When Pandora: The World of Avatar opened, it was home to two of the most wonderful attractions in the history of Disney parks. It showcased a new land with lush plants and beautiful scenery, but in my opinion, showcased quick service dining in a new light. Disney’s quick service options lack sometimes, with countless hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken breast nuggets to be offered, Disney quick service is in need of diversity. Today, I want to showcase Satu’li Canteen. It’s located in Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Walt Disney World.
Featured Food
The item that is sort of the “signature” item is a customizable bowl. You start with a base and this can be salad, red and sweet potato hash, noodles, rice and beans, or no base, if you choose to go that route. You then choose a sauce, which comes in a few varieties as well: green onion vinaigrette, black bean vinaigrette, creamy herb sauce or no sauce. You can also modify your selections, with boba balls, vegetable slaw and more. The proteins you can have in your bowl include beef, chicken, and shrimp. You can also have a tofu bowl! There are combination bowls as well. These bowls are the star of the show, and change the game as far as quick service dining goes at Disney.
Not only are there bowls, there are Cheeseburger Steamed Pods – also known as bao buns. They’re a simple but definitely better take on the classic quick service fare of cheeseburgers that you’re used to at these locations. They have ground beef, ketchup, mustard, pickle and cheddar cheese stuffed inside. They’re a personal favorite of mine, and honestly, if you have a picky eater that does not want the bowls, go for the buns. They’re great.
Even the Kids’ meals are different! They have the hamburgers/hotdogs fare, but Satu’li themed! The bao buns are there (in the kids’ meal you get one bun) and then there is the “teylu” hot dog wrapped in dough (think a large pig in a blanket).
Dessert is also pretty wonderful. These items qualify as a snack on the Disney Dining Plans (whenever they come back) and there is a blueberry cream cheese mousse which is absolutely a MUST for anyone that loves blueberry, and the chocolate cake, which has banana cream topping and a crunchy cookie layer. These desserts are worth every penny, and if I’m a family, I get one of each so you can share amongst each other. Saves you a little bit of money but also gets everyone to try them!
Featured Drinks
Of course you have your normal Coca-Cola beverages, you can even get them in a Na’vi Flute Cup (that actually can play music if you blow into it). The Pandoran Sunrise is the staple non-alcoholic drink, that is tropical juices blended with melon sports drink. It’s a good alternative for those not wanting alcohol but wanting something different. There are 2 wines for this location, Banshee Chardonnay and Banshee Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay has apple, pear, citrus and hints of Vanilla and the Pinot Noir has cherry, raspberry and a silky texture with a little bit of floral character. There are also 4 draft beers, and 2 that are special to Satu’li. Those 2 are: Hawkes’ Grog Ale and Mo’ara High Country Ale. To wrap up the drink selection, there is a Dreamwalker Sangria that is white sangria with blue curaçao.
To Close
Satu’li Canteen is not your average quick/counter service restaurant. They take an idea and really make it blossom in so many ways, while keeping the character of the land. Pandora is special alone but with the addition of Satu’li, there is a lot more in store for your vacation than just your normal park food. Ditch the pizza, the hot dogs, the hamburgers, the chicken nuggets, they may be good, but they’re NOWHERE CLOSE to Satu’li Canteen.