It’s a wild good time, every time… or so says Disney! We headed over to Tusker House to check out their allergy friendly offerings for lunch/dinner!
Typically I’m a breakfast at Tusker House kinda gal. It’s… a bit easier than navigating the African inspired cuisine for my kids who dislike spices (and for me, the mom who is worried to miss an allergen because ethnic flavored food could mean hidden ingredients!)
But if you are willing to put in the work, you won’t be disappointed! Tusker House had some great options for lunch and dinner and it was a fun character meal to boot!
This is the only character meal at Animal Kingdom, so if this is a bucket list item please plan ahead with a reservation!
There are a lot of Character Meals, see all of the menus and reviews here.
⭐ If this is your First Time to Disney World, you’ll want all the insider tips and done for you plans found in the Food Allergies at Disney World Made Easy Guide
***As Always, please speak to a qualified restaurant employee when ordering food. In order to see the most accurate ingredients and risk assessment, you will need to confirm allergy safety in real-time. This is my personal experience, I am not employed or endorsed by companies or brands mentioned.***
Quick Notes
Location: Animal Kingdom in Africa (the sign is rather small, it’s located by the Lion King Show.)
Price: currently 55+ per adult and 36+ per child plus tax and gratuity (see if this character meal is worth it for your vacation! )
Characters: Mickey, Goofy, Daisy and Donald.
Want to see Minnie? Head over to Hollywood and Vine for lunch/dinner or Topolinos for breakfast!
Buffet Style. You can speak to a Chef about items from the back. See this post to learn more about ordering safely at Buffets while at Disney World.
Food Allergy Menu
- Drinks and appetizers
Salad was offered. The dressing is just sugar, lemon juice, dijon mustard and oil. You can get oil and vinegar.
They had the top 8 friendly allergy rolls with butter (and dairy free butter available)
Plus these chips (which I did not eat as the Chef didn’t share what legume but said it was not soy and peanut). These chips are legume based.
On recommendation of our wonderful server I did grab a fun mocktail! I highly recommend this if you want a special treat, it was delightful. This is the Watermelon Lemonade coming in at an additional $5.49
- Entrees, Sides and Desserts
This was all you care to enjoy, so there were many options for the Entree’s.
** All meats are marinated in house. No processed meats used.
There was Shrimp. Which had seasoning and cornstarch- you can have it cooked plain (which I did)
Berbere- marinated Pork and potatoes have powdered premade seasonings.
Herb Chicken, Moroccan Spiced Beef Steak, rice and veggies have salt pepper and other natural seasonings like cilantro, lemon and thyme (rice does have cinnamon and you can get it plain, along with several meat items plain)
Sides included:
- Cinnamon Jasmine Rice (good for all top 8) I did sub this out for regular unseasoned rice.
- Roasted Potatoes (good for all top 8)
- Green Beans with carrots and corns (good for all top 8)
- House Made Macaroni (I didn’t get this. Listed Allergens are gluten/wheat, dairy)
Dessert options for soy/ top 8 friendly are the Enjoy Life Cookies (these are actually certified top 14 free). I love that they are all you care to enjoy, like Garden Grill, and yes, we got seconds!
Also available but not on the menu, a honey cake that is gluten/wheat free.
And then Animal Mini Desserts friendly for Fish, Shellfish, Peanut, Treenut and Soy plus a plant based chocolate mousse labeled for Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Treenut and Peanut allergies.
Would you enjoy this option? And Do I Recommend it?
Yes! I would recommend this option as long as you don’t have super picky eaters with multiple allergens. If that is the case, Plan to come to Tusker House for breakfast instead, or enjoy one of the many other meals available on property (see all of them reviewed here!)
Great for dairy, egg, peanut/treenut, corn, fish. Ok for gluten, shellfish and soy. Not recommended for lesser known allergies like mustard and cinnamon (maybe if you contacted special diets ahead of time)
Final Summary
While Character Meals come with a higher price, they are a great way to get some cute pictures, enjoy a safe meal and get a break in the air conditioning! Tusker House for dinner gets a solid 7/10 (as the lighting + desserts could use some TLC).