We have mentioned the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen on a few live posts in the past, but I have noted we have never done a proper review of the restaurant. The Magic Kingdom does not have a great selection of table service restaurants, and in our opinion, Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is the best of them by some distance.
“Have you been here before?” our Skipper(server) asked as he led us to our table.
“Yes, we have been a few times,” we replied.
“Was everywhere else fully booked?” the skipper replied.
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is closely related to the Jungle Cruise, and the premise is that the Skippers have opened their headquarters to “famished families.” However, the jokes are not quite as regular as they are on the Jungle Cruise, and only on our last visit did we feel the restaurant was a genuine cousin of the popular ride. Our skipper on our last visit would certainly not be out of place guiding guests down the Jungle Cruise’s Asian, South American, and African waterways.
“Do you want me to show you around the menu?” he asked one guest.
“This is the front, and this is the back of the menu,” he explained further.
However, even if your Skipper is low-value on the entertainment front, Jungle Skipper Canteen is not a venue you want to miss. Despite the regular put-downs, the food is exceptionally good and is a “genuine cruise of flavors.”
The restaurant is split into three sections, but all areas serve the same food. The areas are the Mess Hall, the Jungle Room, and the S.E.A. room. The Mess Hall is by far the largest section and where we have always eaten, but you are free to explore other areas.
We have been quite critical of Walt Disney World’s dining options for guests with special dietary needs since the reopening of Walt Disney World, but Jungle Skipper is an exception. It still has very limited choices for vegans, but for other diets, it has wider choices than elsewhere.
This is especially true for those with gluten allergies, who will find there is a much larger choice than elsewhere. There is even the secret menu item Pão de Queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread. This bread is delicious and is gluten-free, but you will not find it on the menu despite being available for years.
My personal favorite item at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is “Tastes like Chicken” Because it is!” This dish consists of Crispy-fried Chicken with Sweet Chili Glaze, Stir-fried Vegetables, and Jasmine Rice. The fried chicken also happens to be gluten-free.
“Excellent choice,” our Skipper said. “I can assure you it definitely will be chicken. Last week, we tried ostrich, but it didn’t really fly.”
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is a great experience and the best choice for a table service meal in the Magic Kingdom. However, some of the meal choices are a little different, so it might not suit the most picky of eaters. If you have picky eaters, Liberty Tree Tavern might be a better choice.
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Our Guide to Walt Disney World is a fantastic place to start your research for a Walt Disney World Vacation.
To learn more about Dining at Walt Disney, visit our Guide to Walt Disney World Dining.
