Tortuga Tavern is a Magic Kingdom counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World, serving a restricted menu of BBQ. This WDW eating overview shares meals pictures, a go searching, and greatest menu choices at this open air eatery situated across the nook from Pecos Invoice and solely open seasonally. (Up to date December 30, 2024.)
After being closed for half of the yr, Tortuga Tavern is slated to reopen on January 1, 2025 and stay operational via at the very least February 2025 (as far out as the present calendar goes). Usually, this quick-service restaurant would’ve reopened two weeks earlier, in time for the busy Christmas and New Yr’s weeks. It might additionally return for Presidents Day/Mardi Gras via Spring Break, and once more in time for the beginning of summer time.
Nevertheless, issues have been a bit totally different this yr. Tortuga Tavern closed again in June, after which there have been unconfirmed (and in the end, incorrect) experiences that it was completely closing. The premise for these baseless “rumors” was fan hypothesis that Tortuga Tavern could be reworked into the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar coming to Magic Kingdom.
For our half, we at all times strongly suspected this was inaccurate and that the brand new lounge could be going into the defunct Pirates League location. Different followers assumed Tortuga Tavern could be the touchdown spot as a result of Disney referred to the upcoming addition as Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern. Each having “tavern” within the identify was sufficient to persuade individuals, even when the preponderance of proof–building permits and idea artwork particulars instructed in any other case.
Regardless, Tortuga Tavern was not closed to be reimagined into the Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar, however as an alternative to be quickly reworked into the Tortuga Treasures reward store. It did so to function a “crucial” Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise location when building of the brand new bar necessitated closing off the vast majority of the post-ride reward store.
Lengthy story quick, Tortuga Treasures is now closed as Pirates of the Caribbean’s reward store has largely reopened. The one odd side of this, from our perspective, is that Tortuga Treasures has been closed for some time…so why didn’t Walt Disney World reopen Tortuga Tavern for the height weeks of the vacation season? Is one other restaurant refurbishment on the horizon that’ll necessitate Tortuga Tavern including eating capability? Maybe we’re overthinking it.
In any case, right here’s what to anticipate from Tortuga Tavern at Magic Kingdom…
Over time, we’ve completed two totally different menus with variations of Mexican delicacies right here (extra like Taco Bell than actual Mexican meals) together with the BBQ on Texas Toast iteration of the menu earlier than the present scaled again BBQ model of the menu. The revolving-door menu has usually been uninspired, till now…
Earlier than we dig into the majority of this overview, let’s cowl the fundamentals, that are the identical for Tortuga Tavern as each different counter service restaurant in Magic Kingdom.
In regular instances, Tortuga Tavern participates within the Disney Eating Plan as a 1-credit counter service restaurant. It’s not a very good use of a DDP credit score–in case you’re on the Disney Eating Plan, you actually ought to dine at Columbia Harbour Home. (See our Record of the Finest Counter Service Eating places on the Disney Eating Plan.)
By way of ambiance, Tortuga Tavern is Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired, though you most likely wouldn’t discover upon informal inspection. At fast look, it’s like a barely pirate-y model of Pecos Invoice.
Tortuga Tavern is definitely one of many newer additions to Adventureland’s Caribbean Plaza, having changed the previous fast service restaurant El Pirata Y El Perico round a decade in the past. The pirate flags above the door are the primary signal of this, adopted by the ‘Code of Conduct’ (though, personally, I believe Tortuga Tavern might use some roaming monkeys to spice issues up) inside by the ordering kiosks.
These are the plain issues that the majority visitors will see, together with decor scattered about that’s paying homage to what’s within the Pirates of the Caribbean queue, plus books used to enroll pirate crews and a big mural of Blackbeard.
Then there are the main points most individuals will miss, me included. It seems that the proprietor of Tortuga Tavern is “A. Smith,” which refers to Arabella Smith, a personality from the Younger Jack Sparrow books. A. Smith is a young person whose father runs a tavern in Tortuga known as “the Trustworthy Bride.” An indication for this institution is seen exterior Tortuga Tavern.
Because the backstory goes, Arabella Smith returned to Tortuga in 1673 to take over from her father as operator of the renamed Tortuga Tavern. Within the restaurant’s open-air courtyard, there’s a stairway to her residence exterior of which her hat and coat will be seen.
A stunning quantity of effort went into changing El Pirata Y El Perico into Tortuga Tavern, and I recall listening to numerous different (now-forgotten) particulars at a D23 occasion a number of years in the past. This was in the course of the second part of turning Caribbean Plaza into extra of a pirate-y place, an effort that’s now slowly being peeled again.
The seating space at Tortuga Tavern is surprisingly giant and it connects to Pecos Invoice (which means they might share seating…or you might stroll via the within to make use of the toppings bar at Pecos Invoice, in case you so desired).
