Keep Calm and Go to Disney! 10/21 - 11/4/14 COMPLETE

[happy2012]

Tutto looks amazing! It looks like you had a great time & the food & wine look wonderful! Looking forward to reading on when I have more time. Looks like you had a great trip!

 

[MissPrice]

Hi Barb!! Joining in -Amanda

 

[jabead]

My question though, is on the plate with the main course was that a hair between the ribs and the fish? I sure hope not and that it was just a smudge or something on the photo.

Oh gosh, I hope not Chris! I didn't even notice that when I edited the pictures. But it doesn't make an appearance on the plate once I'd added the side dishes and I don't recall seeing and removing any unwanted items from my plate so I think it was just something on the lens or something.

Barb,

Thanks so much for giving us such a detailed account of the Wanyama Safari. You've definitely sold me on trying it someday, but I see you've got to go hungry. Love that you got to try so many of Jiko's specialties.

Yes, it was definitely not wise of me to book this on the same day as the 5 course Italian lunch. The F & W Pairing lunch was a pre-paid event though so it could not be changed. And by the time I learned about the Safari, that was the only night I had available to do it.

Thanks for the awesome review! This is going on my bucket list for sure!

Jill in CO

I definitely think it's bucket list worthy!

Wow! That makes me want to stay at AKL now to try it. So you don't need to stay concierge anymore?

Nope, I stayed in a regular standard view room and for only one night.

Joining in late. However I got the information I've been looking for-Waynama Safari review. We are doing this in January. My Mom who is almost 80 my God daughter who turned 20 in October and wanted to be a vet til she found out she had to take care of sick animalswho is also a foodie and my self who will be turning 50 while in Disney. I would say I made a great choice. Thanks for the updated information.

Can't wait to hear more about your trip and dining choices.

I agree that you have made a good choice for the three of you. Glad my review was of help. I hadn't even heard of the Safari until recently and once I had I could find very few reviews online regarding it.

Oh Barb, I have to say Jiko has never really interested me and after staying at AKL once we put it on the "That was cool but been there done that list' but I am fairly certain you have changed my mind. I so want to experience this! This looks like it was fantastic!

I say go for it, Dawn!

OMG I about fainted when I saw the $300+ price tag. Not sure how you kept yourself composed. I would have freaked out. So good on disney for actually keeping the price static. I'd pay $180 for that experience.

Now for the food, it all looks amazing but I kept thinking for as much money as it costs they could give you some items not on the menu. Of course that would mean missing the short ribs, which are move of my all time favs.

You and me both, Kari! Thank goodness the others caught the mistake, otherwise I would have treated a complete stranger to a $190 experience.

Tutto looks amazing! It looks like you had a great time & the food & wine look wonderful! Looking forward to reading on when I have more time. Looks like you had a great trip!

Tutto was amazing! I didn't think anything could top it, but I was wrong.

Hi Barb!! Joining in -Amanda

Hi Amanda! It was great to hear from you on Instagram and see the pics of your beautiful baby girl. Thanks for joining in here too!

 

[jabead]

After the Safari dinner at Jiko, I was finally able to get checked in for my one night stay in a standard room at Jambo House. I again requested to be close to the elevator and this time it was granted with Room 4209, which was located above the front desk on the 4th floor. Not only was my room not far from the elevator but it was even closer to the stairs so a very convenient location and had a beautiful view of the lobby right outside my door.




Here are two of my favorite things about the beautiful AKL lobby...











And now for a look inside my room...








Of the four Deluxe resorts that I called home on this trip (Beach Club, AKL, Wilderness Lodge, and the Boardwalk Villas), the room decor at Animal Kingdom Lodge was the prettiest, IMO. I hadn't stayed at this resort since 2002 so I had forgotten how well-themed and beautiful the rooms are. Once becoming reacquainted with them, I regretted my decision to spend only one night here. I was happy though that I had decided to forego an expensive Savanna View room and instead use the money to do the Wanyama Safari. Not only did I have a much closer view of the animals while on the safari (plus a tour guide to tell me more about what I was seeing), but since I was only in my room for less than 12 hours the extra money for the upgraded view would have been a waste. ​

Next up: Breakfast at Boma

 

[LuvEeyore]

I could spend hours looking around AKL. The attention to detail is captured in your pictures. Can't wait to stay in Kidani in just a few weeks.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We stopped by the AKL last December and we thought it was a gorgeous resort. The rooms are beautiful, too, from the pictures I've seen. Of the four deluxe resorts you mentioned, only the WL comes close, in my opinion, to this level of beauty. For me, BC and BWI are all about location, not theme.

