Animal Kingdom Table Service Recommendations

[Minnie1986]

Hi All,

Since we will be doing a Table Service meal pretty much everyday that we are at WDW, I've decided to just go for the Dining Plan. So as to not waste the credit (assuming they do not roll over from day to day), can anyone recommend a good table service dinner at the Animal Kingdom (or in the general area)? It'll be for myself and my 8 year old godson.Thanks!!

 

[Weather_Lady]

If you're trying to maximize your DDP value and not "lose" money with the DDP, Tusker House is the most expensive 1-TS credit restaurant in the AK (and as a well-reviewed buffet featuring Donald Duck and friends, it's a singularly attractive choice for a little boy)!

*Note, however, that even though the DDP gives you 1TS, 1CS and 1 snack per person, per night, you do NOT need to use them that way. Your DDP credits can be used in any order you wish, clumped together any way you wish, throughout your stay. (Every receipt at every restaurant will tell you how many credits you have remaining -- e.g., 6 TS credits, 4 CS credits, 5 snack credits...) You could have 3 TS meals one day and 3 CS the next if you wanted, or spend a day eating nothing but snacks... unused credits won't "expire" until the end of your check-out day.

 

[Minnie1986]

If you're trying to maximize your DDP value and not "lose" money with the DDP, Tusker House is the most expensive 1-TS credit restaurant in the AK (and as a well-reviewed buffet featuring Donald Duck and friends, it's a singularly attractive choice for a little boy)!

Does Tusker House have character dinner, or just breakfast? We want to AVATAR first thing, so I was thinking of avoiding a breakfast that day. Also, we arrive at Disney at 5:30 AM.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Does Tusker House have character dinner, or just breakfast? We want to AVATAR first thing, so I was thinking of avoiding a breakfast that day. Also, we arrive at Disney at 5:30 AM.

Tusker House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (all with characters), and offers a Rivers of Light dining package (although I couldn't tell you whether that's included on the DDP).

 

[Minnie1986]

Tusker House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (all with characters), and offers a Rivers of Light dining package (although I couldn't tell you whether that's included on the DDP).

Any experience with Tusker House Dinner? That Rivers of Light package sounds good, especially I would really like to see it, and the package would kill two birds with one stone.

 

[LadyBirdV]

Tusker House : "Join Safari Donald Duck and friends at this colorful Harambe marketplace eatery for a wild Character Dining experience regardless of time of day—from breakfast and lunch to the family-style dinner buffet—all brimming with African flavor." It's a good choice for sure.

But another option in Animal Kingdom is Tiffins -- I think that is 2 Table Service credits though, which I don't think is good value for your money if you're on the Dining Plan.

FYI - You don't need to do 1 per day, you can use them whenever you want during your stay.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Any experience with Tusker House Dinner? That Rivers of Light package sounds good, especially I would really like to see it, and the package would kill two birds with one stone.

I don't have any personal experience, although I've heard good things. We're thinking of doing it ourselves on an upcoming trip.

Hopefully someone can weigh in with their thoughts, or might have some knowledge of whether you can get the "Rivers of Light" dining package using the DDP (without having to sacrifice an additional TS credit or anything -- it only costs an extra $5/pp if you're paying out of pocket, so it would be a terrible waste on the DDP if it "cost" anything more than 1 TS credit).

 

[Minnie1986]

Tusker House : "Join Safari Donald Duck and friends at this colorful Harambe marketplace eatery for a wild Character Dining experience regardless of time of day—from breakfast and lunch to the family-style dinner buffet—all brimming with African flavor." It's a good choice for sure.

But another option in Animal Kingdom is Tiffins -- I think that is 2 Table Service credits though, which I don't think is good value for your money if you're on the Dining Plan.

FYI - You don't need to do 1 per day, you can use them whenever you want during your stay.

Thank you so much for that FYI. I would honestly rather save it for later in the stay and do a table service lunch and dinner on the last day. I know my Godson and he would rather go back to the hotel, nap, and then come back for ROL; as opposed to staying in AK all day. It would make for a much more pleasant experience for us all.

 

[Minnie1986]

I don't have any personal experience, although I've heard good things. We're thinking of doing it ourselves on an upcoming trip.

