Are the Disney Wish’s Exclusive Meals Worth the Money?
While early reports suggested that the Disney Wish would be the most expensive Disney Cruise Line experience ever, I’m happy to report that’s not the case.
In fact, I was pricing out my own trip recently, and the cost was approximately 35 percent lower than I’d anticipated.
Still, vacation budgets only stretch so far, which leads to tough questions.
For example, should you pay extra for the unique dining experiences on the Disney Wish?
Are Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement worth the money? Let’s talk it through.
How Does Disney Wish Dining Work?
Okay, let’s be absolutely clear. You are under NO obligation to pay out of pocket for anything on the Disney Wish.
Once you purchase your cruise, Disney will cover all your needs during your trip. Virtually all the restaurants on ship come as part of the deal.
Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement are the primary exceptions, as is alcohol at places like Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge.
Since you’re on a cruise, you’ll eat a decadent amount as part of the price of admission. Most of your options come with buffet-style service.
You can order as much as you like whenever you like, and it’s all delicious!
However, Disney has upped the ante on its new flagship cruise ship. The Disney Wish comes with three unprecedented dining options.
Really, I should say two unprecedented ones and another that’s more about exceptional food.
The unique dining experiences are Worlds of Marvel’s Avengers: Quantum Encounter and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure.
With the Avengers meal, you watch Ant-Man and The Wasp fight Ultron…on the Disney Wish!
Meanwhile, A Frozen Dining Adventure consists of plenty of singing and dancing and talking to Anna and Elsa.
1923 represents the third option. It’s a stately meal celebrating the lives of Roy O. and Walt Disney.
These three restaurants are part of what the Disney Wish calls its rotational dining experience. You’ll get to eat at all three during your cruise!
The demand for these places is so high that Disney segments the scheduling to ensure everyone gets a turn.
This strategy isn’t new to the Disney Wish, but it’s essential on this cruise due to the staggering popularity of Frozen and Worlds of Marvel.
The Pros and Cons of Rotational Dining
Honestly, there are no cons to rotational dining. Disney has implemented this setup to help you as a tourist.
You don’t need to fight for reservations anywhere. At check-in, you’ll read the Disney Cruise Line Navigator. On it, you’ll have meal and table assignments.
So, Disney does all the work for you! When you take a vacation on the Disney Wish, you know you’ll eat at Worlds of Marvel, 1923, and Arendelle.
The pros here are plentiful. The Marvel show incorporates actual Hollywood storytelling.
We’re talking about a 15-minute mini-movie including Paul Rudd improvising an entire bit about why Ant-Man didn’t kill Thanos.
Characters like Captain America and Ms. Marvel appear as well. It’s a Disney+ quality story told during your meal.
Once that mini-movie ends, the digital displays show highlights of your other favorite Marvel flicks.
At Arendelle, cast members portray characters from the Frozen universe. They sing their way through your favorite songs. It’s magical.
As for 1923, it’s that dream meal you fantasize about when you plan a cruise. Plus, the restaurant includes a treasure trove of Disney memorabilia.
You cannot go wrong with any of the three rotational dining experiences, all of which come with your meal.
Why would you want to pay for something else? I can think of two reasons. The first is that you’ve taken the cruise before and want to try something different.
Honestly, that argument won’t be applicable for many people during the Disney Wish’s first year.
So, the more likely reason is that you’re not a fan of either Marvel or Frozen or both. Alternatively, you may want to try an even better meal than 1923.
In such instances, the two fine-dining experiences on the Disney Wish may appeal to you, especially if you’re celebrating something like an anniversary.
About Palo Steakhouse
There are two kinds of steakhouses. One serves free bread, has a salad bar, and offers you cheap cuts of meat as a buffet experience.
Those are a dying breed for a reason. It’s a suboptimal meal for foodies and not the most hygienic one in the wake of a pandemic.
The second kind embodies the ultimate in fine dining, as skilled butchers carve meats that elegant chefs craft into the boldest protein flavors.
Palo Steakhouse is like that, only better than most. In Walt Disney World terms, it’s the deluxe version of Yachtsman Steakhouse.
MickeyBlog has already visited here. So, you can look at the menu and all the pictures to get the idea.
However, I think we can use Occam’s Razor here. Imagine the fanciest cruise steakhouse ever. That’s Palo Steakhouse.
Imagineers have themed the restaurant after Cogsworth the clock from Be Our Guest.
Importantly, this part of the ship provides scenic views of the ocean, creating an inimitable romantic ambiance.
You will definitely remember a meal at Palo Steakhouse!
About Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement
Friends, you don’t need to know much about fine dining to understand the next statement.
Arnaud Lallement operates a restaurant that has received THREE Michelin Stars.
In fact, there’s some family history here. Lallement’s father had initially earned one, only to lose it.
The younger Lallement made it his life’s mission to win back that star for the family restaurant. He achieved this goal at the age of 27!
We’re talking about a culinary superstar who has operated restaurants for his entire adult life.
The Disney Wish pulled off quite the feat in luring Lallement. Well, not really. The chef has previously designed the menu for Remy on other Disney cruise ships.
Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement has themed itself after Beauty and the Beast. In other words, it’s very French.
If you’re familiar with the prestige of Remy, you already know that this place must be special.
I’m happy to report that Enchanté has become the signature fine dining experience among Disney cruises or, well, ANY cruises.
Think of Victoria & Albert’s at sea, and you get the gist.
By the way, Disney offers two options here that aren’t available at Palo’s.
You’ll find a Champagne Brunch meal as well as Just Desserts, a desserts-only menu.
For this reason, you’re more likely to visit Enchanté than Palo. You can eat here at times other than when you’ve scheduled your rotational meals.
With Palo, we’re discussing more of an either/or option, especially on three-night cruises.
Of course, that brings us to another point. When in doubt, you should book four nights. In doing so, you can enjoy all the rotational dining plus an extra dinner elsewhere!
Should You Pay Extra for Palo or Enchanté?
Friends, I don’t know your vacation budget. Also, I should mention that you’ll need reservations for Palo and Enchanté.
For that reason, you won’t have a choice unless you do a bit of planning.
As for the price, Enchanté, the more expensive option, costs $125 per person plus tax.
You may prefer to spend that money on merchandise, Star Wars drinks, and Castaway Cay trinkets.
However, nobody has questioned the cuisine available at these two restaurants. You WILL get what you pay for. It’s simply a question of whether you’re willing to do so.
My suggestion is to speak with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner at MickeyTravels.
These experts provide their services for free to you. If they find you any deals leading up to your cruise, you can splurge on a meal for the same money!
Either way, you’ll have an unforgettable vacation because the Disney Wish has reestablished what’s possible in the cruise industry!