A brand new dining experience has just made its debut at Pizzafari!
Plzzafari is a Counter Service restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Located on Discovery Island, this spot is best known for its unique and colorful atmosphere, as well as its primary food item as highlighted in the name: PIZZA.
It’s always operated the same way you’d expect at any Counter Service location: place your order and pay at the register; pick up your food at a counter; then bring it all to whatever table you manage to find, depending on how busy it is in the moment.
But now — from 5:00 – 8:00 PM daily — a new service style is available. Though daytime will continue to offer the typical Counter Service experience, the evenings now ALSO present Pizzafari Family-Style Dining!
Let’s see how this works…
Pizzafari Sign
Atmosphere
Now, if you’ve ever paid a visit to Pizzafari, things will look quite similar at first. In fact, the typical counter service operations also still take place in the evening, so guests seeking the regular meals here still have that option.
Pizzafari Menu Posted Outside
Outside, you’ll may notice the small update to the posted menu informing about the new Family-Style Dining available in the evenings.
Pizzafari Menu Posted Outside
Though not necessarily required (based on availability), guests can make Advance Dining Reservations for Family-Style Dining. Upon arrival at Pizzafari, guests opting for Family-Style will check in at a marked podium located in the corner of the ordering area.
Check-in Podium
There, guests are provided with a Table Number.
Table Number
Next, it’s over to the designated cashier (on the far left of the ordering area) to place your drink order and pay for your meal.
Family-Style Dining Cashier
Similar to regular Counter Service, you head to the food counter to pick up your own first course and drinks.
Picking up Salads and Drink
Then it’s off to find the table, where you’ll be seated in one of two dining rooms which have been specifically designated for this experience! We were seated in the Nocturnal Room.
Nocturnal Room
However, when there are more guests taking part, the Take Your Home Room will also be used for Family-Style Dining.
Take Your Home Room
In fact, one really cool part of the evening was a visit from a Cast Member who spoke to us all and shared about the room and the artwork! (Did you know the artist who painted these gorgeous rooms worked on Peter Pan and The Jungle Book?)
Pizzafari Cast Member
It’s hard to resist the chance to check things out no matter where you’re seated, because the painted murals surrounding you throughout the restaurant really do deserve a good look. See more of the artwork here!
Before the Cast Member’s visit, though, we took our seats at our table. Each one is set with rolled silverware and plates.
Table Setting
Table Setting
You can grab items according to your preference from the condiment station, as per usual.
Condiment Station
Grated Parmesan, Crushed Red Pepper, and Salt and Pepper
Once you’re all set up, the second course is delivered to you via a cart, as the third is later.
Delivery Cart
But I’m getting ahead of myself… because I bet you’d like to know what’s coming on those carts, so let’s dig in!
Eats
For the set price of $19.99 for adults and $11.99 for guests ages 3-9 (or one Quick Service credit on the Disney Dining Plan), guests receive every food item listed on the menu.
Pizzafari Family-Style Dining Menu
Notice I said “food” 🙂 . Though non-alcoholic beverages ARE included, beer and wine are an additional purchase. (The exception: of-age guests on the Disney Dining Plan are able to receive an alcoholic beverage with their meal if they wish, since those are now included on the Plan.)
Beverage Menu
As for the food, though, it starts with the two appetizers picked up at the food counter: a Caprese Salad and a Caesar Salad.
Caprese Salad
Caesar Salad
The Caesar Salad is pretty much as expected: romaine, parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing (but not too much of it, which I’ve always appreciated here with the side Caesar salads on the regular menu). Fresh and just fine, but nothing remarkable.
Caesar Salad
The Caprese Salad, though…
Caprese Salad
What a nice change of pace! The fresh tomatoes and rich mozzarella drizzled with balsamic is simple, but delicious. It’s all pre-cut, which also makes table sharing easier for families.
Guests receive not one, but all three entrees! These include a Baked Ziti pasta, with a meat sauce that makes this dish especially hearty.
Baked Ziti
Though we knew the menu would feature a chicken dish, we now know that it’s Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken!
Fettuccine Alfredo
ANOTHER rich, decadent entree, in some part due to the protein from the chicken.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Personally, I could have happily had some more alfredo sauce on those noodles… because is there ever such a thing as too much alfredo sauce?
Nope.
Still, it’s another pretty solid offering. By this time, things were stacking up pretty well for the new experience. But if you’re like me, you are probably most curious about the Pepperoni Pizza. Would the star entree be any different from the less-than-spectacular pizza typically served not only at Pizzafari, but at Counter Service pizza locations all across the parks?
