Credit: DisneyEach of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort has its own unique theme and feel. The Magic Kingdom brings guests into a world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy. EPCOT invites guests to learn about the land, the sea, and places around the world. Disney’s Hollywood Studios transports guests into famous franchises from Star Wars to Toy Story.
Related: Budget Bests: Top Cheap Eats In the Magic Kingdom
Then, there is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which is so different from any other park. Guests are surrounded by nature, and some of its most beautiful creatures. Guests can get closer to majestic animals like elephants and giraffes than ever before.
Walking between Asia, Africa, and the other areas of the theme park, and experiencing everything Animal Kingdom has to offer, can build up quite an appetite. Sticking to a budget is really important to a lot of guests, so here are some of the best affordable eats that you can enjoy in the park!
Related: Budget Bests: The Top Cheap Eats at EPCOT
Kids’ Meal Cinnamon French Toast – Satu’li Canteen – $7.99
Satu’li Canteen is located in Pandora – The World of Avatar and is one of the most popular restaurants in the theme park. When it first opened back in 2017, Satu’li Canteen did serve breakfast, but that only lasted for a few months, and breakfast was then removed.
However, in November 2024, Disney shocked and delighted fans when they brought breakfast back to the eatery. And if you want a great, and affordable, start to your day, then we suggest enjoying the Cinnamon French Toast.
This breakfast features a thick slice of perfectly cooked French toast, sitting on top of perfectly sweet passion fruit anglaise, and topped with a large scoop of blueberry cream cheese. It is served with a piece of sausage and either a small milk or a small bottle of water.
Now, if you do want to splurge a little more, Satu’li’s does offer an adult portion, which comes with two pieces of French toast and two pieces of sausage. The price is still reasonable, coming in at $12.99.
Pulled Pork Sliders – Eight Spoon Cafe – $7.99
Barbecue is really popular at Animal Kingdom and can be found in several locations throughout the park. Barbecue can get a little pricey, but there is more than one option guests can enjoy for a reasonable price, and the Pulled Pork Sliders are one of them.
Related: A Detailed Guide to Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World
Eight Spoon Café is a small stand located across from Adventurers Outpost near the Tree of Life. There are only a few items on the menu, but we highly recommend the Pulled Pork Sliders. The dish comes with two sliders, full of pulled pork tossed in a tangy barbecue sauce, topped with pickles, and served with a side of house-made chips, all for just $7.99!
Kids’ Meal Pulled Pork Platter – Flame Tree BBQ – $7.49
Continuing on the barbecue train, let’s head over to Flame Tree Barbecue, located on Discovery Island near the Discovery Trading Company. Flame Tree Barbecue is another really popular dining spot in the theme park, and their menu has plenty of great options.
In both our lists about cheap eats at EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom, items on the Kids’ Menus came into play. We are keeping that tradition alive with this list as well.
Related: Disney Recipe: Flame Tree Barbecue’s BBQ Sauce and Rub
The French toast from Satu’li Canteen is a great way to start your day, and Flame Tree Barbecue can keep the affordability factor going through lunch and dinner.
Not only does the Kids’ Menu Pulled Pork Platter give guests a decent serving of saucy pulled pork, but it comes with two sides! Add in the lowfat milk or small bottle of water and you’ve got a complete meal for just $7.49.
French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese – Flame Tree BBQ – $8.49
Staying at Flame Tree Barbecue (and sticking to the Pulled Pork Train), we also recommend the French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese. It’s technically listed as a side dish, but the serving size is quite generous, and it will keep you full for a while!
Related: Disney Recipe: Recreate The DCL Guava Glazed Barbecue Ribs For Dinner
The perfectly crispy fries are topped with a generous portion of pulled pork, cheese sauce, and drizzle of barbecue sauce. Now, this dish probably won’t keep you as full as the Pulled Pork Platter, but it’s still a great option to satisfy your hunger.
Kids’ Meal Cheeseburger Steam Pod – Satu’li Canteen – $8.59
You didn’t think we’d make it through this list without mentioning the most iconic dish in the theme park, did you? For this mouthwatering option, we are going to head back to Satu’li Canteen and back to the Kids’ Menu.
The Cheeseburger Steam Pods dish is the most popular item at Satu’li’s, and for good reason. The steam pods are light and fluffy, and the ground beef concoction in the middle is perfectly seasoned and saucy, with ketchup, mustard, pickles, and cheddar cheese.
The regular menu dish comes with two cheeseburger pods, a side of vegetable slaw, and vegetable chips, and will set you back $13.99.
However, for those dining on a budget, we HIGHLY recommend the Kids’ Menu portion of the Cheeseburger Pods. The Kids’ Menu version comes with one steam pod, veggie chips, a mandarin orange, and either a low-fat milk or a small bottle of water. This filling option will only cast $8.59, a real bargain!
Baked Mac & Cheese – The Smiling Crocodile – $9.99
For the final item on this Budget Bests list, you’ll want to head over to The Smiling Crocodile, a small food stand located between Eight Spoon Café and Flame Tree Barbecue. This stand might be small, but its food packs a ton of flavor for a truly reasonable price.
Related: Why Disney Prepares for Animal Escapes in the Most Unexpected Way
The Smiling Crocodile offers Baked Mac & Cheese with Buffalo Chicken, Baked Mac & Cheese with Garlic Smoked Sausage, and a plain Baked Mac & Cheese.
The Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese is creamy macaroni and cheese topped with buffalo chicken and drizzled with ranch dressing. It’s a great dish for those who love a little bit of spice in their meals.
The Smoked Sausage Mac & Cheese is topped with garlic smoked sausage and grilled peppers and onions. Everything pairs perfectly with the mac and cheese.
The plain baked macaroni and cheese is just a comforting dish of cheesy pasta goodness.
Both the Buffalo Mac & Cheese and Smoked Sausage Mac & Cheese will only cost you $9.99 for a decent portion size. The traditional baked macaroni will only set you back $7.99, a price that is hard to beat!
While Disney’s Animal Kingdom might not be thought of as being on the same foodie level as a theme park like EPCOT, it is full of incredible food that you will remember long after your vacation ends. Even better, it is full of incredibly tasty options that will not break the bank.
So, enjoy your time on the savanna and the delicious food that comes with it!
Where do you love to eat when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom? What is your all-time favorite dish in the park? Do you prefer to dine on a budget or go overboard and splurge on your Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Let us know all your Animal Kingdom dining opinions in the comments!