Known for its interactive atmosphere and artistic culinary presentation, Animator’s Palate is one of our favorite restaurants on Disney Cruise Line. Animator's Palate is aboard the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Adventure as one of the three dining rooms featured in your Rotational Dining schedule. Let’s hop in and take a look at what Animator’s Palate is all about and you’ll soon see why it is one of our top Disney Cruise Line must-dos!
FAQs
- What is Animator’s Palate on Disney Cruise Line? Animator’s Palate is one of Disney Cruise Line’s signature rotational dining restaurants, where dinner and entertainment come together through immersive animation, storytelling and interactive shows that change depending on your ship.
- Is Animator’s Palate included in the cruise fare? Yes! Dinner at Animator’s Palate — including multiple courses like appetizers, entrees and desserts — is included in your cruise fare. The only extra cost is for alcoholic beverages and specialty drinks.
- Do you need a reservation for Animator’s Palate? No reservation is required. Your visit to Animator’s Palate is automatically scheduled as part of Disney Cruise Line’s Rotational Dining, and your dining time and table number can be found in the Navigator app.
- What kind of entertainment happens at Animator’s Palate? Entertainment varies by ship, but you can expect experiences like watching animation come to life, interacting with characters like Crush from Finding Nemo, or even seeing your own drawings animated on screen — making this one of the most unique dining experiences at sea.
- Is Animator’s Palate worth it on a Disney cruise? Absolutely — it’s widely considered a must-do dining experience thanks to its combination of creative cuisine and immersive entertainment. If you’re planning a Disney cruise, booking with Undercover Tourist can help you lock in the best pricing and availability.
Animator’s Palate Overview
If you’re new to Disney Cruise Line, they do things a little differently than most cruise lines. Each Disney Cruise ship has three table-service dining room locations that are part of what's called "Rotational Dining."
The restaurants vary by ship, but the experience is relatively the same across the fleet. Each night of your cruise, you will enjoy a different themed restaurant. On longer itineraries, you'll rotate back one or two of the same dining rooms (or you can choose to book a special dinner at Palo or Remy for more variety).
Every evening, you will receive personalized service, as your servers will rotate right along with you to each dining location. It’s not uncommon to arrive at dinner to find your favorite drinks already waiting for you! The combination of Rotational Dining with a dedicated serving team is just one of the many things that set Disney Cruise Line apart.
Animator’s Palate is on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Adventure.
Animator’s Palate Atmosphere and Theming
Depending on what ship you're on, the theming and experiences are different.
Set sail with premium savings on Disney Cruise Line, provided by Undercover Tourist! Save up to 25% on select Disney Cruise Line bookings. Plus, get a FREE in-room decor set! Even better? You can lock in select Disney cruises for only 10% down! Ribbit!
Onboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, Animator’s Palate takes its theme and atmosphere from classic Disney and Pixar cartoons. The dining room walls are white with black sketches of animated scenes from "Fantasia," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Peter Pan," "Cars," "Toy Story" and more.
Black and white frames surround monitors displaying animated characters and scenes, and large paint brushes holding up paint palettes break up the space and add soft lighting. The flooring and tables are also black and white and the chair backs look like Mickey Mouse’s Steamboat Willie shorts in black, white and grey.
The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy take the restaurant's theming from Pixar animation. Beautiful maquettes, sketches and renderings of Pixar characters and scenes fill display shelves.
Display monitors throughout the room feature additional animated scenes and storyboards and an illuminated film reel bordered along the ceiling shifts colors throughout the evening. Instead of large frames surrounding the show monitors, the monitors are set into what looks like an animator’s desk, furthering the overall studio concept.
Table settings on all four ships are similar, with film reel plate borders and a paint palette motif. We love the little paint brush-shaped butter knives! The biggest difference in table settings between ships is the black and white Mickey Mouse-inspired chair colors on the Disney Magic and Wonder and the red, black and yellow Mickey Mouse-inspired chair colors on the Disney Dream and Fantasy.
On the Disney Adventure, Animator’s Palate is reimagined as a dinner show celebrating the filmmaking legacy of Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. The space is styled like an animation studio, with film strips, clapboards, director’s chairs and display cases featuring animation boards and props from films like "The Little Mermaid", "Encanto" and "Toy Story".
