REVIEW: Drinks, Dessert, and Charm are on the Menu at Pongu Pongu in Pandora – The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

While visiting Pandora: The World of AVATAR during our special preview, we did get to drink and grab a dessert from the Pongu Pongu kiosk.

Pongu Pongu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Quench your thirst the Pandoran way at an otherworldly pit-stop offering Na’vi-inspired refreshment.

Are your expeditions at Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey leaving you parched? Hike to the corner of Windtraders where you’ll find Pongu Pongu—when you spot a friendly expat serving out-of-this-world drinks, you’ve come to the right place.

Meaning “Party Party” in the language of the Na’vi, Pongu Pongu welcomes weary travelers to try our “bioluminescent” frozen cocktail, indigenous beers—or even a sweet snack you won’t find elsewhere!

While most of Pandora is simply huge and awe-inspiring to look at, I found fun and charm around this one corner of the land. Pongu Pongu exhibits a kooky character in a land heavily filled with conservation messages and fantastic plant-life.

Pongu Pongu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Probably why Dinoland U.S.A. has always been my favorite area in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is because it doesn’t take itself to seriously, and neither does Pongu Pongu, understanding that its a drink stand run by a human tour company with the purpose of serving tourists.

Pongu Pongu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

It has an eclectic charm with traces of the world’s heritage abounding. Even though you are in the remnants of a military facility, they are clearly long gone and now we’re just here to have a good time on vacation.

Pongu Pongu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Pongu Pongu has two serving windows and no seating area, but it is just steps away from the outdoor seating area at the Satuli Canteen.

I present the very first trash can pictures of Pandora: The World of AVATAR

So, how are the drinks and the long-advertised Lumpia snacks? Let’s find out…

Pongu Pongu Menu

Pongu Pongu Menu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR

The menu includes one non-acloholic and one alcoholic frozen drink, two specialty beers brewed just for this land, the Pongu Lumpia dessert, and bottled water.

Night Blossom – Non-Alcholic Specialty Beverage ($4.99, $18.25 with souvenir cup and glow cube)

Mixture of Limeade with Apple and Desert Pear flavors topped with Passion Fruit Boba Balls. Can be served in a souvenir Pongu Mug with glowing Unadelta Seed

I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. It is very sweet, but the mix of limeade, apple, and pear flavors make for a unique and refreshing combination. It is quite a bit more if you want the plastic souvenir cup and glow cube, but otherwise, I think it is a good value based on the size of the beverage. It also takes an awfully nice picture.

The frozen drinks are concocted from these machines, which are surrounded by even more themed elements inside the kiosk

Mo’ara High Country Ale ($8.25 16oz, $9.50 22oz, $18.50 with souvenir mug and glow cube)

Draft Beer 16oz. Rich amber color with a spicy Hop aroma and notes of Caramel, Toffee and Nuts

The high country ale is the darker amber colored beer. It’s a more bitter beer with notes of a nutty flavor and caramel and toffee. Though not as highly carbonated as the grog, it is still heavier than the average IPA, but doesn’t have the over-bitterness that a Jai Alai would have. There’s prevalent hop, but this isn’t a full IPA, and I’m not talking Indigenous Pandora Ale…

Hawkes’ Grog Ale ($8.25 16oz, $9.50 22oz, $18.50 with souvenir mug and glow cube)

Draft Beer 16oz. Golden Ale with a brilliant green color and flavors of Wheat and Citrus followed by a creamy finish

Tasting notes are very carbonated, tastes like a lighter wheat beer with light citrus notes. Very drinkable, highly themed to the land. Slight creamy finish that isn’t as off-putting as it sounds, the beer is balanced but not overly crafty and shouldn’t be avoided by those without advanced beer palettes.

