AKL LITE II - We're #2, but we try harder....

[BensMom]

I wish we had gotten Shellie as our server!

It's funny, but we've never had Shellie. In fact, I had heard so much about her that, when we met her (she happened to come over to the bar and ask Jodie a question), I said, "OMG, YOU are the infamous Shellie"! She looked at me very strangely. I told her that she is all over DisBoards and has quite the (great) reputation!

 

[BensMom]

We had a great bartender at the Uzima Springs Bar -- I don't remember her name, but she also remembered us and what we had ordered. Very nice! And made us feel special.

Yes, I know who you are talking about...gosh, I can't remember her name. She is hovering around 40, dirty blond, shoulder-length hair. She is great. She remembers us each time we go back, which isn't very often, because we never go to the pool bar unless we are actually staying at The Lodge.

There is a man there who doesn't need to be a bartender...absolutely NO personality. Of course, his name escapes me for Freudian reasons.

 

[BensMom]

We were there on Christmas night. I usually grant them a little leeway because of that, but too many things went wrong. We had a very poor server, they were out of many things (including the first two bottles of wine we ordered and the beer Bob ordered, as well as the filet and the braised short ribs!), our server didn't know the veggie of the moment (and had to be asked twice to please find out) and our four dinners were served lukewarm. The best things we had was the shared appetizer of Taste of Africa (I think I am naming it correctly). If we had dined at the end of their night I could understand a few of these things, but poor service and many missing offerings at 8:00 p.m. is just inexcusable for what we paid. I had spoken of this earlier in the thread but had not gone into as much detail. Bob's favorite restaurant at WDW has now gone to the bottom of our list. Our meal at Tusker House for lunch was better than what we were served at Jiko!

You are right! No excuse to be out of some dishes that early! OMG, I am so sorry. Taste of Africa is correct. Unfortunately, we, too, have had servers who are just big drips. I can name more than a handful whom I don't like. I do, however, have my favorites. We normally don't go through the formality of sitting at a table anymore. We just belly up to the bar. We like Brian and Jodie behind the bar. For actual servers, my favorites are some of the Moroccan servers (Hassan, Said...pronounced Sayeed...). They are both sweethearts, love those guys. And, of course, Shellie (from what I have heard).

 

[BensMom]

We had Shellie as our server once and she was fantastic! So, I have to agree that she is world-renowned, since I am from Germany!

Bensmom, how is the Flying Fish? I am thinking about trying this in January as a new signature restaurant. Oh and is there a bar for a pre-dinner drink?

FLYING FISH...outstanding! Let's put it this way, we always ask the servers how business has been. They told us their actual numbers are up over last year's numbers. The Executive Chef, Tim Keating (can't miss him, I think he's about 7 feet tall) came from, I believe, the Four Seasons somewhere in Texas (wanna say Houston). He has really gotten in the groove there since coming on board. The menu is changed seasonally which keeps us interested (something Jiko doesn't do). There are things on the menu which are signature dishes (Red Snapper and the steak...some of the best on property) which don't change.

The bar in the Fish is usually reserved for guests who are eating there but don't want to sit at a table. However, the Bellevue Lounge, which is just upstairs from the Fish (in Boardwalk Hotel) is great. Tim is a great bartender. If you are there on a Saturday through Tuesday night, he is there. (here I go again about the bartenders).

If you try the Fish, YOU MUST request Bob as a server. He is there every night except Wednesday and Thursday evenings. He takes the art of serving up several notches. You will enjoy him immensely. He has a wonderful sense of humor. Very bright (the guy has a master's degree...making more money as a server...go figure). Just a great guy.

 

[wickey's friend]

Yes, I know who you are talking about...gosh, I can't remember her name. She is hovering around 40, dirty blond, shoulder-length hair. She is great. She remembers us each time we go back, which isn't very often, because we never go to the pool bar unless we are actually staying at The Lodge.

There is a man there who doesn't need to be a bartender...absolutely NO personality. Of course, his name escapes me for Freudian reasons.

That's her! My younger son loves to swim, so when we are at AKL, we spend a lot of time at the pool.

I'm sorry folks have had bad things happen at Jiko. Since we had such a good experience, we wanted to start including it in our stays from now on. I may have to rethink that based on what others have said.

 

[PNO4TE]

We had a great bartender at the Uzima Springs Bar -- I don't remember her name, but she also remembered us and what we had ordered. Very nice! And made us feel special.

I bet that is the same bartender we had during our last stay at AKL! She was amazing.

