Located within Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the signature dining restaurant, Tiffins. They serve an array of Asian, African, and Latin cuisine and provide a dining atmosphere like no other. But, is that enough to make my family and I want to come back? Find out below.
How Did We Get Here?
Earlier this year, I took a family trip to Animal Kingdom. We were so excited about the Rivers of Light nighttime show, since we hadn’t seen it before. My mom came across a dining package that provided reserved seating for River of Light and your meal for one standard price. There was a choice between Tiffins and Tusker House. My mom and I were being adventurous and decided on Tiffins, against my dad and brother’s wishes.
Service
When you walk in the door you are greeted, and you give the name listed on your reservation. Walk-ins are accepted, but the wait time will be lengthy. The greeters were very nice to us, but our server was a bit rude. My dad requested a refill for his drink and the server gave him an attitude, took his glass, and swished away. I was a little shocked because we had never experienced that kind of behavior at a Disney restaurant prior to this day.
Accommodation
As I said before, I was traveling with my family. I have a 15-year-old brother and he was not a fan of limited menu. We asked if he would be able to order something off of the kids menu and were told it would be up to our server. I assumed we would have been accommodated because we would still be paying the same price, due to the Rivers of Light package. I was so very wrong.
The Food
The Rivers of Light Dining package included a soft drink, appetizer, entree and dessert of your choice so below I listed everything we tried and our thoughts on them.
Artisanal Cheeses
They were all pretty tasty, but the one with goat milk had a strong taste and smell. It actually resulted in a really bad headache.
This platter offers a variety of cheeses and some side pairings like nuts, crackers, etc. It also includes a card giving the name and explaining the contents of each cheese.
Charcuterie Board
This was my first-time ordering something like this and I do not regret it. I must say I found this to be a pretty good option for sharing and to get a taste of everything.
The meats were flavorful, especially the Duck Pastrami! The pickles were crisp and sweet, but I was unsure of what the honeycomb piece was for.
Whole-Fried Sustainable Fish
My mother loves snapper, so she went in with a lot of excitement. I had a few bites and it fell flat in terms of flavor in the thicker parts, but that is expected. The fish was cooked well. It came with black rice and beans. There was even a delicious sauce. The only modification I made was adding some fresh lemon juice. It helped with the flavor a lot!
Surf and Turf
My dad, brother, and I ordered the surf and turf. I ordered my wagyu beef medium well and it was super tender, but again the flavor was lacking! The lobster on the other hand was a little chewy and there was barely any butter on it. I had to add salt to the entire dish. For this to be an entree worth $65, I wouldn’t order it again.
Mascarpone “Cheesecake”
When you think of a typical cheesecake, things like crust come to mind. Although unexpected, the flavor was amazing. I just wish there was more to it for the price.
The Takeaway
I had high expectations coming in and a few disappointments on my way out. I understand what Disney was going for when thinking of the bigger picture, but:
- It is overpriced
- Lackluster in flavor
- Avoid if you are traveling with picky eaters
I would only recommend trying this place if you have a discount, are using a dining plan, or if you buy a show dining package. So, if you do give it a try, let me know what you think by commenting below.
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