Animal Kingdom solo questions

[Bunless]

Hi!

I haven't been to Animal Kingdom in a few years, and am trying to remember the options for dining solo.
Please feel free to fact check me!
Several quick service places, most, if not all, serve wine or beer... correct?
Yak and Yeti, inside, you can eat at the bar... still the case?
Dawa Bar, just a bar... no food.
I just read about Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge... any word on wether there will be food in the lounge?

Any suggestions? To give you an idea of my ideal eating experiences... at EPCOT, getting a baguette, fromage plate, and glass of wine, going to the waterfront and sitting in the shade (on the concrete) for half an hour or so, by myself, nibbling away. If I am by myself, I prefer to eat at the bar, instead of at a table.

For rides...
Single Rider--only Everest, correct? Are there opinions on wether single-rider or fast pass is better?

TIA

 

[karly05]

I'll just put in a comment on Everest: when I rode last year (first and so far only time) I did Single Rider and it was practically a walk-on - which was great, because I didn't have time to chicken out!

 

[Stefecatzz]

Sorry, I'm not much help for TS/lounge meals in AK since I have no experience with them so far. I always stop at a QS or get a snack & eat at Epcot for most meals. Look at the menus on Disney's site for the stands/QS's & it will show what alcohol they serve. Most have either a beer or a mixed drink but I do not recall seeing wine on the menus. I've had good experiences eating at Flametree by the water with a nice view of Everest & my favorite meal there, the smoked turkey sandwich. Dawa does not serve food but has added bloody mary's to their menu in the AM & a watermelon mimosa that has gotten some good reviews. The African Margarita that I used to look forward to is now premixed & I was very disappointed when I tried that version for the first time after having it freshly made before.

One of these days, I will try Sanaa for lunch which is only a 5 minute bus ride from the park.

The most I've had to wait for SR at Everest is a few minutes if it's not a walk on at the time. Sometimes, I do FP just to walk through the queue which is nice to experience before the ride every now & then.

 

[Bunless]

I've had good experiences eating at Flametree by the water with a nice view of Everest & my favorite meal there, the smoked turkey sandwich. I forgot about sitting by the water there! That sounds like a great plan to me. Dawa does not serve food but has added bloody mary's to their menu in the AM & a watermelon mimosa that has gotten some good reviews. Bloody Mary is my kind of breakfast! lol

One of these days, I will try Sanaa for lunch which is only a 5 minute bus ride from the park. I'm only going to be at WDW for one day, so I won't be getting a park hopper. Can you leave and come back with a one day ticket?

The most I've had to wait for SR at Everest is a few minutes if it's not a walk on at the time. Sometimes, I do FP just to walk through the queue which is nice to experience before the ride every now & then. That's actually a good idea, and maybe I will take my time and let people go in front of me so that I can enjoy the que instead of being rushed.

.

 

[intricatejewel]

Expedition Everest is by far my favorite ride at WDW so I take advantage of both single rider line and FP+ since there aren't many FP+ options at AK anyway. On my upcoming trip this fall, I plan on stopping by Sanaa after my AK day to get the bread service and wine flight in their lounge. This might be a good option for you. AKL is beautiful and worth a visit all on its own.

 

[Bunless]

Expedition Everest is by far my favorite ride at WDW so I take advantage of both single rider line and FP+ since there aren't many FP+ options at AK anyway. On my upcoming trip this fall, I plan on stopping by Sanaa after my AK day to get the bread service and wine flight in their lounge. This might be a good option for you. AKL is beautiful and worth a visit all on its own.

I love AKL! just beautiful. That's a good idea, for dinner at the end of the night. I'm staying at Saratoga Springs, so taking the bus back to Disney Springs will be an easy thing.

 

[Oneanne]

There's a new QS area called Harambe Market... as others have mentioned you can check out menus on line.

 

[bryanb]

Animal Kingdom has become my favorite park for food, whether it's QS or TS.

The Flame Tree BBQ is fantastic. Great waterfront views, as others have mentioned in a very relaxing covered setting. The BBQ plates are flavorful and the portions generous.

The Harambe Market has a fantastic setting as well. I've only had the Karubi spice-rubbed rib. A fellow guest who is a locally known chef actually explained how this was an impressively high quality dish, not just for a theme park, but in general. By the way, this market is divided into separate huts for each type of food served, but if you're solo (or even with a party who wants food from different huts, you can order at any food window and there's no need to wait in multiple lines).

 

[ELSA711]

Does anyone know when the Harambe Market starts serving food/snacks?

 

[bryanb]

Does anyone know when the Harambe Market starts serving food/snacks?

I'm not sure if it varies seasonally, but it's currently opening at 11:00am. I can confirm this was the case during my last visit in November.

If opening timing is important, I would probably double check closer to your trip. Here's a link...
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/harambe-market/

 

[raddisneyfan]

Animal Kingdom has become my favorite park for food, whether it's QS or TS.

Up until my last trip, I would have said that EPCOT had my favorite QS/TS meals. After staying at AKLV and going to AK multiple times this past December, I am definitely in agreement--although EPCOT still does have great QS options too. I would now say too that AKL also has some of my favorite TS meals--BOMA, Jiko, and Sanaa!

 

[Bunless]

I just got around to reading about Harambe market. I think I will stop there a few times that day!

 

[Grumpy247365]

I had the gyro at Harambe Market and it was so damn good. It came with broccoli on the side which was awesome as well. Definitely recommend it, but Yak & Yeti is my favorite place at AK.

 

[samsteele]

I love the dining options at AK. Flametree is tasty & as a solo guest I never feel out of place sitting in the pavilion near the water. Yak & Yeti is a fav for lunch if paying OOP. If on the DP, I definitely make a dinner ADR to max the plan. I do get a table in the restaurant (never eaten at the bar) and usually get one of the appies for an OOP lunch so I still have room for their incredible won-ton dessert. They make non-alcoholic cocktails there that are incredible. The last one I had was the Desert Pear. I've eaten at Harambe and wasn't as excited about the ribs and the seating. Maybe it was just an off day for the cooks but the ribs weren't as good as Flametree IMO. Possibly just personal taste. The seating was crowded, everyone hovering for a chair and w/o shade and it was sizzling hot even in October. Sanaa is a great choice for lunch & is a relatively inexpensive choice OOP for an impressive, top quality TS. If in doubt about what to order, try the Bread Service. It alone is a huge meal esp for a solo guest. Again, I always eat in the restaurant (not at the bar) and have had good service & loved the decor. Boma for dinner is a great choice. Its an $ buffet but probably the best quality buffet on property. As a solo guest, its an easy way to break the ice and do TS by yourself since you are up so much getting food. The tables are relatively close together and I usually have a friendly chat with guests next door. For all of the above, do check out the updated menus on Disney Dining Reservations site and allears. Have a great vacation!

 

[pa. dad]

Everest was pretty close as far as single rider or fastpass when we were there.
So if it were me, I'd tryto fastpass Kil. safaris and then do a single rider at Everest.