4 Can’t Miss Items at Skipper Canteen - Magic Kingdom
"There it is ladies & gentlemen. The eight wonder of the world, it’s the BACKSIDE. OF. WATERRRRR!!!”
If you’re a fan of the Jungle Cruise then you’ve just found your new favorite restaurant. And even if the Jungle Cruise is kind of “meh” for you and it’s on your “I don’t feel bad if I skip this one” list, I sincerely think it’s still the best place to get quality, well thought out, unique food in Magic Kingdom that’s not expensive over-the-top character dining.
Skipper Canteen is located in Adventureland right across the walkway from the Jungle Cruise. It's completely based off of the attraction from the decor to the very much in character Skipper servers, all the way down to the names of the dishes on the menu. The menu is African, Asian and Latin based cuisine, but not to worry if you have little ones! There are plenty of options on the kid’s menu that will satisfy more tame pallets that include meat options and Mac & Cheese. There are also some more fun selections on the kid’s menu if you’ve got an adventurous eater!
If you take a second to look around while you wait for your food, you’ll stumble across all variety of fun Jungle Cruise knick knacks, memorabilia and Easter eggs. Bookshelves full of novels with titles that reference the ride and other Adventureland favorites. “Bathing with Elephants” is one, along with “Crooning Flowers” by Sherman and Sherman which is an ode to the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Sherman Brothers who wrote the famous tune for the attraction along with many more of your favorite ride theme songs. Rumor has it that a copy of The Jungle Book that is just slightly suspiciously tilted forward at one time was the key to a secret entrance through the bookcase to a hidden room that is no longer in use. How very adventurous!
The waiting area is even decked out in full theme with tossed about luggage cases, vintage ceiling fans and antique looking chairs that appear to be from far away places. We waited in this outdoor veranda area after we checked in for our reservation for until our “expedition” was called.
Once we made our way in our Skipper hostess immediately helped us jump into the atmosphere by throwing silly puns at us and asking us questions to get us ready for our expedition. Our server was FANTASTIC and absolutely hilarious. His name was Jared so if you ever stop in to eat, REQUEST HIM. You won’t regret it!!!! He honestly was more than a server, he was a pure entertainer. Brian and I kind of fell in love with him. As we ate we eavesdropped in on the other server’s banter and we decided that Jared was definitely the Skipper to end all Skippers.
Schweitzer Slush & Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale
It was a typical balmy, sweltering Florida day so I started off our lunch by ordering a yummy drink. I ordered the Schweitzer Slush which our hostess recommended when I asked her after she sat us. Named after the famous Schweitzer Falls of the Jungle Cruse, it’s frozen apple juice and passion fruit topped with bursting green apple boba balls. It’s non-alcoholic and refreshingly delicious. Brian ordered the Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale which is from a Florida based brewery and is an African inspired deep amber ale brewed exclusively for Walt Disney World.
Swordfish (sustainable fish option)
For our entrees Brian ordered the sustainable fish option (on the menu it is listed as “not piranha” lol) which that day was Swordfish. It was so so so delicate, flavorful, prepared so well and I ended up liking it better than my dish (which is what typically happens). It was served on a cassava fritter with wilted greens and a guava-habanero sauce drizzled on top which for me was the star of the show.
Hardy Har Char Siu Pork
I ordered the Hardy Har Char Siu Pork which is a char siu-marinated pork served with seasonal vegetables (bok choy) and jasmine rice. The meat was cooked such that it was juicy on the inside with a slight crisp from the glaze on the outside. The marinade definitely stole the show for me. Char Siu is a popular Cantonese method to prepare and roast meat. The perfect balance of sweet and salty with just the right kick of spice to bring out the flavors of the pork.
Kakamora Float (next door at Aloha Isle)
There were many honorable mentions for dessert such as the coconut bar with pineapple-basil compote and vanilla cream and the Kungaloosh! which is an african-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas served with cashew-caramel ice cream topped with coffee dust…UM FREAKIN’ YUM. But your girl had to skip the Skipper Canteen dessert offerings because I had seen a lot on social media about this new dole whip float that I HAD TO GET.
The Kakamora Float!!!!! Vanilla Dole Whip with coconut on top of pineapple juice and blue curaçao and then as if it couldn’t get any better they go ahead and stick the cutest chocolate Kakamora cake pop in the top!!! If you are a fan of all things beachy and coconuty, this is your desert. The coconut and blue curaçao is so refreshing and the vanilla dole whip makes it so creamy and dreamy. I went ahead and sprang for the souvenir tiki sipper to take home. Highly recommend!! I may get vetoed right out the Disney community for saying this but I’m going to go ahead give you a hot take anyway: regular ole’ pineapple dole whip is out and there’s a new it girl in town because the Kakamora Float is better. Mic drop. So if you’re looking for something for dessert off menu after your meal at Skipper Canteen head on over to Aloha Isle and grab one before they’re gone!
Overall, we absolutely adored this restaurant. The atmosphere has so much depth, the staff seem like they are all having the best time and pull you right into the storyline and the food was phenomenal. Prices are more than what you would pay at a quick service obviously because you are sitting down and still getting an experience but still significantly less than other options sit down eateries in Magic Kingdom with decent food (i.e. Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Table). I would highly highly recommend booking a reservation to eat here on your next trip! And remember to ask for Jared!! This man is who they made the Skipper role for!