Pongu Lumpia ($4.59)

A pineapple cream cheese spring roll

Pongu Lumpia ($4.59)

This was what I was most anticipating from the food lineup on Pandora and I have to say it was just alright. Served warm, the spring roll doesn’t really hold together well after a bite or two. The flavor is there, and is certainly enjoyable if you like cream cheese and pineapple flavors. Your dessert money may be better spent inside of Satuli Canteen honestly and I’ll let you know once we (hopefully) get in there on Saturday.

PHOTOS: New ‘Magic Shots’ for Disney PhotoPass at Animal Kingdom feature Pascal, Kaa, AVATAR, and More!

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

Just recently, PhotoPass has created some new ‘Magic Shots’ to enhance photos take at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

These ‘Magic Shots’ will add a little extra ‘pixie dust’ to your Disney photos.

At Animal Kingdom, you can expect to find a wide variety of these special photo-ops. All you have to do is just ask any PhotoPass photographer, aside from those at Character Experience locations, to set up the photo.

You can find Kaa from the Jungle Book, Kion from The Lion Guard, Flik from A Bug’s Life, and even an adorable panda from the Disneynature movie Born in China.

Also starting May 27th, you can find some special ‘magic shots’ on the Planet of Pandora where you can have Banshees in the background, or even have the official Pandora logo beneath you!

Tarzan Meet and Greet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Moving to New Location

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

With the crowds expected to descend on Pandora – The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Tarzan meet and greet experience will be moving.

Formerly located just outside of Pizzafari on what will be the path to Pandora, Tarzan moved to a new spot behind the Tree of Life on Wednesday, May 10th. This will be his new, permanent meet and greet location and no character will be replacing the former meet and greet spot near Pizzarfari.

PHOTOS, VIDEO, REVIEW: Flight of Passage is the Next Big Theme Park Thrill Ride, Soars in Pandora – The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

I have anxiously awaited my chance to experience the heavily guarded secrets of the AVATAR Flight of Passage attraction in Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and during yesterday’s annual passholder previews, I did finally get to ride on a Banshee. Well, virtually at least.

I already talked at length about the queue in my initial thoughts on Pandora, but now it is time to talk about the pre-show and ride experience.

So, how is it?

Disney is still having a lot of problems with the ride, and cast members have told us that all 4 theaters have still not run simultaneously to this point. During yesterday’s preview, they were down to just one theater in fact, and luckily they did have a second come online here and there. With just about 2 weeks left to go, this is not a good sign, but hopefully they will figure it out before May 27th with a lot of long-shifts pulled by Imagineers and others involved. With a theoretical hourly capacity of 1900 guests (if all 4 theaters are functioning), there isn’t going to be much room for error in this heavily-hyped opening Summer.

The waiting area for the decontamination/matching rooms at Flight of Passage.

When these doors open, your first pre-show experience begins at Flight of Passage.

The pre-show experience is a bit odd. Once you are corralled into one of several lines, you are then sent into decontamination/matching chambers in groups of 16. In this room, a rather odd scientist takes you through the decontamination process and then finds the AVATAR that is a match for you. While the scripting and acting for this room fall pretty flat, guests will have a lot of fun with the infrared technology in use and the blasts of air and lighting effects that take place. Guests are then whisked off to the briefing room where they learn from the scientist and Dr. Ogden about their experience and boarding the simulators properly. While it is a little bland and boring, it does a great job explaining what’s going on and makes watching the AVATAR movie unnecessary to understand the attraction.

Then it is off to the ride.

The seats are unique for a Disney Parks attraction and you’re not going to find any like this at another theme park. The “link seats” require straddling since you will be riding a Banshee (eventually), and they can be a bit hard to get into for taller and larger guests. My suggestion would be to get your knees as far in as you can before sitting down. While larger guests had many issues during earlier previews, the fairly big individuals visiting with myself yesterday all made it in just fine. We ranged between 6’0″ and 6’3″ and all made it in just fine. If you have larger or longer legs, that may be an issue, but probably not until people start cresting the 6’5″ mark or over 300 pounds.

Now it’s time to ride. If I could only use one word to describe the actual attraction portion, it would be impressive. The technology behind “link chair” is impressive and there’s a lot in each ride through that has to go right for a perfect experience, and it did for both of ours yesterday.

