Jikos Wine Tasting Review - Best $$ Spent

Karabee

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
We're back from Disney :sad1: but we had a fabulous trip with fabulous weather :goodvibes. On the Wednesday afternoon that we were there we went over to AKL to attend the Wine Tasting that Jiko has. I had registered in advance for this by simply emailing. When I go to Disney I try my best to always do a little something different then just the parks. There are so many "extras" offered. The Wine Tasting was by far the best "extra" that I've ever spent money on. :thumbsup2

When you get to Jiko you are seated in the bar area (small area when you walk in) and sign your name. You can see the beautiful table set up with the wine glasses and information on the wine you're tasting. Once everyone arrives then they bring you over to the table.

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We were lucky enough to be in a group of about 15 and we had Raul (who is in charge of the wine tasting, and Michele, a wonderful server). We tried 3 amazing wines from South Africa.

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Raul was very knowledgable, and actually had been to the wineries in South Africa. In no way was this at all uncomfortable. Some people there had been to alot of wineries, while others had never been. We were able to talk to Raul, Michele and each other throughout the experience.

While tasting, Michele brought around individual trays of cheese and different dried fruits and jams.

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It's my understanding that in the past, this was placed on the table to share. Good news friends - it's now individual so you can taste as you drink!

We were there for about an hour. They happily refilled your glasses with remaining wine. I probably easily had 2, if not 3 glasses of wine but the end of it. In fact, the last glass of wine my DBF and I had, we were able to leave Jiko and we walked around to see all the animals.

In my opinion this was the best $50 ($25 each) that we spent on the trip. I will absolutely do this again when we go back.

Any questions? I'm happy to answer!
 
Sounds like so much Fun. DH and I would love that, wish the kiddos were big enough to stay on there own for a bit. Maybe in a few years :)
 
Thank you so much for the photos and review. :thumbsup2 I am doing this in December - called and left a message and Barbara left me a voice mail back that I was confirmed. BUT, I love to have something in writing. Do you mind telling me what e-mail address you used so I can confirm?

Thanks again!
 


So excited to do this in Dec. I just booked this week. I called on Tuesday and got a confirmation via email on Thursday.
 
Is this only on Weds? I'd love to go. I spent over $100 1 night in the bar on a few glasses of wine + cheese plate, so $25 does sound very reasonable!
 
Singinglizzie - As of right now this is only on Wed. I hope that they might make it two days a week for those of us who like to make Disney a long weekend and can't fit Wed into that schedule!

rlduvall- The email I used was: Raul.A.Herrera@disney.com
I must say, I brought my email confirmation but there was no need to see it. They simply had us sign in and then checked our names against the sheet they had. To be safe though, you can email Raul ;)
 


Where you there this past Wednesday? Because if so we were table mates. My fiance and I attended this, this past Wed 10/19.
 
Thanks for the review! We plan on doing this next year. Did you have to pay when you made the reservation? I'm really excited to try this!
 
Thanks for the review! We plan on doing this next year. Did you have to pay when you made the reservation? I'm really excited to try this!

Nope - we didn't have to pay until it was over and everyone was finishing up some wine and chatting. I assume they do that in case someone doesn't show up. They don't rush you at all at the end. Enjoy!!
 
I think they're transitioning this to the ADR system and at some point they could stop taking reservations directly through the restaurant. You can book this now through the WDW-DINE so it should show up in your ADR list but the description not yet listed on the website.

Currently, if you book through WDW-DINE it's set up as a prepaid event (total cost of $31.25 or so per person), and I think the cancel period might be 2 days (not 100% sure).


Nope - we didn't have to pay until it was over and everyone was finishing up some wine and chatting. I assume they do that in case someone doesn't show up. They don't rush you at all at the end. Enjoy!!
 
I didn't know Jiko did this! I totally want to do this; it sounds like a great way to spend the day. Thanks for sharing!
 

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