Animal Kingdom Dining Advice Please

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Tue, 03/20/2018 - 08:15

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Animal Kingdom Dining Advice Please

Hi all,

I know there have been various posts over the forum asking about comparisons of specific restaurants (tusker vs. YakYeti; Tiffins vs. Jiko) etc. .... but I write for a recommendation with what I consider a bit of a dining dilemma.

So, here it goes....

I'm planning a Disney trip --with my folks-- for early August (yeah, I know, not looking forward to the heat - but I'm on an academic schedule, and I wanted to visit after Toy Story Land was opened) Mind you, I'm in my 40s, and although I've been to AK a few times --- my folks have never been to Animal Kingdom. That said, my parents reside in the midwest, and _are not_ adventurous eaters. Let's just say, they are best described as meat, potatoes, and basic veg. sort of folks. My dad hates rice more than anything. And other than spaghetti, he's not a big fan of noodles either. Add to that, My mom "hates" anything spicy, and often simple "black pepper" is too spicy for her.

So then, I'm trying to figure out a "nice meal" dinner dining option for a day at AK. I know my folks will probably want to have a sit down dinner... (So given the circumstances, which would you all recommend for a sit down meal at animal kingdom ?): Jiko, Tiffins, Tusker House, or Yak & Yeti ???

I know the rainforest cafe is there ... but i hate to choose a chain restaurant, when I know there are other options that are probably better.

Of the other 4, I've only ever eaten at Jiko (I do realize Jiko is at the resort and not the park) Personally, I thought Jiko was AMAZING, and would be perfectly happy eating there again... but once again, I worry about what my parents might like/not like.

I know some of you have visited more often than I, and probably know these restaurants much better ...Advice please....
Thanks in advance.

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 19:07

Allie

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I have eaten three of the four (have not done Tiffins yet but DID do Nomad Lounge) and I would recommend Yak & Yeti. I have in-laws that are of similar palatte, and while Jiko (and probably Tiffins) are wonderful and Tusker House has a wide variety of options, I wouldn't take my in-laws to any of the three as I know they would not suit their preferences. But my in-laws thought Coral Reef was too overwhelming...

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Tue, 03/20/2018 - 21:19

scrappy

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I agree with Allie if you are really against Rainforest Cafe, I would go with Yak & Yeti. Honestly though, with very picky eaters I would just do the Rainforest and not worry about it being a chain. While we have eaten at all but Tiffins and would eat at any of them, we do sometimes eat at Rainforest and enjoy that too.

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 22:34

JeffC

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Agree - Yak and Yeti! Great burger and fries and I think there could be a number of items for both of them.

Would it be weird to suggest taking a sweater if you have room? Sometimes that place can be freezing, probably to move people along.

Wed, 03/21/2018 - 04:39

SorcererMickey

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Thanks much to Allie, Scrappy, and JeffC for your thoughts... I love that so many of you have enough experience that you can offer great recommendations. Thank You!

Given that I've only made it to Animal Kingdom a few times myself, my own experience with sit down restaurants is limited.

Looking at the menus, I was kind of thinking Yak & Yeti looked like potentially the best option.

(I had ruled out Rainforest mostly because my folks have been somewhat disinterested in Rainforest when it was an option in other places where we have been). I'm sure its perfectly fine (and admittedly probably the better choice for their tastes) ...

But given they haven't been to Disney in the last twenty years... my sense is that they, too, would probably prefer something more specialized to Disney.

Thanks again all.

Fri, 03/23/2018 - 19:02

ScottFL

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There's that McDonald's over by the All-Star resorts...

Tue, 03/27/2018 - 23:45

Kristen K.

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SorcererMickey wrote:

Looking at the menus, I was kind of thinking Yak & Yeti looked like potentially the best option.

Yak & Yeti is one of my favorites in Animal Kingdom too.

Wed, 03/28/2018 - 16:36

drwadadli

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ScottFL wrote:

There's that McDonald's over by the All-Star resorts...

I just have to say....REALLY!!!!! All the good/great restaurants around WDW and McDonald's if the best you could offer??? Since "SorcererMickey" mentions that would hate to choose a chain restaurant and you offer the chain restaurant of all chain restaurants ---- found on just about every street corner (almost as bad as what 7-11 used to be and pharmacies are now).

SorcererMickey wrote:

Let's just say, they are best described as meat, potatoes, and basic veg. sort of folks. My dad hates rice more than anything. And other than spaghetti, he's not a big fan of noodles either. Add to that, My mom "hates" anything spicy, and often simple "black pepper" is too spicy for her.

You could try Boma. There is something for everyone there. Bobotie is meat and potatoes but in one dish. They also have pork shoulders, roasted chicken, roasted turkey and pork ribs. They also have sides of mashed potatoes and cabbage, to avoid the rice and couscous. They also have non-spicy dishes for your mom and they are willing to make dishes that aren't spicy if she tells them ahead of time.

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Thu, 03/29/2018 - 12:05

MrHub

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drwadadli wrote:

ScottFL wrote:
There's that McDonald's over by the All-Star resorts...

I just have to say....REALLY!!!!! All the good/great restaurants around WDW and McDonald's if the best you could offer??? Since "SorcererMickey" mentions that would hate to choose a chain restaurant and you offer the chain restaurant of all chain restaurants ---- found on just about every street corner (almost as bad as what 7-11 used to be and pharmacies are now).

Now now kids, let's play nicely! I took Scott's comment as a friendly jest. Let's just leave it at that and move on please.

Thu, 03/29/2018 - 15:32

drwadadli

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MrHub wrote:

drwadadli wrote:
ScottFL wrote:
There's that McDonald's over by the All-Star resorts...

I just have to say....REALLY!!!!! All the good/great restaurants around WDW and McDonald's if the best you could offer??? Since "SorcererMickey" mentions that would hate to choose a chain restaurant and you offer the chain restaurant of all chain restaurants ---- found on just about every street corner (almost as bad as what 7-11 used to be and pharmacies are now).

Now now kids, let's play nicely! I took Scott's comment as a friendly jest. Let's just leave it at that and move on please.

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Animal Kingdom Dining Advice Please