If you love the quick wit and humor found at the Jungle Cruise attraction, then you must add Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen to your lunch and/or dinner plans! Guests with an appetite for adventure can satisfy their taste buds with a flavorful menu filled with Asian, South American and African cuisine inspired flavors.
Located in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom park, this new 222-seat table-service restaurant is staffed by the wise-cracking crew of the Jungle Cruise. I highly recommend you sit back and enjoy the Punch Line Punch while deciding what to order. This “mocktail” is filled with tropical fruit juice and mango puree (also available with a savory spiced-rim).
The theme is based on the story of Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. owner Alberta Falls (granddaughter of the company’s founder Dr. Albert Falls – who fans will recognize from the quips about the waterfall on their Jungle Cruise journey), who opened the doors to their home base of operations to hungry explorers.
Guests dine amidst three curiously quirky themed dining rooms: The Mess Hall, a large multipurpose space used by the skippers for decades; The Jungle Room, a parlor featuring treasures from the Falls family’s personal collection; and The S.E.A. Room, a secret space once hidden by a false bookshelf that served as the meeting place of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.).
Flavorful Tastes from Around the Globe
Diners can explore the bold cuisines of Asia, South America and Africa with healthful dishes that have unique twists on classic savory specialties.
Entrees include a rice noodle bowl of pho broth served with choice of chicken, duck breast or tofu and served with jalapenos and mix of fresh herbs; Trader Sam’s Head-on Shrimp with sustainable, local farm-raised shrimp tossed in a chili-garlic sauce and served with Chinese broccoli and five-grain or white rice; and house-made arepas with slow-cooked beef, black beans, tostones and queso fresco.
I had the pleasure of tasting the following appetizers: S.E.A. Shu Mai, Falls Family Falafel and House-made Arepas. All three were flavorful and delicious. As for entree, I opted for the Dr. Falls’ Signature Grilled Steak, with strip loin marinated in sofrito and served with house-made chimichurri, avocado and yuca planks. The meal exceeded my expectations, I may have licked my plate clean!
If you have a sweet tooth, the desserts are incredible! There’s a choice of the Coconut Bar with Pineapple-Basil Compote and Vanilla Cream – a vanilla chiffon cake with coconut and lime-white chocolate ganache; or Kungaloosh! – an African-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas served with cashew-caramel ice cream topped with coffee dust. I tasted all three and I highly recommend you leave room for these!
Yummy Bites for Little Ones
Adventure awaits for kiddos, too. Menu items include delectable dishes such as Junior Skip’s Special Mac and Cheese, which is inspired by an Egyptian dish with ground beef, pasta, Bechamel Sauce and house-made cheese gratin, served with broccoli; and Amazon Annie’s House-made Arepas with beef, black beans and queso fresco served with yuca planks.
My son cooled off with a Specialty Beverage, a Schweitzer Slush (frozen apple juice and passion fruit topped with bursting green apple boba balls.) He selected the Tiki Tiki Fishy-gilled Sustainable Fish served with Multigrain Rice, Steamed Broccoli, and fresh Seasonal Fruit. He devoured every bite of this healthy meal! Below is a photo of his food, beverage and favorite appetizers.
For dessert, there’s a special kids volcano with gooey chocolate cake overflowing with caramel lava and exploding chocolate rocks. We will try this on our next adventure!
Jungle Skipper Canteen accepts the Disney Dining Plan. The complete menu can be viewed here. For reservations, guests may call 407-WDW-Dine, visit www.DisneyWorld.com/dine or use the MyDisneyExperience mobile app.
* Disclosure: My family attended a Disney media event, no additional compensation has been received.