Disney simply opened its first-ever Moana-themed restaurant, Wayfinders’ Desk, in Adventureland at Hong Kong Disneyland. This shares a take a look at the inside, and meals images of menu objects. Plus, our commentary about whether or not the favored movie franchise will get culinary outposts at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, and the place such an idea would possibly match.
As fundamental background, Wayfinders’ Desk is just not a brand-new restaurant. It was beforehand Tahitian Terrace, which served up festive quick-service meals in an open-air veranda and lushly-landscaped courtyard crammed with cheeky tikis. The underlying Tiki construction was similar to Wayfinders’ Desk, it’s simply the layer of thematic window-dressing that’s modified. Consider this just like the reimagining of Hungry Bear Restaurant into Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree (Disneyland) or BoardWalk Bakery into BoardWalk Deli (Walt Disney World).
In truth, Tahitian Terrace was certainly one of our favourite eating places at Hong Kong Disneyland–we even ate there twice on our most up-to-date journey. It served up all kinds of South Asian eats, and was a superb ‘compromise’ possibility we each might agree on that additionally supplied meals appropriate for our toddler. The one HKDL location at which we’ve dined extra is the Explorer’s Membership Restaurant.
As a part of the reimagining from Tahitian Terrace to Wayfinders’ Desk, the core Tiki construction stays, however there are new design thrives that make it much less Tiki and extra Motunui. Kakamora statues could be discovered on the entrance to the restaurant, whereas idea artwork exhibits Moana herself additionally roaming. Stepping additional into the restaurant, you’ll come throughout statues of Pua and Hei Hei, alongside extra Kakamora.
The restaurant house, designed to seize Moana’s adventurous spirit, is modeled after a bai or home present in Belau, which is without doubt one of the nice architectural traditions of Micronesia. Bai are on the core of the neighborhood, serving as ceremonial facilities, gathering locations, and reception halls, making this a gathering spot for friends from all walks of life to return collectively and recharge.
Right here’s a take a look at the brand new Moana touches inside Wayfinders’ Desk:
The restaurant’s inside depicts Moana’s journey with artwork that highlights wayfinding strategies equivalent to observing stars, birds, ocean swells, wind patterns, and storytelling. The outside gable depicts the beautiful icon of Motufetū, connecting highly effective structure with acquainted tales.
Immerse your self on this one-of-a-kind fast service eating expertise, full with ornamental artwork, ceiling murals, and an oceanic ambiance that transports you into the acquainted tales of Moana and her mates. Have fun legendary structure and tradition with a scrumptious island-inspired menu that can make you need to journey past the reef.
As for why Disney did this, it’s in all probability to make a extra cohesive subsection of Adventureland. Proper subsequent door to that is the Moana: A Homecoming Celebration present, which debuted a number of years in the past. Changing this to Wayfinders’ Desk creates a quasi Moana mini-land inside Adventureland.
It’s additionally an space with ample room for growth. Proper subsequent door to that is Pageant of the Lion King, which could possibly be on the chopping block. Even when it’s not, there’s a colossal courtyard in entrance of that theater with little meals carts and different stuff that could possibly be repurposed and built-in into the Moana miniland. When you go on the opposite facet of the railroad tracks, there’s an growth pad that at present homes a short lived flex house.
Let’s dive into the menu on the Wayfinders’ Desk Moana Restaurant!
Beef Steak Mee Goreng with lemongrass, chili, hoisin sauce, lime, cabbage, bean sprouts, and sambal.
Wayfinders’ Roasted Rooster Leg with Gramma’s Signature Rice and lime, ginger, fish sauce, basmati rice, almonds, and raisins.
Malai Kofta and Lentil Masala with Gramma’s Signature Rice and cashew nuts, assorted greens, carrots, basmati rice, almonds, and raisins.
Massaman Prawn Curry with Gramma’s Signature Rice and new potato, pineapple, peanuts, carrots, basmati rice, almonds, and raisins.
Voyagers’ Rooster Naan Pizza with spinach, mango chutney, mozzarella, potato pops, wok-fried greens, cucumber yogurt, and a marshmallow cookie.
Seafood Laksa Soup Noodle with shrimp, scallops, squid, rice noodles, crispy noodles, and a Mickey egg.
Discover the Ocean – Banana Coconut Fritters with coconut custard, cinnamon sugar, and desiccated coconut.
There’s additionally Preserved Plum Pineapple Soda and quite a lot of non-alcoholic oceanic drinks. Right here’s hoping that watermelon juice can be nonetheless on the menu!
The menu celebrates the colourful flavors of Oceania, that includes genuine island dishes crafted with substances that really feel like they got here straight from Kele’s farm. Even the youngest voyagers will be capable of get pleasure from dishes that join to the wealthy culinary heritage of the island nations that impressed them.
