Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King is one of many unique highlights of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship; the Disney Destiny. Best of all, it’s one of the three rotational dining experiences included in your Disney Destiny cruise. This dinner experience combines live entertainment including songs from The Lion King films and Broadway show plus African-inspired dishes.
Upon entering the restaurant, guests are greeted with wood-carvings inspired by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. As you travel down the colorful hallway, you are heading deeper into the savanna and into the “boma” or “gathering place” for this unforgettable dinner experience.
Once seated, guests will notice the torches lining the stage and large windows overlooking the savanna. As the dinner progresses, the lighting changes from darkness to light signaling the hope of a new day.
The Menu
The menu offers familiar Disney Cruise Line favorites with a bold twist plus dishes inspired by family recipes. In fact, the executive chef who helped develop the menu is originally from Ghana and recipes from his childhood were a great influence. Specifically, the turmeric-raisin rice with roasted red pepper sambal was a take-on his mother’s own recipe. The chefs recommended both the Cape Malay Shrimp Curry and the Pan-Seared Berbere Spiced Roasted Chicken and we agree these are two must try dishes!
Bread Service
Mosbolletjies Bread – mint coriander-cumin yogurt dip
Appetizers
- Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties – grilled chicken skewers, tri-color quinoa pilaf, and red chermoula
- Kiara’s Black-Eyed Pea Hummus – matbucha, carrot-green mango atchar, toasted tiger bread
- Peri-Peri Shrimp – sautéed chili-garlic shrimp, creamy boerenkaas pap, toasted corn, per-peri sauce
- Pumbaa’s Cocktail Ya Matunda – passion fruit, William pear, pineapple, cantaloupe, coconut, guava, coriander-chili bearss lime dressing
- Romaine Heart – cucumber, tomato, purple onion, mint, flat parsley, radish, sumac yogurt dressing, crisp pita sippets
- Green Papaya Salad – long beans, red chili, roasted peanuts, grape tomatoes, palm sugar-lime dressing
- Sweet Potato, Lentil and Coconut Soup – pumpernickel croutons
- Roasted Red Capsicum Soup – toasted pan bread costini, sun-dried tomato sofrito
Of the appetizers we tried – we really enjoyed the Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties, Peri-Peri Shrimp, and Sweet Potato, Lentil and Coconut Soup. The chicken was perfectly grilled and offered a nice spice from the red chermoula. The shrimp had great flavor from the chili-garlic and peri-peri sauce plus the creamy pap was so delicious. I could have eaten an entire bowl of just the boerenhkass pap! The sweet potato soup tasted similar to a split pea soup combined with sweet potato in the most comforting way.
Entrées
- Cape Malay Shrimp Curry – garam masala, turmeric, cumin-coconut curry sauce, aromatic basmati rice, cucumber sambal, butter roti
- Vegetable Tagine – slow cooked zucchini, carrot, garbanzo beans, eggplant, potato, olives, dried cherries, fragrant tomato broth, toasted pine nut-pomegranate couscous, roasted lemon-mint “yogurt”
- Pan-seared Corvina – yam puree, shiraz-based pulled oxtail, crisp shallots
- Pan-Seared Berbere Spiced Roasted Chicken – tomato-red pepper rice, fried plantains, blistered tomatoes, green harissa sauce
- Ras el Hanout Spiced Tomato-braised Lamb Shank – cracked toasted bulgar wheat, mint, spinach, summer squash, pomegranate arils
- Baked Mushroom and Lentil “Bobotie” – masala lentils, forest mushrooms, soufflé topping, fragrant turmeric-raisin rice, roasted red pepper sambal
- Roasted Prime Rib of Beef – cheddar cheese loaded baked potato, black garlic broccolini, honey glazed carrots, veal jus and horseradish
- Sarabi’s Roasted Rib of Beef Tenderloin Salad – grilled halloumi cheese, lemon-marinated artichoke hearts, caramelized grape tomatoes, spiced garbanzo beans, cucumber, baby spinach, escarole, oak leaf, green onion, lemon-garlic vinaigrette
- Grilled Grain-fed Sirloin Steak – oven baked potato, asparagus
- Roasted Breast of Chicken – lemon-sumac red quinoa tabbouleh, roasted baby carrots
- Oven Baked Filet of Salmon – steamed Jasmine rice, bok choy
Entrée highlights included the Cape Malay Shrimp Curry, Pan-Seared Berbere Spiced Roasted Chicken, and Baked Mushroom and Lentil “Bobotie”. The shrimp curry spices were spot-on and reminded me of one of the many popular dishes from Sanaaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. However, the berbere chicken was no doubt the standout entree. The chicken was so tender and flavorful, to the point I couldn’t believe how well-prepared it was for a cruise ship with thousands of people. Plus, the tomato-red pepper rice was incredible. The texture from the tomatoes and plantains combined with the peri-peri sauce from the chicken made each bite pure perfection. While the mushroom and lentil bobotie was a solid vegetarian dish, we would also recommend ordering it as a sharable side for the table. The bobotie was so creamy and perfectly matched with the textures and flavors from the lentils, mushrooms, and soufflé topping.
