Complete Guide to Disney Dream Restaurants + Dining

Planning a cruise on the Disney Dream and wondering what the dining situation look like? Cruises, including Disney Cruises, often have tons of dining options. But eating on a Disney Cruise actually works a little differently than most cruise lines.

If this is your first Disney Cruise, you might be wondering what the menus are like, whether you really need to book specialty dining, and how the “rotational dining” that everyone keeps talking about really works.

I’ve been on multiple Disney Cruises, so I’ve tried lots of dining across the ships. And I’m here with a full guide to Disney Dream restaurants, plus tips to help you make the most of every meal!

How Does Dining Work on a Disney Cruise?

Ok, let’s start with the basics of dining on a Disney Cruise, because it can be a little different than other cruise lines.

For breakfast and lunch there are casual restaurants around the ship that are open, or you can choose a sit down restaurant.

For dinner though, you will be assigned one of the three main restaurants each night.

There is also specialty dining that is open just to adults that you can pay extra for. And there are bars and lounges scattered both throughout the cruise ship and in a specific area called The District that at night turns into an area just for adults.

So we’ll get into all the details of this, including which ones are included in the price of your cruise.

Close-up of two Mickey Mouse-shaped cinnamon rolls coated in sugar, with visible swirls of cinnamon and a golden-brown crust. The pastries are served on a cream-colored plate with a water glass in the background. — Mickey Churro Waffles on the last full day of the cruise!

Disney Cruise Line Rotational Dining

Unlike other cruise lines where you may get to choose your restaurant each night for dinner, Disney Cruise Line has what’s called rotational dining.

There are three main restaurants on your ship, and they will assign you a restaurant each night. This ensures that you get to visit all the restaurants, and it also helps the crew to give you the best experiences possible.

One thing that makes rotational dining special is that your servers rotate with you. So no matter what restaurant you are assigned each night, you will find the same servers in the dining room to wait on you.

This is really fun because you get to know your servers and they get to know you. They even get to know your preferences, sometimes to the point where you will come into dinner and find drinks waiting on you.

There servers really are the magic of Disney Cruise dining! They are always so friendly, and they will go above and beyond to make your dining experience amazing.

Pro Tip: Always listen to your servers recommendations! They always know what the best dish is each night! And it may be different from night to night even in the same restaurant based on how things have been prepared that night.

Assigned Seating Time

Along with a dining rotation, you will also be assigned a dinner time. There are two seating times: 5:45 and 8:00.

The shows for the evening take place opposite your dining time for each rotation (so there are two performances each night) so you will have plenty of opportunity to do both your dining and the evening entertainment.

Generally families with younger kids pick the earlier dinner time. And because there are often lots of families with younger kids, this can be the harder dinner time to get. If you want that dinner time, be sure to specify that as soon as you book your cruise.

Parties with older kids or just adults tend to choose the 8:00 dinner time. I’ve heard that this dinner time is a lot less chaotic.

So far in my Disney cruising life we’ve always done the earlier dinner time. But since our kiddo is getting older, we’re actually planning to try out the later dinner time on our next cruise.

What Restaurants Are Included in the Price of My Cruise?

The price of your cruise will include all of the dining you need on your cruise, however it won’t necessarily include all the dining you might want.

Here’s what’s included:

Dining at the three main rotational dinner restaurants
Breakfast at either Cabanas or the sit-down restaurant (usually on the Dream it’s Royal Palace)
Lunch & snacks at either Cabanas, Flo’s Cafe, or the sit-down restaurant
Room Service (be sure to tip though!)

What’s not included:

Palo Steakhouse
Remy
Royal Court Royal Tea
Specialty Drinks and Alcoholic Drinks (even at rotational dining restaurants)
Specialty Coffees
Treats at Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats
Food or drinks at any of the lounges or bars

Disney Dream Restaurants: Rotational Dining

Royal Palace

Location: Deck 3
Included in Cruise Price: Yes

You enter the ship on Deck 3, so when you first walk in you’ll immediately see the entrance for Royal Palace.

This restaurant is themed after Disney royalty, with portraits of various princes and princesses throughout. They also have lots of rich fabric and gold-accented decor to make everything feel just a bit more royal.

The menu here is French-inspired. And this was probably my favorite dinner I had during our Disney Dream cruise! It’s also very similar to Lumiere’s if you’re dining on the Magic. And of course it’s almost identical to Royal Court on the Fantasy (which is the Dream’s sister ship).

I had the Breaded and Deep-Fried Brie for an appetizer and loved it. For my main course I had Roasted Rack of Lamb and it was probably my favorite main-course I had of the entire cruise.

