Royal Palace Lunch Review on the Disney Dream
*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about peanut free, fish/shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.
Lunch at Royal Palace
Royal Palace always feels like our home restaurant when we're cruising on the Disney Dream. That's because we tend to eat there quite a few times for a la carte breakfast and lunches throughout our sailing. On our recent May cruise on the Disney Dream, we ate there several times, including once for lunch. I had already had breakfast there that morning. So, we had a late lunch after a relaxing few hours in the Rainforest Room in Senses Spa. It's a great way to rest, relax, and recharge. And, after our time there, we decide a refuel at lunch was in order.
Atmosphere
As I mentioned in my breakfast review of Royal Palace, the restaurant is themed after Disney princesses.
Royal Palace Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The restaurant has a very different feel to it during the day time. And, we both really enjoy how relaxed and low-key it is. We went closer to the end of lunch service, so it was quite empty. But, our overall service and experience were still beyond excellent.
Royal Palace Seat View / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
We were docked in Nassau, Bahamas that day, and so our view wasn't the most amazing, it was still nice to have a window seat with some views outside.
Royal Palace Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Our table was also in a nice cozy corner, which we really appreciated. It was nice to just relax and not feel rushed during our lunch.
The Food
On this cruise, we didn't pre-order any of our lunches, as we have on previous cruises. Both of us agreed that you don't really need to pre-order a meal, unless you have a really special request. We have found the restaurants to be really accommodating even with all of our special dietary needs.
Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
We were each brought a bread service -- I was served the Ener-G allergy-friendly rolls, which are gluten free, dairy free and free of the top common allergens and vegan. During lunch, they weren't that well-heated. But, if you can get them well-heated, they are always a nice accompaniment to any meal.
Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon was given the regular bread service as the bread was peanut free. He wasn't too keen on the bread throughout our cruise and felt that the gluten free rolls were sometimes better than the gluten-filled ones he was served.
Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For my appetizer, I ordered the Ahi Tuna Nicoise which is marked gluten free and dairy free on the Royal Palace lunch menu. This has been a go-to appetizer for me on several cruises now. I really love the fresh flavors and how light is is. It's a great way to start a meal or as a main entree if you're feeling like eating light.
Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon started with the Sliced Serrano Ham with Manchego Cheese and Tomato Bread. This was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Overall, he really enjoyed the meat and cheese portion of this appetizer but wasn't as keen on the tomato bread. He's ordered this on several cruises too and enjoys it quite a bit. If you're gluten free, they can make this GF by omitting the bread.
Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
My friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures had posted about some really tasting looking allergy-friendly chicken tenders on her Baja cruise on the Disney Wonder. They looked totally different than any of the ones that you can get at Disney World, so I knew I had to try them on our cruise.
I was able to order allergy-friendly chicken tenders, French fries, and steamed vegetables during lunch. The tenders and fries are made in a dedicate fryer to avoid cross-contamination. Overall, I was so happy I ordered these. There were super crispy and really delicious.
In hindsight, I should have asked what brand they were using. But, I was enjoying them too much and too relaxed and just plain forgot! I will absolutely be ordering these again and investigating where else I can order them on the ship. I have heard that you can get them at Cabanas, Flo's Cafe, all of the main rotational dining restaurants, and through room service.
Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon really wanted to get the lamb burger on the Royal Palace lunch menu, but it contained fish in the burger patty, so it could not be modified. Instead, he got the Classic Cheeseburger and French fries. His fries were also made in a dedicated fryer, and the entire meal was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Brandon did enjoy the burger but said it wasn't anything too special.
Royal Palace Lunch / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For my dessert, I was served the allergy-friendly dessert of the day -- a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting layers, raspberry non-dairy whipped topping, and fresh fruit. This was gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens. Overall, I really enjoyed this. The cake was a little dry and dense, but the light and airy raspberry whipped cream on it was fantastic and really made the dessert. I would definitely order this dessert again.
Royal Palace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For his dessert, Brandon was served the Italian Style Ice Cream Sundae with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Cream. This was peanut free, and I believe he did not have the biscotti crumble that is normally in the sundae included in the version he was served. Brandon is not a huge dessert person, so while I think he enjoyed it, I'm not sure it's something he'd go out of his way to order.
Overall
Royal Palace for lunch continues to be our preferred way to enjoy lunch when we're dining aboard the Disney Dream. It's low-key and relaxed and gives us a lot of options and flexibility for our special dietary needs. I think I may have found my go-to lunch choices on this visit too!
Have you been to Royal Palace on the Disney Dream for lunch? What did you think of the options available to you?