Doin' Half the World with the 'Rents: An Adult TR

[tarak]

Wonderful shots of the animals on the safari! Thank you so much for sharing them. I'm curious to read about your Jiko dinner. My mom and I loved Jiko.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Love your report so far!

Glad you're enjoying it! I am having fun reliving it!

Thanks for posting so many pics, they are just wonderful!!! I had this on when DD3.5 walked in, she is still kind of under the weather and crabby...and your pics did the trick She loves EPCOT..THREE Caberellos and animals....ok, so do I

What a trip you had Cant wait to see more

Aww, glad to hear it made her happy! Hope she's feeling better soon!
It was a magical trip!

I'm especially loving your photos of the Wanayama. We are looking forward to doing this in August, and your report is getting us even more excited. Can't wait to hear about Jiko!

Thanks for your report!

Oooooh! You are just going to love it! Being in the truck, going around so close to the animals...it was unbelievable! We were only about 10 feet from the giraffe at times!

Wonderful shots of the animals on the safari! Thank you so much for sharing them. I'm curious to read about your Jiko dinner. My mom and I loved Jiko.

It's different than a regular dinner as you are served family style with all the guests from the safari, and the chef comes out to talk to you between the courses.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Disclaimer: I used my little waterproof digital Olympus to take the pics in the restaurant as I didn't want to have my big camera on the table. I also used a setting that doesn't use flash as I didn't want to be disruptive during the meal to our table and others. Unfortunately, that meant that the pics were not too sharp. But you can at least see what we got to eat!

So we were led down to Jiko. Amanda and Jen did not come with us as the guides are not included in the dinner. It's a shame, as I feel we could learn a lot more in conversation, but I have a theory as to why they are not included: wine is served, and Disney probably does not want to worry about problems. There was a table set for ten in the middle of the restaurant, close to the kitchen. I loved the glass...

...and the ovens near the bar:

Our server greeted us with warm towels to clean our hands. Unfortunately, I don't remember his name right now and I don't have the menu. I will get the menu this weekend and add all the details! The menus were not personalized as they were in '06, but it was still a very nice touch!

The first thing was not on the menu: a chilled carrot-squash soup. It was delish!

Then came out the appetizers. Trio of dips with assorted breads and house-made naan (delish!):

Crispy "Savanna" rolls with sweet corn, bitter greens, goat cheese, and curry vinaigrette:

Tibs watt in Pannekoeke stewed beef rolled in "crepes" with peppadew-olive tapenade:

Barbecuechicken flat-bread with apple-jicama slaw,African BBQ sauce, and 4 cheeses (just that one for all ten of us!):

The chef, Mike, came out to explain all of the dishes with each course. He had a very good sense of humor with a dead-pan delivery. It was actually his last day there as he was taking a job at a restaurant in Philly to be closer to his wife's family. It was interesting to hear about his career and his funny stories!

I didn't take a picture of the wine, but the first serving was a Chenin Blanc (Graham Beck, Gamekeepers Reserve, Robertson '08) that was super! I was trying to write it down, and our server noticed and brought out a wine menu with the name marked! He also poured a little more in my glass when he was finishing the bottle!

Then came out the palate cleanser. I was expecting a sorbet, but it was some strange concoction that had a very different taste. I didn't finish mine!

Yes, it was actually green!

Next came the main course. Mike explained that some of the items were on the menu to cater to people who don't have exotic tastes, and some were to simulate the types of spices that would be used in some areas of Africa.

The famous filet and mac 'n cheese:

Chermoula tanglewood chicken with goat cheese potatoes, preserved lemons, and harissa:

Maize-crusted Pacific halibut with vegetables of the moment and tomato-butter sauce:

This is my plate to give you an idea of how much you got; the only thing I didn't take was the mac 'n cheese as I don't like it (I know; unbelievable!):

There was a red wine (Graham Beck Gamekeepers Reserve, Robertson '07) served with the meal. Everything was fab; I especially liked the fish.