And then for dessert I had a really hard time deciding. The great thing about dining on a Disney Cruise is that you can order multiple dishes! So I ended up ordering two desserts, the Grand Marnier Souffle and the Duo Chocolate Slice (the no-sugar added option).

But in the end, Duo Chocolate Slice was my favorite, which I should have known because chocolate is my favorite, and I wish I had just gotten that.

Some of the other food that Royal Palace is known for include:

Gaston’s Escargot Gratinée (appetizer)
French Onion Soup
Charteaubriand-Roasted Filet Steak (main course)
Apple Tart Tatin (dessert)

Bubbling dish of escargot baked in garlic herb butter, served in a white ceramic dish alongside a golden-brown breadstick. The dish is plated on a white tablecloth with a seafood fork resting beside it, ready for dining. — Escargot at Royal Palace on the Disney Dream

Except for the first day of the cruise, when they are usually holding a concierge reception, Royal Palace is also usually where you can go for a sit-down breakfast or lunch during your cruise.

One other interesting thing about Royal Palace: While there is a main dining room where most people sit, there is also a side dining room that almost serves as overflow I guess when they have a full cruise. We were seated in the overflow room with just about 5 other tables. And while I was disappointed at first, I actually ended up loving it because it was much quieter. So if you get seated here, don’t worry!

Animator’s Palate

Location: Deck 3
Included in Cruise Price: Yes

If you walk to the side of Royal Palace and down the loooooong hallway, you’ll get to Animator’s Palate. This is a staple on the early Disney Cruise ships.

While on the Magic and Wonder you’ll find a black and white Animator’s Palate that changes colors through your meal, on the Dream and Fantasy you’ll find an already vibrant restaurant decorated with animation memorabilia, models, and sketches.

The main show here is a show with Crush, the turtle from Nemo, that visits different tables via the screens and interacts with diners. It’s kind of reminiscent of Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot.

On longer sailings, there will also be another show having to do with animation where you draw your own figures and see them animated.

We actually ate at Animator’s Palate three times on our cruise, but one night was for Pirate Night and one night was for a Marvel Day at Sea we had.

As far as the main menu goes, here’s what I got.

For my appetizer I had the Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes which are beloved here. I like them a lot and the filling is fantastic, however the thick part of the pasta where it all comes together wasn’t cooked all the way through for me which was a little disappointing. (I don’t recall having that problems other times I’ve dined here on other ships.)

Close-up of a plated pasta dish served at Animator's Palate, featuring plump dumpling-style pasta in a creamy white sauce, garnished with thin julienned vegetables and a small dollop of black caviar. The white plate is decorated with a whimsical Mickey Mouse illustration holding a paintbrush. — Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes

For my main course I had the Ginger-Teriyaki Dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin. I thought the steak was great, and even though I can’t do spicy, the wasabi mashed potatoes were still pretty good I thought (and for the most part mild enough for me to handle).

For dessert I had the Cookies ‘n Cream Sundae. And I mean…you can’t really go wrong with an ice cream sundae!

Here are some other notable items that Animator’s Palate has:

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
Herb-Crusted Pork Chop (main dish)
Crunchy Walnut Cake (dessert)
Warm Sticky Date Pudding (dessert)

This is also usually where you can get a sit-down lunch on embarkation day. (It will of course have a different menu for lunch that usually includes some sandwiches, pastas, and a prime rib cut.)

Enchanted Garden

Location: Deck 2
Included in Cruise Price: Yes

Elegant dining room aboard a Disney cruise ship, decorated in a garden-inspired style with white carved chairs, hanging flower baskets, and green stained-glass ceiling panels. Soft natural light filters through arched windows, while guests begin to arrive and take their seats. — Seating Area at Enchanted Garden

Just downstairs from the main entrance and other restaurants, you’ll find Enchanted Garden.

This restaurant is themed after sunset in a garden. And while the pictures look nice, they really can’t do it justice. It’s such a beautiful space!

And while there isn’t a show here exactly, be sure to keep an eye on the lighting. There are “skylights” above you and “windows” around you that simulate a sunset, so the light gradually changes throughout your meal.

The food here is much lighter fare than you will find at the other restaurants, with a focus on more seafood and fresh vegetables.

For my appetizer I had the Applewood-Smoked Bacon Wild Mushroom Tart, which really liked. And for my main course I chose the Caramelized Sea Scallops which I also enjoyed.

For dessert I had Chocolate Brownie Sundae which I LOVED because it was not only super chocolatey, but it also had peanut butter brownies.

