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A Taste of Adventure: Skipper Canteen Dining Experience Review

Introduction

Magic Kingdom—despite being the most popular park among the four Walt Disney World theme parks—surprisingly lacks in the food department. Think about your must-do restaurants when planning your Disney trip: I’m guessing Magic Kingdom eateries aren’t top of the list. But there is one option that stand outs to me, for its food as well as its theming, and that is Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. This review will discuss the Jungle Cruise-inspired theming, food, and my thoughts on this unique dining experience.

The History of Skipper Canteen

Skipper Canteen is unique in that it has a backstory linked to both the land where it sits (Adventureland) and an attraction, the Jungle Cruise. The Jungle Cruise in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World opened in 1971 as an E-ticket attraction with slight differences from the original Disneyland version that opened in 1955. (I can take a deeper dive into the ride specifics and differences between the Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions in another post.)

Back to backstory : The Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd., the company that operates the Jungle Cruise river boats, was started by Dr. Albert Falls on April 8, 1911. Dr. Falls’ granddaughter, Alberta Falls, was sent to live with her grandfather when she was eight years old. After a period of financial decline for the company’s shipping ventures, Alberta transitioned to providing river boat cruises for tourists, and eventually, reformatted the company’s headquarters into the Skipper Canteen restaurant to feed the passengers. (I pulled much of this history from Jim Korkis, a noted Disney historian, who thankfully preserved and documented this information for us budding Disney historians.)

In terms of park logistics, Skipper Canteen sandwiched between Sunshine Tree terrace and the Swiss Family Treehouse in Adventureland. Skipper Canteen inhabits a building that formerly housed Adventureland Veranda , a tropically themed fast food restaurant that closed in 1994. The building was sometimes use for special events and character meet and greets before Skipper Canteen debuted in December 2015. For parents: stroller parking is located directly across from the entrance to Skipper Canteen.

Theming and Layout

Skipper Canteen is comprised of three dining rooms—the Crew’s Mess Hall, the Jungle Room, and a third room, partially hidden behind a bookcase, that was a secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A). The S.E.A. Is a fictional organization that is linked through attractions around the Disney parks across the globe (Again, that subject will be covered in another post.) For now, just know that Dr. Albert Falls was a founding member of the S.E.A., hence its connection to Skipper Canteen.

The Crew’s Mess Hall is the main area, and the largest of the bunch. High ceilings, large fans—especially welcome on sunny Florida days—and ornate glass windows combine for highly-themed home for explorers. Curious decor dot walls; be on the lookout for photos, documents, and other clues form the skipper’s travels. The Jungle Room is smaller, but no less interesting, as it served as the Falls’ family parlor. The final room, where the S.E.A. Previously met, contains antiques and curios offering clues about the organization.

Skipper Canteen Menu

Touting “World Famous Jungle Cuisine,” the menu offers food inspired by Asia, South America, and Africa. As of this writing, the prices range between $15 and $34.99 per adult, which is pretty low relative to other table-restaurants. Popular choice include Dr. Falls Signature Grilled Steak, Orinoco Ida’s Cachapas, and the “Tastes LIke Chicken” Because it is!

My favorite? The “Tastes Like Chicken” Because it is! Fried chicken, rice and slaw with a delicious glaze provides enough flavor without overdoing it. Perfect (to me) for a park day where I will likely also consume coffee, a churro, popcorn, and of course, DOLE Whip.

The Experience: Prepare for the Quirk

Skipper Canteen is unique in that the same Skippers from the Jungle Cruise staff Skipper Canteen; and they bring their trademark humor and wit to the table—literally. With the right Skipper, the meal becomes a jocular experience that, along with the theming and tie-ins to the Jungle Cruise, results in ann immersive experience that is unique to Walt Disney World.

However, as much as I love Skipper Canteen, I would be remiss if I didn’t share a personal anecdote. Of all the places I’ve dined at Disney World, the hosts at Skipper Canteen have been the most intense in terms of enforcement. During one visit I neglected to put my toddler on the reservation; I made the reservation in a rush and figured since she was in a high chair, she wouldn’t count as a regular seat. The host, upon seeing us approach the podium—two adults and one toddler in my pregnant wife’s arms—reacted negatively, informed us that we did not accurately indicate our party head count, told us to make sure we do it right in the future, and then asked us to return to the waiting area for further instruction. After I notable delay, we were finally called back to a very empty restaurant to eat.

As a Disney fan, believe it or not, I don’t expect *magic* with every encounter or experience when at the theme parks. I’ve worked in fast food and retail: I get that Cast Members are simply employees in busy environments with lots of expectations on their shoulders. However, it was probably the first instance with a Cast Member where I feel that they could have handled it better. I shrugged it off as no big deal, however, as I was happy just to be at Disney World—and technically I was wrong. Just thought I would share a personal story if only to let you know that the policies for making reservations (and cancellations) may differ based on the Cast Member who happens to be enforcing them on that day.

The Verdict

Skipper Canteen is a delicious option for the Disney nerds who are looking for good food in a lively atmosphere. The menu is unique enough while offering familiar options for the family crowds—a delicate balance that Disney handles well. The Skippers bring the heat and offer laughs, which is a fun change relative to the character and princess themed character dining found at the Magic Kingdom. That it provides a connection to the Jungle Cruise and nods to the S.E.A. only adds to the magic.

