Help me choose our dinners...please.

[rentayenta]

If you are considering Jiko, why not consider the Wanyama Safari. It is a special event with a special price, but we thought it was a good value for what you got. We did this last Thursday. You check in at the podium at Jikoat 3:30. There will the two of you plus at most 10 other guests. First you will be served appetizers and iced roibos tea in the wine room. At 4 PM, two animal care experts will escort the group to a safari vehicle. You get in the back of the truck, sit on padded benches, and get a 90 minute tour of the savannas around the AKL. The guides are the zoologists who take care of these animals every day. You get to see lots of animals up close and get lots of information about them from the experts. Then 5:30, you return to Jiko. The group is seated at a large table in the middle of the dining room and you are served a multi course tasting meal with samples of many items on the main menu plus some things that are not on the menu. I recall we had and amuse bouche, bread service, an appetizer sampler, a sample of main dishes plus side dishes, and a sampling of desserts. So much food. The chef came out to explain each course. Some are served family style, others you get your own sampler. There are different wines served with each course (3 or 4 different ones, I don't recall for sure). There was so much food we couldn't eat it all. Then you get a little gift bag at the end. Our party broke up just before 8 PM. The price is steep and you must pay when you make your booking. But note that the price you pay includes everything including tax and tip. No money was collected at all the night of our event. If you are looking for a special night out, your could consider this. Note also you can't reserve by Disney Dining. You have to call a special number for booking events.

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Oh my gosh, that giraffe photo, wow! You are so close! A friend of mine suggested this as well. It really sounds like an incredible experience. We are going to try Jiko regardless. What was in the gift bag?

We also did the Rivers of Light Dining Plan at Tiffins. It is a fixed price meal that includes any appetizer, any entree, and and dessert from the menu, plus a non-alcoholic beverage. I got the most expensive of appetizer (the charcuterie board and Wagyu Steak) so I probably saved money over ordering ala carte. Plus you get prime seats for RoL with no waiting in line. Because you have to dine several hours before the show we had dinner in the mid-afternoon, but if you are only eating a couple of times a day, that an a big breakfast may be all you need.

This sounds awesome! I didn't know what Rivers of Light was....we haven't been to WDW in nearly 6 years. I can;'t find a price so I will call and check it out.

We went to the Kona Cafe for Breakfast last week. We have always enjoyed that. There really are not a lot of table service breakfast options that are not character buffets at WDW (in or out of the parks). I was told that Sanaa has a good breakfast but we did not eat there. I was told that you order like counter service, but eat in the dining room like table service (and it's a very nice dining room with views of the savannas, although there may not be many animals out first thing in the morning). Also for a snack, desert, breakfast or sandwich I must go to Les Halles Boulangerie at France, EPCOT. I swear some day I will just go down the line and order one of everything.

We are two meals a day people, especially on vacation and we like to share; get to try more foods that way. I'll look into Kona. I think I read about pancakes there with pineapple maybe?

Thank you for adding these wonderful ideas!

 

[odd man out]

Actually, that wasn't the giraffe close up. Sometimes they practically put their head in the truck. The gift bag wasn't much. There was a nice pin, so if you are into pin trading, this could be worth something.

The Rivers of Light show has received mixed reviews, but we really liked it. As for dining package, it his here on the WDW Dining Web Site.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/rivers-of-light-dining-package/

Click the "read more" links to see all the details. For Tiffins you will see this:

Tiffins

• Trek to Tiffins where you’ll savor your choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert from a menu featuring mouthwatering delights from around the globe. Please note: While this dining package is available for both lunch and dinner periods, Guests must arrive to dine no later than 3 hours prior to showtime.
• Rivers of Light Dining Package Prices (Dining Plan Eligible)
  Lunch/Dinner starting at:
  $67.00 adults

At the Kona Cafe I had the Macadamia Nut Pancakes with Pineapple. There were yummy. The Tonga Toast is quite famous. I have not been brave enough to order that yet. It looks huge. When I asked the server about my two options, she talked me into the pancakes. We also had the press pot of coffee. My wife had the salmon plate which was a nice light and different option (if you like salmon)