Palo - from a budget perspective - is it worth it?

[IWannaBeAPrincess]

We've been on Disney cruises before, and never really thought about going to Palo.

Here are some facts about our family:

• We have 2 daughters (7 & 4 months as of the cruise). 1 could go to club, but the other will need flounders. DD7 wants to move to the club and completely forget about us, so she won't be the problem. It's the itty bitty one that I might have a hard time sending to the nursery.
• We love food, so no doubt, the food would be yummy.
• We eat meals as a family, vacation as a family, go everywhere together as a family. This is the appeal of the Disney Cruise over other lines. I love the focus on family activities. I never really feel comfortable going anywhere without my children. (hence the reason for not going in the past)
• Is the cost of Flounders + Palo upcharge + missing regular dinner worth the experience?
  

Thanks in advance!!

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

My husband and I didn't feel that Palo was worth it. But we also didn't feel that paying for the steakhouse on Carnival ships was worth it either. Our view is that all food included should mean all food included. We would rather buy food off the ship at one of the port restaurants and try something different than pay extra to eat ship food. Don't get me wrong, the food on the ship is good but if you are already paying so much, why give them more for something that should be included? Also, we didn't like the idea of not spending dinner with our daughter and putting her in the nursery.

 

[pixieprincessmom]

We did the Palo brunch and enjoyed it. All three of ours were able to go to the clubs and they all love them so that wasn't an issue. A bit of adults only time was nice.

 

[Paticake]

We liked Palo for Brunch. Dinner was very good but we thought that the rotation dining was just as good. We were 2 couples traveling together without children. I don't think I'd spend the extra money again.

 

[IndianaPrincess]

As long as this isn't going to be your last Disney cruise, then there's no harm in putting it off until next time. BUT if you longing for some alone time (even just a little bit of longing) then it does sound yummy and worth the $$$ compared to finding that kind of dinner at home.

BTW - you need to update your siggy!

 

[mhsjax]

Palo is very much worth it. The food in the other dining rooms is just ok, IMHO. But the food in Palo is wonderful so the added cast isn't something that I mind. We do a Palo dinner and brunch each time. It is something that I refuse to give up.

 

[SC Minnie]

We enjoyed Palo brunch more than dinner.

On our cruise this summer we will only be doing Palo for brunch.

 

[jodifla]

Palo Brunch is definitely worth it. It's a must for us!

 

[bridget]

I don't think so. I think it depends on what you like to do and what you like to eat. My BIL/SIL LOVED it. I'm happy with a basket of chicken strips

 

[stitchlovestink]

While we enjoyed all of the regular rotational dining rooms (well Parrot Cay was clearly our least favorite), I don't think that you can compare them to Palo. Now this is JMHO, but Palo was much nicer. The food was better (again the others were not bad). I completely enjoyed the atmosphere of Palo. I would highly recommend it and I would spend the $ for Flounders as well as the upcharge. I can honestly say this would be one of the few reasons I would use Flounders if I had an infant/toddler.
Good Luck with your decision. You'll make the right one for you, but I think Palo's was one of the best experiences of our cruise...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

well--we used flounders on our cruise. We did use it for Palo Brunch--it was okay. Would we have used flounders anyway to do something else? Yep!

We considered flounders as the cruise fare for our infant when we went.

And we budgeted for it.

Now is Palo's "worth" the time, or would something else be better?

I cannot speak for dinner, but many DCL folks love Palo's.

I could take or leave the Brunch myself. If Brunch were the only option--I might choose sometime in the adult's only clubs instead, but I'd still spend the flounders money.

The upcharge in and of itself isn't that major considering the other cruise expenses. ($5-$10?) Deciding it if it is something you want to do is.

 

[windycitymom]

We ate at Palo once, but since I'm a frugal person, I don't feel the need to do it again. Why should I pay extra for a meal when I can get a delicious meal included at no charge, KWIM? Our last Disney cruise was 10 years so I don't even remember what we ate at Palo's - I just remember that I didn't feel the need to do it again.

 

[romeoc]

Palo is great, but when we did it it was scheduled for the night of Parrot Cay, so we do not miss the 'show' at Animators Palate or the great food at Tritons.
With that said, we have been on the ship 8 times but Palos only once.