food IS a theme park
When you’re in Animal Kingdom, you can keep your eyes peeled for Kevin from Up! in a few ways! She landed on Discovery Island a few weeks ago… (Have you seen her?)
Kevin from UP is now in Animal Kingdom!
And now she’s been spotted on the Kevin Cupcake! At Warung Outpost in the Asia section of the park, we found this new treat alongside a new cocktail: the Himalayan Explorer. Both are equally eye-catching in color! [Read more…]
Beginning on March 3, 2019, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom can enjoy an energetic new dance experience called Bollywood Beats! We spotted this construction across from the Anandapur Theater back in November — right where the new show will be performed!
Animal Kingdom Asia Construction
Bollywood Beats will fuse traditional dance styles of Kathak and Bhangra with modern Bollywood dance made popular in wildly vibrant Bollywood films. [Read more…]
If there is any place more picturesque than Disney World’s Animal Kingdom to enjoy a stroll or simply sit for a spell and take in your surroundings?
Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom
I think many would agree when we say, “Nope!” And now there are a few more places where you can do the latter (which we found while doing the former 😉 ) on our latest trip to the park!
is a spot where you can always grab a Frozen Coke or other frozen beverage and a few other snacks (currently, Cinnamon-Glazed Almonds and Pecans are also featured on the menu). [Read more…]
Happy Weekend! We’re back with another DFB Video, and we’re taking you on a Food Tour of Animal Kingdom’s Asia!
Frozen Chai at Royal Anandapur Tea Company
Not only is the Asia section of the park a treat for the eyes, but it’s also a place where there are plenty of treats for your palate! So we’re stopping at every single place you can find food in Asia to fuel you up before you take on Expedition Everest. (On second thought, you might want to wait to eat until after riding the coaster… but I digress! 😉 ). From tasty teas and specialty cocktails for sipping to a surprising number of vegetarian options and entrees that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in Disney World, Animal Kingdom’s Asia is home to tons of fantastic eats! [Read more…]
Since its earliest days, I’ve always enjoyed a stop at Yak and Yeti Restaurant.
Yak and Yeti is located in Animal Kingdom’s Asia (you’ll pass it on the corner on your way to the Maharajah Jungle Trek) in the fictional village of Anandapur. Like Tiffins and Restaurantosaurus — and pretty much any restaurant in Animal Kingdom — theming is key here, with decor that is immersive and memorable. While you dine, you are surrounded by images and icons of Asian culture. Even the brightly painted exterior mimics that which you might see on the colorful village streets of Northern India or Nepal.
And as for the food? It’s also usually — dare I say it? — consistent here. Consistently GOOD. If you’ve been reading DFB for any length of time, then you’ll know that is a compliment I rarely bestow, as it’s so rarely earned in any Disney World Table Service restaurant.
So… I headed to Yak and Yeti ON MY BIRTHDAY, because I reeeeally wanted those firecracker shrimp on my special day. Did my most recent visit likewise measure up?
Once you’re on the right continent in Animal Kingdom, the bright purple stucco exterior that makes up Yak & Yeti Restaurant is accented by arched windows, intricate corbels, and beautifully carved doors.
Yak and Yeti Restaurant
The backstory here is that the owner of this building in Anandapur is a man named Arjun, a former merchant who’s turned his opulent home into lodging for travelers. These details account for the eclectic mix of statues, wall hangings, and furniture. The bar area you see below features examples of these details. [Read more…]
All eyes are on Animal Kingdom with the opening of Pandora — World of AVATAR!
And of course, we’ve been busy trying as many new dishes and snacks as possible at Satu’li Canteen and Pongu Pongu.
But what about the rest of the park? Have we forgotten about all the yum that resides in Africa’s Harambe, Discovery Island, Dinoland, U.S.A. (hey, don’t knock it — it’s home to Restaurantosaurus and the new Smokey Bones Bourbon and Bacon Shake), and Asia’s Anandapur?
Heck, no! In fact, we just found some new desserts at Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes that are crazy!!
Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes is the counter service little sister to the Yak and Yeti table service restaurant in Animal Kingdom’s Anandapur. You might see it listed as Yak and Yeti Counter Service sometimes (which may be a little clearer, if not quite so thematic).
Lines at Local Food Cafes
Most recently, we’ve checked out the Kobe Beef Burger and the Kobe Beef Hotdog, plus you can snag a generous portion of Chicken Fried Rice in a fun take-out container for a snack credit. And the Honey Chicken continues to have a dedicated fan base.
Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe Menu
Basically, if you like simple Asian fusion food, you’ll find something here.
But on our most recent visit, we went for something a little sweeter. We spotted two new dessert offerings on the menu (replacing the previous Pineapple Coconut Cake and Triple Chocolate Mousse), so we ordered one of each. Introducing the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake and the Mini Mango Pie.
Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe Desserts
First up was the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake, which, truth be told, was more like a pie than a cake. But you can’t really go wrong with silky chocolate mousse and chocolate chips.
Mini Chocolate Silk Cake
And while this is served up in a small bowl, there are some big and delicious flavors here. In particular, we were massive fans of that crust! It’s basically crushed cookie crumb crust, but it’s divine — and there’s tons of it!
