Disney Dining – Why I’m Cheering for Skipper Canteen

Posted on March 26, 2019 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Let’s talk about Magic Kingdom dining and Adventureland’s best restaurant – The adorably themed Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. I’m always surprised by the Skipper Canteen’s seeming lack of popularity. It’s easy to get into and has a great location. The food and service are consistently good and the menu changes frequently. That being said, I’m not sure if the menu changes are an attempt to get more people in the door or just to keep things interesting. I’ve never had a bad meal at Skipper Canteen and I’m pulling for them to succeed!

Disney Dining – Why I’m Cheering for Skipper Canteen

We first visited Skipper Canteen right after it first opened. There were cheesy Jungle Cruise-like jokes by both the host and server although that seems to have been scaled back on more recent visits. There was bread served with dipping sauce (spiced honey) – both are gone now. There was tasty shu mai (still our go-to appetizer), outstanding noodle bowls (alas, also gone) and yummy desserts (still there). It was and still is nice to have a place to sit and relax in Magic Kingdom that’s relatively quiet and serves beer. We like many quick service locations in Magic Kingdom, but they’re rarely quiet and never serve beer.

Perkins Thai Noodles – Spicy and Delicious!

Skipper Canteen has more going for it than peace and booze.

Why does it bother me that this particular restaurant seems to be struggling? Because we like the concept. We like a table service restaurant in Adventureland and would like Skipper Canteen to be successful enough to prompt the addition of one or two more places like it. Imagine Frontierland and Tomorrowland with their own versions of well-themed table service eateries. I’d gladly stay in Magic Kingdom rather than heading to Wilderness Lodge for lunch at Whispering Canyon or the Polynesian for dinner at Kona Cafe. We also prefer the menu prices at Skipper Canteen compared to dinner at Be Our Guest (fixed price for adults is $60/kids $36) or Cinderella’s Royal Table ($65-$80 for adults/kids $45-$65).

Curried Vegetable Crew Stew – Excellent Lunch Option!

A successful Skipper Canteen might pave the way for additional options in Magic Kingdom and we are all for that! Have you eaten at Skipper Canteen? How was your experience there? What other restaurants would you like to see in Magic Kingdom?

Jingle Cruise – Adventure Awaits

Posted on November 17, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Of all the magical, wonderful details found at Walt Disney World during the holiday season, none tickle me quite as much as the Jingle Cruise in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland. All of my favorite punny jokes and adventures along the jungle waterways of the world with a holiday overlay! What could be better?

Jingle Cruise – Adventure Awaits

Intentionally homemade. The idea that the skippers and dock workers pitched in to make their far-from-civilization locale feel more like home for the holidays is completely endearing and makes each detail, large and small, adorable.

From the attraction’s signs to the names of the boats, the animals, natives, and more – the holiday additions are everywhere! I can’t catch all of the details on a single ride, so if I can arrange it, I’ll ride the Jingle Cruise more than once. If time allows, I’ll use a FastPass for one ride and wait in the standby line for the other.

The holiday overlay begins outside and continues throughout the queue and ride – so be ready to pay close attention and not miss out on anything! If you’re in a large group, challenge each other to find every detail. As with other Disney attractions, you’ll want to look up, look down, and look all around – magical surprises are sometimes in unexpected places! If you’re already a fan of the Jungle Cruise, you’ll love the holiday version. If the Jungle Cruise isn’t usually your thing, consider giving the Jingle Cruise a try if for no other reason than it’s the only attraction at Walt Disney World with a holiday overlay and it’s clever and fun (and cheesy)!

If you’re planning a visit to Walt Disney World during the holiday season, add Jingle Cruise to your must-do list!

If you’ve already sailed on a Jingle Cruise…did you love it? What was your favorite part? What other attractions would you like to see get a touch of holiday magic?

Disney World Ruins Pirates of the Caribbean?

Posted on October 26, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Purists lament most changes and updates to Disney rides and attractions that add or remove original elements. Long have we heard the unhappy rants over Haunted Mansion’s additions on the inside and out. Diehard fans will forever mourn the loss of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, SpectroMagic, and Maelstrom (to name a few).

Disney World Ruins Pirates of the Caribbean?