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• Magic Kingdom / Walt Disney World

MickeyBlog Restaurant Review: Skipper Canteen

by David Mumpower · July 4, 2022

Some Disney restaurants take theming more seriously than others. Sure, you could eat at a place like Pinocchio’s Village Haus and enjoy a pleasant experience.

Sometimes, you want to maintain the illusion at Walt Disney World throughout your meal, though. In such cases, you need to visit a more immersive place.

Photo: Disney

At Magic Kingdom, one place redefines immersive theming, possibly even to its own detriment.

Here’s a restaurant review of Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, THE place to eat for Jungle Cruise fanatics…and possibly nobody else.

About Skipper Canteen

Some Disney fans take Jungle Cruise way too seriously. I’m one of them and not the least bit ashamed of it.

For people like me, the Jungle Cruise Skipper script is sacrosanct. We know many of the best jokes and can recite them along with the cast members.

For us, the idea of a restaurant that extends the Jungle Cruise experience is a dream come true. And that’s what Skipper Canteen is.

Your server pretends like they’re an extension of the Jungle Cruise attraction. You’re eating at a meeting area for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (SEA).

Photo credit: www.mousesteps.com

In addition, Doctor Albert Falls has also built a mess hall for the commoners. Finally, a third area works as his private Jungle Room, where he keeps many of his trinkets.

You may sit in any of these three areas. However, as a SEA fan, I’d recommend that you ask for a table here if possible.

Cast members will happily encourage you to roam around the place to appreciate all the antiquities on display. It’s like Disney has expanded the Jungle Cruise line queue by an entire building.

Of course, the best part of the meal here comes down to the staff. So when you check-in, you can (and should) let the server know whether you want the whole experience.

If you say yes, your cast member will go all-in on the premise that they’re an incompetent Cruise Skipper and woeful server.

You’ll hear new, terrible puns about food and locales akin to those you’d expect on Jungle Cruise.

For fans of the attraction, it’s a glorious hour of additional entertainment. Our server was outstanding, which is essential.

I have had the occasional cast member who was over it and didn’t want to play. So, I felt blessed this time.

(Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

The Dining Experiences

Here’s what the other shoe drops on Skipper Canteen. The cuisine here isn’t for everyone.

I’m not joking when I say that Disney altered the menu multiple times per year during its early days.

That happened because the food here would seem more fitting for the World Showcase at EPCOT. It’s chock-full of international flavors that aren’t for everyone.

Disney has added some dishes like “Tastes like Chicken” Because it is! and Irrawaddy Irma’s Hanger Steak to appeal to more basic palates (like mine).

Still, you’ll find curry, falafel, Cachapas, and Siu pork dishes on the menu. So, this restaurant caters to two sets of customers.

The first is Jungle Cruise superfans, while the other group is foodies. Skipper Canteen will feel like the mothership calling you home if you have an adventurous palate.

If you’re someone dining at Magic Kingdom and just looking for a quick meal, this is NOT the place.

Our lunch took 90 minutes, and I was mostly asleep by the end. It felt like forever, and I grew frustrated by the frequent delays.

Photo: junglecruise.fandom.com

Entrees and Desserts

We skipped appetizers this time, primarily because none of the current ones appealed to our party.

So, I had the hangar steak while my wife ordered the Curried Vegetable Crew Stew, which is a pineapple tofu dish. It’s vegan if you substitute plain rice for pineapple, but it’s vegetarian either way.

I also substituted the onion side for mashed potatoes, which aren’t technically on the menu.

I’m allergic to onions, and virtually all Disney restaurants can serve potatoes if asked.

As for the dishes, the Crew Stew has developed iconic status among tofu fans, and you’ll even find the recipe online. It packs a wallop of flavor.

Photo: Disney Tourist Blog

As for the steak, it was…fine. However, I wish I had gotten the chicken instead, as my steak was kinda chewy in pieces.

When I’ve had the chicken here, it’s been spectacular. So, there’s that. But this one’s mostly on me for choosing the wrong thing.

Also, I should mention that the delicious Crew Stew only costs $19, which is terrific for something this tasty.

We also ordered two desserts, which cost nearly the same as the Crew Stew. Our choices were the Kungaloosh! (a must!) and Panna-Connie’s Congo Lime Delight.

Disney fans know the significance of Kungaloosh as a term, which means that the restaurant HAS to get this dish right. Thankfully, it does.

We’re talking about a chocolate cake with four distinctly different flavors. You’ll also find caramelized bananas, Cashew-Caramel Ice Cream, and coffee dust that somehow stands out.

Photo: Themeparksforgrownups.com

I don’t even like coffee, yet I’m in love with how it pairs with the ice cream. Kungaloosh! is one of the best desserts at Disney.

As for the panna cotta, it’s remarkably fruity, which isn’t my favorite for a dessert. My wife ate every last drop on her plate, though. I thought she might lick it, too.

Photo: Vegan Disney

Final Thoughts

Honestly, we have a weird divide in our family. For example, I don’t eat here for the food but rather for the experience, and my wife is the same way.

However, some members of my family love spices, and this place borders on holy ground for them.

They weren’t with us this time, which is why this isn’t a glowing review. However, it’s also the crux of the debate about Skipper Canteen.

This restaurant serves pricey food. But, is the experience good enough to justify that expense when you’re not in love with the food?

I never think about it when I’m using the Disney Dining Plan. That wasn’t available during this visit, though.

Instead, we spent almost exactly $100 on this meal, which is A LOT for a relatively ordinary pair of entrees with some admittedly fantastic dessert.

