It’s not a zoo, but breakfast there may feel like it…

I am back with another round of restaurant reviews. I thought long and hard about what establishment I wanted to review this time. I decided that I wanted to chat about a character meal and what better one to highlight than one that I frequent on every trip. So get ready for a chaotic, fun-filled experience! My kids LOVE rides! And the ride that they love the most is Expedition Everest. Even though I can only ride once or MAYBE twice a day, they can ride over and over again. I think that is one of the main reasons that we started eating with our friend Donald before the park opened at Animal Kingdom. Just like at the Magic Kingdom, one of the biggest advantages to dragging your butt out of bed early in the morning for a breakfast reservation is to be in the park before opening so that you can be on those rides before most even get to the park. (Yes, you late sleepers know who you are…) I personally don’t care as much about being the first on a ride, but I do love taking pictures of the parks without a mass of people in them. So we choose a day to get up early, make a reservation, get on that early bus, and we end up here.

I have mixed feelings about this breakfast. I do so hate to be negative about anything Disney, since I love the World so much, but I both love and hate breakfast at Tusker House. Now here’s one thing that I don’t like about these breakfasts. I don’t like the picture that they take at the front then try to sell you for $30 bucks or so. I almost always say no, and my hubby always feels bad saying no. However, the photographers are very nice and understanding. And when I asked for the Cast Member to take a picture with my own camera, he not only did so, but he took multiple pictures zooming in and out. I thought that was incredibly nice of him.

There is usually a line to get in, but they are experts at getting through it quickly. I mean really, one thing that Tusker House is good at is being a revolving door getting people in and out. That is actually one of the things that makes me a little uncomfortable eating there. I always feel that I’m being rushed out the door. It is a benefit when trying to get in though. Although I suppose being in the first seating certainly doesn’t hurt. Another thing, it is crowded and loud. They certainly know how to pack those tables in there! I think it is more noticeable than at other places becuase it’s just rectangular tables in rows. You can see all the rows of tables behind the kids.

Upon arriving, the characters came around right away. At some places you’ll get outstanding character interactions. We have always had fabulous luck at ‘Ohanas and Cape May Cafe, but at Tusker House it is pretty much quick take a picture, sign a book, and move on. Which is fine. I know that there are a lot of people waiting to see the characters. I just wouldn’t say that this is where you’ll find the best interaction for your buck. That being said, you will find Daisy here, which my girls love. We also saw Mickey and Goofy in fun safari gear. Here’s an example.

It’s loud, it’s crowded, it’s fast paced…you may ask why we keep going back every trip. Well, the answer to that is simple- besides the early park arrival that is. Food. We love our food. And Tusker House has a breakfast menu that is just different enough from the other breakfast buffets to make it worth it to us. There is cereal, donuts, yogurt, granola, eggs, bacon, sausage, rice, potatoes, some sort of quiche, and don’t forget the POG juice. Yum! I love the big buffet stations. They are so spread out that they never feel crowded like Crystal Palace can.

I mean seriously, those potatoes are GOOD! They have just a bit of spice to them. MMM. And that quiche is yummy too!

So even with its faults, we take the bad with the good and we find that it is worth it for us to continue visiting on our trips. If you decide to visit, make sure to say hello to my girl Daisy for me!

-Jenn