Another package to try, this one for Festival of the Lion King **(reviews start on page 5)**

[AJT607]

Was the menu limited or was it the normal Tiffins menu? One of the things previously mentioned was a Surf and Turf but I don’t see that on the regular Tiffins menu.

 

[haileymarie92]

Was the menu limited or was it the normal Tiffins menu? One of the things previously mentioned was a Surf and Turf but I don’t see that on the regular Tiffins menu.

I was also curious about this!

I’ve also heard that if you eat at Tiffins (I’ve never been), that you receive a Joe Rhodes print afterward. Did you receive this? (Not sure if it’s even still the case)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the review, JNCC. Very thorough and helpful for those who might want to book.

 

[rteetz]

I was also curious about this!

I’ve also heard that if you eat at Tiffins (I’ve never been), that you receive a Joe Rhodes print afterward. Did you receive this? (Not sure if it’s even still the case)

I got that when I booked the Rivers of Light package. If you book a regular meal you don’t get anything with it.

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

I was also curious about this!

I’ve also heard that if you eat at Tiffins (I’ve never been), that you receive a Joe Rhodes print afterward. Did you receive this? (Not sure if it’s even still the case)

Yes, you could get the surf and turf for an entree. (I’m just not a fan of seafood) I should have taken a picture of the menu, but we did order off the regular menu.

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

I was also curious about this!

I’ve also heard that if you eat at Tiffins (I’ve never been), that you receive a Joe Rhodes print afterward. Did you receive this? (Not sure if it’s even still the case)

Yes, we did receive the Joe Rohde print as well.

 

[haileymarie92]

Yes, we did receive the Joe Rohde print as well.
View attachment 343574

Oh that’s exciting to hear! Thanks so much for the review! We are definitely going to keep our reservation.

 

[Rozzie]

We also did the Tier package yesterday 8/13. Our show was 2pm, and just like the review above--it was all very organized. After the show, we were escorted to the Safari with 3 CMs, one being our personal animal expert. It was just DH and I for our safari which was pretty dern amazing. She asked me a ton of questions on our walk to the safari truck to help personalize our safari. On the safari she addressed all special points and education I could ever have hoped for. Lots of "behind the scenes" tidbit and trivia. We learned the animals names, how each one is trained for their barn time, etc.

Our dinner was at 5:50 and as always amazing. We love Tiffin's, but usually go more to Nomad Lounge. I couldn't believe we were allowed to pick ANY appetizer, ANY entrée, ANY DESSERT and most amazing to me was ANY glass of wine. I am so used to some poor quality happy hour quality of wine in promotions. The receptions bubbles were delightful as well-- a nice dry prosecco style. They were very accommodating to that I don't eat meat---and rearranged a dish special for me. DH got the turf and surf ;-) I was stuffed by the time dessert came. I can't even remember the last time we have ordered dessert in a restaurant. Now I know why LOL! We were seated next to a delightful gentleman eating alone on his birthday and I gifted him my dessert. He was tickled and for my birthday dessert DH and I shared a lovely 17 year old Oban. (scotch) No issues using our TIW for this extra drink and our espresso's.

All in all a great value and super experience! We quit counting CMs that came by our table that asked us how the safari was. Of course we know a few of them as regulars to Nomad (we are locals) but they all seemed very excited about the package.

Hope this helps with planning!

 

[AngiTN]

So happy to hear positive reviews. Not that I'm one bit surprised. I thought from the beginning that this was an ideal package because Tiffins is such an incredible restaurant. They've had a few other events there and it's been the full menu so I was expecting this to be the same. Glad they didn't disappoint. And sounds like the Show and Safari are being handled just as explained. Naturally will get more crowded as more folks learn about, and book, the event. But will not change that it will be special. Those animal experts are always so enthusiastic. If you've never had a chance to chat with one, and especially take any time on the safari with one, you just don't know what you are missing. They love, LOVE, to talk about the animals and any and everything about the park. These people love AK and it shows.

 

[Rozzie]

So happy to hear positive reviews. Not that I'm one bit surprised. I thought from the beginning that this was an ideal package because Tiffins is such an incredible restaurant. They've had a few other events there and it's been the full menu so I was expecting this to be the same. Glad they didn't disappoint. And sounds like the Show and Safari are being handled just as explained. Naturally will get more crowded as more folks learn about, and book, the event. But will not change that it will be special. Those animal experts are always so enthusiastic. If you've never had a chance to chat with one, and especially take any time on the safari with one, you just don't know what you are missing. They love, LOVE, to talk about the animals and any and everything about the park. These people love AK and it shows.

I could not agree more! AK is our favorite park--so we might be slanted perhaps but the enthusiasm each CM brings makes your experience. The animals are their life, their career, and it shows in their interactions with guests. Our guide gave us great recommendations for other private tours where we can learn more and get closer. I am planning now!

