Hi there Katie and welcome to planDisney!
From one Canadian to another, I'm so glad to be able to help you out with your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort adventure; it's nice to be able to look past the chilly wintery weather and dream about future vacations in the sunny South! I especially love being able to give my personal tips and tricks when it comes to
dining at Disney destinations!
The vast array of things to sip and savor at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park are some of my absolute favourites on property - but in order to enjoy
the restaurant options located within the Theme Park itself, you will currently need both
a park reservation and valid admission. There are currently two exceptions to this policy:
- If you are an Annual Passholder and visit after 2:00 PM, you will not require a Disney Theme Park Reservation as of April 18, 2023.
- If you are a guest attending an event planned through Disney Fairy Tale Weddings or Disney Meetings & Events, you will not be required to make a reservation nor pay for your park admission.
Outside of these exceptions, the other option you might be interested in is eating just outside the entrance at a restaurant that will immerse you within a wild world that comes to life all around you while you're eating:
Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom. At the moment, this may be the closest that you can get to eating "at" the park, without necessarily requiring a Park Reservation. Note that policies are always subject to change, so I highly recommend keeping an eye on
the latest news and updates!
Another option that I might suggest is taking advantage of
the dining options at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge; even when not staying there as a guest, I've loved being able to visit and enjoy the views of the wildlife across the Resort's savannah spaces before tasting some of the best cuisine I've had at Walt Disney World Resort. One of
my personal favourites is Sanaa, where you may even be able to view all kinds of exotic species through the expansive windows onto the wildlife preserve while you dine! Take some time to explore the Resort itself, which is designed with the same degree of storytelling and theming that Imagineers have put into the Theme Park and you just might end up wanting to stay time and time again!
Please don't hesitate to come back to planDisney to
ask me anything that will help you with your next adventure - especially when it comes to delicious
Disney Eats.
All the best on your culinary quest!
Prince