Tusker House or Kona Cafe before touring AK?

[ehlander]

Doing some research and read you should eat a really hearty breakfast before touring AK. So would folks recommend Tusker House since it is already at the AK? There are still 8am ADRs available. Or should we eat at Kona Cafe as we are staying at the Poly? I got a 7:30am ADR (which of course I can switch). I know one is a character meal/buffet, but wanted input on food quality and if it is better to be at the Park already like for MK? Thanks!

 

[shortnsassy730]

I really really really love Tusker House. It is by far my favorite character meal. We actually do lunch at like 11 more often than we do breakfast. We hit the safari first (the animals are usually the most active since its the cooler part of the day) and a couple of the trails and then head over for lunch. But the breakfast is wonderful. I do like Kona's breakfast, but I feel it caters more to the sweet tooth with their selections and I'm not a sweets gal. My ultimate favorite is Boma at AKL for breakfast and then bus over to the park.

 

[starousse]

Tusker House. We really enjoyed that breakfast and it's right there. Honestly and sadly, we've been disappointed in our last two breakfasts at Kona.

 

[ehlander]

Ok...not to make it more complicated but would O'hana make more sense since we are right there already? Is it about the same experience as Tusker House (I know some of the characters are different, but Mickey is at both). What happened with Kona cafe? Seems like it got decent reviews.

 

[awalker1015]

Different experiences for sure. I would definitely do Tusker House pre park opening. Great food and good character interaction. Kona is great but I would definitely do TH on an AK day.

 

[Mainemama]

Don't plan on rope drop if you eat at Poly. All 3 restaurants are great. Ohana and Tusker House are not similar. The characters are different, one is a buffet, one is family style. I am going to be contrary and say you do not need a hearty breakfast before touring. Our preference is to get a bus early, nibbling on cereal or a granola bar and hitting rides and safari first. A late breakfast or even better...early lunch. We stay at the Poly and just prefer the first thing in the morning feel to the park. If the meal is the priority, pick the one that appeals to you the most.