Jiko worth the 2 TS credits?

[Diz Kids]

Our family of 5, me, DH and 3 kids ages 2-6, will be staying and AKL in January with the FD package. Since we go to WDW frequently but have never eaten at any of the AKL restaurants I have booked Boma, Sanaa and Jiko. The only one I am questioning is Jiko. If we go to this restaurant we will end up having to pay for one meal OOP on the trip, which is not a huge deal, but I am wondering from those who have been there, is it worth it? We have been to other signature restaurants with our kids before and enjoyed it.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Our family of 5, me, DH and 3 kids ages 2-6, will be staying and AKL in January with the FD package. Since we go to WDW frequently but have never eaten at any of the AKL restaurants I have booked Boma, Sanaa and Jiko. The only one I am questioning is Jiko. If we go to this restaurant we will end up having to pay for one meal OOP on the trip, which is not a huge deal, but I am wondering from those who have been there, is it worth it? We have been to other signature restaurants with our kids before and enjoyed it.

Personally I'd say it's worth at least 3 credits. (shhh).

 

[Pakey]

If you run the numbers, I think it's better to pay OOP for the signatures. Most of the entrees at the signatures are not twice the cost of those at the 1TS places.

Jiko is a nice restaurant and the food is good.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Jiko is one of only 2 restaurants on property that I'd think was worth the money even if I were paying cash and weren't at a theme park.

One detail--ask them to not bring your kids' food until they bring yours. Sometimes they bring the kids' food out first and then the kids get bored because they've finished eating by the time the adults get their food.

Those 3 restaurants are all in my top 5 on property.

ETA: As far as using credits wisely, I find that the value at Jiko is about $25-30/credit depending on what you order (i.e. an adult meal costs $50-60 including entree, drink, and dessert). Generally speaking, any breakfast is cheaper than that ($17-22, usually), so if you have a breakfast booked, you'll want to pay cash for the breakfast and save the credits for Jiko. If you have a lunch booked, that's about the same value as a signature restaurant so you can do it either way. If you have *only* dinners booked, then I'd say you want to use your credits for all your other dinners and then pay OOP for you or your spouse's dinner at Jiko (whichever is cheaper, obviously) and use the credits for the other adult. (I haven't done the math for kids, although I know for kids it's better to use credits at buffets and cash at non-buffets.)

 

[skier_pete]

We're eating here OOP on our upcoming trip while our Child is in Camp Kidani. Few of the Signature restaurants are "worth" 2 dining credits...we usually eat at one per trip and pay our own way. Did California Grill last trip...cost was about $125, but included appetizer and desserts, which you wouldn't get on the DDP.

But from what I hear, Jiko is one of the best restauarants on site. So, if you don't want to pay for it OOP, then it is probably worth using 2 dining credits.

SkierPete

 

[Hollymom1229]

In one word: Yes!

Jiko is probably the best restaurant on property after V&A's. I will be eating there for the 5th time a week from this Friday, and for the 6th time come December. This is our must do restaurant. The food is some of the best to be had, and I would pay the same prices for it if it moved to DC.

 

[tigger536]

This is another case of everyone having a different opinion. I just returned from a trip to WDW, and Jiko was the most disappointing restaurant of the trip. I had been looking forward to this, as it had been a favorite in the past, and talked it up to my fiance as fantastic. We were very disapointed. The flavors were much blander than the last time I dined there. I think they have watered down the menu somewhat. I had the wild boar appetizer and the famous fillet for my entree. My fiance had the beet salad for his starter and a seafood dish for his main (which I cannot remember the details of). Nothing was a standout for us, save the beet salad, oddly enough. The boar was so bland it could have been everymeat.

If I had it to do over again I would have gone to Citricos instead (another on my list that just barely did not make the cut). FYI, we dined at: Artist Point (excellent food, so-so atmosphere), Narcoosee's (excellent, a consistent favorite), California Grill (also excellent, also a consistent favorite), Jiko (see above), Ohana (enjoyable), Bistro de Paris (the second disappointment of the trip), Flying Fish (a standout winner and a new favorite), and Hoop De Doo Revue (fun).

But in the end its all a matter of what you prefer. If I had to choose I'd pick a different signature, but that's just me.

 

[kdfogliano]

We were just there last week for a second time and i wont go back...
The first time we were there it was great

This time, the food was soso and we had a horrible waiter who made us seem like we were a bother.

after my last experience I wont go back, I would choose another signature
we loved narcoosees this time, but from what i read not everyone does!

Tigger, we had the same food and i feel the exact same!!!!

OP: Sanaa was GREAT!!!!!!

 

[Diz Kids]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I think I am going to keep the reservation. I figure what better time to try the restaurant then when we are staying at AKL!

 

[Colleen27]

I'd keep it since you're staying at AKL. It is well worth trying, but can be inconvenient if you're staying elsewhere.

We really enjoyed our dinner at Jiko but the transportation getting "home" after dinner was enough for me to think twice about eating there again unless we're at AKL, a monorail resort, or renting a car. It is no fun having to take one bus to another bus after dinner!