Then came dessert. Two views:

Now, there were ten of us, and only THREE of those plates for the entire table!!! My theory is that we were booked as only three groups, so that is why there were only three dessert samplers (there were only three tour gifts, too). But it did make it a bit awkward for sharing. The sweet girl sitting down our end was trying hard not to take too much as she was sharing it with the four of us. But my mom is a diabetic, so she did not have too much, and they just weren't the kind of desserts my dad likes. But boy, I would have loved to have that Pistachio creme brulee with a chocolate-layered bottom all to myself! I really loved that most of all! The lemon-white chocolate mousse with spiced blueberry coulis and vanilla tuile was OK, and the Tanzarian chocolate cheesecake with chocolate ganache, amarula sauce, and lavendar ice cream was rich and light. A dessert wine was also served with it. We sat for a while talking with others before finally heading out. It was just the BEST evening!

 

[luv2travel29]

loved the pics.. i would love to go to WDW during the food and wine festival... i love my wine... thanks for the TR!!! it is really good!!!

 

[tiggrbaby]

My dad was ready to go back to the room after dinner, but my sister and I wanted to try the night-vision goggles. So my mom said she would go up with dad, then come back to meet us. OK, so sis and I went to the 2nd floor doors near Arusha to wait. And wait, and wait, and wait. Finally, she went up to see if mom changed her mind. So I took a few pics (naturally!):

Me and my shadow!

So sis comes back and says that mom had been waiting on the first floor! D'oh! At this point she doesn't want to bother. So we go out, but there is a REALLY long line. We wait about 10 minutes, and the line hasn't moved. My sister is really cold (she doesn't have my pooh-stuffing!) and we decide to go inside. We take a detour to the Marketplace, and of course I take a few pics:

We picked out a photo album for my parents, and a sweat shirt for mom and a mug for dad as Xmas presents. Then we headed up to the room and I downloaded the pics to my laptop. A last peek out the balcony, and time for bed!

Next installment: A Downtime Day
(I may not get to this for a few days; my sister is going to come over after work tomorrow night, and DH and I are going to see son #2 in a college swim meet Saturday, so that will take the whole day.)

 

[tiggrbaby]

loved the pics.. i would love to go to WDW during the food and wine festival... i love my wine... thanks for the TR!!! it is really good!!!

Thanks! I see that you are leaving in a day! Have a magical time!!

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Great pics! You're so lucky you got to stay at AKL

 

[twob4him]

I am loving your trip report and all of the fabulous pics...the savannah pics were out of this world!!! Thanks so much for documenting and sharing this with us!!! I will check back often!!!

 

[DisneysRedhead]

Oh my goodness, your meal at Jiko looked absolutely amazing! I just ate and seeing those pictures makes me hungry all over again.

 

[praisehisname]

Your meal looked soooo good! They were very generous with the portions, too. Well, except for dessert... Glad you enjoyed it!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Great pics! You're so lucky you got to stay at AKL

Thanks! Yes, we were very lucky! the first time I did that, we saved for three years! The only reason I was able to do it this year was because DH and DS did not want to go on vacation, so I had that money left over from the summer.

I am loving your trip report and all of the fabulous pics...the savannah pics were out of this world!!! Thanks so much for documenting and sharing this with us!!! I will check back often!!!

Thanks! I was so thrilled with some of the pics. It was a new camera for me. I had just finished a course with the adult ed program, and I was glad to see that something stuck!

Your meal looked soooo good! They were very generous with the portions, too. Well, except for dessert... Glad you enjoyed it!

The meal was fab! We really didn't have much room at the end with all that food, but really! It just seemed so stingy when they provided so much for the rest of the meal!

 

[summerlady]

What a great trip report! Love all the giraffe pictures! We had dinner on the Rose & Crown patio during Illuminations too in 2008 and we loved it! I also had the fish and steak, I thought they took it off the menu this year but I guess I was wrong about that, I really thought it was yummy.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Well i just found your trip report and am loving all the AKL pictures as I am patiently waiting for my AKL trip. I have never read anything about the Sunset Safari and I enjoyed hearing about your experience.

