Tusker House closes…and I am not happy about it!
Here’s something that bums me out. The Tusker House at the Animal Kingdom is now closed, as it awaits a change-over to a character buffet in a few weeks time. We knew it was coming, but something inside of me was hoping that better sense would prevail upon the bean counters.
The Tusker House was one of Walt Disney World’s finest counter service restaurants. It had tasty food and a nice ambience and theme. Those things may remain after its conversion to some extent, but I am guessing the ambience may change a bit, wouldn’t you think? A nice chicken meal and a cold drink at the bar out back was a great way to cool off and unwind a bit. However the word “unwind” generally does not apply to character buffets. So we can forget that idea.
Perhaps I am being harsh on the character meal concept. For one thing, I realize it works for Disney and their guests. There’s no doubt about that. People, especially young ones, love them. But I don’t particularly care for it. To each his own, right? I have no kids and don’t find characters at my table to be anything but uncomfortable. And I also understand that perhaps the Animal Kingdom needed a better character meal as many people complained about Donald’s Whateverasaurus. But did that necessitate the complete dismantling of a perfectly fine and often crowded counter service option?
Let me also point out the price difference I am sure is coming. Instead of having a nice place where one can get a meal for fewer than 10 bucks, we will now have yet another $24.95 buffet. Thus further shrinking our ability to attend Disney World and enjoy it on a budget. Am I making too much of this?
Steve said,
August 29, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
I don’t think you’re making too much of it, but I have to admit I never had the pleasure of going to the Tusker House. If there’s still a nice ambiance I suppose it will work. I never was very concerned about WDW being “affordable”, as I’ve always considered it to be a luxury family destination. If I go, I expect to spend the $$. I also expect a LOT for my $$, but it was never a place I’d consider an overly “affordable” place.
Matt said,
August 29, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
I’m also sitting shiva for this restaurant not being a counter service anymore. Probably a victim of its own success. Bah, all the more reason not to be a fan of Animal Kingdom.
KINGCRAB said,
August 29, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
Sorry, but I think you folks are being a bit harsh here.
Jennifer Nollmann said,
August 30, 2007 @ 4:21 am
The official Disney word on Tusker House (I’m a cast member, my job is to book reservations, including dining) is that it will re open as the same restaurant, the only difference being a character buffet at breakfast. They’re moving Donald’s Breakfastorsaurus (currently at Restaurantosaurus in Dinoland) to Tusker House and changing the name, but it will only be characters at breakfast. So (theoretically) Tusker House should remain the same for the rest of the day.
Raidermatt said,
August 30, 2007 @ 7:48 am
Nah, I don’t think you’re making too much of it. Character buffets have their place, but so do other options, and Animal Kingdom is already short on those other options as it is.
Tom Corless said,
August 30, 2007 @ 11:38 am
It’s really a necessary change for a park that already has a ton of counterservice location and one real sit-down restaurant on the way. The park is supposed to become a full-day park by the end of 2008, and a part of keeping people in the park is making sure there is a place for everyone to eat dinner. Sure the buffet will offer Breakfast and Lunch, but this is all part of a much bigger plan. Disney wants to make sure if people aren’t going to sit and eat at Rainforest Cafe or the Yak and Yeti, then they need another dining choice, and one thing most of the other parks and some resorts offer that AK doesn’t is character dining or a buffet. I personally like this change and love that I finally have some choice on where to sit and eat at AK, other than Pizzafari and Flame Tree Barbacue.
Mike said,
August 30, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
Why couldn’t they change the lame Pizzafari and leave a good place alone? They just keep their mitts off the Flame Tree
Tom Corless said,
August 31, 2007 @ 11:48 am
Because the Tusker House doesn’t do as well as the other two, it is a strictly buisness decision. I think the large Pizzafari bulding would have been a better choice though.
Jeanine said,
September 1, 2007 @ 11:17 am
“Am I making too much of this?”
No, I think I’m voting “suck” on this decision as well.
Raidermatt said,
September 4, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
Changing a restaurant over is not going to make AK a full day park for those who do not already consider it as such. The issue is the attractions, shows, etc. If they think otherwise, they are once again kidding themselves.