Updated Palo Menu

[Meriweather]

Ugh!!
DH likes the Osso Buco, cioppino, mushroom risotto.
Me filet and souffle is what .
We may be cancelling

 

[Whisker]

the dinner we have had a Palo in the past was THE BEST filet we have ever had. We loved the whole experience. There was always too much food. Since the filet and the soufflé is what we would want anyway we are not as unhappy as most here. One commenter said they wish they would have just raised the price to $50... every time they have raised the price you would think it was draining blood from people with the complaining, so maybe they thought they would try something different. Everything with DCL is supply and demand. I don't like all the extra costs, but if people keep lining up willing to pay, they will keep raising. They are looking for the balance. It shouldn't be a mad dash and a super big worry about snagging a Palo reservation or the unicorn of a cabana at Castaway. They will keep raising prices until they see that people are not flocking to pay. On a side note, we tried the Palo brunch once and were really disappointed. We much prefer the dinner.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Even if (and we still don’t know for certain) Platinum cruisers are allowed a $45 credit toward al a carte orders rather than choosing the uninspired (to my taste) prix fixe menu, I calculate at least $85, just to order my basic Palo dinner (antipasto plate (shared, so half) $11, ciuppin soup $14, gnocchi (half order) $6, rack of lamb $26 with potatoes $4, amaretto souffle $10, intermezzo spoonful of lemon gelato $8, and limoncello digestivo $6.75). Add wine and gratuity and the total will easily approach $125, or $80 if they allow me to apply the $45 Platinum benefit as a credit. I’ve been leaving a $20 per person plus 25% of whatever wine ordered as gratuity. It looks like we might only do brunch in the future, and we have seven cruises booked for 2022 after completing 19 (or 20 for DW) DCL cruises.

We’ve also cruised with Viking at comparable cost to what we’ve been spending on DCL. No upcharge for speciality dining, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, one excursion included in each port of call. DW enjoys the characters and shows on DCL, but as prices increase and services decrease, we’ll evaluate the alternatives very carefully.

 

[Cheburashka]

the dinner we have had a Palo in the past was THE BEST filet we have ever had. We loved the whole experience. There was always too much food. Since the filet and the soufflé is what we would want anyway we are not as unhappy as most here. One commenter said they wish they would have just raised the price to $50... every time they have raised the price you would think it was draining blood from people with the complaining, so maybe they thought they would try something different...

Agreed. My favorite items are included, too, but I looked at the menu & even if they weren't included, I could still build a meal with my favored (and very good) items for less than the prix-fixe price. I guess this is mostly an issue for platinum cruisers who are used to getting any food they want at Palo on a complimentary basis, because if you're paying out of pocket, it doesn't seem a big deal to pay a la carte. As a gold who has to pay every time, $45 is a hefty enough upcharge for Palo already and I don't want it raised to $50 at all. I'm sorry that Disney changed the payment structure in a way that bothers platinums, but I also don't want to have to subsidize the cost of meals for people who want to eat more than four courses in one sitting. That kind of thing is probably why DCL came up with the prix-fixe idea.

 

[icc2515]

$8.00 for a spoonful of lemon gelato seems a bit much.

 

[dvcdisney]

the dinner we have had a Palo in the past was THE BEST filet we have ever had. We loved the whole experience. There was always too much food. Since the filet and the soufflé is what we would want anyway we are not as unhappy as most here. One commenter said they wish they would have just raised the price to $50... every time they have raised the price you would think it was draining blood from people with the complaining, so maybe they thought they would try something different. Everything with DCL is supply and demand. I don't like all the extra costs, but if people keep lining up willing to pay, they will keep raising. They are looking for the balance. It shouldn't be a mad dash and a super big worry about snagging a Palo reservation or the unicorn of a cabana at Castaway. They will keep raising prices until they see that people are not flocking to pay. On a side note, we tried the Palo brunch once and were really disappointed. We much prefer the dinner.

I agree about the Brunch, we tried it once and was not really into the buffet style. When our server brought us to the buffet selections and asked us to get whatever we'd like, we took a few things to share. We had ordered the chicken parmesan and risotto - shared both. If we shared one main course, it would have been more than enough. Then our server noticed that we didn't get much from the buffet, she brought us some of her favourite things. We took a little bite of each since they did look very tasty, but it was just too much.

7 hours later when it was time for dinner, we only had coffee and dessert. Our server was so worried about us and thought we would starve until we told her we had Palo for Brunch and she smiled. She knows we're not big eaters.

So, since then we've only had Palo dinner and we've enjoyed it. I know a lot of people like the buffet idea so I can see why the Brunch is so popular. For us, it's not the same experience as dinner. But I think the two options gives everyone a choice on how they want to dine.

I also think that the a la carte option provides the option of just ordering one or two courses instead of 4. We're platinum, so I hope it would be covered if we choose the a la carte option especially if it's less than $45.

