Dine in Disney-themed Venues on the Disney Magic Cruise Ship
Overview
The Disney Magic has several diverse dining venues, including casual take-away eateries by the pool, a buffet with indoor and outdoor seating, three main dining rooms, and an adults-only elegant specialty restaurant.
Disney Cruises has an innovative dinner concept for the three main dining rooms--Lumiere's, Animator's Palate, and Carioca's. These dining rooms have the traditional two-fixed seating times at 5:45 and 8:15.
What's unique is that the cruise passengers and their wait staff rotate amongst the three dining rooms. So, if someone is assigned to table 63 the first night in Carioca's, that entire table and the wait staff will move to the second of the other restaurants the next night, and then the third one the following night. So, on a three-night cruise, guests get the chance to dine at all three.
Another unique feature on Disney ships is that all soft drinks are included in the basic price. This is customary on smaller luxury ships, but unusual for large ships like the Disney Magic. This means that kids can get seconds or thirds of drinks without having to pay extra. Nice touch for families and diet coke lovers like me.
For those who like more casual meals, the Disney Magic has three eateries on deck 9 near the pools--Daisy's De Lites, Pinocchio's Pizzeria, and Pete's Boiler Bites. These three offer quick service and a variety of familiar, comfort foods that are available from lunch time until late afternoon.
Pete's re-opens for dinner, and the pizzeria is open for those who love an after dinner slice of pizza. Those looking for something cold to snack on should seek out Eye Scream or Frozone Treats, also on deck 9. Eye Scream has frozen ice cream and Frozone Treats features frozen fruit smoothies.
Cabana's is located aft on deck 9 in the space that was previously occupied by the Topside Buffet. This new casual venue has dining and beverage stations rather than one long buffet line. It also has some great outdoor seating.
The Disney Magic has one specialty restaurant called Palo. This Italian-themed, elegant venue is perched high on deck 10 aft and features great views of the sea.
Disney is well known for the whimsical touches on its cruise ships, and the Disney Magic has a few like the Mickey Mouse waffles at Cabana's. My favorite was the night we dined at Animator's Palate. My friend declined dessert, claiming that she was too full to eat anything else. When the wait staff brought my dessert, he delivered a very special plate for her. We and all the tables nearby loved it!
The Disney Magic also has complimentary room service, with meals or snacks available 24 hours a day.
The next 13 pages of this article includes more information and photos of the various dining options on the Disney Magic cruise ship.
Palo Restaurant
Palo on the Disney Magic is a marvelous 130-seat specialty restaurant that features Italian cuisine, elegant service, and great ocean views. It's open each evening for dinner, and reservations are required. On 4-day or longer cruises, Palo also has a marvelous champagne brunch when the ship is at sea. Guests must be 18 or over to dine at Palo.
As seen in the photo above, the table setting at Palo is formal, but formal dress is not required.
Men are asked to wear dress pants and a shirt (jacket is optional) and women should wear a a dress or pantsuit. No jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip-flops or tennis shoes are allowed.
Table at Palo
Guests can make dinner reservations starting at 6:00 pm at Palo, with the latest reservation on the Disney Magic being at 9:00 pm. Those who have an early reservation are often treated to magnificent sunsets. Table service is exceptional, but it's not a place to rush through dinner. After all, guests must save room for the marvelous chocolate soufflé.
Chocolate Soufflé at Palo
Every time I've eaten at Palo on the Disney Magic, I always order the amazing chocolate soufflé. I was delighted to find that although chefs, decor, and the menu had changed at Palo, this delightful dessert was still there. Guests just have to be sure to save room for dessert!
Lumiere's Restaurant
Lumiere's is one of three main restaurants on the Disney Magic. Located on Deck 3 next to the soaring atrium, it has about 462 seats and serves American cuisine for breakfast and lunch in a casual setting, and French-inspired dishes amid a more refined atmosphere for dinner. The restaurant is themed after the Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, and is the most formal of the three main dining rooms on the ship.
For those who like to have meals ordered from a menu and served by a wait staff member, Lumiere's is the best choice for breakfast or lunch. It is part of the three dining room rotational program for dinner.
Animator's Palate Restaurant
Animator's Palate was updated as part of the 2013 renovation of the Disney Magic. The cuisine is Pacific Rim and features some delightful dishes during the four-course meal. The restaurant decor starts out as black and white, but by the end of dinner, the room is bathed in color. The whole experience is Disney animation at its best, and the light show and changing artwork are fascinating.
