The best dining in the Magic Kingdom?
There are many Disney fans/foodies who look down their noses at the fare offered inside Disney World’s original theme park, Magic Kingdom.
They point to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, and to a lesser extent, Hollywood Studios. They claim that Magic Kingdom is the inferior park for Disney dining.
And I suppose they’re right. Still, I think Magic Kingdom’s dining situation is overly maligned.
There are plenty of good, great, and excellent dining options in the park. And more easily accessible outside the gates at the monorail resorts.
But, even if we confine ourselves within the boundaries of the park, there are excellent dining and snack options to satiate most realistic epicurean desires, even if they aren’t fancy. Remember, great food can come from modest recipes as Anthony Bourdain and Chef Gusteau frequently reminded us.
Consider a nice hot dog – a Disney tradition – at Casey’s, and then add dessert across the street at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. In Magic Kingdom, you don’t even have to walk that far for a classic meal and dessert.
If you want something a little more ambitious, the Columbia Harbour House is an often forgotten option that has tasty lobster rolls and seafood.
And if you want a fancier experience, there’s also character dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
But the best place in MK? It may be the somewhat under-the-radar spot in Adventureland. Themed to be a supper club run by the Jungle Cruise skippers is the Skipper Canteen. The restaurant that was originally created for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.
Welcome, friends to the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen and yes, that’s a mouthful.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What is the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen?
An exotic outpost located near the Sunshine Tree Terrace offering a variety of tropical cuisine at prices that will make you wish you’d actually gone to the tropics instead.
What is tropical cuisine? Basically, circle the equator and the menu will have dribs and drabs from cultures you cross along the way. Flavors from Africa, Asia, and Latin America fill up the menu.
Reservations, by the way, are a good idea at this table service restaurant.
The restaurant – located in the former home of Dr. Falls – is separated into three adventure themed rooms, including the “secret” S.E.A. room where the former adventurers’ club held its meetings.
It’s fun, immaculately themed, and the food is good, if a little pricey.
What’s on the menu at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen?
It’s one of the more flavorful spots in Magic Kingdom proper. Starters include the Falls Family Falafel and Orinoco Ida’s Cachapas – house-made corn cachapas, sofrito-braised pork, grilled corn salsa, queso fresco, and avocado crema.
You also can’t go wrong with the Tiradito de Tuna – togarashi-spiced tuna, avocado, ají amarillo broth, lotus root chips, and corn nuts. Do I know what all those words mean? I do not. But I am familiar with the corn nuts.
On the entrée menu you’ll find a curried vegetable stew, a stir fried noodle bowl, and Siu pork. There’s also the Mess Hall Duck Fried Rice – five spice-glazed leg, duck fried rice, shaved cucumbers, and fresno peppers – for $31.
And, my personal favorite, Dr. Falls Signature Grilled Steak. The steak – lomo saltado-style with crushed fingerling potatoes, roasted vegetables, tamari glaze, and ají amarillo sauce – is $41. Do I feel like the price point is a little high for the skirt steak? I really do. But I also really like it and would order again with a bit of a cringe at the price.
There are chicken and mac and cheese options for the kids and/or the pickier eaters in your group.
Where does Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen fall in the Magic Kingdom pecking order?
I think it’s the best non-character dining restaurant in Magic Kingdom. Certainly, to me better than the Diamond Horseshoe, Tony’s (which I like better than most) or Pecos Bill.
And honestly better then Be Our Guest as well. Ultimately, the flavors at Skipper Canteen are just too good to deny. In fact, it’s a lot like the Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom which hits a lot of the same thematic notes but does it a little better in my opinion.
With the exception of Cinderella’s Royal Table, which to me is another category of dining, the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is the best restaurant in the park.
Is the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen worth it?
I’m torn.
The biggest hang up I have is the price. I feel like the entrees should be $5 to $10 cheaper almost across the board. Just a little shaving off the price and it would be absolutely worth it, so maybe I’m cutting too fine an edge.
Still, at heart, I am a simple man and paying $30 for a medium portion of fried rice – even with duck – is a bit of a shock to the system.
In fact, I could easily be convinced to snack my way around the park and I’d be just as happy and save a little money.
Still, if you’re looking for a table service meal in Magic Kingdom, I’d have to say Skipper Canteen is ultimately worth it.
I’d rather pay a little more here than endure the culinary wasteland that is a place like Cosmic Ray’s or Pecos Bill. And you can get out cheaper here than the all-you-care-to-eat places around the park with – in most cases – a better meal.
The Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen isn’t a place we visit every time we go to Magic Kingdom, but when we do, we’re always happy with the meal, the service, and the theming.
It’s just at the end, you might see dad grumbling slightly at the check which is not a Disney experience unique to the Jungle Navigation Restaurant.