Mini Chocolate Silk Cake
Not only is the crust pressed thickly all around the bowl, it’s on the bottom too, providing lots of texture and flavor to accompany the soft chocolate mousse. We also like the inclusion of chocolate chips, since they provided a slightly chewier texture. Overall, this is a solid choice for a chocolate fan or a picky-ish eater.
Mini Chocolate Silk Cake
But if you want to win the dessert day — and you do — go with the Mini Mango Pie. This one lands in a category for only the most stupidly good desserts. Because it’s really stupid good. And the star — like the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake — is the crust!
Mini Mango Pie
That thick graham cracker crust could not be better. It’s got just the right amount of saltiness from the butter that’s holding the crumbs together and sweetness from the incorporated sugar. It’s just dynamite! Crust heaven!
Mini Mango Pie
And there’s so much of it! And we’re so happy there’s so much of it!
But of course, pie is not made of crust alone (although we’d eat that… just sayin’). And here the sweet/tart mango filling is light and tropical — perfect for a hot Animal Kingdom day.
Mini Mango Pie
It’s the consistency of mousse without being too airy, which is a wonderful contrast to the crust. And it just tasted amazing. Wonderfully mango-licious.
(Those who have had the awesome mango pie in the restaurant at Yak & Yeti know it’s good. But THIS. IS. BETTER.)
Mini Mango Pie
At $4.99 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit, we say… gogetthisnowandbuyoneforustooplease. And in case you were wondering, the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake and the Mini Mango Pie have replaced the Pineapple Coconut Cake and the Triple Chocolate Mousse cake that used to be here, and we say: good riddance! You were fine, but we’ve moved on to better desserts.
What is your dessert fave at Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
OK, I usually really enjoy my meals at Yak and Yeti Restaurant. But this time? I had a blast! No joke; everything was so, so good. Can’t wait to tell you about it!
The colorful and beautifully themed restaurant, located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is a super hidden gem. This one just doesn’t seem to on the radar of many guests, and that’s a shame. Every time I’ve visited the exotic spot, I’ve had great food and service in beautiful surroundings.
But you know the DFB philosophy. We never rely on a place to stay the same, so we’re always revisiting even the best spots to confirm the quality is still there.
Since it had been a while since my last check-in, I decided it was time to pay a visit once more to Arjun and the good people of Anandapur for some of their warm hospitality.
If you’re on a pilgrimage en route from Africa to Mount Everest to conquer the mountain and the dreaded Yeti, you’ll surely see Yak and Yeti Restaurant. While its flat facade tends to blend in, the vibrant purple/periwinkle paint ensures that you’ll notice it.
Yak and Yeti Restaurant
And just in case you’re wondering who the heck Arjun is, he owns this house-turned-restaurant. At least according to Disney’s backstory. Once a wealthy merchant, Arjun has fallen on hard times, and now opens his home to travelers in hopes of making ends meet. The restaurant is filled with treasures that Arjun has gathered along his journeys. [Read more…]
While visiting Animal Kingdom several weeks ago, I noticed something unusual on the path from Expedition Everest in Asia back to Africa’s Harambe Village. This random mini bar had popped straight-up out of nowhere!
Bar on Asia pathway
I had to check it out because, even though it’s just a small, portable stand, the cloth decoration covering it is detailed and eye-catching, much like just about everything else in Animal Kingdom.
Cloth decorations
Vibrant cloth
The menu is small, simple, and custom made for those 21-and-over, with two mixed drinks (The Glacier and Kali River Tea) and two beers (Kingfisher Premium Lager and Singha) to choose from.
Menu
On my most recent trip I decided to give this new spot a quick stop. With the FL heat really kicking in, how could I go wrong with something called The Glacier?
The Glacier
The Glacier is a pretty simple beverage, really: lemonade mixed with raspberry vodka. The sign mentioned the drink being blended — which to me always means frozen, like a blended margarita. But there is no blender in sight at this tiny kiosk, so in this case “blended” just means mixed and served on the rocks at the moment. (This may change at any time.)
Glacier on the rocks
And, of course, it comes with [Read more…]
I like to play a game with myself at Disney parks. It’s called “pretend I live there and I’m not super rushing to do or see anything.”
While this game isn’t always successful, I’ve found that when I get up early and head into the parks during extra magic hour or right at opening time, I can claim a little bit of peace and quiet in some of the less populated areas. And as Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World is the most beautiful Disney park I’ve been in, it’s one of my favorites to visit in the relative peace of early morning.
Tea Company Sign
At these times, most guests head straight to Expedition Everest; the rest veer left toward Harambe and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Me? I keep on going through Asia toward the very back of the park — to the Anandapur Tea Company — in a section of the park that houses restaurants, walking trails, and a water ride.
Since few people want to do any of those things in the early morning, it can be pretty empty back there, but it’s a great spot to get a mild caffeine fix and some breakfast pastries.
Royal Anandapur Tea Company
The Tea Company is designed as a regional, Asian tea stop, so there’s lots of [Read more…]
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