new blog: Is Magic Kingdom's "Skipper Canteen" taking on water?

[hedberg1661]

I really see two issues here.

1. No ADRs. While I love ADRs and would prefer having a reservation over not, I really see this being a minor issue.

2. Menu. I travel with a picky eater and there isn't one thing on this menu he would eat. I am pretty adventurous myself and I found this menu kind of small and lacking something. This is not high on my to do list.

 

[hedberg1661]

I really wanted to love this restaurant but there really isn't anything on the menu I care for. I think it is a little too exotic. Now give me a place that has fried chicken, salad, etc and I am there.

Wish they would "reimagine" Tony's with an entirely new menu. Fried Chicken is a good place to start!

 

[kbelle8995]

I actually think Tony's would be better if the served Good appetizing Italian food. Italian is delicious good food. My last dining at Tony's was just MEH. And a lot of restaurants in WDW seem hit or miss where food and service is concerned.

Too bad they can't get Giada or Mario Batali to redo the menu.

 

[hedberg1661]

I actually think Tony's would be better if the served Good appetizing Italian food. Italian is delicious good food. My last dining at Tony's was just MEH. And a lot of restaurants in WDW seem hit or miss where food and service is concerned.

Too bad they can't get Giada or Mario Batali to redo the menu.

I am game for any type of restaurant in that spot with one condition. Good Food!

In all honesty...MK is missing a true Signature Restaurant or higher dining experience. Seems like a great location for one.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Hopefully the live action Jungle Book will be a huge success and they will make Skipper's a character breakfast/lunch.

 

[hedberg1661]

Hopefully the live action Jungle Book will be a huge success and they will make Skipper's a character breakfast/lunch.

Character brunch. That's a good idea. I would be interested in something like that with some of the Jungle Book characters.

 

[EricInPA]

I'm pretty excited to try Skipper Canteen in May. Just about every menu item looks appealing (though I'll eat basically anything put in front of me). I'm with Pete in hoping the Menu is simply "enhanced" with some broader appeal items (or renaming) rather than gutting out the more interesting items.

So if it stays open and not busy, that sounds great to me.

 

[Redcon1]

I personally think the theme of the restaurant is a bit boring...I believe that it should have been Tiana's in my opinion. With New Orleans inspired food with gumbo and famous donuts she makes (not sure how to spell them) I believe, like Be Our Guest, people want to be in a place where the movies take place. I believe it would have fit perfectly there, and could have even had a character meal or a meet and greet with Tiana, Louis, Naveen and Dr. Facilier could have met guests too.

Again I believe it's a cool restaurant, but they missed the boat by not doing Tianas...

I wonder why POFQ doesn't open an eatery themed to Princess and the Frog. I know they had a sit-down restaurant years ago that closed up, but with the film and popularity of Tiana, plus the fact her dream was having her own restaurant would seem to be a natural fit there. Disney should give the location a second chance.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I wonder why POFQ doesn't open an eatery themed to Princess and the Frog. I know they had a sit-down restaurant years ago that closed up, but with the film and popularity of Tiana, plus the fact her dream was having her own restaurant would seem to be a natural fit there. Disney should give the location a second chance.

Yes, I commented on Bonfamille's Cafe (which was based on a restaurant in the Aristocats) that closed @ POFQ above.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I'm pretty excited to try Skipper Canteen in May. Just about every menu item looks appealing (though I'll eat basically anything put in front of me). I'm with Pete in hoping the Menu is simply "enhanced" with some broader appeal items (or renaming) rather than gutting out the more interesting items.

So if it stays open and not busy, that sounds great to me.

I also don't want them to totally stray from new and interesting things, just bring the price point more in check (in general, but also to encourage people to maybe WANT to try there without feeling you're robbing them blind to maybe try something new!), and also add some more "mainstream items".

 

[disneysteve]

I also don't want them to totally stray from new and interesting things, just bring the price point more in check, and also add some more "mainstream items".

I agree. Have the unique and adventurous stuff but also have stuff to please those with a less-sophisticated palate (and I don't just mean children). Make the place more affordable. And really publicize the heck out of the fact that you don't need to make a reservation 6 months in advance. We were just there 2 weeks ago and walked right past the place, just assuming it would be booked solid. I had no idea that they didn't take reservations. Honestly, we probably wouldn't have gone there anyway because DD would have had 1 item on the menu that she might have eaten and it was $20. I'm not taking a chance on it at that price.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Warning: Off-topic response ahead!

I personally think the theme of the restaurant is a bit boring...I believe that it should have been Tiana's in my opinion. With New Orleans inspired food with gumbo and famous donuts she makes (not sure how to spell them) I believe, like Be Our Guest, people want to be in a place where the movies take place. I believe it would have fit perfectly there, and could have even had a character meal or a meet and greet with Tiana, Louis, Naveen and Dr. Facilier could have met guests too.

Again I believe it's a cool restaurant, but they missed the boat by not doing Tianas...

