4. Maharajah Jungle Trek (instead of The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail)
We’ve largely avoided attractions on this list since everyone has different preferences for attractions. It’s also difficult to say something like, “Expedition Everest is a better alternative to Big Thunder Mountain” since, despite those two rides being similar, guests have to visit different parks to try them both.
We wanted to make an exception to highlight one underrated gem at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Guests eager to meet the animals of Disney’s Animal Kingdom tend to flock to two places: Kilimanjaro Safaris and the nearby Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. This isn’t surprising as Kilimanjaro Safaris captures the spirit of the park unlike anything else. The Gorilla Falls trail is easy for guests to locate upon exiting the safari, acting as a self-guided extension of the attraction.
Across the park in the Asia pavilion, The Maharajah Jungle Trek has the opposite issue: it’s incredible easy for guests to miss. Tucked unassumingly away near Kali River Rapids, the trek beckons guests to venture into a mysterious jungle known for tigers, Komodo dragons, and wild birds.
Maharajah Jungle Trek might be one of Disney’s most beautiful walking attractions. The environment feels so immersive that as a kid, I was convinced I might actually get mauled by a tiger if I didn’t keep alert—each step takes you deeper into the ruins of an ancient temple, long overtaken by lush vegetation.
Along your journey, you’ll not only meet the aforementioned tigers and Komodo dragons, but also Malayan Flying Foxes, water buffalo, gibbons, and over 50 species of birds. The aviary is a personal favorite stop in Disney’s Animal Kingdom—the resident birds have so much personality, and if you find a spot to settle in and watch for a while, you’re likely to see some unique behaviors.
5. Epcot Resorts (instead of Magic Kingdom Resorts)
The Magic Kingdom resorts are some of Walt Disney World’s most popular, known for their incredible theming, monorail access, and close proximity to Magic Kingdom. They do have a set of strong competitors in a different part of Walt Disney World, however.
The Epcot resorts—made up of the Yacht and Beach Club, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, and The Swan and Dolphin resorts—are the most ideally-placed hotels in all of Walt Disney World, offering easy access to all four parks. Guests staying at these resorts can reach both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via walking paths and friendship boats, with simple access to the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom via bus (as well as access to the Disney Skyliner from either park). The variety of options make these resorts an ideal choice for park hoppers, as well as those who plan to spend considerable time at Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Epcot resorts also have a unique character from the Magic Kingdom resorts. On the surface, they feel more “adult” than other Disney resorts. Despite the appearance, the Epcot resorts are all kid friendly with excellent pool areas and a wide range of recreation options (such as the nearby Fantasia Gardens mini-golf course and Disney’s Boardwalk).
A quick note about The Swan and Dolphin: they aren’t owned by Disney (rather, they are owned by Marriot). While guests at the Swan and Dolphin don’t get access to all the same benefits as those staying at Disney-owned hotels, they do offer different benefits in the form of unique recreation opportunities, an excellent selection of restaurants, and deluxe quality rooms at moderate prices. You also can use Marriot Bonvoy points to pay for free nights—something hard to come by at other Disney resorts!
6. Java (instead of Joffrey’s and Starbucks)
It’s worth highlighting two quick stops before we move on from the Swan and Dolphin. First off, we have to celebrate the wonder that is Java (formerly The Java Bar) at the Swan resort.
If you’re picky about your coffee, you might find yourself a little frustrated trying to get a good brew at Walt Disney World. This is largely due to the fact that Walt Disney World almost exclusively offers Joffrey’s coffee, with the exception of a Starbucks location in each park and Disney Springs. Joffrey’s isn’t terrible, but like Starbucks, it’s not great either.
Java offers some of the best coffee you’ll find anywhere on property. Guests can pick up either traditional coffee and espresso beverages or opt for one of Java’s specialty drinks, like nitro cold brew, collagen coffee, a power plant smoothie, or the Octane (a take on Bulletproof coffee). We always make a point to stop here anytime we take the walking route between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, and it’s well worth the detour!
7. Picabu Market (instead of Boardwalk Pizza)
The second spot at the Swan and Dolphin worth mentioning is Picabu Market. Picabu Market is one of Walt Disney World’s only 24-hour dining locations (currently not-quite 24 hours, but closer than any other Disney dining locations). Too many Epcot resort guests end up settling for Boardwalk Pizza when stuck looking for a late night meal—not necessarily the most memorable spot in Walt Disney World.
