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Dining for Cheap in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Elephant habitat Kilimanjaro Safaris
Credit: Disney

Let’s face it, vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort is not cheap. From ticket prices and Disney Resort hotel costs to extraneous purchases like souvenirs and supplies, prices add up quickly. One of the biggest costs that Guests can find themselves facing throughout a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is dining, as popular locations can feature high prices for delicious options throughout the Disney Parks, Disney Resort hotels, and Disney Springs.

Signs

Credit: thecastleconceirge.com

It might seem like an inevitable expense to spend a lot on dining while at the Walt Disney World Resort, but there are actually plenty of ways to go about saving money and not breaking the bank when it comes to food. In the past, we’ve looked at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but this time, let’s focus on how to dine in Disney’s Animal Kingdom for cheap. Three full meals, two snacks, and low costs are the way to go with this cheap dining guide for any day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Cinnamon Roll at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery

Credit: Disney

Breakfast: Colossal Cinnamon Roll – Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery – $7.49 and Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffee – $3.49

Breakfast is no doubt the most important meal of the day, especially at the Walt Disney World Resort, where Guests use tons of energy walking through the Disney Parks each day in high temperatures. Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery in the village of Harambe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great spot to find a filling and satisfying breakfast each morning that won’t break the bank. This quick service location is just steps from Kilimanjaro Safaris and features a convenient outdoor ordering counter and nearby shaded patio where Guests can dig into a Colossal Cinnamon Roll and Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffee to fuel up for their wonderful day ahead.

Pongu Lumpia

Credit: Disney

Morning Snack: Pongu Lumpia – Pongu Pongu – $3.79

Pandora – The World of Avatar is one of the most popular areas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom where Guests are transported to the Valley of Mo’ara where the Na’vi live. This exotic and otherworldly destination is home to not only popular attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey, but also unique dining options like Pongu Pongu. This small quick service location near the rear of Pandora – The World of Avatar is open throughout each day and serves up a limited menu of beverages in addition to the delicious Pongu Lumpia. The Pongu Lumpia is a unique and tasty snack that features a great price and stuffs a crispy spring roll with tangy pineapple cream cheese.

Slow-Roasted-Beef-Bowl

Credit: Disney

Lunch: Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl – Satu’li Canteen – $14.49

Just steps away from Pongu Pongu in Pandora – The World of Avatar is Satu’li Canteen, a very popular quick-service restaurant that was once a mess hall for the RDA. Now operated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the inside of Satu’li Canteen is beautifully decorated with Na’vi cultural pieces and the menu offers up some customizable bowls that Guests cannot get enough of. A very filling and wonderful option to choose for lunch that is reasonably priced is the Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl, which features tender and thin slices of beef topped with a crunchy vegetable slaw and boba balls. Guests also have their choice of base and sauce, making this lunch a highly customizable option to enjoy any day in the Disney Park.

Mr. Kamal's Fries

Credit: allergyfriendlydisney.com

Afternoon Snack: Mr. Kamal’s Seasoned Fries – $5.99

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to many small quick-service locations that tend to be overlooked by Guests, thanks to their beautiful theming and placement on winding pathways throughout the Disney Park. Mr. Kamal’s is one such overlooked location that can be found on the pathway that connects the Africa and Asia sections the Disney Park, which serves up a savory and unique snack that is sure to keep Guests full in the afternoons. Mr. Kamal’s Seasoned Fries feature fresh and piping hot fries coated in a zesty seasoning that Guests can top off with a selection of complimentary dips including ketchup, Tandoori honey mustard, saffron aioli, and spicy honey ketchup.

Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Dinner: Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork – Flame Tree Barbecue – $12.49

To round out a full day of dining for cheap in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Guests should head to Discovery Island to enjoy a mouthwatering and filling dinner option that features a great price. Flame Tree Barbecue serves up some totally indulgent barbecue options that Guests can then enjoy on large open air patios that offer up shady spots and beautiful views of the Discovery River and Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. There is literally no wrong choice at Flame Tree Barbecue, but Guests are sure to love the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork which tops a creamy bed of noodles with a hefty portion of pulled pork, onion rings, coleslaw, and drizzle of barbecue sauce. The portion is so large that you could even split it if you wanted to!

Total: $47.74

See? It’s totally possible to enjoy a full day of dining in Disney’s Animal Kingdom for less than $50 per person. While Guests can definitely splurge and spend some serious money on meals at table service restaurants including Yak & Yeti Restaurant, Tiffins Restaurant, and Tusker House Restaurant, they can also save by focusing on quick-service locations with lower menu prices. Some other popular quick service locations with lower costing meals to enjoy while in Disney’s Animal Kingdom include Restaurantosaurus, Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafés, Harambe Market, and Pizzafari.

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a child and has developed a deep love and appreciation of the Disney Parks with a particular interest in the small details and history that can be found all around. Visiting every chance she gets, Caitlin loves to enjoy the ambiance of the Disney Parks and try something new every time. She can often be found eating and drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, riding the Haunted Mansion, sipping on a Lapu Lapu, pretending Illuminations: Reflections of Earth was still in existence, and enjoying seeing the magic through the eyes of her children. When not in WDW, Caitlin can be found at home in New York dreaming of a ride on Living with the Land and counting down the days until her next trip.