Warning, we’re going to get into some spoilers now…

So what is the ride system? Imagine if you took the Soarin’ system and placed single-person simulator chairs on each level. Oh, and give it the largest, seamless, most vivid 3-D projection screen you’ve ever seen; then you have Flight of Passage. Oh, and throw in some cool, new 3-D shades…

The individual link chairs provide for a very personal experience, but your family and friends are never so far away that you can’t still speak to them and hear them. One nice thing about this is it will avoid awkwardness of those utilizing the single rider line for this attraction as they get to actually sit alone, a first for anyone utilizing this service. I sometimes feel awkward using single rider lines as I think you can sense that the people you are seated with are never happy that you are there. This will be a nice change of pace.

The link chairs are also insanely cool. There is a screen with a camera in front of you on each one, which provides some distraction while you wait for others to load (correctly) into their seats. It’s flashy and entertaining enough for what may be a little bit of a wait. Once the ride gets going, the motion on these is enough of a thrill for the whole family, but Expedition Everest it is not. It will likely be on the higher end of the spectrum for children, and the average adult will find it thrilling enough to be satisfied I believe. Basically, I don’t expect a lot of projectile vomiting on this ride.

The other neat part of the seats are the sound and movement effects that simulate that you are on a Banshee. You will feel the creature breathing under you and hear it from your seat. Some of these strange effects are also applied during the “linking” effect at the beginning of the ride that sends you mind into the Avatar out on Pandora.

And yes, no physical Banshee appears under you, and no, I don’t want to hear about it in the comments section of any post. Thank you in advance for understanding what a rumor is.

The ride itself is a lot of fun, with sequences that make what I thought to be a rather bland film franchise into a really exciting one. The action is non-stop, but never feels forced, flowing through the different ecosystems on the planet. The most amazing effect of the ride is the way it seamlessly blends in theater effects into the show. The mist on your face, waves crashing, and a seemingly endless array of odors are all felt (and smelled) from your seat. How they do this without the lingering odors found in Soarin’ prevailing through the rest of the ride is beyond me, but they make you feel like you are really there at all moments. All of this combined with the crisp-3D imagery makes for a fantastic ride. It is, without a doubt, the most realistic screen-based ride experience of all time.

Flight of Passage isn’t my favorite attraction I’ve ever been on, but it’s likely in the top 10 somewhere. Based on how guests respond to Soarin’ and the screen-based thrill rides at Universal Orlando, I think the general public is going to flip out for this experience, probably more than any theme park fan will. It is just a screen ride, but it is the best use of projection technology in a ride I’ve seen since Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, and it far surpasses that. The screens work here as they are not here to replace things that could be done with physical sets, but rather offer things that you just couldn’t do if this wasn’t presented on a screen.

While I often feel that Universal doesn’t care either way and just makes an attraction screen-based for budgetary reasons, Flight of Passage feels like a conscious effort to offer the best experience possible. As I felt the first time I rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, while I didn’t prefer screens, I enjoyed the way they were used in the ride (even if it is a bit nauseating). Screen-based rides aren’t the devil, and they don’t need to be outlawed, they just need to only be used when necessary. If Flight of Passage and Forbidden Journey are examples of how to best to use screens in new, cutting-edge attractions, then Escape from Gringotts and the Na’vi River Journey are good tutorials on how not to (using screens to replace things that could have been physically there).

Regardless, Flight of Passage will become the most popular attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and possibly in all of Walt Disney World come May 27th, 2017 when it officially opens. Either get a FastPass or be prepared to wait a really, really, really long time for this one folks.

REVIEW: Satuli Canteen Lunch and Dinner, Pandora – The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

The Satuli Canteen is the quick service dining location in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, offering a fairly unique menu compared to other counter service offerings at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Discover healthful dishes and familiar flavors from another world—wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins.