Looks for a New Orleans theme to be coming to Fultons possible after that goes under refurb in April. Tianas just doesn't fit in adventureland in my opinion. This theme works.

I'm actually kind of surprised Tiana's doesn't exist yet! I mean, her whole purpose was getting back to the city to open a restaurant. And come on, what do you come to New Orleans for? If the food is not in your top 3, then you're probably on a hunger strike.

I think it fits with the Jungle Cruise and the whole swamp/bayou

Not necessarily, in the movie, her restaurant was along the river on the Westbank (if I remember correctly). Not exactly swamp/bayou country. It was a "low rent" part of town, but that's different than the bayou.

There is no New Orleans Square at WDW which would be the best Tiana fit. But Adventureland no. Frontierland and Liberty would be a better fit with the Riverboat.

Adventure land, I think, would be a better fit than Frontierland. But Liberty Square seems to me, the best place in MK for something like her restaurant. Also, it seems to me, a great opportunity for a signature restaurant... just as long as they do it right. They would need a chef FROM New Orleans/SE Louisiana. Please don't mess up our food, and please don't call a chicken & sausage gumbo, made with a roux "creole." That's all I ask!


Now, back to your regularly scheduled thread.

(Back on topic): I'd be keen to try Skipper Canteen, as my family (my wife and I) enjoys adventurous, Asian cuisine. The only way we could eat there as a family though, is if they have sweet & sour chicken for DS6!

 

[EricInPA]

I also don't want them to totally stray from new and interesting things, just bring the price point more in check (in general, but also to encourage people to maybe WANT to try there without feeling you're robbing them blind to maybe try something new!), and also add some more "mainstream items".

I agree with previous posters that a lunch menu with smaller portions/lower prices would be a good idea.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I also don't want them to totally stray from new and interesting things, just bring the price point more in check (in general, but also to encourage people to maybe WANT to try there without feeling you're robbing them blind to maybe try something new!), and also add some more "mainstream items".

Question - do you compare the prices here to a table service or a quick service? Compared to other table service options the prices don't seem too high, but definitely high compared to quick service ... but with the no ADR I am wondering if people are thinking of this in comparison to other quick services

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I agree with previous posters that a lunch menu with smaller portions/lower prices would be a good idea.

That's not a bad idea - or introduce "small plates" or something (like the format at Sanaa or Spice Road) .... people might feel better spending a smaller amount to try a couple things they might like rather than on one big plate that they are fearful they might not like

 

[Angel Ariel]

Question - do you compare the prices here to a table service or a quick service? Compared to other table service options the prices don't seem too high, but definitely high compared to quick service ... but with the no ADR I am wondering if people are thinking of this in comparison to other quick services

If you take a look at Liberty Tree Tavern's lunch menu there are a lot more options under $20..in fact, 6 out of the 8 entrees on the lunch menu are under $20. At Skipper's Canteen, only 3 out of the 9 entree options are less than $20. (source was allears)

I get Skipper's Canteen prices for dinner, and would say they are reasonable for dinner, but I would appreciate an actual lunch menu at some of these TS places that are now doing 1 menu for lunch and dinner instead.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

That's not a bad idea - or introduce "small plates" or something (like the format at Sanaa or Spice Road) .... people might feel better spending a smaller amount to try a couple things they might like rather than on one big plate that they are fearful they might not like

Yes, I also agree this might tempt me to try it. As far as prices you asked about in another post - I feel that food prices in general at WDW are way too high, especially if the food is not good, or just mediocre. Even locally I don't mind paying if I feel I'm getting a "good bang for my buck". Hard to put into words what I feel that is, but I can def. gauge when I feel it AIN'T. And since prices at WDW have gone WAY up since I was there over 3 years ago, and I was ALREADY starting to feel like that, I can say - it AIN'T. And that's part of reason I haven't been in over 3 years, and have no idea when my next visit will be - despite my having bought a 10-day non-expiring park hopper before the prices went up, and the non expiration went away. I just felt/feel with the crowds, the "me, me, me" attitude of those crowds, all the construction, and the prices for food and everything else, I should stay away for awhile, since I was no longer getting the same joy and "this is my happy place" feel that I used to. And that has made me very sad.

 

[lesliekatya]

That's not a bad idea - or introduce "small plates" or something (like the format at Sanaa or Spice Road) .... people might feel better spending a smaller amount to try a couple things they might like rather than on one big plate that they are fearful they might not like

Ooh! I like that idea!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Ok, so combining ideas, maybe have lunch be smaller plates/street food type options (street food being bit in Latin America and Southeast Asia) with lower price points and then dinner can be more substantial and "fancier" (and thus a bit more expensive). Then maybe have ADRs added for dinner only

 

[disneysteve]

Ok, so combining ideas, maybe have lunch be smaller plates/street food type options (street food being bit in Latin America and Southeast Asia) with lower price points and then dinner can be more substantial and "fancier" (and thus a bit more expensive). Then maybe have ADRs added for dinner only

That would be kind of similar to BOG where lunch and dinner are entirely different experiences.