Tusker House breakfast

[thebs19]

This is more of a general "breakfast in the park before it opens" question, but I have a chance to book a Tusker House Safari breakfast for 8:20 on the day we designated for "Animal Kingdom" on our upcoming trip. We have an ADR for Rainforest already that day for lunch (but its a later lunch - 1:30) so it may be a lot of food early in that day. BUT, I have read that getting in to parks early for breakfasts allows you to get your fastpasses before the general public - is that true? Our little guy (son - 3) is SO excited for animals and the safari, but is not one to be patient in line, so getting a good fast pass for that is paramount to that day working out for us.

And then, I guess the question is, even if you can't get the fastpass ahead of time, is it worth it to just be in the park earlier (I can always run out from breakfast right before 9 to get over there first, right?) and is the breakfast itself good? We have an ADR for Chef Mickey's for our first breakfast too (not gonna cancel that) - will we be disappointed going from that on our first day to this one afterwards (especially since we'll likely be paying OOP for Donalds as we've run out of table service meals on our plan)? Thanks all.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

I cannot answer your questions about fastpass etc since we never rush for rope drops or fast passes .. BUT, IMO, Tusker House is one of the best buffets there... The food is actually good.. We've been to Chef Mickey's twice- dinner not breakfast and we will never go back. The food at Chef Mickey's is hardly edible.

 

[drag n' fly]

We are doing this breakfast on our upcoming trip. I am glad to know it is worth it. Our ADR is at 8:05 do we catch a regular AK bus from the resort or is their a early bus just for brekkie?

Funny we have never had a good meal at CM either.The only good part was the ice cream station lol

 

[JDUCKY]

This is more of a general "breakfast in the park before it opens" question, but I have a chance to book a Tusker House Safari breakfast for 8:20 on the day we designated for "Animal Kingdom" on our upcoming trip. We have an ADR for Rainforest already that day for lunch (but its a later lunch - 1:30) so it may be a lot of food early in that day. BUT, I have read that getting in to parks early for breakfasts allows you to get your fastpasses before the general public - is that true? Our little guy (son - 3) is SO excited for animals and the safari, but is not one to be patient in line, so getting a good fast pass for that is paramount to that day working out for us.

And then, I guess the question is, even if you can't get the fastpass ahead of time, is it worth it to just be in the park earlier (I can always run out from breakfast right before 9 to get over there first, right?) and is the breakfast itself good? We have an ADR for Chef Mickey's for our first breakfast too (not gonna cancel that) - will we be disappointed going from that on our first day to this one afterwards (especially since we'll likely be paying OOP for Donalds as we've run out of table service meals on our plan)? Thanks all.

Unless it's a morning EMH, you won't be able to wander the park until the actual opening time. And, since you're on the opposite side of the park from EE and Dinosaur, you'll be behind the bulk of the crowds at first to get the FPs for those.

And, yes, it's worth it to be in the parks early. Pics in front of the Tree of Life with NO ONE else around? Dude! Sweet!

We are doing this breakfast on our upcoming trip. I am glad to know it is worth it. Our ADR is at 8:05 do we catch a regular AK bus from the resort or is their a early bus just for brekkie?

Yes, the buses run well before the park opening.

 

[drmommy]

Love Tusker House!

 

[corky441]

This is more of a general "breakfast in the park before it opens" question, but I have a chance to book a Tusker House Safari breakfast for 8:20 on the day we designated for "Animal Kingdom" on our upcoming trip. We have an ADR for Rainforest already that day for lunch (but its a later lunch - 1:30) so it may be a lot of food early in that day. BUT, I have read that getting in to parks early for breakfasts allows you to get your fastpasses before the general public - is that true? Our little guy (son - 3) is SO excited for animals and the safari, but is not one to be patient in line, so getting a good fast pass for that is paramount to that day working out for us.

And then, I guess the question is, even if you can't get the fastpass ahead of time, is it worth it to just be in the park earlier (I can always run out from breakfast right before 9 to get over there first, right?) and is the breakfast itself good? We have an ADR for Chef Mickey's for our first breakfast too (not gonna cancel that) - will we be disappointed going from that on our first day to this one afterwards (especially since we'll likely be paying OOP for Donalds as we've run out of table service meals on our plan)? Thanks all.

I personally think that doing both of those meals will be an awfuly lot of food within a 5 hour period of time - perhaps dinner at Rain Forest would suit you better.
Fast passes don't begin being distributed until the park officially opens, but the Safari ride is a very short walk from Tusker House - so you could easily get in line for the fast passes right after breakfast and not run the chance of them being gone.
As far as Chef Mickey's - I prefer Tusker House any day - you will nor be disappointed at all. It is a really great meal and the character interaction is wonderful.
Also, when you first get in line at Tusker House they will have you get your picture taken with Donald outside the restaurant - this picture will cost you big $ - they come around to the tables to sell you the picture package and you have only one option - take the package or nothing. You can not just buy one pic. BUT - they will take a picture using your camera too if you ask

 

[llaxton]

I thought it was one of the best character breakfasts we did - will do again!

 

[Tinkerbell3014]

We did the Tusker House for breakfast with an early (8:05) reservation. I don't know if you can get fastpasses early, I don't think so, but when we finished breakfast we just walked right on to the Safari. The kids got to see a lot of the animals and there was no waiting. I'd have to say that the breakfast is one of the best! Enjoy!

 

[angel26]

The food at tusker house was really good and the character's were really good we'll be back there this year.

