Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) at Walt Disney World is already a popular place with Disney foodies. It offers Jiko–The Cooking Place, its signature table-service restaurant; Sanaa, a casual table-service restaurant with a view of animals on the savannah; and Boma – Flavors of Africa, its buffet breakfast and dinner.
Even its more casual gathering places receive kudos for their offering. The Mara, AKL’s quick service restaurant, serves tasty flatbreads, falafel and unusual burgers as well as AKL's famed Zebra Dome desserts foodies love and which are generally associated with Boma. And Cape Town Lounge, Victoria Falls Lounge, Maji and Uzimi pool bars all offer specialty cocktails and Safari Amber, AKL’s own beer. (Tip: it’s also served at the Africa Refreshment Coolpost post at Epcot.)
In addition to these dining and drinking options, though, AKL offers these experiences to please the discerning palate. These experiences are open to all Disney guests, not just AKL guests.
Culinary tour of Boma and Jiko
One of the best freebies in all of Walt Disney World is the culinary tour of AKL’s Boma and Jiko restaurants that takes place at 4 p.m daily. These guided front-of-the-house restaurant tours take about a half hour and focus on the restaurants’ atmospheres and decor. Not only do you get to learn about the restaurants’ theming, but you are provided with free samples of their cuisine (appetizers). Signing up for the tour is easy, too. Just go to the podium of either restaurant a few minutes beforehand.
To read about one such tour, see this Disney Dispatch post by Abby Earl.
Wine tastings at Animal Kingdom Lodge
AKL offers wine tastings on Wednesdays from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Jiko – The Cooking Place. Featuring three South African wines, paired with fruit and cheese, these sessions cost $25 (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations may be made by calling 407-928-7149.
Wine dinners at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Guest who want a more extensive experience should attend one of Jiko’s wine dinners. where sommeliers and chefs will host events. Thus far, six dinners have been planned and announced on the Disney Parks Blog.
- May 4 – Post House Winery with Nick Geber. The Post House farm is in one of the preeminent wineries in South Africa’s Stellenbosch region.
- June 8 – Featuring Alex Dale, founder of Radford Dale Wines with Vinum vintages from the Stellenbosch region.
- June 15 – Ken Forrester Wines from the slopes of Helderberg Mountain in the heart of the Stellenbosch region, often referred to as the home of Chenin Blanc and other award-winning wines.
- September (date to be announced) – Mulderbosch Vineyards featuring from the Stellenbosch area, featuring winemaker Richard Kershaw who creates handcrafted and individual wines.
- October 27 – Robin Back with popular Spice Route and Fairview Winery in the Paarl wine district of South Africa. (This dinner is part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival events.)
Dinners are five-course meals between May and September, and cost $135 per person; the October event, held as part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, is a seven-course dinner that costs $180 per person. Tax and gratuity are included. For reservations, email megan.c.devries@disney.com.
Dine with an Animal Specialist: An Untamed Lunch
A new dining experience at Sanaa is in the testing phases, similar to the popular Dine with an Imagineer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Called Dine with an Animal Specialist, this four-course meal will take place on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy their meal while learning more about the animals they see from one of the experts.
Dine with an Animal Special costs for $49 for adults (ages 10 and older) and $29 for children (3-9), plus applicable tax and gratuity. Disney will contribute $5 for each reservation to Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund. Guests can book Dine with an Animal Specialist by calling 407-938-4755 or by visiting the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Front Desk.
The Disney Food Blog first served up this story on Dine with an Animal Specialist, and the fan site has more information on the menus (with pictures) for Dine with an Animal Specialist. Update: June 20: All Ears is reporting a new number for the experience: 407-938-6922, select option 3 and leave a message.
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