 

[EvilQueensRock]

Subbing! Looks like a fabulous trip.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

You're making me miss AKL, Barb. It is a beautiful unique resort.

Can't wait to see what's next!

 

[rteetz]

I've always wanted to stay at AKL this just makes me want to stay there more. Oh well maybe next time we will be able to.

 

[poohangel]

Can not wait till Boma review. Love those goat cheese eggs and that juice. MMMMMMMMM

 

[dvc4life]

Sorry to gross you out about the hair Barb. I'm sure it was just something on the photo.

But what beautiful pictures of AKL. We have stayed there once and would like to go back again sometime.

 

[kastoney]

Wow, your AKL room is beautiful. Gonna have to stay there one of these days.

 

[Linda67]

Thanks for such a wonderful and detailed review of the whole Wanyama Safari Barb

I think you absolutely made the right decision not paying for the view and using the money for this fab experience

Wow, you heart must have been pounding when you got the bill at the end of your meal at Jiko!

 

[jabead]

I could spend hours looking around AKL. The attention to detail is captured in your pictures. Can't wait to stay in Kidani in just a few weeks.

I was so impressed with the resort that I ended up booking a 1 BDR villa at Kidani with a Bounceback rate for my next trip before leaving WDW. Not sure if I'll keep the reservation as I am a frequent resort changer when it comes to WDW vacations, but I might. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your upcoming stay there!

We stopped by the AKL last December and we thought it was a gorgeous resort. The rooms are beautiful, too, from the pictures I've seen. Of the four deluxe resorts you mentioned, only the WL comes close, in my opinion, to this level of beauty. For me, BC and BWI are all about location, not theme.

I totally agree with you Sue. I would give WL the slight edge on the lobby, especially during the Holiday season. To me it has a warmer, cozier feel than AKL's. However, I like the room decor better at AKL. As for the Epcot resorts, with Epcot being my favorite park I absolutely love their convenient location but as you said their theming is not all that great.

Subbing! Looks like a fabulous trip.

Thanks for following along!

You're making me miss AKL, Barb. It is a beautiful unique resort.

Can't wait to see what's next!

Hopefully I'll have Boma up this morning.

I've always wanted to stay at AKL this just makes me want to stay there more. Oh well maybe next time we will be able to.

After a very long absence from AKL, I'm glad I finally became somewhat reacquainted with this resort. However, with just a one night stay there, I still didn't have the time to take advantage of all the great things this resort has to offer. Like for instance, I didn't even get to set foot inside the Mara QS restaurant and I also didn't dine at Sanaa over at Kidani. Hopefully next time I'll be able to.

Can not wait till Boma review. Love those goat cheese eggs and that juice. MMMMMMMMM

Those eggs will definitely be making an appearance in my Boma review.

Sorry to gross you out about the hair Barb. I'm sure it was just something on the photo.

But what beautiful pictures of AKL. We have stayed there once and would like to go back again sometime.

Not a problem at all Chris. And I'm glad you enjoyed the AKL pics.

Wow, your AKL room is beautiful. Gonna have to stay there one of these days.

I say, go for it Kari!

Thanks for such a wonderful and detailed review of the whole Wanyama Safari Barb

I think you absolutely made the right decision not paying for the view and using the money for this fab experience

Wow, you heart must have been pounding when you got the bill at the end of your meal at Jiko!

I was so shocked by the total on my bill that I completely missed the fact that I was being charged for two people. My thoughts went immediately to how many meals I would have to skip or how many of their dishes I would have to wash to pay for it.

 

[jabead]

Thursday, Oct. 23​

Today was another big day for me foodwise with ADRs scheduled for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It began with an early breakfast right there at Animal Kingdom Lodge's...




I arrived on time for my 7:30 a.m. ADR, which is the time that they open the restaurant. They had not yet begun seating but the servers were lined up on each side of the aisle awaiting their guests...






Since it is a buffet, this sign by the restaurant entrance is the closest thing they have to a menu...