 

[PNO4TE]

Yes, I know who you are talking about...gosh, I can't remember her name. She is hovering around 40, dirty blond, shoulder-length hair. She is great. She remembers us each time we go back, which isn't very often, because we never go to the pool bar unless we are actually staying at The Lodge.

There is a man there who doesn't need to be a bartender...absolutely NO personality. Of course, his name escapes me for Freudian reasons.

That's the one... on both accounts!

 

[PNO4TE]

You are right! No excuse to be out of some dishes that early! OMG, I am so sorry. Taste of Africa is correct. Unfortunately, we, too, have had servers who are just big drips. I can name more than a handful whom I don't like. I do, however, have my favorites. We normally don't go through the formality of sitting at a table anymore. We just belly up to the bar. We like Brian and Jodie behind the bar. For actual servers, my favorites are some of the Moroccan servers (Hassan, Said...pronounced Sayeed...). They are both sweethearts, love those guys. And, of course, Shellie (from what I have heard).

I will remember those names! Both "poor" servers we have had at Jiko have been women, interestingly enough! And they shall remain un-named.

 

[wickey's friend]

The best things we had was the shared appetizer of Taste of Africa (I think I am naming it correctly).

I agree that Tast of Africa is very good. My DH and DS1 both had it the night we ate there, and I tasted all three "dips" (for lack of a better word). I especially liked the spinach-based one.

And, by the way, we must have just missed you. We were there 12/18-24.

 

[Flossbolna]

FLYING FISH...outstanding! Let's put it this way, we always ask the servers how business has been. They told us their actual numbers are up over last year's numbers. The Executive Chef, Tim Keating (can't miss him, I think he's about 7 feet tall) came from, I believe, the Four Seasons somewhere in Texas (wanna say Houston). He has really gotten in the groove there since coming on board. The menu is changed seasonally which keeps us interested (something Jiko doesn't do). There are things on the menu which are signature dishes (Red Snapper and the steak...some of the best on property) which don't change.

The bar in the Fish is usually reserved for guests who are eating there but don't want to sit at a table. However, the Bellevue Lounge, which is just upstairs from the Fish (in Boardwalk Hotel) is great. Tim is a great bartender. If you are there on a Saturday through Tuesday night, he is there. (here I go again about the bartenders).

If you try the Fish, YOU MUST request Bob as a server. He is there every night except Wednesday and Thursday evenings. He takes the art of serving up several notches. You will enjoy him immensely. He has a wonderful sense of humor. Very bright (the guy has a master's degree...making more money as a server...go figure). Just a great guy.

BensMom, thanks for the heads up. I never had Flying Fish on my radar, but just recently serously checked out the menu and decided that the food sounds lovely. After some research I have decided to incorporate it in my schedule now - just two weeks before we leave. I hope this will work!! Thanks for the advice to request Bob. I was about to schedule our meal there for Wednesday, but now I will try to get an ADR for Tuesday! Which means I can say hi to your friend the bartender as well!

BTW, how does requesting a server work? Do I just tell them when I check in that we would like to have Bob as our server? They won't think I am crazy? Here in Germany they would think that very odd indeed!

 

[Flossbolna]

All this planning for meals for the next trip finally got me to do my dining review for January 2008. If any of you want to check it out, here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2052723

 

[BensMom]

I will remember those names! Both "poor" servers we have had at Jiko have been women, interestingly enough! And they shall remain un-named.

Oh, I name one, and I will. SALLY. She and I got in an argument because I ordered a Long Island Iced Tea one time she was serving us. It came with tequila in it. I told her that I never had a LIIT at Disney that they put tequila in it. She argued with me and said something to the effect, "I've been working at Disney for 20 years, and they've always put tequila in them." Well, as you all know, I've gotten to know several bartenders on property, and they confirmed, nope, never tequila. Disney has a rule...no more than four liquors in one drink. So that would be gin, vodka, rum, triple sec, a splash of S/S mix and a dash of coke. So, there ya go. I was mad that she actually argued with me instead of just returning the damned drink and giving me what I wanted. She's also got a great face for radio to boot.

 

[BensMom]

BensMom, thanks for the heads up. I never had Flying Fish on my radar, but just recently serously checked out the menu and decided that the food sounds lovely. After some research I have decided to incorporate it in my schedule now - just two weeks before we leave. I hope this will work!! Thanks for the advice to request Bob. I was about to schedule our meal there for Wednesday, but now I will try to get an ADR for Tuesday! Which means I can say hi to your friend the bartender as well!

BTW, how does requesting a server work? Do I just tell them when I check in that we would like to have Bob as our server? They won't think I am crazy? Here in Germany they would think that very odd indeed!