Hopefully someone can weigh in with their thoughts, or might have some knowledge of whether you can get the "Rivers of Light" dining package using the DDP (without having to sacrifice an additional TS credit or anything -- it only costs an extra $5/pp if you're paying out of pocket, so it would be a terrible waste on the DDP if it "cost" anything more than 1 TS credit).

I am actually on the phone with Disney right now. According to Disney Dining, the ROL Dining package is still 1 TS credit; no up charge.

 

[Minnie1986]

If you're trying to maximize your DDP value and not "lose" money with the DDP, Tusker House is the most expensive 1-TS credit restaurant in the AK (and as a well-reviewed buffet featuring Donald Duck and friends, it's a singularly attractive choice for a little boy)!

*Note, however, that even though the DDP gives you 1TS, 1CS and 1 snack per person, per night, you do NOT need to use them that way. Your DDP credits can be used in any order you wish, clumped together any way you wish, throughout your stay. (Every receipt at every restaurant will tell you how many credits you have remaining -- e.g., 6 TS credits, 4 CS credits, 5 snack credits...) You could have 3 TS meals one day and 3 CS the next if you wanted, or spend a day eating nothing but snacks... unused credits won't "expire" until the end of your check-out day.

Thank you so much for the information about the dining plan breakdown on each receipt. This is my first time on the dining plan, so I'm a little overwhelmed by the possibilities.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

The dining package is included on the DDP.

 

[DfromATX]

Thank you so much for that FYI. I would honestly rather save it for later in the stay and do a table service lunch and dinner on the last day. I know my Godson and he would rather go back to the hotel, nap, and then come back for ROL; as opposed to staying in AK all day. It would make for a much more pleasant experience for us all.

We are at each park for rope drop and then in the late afternoon, we go back to the hotel and rest, swim, shower, whatever. Even my teens prefer to do that (so it's not just old foggies mom and dad). Then we head back in the evening and stay until closing. In fact, last summer we were some of the last ones to leave AK. It was so much fun! That afternoon break is much needed for us. No way we could last all day.

 

[Minnie1986]

We are at each park for rope drop and then in the late afternoon, we go back to the hotel and rest, swim, shower, whatever. Even my teens prefer to do that (so it's not just old foggies mom and dad). Then we head back in the evening and stay until closing. In fact, last summer we were some of the last ones to leave AK. It was so much fun! That afternoon break is much needed for us. No way we could last all day.

I'm going to keep an eye out for Tusker House dinner reservations on the we're at AK. My godson is the love of my life...until he gets tired.

 

[danyoung56]

That afternoon break is much needed for us. No way we could last all day.

The older I get, the more important this break is for me. And it's not even a matter of sleep - it's just getting off my feet for a couple of hours during the hot crowded afternoons.

 

[DfromATX]

The older I get, the more important this break is for me. And it's not even a matter of sleep - it's just getting off my feet for a couple of hours during the hot crowded afternoons.

Agreed, it does wonders. We rest and get recharged to head back again later. Even my kids like the rest break.

 

[PeterGriffin]

I've had good meals at the Yak and Yeti.
When we have the dining plan, we usually save 2 credits for our last night and eat at a signature restaurant at the Grand Floridian.

 

[Minnie1986]

I've had good meals at the Yak and Yeti.
When we have the dining plan, we usually save 2 credits for our last night and eat at a signature restaurant at the Grand Floridian.

That's a good idea; never even thought of that! I'm going to hold out for the ROL dining package, and if I can't get it, I think I'd like to go this route.

 

[carriebeth]

just be aware that when they do those dining packages with an evening show they generally end bookings for it pretty early in the day. I would be surprised if they had times available after like 5:00. Since you were planning to go back to your resort I am not sure if that would make things too rushed for you to be back to AK for an early dinner time.

 

[zurgandfriend]

Leave the Animal Kingdom, go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and dine at Jiko or Boma, just MHO.

 

[belledream]

I'd say Tusker House over Yak & Yeti for the buffet flexibility factor and characters! And there's always Rainforest Cafe that has the basic food but cool atmosphere that an 8 year old would love.

However, if you want to leave AK to AKL, Boma is like a beefed up Tusker House, with more exotic foods and no characters, and Sanaa has views of animals while you dine.

But I think TH seems like a winner especially if you can get the ROL package.