Planning to set sail on the Disney Magic? You’re in luck because the Disney Magic has some amazing restaurants and dining options onboard! Everything from signature dining for adults only to the famous Rapunzel Restaurant for dinner and a show. Here’s everything you need to know about restaurants and dining on Disney Cruise Line’s Magic!
Every Disney Cruise Ship has multiple types of dining options. Adult Only Dining, Table service, quick service, and snacks. If you’re new to dining with Disney Cruise Line, here are a few tips, here are a few things to know.
- Adult Only Dining should be scheduled ahead of your cruise; however, you can always check in with guest services upon boarding to see if anything has opened up.
- A Rotational Dining Schedule service is assigned on all Disney Cruise Ships. Which we will explain a little more about below. Early Seating is typically 6 PM, and Late Seating is typically 8 PM
- Quick service locations are available for most meals.
- All meals, except for adult-only options, are included in your cruise fare.
- Most snacks are included; but specialty ice creams, coffees, and alcohol are not.
Rotational Dining on the Disney Magic
What is rotational dining with Disney Cruise Line and what should you know about it? This means that you will be assigned your dining each night and your servers will rotate with you. We love this because you can get to know the servers and they get to know you and what you like! You can choose to opt out of your dining rotation any time you want by just not showing up. You can do this one night or all of the nights; it’s up to you! We love the table service dining options because it forces us to sit down and relax and enjoy a really high-quality meal. Plus they are a lot of fun for us!
But we also know they aren’t for everyone, so don’t feel bad if you choose not to do them. If you’ve never cruised with Disney before, or maybe it’s only your second cruise, we recommend at least giving it a try. You might just find you love it!
Disney Cruise Rotational Dining is offered during a “main seating” and a “late seating”. Based on availability, you can sometimes change your seating time, so if you get one you aren’t happy with, then just ask if it can be changed. If they can accommodate you, they will. The reason your dining time matters is because the nightly shows run at the same time as the dining times, so if you have an earlier dinner time, you will have later showtime and vice versa. This can be really important if you’re traveling with younger kids.
Another reason it’s important is that, depending on your itinerary, you may not want to have to be back in time for dinner; so having a later dinner time will allow you to stay out longer for excursions.
Palo Signature Dining- Adult Only
On the Disney Magic, Palo is the only option for adult-only dining. Palo is available on all of the four current Disney Cruise Line ships and features Northern Italian cooking with a modern twist! Palo offers brunch and dinner. Reservations are required and there is also a dress code to dine at Palo. You can find out more about Palo and our brunch experience here.
Rapunzel’s Royal Table
Rapunzel’s Royal Table is exclusive to the Disney Magic and if you are a Tangled fan, this dining experience is not to be missed. With full Tangled decor, live music, dancing, comedy, and a floating lantern scene that will bring you to tears (well maybe, if you’re overly emotional like I am), this has been one of our favorite dining experiences onboard Disney Cruise Line. This restaurant is only available for dinner and you can read our review of Rapunzel’s Royal Table here.
Animator’s Palate
Every current Disney Cruise Line ship has an Animator’s Palate onboard. We love this restaurant because the food is always great and the concept is just so fun. Although it’s a little different on each ship, it’s always a good time and one of the restaurants we look forward to. Animator’s Palate features a fusion of Pacific Island foods, Asian cooking, and Californian fare. Animator’s Palate is only available for dinner and offers a fun show each time you dine! You can find more Animator’s Palate onboard the Disney Magic here.
Lumiere’s
Found right in the main atrium on the Disney Magic, Lumiere’s is available for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Lumiere’s has a Beauty and The Beast theme and offers contemporary French fare at dinner time. And if you’re looking for something a little fancier for breakfast or lunch, Lumiere’s is a great place to have a nice sit-down meal-offering standard American cuisine. We loved dining at Lumiere’s during the day when we wanted something more relaxing. Read all about Lumiere’s here.
Cabana’s
Cabana’s is onboard every current Disney Cruise Line ship and is a hybrid of sorts. With a buffet available for the morning and afternoon meals and table service at night, Cabana’s offers both outdoor and indoor seating giving great views of the ocean. Find out more about Cabana’s here.
To-Go Restaurants
The Disney Magic has lots of great options for quick service and we think even the pickiest eaters will find something they like. Duck-In diner offers classic burgers and hot dogs as well as shawarma. Pinocchio’s Pizzeria offers well, pizza throughout the day. Grab a smoothie at Frozone treats if you’re looking for something to cool off with poolside. And Cove Cafe has you covered with your morning latte and pastry (at an additional cost) if that’s your style!
Soul Cat Lounge
Inspired by Pixar’s Soul, this Disney Cruise Lounge is all about Jazz. Head to the Soul Cat Lounge for artisanal drinks and jazz music. Featuring stylings from the Pixar film, Soul, this themed Disney Lounge is a perfect place to ease into the evening with some smooth jazz. Check out the Soul Cat Lounge on Disney Magic.
Cove Cafe
Cove Cafe is the boat’s coffee shop. Often tucked away in the Adult area of Deck 11, Cove Cafe offers up specialty coffees for a fee and free pastries from the case.
Keys
Keys offers a full bar menu as well as coffees. Themed to old Hollywood, Keys is a piano bar accented in gold keys and a 1950’s theme. Here you can listen to guest vocalists and the local piano man.
O’Gil’s
O’Gils has an Irish-themed pub atmosphere and offers a wider range of beers, stouts, and ales. No ship would be complete without a local Irish pub. O’ Gills Pub offers up Irish snacks, beers, lagers, and more with tv screens nearby to watch the game.
Signals
Signals is the poolside bar. Found on the adult deck, Signals is an outdoor air bar, offering up Drinks of the Day as well as most any concoction you can think of while lounging by the pool.
Royal Tea on the Disney Magic
If you’re traveling with a little Prince or Princess on the Disney Magic and want to splurge, the Disney Magic has a Royal tea party just for 3-12-year-olds. This one is quite pricey- at $220 per child and $69 for adults- but offers a storybook setting featuring some of your favorite princesses! Enjoy tea and two courses, singing and dancing in a fairytale-like setting onboard the Disney Magic. Each child also receives a special keepsake gift and you can find all the details here.
Dining on the Disney Magic
There you go! Everything to know about dining on the Disney Magic. Check out all our posts on the Disney Magic to help you plan your next cruise. Here are a few more things to know before you go.
Is Room Service Included onboard the Disney Magic?
Room service is available any time onboard the Disney Magic and is included with your cruise fare unless marked on the menu. Simply call for room service, place your order and enjoy! Most items are included except alcohol and a few select snacks and every stateroom can order room service 24 hours a day. Gratuity is also not included and will be added to your tab at the end of your cruise.
Is there a Character Breakfast onboard the Disney Magic?
The character breakfast is only available on 7 day or longer voyages, but you will need a reservation and you can only make one reservation per voyage. You can find out more info about the VIP character breakfast on the Disney Cruise Line here.
There are so many lovely dining options onboard the Disney Magic, we think you’ll find something everyone can enjoy!
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she’s not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she’s seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip
