Pandora: The World of Avatar Announcement, Construction, & Preview Discussion

[Nick]

It looks great, but I wonder if some of the choices are going to be a little too "out there" for some guests - the same guests that go to Epcot and look for burgers and chicken fingers.

DAK as a park is "out there" for the average park goer, tbh. Especially when it comes to dining. Most quick service offerings are not the typical burgers or pizza (Only Pizzafari or the QS in Dinoland serve those).

Look at Tiffins and the Harambe market as well for recent food offerings at DAK. They are trying to push the boundaries of theme park food, it would seem.

 

[twebber55]

Yea, I better get there early before they change the menu like Skipper Canteen after those guests complain. -- I will say, at least Pizzafari is nearby to appease the complainers.

LOL i was thinking the same thing

 

[Brian G.]

They serve hot dogs for the kids. I love burgers though. Idc, I'd eat a burger at EPCOT.

I'm not saying burgers are bad, I'm saying there are people who stay within their comfort zone.

 

[Alicia]

I'm not saying burgers are bad, I'm saying there are people who stay within their comfort zone.

The steamed pods are available with burger filling. Does that count?

 

[Nick]

I'm not saying burgers are bad, I'm saying there are people who stay within their comfort zone.

Hey, when you are paying theme park prices for this meal, I can understand why people want to stay in a comfort zone.

 

[Brian G.]

DAK as a park is "out there" for the average park goer, tbh. Especially when it comes to dining. Most quick service offerings are not the typical burgers or pizza (Only Pizzafari or the QS in Dinoland serve those).

Look at Tiffins and the Harambe market as well for recent food offerings at DAK. They are trying to push the boundaries of theme park food, it would seem.

I'm definitely not knocking Disney for it. I love all those offerings. I think with Tiffins and Harambe, it's different but familiar enough. With Pandora, they have to make it seem "other worldly" and it may turn people off. I just know how it's probably going to end up going down, sadly. As @AliciaStella said, just look at Skipper Canteen.

The steamed pods are available with burger filling. Does that count?

I wouldn't think so but people will look at the bun and probably go "WTF?!"

Hey, when you are paying theme park prices for this meal, I can understand why people want to stay in a comfort zone.

Which was kinda what I was worried about...

 

[Nick]

Which was kinda what I was worried about...

Yeah, I get what you guys are concerned about with the menu. I loved the original Skipper Canteen menu and then they had to change it because nobody wanted to eat there.

But sort of as I was saying, when you're paying theme park prices, most people want to get something you know you'll like. I personally love trying things, but I know that my fellow Americans aren't so willing. We are creatures of habit after all.

 

[Alicia]

Yeah, I get what you guys are concerned about with the menu. I loved the original Skipper Canteen menu and then they had to change it because nobody wanted to eat there.

But sort of as I was saying, when you're paying theme park prices, most people want to get something you know they'll like. I personally love trying things, but I know that my fellow Americans aren't so willing. We are creatures of habit after all.

This is why I think the Epcot festivals work so well. At least I'm only losing ~5.00 if I hate it, and I get to try new things, and that's actually the point.

 

[Andysol]

Yea, I better get there early before they change the menu like Skipper Canteen after those guests complain. -- I will say, at least Pizzafari is nearby to appease the complainers.

I really enjoyed Skipper's canteen when it first opened. I went again this past September and it just wasn't the same, unfortunately. Dumbed down menu. Even the mac and cheese w/ meat (which was the best thing on the menu) wasn't being served..

It was curious how they announced it though. It wasn't available for reservations- walk-up only. They didn't "advertise" the crap out of it with all their life styler/mom blogs- it just kind of "opened". I'm curious if this was because they were expecting blowback on an "out there" menu at MK. It was almost as if they closed their eyes and pushed the meal plate in front of you then turned around and crossed their fingers.

Be proud- it doesn't appeal to the generic bland Disney attendee- fine. There are plenty of other choices for those who don't want to eat it. Casey's corner is always serving.

 

[belloq87]

The food looks unexpectedly great. I'm glad Disney didn't play to the lowest common denominator, even as none of the dishes are actually too wild if you read the descriptions of them. There are plenty of other options elsewhere in the park for people who find these dishes not to their liking.