 

[AquaDame]

Agreed. My favorite items are included, too, but I looked at the menu & even if they weren't included, I could still build a meal with my favored (and very good) items for less than the prix-fixe price. I guess this is mostly an issue for platinum cruisers who are used to getting any food they want at Palo on a complimentary basis, because if you're paying out of pocket, it doesn't seem a big deal to pay a la carte. As a gold who has to pay every time, $45 is a hefty enough upcharge for Palo already and I don't want it raised to $50 at all. I'm sorry that Disney changed the payment structure in a way that bothers platinums, but I also don't want to have to subsidize the cost of meals for people who want to eat more than four courses in one sitting. That kind of thing is probably why DCL came up with the prix-fixe idea.

I'm platinum.... and can barely handle three courses and a couple items from the antipasto cart. That'd be $68 now for the items I usually get... just for me and it is not more than four courses. The little pallete cleanser is not worth $8 per person; we'll skip it. It WAS a nice touch though, that was atmospheric and indulgent. I wonder if they'll charge for after dinner coffee now as well?

The chicken, salmon, beef, or uninspired basic red sauce pasta sure feels like the MDR (or any convention/fundraiser/crowd dinner). I'm not into either option on the first two courses.... we have caprese salad all the time in the summer at home - enough that frankly I like mine better than at restaurants. Nothing beats home grown tomatoes. I don't like arugula so a salad of just that for greens is out. The other one fine, whatever, is a side salad, $4-6 on land but keeping greens unsmooshed and fresh onboard is probably a pain. Yeah, these feelings of mine are my own, and not big picture though. I feel like they're stretching to try to say theyre two separate courses when it's 3 salads or a serving of shrimp & calamari.

I didn't have a problem when they added upcharges for certain items. They were nominal and I still felt like I had more choices from the menu than now when they narrow it to just the prix fixe section. I'd stick to brunch and see how it plays out but my husband likes dinner more and he mainly cruises for my benefit. I'm sure we'll make this work as well, and are hardly suffering over here, but if we did not already have the $45 credit we'd just stay in the MDR.

 

[Cheburashka]

The chicken, salmon, beef, or uninspired basic red sauce pasta sure feels like the MDR (or any convention/fundraiser/crowd dinner).

I guess we'll have to disagree. I simply don't think the MDR food is at Palo's level, regardless of what the dishes are. The MDR actually does serve less common items than what you described such as lamb, duck, escargot, oxtail soup, black truffle pasta, scallops, etc. But the MDRs mass prepare & serve food, which is a big difference from Palo, where meals are individually cooked to order and served with more care.

 

[JimGA]

We ate at Palo in 2016 and back then I was not impressed and wished we would have just ate in the ain dining room. Food was not any better than the main dining rooms. Save your money folks

 

[LeslieG]

I feel like we'll be hearing soon that changes will also be coming to brunch. I can't see them reworking dinner and not touching brunch. Too bad.

 

[randumb0]

I see a lot of comments from platinum cruisers. I am curious how others feel

 

[epcotrulz]

I see a lot of comments from platinum cruisers. I am curious how others feel

Gold cruiser here. Not pleased, at all.

 

[kaseyC]

DCL is becoming more and more like the other mass market cruise lines with the addition of more and more up charge options. Hey, but at least there is still free soda!!!

 

[randumb0]

Looks like we will save money by going the a la carte route

 

[isabellea]

I actually like the change. Before, I would have never considered booking a Palo dinner because of my food restrictions (ate the brunch on our first DCL cruise but dinner would have been a waste of money). Now, with à la carte, I am looking forward trying it in Oct 2022.

 

[lizzyb]

I think with the increased price that it wasn't really worth it but booked it for the experience. However, with the changes I will be cancelling.

 

[epcotrulz]

I actually like the change. Before, I would have never considered booking a Palo dinner because of my food restrictions (ate the brunch on our first DCL cruise but dinner would have been a waste of money). Now, with à la carte, I am looking forward trying it in Oct 2022.

I have dined there with folks that have dietary restrictions and they went above and beyond to put together a customized menu …. not knowing your specific situation obviously, just relaying my experience.

 

[Meriweather]

DH will go the ala carte route because he really love the Osso Buco.

I will still do the main one. Steak is what I always get and the chocolate souffle.....and the tomato and mozzarella.....noticed it isn't called Caprese anymore.

DS and DIL wanted to go for their first time. I sent them the menu, so we'll see if they still do.

 

[Toulou]

If all of us platinum members just decided to forgo the "free" palo meal, that would in essence free up reservations for those requiring payment...right? Disney will get whay they wanted all along. Maybe an additional add-on could be; platinum with 20 or more can order whatever they want on the menu. Hmmm. Have they already thought of this??

 

[randumb0]

This is good for my wife because she is a vegetarian. However I always order the Dover sole. Does this mean I have to order a la carte? Looks like it would cost me more than $45 to order a full meal