Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen — Restaurant in Bay Lake

We came here a couple years ago and remembered how good it was so we decided to come back with family. We went right when they opened so there were not that many people in the restaurant. Everything is cooked to order so the server told us that there would be a 20-25 minute wait for the food no matter what we order. We tried the sangria which was good. We also learned that the menu changes every 8 months so we were intrigued to see some new items. We ordered the duck fried rice which was amazing. It was maybe a small portion for the price, but it filled you up. We ordered the “not piranha” sustainable fish which was a white fish similar to sea bass. It came as a filet with vegetables in a broth. There was not a lot of flavor but the fish was cooked and prepared well. We ordered the taste like chicken because it is, and it was good as well. Finally, we ordered a side of the soup which was a sweet potato/squash, with some rice and it was perfect portion. Overall we ate everything on our table and left full. The prices are a little high for what you might expect, but the theming and the preparations try to make up for it. Our server was dropping jokes and puns very smoothly throughout our meal and she talked very fast. Overall we enjoyed our meal, and we will check out the menu again the next time we come since we know it changes!

We have wanted to try this restaurant for the theming, cast members/skippers, and the unique food. If you have a reservation, you can mobile check in on the app, or you can physically check in with the host stand. You wait outside by the host stand until your name is called to wait in the next inside waiting room. It is here that the hosts call your name to take you to your table. Right out the gate the host was already telling jokes and puns, which we appreciated, and was very in character and in theme. The skipper/server came over quickly to ask if we have been there before. This was our first time so our skipper/server explained everything from the theme to the menu and was very helpful with suggestions. All throughout dropping too many puns to keep up with! Every time she came by we had to focus and listen to what she was saying or we would miss the joke it was so quick! We loved that they were in character and in theme as well as doing a great job of being our skipper/server. They are known for their homemade sangria, which I ordered and was delicious. We also ordered the beer and lemonade mix to make like a shandy style drink, it was good. We received our drinks and food very quickly. We were worried about the time suck of a table service restaurant in the magic kingdom, however from start to finish it was right about an hour, which we appreciated. We ordered the shrimp fried rice as our appetizer. It was a good portion, full of flavor, and the shrimp were cooked perfectly. It definitely could have been an entrée. The skipper dan dan noodles were great and full of flavor, although note they are very spicy! We also got the sustainable fish option. It was prepared well (just note it comes with the skin on). There is a Disney visa discount here as well. Overall the service, experience, and food were excellent. The price definitely accounts for this, as it is on the pricier side. Therefore, we were happy to get to experience this unique offering. However, we probably won’t return again for a while, as the menu while unique doesn’t not have a lot of variety in terms of...

This place was bonkers.

So the atmosphere is awesome. It's set in like 1911, and everything is very old fashioned and upscale with the candles and the tablecloths and even the old school dishware was all themed very well. There were different main dining rooms that are all themed differently. There is a library hallway leading to a room that has wonderfully big, plush couches a the tables, and there is a room that I didn't get to see, but it was also definitely a different idea. Such a good atmosphere.

Our server was Youssef, who was absolutely amazing. So nice and friendly and ready to make recommendations, that were very accurate. Make sure you get Youssef.

Now, the food. My girlfriend and I came here, and we decided to split a meal. One app, one entree, and one dessert.

Before any of that, however, Youssef brought out some complimentary Ethiopian ambasha bread, which was wonderful. I don't usually like to fill up on bread beforehand, but this bread was to die for. It was spiced and very fragrant when you bit into it. It was like, cinnamon-like, I think. It was firm on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside; very well baked. It came out with a orange blossom honey dipping sauce that paired perfectly with it.

For our appetizer, we got the Orinoco Ida's Cachapas (And you thought our jokes were corny! House-made Corn Pancakes, Mojo-braised Pork, Black Bean Salad, Avocado Cream). This was absolutely bangin. The pancakes were thick and moist and flavorful, and the pork on top was pretty good, too. The black bean salad added a fresh, acidity to the umani of the pork and the pancake that was took the heavy elements of the dish and made it quite refreshing. The avocado cream was there to add, well, a creamy element to the dish, but it was blended with something that tasted an awful lot like cilantro to me. So, just be warned.