 

[Nick]

I really enjoyed Skipper's canteen when it first opened. I went again this past September and it just wasn't the same, unfortunately. Dumbed down menu. Even the mac and cheese w/ meat (which was the best thing on the menu) wasn't being served..

It was curious how they announced it though. It wasn't available for reservations- walk-up only. They didn't "advertise" the crap out of it with all their life styler/mom blogs- it just kind of "opened". I'm curious if this was because they were expecting blowback on an "out there" menu at MK. It was almost as if they closed their eyes and pushes the meal plate in front of you then turned around and crossed their fingers.

Be proud- it doesn't appeal to the generic bland Disney attendee- fine. There are plenty of other choices for those who don't want to eat it. Casey's corner is always serving.

Disney typically goes a month or so doing walk-ups with their new restaurants before adding reservations. Tiffins started out as walk-up only last year. Almost all Disney Springs restaurants start out as walk-up only before allowing reservations. The practice is to help ease the CMs into serving actual guests instead of just mock service or whatnot.

The only restaurant I can think of that has opened at Disney with reservations right away recently was Be Our Guest, and that's only because it would've been a mad house if they did otherwise.

 

[Alicia]

The food looks unexpectedly great. I'm glad Disney didn't play to the lowest common denominator, even as none of the dishes are actually too wild if you read the descriptions of them. There are plenty of other options elsewhere in the park for people who find these dishes not to their liking.

I like that the bowls are build-your-own too, like Chipotle or the noodle/rice bowls of Pei-Wei. It's a nice change of pace for theme park fare.

 

[Mad Dog]

Beef bowls are banshee bowls! It's all a lie. Save the banshees!

Banshee tastes just like chicken

 

[epcyclopedia]

The faux caviar is an odd choice...

And if the curry veg steamed bun is more photogenic of the two, I fear for what the burger bun looks like.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Do we have menu prices for new restaurant yet? These dishes look considerably more upscale than a normal counter service. I wouldn't be surprised if this restaurant ends up being the most expensive counter-service restaurant in the entire resort.

 

[Alicia]

Do we have menu prices for new restaurant yet? These dishes look considerably more upscale than a normal counter service. I wouldn't be surprised if this restaurant ends up being the most expensive counter-service restaurant in the entire resort.

No official prices yet, but I'm imagining 11-16 dollars per meal, on par with the Asian outdoor food markets.

 

[Alicia]

My (un)educated guesses would be:

Steamed pod meals 10.99/11.99
Vegetarian bowl: 12.99
Chicken bowl: 13.99
Fish/Beef bowls: 14.99/15.99 (based on ABC Commissary prices)
Blueberry cheesecake: 8.00 (based on Amorette's Patisserie price)

Something along those lines probably.

For example, Lemon Pepper Salmon with Cous Cous and sautéed Green Beans at ABC Commisary is 14.99. That's normal for that type of meal at all Disney quick service, same thing at Colombia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom, etc.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

That Mobile order is very good. Yes, it's not as convenient as "order- give a time- get food"- but let's be honest- how many meals would they be making for that 12:10 pickup that doesnt show up until 12:40- if at all. The "I'm here" button essentially lets you bypass ordering in line- so itd be the equivalent of cutting everyone in line the second you arrive. I like it.

Has there been clarification if you book for a time or if it's the "I'm here" button like Taco Bell.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Has there been clarification if you book for a time or if it's the "I'm here" button like Taco Bell.

Inside the Magic is reporting that it's an "I'm here" button. All you get to skip is the line to place your order.

 

[Andysol]

Has there been clarification if you book for a time or if it's the "I'm here" button like Taco Bell.

From Disney's release:

The fast-casual restaurant will also be the first to offer Mobile Order, a new convenient option to order and pay for meals on-the-go within the My Disney Experience app, allowing guests to bypass the queue to order when they arrive at the restaurant. Using the app, guests can select menu items, customize their order and pre-pay for their meal. When they arrive at the restaurant they will tap an “I’m here” button in the app, which will notify the kitchen to prepare the meal. When ready, guests will be alerted through the app to pick up their meal at a designated window. Additional fast-casual and quick-service restaurants will begin to offer Mobile Order later this year.