Animator’s Palate Entertainment
Entertainment at Animator’s Palate centers around bringing Disney and Pixar characters to life through storytelling and technology. Scenes from your favorite films progress and change on the monitors throughout the dining room.
There are three different animation-inspired shows across the four ships. Drawn to Magic is on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. In Drawn to Magic, you’ll watch the animation process come to life from pencil sketches all the way to final ink-and-paint scenes.
The "hero’s journey" slowly unfolds before you through a variety of film scenes from Disney and Pixar animation, until finally the characters reveal their wish, leading to a finale where the interior of the restaurant explodes into color and a special visitor makes a surprise appearance. ;)
Animation Magic is a special experience on the Disney Fantasy and select Disney Dream sailings. When you sit down, you’ll find a placemat with a template to draw your own character or self-portrait. Later in the meal, Disney brings the magic to life as your drawing is animated on the big screen, dancing alongside Mickey and friends.
Undersea Magic is on the Disney Fantasy & Disney Dream, which brings the world of "Finding Nemo" to dinner. Much like EPCOT’s Turtle Talk with Crush, Nemo, Dory, Marlin and more appear on screen to chat, play games and interact with guests throughout the meal.
On the Disney Adventure, Animator’s Palate continues the dinner show format with a focus on animation brought to life during the meal. Guests will have the opportunity to create their own drawings, which are then animated and featured on screens as part of the experience.
Animator’s Palate Menu
Please note that menu items may vary by ship and itinerary. Animator's Palate also serves breakfast or lunch on select days, depending on your itinerary. On our last cruise, we were able to eat at Animator's Palate twice: during lunch on embarkation day and for dinner on another evening. The lunch menu is different from the dinner menu. For the most current offerings, be sure to check the menu on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once onboard.
Bread Service
- Garlic and Herb Focaccia: Roasted garlic dip
Appetizers
- Smoked Salmon Tartare: Capers, onions, microgreens, American black caviar, Celtic salt
- Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes: Truffle-scented cheese-filled pasta, champagne sauce (pictured)
- Sliced Serrano Ham: Manchego cheese, olive tapenade
- Tomato Tarte: glazed goat cheese, shaved radish
Soups & Salads
- Baked Potato and Cheddar Cheese Soup: Bacon bits, chives
- Creamy Butternut Squash Soup: Chives, sour cream drizzle (pictured)
- Arugula Leaves: Red beets, orange segments, white beans, mustard dressing
- Chicken and Walnut Salad: Dried cranberries, red onions, cranberry dressing
Entrees
Our favorites here are the Ginger-Teriyaki dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin, served with wasabi mashed potatoes that have just the right hint of spice and the Grilled Tuna Steak. For a lighter option, the Oven Baked Filet of Salmon is delicious, and the Black Bean Chipotle Cakes are a frogtastic vegetarian option.
- Pennette Bolognese: Pennette pasta, Bolognese sauce, Parmigiano-Reggiano, toasted garlic ciabatta
- Grilled Tuna Steak: Fingerling confit, caponata, sun-dried tomato pesto, aioli
- Lemon-Thyme Marinated All-Natural Chicken Breast: Sour cream mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, grain mustard just
- Herb-Crusted Pork Chop: Roast pork chop, dijon mustard, herbed breadcrumbs, sun-dried tomato risotto, borolo wine sauce
- Ginger-Teriyaki Dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin: Wasabi mashed potatoes, bok choy, tamarind-barbecue reduction (pictured)
- Sesame Halloumi Parcels: Sweet potato tahini mash and roasted cherry tomatoes (vegetarian)
- Black Bean Chipotle Cakes: Corn kernels, brown rice, tomato-cilantro salsa (vegetarian)
Lighter Note Offerings
- Crunchy Walnut Cake: Dark chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis
- Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake: Creamy vanilla cheesecake, chocolate Fudge base
- Cookies & Cream Sundae: Vanilla ice cream, chocolate wafer cookies, whipped cream
- Warm Sticky Date Pudding: Served with butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream, phyllo crunch
- Lemon Icebox Pie: Lemon curd and berry crème
- No Sugar Added Deconstructed Carrot Cake: Carrot cake with a twist
Dessert
Like the finishing touch on any masterpiece, the dessert is definitely the final stroke on this meal! Animator’s Palate delivers scrumptious dessert options and it’s nearly impossible to choose just one — good thing you don’t have to!