Chocolate sundae served in a tall glass dish, layered with chocolate sauce and topped with whipped cream, a triangle of dark chocolate, and a cookie piece. The dessert is set on a white plate with a napkin underneath. — Chocolate Brownie Sundae

Here are some other dishes you might want to know about at Enchanted Garden:

Cucumber Garden Roll (appetizer)
Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower (appetizer)
Heirloom Tomato Soup
Pan-Seared Sea Bass (main course)
Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions (main course)
Chocolate Garden Torte (dessert)

Casual Dining and Lounges on the Disney Dream

Cabanas

Location: Deck 11
Included in Cruise Price: Yes

Tropical-themed indoor dining area on a cruise ship, featuring wicker chairs, wooden tables, and thatched-roof details above the bar and seating areas. Large windows line one side of the room, offering a view of the port and docked ships outside. — Seating area at Cabanas

Cabanas is the buffet on the Disney Dream. Here you’ll find breakfast and lunch available every day.

There is a HUGE variety of food available for each meal. And note that there are two sides of the restaurant each with a buffet. But the buffet is identical on both sides.

For breakfast you can get everything from omelets and bacon and sausage to Mickey waffles and donuts.

Lunch can include anything from lamb chops and salmon to pizza and pasta.

Pro tip: The last day of the cruise is usually Mickey Churro Waffle day, where they have Mickey Churro waffles for breakfast…one of my favorite items! I also love when they have ham and cheese croissants on the breakfast buffet!

Flo’s Cafe

Location: Deck 11
Included in Cruise Price: Yes

Pizza counter themed as "Casa Della Tires" from Disney Pixar’s Cars, with a retro yellow and red design, a chef behind the glass preparing fresh pizzas, and a stacked tire display labeled "Quality Service" on the side. The playful setup mimics a pit stop, blending automotive decor with a casual dining experience. — Luigi’s Pizza at Flo’s Cafe on the Pool Deck

Flo’s Cafe is the Quick Service food available on the pool deck. It’s a Cars-themed area with different food stalls for different foods:

Luigi’s Pizza
Tow-Mater’s Grill (burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders)
Fillmore’s Favorites (salads, wraps, and sandwiches)
Ramone’s Cantina (taco bowls)

Pro Tip: If you want a late night snack besides room service, Luigi’s Pizza is the place to go. It’s usually open until midnight.

Eye Scream

Location: Deck 11
Included in Cruise Price: Yes

Eye Scream is the spot to get soft-serve ice cream on the pool deck. And there is really nothing like just a free, quick ice cream cone!

You’ll find it on the port side (left side) of the ship opposite of where Flo’s Cafe is.

Frozone Treats

Location: Deck 11
Included in Cruise Price: No

Frozone Treats is right next to Eye Scream on the pool deck. Except you’ll have to pay out of pocket for these frozen treats.

They offer tropical smoothies plus bottled beer here.

Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats

Location: Deck 11
Included in Cruise Price: No

Colorful photo spot themed after Wreck-It Ralph, featuring a life-sized model of King Candy on a red and white winner’s podium next to Vanellope von Schweetz’s candy-covered race car with chocolate frosting, sprinkles, and gumdrop details. The background shows a whimsical candy racetrack scene with other racers and vibrant confectionery landscapes. — Inside Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats

Vanellope’s is a sweet shop theme after the go-kart race in Sugar Rush in the movie Wreck-It Ralph. And it’s ADORABLE. So even if you don’t plan to buy anything, be sure to check out the theming in here!

Here you can buy all kinds of sweets, from candy to gelato to specialty cupcakes. All of these things do cost extra though.

Cove Cafe

Location: Deck 11
Included in Cruise Price: No

Cove Cafe is in the adults-only area of the ship and is there you can get you specialty coffees. Along with a few snacks (and the snacks are usually free on the Dream!).

While you can always get free coffee on the pool deck or Cabanas or whatever “included” restaurant you dine at, the specialty coffee is an additional charge.

Preludes

Location: Deck 3
Included in Cruise Price: No

Preludes is located right outside the Walt Disney Theater and sells movie snacks for you to enjoy during the shows. They have popcorn, candy, and drinks. And this is also where you can get souvenir popcorn buckets on the ship.

Bon Voyage

Location: Deck 3
Included in Cruise Price: No

Bon Voyage is located right off the main atrium. This is a convenient spot to grab a drink before or after dinner or while things are going on in the atrium.

Vista Cafe

Location: Deck 4
Included in Cruise Price: Yes & No

Vista Cafe is just a small little bar that is tucked up in the corner on Deck 4 near the walkways that overlook the atrium.

You can get specialty coffee here in the mornings and drinks at night. But they do also have complimentary snacks available in the morning (think pastries).