Welcome back to Pizzafari!
The last time we visited this Animal Kingdom Counter Service spot was to try some of the breakfast offerings after they had a menu refresh. But the star of the show here is all in the name, so we’re back to review Pizzafari’s take on “Meat Lovers Pizza.”
You’ll also find this item on the menu over at Pizza Planet in Hollywood Studios, and as far as atmosphere goes, that’s a pretty great spot, too. But I just so happened to be at Animal Kingdom scoping out the presumed location of the final in-Park Starbucks (the former Creature Comforts merchandise location), so Pizzafari it was!
Pizzafari
Pizzafari Menu
Of course, it isn’t a trip to Pizzafari without checking out some of the signature murals all over the walls, no matter which room you dine in. I truly never tire of looking at these.
Pizzafari mural
Butterfly mural in ordering area
Turtle mural
Pizzafari mural
But, ultimately, I strolled past the poised bobcat at the entrance (at least, I think that’s what he is) and took my pizza outside.
Pizzafari entrance statue
It was one of those perfect “winter” days, and you simply have to take advantage of any days you won’t melt outdoors in Florida. (Covered outdoor seating is available at Pizzafari as well.)
Outdoor table
View of Pizzafari from outside table
Like all other pizzas served at Pizzafari, the Meat Lovers comes with
a side of Caesar Salad.
Meat Lovers Pizza with Caesar side salad
There are just two meats to be found on the Meat Lovers pizza: pepperoni and sausage.
Meat Lovers Pizza
And there are a few slices of pepperoni in there, but — as you can tell — they are overwhelmed in parts by the beaucoup sausage.
Closeup on toppings
I like to get bad news over with first, so here goes: the Meat Lover’s Pizza is still your standard Disney World Counter Service pizza — which is to say that by and large, there’s far too much crust and not enough “center” (which typically equals not enough topping).
Meat Lovers Pizza
Specific to the Meat Lovers, the dough in the center that does exist isn’t hearty enough to support the heavy toppings, so it’s quite floppy — and not in the good way that a huge slice of New York pizza is floppy. I barely snapped this picture before losing some of the topping to the table.
Slice of Meat Lovers Pizza
The good news is that the Meat Lovers option does live up to the name (though I might call it “Sausage Lovers” over “Meat Lovers”). The flavor burst from the sheer amount of sausage and fennel did perk up what can otherwise be a pretty bland pie, making it feel like I was getting more pizza bang for the buck than the standard cheese or pepperoni. I’d go so far as to say that this is my favorite choice among the pizza options for that reason… with the caveat that it’s still counter service pizza.
Oh, just a note on the side Caesar Salad: mine was nicely fresh and crisp, and not too heavy on the dressing. True, it’s just a salad, but I enjoyed it, and since it’s included as part of the meal I thought I’d give it a nod.
Side of Caesar Salad
I do want to say that even though Pizzafari is a typically very busy spot during lunch hours, I always meet some wonderful, pleasant Cast Members no matter how crazy it gets. And the atmosphere and color here truly is something else. For those reasons, I still think it’s a great spot to visit, but my preference remains with breakfast for my meal of choice here.
Regardless of whether we’re discussing breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there are some rumors flying around Pizzafari. Will 2015 bring a Table Service restaurant to areas of this Counter Service location? If so, how will that affect the rest of Pizzafari? With these and so many other changes possibly coming to Animal Kingdom (and some changes that are certain, like the upcoming Rivers of Light evening spectacular), we’re eager to see what’s in store!
Do you enjoy visiting Pizzafari? Please let us know with a comment!
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If ever I need to picture a ‘bad example’ of WDW food, it is always Pizzafari.
A complete waste of calories lol
It seems a very lazy attempt to supply one of the simplest and most wonderful dishes in the world! A loaf of soggy bread with a splodge of topping!
Come on Disney, Pizzafari is a great concept, but needs some of that urgent care and attention that you are introducing elsewhere in the parks!
Not that I want to start a rumor, but if you get the right cast member some will switch out the salad for a slightly smaller order of breadsticks.
There is a preservative that is in many bagged salads that enables the greens to stay fresher longer that “is not very easy on some stomachs.” I explained this to the person serving me my food and they were happy to replace my salad for a smaller size order of breadsticks.
You know, the breadsticks that were once a great snack option!!!
I’m not an expert on these things, but I’m pretty sure meat lover’s pizzas are supposed to include at least three meats. Hamburger or ham or something.
On the bright side the salad looked good.
🙂
We have been going to Pizzafari for many years on our annual trip. They used to have a chicken Parm sandwich that was one of my favorite counter service meals in the whole park but did away with it a few years back. I keep hoping they will bring it back or have it available at some other location/park, but have not been able to find it anywhere yet. I have never been a fan of the pizza (of course the kids like it) here or at Pizza Planet for that matter, but do love that it is one of the few air conditioned locations at Animal Kingdom to get some relief from the heat during the hot summer months when we typically are on our vacation.
That is the worst looking pizza I have ever seen. Have never had a desire to go there but now I know I will stick to Yak & Yeti or Flame Tree.
When we get these little pizzas, we are not comparing them to a decent pizzeria pizza. They are Disney personal size pizzas, suitable for a quick lunch, not a gourmet meal. My son actually loves them and we eat at Pizzafari at least once per trip (the theming is so great!). Last time he has his usual pizza, my husband ordered the chicken Caesar salad, and although I usually don’t eat meat, I tried the hot Italian (I had the pasta salad last time, feeding the chunks of chicken to my son). We were perfectly happy with our lunch (again, not expecting gourmet). Interesting that so many people love the Y&Y CS, which we have tried three times and found distinctly wanting in the quality department. Our preference for quick Chinese at WDW is Lotus Blossom; mall food, but decent mall food and in a good-size serving. But I think it would be great if they could improve their offerings here. It seems such a waste with the lovely building, to have such an ordinary menu.
this looks like the same small pizzas they have in the resorts and pizza planet…more or less, anyway.
My husband and daughter each had the meat lovers pizza at Pizzafari last week. Good for Disney pizza, tasty but not gourmet. We love the colorful dining rooms and the manager was very helpful in getting us gluten-free pizza for the other two of us.
Thanks for taking one for the team! The thing looks like someone took 1/4 cup of sausage and dumped it in the middle of a Disney “pizza.” I have a constant refrain about this: there are so many better and more interesting things to eat at Disney. At AK may I suggest Flame Tree BBQ, a place that has something everyone will like, or Yak and Yeti.