Tusker House changes?

[InstImpres]

So, what about the rumored Landry's table service place in the Asian area of AK (Ying & Yak)? Does AK really need a TS place AND a character meal, when they've gotten along with Tusker House as a Counter

Personally, I am all for another character meal, especially one at AK. With the dining plan becoming more and more popular it is much harder to get certain dining reservations. Disney needs to open more dining slots (that is why they added Hollywood and Vine and the lunch test at Chef Mickey).

It doesn't sound to me like Ying/Yak is for everyones taste and this leaves an option for people who aren't park hopping and don't want to go to another resort to use their TS.

JMHO

 

[Grandmouse]

If TH does indeed go to a character meal -- any rumors on who the characters might be?

 

[DisMN]

If Disney is reading this one please add my name to the list of unhappy AK visitors. I hope this is all just a rumor.......they already took away the little fried rice shop and now they're gonna turn Tusker House into yet another character dining spot? When will that trend end.....I pray it's soon.
We ate at Tusker 3-4 times every trip. Character dining, they won't get our money at all.

 

[BamaTigger]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Say it aint so!!!
I as well do not do character meals, and I love, LOVE, LOVE TH counter service...breakfast is GREAT! We go there, DH gets big ol cinamon roll and I get the bfast sandwich and we sit outside and listen to the "sweeping" and the "dish washing"...and the creaking of the cabinets...oh its wonderful! Or it was........

NO MORE CHARACTER MEALS!!!!!!!!!!! NOT ALL OF US HAVE CHILDREN AND DONT WANT EVERYTHING CHARACTER-IZED AT MEAL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Here is another vote for keeping TH as is. Just love the veggie sandwich. And, if your timing is right, you can stroll down and enjoy it with an African beer at Dawa Bar .

That being said, what about the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris? Weren't they followed by a buffet with characters at TH? Does anyone know what type of food was served at those buffets? I got the impression that it was not the same fare as say Chef Mickeys or the like. Perhaps the menu would remain similar to the present menu, but in a buffet sort of way. Or, a mini Boma...

Also, what do folks think this will mean for the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris? I got the impression from another thread that these were being opened up to a broader audience--not just AKL CL or a grand gathering in the case of the Sunset Safari. If that is true, I'd say that the change makes sense. I would be a bit disappointed as many in my group were looking forward to the Sunset Safari as a grand gathering experience.

 

[ImprovGal]

That being said, what about the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris? Weren't they followed by a buffet with characters at TH? Does anyone know what type of food was served at those buffets? I got the impression that it was not the same fare as say Chef Mickeys or the like. Perhaps the menu would remain similar to the present menu, but in a buffet sort of way. Or, a mini Boma...

Also, what do folks think this will mean for the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris? I got the impression from another thread that these were being opened up to a broader audience--not just AKL CL or a grand gathering in the case of the Sunset Safari. If that is true, I'd say that the change makes sense. I would be a bit disappointed as many in my group were looking forward to the Sunset Safari as a grand gathering experience.

There seems to be some confusion over which safari is which.
There are at least 5 different ticketed "safari" experiences that I can think of.

1) Sunrise Safari -- open to Animal Kingdom Lodge Concierge guests, costs around $55 adult, on Killimanjaro Safari (regular ride vehicles) at photo op pace before park opening. Includes (delicious!) buffet breakfast (no characters, but I remember musical performance) at Tusker House in the little schoolroom. Included traditional breakfast stuff as well as African dishes unique to this buffet (no Boma overlap). I haven't done one of these in a while so memory is rusty (returning January 28th, though!) but my fave was this simple dish of fried eggs and sliced green tomatoes. Yum!

2) Wildlife Discovery Excursion -- open to anyone staying club level at a WDW resort, costs $45 adult, on Killimanjaro Safari (special ride vehicles, off "track") while attraction is open. Doesn't include any food.

3) Backstage Safari -- open to anyone. behind the scenes tour of Animal Kingdom park.

4) Safari Celebration Dinner -- open to Grand Gathering guests, costs around $60 adult, on Killimanjaro Safari (not 100% sure, but I think regular ride vehicles). Includes dinner (buffet, I think) at Tusker House restaurant following the safari with animal presentation, animal handler q&a, and character visit.

5) Wanyama Safari -- open to Animal Kingdom Lodge concierge guests, costs around $150 adult, tours around Animal Kingdom LODGE savannah areas in a special pop-top vehicle. It's been a little while since I've done this one, but it included a little trail mix and meat jerky snack while out on "safari" and a photo op with a giraffe. After your "safari", a multi-course dinner at Jiko with wine pairings is served. I thought of it as a "best of Jiko" dinner. Everything was stuff off the regular menu and was served family-style for the whole safari party (take some, pass around). I remember the Taste of Africa breads/dips, other "cooking place" appetizers (the tamales, the lentil pastilla...), and I think around 4 of the entrees (I remember the filet w/mac&cheese being there as well as the monkfish). Then I think every dessert on the menu is brought out and again, passed around family style. I'll be able to update the description after I take the tour on January 26th.