Pizza
In a word… YES!!
Pizza
The cheese? Plentiful. The toppings? They cover almost the entire pie, unlike the usual Disney counter service pizza where it’s almost half crust. My pepperoni was even somewhat crisp!
Pizza Slice
Will it rival your favorite New York slice? No, of course not. But, truly, I was surprised to find that it was definitely an improvement over the usual Counter Service deal.
And, if you still have room (which, thankfully, we always do!)… Miniature Cannolis are the final component of the meal.
Miniature Cannolis
These weren’t filled with the most decadent mascarpone cream ever, but the crispy, golden shells were totally on point.
Mini Cannolis
Plus, they’re simply fun! I love that each member of the family gets their own cannoli (or two…). Which brings me to my next point: I noticed families of four receiving bigger pizzas, and larger pasta portions, too. So, know that the serving sizes are provided with the size of the party in mind. Case in point: a nearby family of five (2 adults, 3 children) noted that they only thing they wish they had more of was the pizza. Otherwise, they were satisfied.
Complete Meal
Speaking of… let’s say you want more of a particular item. You can pay one price for more of that item for your group (as opposed to being charged per person — you’re charged per item). The price depends on the item (for instance, an additional family-size pizza would be $12.00 extra). More pasta? You’re looking at $8.00.
And that’s how Family-Style Dining at Pizzafari works! So… what did we think of this new experience?
Nosh or Not:
You may want to try Pizzafari Family-Style Dining if:
- You want to totally maximize your Counter Service credit from a financial perspective, since the $19.99 price tag will definitely do that for you.
- You kind of love the idea of not taking individual orders for your family for a Counter Service meal — it’s all decided for you and the kiddos!
- You enjoy the unique setting of Pizzafari, but haven’t been intrigued by the offerings in the past and want to try something new.
You may want to pass on Pizzafari Family-Style Dining if:
- If you’re paying out-of-pocket, you’d rather put $20.00 towards a meal at a Table Service restaurant.
- You aren’t interested in being tied to an Advance Dining Reservation time for a Counter Service meal.
Overall
You know… I am pleasantly surprised by Pizzafari Family-Style Dining. The food is taken up a notch or two from the regular service, and small touches like the visit from the Cast Member and table settings offer nice touches to the experience. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, it’s similar to breakfast at Be Our Guest Restaurant in that — if the menu appeals to you — it’s almost a no-brainer in terms of maximizing your Quick Service credit. For those paying out-of-pocket, there is more to consider. But many Counter Service entrees alone can range around $11-12 (and in some cases closer to $14), and that doesn’t include a beverage, dessert, salads, etc… so, that’s something to think about, too.
I’ve long enjoyed the atmosphere of Pizzafari and have wanted to spend more time immersed in the colorful, unique ambience. But the regular Counter Service offerings just weren’t enough to lure me in too often. So I’m glad to say that this was a positive experience in regards to both setting and food.
Disney did not indicate whether Family-Style Dine would be a permanent addition to Pizzafari, so we’ll be curious to see what happens from here. (EDITOR’S UPDATE: At time of publishing, reservations only came up through the end of October; however, as of late September 2018, reservations are coming up through February 23, 2019.) In the meantime, if you give Pizzafari Family-Style Dine a try, please let us know what you think!
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Is there a minimum number of guests required for this experience? Can a single solo diner get two appetizers, three entrees, and dessert all to him/herself for just $20? If so, that sounds like a steal.
Paul, a solo diner would get the full meal, sized for one person. 🙂
hello,
I will be dining solo. would I be able to take leftovers to go?
Are you able to make special dietary requests or changes ex. plain cheese pizza vs pepperoni or the chicken on the side with the alfredo? We have a reservation in September, but my 13 yr old daughter doesn’t eat meat.
How many people was the picture of the complete meal for?
Looks like the entire meal is full of meat. The caprese salad is the only vegetarian appetizer or entree item on the menu. Did they indicate if vegetarian versions were available?
Do you know what the substitution policy is? Can you get cheese pizza instead? Can they do meat-free ziti? Thank you!
No brainer on meal plan, especially if you choose and are of age to incl an alcoholic drink, which brings down the cost to $11. For what you get variety wise and nice seating I definitely would do it once! Thanks for the update!
My kids are little and barely eat one child’s meal between the two of them. Also, that looks like way more food than my husband and I could eat together. Do you think they would allow us to share a smaller portion of food if we don’t want to eat that much? Like two people sharing a portion for one? Or my kids sharing a portion for two adults with us?