Those who sail on seven night (or longer) cruises on the Disney Magic are also treated to a second show called, "Animation Magic", where guests get to try their hand at animation.
This show is similar to one I experienced at Animator's Palate on the Disney Fantasy.
Carioca's Restaurant
Carioca's is the third main rotational restaurant on the Disney Magic. It is bright and cheerful and filled with colorful lanterns. The Brazilian atmosphere is festive and fun. Buffet breakfast and lunch are served at Carioca's, and dinner is Latin and South American-themed.
Carioca's is in the same space previously occupied by Parrot Cay.
Carioca's Restaurant Window Tables
Carioca's has nice large portholes with great views of the sea, perfect for watching out for the next port of call during breakfast.
Cabana's Restaurant
Cabana's is the large casual dining area aft on deck 9 of the Disney Magic. Instead of one long buffet line, Cabana's has food and beverage stations for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served from a menu. As might be expected from its name, Cabana's has a beach theme and is filled with colorful umbrellas, napkins, and tableware.
In addition to seating for 385 indoors, Cabana's also has outdoor seating for 118.
Mickey Mouse Waffles at Cabana's
Dining outdoors is fun for everyone, and Cabana's has seating for 118 guests outdoors aft on deck 9.
Daisy's De Lites
While chomping on Mickey's head might be a little disgusting, these waffles are delicious and just one of many Disney whimsies onboard the Disney Magic.
Pete's Boiler Bites on the Disney Magic
Daisy's De Lites is a take-away dining venue found near the AquaLab aft on deck 9 of the Disney Magic. Most days, it is open for lunch through early dinner, serving fruit, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and cookies.
"Nothing for Me" Dessert Plate at Animator's Palate
At some point on a cruise, most travelers start to crave a hamburger or hot dog. On the Disney Magic, Pete's is the place to go. Located aft on deck 9, Pete's also serves tacos, veggie burgers, and chicken tenders. It is open for lunch through dinner.
Sometimes, diners just don't save room for dessert. When my friend and I dined at Animator's Palate on the Disney Magic, she declined dessert, so was very surprised to see a plate with a silver cover put down in front of her when I got my dessert. The wait staff removed the cover with a flourish and we saw the plate in the photo above. Everyone around us laughed (as did we). What a fun ending to a fun evening!
The Disney Magic has several diverse dining venues, including casual take-away eateries by the pool, a buffet with indoor and outdoor seating, three main dining rooms, and an adults-only elegant specialty restaurant.
Disney Cruises has an innovative dinner concept for the three main dining rooms--Lumiere's, Animator's Palate, and Carioca's. These dining rooms have the traditional two-fixed seating times at 5:45 and 8:15.
What's unique is that the cruise passengers and their wait staff rotate amongst the three dining rooms. So, if someone is assigned to table 63 the first night in Carioca's, that entire table and the wait staff will move to the second of the other restaurants the next night, and then the third one the following night. So, on a three-night cruise, guests get the chance to dine at all three.
Another unique feature on Disney ships is that all soft drinks are included in the basic price. This is customary on smaller luxury ships, but unusual for large ships like the Disney Magic. This means that kids can get seconds or thirds of drinks without having to pay extra. Nice touch for families and diet coke lovers like me.
For those who like more casual meals, the Disney Magic has three eateries on deck 9 near the pools--Daisy's De Lites, Pinocchio's Pizzeria, and Pete's Boiler Bites. These three offer quick service and a variety of familiar, comfort foods that are available from lunch time until late afternoon.
Pete's re-opens for dinner, and the pizzeria is open for those who love an after dinner slice of pizza. Those looking for something cold to snack on should seek out Eye Scream or Frozone Treats, also on deck 9. Eye Scream has frozen ice cream and Frozone Treats features frozen fruit smoothies.
Cabana's is located aft on deck 9 in the space that was previously occupied by the Topside Buffet. This new casual venue has dining and beverage stations rather than one long buffet line. It also has some great outdoor seating.
The Disney Magic has one specialty restaurant called Palo. This Italian-themed, elegant venue is perched high on deck 10 aft and features great views of the sea.
Disney is well known for the whimsical touches on its cruise ships, and the Disney Magic has a few like the Mickey Mouse waffles at Cabana's. My favorite was the night we dined at Animator's Palate. My friend declined dessert, claiming that she was too full to eat anything else. When the wait staff brought my dessert, he delivered a very special plate for her. We and all the tables nearby loved it!