Just locating Picabu Market can feel a bit like going on a quest—it’s hidden in what feels like the lowest, deepest corner of the Dolphin resort. You may need to ask for directions to find it. After heading to the lower level and passing both the resort’s ice cream parlor and another restaurant, you’ll find yourself in a long hallway that ends at Picabu Market.
It’s pretty rare to find a 24-hour dining spot in a hotel with decent food. Picabu Market isn’t just decent—we would actually pick it over many counter-service locations inside Disney parks. They offer a mix of familiar cafeteria-style foods like roasted chicken and sides, as well as a Chipotle-style taqueria.
The taqueria is where Picabu really shines, offering guests fully customized burritos, bowls, tacos, and nachos. Some of their protein choices include carne asada, guajillo pork, adobo chicken, and braised jackfruit. We’ve enjoyed many a late night meal here, and it’s nice that it’s also easy to eat healthy here.
8. The Biergarten (instead of The Garden Grill)
As of the end of August 2021, buffets are back at Walt Disney World! That means we can heartily recommend one of our favorite Epcot locations for sumptuous comfort food—The Biergarten!
It’s a close call to say whether Epcot’s Garden Grill or Biergarten is more popular—most casual guests tend to drift towards the Garden Grill at The Land pavilion thanks to its character dining and familiar Thanksgiving-dinner menu. I’ll try not to go down the rabbit hole with Epcot’s Garden Grill, but let’s just say it’s a sore subject for guests who enjoyed it back in its glory days. While the current food lineup isn’t terrible, it’s just a far cry from the farm-to-table extravaganza of flank steaks, homegrown vegetables, and fresh-caught fish they offered in years past.
Disney’s Biergarten, on the other hand, has done a pretty good job sticking to its roots. If you’re looking for a feast of mouth-watering comfort food, German is the way to go, and the Biergarten does an excellent job bringing the finest dishes of Deutschland to Disney guests.
The food at Disney’s Biergarten remains incredible, from its salads to its sausages, to its roasts, to its spaetzle, to its strudels… You get the point. Not only is the food delicious, but the Biergarten continues to offer guests live entertainment from their charming German band throughout the day. A trip to the Biergarten is an invitation to laugh, feast, sing, and smile, and we continue to celebrate it as one of Disney’s best dining experiences.
9. Ravello and Kona Café (instead of Chef Mickeys)
I went there. The gauntlet is thrown.
Chef Mickey’s is one of Walt Disney World’s best known character dining locations. Located inside the Contemporary Resort, it’s understandably famous as the go-to spot for character dining in the Most Magical Place on Earth.
We would argue Chef Mickey’s has two very strong competitors, both in the area of breakfast and in character dining.
The first is a spot most Disney guests don’t even know about—Ravello at The Four Seasons Orlando. The Four Seasons is a bit of an oddity at Walt Disney World—it’s technically on Disney property (in the Golden Oak neighborhood) but isn’t Disney owned. It’s not integrated in the same ways as the Swan and Dolphin, but the relationship is similar. Guests staying here get access to a good range of benefits similar to Disney resorts, and the resort has some seriously amazing restaurants that you do not have to be a guest to visit.
Ravello can come across as a little intimidating at first—it’s at the Four Seasons after all. For guests looking for a top-notch breakfast experience, however, they offer an outstanding menu that even some well-known food critics have lauded. The value is surprisingly comparable to other Disney character breakfasts, only with improved selection in a beautiful setting.
The other potential breakfast king to rival Chef Mickey’s is The Polynesian Resort’s Kona Café. While Kona Café doesn’t currently offer character dining, they do offer something else: Tonga Toast, a banana-stuffed French toast rolled in cinnamon and sugar with strawberry compote.
Kona Café has a wonderful menu (Macadamia Nut Pancakes!), but the Tonga Toast alone is worth a trip here. Many guests have described it as the best thing they ever ate at Walt Disney World, and having tried it, I can see why. It’s Disney magic in French toast form. Do yourself a favor and try it on your next trip!
What’s your favorite “worthy alternative” experience at Walt Disney World? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments!
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Comments
Tops on my list is that grotto bar (forgot the name) adjacent to the main restaurant in the Italy pavilion. Has some of the same food choices as the main restaurant but in a far more charming setting. Great atmosphere. Menu items pair well with wine flights and other libation choices.