Walt Disney World is a theme park with an endless selection of attractions. So, it may come as a shock to some to find out that the world’s most popular wonderland has over four times as many eateries as it does rides! That’s right, there are currently 49 rides and 200 places to get food, including 90 full-service restaurants, 30 of which reside within the parks! Now, if you’re a foodie this is music to your ears! Ranging from basic burgers and hotdogs to 5-star fine dining, there is something for everyone within these 42 square miles of merriment! Yet, despite this wide array of delicious dishes, most guests tend to play it safe, sticking with the same old same old. And that is why today, we’re going to expand your palate and your mind by serving up Two of Walt Disney World’s Most Underrated Restaurants!
The Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Are you hungry for adventure? Well, if you like the wild spirit of the Jungle Cruise, you will love the ultra-exotic style of Skipper Canteen.
Located at Magic Kingdom Park in Adventureland, this highly themed and awfully silly watering hole is without a shadow of a doubt the best Table Service you will find within the turnstile! If you are a Disney diehard and a bit of an adventurous eater, you’re likely to find something here that makes your belly do backflips!
While the menu is touted as offering “bold, flavorful cuisine of Asia, South America, and Africa” the actual items are a bit more traditional than this description implies, featuring falafel, curried veggies, and sie pork! If that still sounds a bit too wild for you, don’t sweat it. This offbeat establishment also serves more familiar fair, such as fried chicken and one of the best adobo-seasoned New York strip steaks on the property!
If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, be sure to try Panna-Connie’s Congo Lime Delight, a mango-lime sorbet with fresh fruit and a Brazil nut cookie — or the Kungaloosh, an African-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and cashew-caramel ice cream!
High-Caliber Themeing
As for theming, this place pulls out all the stops, dripping from head to toe in synergistic regalia! The canteen is broken up into three very unique rooms, each with its own wacky whimsy and chuckle-worthy charm: the crew’s colonial-era Mess Hall (which is not messy at all, thank you very much); the Jungle Room, the former family parlour of Dr Albert Falls himself; and the S.E.A. Room—a once-secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers!
Now, That’s Punny!
As with anything touched by Disney’s Imagineers, there is a good amount of easter eggs throughout, like the bookcases that line the hallways from the Mess Hall. Rumor has it, these shelves used to disguise the room’s entrance back in its hidden days! In fact, if you take a deeper look at the books, you’ll find that The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling is leaning forward on a rather steep angle, leading us to believe that this book was the book that would trigger this moveable bookshelf to…well… move!
And that’s not all, folks! Be sure to take a gander at the titles of these books and you’ll find that almost every single book is a little inside joke, for example: one book title reads Boat Evacuation Procedures, written by Cap. Size.
No matter how you shake it, Skipper Canteen deserves a try!
Olivia’s Café
We’ve got a restaurant that is guaranteed to become the key to heart, Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
Chances are, unless you’re a member of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), you’ve never been to Disney’s Old Key West Resort. However, if you love banana bread French toast, crispy fried chicken, or authentic island-influenced Floridian fair, you might be missing out! Here, at Oliva’s Café, you are invited to savour hearty home cooking with an eclectic nautical theme as your backdrop!
A Little Breakfast, A Little Lunch
While everything on the menu is delightful, this place really shines at brunch, which is only served on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Though your chances to enjoy are limited, your options are limitless. Partake in Crab Cake Eggs Benedicts, Shrimp and Grits, biscuits, and much more. And don’t forever to imbibe with a glass of Parrot Punch and their infamous Loaded Key West Bloody Mary! After all, it’s five o’clock somewhere!
Compliments to the Chef
Every good Disney attraction starts with a solid backstory, and Oliva’s Café is no exception!
Olivia Farnsworth, the fictitious namesake of this charming creation, lived in a quaint cottage along Turtle Krawl. Regularly, she would invite passersby who smelled her cooking to “come on in and pull up a chair.” Beloved for her flavorful delicacies and earthy personality, Olivia opened the doors to her cafe, which has been serving locals and out-of-towners ever since.
Throughout the entire restaurant, you’ll uncover oceanic treasures as you take a breezy stroll down the Florida Key’s memory lane. Blues and teals fill the room, offering a calming seaside atheistic, while lining the walls are oars, nets, and a variety of boating accoutrement. Lastly, high overhead hand a robust paddle fan, adding one last finishing touch and setting the stage for a memorable meal.
Sensational Service
In addition, it is worth noting that the service is particularly and consistently exceptional at Oliva’s Café. The fact that is not located in a park plays to the laid-paid nature of its theme, allowing you to take your time, enjoy the scenery, and bask in the glow of the Sunshine State!
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