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News Harambe Market Refurbishment Planned Ahead of Restaurantosaurus Closure
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Tom P.
Well-Known Member
Salt? Nah, salt is fine.
My wife, however, complains that pepper -- regular, black pepper that you find on any restaurant table -- is too spicy for me. And she's kinda correct, TBH.
However, spicy and flavorful are not the same thing. I like flavor. I like a variety of dishes. I like to try new things. I don't want to just eat burgers and chicken strips all the time, or have my lone side dish be French fries. I think Disney could accommodate people who don't like "spicy" without making all quick service entrees the exact same thing.
Purduevian
Well-Known Member
People voted with their wallet. Disney clear looked at all the options (Pizzafari, Flame tree, Satuli, Yak and Yeti, and Harambe) and Harambe must have been the least popular.
osian
Well-Known Member
Yes! I have the same issue. I will always try something new and out of the ordinary but I've never tried anything from the OG Harambe market because I suspect it all contains chilli or chipotle or something, similarly most dishes at Pecos Bill or Mexico. And I love Chinese, Japanese, Italian etc but have to be really careful.
HMF
Well-Known Member
I miss the days when Disney didn't cater to the lowest common denominator and theme was more important than financial performance.
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
I have always been under the impression that a lot of casual Guests did not even realize there was a foodservice location in that area.
For folks not paying attention, it is not overly obvious when walking by.
I can see how people might miss the connection since the area is well themed and somewhat ‘hidden’ off of the beaten path.
I have visited DAK since it first opened and only just a few years ago finally realized what the Harambe Market area actually was and the unique goodies that could be found there.
Since then the menu has changed several times and the offerings just haven’t attracted my tastes as previously.
Apparently I am not the only one…and it’s too bad it seems the food choices have gone down a more commonplace route now.
There used to be some seriously yummy items on the menus there….
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WorldExplorer
Well-Known Member
My favorite part of them closing a quick service is when the generic food survives somewhere else while we just lose out on the wonderful theming we used to have.
If I had a nickle for every time it happened, I would have two nickles.
If I had a nickle for every time it happened, I would have two nickles.
Purduevian
Well-Known Member
HMF
Well-Known Member
Go to McDonalds not Disney's Animal Kingdom.
peter11435
Well-Known Member
JMcMahonEsq
Well-Known Member
First, there are no days, NONE, where Disney didn't offer burgers, chicken fingers, and fries to its guests. Suggest otherwise is revisionist history at best, and flat out lying at worst.
Second, the hilarity/hubris of the idea that serving an offerings in burgers/fries/pizza that are every year ranked as the top consumed foods in the US, at the top attended amusement park in the US is so stupid as to defy defense.
Third, considering the most popular food offerings and serving them at a place that is meant for the mass market as being "lowest common denominator" is elitism at a comical level. WDW, or AK specifically isn't some 5 star foodie dedicated resort. Its a place with rides, animals, and characters dressed up in costumes. Offering food that is widely popular, especially with kids, seems pretty normal to me.
Fourth, did i miss the announcement that in addition to this change, that they are also shutting down Yak and Yeti, Tusker House, Nomad Lounge, Tiffans, and Flame Tree BBQ?
It boggles my mind that someone has the time/and expends the effort just posting about a place that they say they wouldn't go to, wouldn't recommend, and should act like no business ever would, and/or return to a time that never existed.
BlindChow
Well-Known Member
Hey, his blog won't spam links to itself!
FerretAfros
Well-Known Member
Let's not pretend that the cuisine of a McDonald's is that far-fetched in the parks.
These menu changes are being implemented to offset the closure of a restaurant that was originally a literal McDonald’s in the park. All of Dinoland USA was originally sponsored by McDonald's; the kiosk now known as Trilo-Bites sold McDonald's fries, and Restaruantosaurus sold McDonald's fries, nuggets, and Happy Meals (and burgers and hot dogs that may or may not have actually been McDonald's food). Heck, Dinosaur/CTX's loading area still features red, yellow, and white tubes with chemical formulas for ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise as a holdover from the original corporate sponsorship.
It was part of a high-profile decade-long partnership between Disney and McDonald's that included locations in all 6 US parks (DCA's Burger Invasion sold only McDonald's products) and nationwide Happy Meal toys supporting all the latest Disney theatrical releases. It was part of an integrated corporate partnership of a style that rarely exists today.
