Disney Dream: Changes They Got Wrong and Right
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Our servers at Animator's Palette on the Magic
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A Change for the Worse: Animator�s Palette (Magic and Wonder)
As one of the most hyped features of the Disney Cruise Line when they launched Animator�s Palette was one of the things I really looked forward to on my first Disney cruise. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. The changing from black and white to color wasn�t nearly as impressive as I expected. But once I got past the special effects letdown, it really was a nice atmosphere with the Disney music in the background, the Disney sketches and artwork on the walls, and the fun atmosphere with the servers and their costume change. It has become one of my highlights on the Magic/Wonder. But apparently Disney was disappointed, too, as the restaurant went through a major change on the Dream. It�s now a Living Character experience as guests get to talk to Crush, the turtle from Finding Nemo. But it doesn�t come off great as Crush can only talk to one guest at a time and not everyone has a seat right next to a �window� (ie: screen). Sometimes there�s a dialog going on and you don�t know where it�s coming from. It�s a great idea that just doesn�t quite work in execution. I think Disney might�ve agreed as Animator�s Palette is once again going through a change for the Disney Fantasy in 2012.
Palo on the Dream
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A Change for the Better: Palo (Dream)
Palo on the Magic and Wonder are awesome. I�ve never taken a cruise without at least one meal there and sometimes two. Their afternoon brunch on sea days is my favorite but dinner isn�t far behind. My only hope on the dream was that they not mess it up. But they actually improved it. They gave it a better view (no more walkway between you and the water) and a bit more upscale atmosphere that I appreciate (I know not everyone does). They also added a very nice Meridian Bar right next door so you can arrive early and wait in comfort and style. The only thing they got wrong was putting it directly under the sports deck. At our brunch we could occasionally hear the thump, thump of a baseketball over our head. It wasn�t an issue for us but it is a potential problem. But at least as we experienced it, they took something great and made it ever better.