Honestly, I can't see it affecting the Sunrise Safari since they use the private "schoolroom" for food service. I would assume the Safari Celebration Dinner takes place in the same room? There was a short period of time when they were test driving a special lunch in that Tusker House school room, so there doesn't seem to be a problem with simultaneous open/ticketed dining.

 

[ZoZo]

What a shame! It's one of my favorite restaurants at WDW. One of the few places you can get such a delicious, reasonably priced, healthy meal (love the rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies). Loved it as an alternative to "regular" fast food.

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

I have never been but since it always had rave reviews I was planning on going there for our next trip. I will say I have 2 little kids and am planning on 3 character meals but even those with little kids would like something different. I will not be doing another character meal. I don't even like the look of that TRex place. Kids are going to be scared of that. It isn't out in the open like a ride or attraction it is in your face while you are eating. SCARY.

I am starting to think it wouldn't be so bad to skip AK all together

 

[Chester's Mum]

Bummer! Had a great stew one time there, couldn't be beat.

 

[ProfJohn]

It would seem to make sense for Disney to place a character breakfast back in that part of the park as way to get guests on the Safari early in the morning.
I had breakfast in Dino land once and the food was awful, not sure if it has gotten better. Perhaps this is a way for them to improve the food service and offer an all day character experience.
I spent 6 years working a character breakfast. They generate HUGE amounts of money, $15 for breakfast? Although the cost of the characters is insanely high as well. (With over time and turnaround pay a character can make 30-40K or more a year. And they only spend half their day actually working the rest is spent on break)

It will be a shame to lose TH though, really good food. Ate at flame tree 2 weeks ago, worst meal I have ever had at Disney. Of all the parks AK has the worst food choices.

 

[Chuck S]

It would seem to make sense for Disney to place a character breakfast back in that part of the park as way to get guests on the Safari early in the morning.
I had breakfast in Dino land once and the food was awful, not sure if it has gotten better. Perhaps this is a way for them to improve the food service and offer an all day character experience.
I spent 6 years working a character breakfast. They generate HUGE amounts of money, $15 for breakfast? Although the cost of the characters is insanely high as well. (With over time and turnaround pay a character can make 30-40K or more a year. And they only spend half their day actually working the rest is spent on break)

It will be a shame to lose TH though, really good food. Ate at flame tree 2 weeks ago, worst meal I have ever had at Disney. Of all the parks AK has the worst food choices.

The early Safaris don't really need a rider ship boost, do they? It always seems to be one of the places people head to first.

 

[hismattjesty]

How sad. Tusker House was probably one of the best counter service establishments on property. Would hate to see it made into another buffet, let alone a character deal.

 

[QueenT]

Too bad, if this happens. Tusker House is the best counter service I have encountered anywhere, not only is the food great, the quantity is enough to share, we split 2 chicken dinners among 4 people. It is actually the only thing we like to eat in AK, not a big pizza fan.

I can see why disney would do this though. $$$$

 

[PixiePop]

Say it's not soooooo We ate there for the first time on our last visit and I just fell in love with the chicken sandwich.

 

[Viki]

Here is another vote for keeping TH as is. Just love the veggie sandwich. And, if your timing is right, you can stroll down and enjoy it with an African beer at Dawa Bar .

.

Exactly!

We were just there last week and after braving the crowds of EE and a soft opening of Nemo we loved opening the bar and after a brew, while watching a couple of shows, we brought back some chicken before cashing in our Safari FPs. Now that's the life!

We would hate to lose this ritual!

 

[ProfJohn]

To answer someones question, no they really don't need a way to boost Safari attendence in the morning.

Tusker House though is one of the biggest quick serve places at AK so it might be the only that makes sense for all day character dinning. I believe that AK is the only park without an all day character experience, although the same could be true for Studios.

I'd hate to see if go too, one of the only decent places to get a good meal at AK.

 

[perdidobay]

Nooooooo....
Tusker House is the best counter service place in WDW!
Thanks for nothing, Disney

 

[ajcolorado]

Tusker House is good and it is the only counter service option with air condition which is very important at a park that is known for being out in the sun all day and too hot to begin with.

Disney seems to fill as many character meals as they offer but I'd really like to see something special for older kids. I'm not sure what that would look like exactly but so much is geared to the younger kids. My older kids love Raglan Road and Boma. They also like O'hanas, even though the activities are really for younger kids.

 

[Camp Rd. Lady]

I agree with peridobay!

 

[Straitlover]

If they want an all day charater meal, all they need to do is make Restaurantasaurus (sp?) character for lunch and dinner. It's gotta work because they already have the breakfast character meal there. They've already got another TS restaurant coming in Asia.