Between your aerial adventures on Avatar Flight of Passage and family-friendly voyages aboard Na’vi River Journey, tuck inside the Quonset-hut structure called Satu’li Canteen—long ago an RDA mess hall, now a peaceful dining facility adorned with Na’vi art and cultural items.

Owned and operated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE), Satu’li Canteen supplies travelers all the comforts of home—courtesy of a unique, fast-casual menu that’s been crafted from Pandora’s natural abundance.

Featuring international-inspired cuisine, vegetarian options and specialty libations, it’s the perfect place to refuel as you venture through the Valley of Mo’ara.

I would best describe the inside of the restaurant as an Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant located in an abandoned hangar. That’s pretty much what it is. It’s a strange blend, but it isn’t unpleasant. There isn’t much indoor seating, but the outdoor seating looks to be comparable in size, so it should work out when crowds descend upon the land.

The ordering area is massive, featuring a number of bays utilizing what remains of a former RDA commissary (in storyline).

Entrees

Chopped Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl ($11.49)

Wood-Grilled Chicken Thighs marinated with Garlic and Olive Oil topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce

As you may notice in the photographs, the ubiquitous Disney Parks plates are not to be found here, instead, you get a “real” plate and silverware to dine with. A nice touch that we have seen at some of the nicer counter service locations in recent years.

This particular dish has the Creamy Herb Dressing, which ended up being my favorite, especially mixed with the Red and Sweet Potato Hash (which is also a winner). The chicken was cooked well enough and mixed with the sauce and base in a nice way. The vegetable slaw and yogurt boba balls are fine, which is good, BECAUSE IT COMES WITH EVERYTHING.

Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl ($12.99)

Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef marinated in a blend of Garlic, Herbs, Red Pepper Spice, and Red Wine Vinegar topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce.

You’ll see two unique orders of the beef above, one with Mixed Whole Grain and Rice, and another with the Red and Sweet Potato Hash, but both have the Charred Onion Chimichurri. The chimichurri is pretty bland and adds almost nothing to any dish, and especially in this case with the rice, which is flavorless to begin with. The beef itself is a real winner, tender with a lot of flavor for a counter service offering.

Sustainable Fish Bowl ($12.99)

Panko Breaded Sustainable Fish topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce

The fish in this case was mahi-mahi and I thought it was solid, crunchy on the outside with a flavor in the vicinity of sweet and flaky inside. Again, the rice and the chimichurri are under this and I just would not recommend this combination.

Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl ($11.49)

Crispy Fried Tofu seasoned with Chili-Spice topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce

The chili-spiced fried tofu was possibly my second favorite to the beef, offering a good flavor with a little kick if you aren’t in the mood for meat. It mixed really well with the Creamy Herb Sauce and the Red and Sweet Potato Hash, a combo I would have again. One thing worth mentioning is how huge these dishes are. I had a hard time finishing this dish and I usually can clean a plate pretty well.

I also spiced this dish up with tabasco, which is available at the condiment station.

Cheeseburger Steamed Pods – Bao Buns ($10.99)

Steamed Cheeseburger Pod stuffed with Ground Beef, Ketchup, Mustard, Pickle, and Cheddar Cheese served with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Vegetable Chips

These were good, but I think a bit overhyped. Don’t get me wrong, I like them, but the meat to bun ratio is way too uneven. If they loaded some more meat and cheese in here, it could be one of my favorite entrees at a quick service, but the flavors just don’t even out right now. The meals are also a little on the small side, so don’t get these if you are starving. They might actually work better as something to share as a quick snack or something to split between your entire party should you all just want to try them.

My favorite part of the meal was the vegetable chips which have a really pleasant flavor palate with a salty tinge.

Vegetable Steamed Curry Pods – Bao Buns ($10.99)

Steamed Vegetable Curry Pod with Eggplant, Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, Carrots, and Shallot Cilantro Cream served with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Vegetable Chips

While the cheeseburger pods are getting all of the attention, I actually think that these were just as good, if not better. There is a curry spice sprinkled over the pods, but on the chips as well, adding quite a bit of spice to the plate. The vegetable mix in the pod makes for a unique and tasty flavor. If the cheeseburger version isn’t of interest to you, these are a good option.

