Ask a server at Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen where the best seat in the house is, and in true Jungle Cruise fashion, he or she may respond with, “Inside!”
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That’s just proof that the witty and adventurous spirit of the guest-favorite Jungle Cruise attraction has spread to the nearby Skipper Canteen restaurant, which just opened its doors in December. The table service eatery features three unique dining rooms, including the crew’s Mess Hall; The S.E.A. Room, a secret meeting room for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers that was once hidden behind a bookcase; and the Falls Family Parlor, formerly occupied by the infamous jungle explorer Dr. Albert Falls. Remember him as the namesake of The Jungle Cruise’s Schweitzer Falls?
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The theming and storyline of the restaurant is really brought to life in the tiny details you can find in each room, which are stocked with treasure troves of mementos that Falls and the other adventurers collected over years of exploration. Disney Parks history buffs will have a blast picking out references to The Jungle Cruise attraction in the restaurant’s wood carvings, and few artifacts have even made their way over from the former Adventurer’s Club at Pleasure Island (now Disney Springs). Can you spot any in these photos?
Another fun element that brings the location to life is the background music. On my latest visit, a friend remarked that she felt she was a million miles away, in a different time, as tunes from the 1930s played lazily in the background. So fun.
Want to learn more about the Skipper Canteen and its menu? Check out Pam Brandon’s previous post.
For more All in the Details posts, visit the posts below:
- All in the Details: Putting the ‘Springs’ Into Disney Springs
- All in the Details: Imagineers Unveil the Storyline of Disney Springs
- All in the Details: Construction Walls Come Down at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- All in the Details: Glittering Gems Light Up Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Queue at Magic Kingdom Park
- All in the Details: A Unique Perspective of Belle’s Village at Magic Kingdom Park
Comments
Just returned from WDW. Literally walked into Skipper Canteen at lunch. There were plenty of open tables – no wait. We adore all things Disney, but have to say we were disappointed with Skipper Canteen. Food was very spicy (all offerings – including kids’ menu), and it was very expensive. Also disappointed with the decor. We were hoping they would add some of the Disney magic like the Adventurer’s Club used to have.
Like many, many park guests, I love making ADRs and you can bet for WDW that I’m online the moment my 180 +10 reservation window opens. We live in Seattle and our home resort is Disneyland, but we visit WDW at least twice a year, and so I can report that “ADR Culture,” while definitely a huge part of a WDW visit, exists almost not at all at DLR.
For example, while we need to be making our ADRs at Walt Disney World for BOG two or even three months in advance, we can usually bring up our Disneyland app (which is awesome) and book for Blue Bayou, World of Color or Fantasmic! dining packages as little as two to three days away. Because Disneyland is predominantly a “locals” park, there’s much more of a “play it by ear” vibe there than at WDW.
I never was a planner at DLR but, obviously, once we started visiting WDW, that had to change. I like making ADRs for WDW as much as the next, but I do think it’s a nice idea to have at least ONE table-service restaurant at WDW that doesn’t accept ADRs at all. There should be at least SOME degree of spontaneity, even at WDW.
Lastly, I would guess that, once the “shiny” rubs off Skipper Canteen, we will begin to see fewer complaints about the unavailability of ADRs — demand seems to always be at peak right when something new opens, and Skipper Canteen is no different.
I was looking forward to eating here but the kids menu is lacking, in my opinion. Even my more adventuresome 7 year old (his twin sister is PICKY) wasn’t interested in what was on the menu. I hope they consider something a little less out there as an addition for those pickier eaters.
We ate at the Jungle Skipper Canteen during our visit over the Holidays – it was wonderful. We only had to wait 20 minutes for a table during the busiest time of the year at the parks. I highly recommend it for a great meal!
I’m also happy that this location is walk-up only. With most sit-down restaurants booked months in advance I feel like I actually have a chance of being able to dine here, and look forward to doing so.
Is the plan never to offer ADRs? I thought maybe they were still in the open but making sure there are no kinks phase.
Does this restaurant serve alcoholic beverages? (Or are they planning on it in the future?) I find it curious that their menu lists “non-alcoholic beverages” but all the other restaurants in Magic Kingdom simply say “beverages” on their menus. It would be nice to have the option, so I hope they do!
Those of you worried about having to wait to get in, don’t worry. When I was there in December, I just gave them my cell number. My daughter and I went and did a couple of things and then they texted me and we went and had a great lunch. If you plan a little early to check in, you can do something else while you are waiting because you don’t have to wait right there at the restaurant.
James’ wife here – Cannot wait to try out the menu! I did forget about this, I know you had posted awhile ago about this opening. I have to put it on my list of must-try!
The countdown continues – woo hoo Disney here I come!!
<3WDW!
I’m a huge fan of the Jungle Cruise so can’t wait to try this out on our next trip this May. Between the delicious looking menu and the fabulous details in the decorating (how I would live that Tiki Birds light fitting in my house!) I think this might be a new favourite.
I may be in the minority, but I am SO glad that they are NOT taking ADR for here! It is getting so difficult to get into some locations now with guests who stay onsite being able to book so much further out than anyone else, so I enjoy the locations where I have just as much chance as anyone to get a table. Be Our Guest is almost impossible to eat at these days, and that is really sad for those who don’t get reservations. Hoping this doesn’t go the same way…
I agree with Erin. While my husband and I would like to try Jungle Navigation for dinner in July, we are not willing to stand in 90+ heat for an unknown amount of time to get a table. Not willing to lose the table service dining credit for use as counter service.
The fact that this restaurant doesn’t allow for ADRs is really inconvenient. We have the DDP for our next two trips, and while we’d LOVE to eat here, it’s a risk. If we leave a space open for the Canteen, and then are unable to get a seat, we’ll end up wasting a dining credit.
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