 

[JasonDVC]

We'll be trying it for the first time in April. Can't wait!

 

[thebs19]

OK I may have misinterpreted the Fast Pass thing - but getting in good position for the Safari is still a definite plus.

I think I'll keep it for now and make a final determination later on. If anything, maybe I'll cancel the RFC lunch reservation and look to do either that or TRex for dinner at DTD that night (our plan was to go there later as I think thats gonna be a longggg day at the AK and we probably wont last longer than early afternoon anyway). Hmm, we'll see.

 

[Chevyscool]

OK I may have misinterpreted the Fast Pass thing - but getting in good position for the Safari is still a definite plus.

I think I'll keep it for now and make a final determination later on. If anything, maybe I'll cancel the RFC lunch reservation and look to do either that or TRex for dinner at DTD that night (our plan was to go there later as I think thats gonna be a longggg day at the AK and we probably wont last longer than early afternoon anyway). Hmm, we'll see.

Definitely KEEP the early ADR for Tusker House...one of the best character breakfasts on property! They have a similar "P-O-G" juice,(Pinapple/Orange/Guava), as 'Ohana, Kona and Boma. TH also has a ham carving station, unique items not found on other buffets and the breads, like orange, pinapple and chocolate are awesome (and now made right there from what a CM told me). We've gone every year (even when it was at Restaurantosaurus) and always look forward to it, especially if it's a pre-park opening ADR. Like others have said, getting pics with no one around is priceless, plus you're usually one of the firsts on Kilimanjaro Safari!

 

[cassie58]

I agree w/PPs-great brft., and perfect next to the safari. We were not done by 9:00, so DH ran over to get FP for it, so we could walk on when we finished. Besides, the earlier you're in the park the better, as crowds are usually lower the 1st couple hours.

cassie58
11/08-ASMo & Tinmeshare
8/09-CSR

 

[DisneyZane]

I'd definitely lose Rainforest before Tusker House, but yeah it won't do you any good towards getting a FastPass.

EDIT: Also, relevant link:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2009/03/30/tusker-house-breakfast-orduck-a-lharambe/

 

[suedaisy]

Tusker House is great. (My favorite breakfast in Disney). It is a nice (not short, though- so give yourself a few minutes) walk from the park entrance to the restaurant. You are able to get some great pics as the only other people in the park are other breakfast guests.

Once you have finished, you can wait outside of the restaurant. You will see the safari entrance in front of you.

Head straight for the Safari entrance. You will be one of the first people on the ride (unless there are extra hours that morning). Eventually there will be a big crowd coming behind you. If you have the 3 year old in a stroller, he/she (can't remember) can stay in the stroller and go through the gates to the safari ride.- frankly that might be a good idea as there will be a crowd coming.. There is a stroller drop off area about half way through the "line."

Ride the safari. Pick up your stroller. If that is what you would like to use your fastpass for, then pick up another one for later that day. From here our family (we have a 3 year old in a large group of adults) swings by Everest. The adults who are interested ride, the others walk on. We all meet at Nemo. Then we go to the Boneyard. After that we do the fun kid Dino rides, then we end with the Lion King... Not that you have to do what we do, but when I went to Tusker, these are things I would have like to have known...

Have a great time!

 

[DaniB]

Also, when you first get in line at Tusker House they will have you get your picture taken with Donald outside the restaurant - this picture will cost you big $ - they come around to the tables to sell you the picture package and you have only one option - take the package or nothing. You can not just buy one pic. BUT - they will take a picture using your camera too if you ask

Hmm... what does the photo package cost and consist of - does anyone know?

 

[drmommy]

I think it was about $30 and it has 1- 5x7 and about 3 or 4 3x5's. It also has a 5x7 picture of Mickey, Goofy, Donald and daisy in front of the tree of life. It was a great picture of our family, so yeah, we got suckered into it. No regrets, though!

 

[DaniB]

Our family also wants to plan a character breakfast at Tusker's the day we plan on going to AKL.

Does anyone know what time the Disney Buses start up service? I'm trying to figure out what time we would have to catch a bus to get to Tusker's on time.

Say our reservations are at 8:05/8:15 and we arrive at the park entrance half an hour early. Are we still allowed in then so we do not have to "rush/run" to Tusker's on time? And be able to take a few photos without the crowd as someone else suggested?

Our plans are to hit Kilimanjaro Safari and Pangani Forest Exploration Trail right after breakfast. Then grab fastpasses for Kali River Rapids for later.

I'm not sure whether to head to Minnie-Mickey for the autographs next, or finish Asia (just Maharajah Jungle Trek and Flights of Wonder), then Dinoland, and then Minnie-Mickey. How have other people's experience been for Minnie-Mickey?

We are NOT going to do Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, or Primeval Whirl.

Hopefully lineups for the other attractions will not be too busy.

 

[DaniB]

I think it was about $30 and it has 1- 5x7 and about 3 or 4 3x5's. It also has a 5x7 picture of Mickey, Goofy, Donald and daisy in front of the tree of life. It was a great picture of our family, so yeah, we got suckered into it. No regrets, though!

Thanks! The ducks have always been my favorite characters. Especially Donald and Uncle Scrooge.

 

[JDUCKY]

Hmm... what does the photo package cost and consist of - does anyone know?

We went this past Sun. I believe it was $31.20 (or $31.60) with tax.

Had a 5x7 of all of us with Donald and one of just the characters and there were four 4x6s, as well. We ended up not getting it.