Soon they called my name and I was one of the first guests seated at a two-top table close to the buffet. My server took my drink order, which for me was both coffee and Jungle juice (or is it called Frunch here??). Anyway, it was a combination of orange, guava, and passion fruit juices and was very good.


I then made my way to the buffet line to quickly take photos before it got too busy.




Grilled Asparagus




Pap (Creamy White Cornmeal Porridge) and Chakalaka (Spicy Stewed Tomatoes and Onions)





Oatmeal and Toppings (pictured below)




Brown Sugar and Raisins




African Spiced Corned Beef Hash






Next was the Carving Station...






I didn't have any but I believe this was Ham...







Somewhere in this general area they also had Grilled Tomatoes...






Then on to the next area, which began with these two breakfast meats...




Sausage Links and Bacon



Don't these sausages look great?



In reading my notes from this meal I said that I didn't like either the sausage or bacon here. I didn't say why though so unfortunately that will remain a mystery.





Breakfast Potatoes



Next were two kinds of Scrambled Eggs, the regular kind...




...and the Deluxe kind with goat cheese and chives.






And if you prefer your eggs in the form of an omelet, they also have a Made to Order Omelet station with many options...



Top Row: Jalapenos, Swiss, Cheddar, Ham, Bacon, and Sausage
Bottom Row: Spinach, Mushroom, Tomato, Onion, and both Red and Green Peppers



There were then two kinds of Pancakes, the regular kind...




...and M&M Pancakes.






And continuing the pattern of two, they had two different Waffle shapes...



Simba and Mickey Mouse Waffles







Turkey Bobotie



Then one of the highlights of the Boma breakfast buffet...






French Toast Bread Pudding




Pecan Praline Sauce


To be continued in next post because I've reached my 25 photo limit for this post.​

 

[jabead]

BOMA BREAKFAST - PART 2


Next on to some of the items from the cold section of the buffet...




Strawberry Banana Yogurt and toppings...







The Cereals...



Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, and Fruit Loops



The Fruit section which included Strawberries, Grapes, Pineapple, Cantaloupe, and Honey Dew Melon plus Apple Sauce...








Then was a Salad section with three different salads plus Hard-boiled Eggs.




The green salad in the back right was Spinach and Quinoa. Not sure about the front left but the front right is African Fruit Fool...



Which is a combination of pineapple, apples, mango, papaya, grapes, bananas, and sweetened shredded coconut, with whipped cream and condensed milk topping.


Then there was an impressive pastry station with two kinds of bagels, plain and sesame seed...








Along with Strawberry Preserves Orange Marmalade, and Grape Jam...






And African Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread...






There were also croissants and many sweet pastries...




...like Pecan Rolls.





And Cinnamon Rolls...





And Scones...





And Banana Bread...





And whatever these are...





Are you a fan of Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts? If so, you can find them here. They actually have two kinds, the regular...





...and chocolate covered.






And then last, the pattern of two was finally broken when they had three different kinds of mini muffins...




Banana Macadamia Nut





Chocolate Chip




Blueberry



Now for my choices...




As I said before, I apparently did not like either the bacon or sausage that I had on my plate. I was also a little disappointed with the potatoes and scrambled eggs with goat cheese ad chives. I did however really like the Turkey Bobotie. The omelet (on separate plate) which included at least five of their many choices was also good, as were the pineapple and grapes.




And last but certainly not least is my plate of sweets...



While all three were good, my favorite was the French Toast Bread Pudding with Pecan Praline Sauce. Delicious!


I really enjoyed my meal at Boma. If I stay at AKL again I will definitely return here for breakfast. However, if not staying there and dependent on Disney transportation, I'm not sure that it's worth the hassle it would take to get there. It was good enough to strongly consider it though.


​

Next up: Animal Kingdom, followed by lunch at Yak & Yeti

 

[Linda67]

Wow, that's some selection of breakfast goodies!

 

[dvc4life]

So many choices and too little stomach room!

Everything looked so good.

 

[kastoney]

Wow, what an array of choices Boma has. I've never been but didn't realize the food was so similar to Tusker House, which is our fav buffet in the world. Agree the bobtie is always good, as is the Pap. The bread pudding looks much better at Boma though, especially with that sauce. Working on the hubby for a Feb trip, staying @ AKL so Boma would be a definite.

 

[vettegirl]

Love the breakfast at Boma, one of the best on property!