I’ve heard more than a few grumblings over the additions to Pirates of the Caribbean through the years and I’m honestly surprised the cries have not grown louder of late. Recently (about a year ago), this most beloved Adventureland attraction became the recipient of new scents to some of the ride scenes. During a lengthy refurbishment that added new lighting, updated costumes, a softer drop, and more fluid-moving animatronics, the new fragrances were added. Yes, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” smell fans have long adored (that dank, musty, sulfur-tinged Orlando water aroma) is virtually no more (you can still smell it loud and clear in the ride queue, if it matters). As you sail along, you’ll now notice what many describe as a “rum” smell and a “burning” odor (among others). Similar to the “Rome Burning” fragrance in Spaceship Earth, Pirates now has its own set of custom scents.

A quick search of the internet does turn up a few discussions about the new aromas, but I’ve yet to find a definitive list of how many there are and exactly what we’re supposed to be smelling. Personally, I’ve loved Pirates of the Caribbean in all its different versions and configurations throughout the 25+ years I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World. The newest changes have made no difference to me…except the scents. They don’t bother me and my ride experience is not ruined, but I’m perplexed by how mysterious they are to me. Maybe my sniffer isn’t as sensitive as it once was, but I can smell only two different aromas – one smells sweet and a bit like a particular green apple bubble gum I used to love as a kid. The other smell is the scent of burning, which matches the burning town scene and makes sense (or should I say scents) to me.

What about YOU? Have you noticed the new aromas in Pirates? Please tell me…what do they smell like to you? Do you like the changes that have been made to this attraction through the years?

NOTE: I know the pictures I’ve used in today’s post are grainy and of poor quality and I’m sorry about that. I’m a firm believer in “No flash photography” on dark rides and this was the best I could do with my iPhone.

Adventureland – Five Great Things

Posted on May 27, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

It’s been a while since we’ve featured a land here! Today’s tribute is to Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland – There’s lots to love about this particular area. In such a small, compact space, there’s so much to see, do, and taste. Today I’ll focus on the very best this land has to offer.

Adventureland – Five Great Things

Bordered by Main Street U.S.A. and Frontierland, Adventureland is a completely unique experience. Where Main Street takes you back to a simpler life in small town America and Frontierland brings guests the thrills and excitement of the untamed Wild West, Adventureland captures all that is incredible about exploring the exotic and undiscovered.

Ridiculous yet classically perfect puns – If you don’t absolutely love Jungle Cruise, at least you’ll admit that as far as “the lowest form of humor” goes, this attraction is amazingly entertaining! We’re a family of pun-loving people and Jungle Cruise never ceases to delight – especially when our skipper has excellent timing. It’s an art, people, and should be appreciated as such. This attraction is a must-do for no other reason than seeing the backside of water!
Skipper Canteen (officially The Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen) – The spirit of this very new table service eatery is what makes it awesome. The premise of the Jungle Cruise Skippers having to make ends meet by waiting tables is clever, the atmosphere perfectly reflects the Adventureland setting, and the menu has heart even though rumor has it, the offerings are currently being overhauled for more main-stream appeal. Magic Kingdom needs more table service choices, so I’m really pulling for this place’s future success.
Background Music – Setting the mood with upbeat, perky tunes, the Adventureland soundtrack may often be overlooked, but is integral to making sure the land’s experience is fully immersive. Want to hear what I’m talking about? Check it out here.
We Wants the Redhead! So many small components make up the whole of Pirates of the Caribbean. Classic Disney meets modern movie magic and the combination is irresistible. Sure, purists grumble about the updates and recent changes, but this attraction is nothing short of the perfect example of the best of what Walt Disney World has to offer. Boat ride / dark ride, scene after scene, animatronics and special effects galore – if you can’t find something to love here, you should spend your vacation dollars elsewhere and leave more room for the rest of us.
Cold, Tropical Snacks – Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace (recently these two switched places) are among the most popular snack stops in Magic Kingdom. Need a world-famous Dole Whip? Belly up to the counter at Aloha Isle and enjoy! Want a cool, refreshing Citrus Swirl? Stop by the Sunshine Tree Terrace (home of Orang Bird!). Two iconic Disney snacks – both in the heart of Adventureland!I know I said five, but I feel bad not even mentioning the Enchanted Tiki Room. Now that they’re back to their original form (no longer “under new management”), I love to try to fit them in our touring plans on hot, crowded afternoons. Kicking it old school, the birds, flowers, and Tiki guys are as much a part of Adventureland’s magic as anything else I’ve mentioned.