Prima Notte at Palo on a Disney Cruise is one of those lesser known dining experiences available. As I hadn’t yet experienced it, and people had recommended it to me, I really wanted to try it on my recent cruises.
I’ve always loved the fine dining side of Disney Cruise Line. On this trip alone I experienced Palo brunch, Palo dinner, Remy brunch, and Remy dinner—so of course I had to try Palo Prima Notte as well.
I actually ended up attending it twice: once on my 13 night Transatlantic on the Disney Fantasy, and then again only a few weeks later on a 4 night sailing on the Disney Wish.
And let me tell you… these two evenings could not have been more different.
This is also the beginning of more trip reports coming soon, because I sailed a lot, ate even more, and have so much to share.
So if you want to follow along with me then make sure you join me on Facebook for all the updates and tips.
What Exactly Is Palo Prima Notte?
If you’re new to it, Palo Prima Notte is a special wine paired dinner offered in Palo. It’s meant to be intimate, thoughtful, and paced slowly enough that you can actually enjoy the flavor pairings.
The event includes a curated multi course menu and guided wine pairings from the sommelier or restaurant manager.
The cost is $85 per person and with gratuity it easily goes over $100 each.
Timing-wise, it’s offered at 6:45 pm or 8:15 pm, which means you may miss a show or skip your main dining rotation.
Portions are on the smaller tasting menu side, so you won’t leave overly full. Do not go here expecting it to be a substitute for a meal!
It is only offered on embarkation day.
I probably wouldn’t suggest this to first timers as you will most likely want to go to the show on the first night, or be out exploring the ship more.
When it’s done well, it feels special.
When it isn’t… well, let’s talk about the Fantasy.
But before I talk about the two very different experiences, let’s look at what food and wine are served at Prima Notte. Whichever ship you sail on, the food and wine pairings are the same.
What Do You Actually Get at Palo Prima Notte?
No matter which ship you’re on, the Prima Notte menu is the same, so here’s a quick run through of what’s served and how it all fits together.
At the start of the presentation you will be asked if you have special dietary needs and they will discuss alternative options with you.
Welcome glass: Bellavista Alma Gran Cuvée Brut
(no food with this one)
You start the evening with a glass of Bellavista Alma Gran Cuvée Brut. It’s a sparkling wine with tiny, soft bubbles.
There’s no food with this first pour – it’s really just a “welcome, relax, you’re on vacation” kind of sip while everyone gets settled.
Pairing 1: Planeta Chardonnay
with Sliced Herbed Yellowfin Tuna & Biscotti di Regina
- Wine: The Planeta Chardonnay is smooth and easy to drink. It doesn’t hit you over the head with oak or butter, but still feels nice and creamy with a fresh finish. Even if you’re not a huge Chardonnay fan, this one is very approachable.
- Food: This comes with thin slices of yellowfin tuna that have been lightly seasoned with herbs, plus little sesame?coated Biscotti di Regina on the side. The best way to eat it is to get a bit of tuna and biscotti together in one bite and then take a sip of the wine – it really does make the flavors pop a bit more.
Pairing 2: Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva
with Potato Gnocchi in Basil Pesto Prosecco Sauce
- Wine: The Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is a good, solid red that doesn’t overwhelm anything. It has enough structure to feel like a “real” red wine, but it’s not heavy or intense.
- Food: This course is all about comfort food: very soft, pillowy potato gnocchi, sprinkled with pine nuts and coated in a basil pesto sauce that’s brightened up with a splash of Prosecco. It’s one of those dishes where you suddenly realize your plate and glass are both empty and you slightly wish there was more.
Pairing 3: Tenuta Luce 2019 (Merlot–Sangiovese blend)
with Snake River Farms Wagyu
- Wine: The Tenuta Luce 2019 is a rich Tuscan red blend made from Merlot and Sangiovese. It feels bigger and more “serious” than the Chianti, with deeper flavors and a lot more oomph.
- Food: This is paired with a really indulgent cut of Wagyu beef from Snake River Farms. It’s nicely marbled and very flavorful, and it absolutely needs a bolder wine next to it. The two together are a real highlight of the evening – this is the course that most people talk about afterwards.
Pairing 4: Fattoria Zerbina Arrocco
with Blood Orange Chocolate Mousse
- Wine: To finish, you get a glass of Fattoria Zerbina Arrocco, which is a sweet dessert wine. On its own it’s definitely quite sugary, but once you have it with the dessert it makes a lot more sense and feels like the right way to end the meal.
- Food: Dessert is a light, very smooth chocolate mousse with a hint of blood orange, served on top of a dusted chocolate disc. It’s rich in flavor but not heavy, and the texture is lovely. Paired with the sweet wine, it’s a really pretty, “last bite” kind of course that wraps up the tasting nicely.