Oh, I am so happy that you have put the Fish on your "to do" list!

When you check in, tell them you would like Bob. Bob has quite a following, so this won't shock them at all at the podium. By the way, I was thinking, if Bob isn't there, you may want to request Madlen. She is from Germany! Fun factoid: she is also the wife of one of the managers at Jiko. I don't know her nights off, but she was our server on New Years Eve since Bob had a much deserved night off. Yes, say hello to Lorna at the bar. I know she works Tuesdays.

 

[PNO4TE]

Oh, I name one, and I will. SALLY. She and I got in an argument because I ordered a Long Island Iced Tea one time she was serving us. It came with tequila in it. I told her that I never had a LIIT at Disney that they put tequila in it. She argued with me and said something to the effect, "I've been working at Disney for 20 years, and they've always put tequila in them." Well, as you all know, I've gotten to know several bartenders on property, and they confirmed, nope, never tequila. Disney has a rule...no more than four liquors in one drink. So that would be gin, vodka, rum, triple sec, a splash of S/S mix and a dash of coke. So, there ya go. I was mad that she actually argued with me instead of just returning the damned drink and giving me what I wanted. She's also got a great face for radio to boot.

Believe it or not, Sally helped out our lousy server and she was BETTER than what we had. Not good, by any stretch... but better than the one who was assigned to us.

And there is NO excuse for a server to argue. We had that happen at CA Grill once and it took 6 years for us to go back.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I remember brookelizabeth - I saw pics in her siggy of her little one!!!! Do you remember when she was preggo??? I do!!! OMG - I think I remember her planning her wedding!!! Geez............. I'm old!!! LOL

It wasn't that long ago!
Henry is now 16 months old...time flies, doesn't it?!

Welcome back wendypooh! Good to see you again!

I'm game for the Friday Zebra Domes!!!!

 

[kimmar067]

It wasn't that long ago!
Henry is now 16 months old...time flies, doesn't it?!

...

..Welcome back wendypooh! Good to see you again!

I'm game for the Friday Zebra Domes!!!!

 

[BensMom]

Believe it or not, Sally helped out our lousy server and she was BETTER than what we had. Not good, by any stretch... but better than the one who was assigned to us.

And there is NO excuse for a server to argue. We had that happen at CA Grill once and it took 6 years for us to go back.

Oh my!

 

[CJsMom]

You did!? How cool is that? If you mentioned Ben's Mom, who lives in Celey, they would have known...they definitely would have known Susan! I think that's probably a bad thing when I have a handful of bartenders who know my name and what I drink!

ROFLMAO!!!! Too funny!! I'm laughing so hard right now................

I've got to tell this story - it's absolutely true and I cannot for the life of me live it down............ I am the joke of the family!!

Here goes:

I was at my friends house one night with the kiddos............ she lives about a mile - mile in half from me. Anyway, we decide to order chinese food.. well, the guy gets there and rings the bell.......... I go to the door with the money and he says " AHHH, you move...." ........................ I mean, I'm telling you, my friend fell in the floor laughing.............. it was a riot!!!! I said, No, I'm just visiting my friend.!!!!! It was so funny - now, it's the family joke!!!

You think I order chinese food too much??????????????????????

I Love your story too - it just reminded me of mine!!

Double - that is just hysterical! Hi wendypooh! I remember you from way back - you were one of the DIS'ers on the original Jambo thread that got me hooked on the AKL!

Well I called today to book AKV for my solo trip next December. I was able to book all but the last night so I am booked at Kidani from 12/5-14. I will call back tomorrow or Friday to add the night of the 14th. I put in a request for 2nd or 3rd floor, so it will be interesting to see if I get it.

By the way, I thought it was interesting that when I said that I wanted to book AKV, the CM's first statement/question was "Kidani Village"?

We'll be looking forward to your pictures!!

It wasn't that long ago!
Henry is now 16 months old...time flies, doesn't it?!

Welcome back wendypooh! Good to see you again!

I'm game for the Friday Zebra Domes!!!!

16 months, how can that be?

Hey, isn't today Friday?

 

[Donald is #1]

Do you mean NEXT December as in 2010??? Or this Dec. 09?? I'm waiting to book my trip (we want to book a package) for our Jan. 2010 trip - I was thinking I had to wait till around Aug. - is that not correct??

Thanks

This coming December, i.e. Dec 09. Since I have DVC, I can book my next trip at the 11 month mark.

I think that you are right, that Disney releases the next years prices in August.

 

[wickey's friend]

:Hey, isn't today Friday?

YUM!!! I'll take 10 of those.