There are lots of eating places we love round Magic Kingdom. Sadly, only a few of them are literally within the fortress park, which is Walt Disney World’s worst meals park. However that’s wonderful, as a result of we love taking noon breaks as a reprieve from the chaos and crowds, and an opportunity to benefit from the monorail or boats throughout Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake. Transportation round Walt Disney World is an attraction unto itself that too many followers sleep on, however that’s one other subject for an additional day.
Anyway, lots of our High 25 Eating places at Walt Disney World are situated on the monorail loop or over within the ‘wilderness’ resort area. Since we spend extra time at Magic Kingdom than anyplace else at Walt Disney World and do little of our ‘for enjoyable’ eating inside the park, we have now lots of alternatives to revisit acquainted favorites.
In the case of private picks, I may simply rattle off a half-dozen completely different ‘finest at school’ eating places close to Magic Kingdom: character dinner, character breakfast, waterfront lounge, indoor lounge, haute delicacies, bang for buck BBQ, fancy-but-approachable wonderful eating, elevated counter service, and many others. Immediately’s restaurant tops the class: “responsible pleasures the place I eat on my own very often as a result of Sarah received’t be in the slightest degree upset if I dine there with out her as a result of the menu is generally mediocre, however there are a number of standout meals I like.”
Technically, there are a number of winners on this class, which could appear reasonably area of interest however is definitely pretty expansive. In any case, the restaurant close to Magic Kingdom that matches the invoice right here is Capt. Prepare dinner’s, the primary counter service restaurant within the Nice Ceremonial Home at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Captain Prepare dinner’s participates within the Disney Eating Plan as a counter service credit score. Menu costs are pretty low cost by Walt Disney World requirements, with most of my prime picks being within the $11-13 vary. Due to these value factors, it’s a significantly better worth when paying out of pocket and is unquestionably not one of many higher worth fast service eating places for worth on the Disney Eating Plan.
Capt. Prepare dinner’s has each indoor and out of doors seating, the latter of which may be very mandatory as a result of the indoor seating space is about half the dimensions of what’s mandatory given fashionable demand. Suffice to say, Capt. Prepare dinner’s is widespread. I’m not the one Walt Disney World visitor who appreciates a great responsible pleasure indulgence!
Right here’s a glance across the two completely different seating areas contained in the restaurant:
Notice that these images usually are not consultant of what you’ll be able to anticipate to come across at Capt. Prepare dinner’s. I took these thirty minutes after the restaurant closed at like 12:30 am, ready out the ultimate tables to clear and the final visitors to go away whereas ready on my ‘Late Night time Eating’ Cell Order.
I seldom eat inside Capt. Prepare dinner’s as a result of the within is so cramped and chaotic, and that’s precisely what I’m leaving Magic Kingdom to escape. The out of doors seating space is far nicer, even on a triple-digit looks like day. It’s shaded and there’s all the time a pleasant breeze coming off the water, so it often nonetheless feels wonderful.
In nicer climate, I’d suggest taking your meals all the way down to the seashore and having fun with it alongside the waterfront with a view of Magic Kingdom within the distance. That is my most popular solution to take pleasure in Capt. Prepare dinner’s, particularly on late nights or across the vacation season.
In any case, the extent of theming in Captain Prepare dinner’s is minimal. This appears to be pretty frequent with counter service locales in Deluxe Resorts, and I’m not likely certain why. The seating space has a bamboo motif, and is embellished with graphic posters representing the varied islands of Polynesia, however that’s about it. That is truly an enchancment over what it used to appear to be a few decade or extra in the past.
Functionally, Capt. Prepare dinner’s is now huge on Cell Order and that’s undoubtedly the most suitable choice. Since I’m old-fashioned, I sometimes order from the couple of cashiers which can be nonetheless out there within the restaurant. (The true cause I do that is so the meals is plated in a extra photogenic means than Cell Order, which nonetheless typically doesn’t occur.)
Let’s flip to a few of my favourite dishes at Capt. Prepare dinner’s…
Superfoods Salad: Kale and Cabbage tossed with Quinoa and Edamame, Walnuts, Grapes, Blueberries, and Mandarin Oranges served with a facet of Apple Cider French dressing.