All meat objects served in Wayfinders’ Desk are licensed by The Integrated Trustees of The Islamic Group Fund of Hong Kong. (Tahitian Terrace was beforehand a Halal-certified restaurant at HKDL, so it is smart that Wayfinders’ Desk would proceed that.)
All in all, the brand new menu at Wayfinders’ Desk seems actually good. Tahitian Terrace was at all times unbelievable (which is why we ate there so usually), however in all probability not fairly pretty much as good just lately as a number of years in the past. As is commonly the case, Disney reimagining a restaurant offers the culinary workforce a chance to go in and get extra adventurous and impressive, too. We’re actually trying ahead to attempting these new dishes!
Moana Restaurant at WDW or DLR?
As for whether or not one thing like Wayfinders’ Desk might come to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, completely.
I’m truly a bit shocked that we haven’t seen extra ‘low dough’ reimaginings to breathe new life into legacy eating venues at Walt Disney World. Followers and vacationers alike get enthusiastic about these items, meals is an ever-increasing ingredient of the expertise, and WDW has a really plugged-in viewers, plus a rising military of Annual Passholders and Disney Trip Membership members.
Within the final couple of years, there are a number of examples of this at Disneyland: Tiana’s Palace, Hungry Bear BBQ Jamboree, and all of San Fransokyo. It’s an inexpensive and simple option to give an current venue a shot within the arm, and feed the synergy beast. Each single a kind of conversions has elevated reputation and yielded dramatic menu updates (which very nicely would possibly clarify the recognition enhance).
For no matter purpose, Walt Disney World has finished none of this.
Pecos Invoice stays Pecos Invoice, passing up reimagining of each the close by Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Journey and Nation Bear Jamboree. Tortuga Tavern might’ve capitalized on “overflow” demand from Beak & Barrel, however as an alternative remains to be closed. Different eating places are simple reimagining alternatives stay static.
That is unlucky, and we actually hope this modifications within the close to future. What’s most perplexing is that Walt Disney World already acknowledged the worth of IP integration at its eating places with the smash success of the unique Be Our Visitor Restaurant. Earlier than they actually milked that money cow dry, it was the preferred restaurant at Walt Disney World for some time.
Different parks (past HKDL) proceed to show that this method is a large hit with friends, and profitable for the corporate.
Simply final 12 months, Tokyo Disney Resort opened Royal Banquet of Arendelle in Fantasy Springs, the brand new port-of-call at Tokyo DisneySea themed to Peter Pan, Tangled and Frozen. It is a counter service restaurant that offers friends the possibility to eat inside Arendelle Fortress, and it’s extremely well-liked. (It’s additionally the costliest counter service restaurant, on common, at TDR. A win-win for friends and the corporate!) The realm’s different marquee restaurant is themed to the Snuggly Duckling from Tangled (see Assessment & Pictures: Disney’s New Tangled Tavern Brings Snuggly Duckling to Life!)
As famous above, Disneyland has pulled a web page from this playbook and is doing this sort of restaurant reimagining. On condition that, the almost certainly Moana infusion might be at Disneyland, in Adventureland at Tropical Hideaway (which shares bloodlines with Tahitian Terrace at HKDL) or Disneyland Lodge’s Tangaroa Terrace. I wouldn’t essentially wager on both occurring, however I additionally wouldn’t wager towards it. Tangaroa Terrace looks as if the extra apparent choose, particularly packaged right into a bigger-picture overhaul of Disneyland Lodge on the horizon.
At Walt Disney World, the apparent candidate can be in Adventureland. There have been rumors of a Moana-themed growth slated for Adventureland, and a restaurant would make sense as a part of that. (Observe: that is not a rumor that I’ve heard credibly; on the contrary, I’ve not been in a position to chase down any leads on it. However I additionally couldn’t chase down the Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster final summer time, and dismissed that rumor consequently.)
For me, the extra logical selection is Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This resort additionally has a Tangaroa Terrace, however the distinction is that it’s defunct. It closed ages in the past, and is now getting used as workplace house and who is aware of what else. With the opening of Island Tower, the Poly wants extra eating capability, and reopening Tangaroa Terrace as a Moana character eating expertise can be an enormous win. It wouldn’t have a lot of something in frequent with Wayfinders’ Desk, save for being one other Moana restaurant. Island Tower ought to’ve been constructed with a rooftop restaurant, however since that ship has sailed, that is the most effective comfort prize!
For the remainder of your planning wants, seek the advice of our Hong Kong Disneyland Journey Planning Information. It covers every thing you should know for a go to to HKDL, together with critiques, technique, packing, and extra. When you’re visiting town as nicely, please seek the advice of our Hong Kong Metropolis Information on TravelCaffeine, our non-Disney planning web site.
Your Ideas
What do you consider Wayfinders’ Desk? Intrigued by the menu? Hope that is the beginning of a Moana miniland at HKDL? Would you wish to see extra IP-infused eating places at Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of this restaurant? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!