I wonder if you could share this?
My kids aren’t big eaters and it looks like more then enough
Do annual pass holders get a discount on this particular dinning option?
How many people was this amount of food for?
our family would like this except that no one can eat the pepperoni due to an allergy and/or personal taste. if we could sub for plain cheese pizza… and Disney is usually SO good with food allergies. but the rest would be good. though usually we do Flame Tree on AK day. If this is an option, we may check it out later in August on your recommendation!
I wish there was a vegetarian version of this meal! All of the entrees and the Caesar salad would have to be switched out.
We have this booked for our upcoming trip in Sept. Do you know if they have any gluten free options with this? I cannot eat any gluten… 🙁
Did they say if they had a vegan or vegetarian option for this family style meal?
I just booked it. Thank you for the heads up. What a feast!
It looks like a nice option but wouldn’t work well for our family.
Can you get the pizza without the pepperoni?
Is there meat in the ziti or can you get it meatless?
Petra and Theresa, for family style service, they’ll charge for everyone in the party.
Farah, you can definitely take your leftovers!
Teri, you can request no pepperoni!
Anna, the manager indicated that they could make the meal vegetarian but are not able to make vegan accommodations yet.
C. Dazey, gluten free options are limited at this time. You may be able to request a GF pizza crust, but that’s all they’re able to accommodate at this time.
Pavithra, the manager indicated that the meal can be made to accommodate vegetarians.
Becca, vegetarian options are available!
Elizabeth, yes, you can request meat on the side or removed entirely.
Michele, we received portions for 1-2 people.
Georgeanne, you can request cheese pizza, and while they didn’t specify meat-free ziti, we expect they could accommodate that, too.
Beverly: our portion was for 1-2 people.
I wonder if there would be any option to get the fettuccine without meat? I’d like something I could eat besides the salads.
Have they said if the new and improved pizza is exclusive to family dining? Or can you also get it counter service now instead of the usual counter service pizza?
David, the regular menu still shows the usual counter service pizza.
Jays, you can get the pasta and pizza without meat.
My understanding was that this was a “all you care to eat” type of family style service. $20 for a slice pizza and small bowl pasta seems like a lot.
Dominick, the family-style meal at Pizzafari isn’t all-you-care-to-enjoy, but it’s definitely more than a slice of pizza and a bowl of pasta! There are two salads, two bowls of pasta, and a full sized pizza. The quantity of items depends on the number of people in the party. Our review showed food prepared for 1-2 diners, just to give you an idea of how much food was provided for the price. Hope this helps to clarify!
We did this the other night. Our family of 5 could not finish the food and it was great. Not fancy but really good and they let us box up the cannolis because no one could fit them. I had the mandarin lemonade and it was delicious. I’d do this again definitely
And no problem getting plain cheese pizza. And not the weird counter service. Real deep dish pizza with lots of cheese with being all cheese and no sauce.
Teri, glad you enjoyed it!
Can you get two caprese salads- can’t eat greens.
Bonnie, you could definitely ask! You might also try contacting Special Dietary Requests at Disney World to see if they can give you a definitive response.
I’m so hoping Disney extends this. This would be perfect for our evening AK plans this December. There is a lack of TS options at AK as it is and it’s been impossible to get a dinner reservation at Yak & Yeti so I would jump on this in a heartbeat.
We are here on our trip Sept. 9, 2018. I have multiple food allergies (tomato, potato, and gluten). The staff was very helpful, and provided my allergy free family with more food than they could possibly eat (and we have big eaters!), and brought me special food that I could safely eat. We were all stuffed! This is an incredible value for Disney. One note: if you have a tomato allergy, they do not have a white sauce they can sub the tomato sauce for, but they just made mine with no sauce. It wouldn’t have been my first choice as it was fairly bland, but it allowed me to eat with my family so I was pleased overall.
Since my son can consume a whole pizza like that by himself, this might be a good option for the two of us for our next trip. We normally have the QSDP so I could even enjoy a glass of wine with the pasta and salads. Plus we LOVE the decor of this restaurant and used to have breakfast there when they served the platters in the morning.
Sandra, sounds like a good arrangement for your fam!
Thank you for doing this review! My son will be 2 during our trip and this definitely seems like a meal he can participate in! Just wish they had included some garlic knots!
is this still available as a quick service credit?
Steve, it is!
Disney’s website says dinner is N/A to use a quick service credit for this meal? Has it changed?
Nancy, DDP for the Family-Style dining at Pizzafari hasn’t been confirmed yet for 2019! We’re going to keep an eye on it.