That is Sarah’s go-to at Contempo Cafe. She appreciates how well-rounded it’s, with a wholesome and scrumptious mixture of greens and fruits. It’s not fairly on the extent of the Kale Energy Greens Salad (what’s up with Walt Disney World attempting to make salad names sound like Marvel characters?), nevertheless it’s far superior to the salads Walt Disney World used to serve.
I don’t purport to be a salad connoisseur, however I’ll additionally reluctantly admit that I order this with respectable frequency and luxuriate in it.
The salad is pretty “on-theme” for the Polynesian, and it additionally makes a pleasant counterpart to the heavy and indulgent dishes at Capt. Prepare dinner’s, and Walt Disney World extra broadly. I’ve grabbed this on the finish of an extended night time and on the finish of an extended journey after I was feeling a bit “yucky” and torpid from prolonged stretches of consuming poorly. This hit the spot, and made me really feel “tremendous.”
On the different finish of the spectrum is the Spicy Korean Rooster Bowl: Crisp Rooster Strips with Gochujang Sauce, Steamed Rice, and Cucumber Namasu.
I like this. This makes me really feel higher about having fun with the responsible pleasure of rooster strips, because the Gochujang Sauce and Cucumber Namasu elevate this dish into one thing a bit extra ingenious and thrilling.
Emphasis on “a bit.” On the finish of the day, these are nonetheless simply common Walt Disney World rooster strips on a mattress of rice and with a distinct sauce.
Nonetheless, I like them. The sauce gives a little bit of a kick, whereas the whole lot else is precisely what you’d anticipate. Nothing mind-blowing, however reliably tasty.
Subsequent up is the Hawaiian Flatbread: Marinara Sauce with Mozzarella and Parmesan Mix topped with Ham, Pineapple, and Purple Onion.
That is a part of the “Late Night time Eating” menu, which is just about simply flatbreads. I had this after Starlight on an evening when Capt. Prepare dinner’s was completely slammed (most likely due to the post-Starlight exodus). My order took perpetually, however to the credit score of the Solid Members at Capt. Prepare dinner’s, they have been completely churning out these pizzas.
There’s completely nothing particular about this flatbread. It’s wonderful, I assume. But it surely’s very cookie-cutter and fundamental, and never really useful. What I’d as a substitute endorse for late night time eating is Gasparilla Island Grill on the Grand Floridian. You may take the boat there after which stroll to the Polynesian.
We now arrive on the all-star of the menu, one of many most interesting meals in all of Walt Disney World: the Pulled Pork Nachos Topped with Cheese, Spicy Mayonnaise, Pico de Gallo, and Pineapple Salsa.
The nachos are unbelievable. These encompass a plate of house-made Polynesian Chips topped with tender and attractive pulled pork, plus a medley of melted cheese and spicy mayo, veggies, and pineapple salsa. These have a novel and scrumptious style. They might not appear to be a lot, but when you recognize, you recognize.
These are one of the crave-worthy dishes in all of Walt Disney World, and one thing I’ve been ordering with regularity since our first go to to the Poly as adults in 2007. These have modified a bit through the years and in addition gone up in value, however they’re nonetheless essentially the identical and comparatively fairly priced at $11.
Truthfully, these little beauties are the entire cause this Capt. Prepare dinner’s re-review exists within the first place. Can’t precisely write a complete publish across the Pulled Pork Nachos themselves, particularly for the reason that message would simply be: “yep, they’re nonetheless scrumptious!” However, I really feel these are price bringing to the eye of first-timers and newer Walt Disney World followers who might not have them on their radar.
To be much more sincere, it pained me to must order the opposite stuff only for the sake of a extra well-rounded overview. If left to my very own gadgets, there are solely two issues I’d ever order at Capt. Prepare dinner’s. The Pulled Pork Nachos and the following entry.
That different merchandise is the long-lasting Tonga Toast: Banana-stuffed Sourdough Bread, Battered, Deep-fried, and Dusted with Cinnamon-Sugar served with Bacon or Sausage.
