Question about Jiko Wine Tasting/Pairings???

[Mousemommy1]

So, DH and I have a date night planned at Jiko for a Wednesday night in April. The Disney website mentions wine tastings on Wednesday nights. Is that something that you have to book separately (like an experience) or is it something that they just do all night???

Hope that makes sense...

Also, any recommendations on what to order??? I'll probably get steak, because that's what I do, but willing to think outside the box.

Thanks!

[TDC Nala]

Wednesday afternoon, not exactly Wednesday night. I think they start around 2. Yes, you have to book it separately.

[Mousemommy1]

Originally Posted by TDC Nala

Wednesday afternoon, not exactly Wednesday night. I think they start around 2. Yes, you have to book it separately.

Oh Cool! Do you know the cost???

[TDC Nala]

It was $25 last December and well worth that. I do not know if the price has changed.

[rlduvall]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Oh Cool! Do you know the cost???

I booked it for this December. It is at 3:00 p.m., Wednesdays only and cost $31. with tax/gratuity included - payment due immediately [48 hour cancellation]. I have only heard wonderful things about it and am really looking forward to it. You have to call Disney Dining - no way to do it online or through the restaurant anymore.

Here is a fabulous review about it:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2822010

[DEA]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

So, DH and I have a date night planned at Jiko for a Wednesday night in April. The Disney website mentions wine tastings on Wednesday nights. Is that something that you have to book separately (like an experience) or is it something that they just do all night???

Hope that makes sense...

Also, any recommendations on what to order??? I'll probably get steak, because that's what I do, but willing to think outside the box.

Thanks!

I will echo the PPs and say that the wine tasting is a great experience and a pretty good value for a WDW experience. You not only get to taste 3 wines, but you also get to sample cheeses from the artisanal cheese selection at Jiko. Also, in addition to the wines poured for tasting, we were allowed to get refills of the wines we liked until we (as a group) killed off the opened bottles.

The experience ends at around 4pm, which is when the Culinary Tour of Africa kicks off over at Boma. They will let you sample a soup and a dessert from Boma, and the Taste of Africa appetizer at Jiko over the course of the tour, which ends up being around a half an hour, if you're looking for something else to do between the wine tasting and your dinner. There is no charge for this, making it an even better value than the wine tasting.

After that, depending on when your dinner is, you could look at some animals outside, or stay inside at the Victoria Falls Lounge, or look around the resort. It's a pretty impressive building. If you have a lot of down time in between the wine tasting and your dinner, you might look into a massage or other spa service at AKL.

For dinner, the steak is a solid choice. The popular thing to do is to sub the mac and cheese for the side that comes with the steak; it used to come with mac and cheese, but a change in chef led to a change in the menu. The perch is also a good pick, I think.

[Mousemommy1]

Thanks!!! It all sounds wonderful!!! The only problem is that if it is in the afternoon, we won't be able to do it because we can't drop the kids off at the Kid's club until 4:30.

We are actually staying at AKL, so maybe I'll have to ditch DH and the kids and go down myself...

[DEA]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Thanks!!! It all sounds wonderful!!! The only problem is that if it is in the afternoon, we won't be able to do it because we can't drop the kids off at the Kid's club until 4:30.

We are actually staying at AKL, so maybe I'll have to ditch DH and the kids and go down myself...

Or get an in-room sitter, instead, at least to cover some of the time.

[wiigirl]

Originally Posted by rlduvall

I booked it for this December. It is at 3:00 p.m., Wednesdays only and cost $31. with tax/gratuity included - payment due immediately [48 hour cancellation]. I have only heard wonderful things about it and am really looking forward to it. You have to call Disney Dining - no way to do it online or through the restaurant anymore.

Here is a fabulous review about it:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2822010

Thanks!

[DEA]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Thanks!!! It all sounds wonderful!!! The only problem is that if it is in the afternoon, we won't be able to do it because we can't drop the kids off at the Kid's club until 4:30.

We are actually staying at AKL, so maybe I'll have to ditch DH and the kids and go down myself...

Actually, when we were there this July and did the wine tasting, our kids (7 and 5 at the time) were allowed to sit at another table nearby and read and color while we did the wine tasting. They were pretty involved with what they were doing, and only came over when the cheese plate came out of the kitchen. But, they were close enough that if they had needed us, we were right there.

[Mousemommy1]

Originally Posted by DEA

Actually, when we were there this July and did the wine tasting, our kids (7 and 5 at the time) were allowed to sit at another table nearby and read and color while we did the wine tasting. They were pretty involved with what they were doing, and only came over when the cheese plate came out of the kitchen. But, they were close enough that if they had needed us, we were right there.

Really?? That's good to know!!! Maybe we could do that then...my kids are pretty quiet.

[UberClaire]

I'm getting ready to make my ADRs in a couple of days -- I know there's been confusion on booking this in the past. So the consensus is that the Disney Dining line should be able to handle this? Someone had posted in I think September about booking through the 407-939-8687 line, I think the Disney tours line.

[JanB]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

So, DH and I have a date night planned at Jiko for a Wednesday night in April. The Disney website mentions wine tastings on Wednesday nights. Is that something that you have to book separately (like an experience) or is it something that they just do all night???

Hope that makes sense...

Also, any recommendations on what to order??? I'll probably get steak, because that's what I do, but willing to think outside the box.

Thanks!

In general, I seldom order steak when we dine out. But I have had the beef filet at Jiko, and it is one of the best steaks that I have ever had. I've also had the braised beef short ribs --- also outstanding. Their flatbreads are very good. My husband and I usually share one as an appetizer.

Since you seem to like wine, be sure to ask your server for recommendations for a wine to go with your chosen entree. Their recommendations have led me to wines that I would not have selected on my own. Of course they have a sommelier on staff, but the servers are very educated on all of that, as well.

Enjoy Jiko!

[showers2flowers]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

So, DH and I have a date night planned at Jiko for a Wednesday night in April. The Disney website mentions wine tastings on Wednesday nights. Is that something that you have to book separately (like an experience) or is it something that they just do all night???

Hope that makes sense...

Also, any recommendations on what to order??? I'll probably get steak, because that's what I do, but willing to think outside the box.

Thanks!

I can't help with the wine tasting question, but it looks like others have that part covered anyway!

As for ordering, I had the filet and it was very, very good. BUT, if you are willing to step outside your comfort zone, I highly recommend the duck breast. We loved our first meal at Jiko so much that we ended up there again at the end of our trip. I took a chance and ordered the duck breast (duck is not normally something I trust anyone but my husband to cook) and it was hands down the best meal I had all week.

[cdtommie]

Originally Posted by UberClaire

I'm getting ready to make my ADRs in a couple of days -- I know there's been confusion on booking this in the past. So the consensus is that the Disney Dining line should be able to handle this? Someone had posted in I think September about booking through the 407-939-8687 line, I think the Disney tours line.

Yes, this can be booked through the regular Disney dining number. Your cc will be charged immediately.