The thing about restaurants is that they’re kinda like the baseball slogan: Momentum is tomorrow night’s pitcher.

With Disney meals, how you perceive the place comes down to the most recent dining experience.

Historically, I’m first in line to champion Skipper Canteen, but this meal didn’t justify the cost.

I looooved our server, though. It’s always so much better when the cast member really gets into the themed experience.

For that reason alone, I’ll still always recommend Skipper Canteen to Jungle Cruise fans.

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Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

Casual Dining

• Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen Lunch
• Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen Dinner

Mess Hall Fried Rice

Jungle green salad, falls family falafel, lost and found soup, orinoco ida's cachapas, dr. falls signature grilled steak*, "tastes like chicken" because it is, curried vegetable crew stew, "hardy har char" siu pork, sustainable fish*, baa baa lamb chops*, nile nellie's noodle bowl, coconut bar with pineapple-basil compote and vanilla cream, panna-connie's congo lime delight, kungaloosh, mango float, kids' appetizers (à la carte), safari snack, serengeti salad, kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), congo connie's coconut-curry concoction, sizzling savanna grilled steak, junior skip's macaroni & cheese, chef tandaji's crispy chicken, kids' create-your-own selections (choose two), steamed broccoli, seasonal vegetables, marble potatoes, jade rice blend, seasonal fruit, chocolate-covered banana pieces, volcano cake, non-alcoholic beverages, fountain sodas, enchanted orange dream, freshly brewed joffrey's coffee™, espresso, cappuccino, and latte, medley of mint, golden caramel rooibos, pure sencha green tea, london strand earl grey, golden tipped english breakfast, exotic mango and ginger green tea, specialty cocktails, sunset margarita, jungle bird, house-made skipper sangria, jungle navigation co. shandy, kungaloosh spiced excursion ale - florida (16-oz draft), blue moon belgian white ale - colorado (16-oz draft), michelob ultra lager - st. louis (16-oz draft), stella artois pale lager, belgium, tampa bay brewing old elephant ipa - florida, star lager, nigeria, iron horse fairy tale celebration cuvée brut, sonoma, graham beck brut rose, south africa, dr. loosen 'dr. l' rielsing, mosel, veramonte sauvignon blanc, chile, montes alpha chardonnay, chile, king estate pinot noir, willamette valley, zolo signature red blend, argentina, spice route chakalaka, south africa, raats original chenin blanc, south africa, stark-conde cabernet sauvignon, south africa, don miguel gascón malbec, argentina, allergy-friendly appetizers, guests must speak to a cast member about their allergy-friendly request, allergy-friendly entrées, allergy-friendly desserts, allergy-friendly kids' appetizers (à la carte), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own selections (choose two).

About our allergy-friendly menu items: Guests may consult with a chef or special diets trained Cast Member before placing an order. We use reasonable efforts in our sourcing, preparation and handling procedures to avoid the introduction of the named allergens into allergy-friendly menu choices. While we take steps to prevent cross-contact, we do not have separate allergy-friendly kitchens and are unable to guarantee that a menu item is completely free of allergens. Allergy-friendly offerings are reliant on supplier ingredient labels. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the contents of each food item. Allergen advisory statements (e.g., "may contain") are not regulated and therefore not taken into consideration when developing allergy-friendly meals. It is ultimately our Guests' discretion to make an informed choice based upon their individual dietary needs.

Menu items and prices are subject to change without notice.

* Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Our plant-based menu items are made without animal meat, dairy, eggs and honey.

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Disney Dining Details: Skipper Canteen Secret Passageway Bookshelves

By AJ 5 Comments

Do you harbor a secret dream to become a member of the S.E.A. (Society of Explorers and Adventurers) ?

If so, then maybe you’d like to do a little exploring with me today as we step back inside the Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, the still-new restaurant based on the Jungle Cruise attraction.

We’ve already taken a full tour of of the Canteen , including its three dining rooms: the Crew Mess Hall, the Falls Family Parlor, and a once-hidden meeting room for the S.E.A. But now it’s time to check out a few more of those Disney details! And with many thanks to my friend Daniel Wanderman who recently dined there, we’ve got some more to share…

In order to enter the S.E.A. Room coming from the Mess Hall, you must pass through a hallway.

Bookcases lining the hallway from the Mess Hall

As you pass, you’ll notice the hallway is lined with bookcases.

Hallway Bookcases

These shelves previously disguised the room entrance back in its hidden days, and this is where we’re zooming in to check out some of the books on the shelves.

Because pretty much every book  in the photos below has some sort of joke or nod to a Disney Legend or Imagineer, I won’t point out everything. Plus, part of the fun will be exploring them on your own (and if you’d like to do that from the comfort of your own home, just click any of the images below to enlarge)!

But we’ll start by noting that the punny humor of the Jungle Cruise attraction is in full force with a few of the books. The Illustrated Guide to Radio Broadcasting  was composed by the Skipper behind the Voice of the Jungle you hear in the Jungle Cruise queue, Albert AWOL . Also on the shelf is  Boat Evacuation Procedures by Cap. Size .

Jungle Skipper Canteen Bookshelves

I believe the author of Tiki, Tiki, Tikis of the South Pacific is a nod to Disney Legend and score composer, Buddy Baker. This isn’t the only tribute to Baker in the Magic Kingdom, as you’ll also spot his name on a Main Street U.S.A. window above Harmony Barber Shop.