- Crunchy Walnut Cake: Dark chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis
- Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake: Creamy vanilla cheesecake, chocolate Fudge base
- Cookies & Cream Sundae: Vanilla ice cream, chocolate wafer cookies, whipped cream
- Warm Sticky Date Pudding: Served with butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream, phyllo crunch
- Lemon Icebox Pie: Lemon curd and berry crème
- No Sugar Added Deconstructed Carrot Cake: Carrot cake with a twist
The signature dessert at Animator’s Palate is the Lemon Icebox Pie. It’s smooth, creamy and perfectly tart, pairing well with a nice cup of coffee! The Cookies ‘n Cream Sundae is always a hit with young and old alike and the Crunchy Walnut Cake is another fantastic choice.
Kids Menu
Tadpoles can order anything off the adult menu at no additional charge if those items appeal more to their tastes! Tad and Lily love the baked potato soup on the regular menu.
Appetizers: Chicken noodle soup, pineapple and melon fruit cup, Animator’s Garden Salad with choice of dressing.
Entrees: Mickey’s Mac 'N' Cheese, Minnie’s Mini Burger or Pizza. All main courses are served with fresh vegetables, smashed potatoes or steak fries.
For healthier options, there are two Mickey Check Meals:
- Grilled Chicken Breast with roasted red skin potatoes, steamed carrots and fresh watermelon. Served with a choice of low-fat milk or water.
- Whole Wheat Penne Pasta with tomato Sauce, mozzarella cheese, broccoli florets and apple slices. Served with low-fat milk or water.
Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake with whipped cream, assorted ice cream and Mickey Ice Cream Bars.
Parents, don’t be afraid to order a Mickey Ice Cream Bar for yourself! No one will judge, we promise!
Allergy-Friendly Options
Disney Cruise Line is amazing when it comes to working around food allergies. When you book your cruise, you’ll be able to notify them of your allergies, as well as go over them with your serving team the first evening of your cruise. With the Rotational Dining set-up, your serving team will ensure that you are provided with an appropriate allergy-friendly menu at each meal and the chef is always happy to come out and go over the menu with you.
At Animator’s Palate, many of the dishes can be modified to accommodate food allergies. These include an allergy-friendly dinner roll in place of the focaccia, a modified Serrano Ham appetizer, Leek and Cauliflower Soup, allergy-friendly Pasta Bolognese, Grilled Tuna Steak and Lemon and Thyme-Marinated Chicken and more. They also have coconut milk frozen desserts and a Poached Pear in a Red Wine-Cinnamon Reduction for dessert.
@undercovertourist Hello from the Disney Magic! Today we’re sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas! Tomorrow, we will be one of the first froggies to experience Disney’s new island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point!! We’re so FROGCITED! #disneycruise #disneycruiseline ♬ original sound - Undercover Tourist
Know Before You Go
Here are a few more tips you'll want to know before you head to Animator's Palate:
- Check your dining time & table number: You can find this info in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
- Arrive a few minutes early: This gives you time to settle in and snap photos of the dining room before everyone else arrives.
- Look out for photographers: Disney photographers will come by during the meal to take family photos. You can view and purchase them at Shutters Photography Shop.
- Special dietary needs & sensory concerns: Notify the crew before sailing for allergies by filling out a Special Requests form or visiting Guest Services onboard. For sensory concerns, you can also request to sit in a quieter area. Drawn to Magic on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are the most exciting of all the experiences. There are big shifts in color, lighting, music and everyone gets very excited (which can be a little loud) when Sorcerer Mickey makes his appearance.
Animator’s Palate is one of our favorite dining locations on Disney Cruise Line. There is something so magical about seeing the animation come to life in Drawn to Magic and interacting with Crush in Undersea Magic. Let us know what you're most excited about in the comments below!
Related: Your Complete Guide to Disney Cruise Food
Related: Everything to Know about Disney Cruise Line Room Service
Hoppy planning!