Kids Menu

“Teylu” All-Beef Hot Dog Wrapped in Dough ($6.79)

All-Beef Hot Dog wrapped in a Parker House Dough served with Vegetable Chips and Grapes, and Small Dasani Bottled Water or Low-fat Milk

A big step over the usual kid’s hot dog dish, the wrap-around bun is quite good and a vast improvement. The delicious vegetable chips are included with this as well.

Cheese Quesadilla ($6.49)

Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese in a Tortilla served with Vegetable Chips and Grapes, and Small Dasani Bottled Water or Low-fat Milk

Back in the day, I used to really enjoy the cheese quesadillas when they were located at Pizzafari, and these are very similar and pretty good if your little guy or girl are in the mood for such a thing. Quesadillas aren’t complicated, but these were made with quality ingredients and you could taste it. AND AGAIN THERE’S THE VEGETABLE CHIPS.

Desserts

Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse ($5.29)

Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse with Passion Fruit Curd

The most discussed dessert leading into the opening of Pandora, this item is no longer even a cheesecake and has already been greatly reduced in size. It’s good enough, but personally not something I would order again. It did prove popular with others at the table, so maybe it’s just my taste on this one, but it has such a weird, gelatinous texture and the flavor wasn’t what I expected at all. Way too much passion fruit for me.

Chocolate Cake ($5.29)

Chocolate Cake with a Crunchy Cookie Layer and Banana Cream Topping

While the former cheesecake now mousse dessert received top billing, this was by far my favorite of the two. The flourless chocolate cake flavor of the airy dessert blends perfectly with the crunchy cookie layer at the bottom and the banana cream on top. This is a must order in my book, one of my favorite desserts in all of Walt Disney World.

Beverages

Pandoran Sunrise ($4.49, $13.49 with Navi Flute Cup)

Exotic blend of Tropical Juices including Pineapple, Mango, Lime and a hint of Melon with a Pineapple garnish served over ice (also served in a Na’vi Flute Cup)

The Pandora Sunrise is probably worth skipping for something at Pongu Pongu instead (namely the Night Blossom). It’s refreshing, but pales in comparison. For a better value, fountain drinks with refills provided by self-derive fountains are available, with many more options than you might usually expect, including Sprite Zero, Barq’s Root Beer, and Coke Zero in addition to the usual variety.

The Navi Flute Cup is pretty nice, including a flute that can be detached and played.

Dreamwalker Sangria ($9.50)

Refreshing White Sangria with a hint of Blue Curaçao

Carbonated non-boozey garbage honestly. It’s light and fruity with a grape tartness due to the ones placed on top, but I wasn’t able to fully grasp flavors over the blue curaçao.

OVERALL

Satuli Canteen is likely the best overall counter service restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, especially with mobile ordering offered (based on our experience). With a good variety of options with a number of customization aspects, it would be hard to not find something for everyone at this eatery. With the portion sizes leaning towards the larger and fountain beverage refills available, it also feels like a better value than many other options.

Satuli Canteen will open to the public on May 27th, 2017 inside of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

REVIEW: Mobile Ordering Debuts at Walt Disney World Counter Service Restaurants, Does It Work?

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

A few weeks ago, we told you that Mobile Ordering through the MyDisneyExperience app was coming to select Walt Disney World Resort counter service eateries. Well, yesterday, during a special preview of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we got to try out the service at the Satuli Canteen.

The latest update of the app is necessary to use mobile ordering, so make sure you download it.

Upon opening the updated app, it informs guests of the new service, even though it is in very limited testing.

Guests registered for a preview of Pandora: The World of AVATAR can utilize the service at Satuli Canteen, who plans to launch with the service when they open on May 27th.

All you have to do is go to the restaurant of your choice in the app (who offers the service, of course), and select the “Order Food” option.