Again, in this next batch we’re looking at the authors, and among them, J. Lasseter (John Lasseter who is, of course, the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Studios) is listed as the author of  Great Characters of World Literature , while Sklar (in tribute to Disney Legend Marty Sklar) is the author of  Meeting Royalty .

And who can forget the classic tome FUZNEWI PDMWH CHF JD U 😉 ? It was written by none other than… Albert the Monkey! This isn’t the last we’ll see of Albert, by the way…

A few acknowledgments of the Skipper Canteen’s Adventureland neighbors populate the next group of books; for instance,  Native Orange Birds of the Southeastern United States reminds us of the Orange Bird from Sunshine Tree Terrace . It’s written by Dr. Sid Truss. (I had to say that one out loud to get the joke. How about you?)

Crooning Flowers isn’t only a tribute to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room attraction, but you’ll also spy Sherman and Sherman as the authors (the brothers behind the signature song “Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” and many other classic Disney songs too numerous to mention, but including “it’s a small world (after all)”. Speaking of Tikis, Prof. Boag — referencing the great Wally Boag, who voiced Jose in the Tiki Room among many other critical points in his storied career — penned the classic Songs of the Tiki Bird . And Bathing with Elephants and The Congo Queen serve as reminder of the inspiration behind the Jungle Skipper Canteen, the Jungle Cruise ride itself.

Check out the angle of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. This book is on the moveable bookshelf, the one that would allow entrance into the room. We can only assume that this is the book that members of the S.E.A. would pull to open the wall!

The books aren’t the only details in the mix, though. The society crest can be found on hats belonging to members like Dr. Alberts Falls (the man behind the name of Schweitzer FALLS from the Jungle Cruise and founder of the Jungle Navigation Co. ). Next to his hat, you’ll spot one for Albert the Monkey (primate AND famous author ;).

Society Member Caps

Henry Mystic has one as well, and anyone who has had the good fortune to visit Hong Hong Disneyland will recognize both Henry Mystic and Albert the Monkey from the Mystic Manor attraction in Hong Kong Disneyland.

Society Member Cap

And that brings us to the end of our tour for now. But do you know what the best thing about all this is? It may well be that we’ve barely scratched the surface of all the Disney Dining Details in the Jungle Skipper Canteen!

Did you spot anything else in the pictures above or during your own visit to the Skipper Canteen? Please let us know about your discoveries with a comment below!

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January 29, 2016 at 5:45 am

It’s awesome that the books with POTC references have authors by imagineers that actually worked on the attraction(Claude Coats and Blaine Gibson.) After this post I really can’t wait to eat here.

January 29, 2016 at 9:48 pm

Our amazing waitress, Emma, realized we were huge Disney nerds and basically gave us a tour of the books! The restaurant was empty and we spent 10 minutes reading the titles and authors and cracking each other up! Even she kept finding new ones she hadn’t seen before and she swears they add new ones!

February 1, 2016 at 10:39 am

If you stand there looking around long enough, cast members may even come joke around with you. When I was there in December one came up and asked, “Have you seen the Jungle Book? It’s in 3D!” as she pointed it out on the shelf.

February 22, 2021 at 6:59 pm

We just watched your vlog which showed the books at Skippers canteen. Is the spelling error in the book title ‘Boat Evacution Procedures’ intentional? Surely it should be ‘evacuation’?!

March 30, 2024 at 2:00 pm

“Fleas Navidad and Other Winter Insects” – Hart That’s me!! What an honor to be included in such a fun way.

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SATURDAY SIX: 6 Secrets of Disney’s SKIPPER CANTEEN Restaurant

This week’s  SATURDAY SIX  takes a look at  Six Secrets of Disney’s Skipper Canteen!  Regular readers of the SATURDAY SIX know just how much we love all the little details hidden throughout Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort. These theme park “Easter Eggs”  are a great touch for longtime guests, whether it’s a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Nautilus in the queue for the Little Mermaid ride, Back to the Future’s Doc Brown in The Simpson’s Ride, or even references to the former Seashore Sweets bakery in BoardWalk’s AbracadaBa r .  This week we are going to look at six of our favorite references in the Magic Kingdom’s Skipper Canteen , and let’s kickoff the countdown with…

# 6 – Jungle Cruise Imagineers

It’s no shock that Skipper Canteen (full name Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd Skipper Canteen ) has a lot of nods to the Jungle Cruise attraction, but one of the best references is the faux upstairs offices for Skipper Marc , Skipper Bill , and Skipper Harper . “Marc” refers to Marc Davis, one of the most well known Imagineers in Disney history. While Marc was  involved in creation of the Jungle Cruise , he is also known for his design work on other beloved attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and the Country Bear Jamboree.

Another door honors Morgan “Bill” Evans. The plant studies  designation underneath his name refers to how instrumental Bill was in developing the horticulture of the Jungle Cruise . In fact, Bill Evans and Disney landscaping includes the creation of Disneyland itself. When Walt Disney needed to convert acres of orange groves in Anaheim into a theme park environment, he called the team who had just landscaped the grounds of his personal home. Those men were Bill Evans and his brother Jack.

“Walt told me we were all out of loot and that the time had come to put Latin names on the weeds.” – Bill Evans

The last door references Harper Goff, who – like Marc Davis – was an artist who had worked with Walt Disney in the film world before the parks. Harper was behind many of the amazing effects in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea , was the set director for a little film called Casablanca , and you just may remember his incredible art direction in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (the good one, not the Johnny Depp remake.) Harper worked with Walt Disney on the Jungle Cruise attraction and has been credited for suggesting to Walt that the ride experience should be like the movie The African Queen .