For our entree, we got the Whole Fried Fish (You'll get hooked on Skipper Annette's latest catch! Served with Jasmine Rice, Grilled Scallions, and Soy-Ginger Vinaigrette), and it was a lionfish! The jasmine rice was fragrant and good. The scallions were a little out of place and I think only there to add a pop of color to the very fried-colored dish. The fish itself was the part of the meal that cemented this place's five star rating with me. The size of the filets were about 10 inches long on either side, and there were very few little bones within the meat of the fish. Be careful when touching the spines, but you definitely have to get them out of the way. There also is nothing to eat about the head, unfortunately. Basically, if you're reading my words, please, understand that this is the dish you must have. It was delicious, it was fun to eat, and it is well worth the $30 that it costs.

Finally, for our dessert, we decided on the Kungaloosh! (An African-inspired Chocolate Cake with Caramelized Bananas served with Cashew-Caramel Ice Cream topped with Coffee Dust). The chocolate cake was a very dense cake, but moist throughout, for sure. The ice cream wasn't very strongly flavored, but it was there in the background. Also, we were at Disney celebrating our one year anniversary, so the dessert came out with an edible 'Congratulations' in chocolate on the plate, which is always awesome. Disney is good people.

Atmosphere, service, food, and value. This place maxed out everything about the big...

Unfortunately, this was not a very positive experience in what normally is a good or at least decent theme park restaurant. I am not sure it’s worth the cost in both time and price. It’ll be hard to reconcile a future visit. Here’s a quick summary; but plan on writing to management after vacation to offer some constructive criticism. The issues: Approached greeter 2 mins before checking in via the app and asked if they preferred I use the app or come back to check in. They asked for name and time of reservation. We provided it. They told us to use the app when available. We did. We checked in, received confirmation and app indicated we were checked in. 35 mins later a new host announced our name and party size asking if we were here. We raised our hands and the new host scolded us and stated that even though we checked in, we needed to talk to an ‘actual human’ being (that’s actually what we did earlier in the story). 20 mins later we are finally called for our table and we are promptly seated at our table in an empty restaurant. After about 5 minutes we are greeted by our server. Since we’ve had some time we order several appetizers, entrees, and drinks. Server questions choice of one meal for child to see if it will be enough (worried about the weight of my child?). I don’t know if it was meant as a joke, but even if, it’s pretty rude. About 10 mins later apps arrive as first round of drinks (water) arrive. Apps are ok. Exactly what we would expect. Perhaps too salty, but very nice chimichurri sauce for cheesy bread and fried rice was over cooked. Both apps were tasty, but pretty standard. Rest of drinks come out and server tries to remove app plates while we are still eating apps. They pick up one plate that we ask to not take away. They return plate and proceed to lap the table cleaning up other plates and try again to take that plate away. We politely decline and request that it be left. They lapped once more and took the plate on the third go. This was the plate with the chimichurri sauce, btw. 60% of entrees are served 5 minutes later (which was well timed), but some plates are hot and some are cold. Rest come out and hottest plates are the smallest plates with cold food and cold plates are the large plates with warm food (heat lamp city). Had birthday acknowledged for one child with us and at dessert was not recognized. 18 or 20% tip added because of size of party. No verbal warning of that provided (unfortunately this was not the first issue we’ve experienced this trip with auto tip. Would prefer the verbal warning so I can properly add more for great service. Had leftovers and got to front and it started raining. Asked another new host if there were plastic bags available…they turned to me and asked me, ‘do you want me to see if we have plastic bags?’ Me: ‘yes please’

In sum,

Food is mediocre and menu is limited. Cast members range from mean to poorly trained to lacking shared priorities. To be honest, we’ve eaten here dozens of time. We had low expectations going in. This experience was by far the most...