As if there weren't enough things closed in August already,

[tweedlemom]

just read here that Flame Tree Barbeque will be closed during our August stay:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm

I was wondering how Mara counter service is at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and is it worth going there for lunch when I'm through touring AK? I've never been to that resort, so I thought it might be nice to check it out and grab lunch, too. Worth it?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've read some good things about the Mara, I want to try it during my next trip.

 

[DoctorK]

We ate there a couple of times last summer and this spring. It's OK, but I wouldn't eat there if I wasn't staying there...

 

[katiereeve]

That makes me so sad! I love Flame Tree -- that is the only park I didn't make ADRs for because I was so confident in my Flame Tree. Bummer! Does anyone have alternative suggestions!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We ate there a couple of times last summer and this spring. It's OK, but I wouldn't eat there if I wasn't staying there...

I agree. When we stayed at AKL it was ok..nothing that I would make a special trip for.

That makes me so sad! I love Flame Tree -- that is the only park I didn't make ADRs for because I was so confident in my Flame Tree. Bummer! Does anyone have alternative suggestions!

We will be there when it is closed and we are very sad too. We will probably stop in at Pizzafari. At least that has AC. We enjoy the Italian Sandwich and the kids don't mind the pizza. DH liked the Yak N Yeti CS but with the August heat I am not planning on stopping there. We may have to break down and re-visit Restaurantosaurus. We had a nightmare of a dining experience a few years ago but we LOVE AK and will be there a few days during our trip so we will have to make a trek back.

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

I've been to Mara several times . . . it is some of the better CS, but I wouldn't go to AKL just for Mara (though you could get some famous zebra domes to go!). That said, it is totally worth a trip to AKL to see the resort! Check out the savannas, the pools, the lobby and all the African art on display. They have a great gift shop too. I believe Boma and Jiko are closed for lunch, but Sanna at Kidani serves lunch (as an alternative to Mara).

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

Totally bummed to hear it will be closed. Poor DS11 will be heartbroken~ He loves the ribs there! We love to sit overlooking the water and watching Expedition everest while eating.

Now have to rethink our AK day!

I don't remember soo many rides down in 1 trip before and this is our 6th Aug trip.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I don't remember soo many rides down in 1 trip before and this is our 6th Aug trip.

No kidding
1. IASM
2. TSM
3. Walt Disney's One Man Dream
4. Flame Tree BBQ

Am I missing any?

We also have to try and figure where we're going to have lunch now. Unfortunatley, it's unlikely we'll be able to change our early Tusker breakfast into a brunch.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Yak n Yeti CS has gotten some pretty good reviews!
If you want just burgers etc Restaurantosaurus is actually quite nice (though the dinosaur photo of a dino eating another is creepy haha)

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Yak n Yeti CS has gotten some pretty good reviews!
If you want just burgers etc Restaurantosaurus is actually quite nice (though the dinosaur photo of a dino eating another is creepy haha)

Burgers don't really appeal to us.

Yak n Yeti could be a good choice. But, DD is allergic to wheat. Are any of these NOT breaded?
Honey chicken
Orange beef
Sweet and sour chicken (I assume this is breaded)

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

I am so glad I made a lunch reservation for my AK day at Rainforest Cafe. I had debated trying Flametree BBQ since we have not been there before but decided we would probably want inside dining for an August trip.

 

[USAswimmer626]

Here's our plan for one of our AK days.

Around 11:30, we'll hop the bus to Saratoga Springs. Then we'll walk the short path to the DTD Marketplace and eat lunch at Wolfbang Puck Express! Then we'll head back to Pop Century, take a short break in the room, and head back to another park, probably Epcot.

We never tend to do Animal Kingdom for an entire day, just because it gets so hot there!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

No kidding
1. IASM
2. TSM
3. Walt Disney's One Man Dream
4. Flame Tree BBQ

Am I missing any?

We also have to try and figure where we're going to have lunch now. Unfortunatley, it's unlikely we'll be able to change our early Tusker breakfast into a brunch.

In Magic Kingdom- in Liberty square the boat is also going in rehab in Aug. We have never rode it in 10 trips so we may try to hop on it in the beginning of our trip.

 

[PatsMom]

The Mara is OK but I wouldn't make a special trip to the AKL just to eat there. Although the lodge is beautiful. And you don't need to be staying there to sit in the animal viewing area.

We do like Yak and Yeti counter service but I wouldn't do it in August - I can't eat when it is that hot. Same reason I don't do Flame Tree when it is hot. We are not crazy about the food at Pizzafari or Restaurantosauros but it beats sitting in the heat trying to eat my lunch!

Sometimes we just skip lunch at the AK. We eat ice cream and other snacks and just figure we'll have a fairly early dinner since they tend to close early.

 

[Alexander]

Boma on the otherhand is awesome! Maybe you could do snacks for lunch and them go to the AKL for an early dinner at Boma. We plan dinner at Boma at least once when we are at WDW, more than once when we stay at AKV.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Does anyone have alternative suggestions!

I am interested too.....we were planning on Flame Tree for lunch and now we have to look for another CS restaurant. We are on the DxDDP and are going to Tusker House for breakfast and Boma for dinner that night. If we were to not do a CS but rather snack until dinner, is there any good snacks at AK that I should be aware of?

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

I would describe Mara as completely and totally adequate, serviceable and competent. It was fine since we were staying there but it was nothing special. If you want to see the AKL and want a refrigerated deli sandwich or some quick grilled simple foods it would be ok. You can grab some of the famed zebra domes to go too. However, I'd ONLY do it if I wanted to see the lodge badly.

I'd suggest instead that you have a nice breakfast, spend the day in AK and snack your way through until dinner. We usually arrive at DAK at rope drop and finish up right after the parade and manage to see most of what we want to see. Then we go back to our resort either for a family dinner and evening off or an easy touring evening of fireworks or parade viewing since there is so much walking at the DAk.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[Cloudless Nights]

We personally LOVE Pizzafari. Their hot Italian sandwich is to die for!

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

The AK has those yummy chocolate cover bananas (mm) for good snacks .
Have you ever thought to try the Picnic in the Park I know at least one location is Air Conditioned and Im pretty sure there are non wheat options for your child!!! Plus you get a cute bag and such.

 

[daisygirl902]

I had an amazing Chicken Flatbread at Mara!

Plus Jambo is beautiful - I would go there just to wander around a bit!