As we told you before, the Dining Plan can not be used for this service, only credit cards.

Ordering is very simple as you just select an entree…

Once the entree is selected, you can then customize it as you wish.

You can pretty much remove any of the ingredients, which I thought was impressive.

When I selected a fountain beverage, the app even tried to up-sell me a Navi Flute Cup. Don’t be ridiculous app, I already have it!

You can take a look at what’s in your “cart” or “bag” at any time to remove or change the quantity of an item. Once it is to your liking (and you skip over the cup up-sell again), you can hit “Review Order Summary”.

The “Order Summary” screen gives you one final chance to look at the order, see the price, and purchase it. It will automatically use the credit card attached to your MyDisneyExperience account unless you change it at the bottom of this page. Then you can just hit purchase when ready.

Once you have pre-paid using your credit card on file, you get a confirmation message. At this point, you can go do whatever and return when you are ready to eat later that day. I, in fact, placed this order three hours before returning to Satuli Canteen. When I even got anywhere near the restaurant, a notification would pop up and ask if I was ready to dine there, a nice feature to have.

Upon reopening the app, you can find your pre-order in a separate box in “My Plans”, awaiting you to click the “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” button.

You will need to present your order number, so have this ready when you do retrieve your food.

Once you hit the button, then your food will be prepared. You don’t have to do anything until it tells you that your order is ready.

I kept the app open through the entire process, so I saw the 3rd light turn green and tell me that my order was ready to be picked up. If you close the app, you can still get a notification to go to the counter, as you can see below.

As I said above, when the food is ready, the 3rd dot will turn green and it will tell you to head on over.

This is when you visit the counter labeled for Mobile Order Pick-Up, and if all goes according to plan, you will have your food and drink within seconds of your arrival. Everything worked for us and it was super convenient. The other person I was visiting with used the regular ordering process and I had my meal in hand much faster than he did, so should this system continue to work in this fashion, I think Disney has a real winner on its hands.

Mobile ordering will be also be available for the following counter service locations at the four Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs at some point in the future:

ABC Commissary
Backlot Express
Columbia Harbor House
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
D-Luxe Burger
Electric Umbrella
Flame Tree Barbecue
Liberty Inn
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Pinocchio Village Haus
Pizzafari
Restaurantosaurus
Satu’li Canteen
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
Tortuga Tavern

An exact start date for the service at all of these restaurants is still unknown, but we do know that at the very least Satuli Canteen will be using mobile ordering starting in May. More restaurants may be added in the future should the program prove successful.

REVIEW: Alcoholic Oatmeal, Breakfast Pods, and Other Unique Eats on Satuli Canteen Breakfast Menu in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

Earlier this week, we reviewed lunch and dinner at the Satuli Canteen, but today, we review a menu of far greater interest, breakfast. Why is breakfast so interesting at this eatery in Pandora: The World of AVATAR? Well, you clicked this story based on the headline right? Alcoholic oatmeal? Breakfast pods?

With a menu sounding so interesting, I couldn’t wait to try breakfast here.

Satuli Canteen Breakfast Menu

Satuli Canteen Breakfast Menu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Satuli Canteen Allergy-Friendly Breakfast Menu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Entrees

Steel Cut Oatmeal ($7.49)

Steel-cut Oats, topped with Caramelized Brown Sugar, Bourbon-soaked Raisins, Marcona Almonds and Goji Berries. This item is prepared with alcohol and can only be ordered by Guests 21 years of age or older.

At the end of the day, this is an $8 oatmeal dish, but I really enjoyed it. The caramelized brown sugar mixed with the bourbon from the raisins makes for sweet and satisfying bites, and the other assorted toppings are worth a try. There was enough bourbon inn here to make the dish smell like a glass of it, so I think you’ll be happy with the results. I don’t often crave oatmeal, but even just writing this review, I have the urge to eat this dish again.