Between that and the trouble to ‘improve’ the restaurant, it’s a bit stunning Tortuga Tavern isn’t open with extra regularity. Our expectation is that it’ll be function all through Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. Magic Kingdom wants extra eating choices when crowds are heavy.
Above is a have a look at Tortuga Tavern’s present menu. This location has gone via many menu adjustments through the years, most being fairly restricted. There was a time frame a pair years in the past when it solely served an merchandise or two at a time, so that is removed from probably the most restricted it has been.
Observe that Tortuga Tavern is likely one of the few counter service eating places in Magic Kingdom that does not do Cell Order, which means it’s walk-up solely. Whereas we’re followers of Cell Order, that is actually a refreshing change of tempo. So many Walt Disney World fast service eating places now really feel locked up like Fort Knox, and it may be a problem to discover a place to simply sit within the shade or air con with none friction.
Tortuga Tavern is generally open air (there’s additionally an indoor seating space), making it a spot the place you may simply seize a seat within the shade with out placing in your face masks. Even in case you’re not consuming right here, it’s a pleasant place to take a day break–or escape the rain.
The BBQ Pork Sandwich has been on the menu for some time with some tweaks to its preparation. It’s an okay possibility. Higher than some previous entrees I’ve had at Tortuga Tavern, however hardly something particular–and positively not definitely worth the cash.
It’s now served with home made chips moderately than the Lay’s pictured above, so at the very least that’s an enchancment.
Subsequent, the Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, and Banana Sandwich served with Home-made Chips.
With out query, that is the spotlight of the menu at Tortuga Tavern. At beneath $10 (by a penny!), it’s additionally one of many cheaper counter service entrees in Magic Kingdom.
Right here’s a glance with the aforementioned home made chips.
We’ve been singing the praises of this Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, and Banana Sandwich for years. It has beforehand been served at our favourite Hidden Gem Restaurant at Magic Kingdom, however actually for just a few weeks per yr (and never for nearly two years).
Above is a have a look at the Aunt Polly’s model.
To our recollection (and in evaluating the pictures), these are equivalent. The mix of not-Nutella, peanut butter, and bananas is superb. We’ve had two of those three issues collectively, however by no means the trio. It’s positively an “I by no means knew I wanted these items collectively, however I do” sandwich. With that mentioned, it’s a sugar rush, and splitting this sandwich is unquestionably the way in which to go. It makes an important shared snack–or along with one other savory entree.
Aside from that, the menu at Tortuga Tavern is boring. The turkey leg you’ll find elsewhere in Magic Kingdom and the recent canine are indistinguishable from Casey’s Nook, so we didn’t even trouble with these.
With that mentioned, these are positively serviceable secondary choices in order for you one thing filling to associate with that unimaginable Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, and Banana Sandwich.
Past that, it befuddles me that Magic Kingdom doesn’t supply a extra sturdy, everlasting menu at each Tortuga Tavern and Tomorrowland Terrace. With Pecos Invoice and Cosmic Ray’s perpetually madhouses, there’s clearly the demand for extra eating in Magic Kingdom. Heck, the state of affairs is so dangerous at Cosmic Ray’s that they’ve needed to develop their seating areas and shut sure entrances to correctly route site visitors.
Once they’re open, we’ve by no means seen Tortuga Tavern or Tomorrowland Terrace with even a fraction of the crowds as these well-liked Magic Kingdom spots, however there are a few explanations for that. By not being constantly open, there’s a dearth of planning information about these eating places. Most significantly, the menus at Tortuga Tavern and Tomorrowland Terrace go away loads to be desired.
Location can be constantly blamed for the shortage of recognition of every venue. That’s a chance, but it surely’s not as if Massive Thunder Mountain naturally would see numerous foot site visitors, but it appears to attract crowds. Whereas Tortuga Tavern is clearly no Massive Thunder, there are definitely methods for it to attract crowds to ease the burden on different eating places.
My Disney Expertise notifications when visitors stroll previous the entrance entrance could be one simple means. Higher menus could be one other great way, and the very good sandwich is an effective begin in that regard. Going ahead, it additionally ought to assist that the menu is bigger, with extra selection than earlier than. Whereas a lot of the decisions are fairly unusual, at the very least there’s some selection now.
In the end, that’s actually about all there’s to say about Tortuga Tavern. Many of the menu is nothing particular, however makes good choices for choosy eaters or anybody who needs a straightforward walk-up possibility. Then there’s that Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, and Banana Sandwich, which is totally implausible–a will need to have both as a shared entree or a snack. Magic Kingdom’s counter service eating choices usually go away one thing to be desired, however it is a implausible decide in a park of pedestrian quick meals decisions.
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Your Ideas
Have you ever dined at Tortuga Tavern? Did you may have a very good meal there? Have you ever tried that very good Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, and Banana Sandwich? Do you agree or disagree with our take? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