In the case of scrumptious meals, the Tonga Toast is rarely a disappointment. It’s one of the famed meals amongst Walt Disney World followers for good cause. This banana fried awesomeness in dough type has a light-weight crunch on the surface that instantly provides solution to a doughy and gooey heart. It’s moist and flavorful, and the inclusion of bananas makes it coronary heart wholesome! (Quotation wanted.)
Critically, Tonga Toast is without doubt one of the very best breakfasts at Walt Disney World. This isn’t simply my opinion, both. It’s a fan-favorite dish and has been for many years. Nearly everybody appears to find it irresistible, and the hype may be very deserved.
The one perception I’ll add right here is that Tonga Toast is served at each Kona Cafe and Captain Prepare dinner’s, however is $7 cheaper on the latter. The important thing distinction is the Tonga Toast at Kona is served with strawberry compote. My sizzling take is that’s overkill, and leads to a sweetness overload. Even when somebody gave me the strawberry compote totally free, I wouldn’t use it or would apply it very sparingly. Tonga Toast is ideal by itself.
Lastly, I need to shortly cowl a few further objects.
Considered one of these is the Aloha Pork Sandwich Pulled Pork with Cheddar, Asian Slaw, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries. It’s been some time since we’ve had this, to the purpose that the presentation has modified a tad. It’s a great choice in the event you’re within the temper for a sandwich, however I far choose the pulled pork in nacho type. This was once Sarah’s go-to choose and one in every of her favourite counter service entrees anyplace.
One other is the Thai Coconut Meatballs: Home-made All-Beef Chili-Garlic Meatballs cooked in a Coconut Cream served over White Rice. It’s been a few years since I’ve had these, however thought they have been fairly good, particularly the coconut cream slathered on the meatballs (and by extension, the rice). The meatballs themselves have been a bit on the mushy facet, however on stability, that is most likely the superior entree to the Spicy Korean Rooster Bowl. I can’t observe down my picture of this and I didn’t prefer it sufficient to order it once more over the nachos. Do with that data what you’ll.
Lastly, it’s additionally been ages since we’ve had the Pan-Asian Noodles and Greens, however we have been underwhelmed. The portion was actually small and there was nothing all that fascinating concerning the dish. You’re higher off with the Superfoods Salad. (To be clear, these noodles are principally a glorified salad.)
As you may have the ability to collect from these photo-less capsule evaluations, the first goal of my many visits to Capt. Prepare dinner’s is for one merchandise at breakfast, and one other at lunch/dinner. Ask a dozen completely different diehard Disney followers who love Capt. Prepare dinner’s, and at the very least 10 will most likely be doing you a similar factor. The opposite two will nonetheless be bitter concerning the demise of the Grownup Grilled Cheese–they usually’re not incorrect!
Finally, it’s a reasonably unassuming location with a number of solely okay dishes and an arguably mediocre menu as a complete, however Captain Prepare dinner’s can be dwelling to a few essentially the most iconic meals in all of Walt Disney World. Each are scrumptious, filling, and fairly priced. When you get previous that dynamic duo, Capt. Prepare dinner’s additionally has a pair extra dishes which can be pretty good. If anybody in your celebration doesn’t like indulgent dishes or responsible pleasures, the salad is a unbelievable choice for them. And though the Pulled Pork Nachos are the all-star, the meat interprets properly to the sandwich, too.
The menu might not be as deep as Contempo Cafe or Gasparilla Island Grill and even nearly any meals courtroom on the Worth or Reasonable Resorts, however the two top-tier dishes greater than make up for it. The handful of fine to nice choices alone coupled with its nice location and outdoors ambiance imply Capt. Prepare dinner’s is properly deserving of a spot on our checklist of the High 20 Counter Service Eating places at Walt Disney World. Oh, and for dessert there are Dole Whips proper across the nook, and all of that is gratifying in a pleasant island setting. What extra may you ask for when making a noon escape from the chaos and crowds at Magic Kingdom?!
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Your Ideas
Do you assume that Captain Prepare dinner’s is without doubt one of the prime counter service eating places at Walt Disney World? What menu objects right here do you want? Any that you just don’t like? What do you propose on attempting? Do you assume the Tonga Toast and Pulled Pork Nachos reside as much as the hype? Agree or disagree with our overview and restaurant redemption story? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
