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The jungle is an adventurous place to visit, so it’s no wonder that its presence is evident in Adventureland, one of the magical lands at the Magic Kingdom. The Skipper Canteen is a brand new restaurant where guests can enjoy exotic cuisine while being transported to a wild atmosphere! Here are nine reasons why we love the new Skipper Canteen!
9. Affordability
Considering that the cuisine here reaches a five star rating, the Skipper Canteen is actually quite affordable! The quality of the food here is well worth the cost! Adult guests can enjoy a large portioned entrée for less than $20.00. Some of these portions are large, so if you don’t eat much, sharing is a great option! Kid meals range from $10-$12 and their appetizers are only $2.50! The appetizers and desserts are also quite affordable (and great for sharing) so you wont feel guilty for trying more of the menu!
8. The Storyline
As you enter the Skipper Canteen, your skipper (waiter or hostess) will tell you a little fictional story of how the Skipper Canteen came into existence! Since the Skipper Canteen is correlated with the Jungle Cruise, the story is quite clever. Alberta Falls, the granddaughter of Dr. Albert Falls (who established the Jungle Navigation Company) was sent to live there with her grandfather and the jungle boat skippers (who she considers her family). She turned to her fellow skippers when the business stared declining after fewer expeditions were being done and their shipping business was dry-docked. In order to save the business, the skippers and Alberta decided to offer guided tours to their visitors, which included opening their home offices to hungry travelers (that’s where us guests come in to play). I am all about stories, so I thought this one gives the restaurant a little history and depth!
7. Theming
Along with a great storyline comes a great theme. Guests will be seated in one of three rooms in the restaurant: The crew’s mess hall, the old family room, and Dr. Albert Falls’ old secret meeting room. Each of these dining room areas are unique and decorated accordingly with props and color palettes that will take you into the jungle! I especially love the clever props in each room. Look closely at what is on the walls because you will find references to other areas in the parks and in Adventureland as well!
6. Convenient Location
The Skipper Canteen is adjacent to the Swiss Family Tree House in Adventureland. This location is very convenient for those spending a lot of time in this area. It is also very close to Cinderella’s Castle and Main Street U.S.A., which is perfect for catching a show or parade right after your meal!
5. Diverse Menu
Talk about infusing different cultures, the Skipper Canteen does just that with their diverse menu options. Whether you have a wide palate or are looking to try new flavors (or want to introduce new foods to your little skippers) this is the best place to do just that. Enjoy appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks with a Latin, African, American, and Asian twist. There are many different menu items that are exotic and perfect for the Jungle theme of the restaurant! The jungle is full of adventure, and it will be quite the adventure for you as you prowl through the menu!
4. The Comical Cast Members
Cast members that work at the Skipper Canteen (also called skippers) are a hoot! They make the dining experience so much fun! If you’ve ever experiences the 50’s Prime Time Café (in Hollywood Studios) or the Whispering Canyon Café (at the Wilderness Lodge) then you know what I’m taking about. Make sure you bring your sense of humor along with your hunger, because the jokes, wisecracks, and sass that the skippers have here will surely put a smile on your face. My server was full of silly jokes throughout the length of my dining experience that made me giggle the entire time!
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3. The Desserts
If you love all things sweet and exotic, you’ll love the dessert here! Each dessert is presented beautifully and made to perfection. Since there are several flavors in the jungle, the desserts are no exception. Choose from an array of flavors like a vanilla chiffon cake topped with lemon grass ginger syrup, sugar crusted pudding with nuts and fruits, coconut bar with pineapple-basil compote and a heaping scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, and my personal favorite, Kungaloosh (yes, you read that right), an African chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and cashew caramel ice cream. This is a great way to indulge in a sweet treat that you wont find anywhere else on Disney property, or even in your typical chain restaurant!
2. The Bread
Who doesn’t love fresh bread to nibble on before a meal? I know I probably look forward to that the most! The Skipper Canteen serves the most delicious warm bread with an orange blossom honey for dipping. The sweetness in the honey blends nicely with the bread, and I guarantee you will be asking for another round of it after your first bite! Kids and adults will love starting off their meal with this deliciousness!
1. The Food
Ok, lets get down to business. The main reason we all love certain restaurants is for the food, of course! As mentioned earlier, the Skipper Canteen offers a plethora of exotic choices, but the quality and taste of these foods is out of this world delicious! Everything is incredibly fresh and tasty! My smile was plastered all over my face as I indulged in the Asian flavors with the S.E.A. Shu Mai appetizer and then my taste buds headed over to Africa to explore the famous Mac and Cheese (which is layered between Egyptian beef), which is out of this world. There are some other really great options like arepas, soups and salads, grilled steak, noodle bowls, stews, and more. The little ones can enjoy a soup or salad appetizer and can choose between fish or steak (with accompaniments), their famous mac and cheese, and arepas for their entrée. No matter what you decide to try, you wont be disappointed with the quality of your meal and your little ones will enjoy feasting on some great jungle cuisine!
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!
