A New Ship | Raspberry Dust and Botanists
We hit the pool deck right before the Mickey Pool opened for the day.
As the cast member finished clearing away the net over the Mickey pool, Pumbaa and Timon helped us remember how important it is to be "Wild About Safety."
Watching Pumbaa pay homage to Ariel, the little mermaid is worth watching the safety video.
The pool opened and the kids flocked in with several of their new best buds. The AquaDuck didn't open for another half hour so I huddled under a towel as there was quite a high wind blowing about the deck.
Watching the crew prepare the AquaDuck while keeping an eye on our kids, they set out several "beware high winds" notices and a sign that said that no single riders would be allowed on the AquaDuck. Five minutes before the 'Duck was set to open, Kylee could not wait another second, so we decided to begin the queue. After passing the height check with flying colors, Kylee and I mounted the stairs up into the funnel and out of the wind.
After some good natured instructions, we boarded our raft and set out on a quick, fun aquacoasting experience. Because of headwinds in the second straightaway, we really got a chance to look around and wave down to Ben on the pool deck. Our first slide complete, I popped Kylee into the Mickey pool to warm up while Chris and I went for a turn on the 'Duck.
A child was busy failing the height check, so we were waved passed onto the (still short) queue. Another quick trip around on the aquacoaster (making sure to wave to Ben as we sailed past) and everyone decided that we should go warm up with fast showers.
Then hit the Lab, because that's just how our Mouseketeers roll.
Meanwhile Ben and I went on a secret mission.
Or, you know, brunch.
Unlike on the classic ships, all seats in Palo on the Fantasy appear to be in use for brunch, so a reservation does not guaranty a table directly next to the windows, but due to tiered seating, you still get a virtually uninterrupted view.
We met our waiter, who escorted us to the buffet to explain what foods were available. Wait staff were on hand to assist in filling plates at the various buffet tables and I headed back to my booth, sat down, had a drink of water and looked at all my lovely food wondering where to start.
Which is when Ben wandered up and asked if I knew I was at the *wrong* booth
I got up, took the water glass with me and explained to my server what I'd mistakenly done. She laughed with me and replaced the glass on the other table with a fresh glass. Honestly, Ben can't take me anywhere.
Thankfully, Chef Danielle popped out of the kitchen to check on the vegan and see if I'd managed okay at the buffet. He also wanted to know what hot plate I wanted from the kitchen.
I told him I trusted whatever he dreamed up would be fabulous.
Ben stuck with his old favorite, the grape gorgonzola pizza. It was, per usual, fabulous and disappeared rapidly. My lunch showed up shortly after Ben's and I liked it far better than anything I'd eaten recently.
I think it needed something crispy in there or something, but I'd rate it a 9.5. The server noticed that I didn't eat every morsel, and vowed that the chef would blow me away for dessert. Ben went for his dessert course and went with the a little taste of everything approach.
Very pretty and very good, based on it's disappearance.
I excused myself to the washroom and spotted one of our favorite hidden Mickeys. The three roses Mickey!
Just after being seated a beautiful calzone (fruit tart pocket?) arrived at the table. It smelled lovely and sweet and just a hint chocolatey and floral and definitely mine.
I loved the interplay of the mint, the dried raspberry dust and the hot berry dark chocolate filling. I finished the vast majority of it, but I did share a little with Ben because I was reaching the "filling in the corners" phase and was pretty done.
Truly, Palo is my favorite restaurant, land or sea.
After such a splendid meal, there is really only one thing to be done, so we decided comfy clothes and some lounging about were in order.
This is Part 7 of an Ongoing Trip Report "A New Ship." Additional sections will be found on the Trip Reports page after they are posted!
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| <<< Waddle This Way |
Watching Pumbaa pay homage to Ariel, the little mermaid is worth watching the safety video.
The pool opened and the kids flocked in with several of their new best buds. The AquaDuck didn't open for another half hour so I huddled under a towel as there was quite a high wind blowing about the deck.
Watching the crew prepare the AquaDuck while keeping an eye on our kids, they set out several "beware high winds" notices and a sign that said that no single riders would be allowed on the AquaDuck. Five minutes before the 'Duck was set to open, Kylee could not wait another second, so we decided to begin the queue. After passing the height check with flying colors, Kylee and I mounted the stairs up into the funnel and out of the wind.
After some good natured instructions, we boarded our raft and set out on a quick, fun aquacoasting experience. Because of headwinds in the second straightaway, we really got a chance to look around and wave down to Ben on the pool deck. Our first slide complete, I popped Kylee into the Mickey pool to warm up while Chris and I went for a turn on the 'Duck.
A child was busy failing the height check, so we were waved passed onto the (still short) queue. Another quick trip around on the aquacoaster (making sure to wave to Ben as we sailed past) and everyone decided that we should go warm up with fast showers.
Then hit the Lab, because that's just how our Mouseketeers roll.
Meanwhile Ben and I went on a secret mission.
 |
| Add caption |
Unlike on the classic ships, all seats in Palo on the Fantasy appear to be in use for brunch, so a reservation does not guaranty a table directly next to the windows, but due to tiered seating, you still get a virtually uninterrupted view.
We met our waiter, who escorted us to the buffet to explain what foods were available. Wait staff were on hand to assist in filling plates at the various buffet tables and I headed back to my booth, sat down, had a drink of water and looked at all my lovely food wondering where to start.
 |
| Yummy |
I got up, took the water glass with me and explained to my server what I'd mistakenly done. She laughed with me and replaced the glass on the other table with a fresh glass. Honestly, Ben can't take me anywhere.
Thankfully, Chef Danielle popped out of the kitchen to check on the vegan and see if I'd managed okay at the buffet. He also wanted to know what hot plate I wanted from the kitchen.
I told him I trusted whatever he dreamed up would be fabulous.
Ben stuck with his old favorite, the grape gorgonzola pizza. It was, per usual, fabulous and disappeared rapidly. My lunch showed up shortly after Ben's and I liked it far better than anything I'd eaten recently.
 |
| My lunch of potatoes, vegetable noodles, mushrooms and herbs. |
I think it needed something crispy in there or something, but I'd rate it a 9.5. The server noticed that I didn't eat every morsel, and vowed that the chef would blow me away for dessert. Ben went for his dessert course and went with the a little taste of everything approach.
 |
| Mousses and tarts and trifles, oh my! |
I excused myself to the washroom and spotted one of our favorite hidden Mickeys. The three roses Mickey!
 |
| Hidden Mickey Level- Botanist |
I loved the interplay of the mint, the dried raspberry dust and the hot berry dark chocolate filling. I finished the vast majority of it, but I did share a little with Ben because I was reaching the "filling in the corners" phase and was pretty done.
Truly, Palo is my favorite restaurant, land or sea.
 |
| Our Palo pic on the way back to our cabin. |
This is Part 7 of an Ongoing Trip Report "A New Ship." Additional sections will be found on the Trip Reports page after they are posted!
I love that picture of you and Ben in sunglasses. And it's a good thing you were incognito since you sat at the wrong table. What a funny story you have to tell now! Was this your first time on the AquaDuck?
ReplyDeleteI am not a water slide person generally, but I'll try anything once! AquaDuck I will make an exception for cause it's awesome!
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