An Adventurous Meal With a Side of Disney History

Magic Kingdom, despite being the most popular them park among the four Walt Disney World park, surprisingly lacks in the food department. Think about your must-do restaurants when planning your Disney trip: I’m guessing Magic Kingdom eateries aren’t top of the list. But there is one option that stand outs to me, for its food as well as its theming, and that is Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. This review will discuss the Jungle Cruise-inspired theming, food, and my thoughts on this unique dining experience.

The History of Skipper Canteen

Skipper Canteen is unique in that it has a backstory linked to both the land where it sits (Adventureland) and an attraction, the Jungle Cruise. The Jungle Cruise in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World opened in 1971 as an E-ticket attraction with slight differences from the original Disneyland version that opened in 1955. (I can take a deeper dive into the ride specifics and differences between the Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions in another post.)

Back to backstory: The Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd., the company that operates the Jungle Cruise river boats, was started by Dr. Albert Falls on April 8, 1911. Dr. Falls’ granddaughter, Alberta Falls, was sent to live with her grandfather when she was eight years old. After a period of financial decline for the company’s shipping ventures, Alberta transitioned to providing river boat cruises for tourists, and eventually, reformatted the company’s headquarters into the Skipper Canteen restaurant to feed the passengers. (I pulled much of this history from Jim Korkis, a noted Disney historian, who thankfully preserved and documented this information for us budding Disney historians.)

In terms of park logistics, Skipper Canteen is next to Sunshine Tree Terrace and across from the Swiss Family Treehouse in Adventureland. Skipper Canteen inhabits a building that formerly housed Adventureland Veranda, a tropically-themed fast food restaurant that closed in 1994. The building was sometimes used for special events and character meet and greets before Skipper Canteen debuted in December 2015. For parents: stroller parking is located directly across from the entrance to Skipper Canteen.

Theming and Layout

Skipper Canteen is comprised of three dining rooms—the Crew’s Mess Hall, the Jungle Room, and a third room, partially hidden behind a bookcase, theme to a secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A). The S.E.A. Is a fictional organization that is linked through attractions around the Disney parks across the globe (Again, that subject will be covered in another post.) For now, just know that Dr. Albert Falls was a founding member of the S.E.A., hence its connection to Skipper Canteen.

The Crew’s Mess Hall is the main area, and the largest of the bunch. High ceilings, large fans—especially welcome on sunny Florida days—and ornate glass windows combine for a highly-themed home for explorers. Curious decor dot the walls; be on the lookout for photos, documents, and other clues form the skippers’ travels. The Jungle Room is smaller, but no less interesting, as it served as the Falls’ family parlor. The final room, where the S.E.A. previously met, contains antiques and curios offering clues about the organization.

Skipper Canteen Menu

Touting “World Famous Jungle Cuisine,” the menu offers food inspired by Asia, South America, and Africa. As of this writing, the prices range between $15 and $34.99 per adult, which is pretty low relative to other table-restaurants. Popular choices include Dr. Falls Signature Grilled Steak, Orinoco Ida’s Cachapas, and the “Tastes LIke Chicken” Because it is!

My favorite? The “Tastes Like Chicken” Because it is! Fried chicken, rice and slaw with a delicious glaze provides enough flavor without overdoing it. Perfect (to me) for a park day where I will likely also consume coffee, a churro, popcorn, and of course, DOLE Whip.

The Experience: Prepare for the Quirk

Skipper Canteen is unique in that the same Skippers from the Jungle Cruise staff Skipper Canteen; and they bring their trademark humor and wit to the table—literally. With the right Skipper, the meal becomes a jocular experience that, along with the theming and tie-ins to the Jungle Cruise, results in an immersive experience unique to Walt Disney World.

However, as much as I love Skipper Canteen, I would be remiss if I didn’t share a personal anecdote. Of all the places I’ve dined at Disney World, the hosts at Skipper Canteen have been the most intense in terms of enforcement. During one visit I neglected to put my baby on the reservation; I made the reservation in a rush and figured since she was in a high chair, she wouldn’t count as a regular seat. The host, upon seeing us approach the podium—two adults and one baby in my pregnant wife’s arms—reacted negatively, informed us that we did not accurately indicate our party head count, told us to make sure we do it right in the future, and then asked us to return to the waiting area for further instruction. After a notable delay, we were finally called into a very empty restaurant.

As a Disney fan, believe it or not, I don’t expect *magic* with every encounter or experience when at the theme parks. I’ve worked in fast food and retail: I get that Cast Members are simply employees in busy environments with lots of expectations on their shoulders. However, it was probably the first instance with a Cast Member where I feel that they could have handled it better. I shrugged it off as no big deal, however, as I was happy just to be at Disney World—and technically I was wrong. Just thought I would share a personal story if only to let you know that the policies for making reservations (and cancellations) may differ based on the Cast Member who happens to be enforcing them on that day.

The Verdict

Skipper Canteen is a delicious option for the Disney nerds who are looking for good food in a lively atmosphere. The menu is unique enough while offering familiar options for the family crowds—a delicate balance that Disney handles well. The Skippers bring the heat and offer laughs, which is a fun change relative to the character and princess themed dining around the Magic Kingdom. That it provides a connection to the Jungle Cruise and nods to the S.E.A. only adds to the magic.

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