DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Guests just can’t get enough of Pandora – The World of Avatar, the newest area in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. And we know why! From the spectacular scenery to the night-time bioluminescence to the top-notch new rides, this area is a definite hot-spot. And Satu’li Canteen, Pandora’s quick-service restaurant, is a great place to stop for a meal when you need a break. Here are ten facts and tips about this restaurant!
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10. Back Story
Because this is Walt Disney World, there’s a back story for everything – even a quick-service restaurant! The back story for Satu’li Canteen fits in with the story for this area of the park: an old, abandoned RDA mess hall has been turned into a dining stop by ACE: Alpha Centauri Expeditions, and it welcomes all travelers to Pandora. It doubles as a cultural hub for the Na’vi, which is why you’ll see Na’vi art and cultural items on display.
9. Film Immersion
Even if you aren’t aware of the back story, and haven’t seen the movie Avatar, you’ll still be fully immersed in the world of Pandora while eating at Satu’li Canteen. The cold, technological remains of the RDA can still be seen, but are balanced by the natural elements like rock formations and the creative Na’vi items that form the eating area. Make sure you look up to see the whimsical lighting fixtures created by the Na’vi!
8. Mobile Ordering
Did you know that you can order your meal online and pay in advance, allowing you to skip the lines at Satu’li Canteen? It’s all done through your My Disney Experience app – and when you arrive at the Canteen, just press “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” in the app so the kitchen can prepare your meal and notify you when it’s ready for pick-up. It’s that simple!
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7. A Taste Bud Adventure
The immersive nature of this quick-service restaurant extends to the food as well as the atmosphere. Everything is made to look like it was grown and cooked on Avatar. Favorite picks include the blueberry cream cheese mousse (an irresistible shiny dome of bright blue), steamed cheeseburger pods, and the translucent, yogurt-based boba balls, which top all of the bowl entrees and are just plain fun.
6. Signature Drinks
You’ll really feel like you’re on vacation when you try Satu’li Canteen’s specialty drinks. The signature drink is the Pandoran Sunrise. It’s a mix of fun tropical fruit such as lime, pineapple, melon and mango. Fun fact: you can get this signature drink in a souvenir Na’vi flute cup. Adults may want to try alcoholic offerings, like the Dreamwalker Sangria (a fun blue colour) or the Hawkes’ Grog Ale.
5. Custom-Made Entrees
Whether you’re a carnivore or vegetarian, Satu’li Canteen has you covered – because you can custom-make your own Satu’li Bowl. Choose one of a variety of protein options (including fish, tofu, beef and chicken), a salad base (such as quinoa and veggies, grain and rice, potato hash, or romaine), and then a sauce (ranging in flavor and heat). It’s a great way to create your own dish and end up with your perfect meal.
4. Seating and Service
Given the popularity of Pandora, you’d expect to have to fight for a seat at Satu’li Canteen. But when we visited, we were surprised at the number of tables the Imagineers had provided in the restaurant’s design – there were a number of empty tables to choose from. We found the service to be stellar, too – more than one cast member stopped by our table during our meal to clear dishes away or ask if we needed anything.
3. Options for Kids
Kids’ meals at Satu’li Canteen are essentially the same as their adult counter-parts – they just include smaller portions, which makes them a nice option for adults who are watching portion sizes, want to save a bit of money, or just aren’t that hungry. For younger guests who don’t want to try the bowls or pods, there are also cheese quesadillas and hotdogs.
2. Discontinued Breakfast
You may have enjoyed breakfast at Satu’li Canteen if you visited when it first opened, but be aware that breakfast has now been discontinued here – mostly. Rumor has it that breakfast will be an option during peak crowd seasons, but most days, the restaurant will continue to open at 10:00 am, which is when it begins serving its lunch/dinner menu. But there are other great breakfast options in Animal Kingdom, and we’re pretty sure most guests spend their first hours in the park in line for Flight of Passage anyway!
1. Satu’li Sampler Platter
An exciting option for a quick-service restaurant in Walt Disney World, the Satu’li Sampler Platter allows you to sample each of the Canteen’s bowl bases and sauces, along with four proteins, vegetable slaw and four non-specialty drinks. At $74.99, it’s not cheap, but you’re only paying around $12 more than you would for four separate meals/drinks, and it may be worth it for the chance to mix bases and sauces and try a bit of everything. Make sure you read the fine print, though: the platter option is only available from 5:00 pm until the restaurant closes.