Disney actually won’t let anyone under 21 order this, but you can get a non-alcoholic version instead. My suggestion would be to skip this if you are under 21 because the bourbon is where most of the desired flavor comes from.

Breakfast Steamed Pod ($8.49)

Steamed Pods filled with Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Spinach, Cheddar Cheese served with Pickled Slaw

As exciting as these sounded, they were fairly standard and again had the problem of too much breadÂ and not enough substance. Also, no one is going to be full from this dish. It needs a real side, not this pickled slaw that already comes with every lunch and dinner dish.

Steak and Eggs ($9.99)

Vegetable-Goat Cheese Frittata and Wood Fired Herb Crusted Beef, with Chimichuri sauce.

Another winning dish, the frittata is loaded with vegetables, but is still light enough to be enjoyable, while the steak is pretty much the same as what comes in the lunch and dinner bowls (which is good). Opposed to lunch, the Chimichuri sauce actually paired well with everything in this dish.

Pork Hash ($8.99)

Slow Roasted Pork and Potato Hash topped with Grilled Chorizo Sausage, Green Onions served with Natural Jus

Probably the best breakfast dish overall, this meal is also quite sizable. The potato hash is similar to the one at lunch (minus the sweet potatoes), mixed with well-cooked pork and a tasty grilled chorizo sausage. I like this type of dish spicy, so it is nice that there is tabasco at the nearby condiment station.

French Toast ($7.99)

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast topped with Blueberry Cream Cheese Dollop, Passion Fruit Anglaise and Pork Sausage

This sounded like it would be so good, but it was a complete letdown. The blueberry cream cheese dollop (because everything from the lunch and dinner menu has to appear at breakfast I suppose) blends horribly with the french toast, but I think the problem is all with the toast. It’s mostly flavorless and was kind of tough honestly. The sausage was good and the plate was of a good size, but this just isn’t something I would order again.

OVERALL

The Satuli Canteen breakfast menu goes 3-for-5 in our experience, with those three dishes all being ones we would order again. Based on the overall weakness of breakfast options in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this would certainly be my go-to.

Don’t forget to check out our lunch and dinner review of the Satuli Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, which also includes a rundown of the drinks and desserts offered here, in addition to every one of the entrees.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (5/17/17) – In-Depth Review of Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Happily Ever After, Win Prizes from Pandora!

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we explore Pandora: The World of AVATAR, review Happily Ever After art the Magic Kingdom, and play The Math Game for prizes straight from the planet of Pandora!

If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents and announcer Michelle Wargo.

Coming up on this week’s show:

A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
An In-Depth Discussion of all aspects of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (20 hours of experience, food reviews, attraction experiences, and more)
The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
“WDWNT: The Math Game” for prizes from Pandora: The World of AVATAR, provided by WDWNT: The App
Who Hates Tom Now?
And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for a very special episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, be sure to watch it:

Details on Entertainment & Nighttime Lighting Ceremony Taking Place Daily in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

While various previews of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are ongoing, guests are still not seeing a finished product of the land and will not until May 27th, 2017. On opening day, Disney will debut entertainment offerings, as well as a nighttime lighting ceremony for Pandora.

The drum circle show, which has been mentioned before, will debut on the 27th, performing up to 14 times per day during the long operating hours planned for this Summer. The 8PM show will be a special one as it will reportedly bring the bioluminescence of Pandora to life right before the eyes of guests.

It is also rumored that there will be lead ACE team members who will be roaming the land in-character, teaching guests about the planet.

In addition to entertainment, none of the bioluminescent effects on the planet will be activated for guests until opening day. Inside sources also tell us that the interactive plant life on Pandora is not completed yet and that there will be more to touch and interact with once the finished product is unveiled.

VIDEO: Shaman from Pandora -The World of AVATAR, Disney’s Most Advanced Audio-Animatronic

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Disney today released video of the Shaman animatronic character that will appear in the Navi River Journey attraction in Pandora: The World of AVATAR:

[sc name=”YouTube Embed 800w” id=”kH5v6l54R_c” ]