# 5 – Albert Falls

The backstory of Skipper Canteen is that it is owned and operated by Alberta Falls, granddaughter of Dr. Albert Falls. In storyline, Dr. Falls established the Jungle Navigation Company (the company behind the Jungle Cruise.)  One of the best (worst?) jokes of the Jungle Cruise is when you approach the famous Schweitzer Falls, which is revealed to be named after Dr. Falls instead of Dr. Schweitzer, a physician whose work includes setting up hospitals in Africa. With business on the Jungle Cruise doing so well, Alberta opened up the restaurant in order to serve hungry travelers.

Inside the Skipper Canteen there are several references to both Albert and Alberta Falls, including paintings of each. There is a bookcase that leads to the Society of Explorers and Adventures dining room, and one of those books is by Albert Falls.

# 4 –  Cambodian Temple

There is a ton of great artwork lining the walls of Skipper Canteen, but one of our favorite paintings contains several elements of the Jungle Cruise ride. In the forefront of the painting is large snake wrapped around a tree branch, which is just one of the many exotic animals you encounter along your cruise. In the background you see an actual Jungle Cruise boat making its way out of a Cambodian Temple. One of my favorite parts of every trip on the Jungle Cruise is going through this mystical – and creepy – temple. Not only does it have a unique atmosphere compared to the rest of the attraction, it is also the only part of the ride where the skippers aren’t spieling, which also makes it stand out.

# 3 – Adventureland Neighbors: The Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Orange Bird

We mentioned the bookcase earlier, and just about every book – whether the title or the author – is specifically related to something you can connect to in the Disney Universe.  Some of our favorites include the books which refer to other things in Adventureland, including the Enchanted Tiki Room and Pirates of the Caribbean, along with the little Orange Bird at Sunshine Tree Terrace. Books include Songs Of The Tiki Bird by Prof Boag (Boag is referencing Wally Boag, a Disney Legend who voices Jose in the Enchanted Tiki Room,) Native Orange Birds Of the Southeastern United States , Pirates of the Caribbean by Coats (Claude Coats was an Imagineer who worked on the Pirates attraction), and Profiles of Legendary Pirates of the Caribbean by Gibson (Blaine Gibson was a Disney sculptor who worked on attractions such as Pirates, Haunted Mansion and Tiki Birds.)

# 2 – The Backside of Water

Maybe the most groan-worthy moment of the Jungle Cruise is when we all pass by the “backside of water.” Of course I mean that in the most respectful way possible as it is a signature moment in the ride, and if it were taken out guests might riot. Inside the Skipper Canteen you’ll find a barrel containing some “backside of water” to be shipped!

# 1 – The Society of Explorers and Adventurers. (S.E.A.)

For hardcore Disney fans, the world building of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) is getting fun. Members of this group include Harrison Hightower III (of Tokyo Disneyland’s Tower of Terror), Mary Oceaneer (of the recently opened Miss Fortune Falls  at Typhoon Lagoon), and Lord Henry Mystic (of Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland). We mentioned earlier that Albert Falls was also a S.E.A. member, and the group has a storyline tie-in to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as well. It all stems from the beloved Adventurer’s Club at the former Pleasure Island, but it seems as if more and more references of the group are being added to the Disney parks. Who knows, maybe we’ll even get a dedicated S.E.A comic book in the future from Marvel’s Disney Kingdoms line (we’ve already had one based on Big Thunder , Haunted Mansion and the Enchanted Tiki Room .)

The Skipper Canteen contains several references to the S.E.A. including an entire dining room dedicated to the group. There are S.E.A. fez hats that belong to several members, and there are books in the bookcase references S.E.A. projects (such as Treasures From The Manor by Henry Mystic .)

HONORABLE MENTION – Jingle Cruise

One of the most recent changes to the Jungle Cruise has been the whimsical Jingle Cruise overlay during the Christmas season. Inside Skipper Canteen you’ll several some Jingle Cruise props sitting on some shelves, along with a Jingle Cruise advertisement on the bulletin board. Like the bookcase, the bulletin board is filled with a ton of references and tributes and is worth going out of your way to check out if you are a fan of Disney history.

So there you have it:  Six Secrets of Disney’s SKIPPER CANTEEN!  See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out  The Magic, The Memories, and Merch!  articles (which we just celebrated our THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY), or, for your listening pleasure, check out the  E-Ticket Report  podcast. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter ( @derekburgan )

If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following:

The Six Best Kept SECRETS at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT

FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL: Celebrating Dads at Walt Disney World and Universal

The Six Best Souvenir Cups at Walt Disney World

Six Of Our Favorite Shows That Went to Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Locations Used in Hulk Hogan’s THUNDER IN PARADISE!

Special Thanks  to crack staff photographer  Brandon Glover , the bad boy of Rhode Island’s Most Dangerous Man Ryan Kennedy , the newest member of Team SATURDAY SIX Michael Carelli , the sommelier of Tony’s Town Square Brian Carey, and  blogger to the stars   Megan Stump  for their invaluable assistance with this article. Be sure to also check out Brandon on  The Park Blogger podcast  with co-host Aengus Mackenzie and fellow Potterheads may enjoy Meg’s work on the  Central Florida Slug Club .

