Newly opened in the Magic Kingdom, Skipper Canteen is a badly needed sit down dining choice within the park. For our money, this is a top tier restaurant. It perfectly combines all the necessary elements; menus, air conditioning, metal utensils, Disney theming, and attentive staff. It's tucked so inconspicuously into the Adventureland area that some might not notice its addition. Reservations are highly suggested, though it never hurts to swing by and ask.
The restaurant occupies the space previously taken by the Adventureland Veranda, which closed in 1994. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Once inside there are so many things to look at, laugh at, and enjoy you may forget you came to eat.
Beautiful spaces abound in the Skipper Canteen. Photo by Roan Poulter.
The beautiful building pays homage to the best parts of the Jungle cruise and more interestingly, the now long gone Adventurer's Club from Pleasure Island. Hardly any wall space is visible for all the decoration, hidden jokes, and needful treasures from around the world.
Some Tiki Room friends make an appearance, though they are mostly silent. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Even if you never intend to dine in the Skipper Canteen, which would be a mistake, you must spend a few minutes wandering around the various rooms to see how marvelous a job has been done bringing this masterpiece together. Dr. Albert Schweitzer would be quite proud of his legacy.
The great legend himself hangs in the waiting room, proving that even at Disney even important people must queue. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Although it appears to be a two story structure from the outside, dining areas are limited to the first floor; the second floor contains storage areas for curiosities and offices for various Skippers. Period music plays a somber beat on one side, while overheard conversations emanate from above for the other side of the main dining room. Two smaller dining rooms, a parlor and a study (accessed through a secret bookcase door), offer quieter experiences and a chance to further explore the story behind the founder.
Comfortable seating while you wait for your table. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Two extra special seats allow you to watch the people go by. Photo by Roan Poulter.
The Skipper Servers bring with them a wry dose of Jungle Cruise humor; be forewarned your mileage may vary by model. At a minimum they seem friendly and willing to share as much or little detail as you want about their stories and hidden trivia details.
A very pleasant if punchline challenged Server. Photo by Roan Poulter.
The menu is surprisingly well rounded while still offering enough exotic choices to keep your palette guessing. Ingredients such as mung beans, ambasha bread, berber spice, head-on shrimp, sofrito, and yucca planks give some indication that you're not at a typical burger and hot dog counter service restaurant.
Our meal started with an Ethiopian bread with fenugreek-infused honey. I want to say rave things about this, but I can't. The bread was dry and the honey overwhelmed it and made it too sweet for me to enjoy. The fenugreek spices gave it an interesting flavor, but overall we did not enjoy it.
Ethiopian bread with fenugreek-infused honey. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Our server had high praise for the Skip's Mac & Cheese. It was delightful and a great bit of food for the price. However, it had little in common with my idea of mac & cheese. The scalloped pasta piled high in the bowl held treasure troves of a spiced ground beef and tomato sauce. The béchamel sauce gives a rich cheesy flavor, though in honesty it looks like marshmallow fluff. It was right out of the oven hot, so betwixt much blowing we enjoyed a dish I would say better reminds me of lasagna. My son and I split it and it was more than enough for the two of us.
Billed as Mac & Cheese, but it's more than that. Photo by Roan Poulter.
My wife and daughter split a Rice Noodle Bowl with Chicken. Anywhere else this is pho, but on the menu it is listed only as pho broth. Don't be afraid, this is classic and excellent Pho. The broth had enough meat substance to hold up its side of the flavor profile without overpowering, while the jalapenos and cilantro brought a fresh and bright heat. The chicken was good, though I was surprised that they offered duck and not beef.
Pho by any other name, is a Rice Noodle Bowl seemingly. Photo by Roan Poulter.
TEA – yes the world is a better place when I can sit quietly and sip a cup of tea. Multiple Twinings selections are available and you brew it in your own little pot. They have raw sugar. If for no other reason, I shall return. Even on a blasting hot June day, how the worries melt away in my tea…
Delicious beverages to sate our thirsts in the blistering June heat. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Out of guilt, my children were able to wrench open my normally tight fists to get themselves Schweitzer Slushes. Mixing apple frosty with passion fruit, it's just an okay drink. But adding the green apple boba balls, now you've got a party in there. The massive paper straws give an ample highway for the delicious exploding balls of flavor.
Of course we meant to get dessert; the coconut bar with pineapple-basil compote and vanilla cream looked amazing. Our Skipper did her best to tempt us, but we will need to return with emptier bellies.
Ratings
Dad (41): 4.8 of 5 – What a masterful tie in of theming, absolutely brilliant. Nearly everything was excellent and the staff seemed to be having as much fun as the guests.
Everyone's having fun at Skipper Canteen, as evidenced by dancing Cast Members. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Mom (41): 4.5 of 5 – Happy we were able to be seated so quickly. Best part for her was the bill, which was very reasonable considering the quality of the food and the outstanding ambiance.
And for anyone wondering what happens to all that excess backside of water, here you go. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Daughter (17): 4.8 of 5 – The circular wall of butterflies, we have to sit at that table next time. Appreciated gluten free options as part of the standard menu instead of being handed a book telling you everything has gluten.
The butterfly alcove may be the prettiest spot in all the Canteen. Photo by Roan Poulter.
Son (15): 4.8 of 5 – Appreciated that a split meal was still enough to get full. Thought the parlor and hidden bookcase door were very cool.
Not all bookcases are as they appear in the Skipper Canteen. Photo by Roan Poulter.