 

[Nutty4Disney]

Love all the pictures, especially the giraffes. Funny thing I had a dream the other night that I was at AKL and there was a giraffe with its head in my room. Can't wait for our trip in February. My mom decided to go with us, so I enjoy reading how your paents enjoyed the trip. Mom can't do much walking either because of severe arthristis. Can't wait to read more.

 

[Donald is #1]

Great report & awesome pictures!

 

[tiggrbaby]

What a great trip report! Love all the giraffe pictures! We had dinner on the Rose & Crown patio during Illuminations too in 2008 and we loved it! I also had the fish and steak, I thought they took it off the menu this year but I guess I was wrong about that, I really thought it was yummy.

Thanks! I think they have been playing around with menus for a while, and maybe they took it off, but got many requests to put it back on?

Well i just found your trip report and am loving all the AKL pictures as I am patiently waiting for my AKL trip. I have never read anything about the Sunset Safari and I enjoyed hearing about your experience.

Thanks! Isn't it hard to wait for the trip? I was so excited when DH dropped us at the airport, I grabbed my bag to run into the terminal without kissing him good-bye! I had to tuen around and go back to the car!

Love all the pictures, especially the giraffes. Funny thing I had a dream the other night that I was at AKL and there was a giraffe with its head in my room. Can't wait for our trip in February. My mom decided to go with us, so I enjoy reading how your paents enjoyed the trip. Mom can't do much walking either because of severe arthristis. Can't wait to read more.

Aren't dreams funny? We did have a dragonfly come into the room one night; it was rather comical trying to get it out without hurting it! My sister finally got it to sit on a towel and carried it out.

I'm glad your mother decided to come! My dad never was willing to use a wheelchair before this trip. I think he actually saw the value in it. And he was happy with the handicapped seating areas for the shows!

Great report & awesome pictures!

Thanks! I was having a lot of fun with the new camera!

 

[miprender]

Hello I just followed you over from AKL Lite. I love all the pictures of AKL. We are staying there for 9 nights in April and can't wait to be there.

Dh has been wanting to stay here for many years and now we will.

Can't wait to read more...

 

[tiggrbaby]

Hello I just followed you over from AKL Lite. I love all the pictures of AKL. We are staying there for 9 nights in April and can't wait to be there.

Dh has been wanting to stay here for many years and now we will.

Can't wait to read more...

Thanks! You will absolutely love it! Make sure you plan some resort time!

 

[tiggrbaby]

We woke up and had a delish breakfast at the lounge. Can one ever tire of chocolate croissants and capuccino? Didn't think so!! After breakfast, dad headed back to the room and we ladies headed out to Arusha Rock.
View of my favorite lamp:

View of the lounge from below:

A plant my mom liked:

Don't you just love the details?

Artsy shot time:

I thought this guy was cute; they hand feed him or all the other birds get the food!

When we went around the bend, we noticed that the red river hogs were out!

They were having a great time running around and noshing on all the forbidden grass. They have been working on acclimating them to the regular savannah; I wonder how much longer until they are there full time? When it is time to call them back, they use an old-type bulb bicycle horn!

A pretty bench:

On our way back in, I noticed there were bananas growing on the trees by the doors:

Those beautiful lamps:

Carpeting:

Wall art:

Lobby display case:

We decided to detour to the marketplace:

My mom ended up buying one of these with the giftcard we gave her for her birthday:

She bought two of these for her cousin and his wife:

I thought these were neat:

More wall art:

CONTINUED NEXT POST...

 

[tiggrbaby]

Views on the way back to the room:

It was time to get ready to go to DTD. I took a few shots of the room while I waited my turn:

Aren't the curtains lovely?

This was above the chest of drawers:

Everyone was ready and it was time to leave. A few shots on the way out:

After a short wait, the bus arrived and we were on our way!

Next: Lunch at WPE