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11 thoughts on “ SATURDAY SIX: 6 Secrets of Disney’s SKIPPER CANTEEN Restaurant ”

No reference to “Skipper Dan” from the Weird Al song?

Could the Country of Rivers be a nod to my beloved and forever missed River Country? I couldn’t make out the author for it to see if it may have yielded another clue.

Yes, it is. I read the author as Grayman. Google then found this http://www.mouseonthemind.com/read-between-the-spines-part-ii/

I’m not sure at all where it came from,but I’ve person always interpreted it to mean it’s the “back”of the falls instead of the front and yes that would include a slang interpretation of it being your backside. I think it’s more the fact that it’s just plain dumb that gets people to groan/laugh

That was supposed to be personally interpreted,not personal auto correct ggrr

I know everyone groans at the joke about the backside of water but I just don’t get what’s funny. I am not sure if it’s an American joke and being from the UK it doesn’t translate – in the UK your backside is your bottom so I always assume it’s a play on those words but I could be wrong. I get (and groan) at all the other jokes on the Jungle Cruise – it’s just that one!

One of the Jungle Cruise Skippers, who had previously worked at Disneyland London, told me that in the UK, they do, in fact, refer to the “bumside of the water”.

I think our previous reply from Chris is confused with the Skippers on the Nautilus Submarine where you are actually looking up to “the bumside (bottom side, not back side) of water”.

Actually, you are both right! When Disneyland London was closed to make way for Disneyland Paris on April 1, 1992, many Jungle Cruise Skippers were moved to “The Mysteries of the Nautilus” (La Belle et la Bête) attraction.

As an Easter Egg to their previous duties, the Skippers, now Captains, continued to refer to the “Backside of Water” (not facing the front, but the back of a waterfall) which was now the “Bottomside of Water” (submerged under water, looking up towards the surface) as the “Bumside of Water”.

Guest laughter at the obscure reference was considered to be an act of “solidarity” for the lack of a Jungle Cruise attraction at the Paris location; a tradition that 25 years later has since crossed the pond to Florida and California.

You are confusing the terms “backside” (your bum) with “back side” (two words, meaning being behind something). When you approach the falls for the first time, you are on the “front side” of the falls. When you approach it the second time, you are behind the falls, or on the “back side” of the falls, hence the “back side of water”. Simple as that.

Lee, to be fair, the bucket inside Skipper Canteen looks like it is labeled “backside” and not “back side.” This is probably a case of word play where both sides can be right.

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Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

• Casual Dining

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

An Important Message 

To dine at an in-park table-service restaurant, a confirmed dining reservation for the total number of Guests—regardless of age—is highly recommended.   Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Dining reservations do not guarantee access to a park, and Park Hopper availability may change daily.

Meal Pricing

Welcome to the jungle.

Explore the bold, flavorful cuisine of Asia, South America and Africa with the help of our daring riverboat pilots.

Dr. Falls, I Presume? Immerse yourself in the legacy of the Jungle Cruise! The same skippers who guided your steamer down the Nile, Amazon and Congo Rivers have opened the doors and kitchens of their tropical headquarters to fellow adventurers and famished families like your own!

Delight your big and little explorers with premium table-service dining in 3 curiously quirky rooms: the crew’s colonial-era Mess Hall (which is not messy at all, thank you very much); the Jungle Room, former family parlor of Dr. Albert Falls himself; and the S.E.A. Room—a once-secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers!

World-Famous Jungle Cuisine Prepare your palate for exotic flavor adventures sure to tame your wildest appetite—and pickiest eaters!

Begin your culinary cruise with Orinoco Ida's Cachapas, an appetizer featuring house-made corn pancakes, beer-braised pork, Fresno pepper salsa and avocado cream. For your main dish, feast on Dr. Falls Signature Steak—a marinated grilled steak lomo saltado-style with roasted peppers, onion, tomatoes and aji amarillo aїoli. If you’re craving lighter fare, try the sustainable fish served over bok choy, lotus root, bell peppers and shiitake mushrooms in a light ginger-lemon grass broth.

End your lunch or dinner with sweet memories of Panna-Connie's Congo Lime Delight, consisting of mango-lime sorbet, fresh fruit and a Brazil nut cookie—or the Kungaloosh, featuring African-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and cashew-caramel ice cream.

Cancellations and Modifications

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1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary Using Genie+ & Lightning Lanes

Our 1-day itinerary for Magic Kingdom using Genie+ and Lightning Lanes offers a step-by-step plan for the park. Its goal is to answer questions, illustrate the process of how paid FastPass works in practice at Walt Disney World, and address the best strategy for ride reservations. ( Updated March 3, 2023 .)

This is a theoretical day at Magic Kingdom since there are unknowns and the Lightning Lane return times here are not necessarily what you’ll get. That’ll vary considerably based on crowd levels, how many other guests buy the Genie+ service, and a variety of other variables. If you want to see an example of what we accomplished in the park, see My Day Using Genie+ at Magic Kingdom .

The good news is that Magic Kingdom is the “easiest” park for using Genie+ at Walt Disney World, so it’s not essentially that you follow a strict itinerary for accomplishing a lot via Lightning Lanes. There’s a lot of room for flexibility, which is important since your plans and priorities will differ from what’s here depending upon whether you’re eligible for Early Entry, characters are important to your party, you do sit-down or counter service dining, etc.

