises have more platinum cruisers.

 

[MomOTwins]

Except that that doesn't end up being the case. Despite having more days in which to schedule brunch on longer cruises it's often sold out even before gold can book because those cruises have more platinum cruisers.

Agree, much easier in general to book the brunch for shorter cruises. I think a big part is the higher ratio of platinum and gold on longer cruises. But also, shorter cruises tend to do brunch on nassau day and so some people don’t book brunch that day because they want to do an excursion, whereas on a longer cruise brunch is only on sea days when more people want to go to brunch.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Can anyone explain why the buffet brunch was so popular? I’m a newbie so I just don’t know - many long-time cruisers seem to wish they would go back to the buffet, and I don’t really understand the appeal.

Had to pull out a zombie thread to get you pictures. If you poke around here you’ll see what they had.

 

[goofy4prez]

I am OK if the buffet doesn't come back, I am not a big fan of buffets. However, I really enjoy the broad selection so maybe there is a way they can increase that without the buffet?

Normally I would agree with you; I am also not a fan of buffets. But Palo was the exception for me. I myself think it was a much better experience with the buffet selections than the current rendition of Palo brunch today.

I don’t have any ‘skin in the game’ on caring either way but maybe they’ve decided the experience is overall better without people constantly going back and forth and filling up on the buffet vs their signature entrees?

That people despite saying now they prefer the buffet their scores/reviews actually say the opposite?

Clearly their popularity isn’t in question regardless- I vividly remember when Palo went from $10 a person to $40 then to not ‘all you can eat/alacarte AND a price increase people threatened the popularity would tank and DCL would change it back..

I don't think the overall experience is even in the equation with Disney on this one. I think the bean counters have made the decision that it is far less expensive without the buffet. And in spite of the many comments about missing the buffet, the many Disney minions (me included) continue to fork over the cost of the Palo brunch, and if not in concierge, sit in front of our computers counting down the seconds before midnight of our reservation date frantically trying to secure a seat at the table. It's like so many other things with Disney, we complain but we continue to fork over the $$$$ and say thank you, may I have another?

 

[Bonnie1222]

We loved the buffet - but I have to say I really enjoyed the new family style set up for what used to be on the buffet. They bring you as much as you want and you don't have to keep getting up and down. I would be perfectly happy if they kept it as it is now.

 

[sadiecatie]

Had to pull out a zombie thread to get you pictures. If you poke around here you’ll see what they had.

Looking at the photos, I do see the appeal! I will still try to get Palo on our sailing if I can, though (doubtful, but maybe I'll get a little fairy dust!)

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

We loved the buffet - but I have to say I really enjoyed the new family style set up for what used to be on the buffet. They bring you as much as you want and you don't have to keep getting up and down. I would be perfectly happy if they kept it as it is now.

I don't mind the new format as much as some. I was hoping that not bringing back the buffet would make getting reservations easier but that hasn't panned out.

The Wish is currently the only ship I know of that is serving the sticky buns at brunch. That is the real casualty of this whole thing for me. I like being served the options. Our servers have always brought more of an item if we asked for it. Usually the bring a whole plate of the halved crab legs.

Another thing, I think it makes service for the crew much easier to have everyone seated instead of getting up and down all the time. Would I like the buffet to come back? Yes. Will it come back? Most likely No. Will it be missed? Absolutely.

 

[holula]

The Wish is currently the only ship I know of that is serving the sticky buns at brunch. That is the real casualty of this whole thing for me. I like being served the options. Our servers have always brought more of an item if we asked for it. Usually the bring a whole plate of the halved crab legs.

The Wonder had the sticky buns in December! However they had also taken off the artichoke ravioli

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

The Wonder had the sticky buns in December! However they had also taken off the artichoke ravioli

So exciting! We are supposed to be on the Wonder for the first time this year, glad to hear they have them.

I actually got the ravioli on the Wish for my entrée and the pasta was undercooked

 

[Kwami]

The Wonder had the sticky buns in December! However they had also taken off the artichoke ravioli

The Magic also had sticky buns in November.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

The Magic also had sticky buns in November.

When we were on the Magic in August last year, they hadn't gotten them back. So glad to hear this.

 

[jenushkask8s]

The Dream had the sticky buns at brunch last week.

 

[o&smom]

So exciting! We are supposed to be on the Wonder for the first time this year, glad to hear they have them.

I actually got the ravioli on the Wish for my entrée and the pasta was undercooked

Just got off the Wonder last week. They had apple sticky buns. They were not the same nor as good as the old ones.

 

[kiford]

The Dream had the sticky buns at brunch last week.

If they can provide me with those awesome sticky buns, some of the lovely cheeses and meats, nice crusty buns, and the gelled champagne dessert, I don't care if there is no longer a buffet. It's all good then.

 

[o&smom]

If they can provide me with those awesome sticky buns, some of the lovely cheeses and meats, nice crusty buns, and the gelled champagne dessert, I don't care if there is no longer a buffet. It's all good then.

Sticky buns were changed to apple (Wonder), only cheese was the good parmigiana, no crusty buns...focaccia, bread sticks and sesame flat bread, and no champagne jello. Loved that dessert!