Culinary Tour @ AKL

MICKEEP

DIS Veteran
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Apr 12, 2000
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Could someone tell me about the culinary tour at the AKL or direct me to a link which has a description.

Also, we will be arriving early afternoon and we might not want to waste one of our park passes on a half day. What else can we do at the AKL during that first day.

Thanks
 
1. Explore the hotel, even if you have a savanah view room, there are all kinds of places to view the savanahs and the animals are scattered amongst the savanahs so you won't see them all from your room.

2. Take a swim, use the hot tubs. I really like the pool at this resort.

3. Have a drink at Victoria Falls and get a light snack. (or do this at the pool bar if) so inclined.

The way you asked your question kinds of imply that you will be doing the parks the entire trip. Not sure if you already have plans for the first night (like dinner reservations at Jiko or Boma), if not, you can also go to Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk that first afternoon/evening
 

I took the culinary tour at AKL. I think it will help you get the most out of your dining experiences at AKL.

They took us into Jiko first and talked about the philosophy behind the restaurant's decor which was quite interesting to hear, actually. Then they sat us down at the counter that faces the kitchen. They reviewed the menu with us, describing each dish in detail. They let us sample one of their appetizers. I think it was called the "Taste of Africa" - it consisted of several different kinds of flatbread and three delicious dips.

Then they took us into Boma and one of the chefs walked us along the serving areas and described the types of food they serve there and how the food selection varies from day to day. He let us sample one of the soups and then.... gave us each a zebra dome!! Yum!

The tour doesn't take too long (45 minutes?). It is especially helpful if you have never dined at Boma or Jiko before because you will get a lot of info about the food that is offered at each restaurant. But even if you have been to one or both restaurants, you will still learn something. I had already eaten at both restaurants a few times before taking the tour and was surprised by a few things. For example, I didn't know that Boma always offers a vegetarian soup option every night. I am a vegetarian so that was very useful info!

The tour group was small -- 8 of us, all adults. I don't think kids would be interested in this tour, however, unless they are dreaming of being a chef some day! They will have a lot more fun out by the pool or doing the cookie decorating or the animal tracking. But for the adults in the party who want to get the most out of their visits to Jiko or Boma, it's worthwhile.
 
LisaS said:
I took the culinary tour at AKL. I think it will help you get the most out of your dining experiences at AKL.


LisaS

Do they give the tour once a day or more and what times is it offered
 
I am curious about the timing also - Whatever it is, we will make time for it - We are all looking forward to it, including my Gourmand 16 yo son.... Boma is his new favorite WDW restaurant & prompted our upcoming stay at AKL....
 
I am also looking for approximate times!! Is this tour offered 7 days a week??
 
The tour was offered once a day. I think it's offered 7 days a week, but I'm not entirely sure about that. I went mid-week.

The start time is 3:45 pm or somewhere around that time. Our tour started a bit late so they were already setting up the buffet at Boma for dinner by the time we got to that part of the tour, so it was definitely late afternoon. All of the AKL activities are posted on notice boards in a couple of places at AKL -- near the front desk, near the restaurants -- so you should check the notice board for the correct start time of the tour. I'm pretty sure it was 3:45 pm, but my memory is not as good as it used to be!

You don't have to sign up in advance, just show up a bit before the tour is scheduled to start at Jiko's check-in desk.

Leota: it sounds like your son would definitely enjoy this tour! He is old enough to find it interesting (I think young kids would be bored), and since he has an interest in food and likes Boma, I expect he will enjoy getting to meet one of the chefs and hearing about all the food choices there.
 
Thanks Lisa - I know he will love it. At 10 years old, he discovered the Food & Wine Festival & we spent the whole trip in WS going to cooking demonstrations & obtaining recipes, which he has actually used several of.
He's a foodie, that's for sure.
 


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