Another thing to know is that a lot has changed with Genie+ in the last few months. Some of these are across the board policy or rule changes that apply equally to all parks at Walt Disney World. Then there are those specific to Magic Kingdom due to the recent return of several character experiences, including Enchanted Tales with Belle and the Ariel’s Grotto meet & greet. As such, we’ve returned to refresh this itinerary once again.

In essence, this itinerary offers a run through of a normal day at Magic Kingdom using both Lightning Lanes and standby lines. If you’re a type A vacation planner, hopefully this gives you some peace of mind about how Genie+ works. With that said, keep in mind that there will likely be some fluidity with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes in the months to come as tweaks are made–a lot has already changed since the systems launched last fall.

This is intended to supplement our Lightning Lane and Genie+ at Walt Disney World FAQ . A lot of you have had questions, and we’ve tried to answer most of the common ones there. However, many are about specific scenarios and that FAQ would be as long as a Tolstoy novel if we addressed each one there.

As discussed in the aforementioned FAQ, there is currently one attraction per park that sells individual Lightning Lane access and are not part of Genie+. In Magic Kingdom, this attraction is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. (Previously, Space Mountain was an Individual Lightning Lane ride, but it has been moved over to Genie+ permanently.)

Anyway, on with our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes…

7:00 am – Book Peter Pan’s Flight via Genie+ with a Lightning Lane return window of 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

8:30 am – Rope drop Space Mountain via standby during Early Entry. ( If you’re not eligible for Early Entry, skip ahead to Jungle Cruise.)

8:40 am – Do Astro Orbiter via standby line.

9:00 am  – Cross the Central Plaza in front of Cinderella Castle and head to Adventureland for regular rope drop (park opening). Here, do Jungle Cruise, which is currently high on our Magic Kingdom Genie+ Priorities & Lightning Lane Ride Rankings .

If you don’t care about character meet & greets, you might actually want to read that list of rankings  instead  of this sample itinerary. This is going to involve a lot of character stops that many families might want to skip entirely. If so, you’ll free up a lot of time to do different things.

Parties uninterested in characters might also consider staying in Tomorrowland and taking a spin on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. You’ll be able to have a much more leisurely day than those who are also trying to knock out meet & greets via the Lightning Lanes.

9:30 am – Do Peter Pan’s Flight via Lightning Lane (Genie+ ride reservation). Immediately upon tapping into the Lightning Lane, book Meet Ariel at Her Grotto via Genie+ with a Lightning Lane return window of 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. (If you skipped Jungle Cruise before because you don’t care about characters, book that instead.)

9:45 am – Do the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh via standby line.

10:00 am – Do Haunted Mansion via standby line.

10:30 am – Do Pirates of the Caribbean via standby line.

10:45 am  – Free time or a buffer in case crowds are worse during your visit. If you’ve already accomplished all or most of this, consider rewarding yourself with one of the  Best Magic Kingdom Snacks & Desserts List . (We’re going to leave some gaps in this itinerary so it doesn’t become too confusing or overwhelming–eating is always a great way to fill the void!)

11:00 am – Book Meet Mickey & Minnie at Town Square Theater via Genie+ with a Lightning Lane return window of 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Note: 11:00 am is chosen because it’s 120 minutes after 9 am, which is consistent with the 120 minute rule. This means that you can select your next Genie+ ride reservation either after tapping into your previous one or after 120 minutes have passed, whichever is sooner. In this case, that’s 120 minutes.

11:30 am – Score immediate Walk-Up Waitlist availability at Skipper Canteen, an underrated dining gem (and arguably the park’s best restaurant) that many Magic Kingdom guests are afraid to try because it’s “too exotic.”

12:30 pm – Recover from a feast of highly adventurous and unusual dishes such as “grilled steak” and “fried chicken” by a brief hibernation during Country Bear Jamboree. Marvel at its bear-rific brilliance. Further feast recovery with a showing of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. ( In other words, this is about an hour of free time. )

1:00 pm – Book Big Thunder Mountain Railroad via Genie+ with a Lightning Lane return window of 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (If you skipped Space Mountain before, book that instead.)

1:25 pm  – Meet Ariel at Her Grotto via Lightning Lane (Genie+ reservation).

1:40 pm  – Do Enchanted Tales with Belle via the standby line.

2:10 pm – While walking to the front of the park, grab a snack from Gaston’s Tavern, Storybook Treats, or Friar’s Nook–all of which in Fantasyland and on the way to the next stop.

Alternatively, you can head towards the front of the park to refuel at Main Street Bakery, which is the Starbucks in Magic Kingdom. In addition to coffee, Main Street Bakery has a variety of snacks and, usually, a seasonal cupcake.

2:30 pm – Meet Mickey & Minnie at Town Square Theater via Lightning Lane (Genie+ reservation).

2:40 pm – Meet Snow White outside Town Square Theater

2:55 pm – Take PhotoPass family photos around Main Street

3:00 pm – Book Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin via Genie+ with a Lightning Lane return window of 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

~3:15 pm – What time is the 3 o’clock parade? On Main Street, it’s actually about 15-20 minutes  after 3 pm, as it takes some time for Festival of Fantasy Parade to make its way to the front of the park. (If you don’t want to wait, you can walk towards the parade by heading to Liberty Square or Frontierland–but we recommend Main Street for the most “iconic” experience.)

4 pm – Do Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin via Lightning Lane (Genie+ ride reservation).