Desserts
- Warm Chocolate Malva Pudding – decadent chocolate pudding, apricot jam, warm buttery cream sauce, vanilla ice cream
- Passion Fruit Layer Cake – vanilla butter cake, passion fruit cremieux, white chocolate ganache, passion fruit glaze, strawberry-hibiscus sauce
- Creamsicle Cheesecake – vanilla cheesecake, orange mousse, orange segment glaze, chocolate sauce
- Milk Tart – sweet shortbread crust, cinnamon spiced custard, roasted pineapple compote
- Zebra Sundae – cookies ‘n cream, chocolate wafer cookies, chocolate fudge sauce, whipped cream
- Coffee Creme Dome (No Sugar Added) – lady fingers, Kailua espresso, mascarpone cheese
Our favorite desserts were the Creamsicle Cheesecake and Warm Chocolate Malva Pudding. We were especially surprised by the creamsicle cheesecake which had such a light and fluffy texture. The flavors of the orange and cream were perfectly balanced with just the slightest bit of chocolate. Be sure to give it a try!
Kid’s Menu
Appetizers
- Simba’s Curry Carrot Soup
- Hakuna Matata Garden Salad – served with your choice of dressing
Entrées
- Savanna Salmon – baked salmon with jolly rice, sweet pineapple, and mango salsa
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich – chicken breast, cheddar cheese, on a brioche bun served with honey mustard dipping sauce
- Ham, Cheese, and Tomato Pizza
- Mini Cheeseburger – served on a brioche bun
- Savanna Safari Turkey – roasted turkey breast with vegetable quinoa, carrot sticks, and apple slices
- Mufasa’s Jungle Pasta – whole wheat penne pasta with tomato sauce, grilled chicken breast, steamed carrots, and fruit salad
- Choice of Sides – fresh vegetables, smashed potatoes, steak fries, or Mac ‘n cheese
Desserts
- Chocolate Bread Pudding – dark chocolate bits, vanilla sauce, cinnamon Mickey cookie, and vanilla ice cream
- Mickey Ice Cream Bar
- Selection of Assorted Ice Cream
Premium Beverages
- Flavors of Africa – tasting flight with three 5 ounce cocktails featuring African gin, agave, and whisky – $35
- Can You Feel the Rum Tonight? – Starr 7 Year Rum, Amarula, lime mango, cinnamon – $12
- Laughing Hyena – Sango Agave, lime, agave nectar cassis, Fever Tree ginger beer – $13
- African Sangria – Visa, Campari, Starr rum, Fanta, Sprite Cassis, bitters – $14
- Hakuna Colada – Amarula, Manssas Whisky, coconut, vanilla ice cream – $12
- Pride’s Passion – Aces Diamonds Sapiir, vanilla, passion fruit, lime, Lyres Classico Sparkling (zero proof) – $12
- Slimy Yet Satisfying – Sprite chill cherry-lime, Jell-O lime, dragon fruit, bursting crawlers and centipedes – $8
- Pride Rock Punch – cherry banana, orange, soda – $7
- Pride Rock Punch – cherry, banana, orange, soda with souvenir Timon sipper – $17
Entertainment
The biggest draw to Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King is the show that takes place during the course of dinner. This dining experience was in development for almost 8 years and is a unique telling of the beloved Lion King story. The performance takes a different approach to The Lion King by using 23 different African instruments, six live performers, and familiar songs from all The Lion King films plus the broadway production. There’s even an all-new song “Serengeti Rain” created exclusively for Pride Lands and Disney Cruise Line.
The show of course starts with “Circle of Life” as the story of Simba begins with his childhood and the loss of King Mufasa. The second half of dinner sets a new tone with songs like “Shadowlands” and “Hakuna Matata”. There are two singers telling the story of The Lion King mostly through song, a dancer who brings the story to life, two African drummers, plus a musician in the “pit” playing two dozen African instruments
The caliber of the performers is truly incredible. With such powerful voices and familiar songs, you will leave this dinner in complete awe. It feels as though you have experienced a Broadway show at sea. Fun fact – the background track for some of the performance was provided by the South African cast currently performing in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. Since this is a one-of-a-kind show, it’s important to note it is not similar to other performances like Festival of The Lion King or Disney’s Lion King on Broadway. There are no puppets, acrobatics, costume changes, etc. The musicians truly are the show and it’s meant to bring the feeling of family.
The Details
There are some really great photo-ops in the hallway to the restaurant like porthole windows with Simba’s paw-print, colorful African prints. and truly stunning wood carvings. Since much of the show features dark lighting, we also recommend visiting the restaurant anytime it is open during the day so you can fully enjoy the details of the place settings and the windows surrounding the restaurant.
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King is a completely unique experience and a telling of The Lion King like we’ve never experienced before. The dishes offer a nice variety of flavors and textures while the menu still offers something for everyone. There’s no doubt, Pride Lands will be one of the many highlights of your Disney Destiny cruise!
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