Palo Prima Notte on the Disney Fantasy: Not What I Expected
Going into this, I had such high expectations.
Several people had recommended it as a must?do, so even though I booked last minute, I imagined a relaxing evening with maybe a dozen or so guests, soft conversation, and a sommelier I could actually hear.
And when I say I booked it last minute, I really do mean last minute. I was sitting at my rotational dining when I booked it, just over an hour before it started.
As soon as I walked in, it became very clear that this was not the small gathering of maybe 16 people I had been told to expect.
Instead, the event had 32 people—double what I expected.
We were seated at large six tops, all filled, and placed at the edge of Palo during regular dinner service. Obviously I knew that we would be there during dinner service, but the location, very close to regular diners just didn’t seem great.
I
I didn’t mind, but if I was there for a romantic meal and I was seated so closely to a loud tasting experience I would not have been pleased.
It was loud enough that most of us couldn’t hear much of anything the sommelier was saying, which made the wine pairings feel more like random glasses rather than an intentional part of the experience.
The pacing was off too.
Some tables received food when others hadn’t yet, and the whole flow of the dinner felt uneven and rushed.
The room’s energy felt closer to a banquet than to a premium dining event.
I left disappointed and honestly surprised that this was the same event so many had spoken highly of.
On the positive side I did meet some very interesting people.
Many of them had experienced Prima Notte before and had been excited to experience it again.
The man sitting next to me had attended six times and said he had never experienced anything like this at all. He, like my fellow table mates, were very disappointed.
Palo Prima Notte on the Disney Wish: A Completely Different Experience
Because I’m always ready to give fine dining another chance, I booked Prima Notte again for my 4 night Disney Wish cruise.
I really wanted to give it another chance, and also I knew that I would be writing a review for you. I wanted to get a more balanced view to see if my Disney Fantasy experience really was a one off.
And this time, it was everything I hoped the Fantasy would be.
The group was much smaller—just 16 people—and every table was set for two. This time my husband came with me and he enjoyed it tremendousbly.
The atmosphere was quiet and relaxed, which immediately set the tone for a much more elevated experience.
The sommelier on the Wish was fantastic: entertaining, knowledgeable, and extremely easy to hear. She actually used a microphone so there was no issue in hearing her at all.
The pacing of the food matched the wine pairings perfectly, and for the first time I felt like I was actually getting the experience the event is meant to deliver.
It was a lovely evening, well executed from start to finish.
Fantasy vs. Wish: Why Such a Big Difference?
After experiencing both versions so close together, the contrast really stood out.
The Fantasy event simply felt oversold and overcrowded, while the Wish seemed intentionally designed to be smaller and more intimate.
The layout of the Wish probably helps too—Palo on that ship naturally feels calmer and more refined.
The sommelier’s presentation was clearer and more engaging, and the whole evening felt more coordinated.
Why the difference?
Honestly there were a number of issues with the transatlantic sailing with regard to the service. Now, DCL is usually known for it’s excellent service, but there were issues with this sailing.
On talking to many people over the almost two week sailing I learned that many were new hires and that they really needed more experience.
I didn’t think this was the issue with Prima Notte. I know the sommelier has been with the company for many years. There was nothing wrong with his presentation.
The issue really was that this was an experience which put revenue first and accepted bookings from double the amount of guests it really should have. I hope that this isn’t the sign of things to come.
Is Palo Prima Notte Worth It?
This is where it gets complicated.
On the Wish, absolutely. It was enjoyable, elegant, and something I’m glad I experienced at least once.
On the Fantasy, not so much. The value simply wasn’t there for me with the noise, crowd size, and lack of ambiance.
Even though the Wish delivered a much better experience, I’m not sure I would personally book Prima Notte again. Having said that, I do have it booked for some up coming cruises and will possibly go in the interests of really seeing if the Fantasy experience was a one off.
However, at what is an experience costing over $100, with smaller portions and timing that conflicts with shows or main dining, it feels like something to try once rather than a repeat must do—especially when Palo brunch, Palo dinner, and Remy continue to be so consistently excellent. I would rather spend my money there.
Who Will Enjoy Palo Prima Notte?
If you love wine pairings, quiet adult dining, and curated experiences, you’ll likely enjoy it—especially on the Wish.
If you prioritize evening entertainment this may not be the best fit. Remember this is a tasting menu – this is not a substitute for main dining.
And stay tuned—I have many more Disney Cruise dining reviews coming, including detailed thoughts on Palo brunch, Palo dinner, Remy brunch, and Remy dinner, plus ship comparisons and more trip reports.
If you love Disney Cruise dining (from the buffet to fine dining), you’re definitely in the right place.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.