A Magical Meal: Animator’s Palate

A Magical Meal

Disney Fantasy’s Animator’s Palate brings your art to life.

By Michelle da Silva Richmond

It’s our first night aboard the elegant Fantasy — the newest ship in the Disney Cruise collection — and we really don’t know what to expect. After settling into our cabins, we kick-start our evening with dinner at the Animator’s Palate.

I’m a frequent cruiser, yet this is my first sailing with Disney, and although I’ve heard that adults as well as children thoroughly enjoy its “magic,” at sea, I’m not ready to embrace the Mouse just yet. After all, Disney is for kids, right? I couldn’t have been more mistaken.

My “date” on this voyage, my 9-yr-old grandson Mateo, is totally into the Disney thing. A cruise fanatic in his own right — he already has five under his cap — I invited him to accompany me on this voyage as I figured his observations would give me a more youthful perspective on this new vessel. I wasn’t disappointed.

We can feel the excitement mounting as we edge our way into the restaurant with a throng of keyed-up passengers. The décor throughout is all about Mickey Mouse. Even the chairs display the distinct red, black, and yellow color scheme with his trademark pants and two bright yellow buttons Winding our way to the table, we glide past a montage of colorful Disney film footage that includes a rousing rendition of “Be Our Guest,” led by none other than Mickey himself. We might be in for something special.

As soon as we’re seated, our waiter asks us to draw a stick figure on our placemat, using the marker that’s included in our table setting. The only requirement is that we work quickly, stay within the blue lines, and sign our name and cabin number on the finished rendering. When we ask what this is for, he smiles coyly and says:

“It’s to help Mickey with the show, of course.” …….

This is an excerpt only. To read this article in its entirety, pick up the current issue of Porthole Cruise Magazine.