 

[AngiTN]

I could not agree more! AK is our favorite park--so we might be slanted perhaps but the enthusiasm each CM brings makes your experience. The animals are their life, their career, and it shows in their interactions with guests. Our guide gave us great recommendations for other private tours where we can learn more and get closer. I am planning now!

Same here! I've always said that AK is the only park where you never have the same experience twice.
I mean, I love all the parks and all the rides but every ride on say, Big Thunder is pretty much like every other ride on Big Thunder.
No 2 Safari's are the same. Nor are any walks through the trails or most any of the other animal encounters. AK is a living park and that's why it's always going to be our favorite. The others have special, yet different, magic.

 

[JKMastalski]

Wow, great review. We will definitely be keeping our reservation!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am conflicted about booking this. I am worried that by mid-September they will have reduced the event menu and it will be more crowded for the special safari. In terms of cost, it is VERY close to what we would spend on dinner at Tiffin's with TIW. It won't let me look at the package times without cancelling my current ADR, so maybe I will just leave things alone.

 

[AngiTN]

I am conflicted about booking this. I am worried that by mid-September they will have reduced the event menu and it will be more crowded for the special safari. In terms of cost, it is VERY close to what we would spend on dinner at Tiffin's with TIW. It won't let me look at the package times without cancelling my current ADR, so maybe I will just leave things alone.

Do you have just a regular Tiffin's ADR now? I wouldn't think that would be hard to replace if you were to drop it temporarily. I've never seen them too hard to get.
Having played with it a good bit I may be able to help you with package times, if you ask the question here.
Best I can tell so far, the only times they have for the Lion King show are 3:00, 5:00 and 6:00, and the Safari is as soon as the show is over.

 

[S_Ortiz]

Before the show started an Animal Expert came to out seats and introduced herself. She said to stay put after the show and she would come to get us. Before everyone exited the theater she came and got is and led us to Kilimanjaro Safari. We entered a safari vehicle at the exit platform after everyone had got off. We were the only 3 people on it besides the expert and driver. She gave us descriptions of the animals along with info on their habitats. It was very informative and fun to say the least to have a “private” safari.
View attachment 343530
This package incorporated 2 of my favorite things at AK and now Tiffins has become my favorite restaurant so the price was well worth the experience for me, and I would totally do it again.

We just booked for next month and also have a 3pm show. Do you know approximately what time you were done with the safari? We're trying to plan out the rest of our day. Thanks!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Do you have just a regular Tiffin's ADR now? I wouldn't think that would be hard to replace if you were to drop it temporarily. I've never seen them too hard to get.
Having played with it a good bit I may be able to help you with package times, if you ask the question here.
Best I can tell so far, the only times they have for the Lion King show are 3:00, 5:00 and 6:00, and the Safari is as soon as the show is over.

Do you tip on the full cost of the food? Like with Dining Plan? I went ahead and booked the package but we are trying to determine how much it will actually cost. We had FPs for the safari and FOTL with a normal ADR for Tiffin's but switched to a Tier 1 (and left our FPs in case we changed our minds). We have done backstage safari type stuff in the past, Sunrise Safari back in the day, etc. so I am not sure the safari with an animal specialist is that big of a deal. I am also not 100% sure we want to get to AK in time to go get our FOTL vouchers from Tiffin's and be in place for a 3PM performance since we have other plans that morning. I think from a timing standpoint we may be better off NOT doing the package.

 

[anomamatt]

It won't let me look at the package times without cancelling my current ADR, so maybe I will just leave things alone.

It won’t cancel until the final confirmation. I refreshed over and over and had another reservation. It only cancelled the other adr when everything was finalized. So you can look at times without losing your other adr.

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

Do you tip on the full cost of the food? Like with Dining Plan? I went ahead and booked the package but we are trying to determine how much it will actually cost. We had FPs for the safari and FOTL with a normal ADR for Tiffin's but switched to a Tier 1 (and left our FPs in case we changed our minds). We have done backstage safari type stuff in the past, Sunrise Safari back in the day, etc. so I am not sure the safari with an animal specialist is that big of a deal. I am also not 100% sure we want to get to AK in time to go get our FOTL vouchers from Tiffin's and be in place for a 3PM performance since we have other plans that morning. I think from a timing standpoint we may be better off NOT doing the package.

Yes, the receipt had the recommended tips of 15 & 20% listed at the bottom (based on the $99/per person price).

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

We just booked for next month and also have a 3pm show. Do you know approximately what time you were done with the safari? We're trying to plan out the rest of our day. Thanks!

I think we were done with the safari around approximately 4:15.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks for the info! We are doing golf/spa at SSR that morning, so by the time we get back to BWV and shower and get to AK we decided it would be too tight to get to the 3PM FOTLK. The other factor is that we have never seen ROL and we have a FP for that. DH and I talked it over and decided to just go the ADR & FP route this time. Probably. LOL