Culinary tour at Animal Kingdom Lodge

[Disneyfriend]

Can you please tell me about this? We stayed at the AKL during our last stay (right after it first opened), but I don't recall this tour being offered.

We were considering going on the tour this year before our dinner at Boma.

Is it worthwhile? Would it be too filling to go on the tour immediately before our Boma dinner? Would my two teen daughters enjoy the tour?

No reservations necessary, right, and we don't need to be staying at AKL to attend?

Thanks much!

Disneyfriend

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was wondering about this tour also. Is it offered every day? Is there a charge? Do you sign up in advance or just show up? I was wondering about signing up in advance because I'm planning to do it my first day there.

 

[sistertrip]

All that I've heard of the tour is that it's free and that you just show up at the tour start time. Apparently there's a board somewhere in the lobby area that has the tour times. Any more details would be welcome!

 

[johnsonet]

There is definitely no charge for the tour
I believe it is held daily at 4pm but I'm not 100% certain.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi there! I did the tour a few years ago...I am pretty certain it is 4 pm daily...although maybe it is only certain days of the week?

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is not really "special" or anything...can't say you should take any time out of your day to do it, but if you are going to be at Boma anyway for an early ADR, then go for it. No, you will not get full, you just get some tiny samples at Jiko and Boma. You don't go behing the scenes or anything, but it was interesting and informative.

 

[ufgator]

We did this last year. It was free and was around 3 pm. It took place in Jiko. First, someone explained the decor in the restaurant and how it represented things in Africa. Then we went over to the counter there and one of the chefs went over everything in the menu, which wasn't that interesting. Then they gave us samples of some appetizers. I wouldn't do it again, but we were staying there and just hanging around the hotel that day.

 

[bobcat]

I did this tour a few years ago and really loved it. We met at the firepit and walked through the bar area with am explaination of African liquor served at AKL. We were then taken to Jiko, again with an explaination about the decor and food. Sitting at the bar sampling some appetizers I got into a great discussion with the chef about African spices and was the last one to leave. I could have talked to him a lot longer. We then went to Boma and sampled some more and talked with the chef there. Over all it was a great experience and I wish they would offer a more in depth tour. I thought this tour was only open to AKL guest which is why I haven't done it again, we haven't stayed there since.

 

[Webbie]

I did this tour a few years ago and really loved it. We met at the firepit and walked through the bar area with am explaination of African liquor served at AKL. We were then taken to Jiko, again with an explaination about the decor and food. Sitting at the bar sampling some appetizers I got into a great discussion with the chef about African spices and was the last one to leave. I could have talked to him a lot longer. We then went to Boma and sampled some more and talked with the chef there. Over all it was a great experience and I wish they would offer a more in depth tour. I thought this tour was only open to AKL guest which is why I haven't done it again, we haven't stayed there since.

We also loved this free tour. We just did it on June 3, 2006. They were happy to answer any questions about the food, decore or customs. If you are going to eat at Boma I would highly suggest it. We met Chef David on our tour(only our family was on the tour). He took us to each of the food stations and explained the different foods. LOL he also told us how to "attack" such a bountiful buffet. He recognized us that evening and brought over a little something extra that was not on the buffet. He also made up a special dessert sampler and a birthday cup cake. We has told him we would be meeting up with a honeymoon couple and we wanted do order something for them. He suggested the sampler.

The tour was wonderful, the Chef wonderful and the food was outstanding.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I did this tour a few years ago and really loved it. We met at the firepit and walked through the bar area with am explaination of African liquor served at AKL. We were then taken to Jiko, again with an explaination about the decor and food. Sitting at the bar sampling some appetizers I got into a great discussion with the chef about African spices and was the last one to leave. I could have talked to him a lot longer. We then went to Boma and sampled some more and talked with the chef there. Over all it was a great experience and I wish they would offer a more in depth tour. I thought this tour was only open to AKL guest which is why I haven't done it again, we haven't stayed there since.

I think it is open to everyone. They just know most people will not drive all the way over there for it, and they don't advertise it elsewhere, just in the AKL Lobby. They certainly did not ask to see our room keys or anything....we met at the little lounge area in the front of Jiko, and the tour guide met us and walked us into Jiko from there, then on to Boma.

Bobcat, you should definitely do it again! Make an early ADR at Boma or Jiko and do the tour beforehand!

 

[sistertrip]

We arrive in Orlando at 2pm and have a Boma ADR for I think 6pm. Do you think this would allow us time to catch the tour beforehand? (We don't like to do a whole lot of chilling after we check in, just drop the bags and go.)

 

[Webbie]

We arrive in Orlando at 2pm and have a Boma ADR for I think 6pm. Do you think this would allow us time to catch the tour beforehand? (We don't like to do a whole lot of chilling after we check in, just drop the bags and go.)

Check the time of the tour for the day you arrive. We went on a Saturday and the tour was at 4:00.