The Disney Magic also has complimentary room service, with meals or snacks available 24 hours a day.
The next 13 pages of this article includes more information and photos of the various dining options on the Disney Magic cruise ship.
Palo Restaurant
Palo on the Disney Magic is a marvelous 130-seat specialty restaurant that features Italian cuisine, elegant service, and great ocean views. It's open each evening for dinner, and reservations are required. On 4-day or longer cruises, Palo also has a marvelous champagne brunch when the ship is at sea. Guests must be 18 or over to dine at Palo.
As seen in the photo above, the table setting at Palo is formal, but formal dress is not required.
Men are asked to wear dress pants and a shirt (jacket is optional) and women should wear a a dress or pantsuit. No jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip-flops or tennis shoes are allowed.
Table at Palo
Guests can make dinner reservations starting at 6:00 pm at Palo, with the latest reservation on the Disney Magic being at 9:00 pm. Those who have an early reservation are often treated to magnificent sunsets. Table service is exceptional, but it's not a place to rush through dinner. After all, guests must save room for the marvelous chocolate soufflé.
Chocolate Soufflé at Palo
Every time I've eaten at Palo on the Disney Magic, I always order the amazing chocolate soufflé. I was delighted to find that although chefs, decor, and the menu had changed at Palo, this delightful dessert was still there. Guests just have to be sure to save room for dessert!
Lumiere's Restaurant
Lumiere's is one of three main restaurants on the Disney Magic. Located on Deck 3 next to the soaring atrium, it has about 462 seats and serves American cuisine for breakfast and lunch in a casual setting, and French-inspired dishes amid a more refined atmosphere for dinner. The restaurant is themed after the Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, and is the most formal of the three main dining rooms on the ship.
For those who like to have meals ordered from a menu and served by a wait staff member, Lumiere's is the best choice for breakfast or lunch. It is part of the three dining room rotational program for dinner.
Animator's Palate Restaurant
Animator's Palate was updated as part of the 2013 renovation of the Disney Magic. The cuisine is Pacific Rim and features some delightful dishes during the four-course meal. The restaurant decor starts out as black and white, but by the end of dinner, the room is bathed in color. The whole experience is Disney animation at its best, and the light show and changing artwork are fascinating.
Those who sail on seven night (or longer) cruises on the Disney Magic are also treated to a second show called, "Animation Magic", where guests get to try their hand at animation.
This show is similar to one I experienced at Animator's Palate on the Disney Fantasy.
Carioca's Restaurant
Carioca's is the third main rotational restaurant on the Disney Magic. It is bright and cheerful and filled with colorful lanterns. The Brazilian atmosphere is festive and fun. Buffet breakfast and lunch are served at Carioca's, and dinner is Latin and South American-themed.
Carioca's is in the same space previously occupied by Parrot Cay.
Carioca's Restaurant Window Tables
Carioca's has nice large portholes with great views of the sea, perfect for watching out for the next port of call during breakfast.
Cabana's Restaurant
Cabana's is the large casual dining area aft on deck 9 of the Disney Magic. Instead of one long buffet line, Cabana's has food and beverage stations for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served from a menu. As might be expected from its name, Cabana's has a beach theme and is filled with colorful umbrellas, napkins, and tableware.
In addition to seating for 385 indoors, Cabana's also has outdoor seating for 118.
Mickey Mouse Waffles at Cabana's
Dining outdoors is fun for everyone, and Cabana's has seating for 118 guests outdoors aft on deck 9.
Daisy's De Lites
While chomping on Mickey's head might be a little disgusting, these waffles are delicious and just one of many Disney whimsies onboard the Disney Magic.
Pete's Boiler Bites on the Disney Magic
Daisy's De Lites is a take-away dining venue found near the AquaLab aft on deck 9 of the Disney Magic. Most days, it is open for lunch through early dinner, serving fruit, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and cookies.
"Nothing for Me" Dessert Plate at Animator's Palate
At some point on a cruise, most travelers start to crave a hamburger or hot dog. On the Disney Magic, Pete's is the place to go. Located aft on deck 9, Pete's also serves tacos, veggie burgers, and chicken tenders. It is open for lunch through dinner.
Sometimes, diners just don't save room for dessert. When my friend and I dined at Animator's Palate on the Disney Magic, she declined dessert, so was very surprised to see a plate with a silver cover put down in front of her when I got my dessert. The wait staff removed the cover with a flourish and we saw the plate in the photo above. Everyone around us laughed (as did we). What a fun ending to a fun evening!
Source...