animal kingdom dining

by Magic Maker® Tara Radulski

“MOM!  I’m hungry!”

As the mother to two young boys, both of which are in the 95th percentile or higher for their height, we hear this often at home…and even more when we are on vacation.  Just the other weekend we went to Fort Worth, Texas for the day to enjoy the Children’s Museum.  To our delight, the Fort Worth Stock Yard show was also going on, and we had the opportunity to enjoy it as well.  The only downfall to our day was having lunch at the stockyard show.  Just the thought of eating at fairs or amusement parks is enough to send me running for my antacid! The burgers, fries, corndogs, chicken strips, fried pickles and such make up just about the entire menu selection.  I know it’s bad when my kids start asking for a piece of fruit instead of more junk.

At Walt Disney World® Resort, some refer to it as Quick Service, others refer to it as Counter Service, some may even call it “fast food”.  It is all those things, but it is also much more than what you would expect from “amusement park” food.  Clients who are on one of the Disney Dining Plans, especially those on the Quick Service Dining Plan, always ask me what the best places to eat a quick meal are.  Now, I will admit that the expected burgers and fries, pizza and chicken strips are available.  But much better options abound!

In our two-part series, we’ll look at the four Walt Disney World® Resort parks and explore what Walt Disney World® Resort has to offer ‘beyond the bun’.

MAGIC KINGDOM® Park

While in the Magic Kingdom® Park you can eat like a princess on a pauper’s budget (well, not really, but almost!)  The Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square Area has Quick Service options such as their Lighthouse Sandwich which is hummus with tomato & broccoli slaw on toasted multigrain bread; or the Anchors Aweigh Sandwich with white tuna with lettuce and tomato on toasted multigrain bun; or even grilled salmon served with couscous and steamed fresh broccoli..  Also in the Magic Kingdom® Park, Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland® Area boasts half a rotisserie chicken or BBQ Ribs, both served with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park is “natazu” and the Quick Service options are much more than typical fast food!  At the Yak & Yeti™ Local Foods Cafe, guests can dine on items such as honey chicken, sweet and sour chicken, orange beef, an Asian chicken sandwich, or Mandarin chicken salad.  Over at the Flame Tree Barbecue there are options such as half a slab of St. Louis Ribs served with baked beans and corn muffin; half a rotisserie chicken served with baked beans and corn muffin; a beef or pork sandwich served with baked beans; a smoked turkey breast sandwich served on a multi-grain bun with cole slaw; or a barbecue chicken salad served with crisp greens and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette dressing in a toasted garlic shell.

You may just have to think again before you use the words “fast food” to describe the quick service / counter service food options at the Walt Disney World® Resort! Be sure to read next week as we finish exploring quick service dining around the parks at Epcot® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios™!