4:01 pm – Book Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid via Genie+ with a Lightning Lane return window of 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Note: We discussed the 120 minute rule above, but you’re also able to book another Genie+ reservation after tapping into your previous one. That won’t be relevant if you’re going for all high-priority options, but grabbing some low-hanging fruit after booking all of your high-priority options can make afternoon touring easier. (Pretty much anything done via standby in the first couple hours could be moved to the afternoon via Genie+ if you so desire.)

4:15 pm – Embrace Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow land via the Carousel of Progress and the PeopleMover. (Pretty wild that Magic Kingdom’s three most iconic attractions–these two plus Country Bear Jamboree–don’t use Genie+ or Lightning Lanes. That’s a pretty big oversight! )

5:30 pm – Do Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid via Lightning Lane (Genie+ ride reservation).

5:31 pm – Book another character meet & greet: either Cinderella or Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall with a 7:30 pm return time. Alternatively, book a Lightning Lane for Pirates of the Caribbean, which is permissible since you did it via standby the previous time, if you’re not into princesses.

6 pm – Do Big Thunder Mountain Railroad via Lightning Lane (Genie+ ride reservation).

6:15 pm to 7:25 pm – Open time to accomplish any attractions that were not possible earlier due to crowd levels, plus dinner. Columbia Harbour House would be our recommendation for a quicker but quality meal.

We’d also recommend catching the last performance of Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire at Cinderella Castle–check the times guide for showtimes.

7:30 pm – Meet Cinderella or Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall via the Lightning Lane.

8:00 pm – Do “it’s a small world” via standby line.

8:45 pm – Grab a last minute spot for Disney Enchantment in Fantasyland with a view of both Cinderella Castle and Beast’s Castle above Be Our Guest Restaurant. This is not a recommended “one and done” fireworks viewing location ( check out our viewing location tips for Magic Kingdom fireworks ), but you’ll be doing another night in Magic Kingdom later.

~9:30 pm to 10:45 pm  – Open time to revisit favorite attractions, revisit rides that are better at night, or do things that were not feasible earlier in the day due to crowd levels.

~10:55 pm – Race to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, jumping in line just before park closing.

This assumes Magic Kingdom closes at 11 pm and Disney Enchantment happens at 9 pm. These times should be adjusted if Magic Kingdom closes at an earlier hour. The salient point is that you are not paying for Individual Lightning Lane (ILL) access to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train by doing it at the end of the night. Moreover, no new ILL guests will be entering the queue once the park closes. It’s all standby at that point, which means a faster-moving queue!

Once again, this was a step-by-step day in Magic Kingdom using Genie+ based on assumptions about capacity allocation and demand. Some or all of these assumptions could be off and not reflect what you actually experience when you visit Walt Disney World–but the same could be said of any itinerary. We think this is probably ~75% accurate, and at the very least, should illustrate how a day could look using the Genie+ service.

The point here is to illustrate how Genie+ could prove advantageous for days you opt to purchase the add-on. Personally, I’d buy strategically, and likely only for one Magic Kingdom day plus one DHS day and maybe EPCOT now that Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure are included. That’s just me, though, as someone who is relatively frugal but also recognizes that “vacation time is money.”

Finally, even with a lot of things you’d be able to accomplish during the middle of the day removed for the sake of simplicity, this itinerary might look overwhelming. Just keep in mind that your past itinerary with FastPass+ or current one also might look pretty intimidating to the uninitiated. Like all things Walt Disney World, it’ll become simpler and more intuitive once put into practice.

Ultimately, it should be relatively easy to use Genie+ at Magic Kingdom. We’ve already done so several times, and find it to be the best and most laid back park for the paid FastPass service, and that’s in large part due to its more robust ride roster and better Lightning Lane return times. With that said, we recognize Genie+ isn’t for everyone–particularly those who don’t being glued to their phones or are on a tight budget. As such, we have a great  1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary Without Genie+ and Lightning Lanes   that’ll help you have a great day without the upcharge!

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Was this 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary w/ Genie+ helpful to illustrate how paid FastPass works in Walt Disney World’s flagship park? If you’ve put this to practice, were you able to accomplish all of this in a single day at Magic Kingdom? Did you purchase Individual Lightning Lane access to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or do it at the end of the night? Have any questions we didn’t answer with the above? Still confused by how Genie+ or Lightning Lanes work? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Other thoughts or concerns? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

This was so incredibly helpful, THANK YOU! I am following your itinerary to a T, but wondering if Space Mountain is too scary for my 4 and 7 year old? We would be rope dropping this as our first thing-do you have a suggestion of what to begin with instead of space mountain if we have early entry? Thank you SO much!!

Hi Katelynn, Not affiliated with the site, but I too have a 7 and 4 year-old and opted out of Space Mountain since neither of my kiddos appreciate “scary” rides, and I did not want to potentially traumatize them first thing in the morning! Doing this freed up some Genie+ reservations and time to do other things. Right now, we plan to rope drop Peter Pan at early entry, and then rope drop Thunder Mountain at the regular opening our trip is at the end of the month. I actually have a full itinerary planned that I could share, but not sure what’s the best way to do so. Let me know if you’re interested!

Oh wow, would love to see your itinerary, Kim-especially that we share kiddos with same ages! Hmmm…if you know a way to send to me, I’ll think on this too….

If you have Google Docs, you could try requesting access through this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r7h4dVOv_NTJzRIokPRddijnbeJhN2EYtoL8SRQa8kQ/edit?usp=sharing

Now that Country Bear Jamboree is close, any recommendations for the 12:30pm time?

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