Welcome back to Animal Kingdom’s Smiling Crocodile!
Now, you may be thinking, “Huh? What do you mean ‘welcome back’? I’ve never heard of the Smiling Crocodile.”
Well, the Smiling Crocodile previously went by a name you may be more familiar with: the Gardens Kiosk. In fact, several Animal Kingdom snack stands have received mini-makeovers in the form of new names and, in several cases, updated paint colors; spots like the Eight Spoon Cafe (formerly the Beastly Kiosk), Mahindi (which was Harambe Popcorn) and Warung Outpost (previously known as Upcountry Beverages).
In most cases, though, the changes have been in name and fresh coats of paint only while the menus have remained the same. The Smiling Crocodile, however, is one of the exceptions to the rule. Last summer brought a menu refresh to this kiosk featuring the Trek Power Salad and Farmers Salad along with some unique and refreshing beverages.
The Smiling Crocodile
But our recent visit to the Smiling Crocodile was to check out its refreshed menu and try one of the new items: Smoky Cheddar Grits. Care to join us?
Atmosphere
The Smiling Crocodile is located in Discovery Island, right before the entrance to Asia. Blending in well with its environment, the colors are mild with mostly browns, orange and greens.
The Smiling Crocodile
In true Animal Kingdom fashion, the stand itself is something of a work of art, with the outside featuring “carvings” of creatures such as buffalo and snakes.
Buffalo Carvings
Snakes in the Windows
And of course, the creature behind the name… the smiling crocodile!
Smiling Crocodile!
Given that it’s a kiosk, that pretty much wraps up the tour! Which is great, because now we can explore the new menu that much sooner…
Eats
The Smiling Crocodile is a simple counter service kiosk with two registers. There is some seating in the area, but the updated menu items are pretty well made to grab-and-go and continue your meanderings around the park: the Chicken Drumstick with potato salad and bread-and-butter pickles, and the Smoky Cheddar Grits with Pulled Pork and more of those pickles. (Both food items are snack credit eligible on the Disney Dining Plan. )
The Smiling Crocodile Menu
The Smoky Cheddar Grits definitely struck me as a unique theme park offering, so I decided to give it a go.
Smoky Cheddar Grits
Similar to the two pasta dishes over at what is now known as Eight Spoon Cafe, the grits are served in a small ramekin-styled bowl. (Those of you who have Disney counter service dessert will be familiar with it.) For $5.99 out-of-pocket the portion is on the small side, but pretty well packed. The grits are served warm and the rest of the ingredients are assembled per order.
Cast Member Preparing the Grits
I found the grits to be freshly prepared.
Cheddar Grits
The four bread-and-butter pickles tasted terrific with the final ingredient..
Bread-and-Butter Pickles
… which is the pulled pork! It was nicely tender and brought the as-promised “smoky” aspect to the grits.
Smoky Pulled Pork
All mixed together it was a savory and unique snack (and even somewhat filling, thanks to the meat) that was easy to eat while walking around and taking in what is — these days, anyway — an ever-changing Animal Kingdom.
Overall
Is anyone else thinking what I’m thinking? Maybe it’s just the similar presentation and serving size, but some of the creativity and flavors of the mini-dishes that have made their way to Animal Kingdom over the past several months bear a striking resemblance to some of the heartier dishes served at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. (Consider the Lobster Baked Mac and Cheese at Eight Spoon Cafe, and the Teriyaki Beef Slider at Caravan Road, previously known as Bradley Falls).
To be sure, these eats at Animal Kingdom are unique dishes all their own that have clearly been given a lot of thought behind-the-scenes. I just can’t help being tempted to snack my way around Animal Kingdom these days much the way I do each fall for the Food and Wine Festival! What do YOU think?
What are your thoughts on the new style of snacks popping up around Animal Kingdom? Please let us know in the comments below!
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I agree this size portion resembles the portion size at Food and Wine but the price is steep for what you receive. It looks so small in the cast members hand. Higher priced items at F&W are not generally cheap food like grits with inexpensive pickles and 2 bites of pulled pork. I believe Disney has learned people will pay heavily for small portions after years of people spending heavily for a bite of food at F&W and are bringing the concept to the parks.
I remember the days when it seemed Disney gave you such large portions of food, which were excessive, but made you feel you were getting some value for the high price you paid. Now portions are very small and prices are very high. It would have been nice if it was just somewhat in the middle.
This is the direction most restaurants are moving towards….SMALL PLATES.
Looks tasty to me and I’ll gladly use a snack option for one!
I welcome any and all additional little kiosks like this that mirror the F & W festival….esp in other parks!
This does look tasty, but as noted also tiny. There is a simple solution to high prices. Bring your own food. It is allowed. We do it for most visits. Had a nice Panerra sandwich at Magic Kingdom yesterday.
I’m excited to try this next week. I think everyone is so used to huge portions everywhere they look; however, considering how heavy of a dish this is, a full “dinner” portion would probably push 1500+ calories.
When you can, please do a post on all of the changes and updates in Animal Kingdom, many of which you refer to here. I’d love to see each of these little kiosks mapped out, too. And same for Hollywood Studios. TIA!
I saw this when we were there a couple weeks ago but did not try it. Now I wish I did. I was impressed with the small plate options I saw at the kiosks around AK. We got the buffalo chicken & waffle sandwich twice which was really tasty and priced right for a small lunch.
this does look like the size of a dessert cup….but looks really yummy…
Wow, definitely on our to-try list for our next trip. Hope they still have it; seems like they only keep things like this a short while. The size is perfect for those of us who limit sodium and fat but who want a taste of something hearty. One snack credit? Let me tap my Magic Band!
Oh no does that mean the awesome salads are now gone forever? I didn’t have a chance to visit and try them yet :/
That spot used to be the allergen kiosk. Only place at he time to get a Gluten Free beer or other allergy free snacks
Rocksmith — There’s been a little bit of shifting around and renaming of the kiosks in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Allergy Kiosk is now known as Terra Treats. You’ll find it occupying the kiosk previously known as Discovery Island Ice Cream.
Looks great. I’m looking forward to eating that. It looks small in the photo, but those ramikins hold a lot, especially for the price. I’ve had the lobster Mac and cheese, which I shared. I love cheese!
Ann — Right? It’s always amazing how much is in a bowl once you start digging into it!