Yesterland.com: DinoLand U.S.A. Presented by McDonald’s
www.yesterland.com
McDonald's themselves also had a lot to do with dinosaurs at the time. In addition to the corporate grant that brought Sue the t-rex to the Field Museum in Chicago, they had a presence at science museums across the country, sponsoring exhibits and selling food in the cafeterias. As random as it may seem in 2026, in 1998 theme park audiences would have already been familiar with the corporate connection between dinosaurs and the ubiquitous fast food restaurant.
Additionally, when considering what DAK offers as a whole park, there really is a need for burgers, tenders, and fries in the wake of Restaurantosaurus's closure. While the Harambe Market had great food when it first opened, it's clearly struggled to find its footing and gain sustained popularity with guests. Whether it's the location, layout, menu, hours, or something else, it's never been completely successful. It would be great it they were able to incorporate some more unique menu items alongside the fast food staples, but overall this change is a reasonable use of an existing location that's never lived up to its potential. It may not be a perfect fit for Harambe, but it works for the park overall.
The only burger I ever found in the parks (and I haven't tried them all, yet) that I would gladly eat again is the one from Connections.
If the new Harambe burgers are that good, it'll be a win.
If the new Harambe burgers are that good, it'll be a win.
The only burger I would ever recommend in the parks was at Liberty Inn - a cheeseburger topped with BBQ pulled pork. There may or may not have been bacon included, I can't remember anymore. But I didn't say 'No' to a burger at Restaurantosaurus. The toppings bar plus self-refillable soda was awesome to have, not to mention the theming inside.
HMF
Well-Known Member
It was far less objectionable for McD's to be in Dino Land than Harambe. Never mind that there was a reason the McDonalds sponsorship ended.Let's not pretend that the cuisine of a McDonald's is that far-fetched in the parks.
These menu changes are being implemented to offset the closure of a restaurant that was originally a literal McDonald’s in the park. All of Dinoland USA was originally sponsored by McDonald's; the kiosk now known as Trilo-Bites sold McDonald's fries, and Restaruantosaurus sold McDonald's fries, nuggets, and Happy Meals (and burgers and hot dogs that may or may not have actually been McDonald's food). Heck, Dinosaur/CTX's loading area still features red, yellow, and white tubes with chemical formulas for ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise as a holdover from the original corporate sponsorship.
It was part of a high-profile decade-long partnership between Disney and McDonald's that included locations in all 6 US parks (DCA's Burger Invasion sold only McDonald's products) and nationwide Happy Meal toys supporting all the latest Disney theatrical releases. It was part of an integrated corporate partnership of a style that rarely exists today.
Yesterland.com: DinoLand U.S.A. Presented by McDonald’s
www.yesterland.com
McDonald's themselves also had a lot to do with dinosaurs at the time. In addition to the corporate grant that brought Sue the t-rex to the Field Museum in Chicago, they had a presence at science museums across the country, sponsoring exhibits and selling food in the cafeterias. As random as it may seem in 2026, in 1998 theme park audiences would have already been familiar with the corporate connection between dinosaurs and the ubiquitous fast food restaurant.
Additionally, when considering what DAK offers as a whole park, there really is a need for burgers, tenders, and fries in the wake of Restaurantosaurus's closure. While the Harambe Market had great food when it first opened, it's clearly struggled to find its footing and gain sustained popularity with guests. Whether it's the location, layout, menu, hours, or something else, it's never been completely successful. It would be great it they were able to incorporate some more unique menu items alongside the fast food staples, but overall this change is a reasonable use of an existing location that's never lived up to its potential. It may not be a perfect fit for Harambe, but it works for the park overall.
AidenRodriguez731
Well-Known Member
This just sounds so elitist/snobbish. Oh! I'm just so much better than all of the "common folk", while you guys eat your "pizza and burgers from a theme park", I eat a traditional authentic "rice bowl from a theme park" INSPIRED by African cuisine because its on theme.
Yes, the African food is more thematically consistent but this is a theme park first and they LITERALLY MOVED THE DAMN BOWLS ANYWAY? You can go pick up the bowls from the new location and just bring them to Africa if you want the exact same experience. I prefer the bowls for full transperency vastly over a Disney burger/pizza but theres a reason they have those.
This is a temporary change to appeal to families in an FAMILY theme park. It's for EVERYONE. Which means there are choices for everyone.
If you want authentic food, go to a local African restaraunt? They will appreciate your business much more and it will 100% be more authentic than anything you can get at a theme park.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Completes Harambe Market Refurbishment as Park's New Main Burger, Chicken and Fries Location
Disney's Animal Kingdom Completes Harambe Market Refurbishment as Park's New Main Burger, Chicken and Fries Location
Disney's Animal Kingdom Completes Harambe Market Refurbishment as Park's New Main Burger, Chicken and Fries Location
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