KIMPUP and MLINDISNEY are back A Mini Off-Plan Dining Report UPDATE 3/3 VIA NAPOLI

[MLinDisney]

For our last morning at AKL, we booked the Sunrise Safari. I had called the desk to ask if we could have a 1:00 check out. They said that would be ok. That meant that we could spend some time at AK after the Breakfast.
We checked in on the 6th floor and went down to the lobby to meet our guide. Our guide was supposed to come at 7:10 and start the tour, but he didn’t come until 7:30 and we didn't start the tour for another 15-20 minutes. He told us that the marathon was running through AK, so we would have to take a different route to get inside AK and start the tour. We went in front and took a truck to a back entrance and walked a little bit to get in. We were in the back of AK, so we weren’t allowed to take photos. We entered AK through that little area where DiVine is usually seen. We walked a little bit and saw this:

We were looking toward Tuskerhouse. Totally empty. It was very close to 8:00 am though and we heard the runners and music for the Marathon. We then headed to the Kilamanjaro Safari. We boarded the same safari trucks that are used for the Safari ride. We headed out and stopped for long periods of time for close ups.

Many of the animals were eating and active.

Camouflage

We caught a few giraffes running by.

This one came very close! That building in the background is where you stop to eat on the Wild Africa Trek tour.

I really wanted to get a photo of the lion, early in the morning. I thought since it was early and January, he would be up and active too:

Unfortunately, he was sleeping. At the end of the tour near the zebras we were stopped and heard him roaring quite a bit. I’m hoping to catch him next trip.
I have so many photos. After we were finished the tour, we walked over to Pizzafari and in the back room there was a huge buffet set up.

Another table with more food!!

Jungle Juice!!

My plate!

Side dish of ham with this delicious sweet sauce.
I guess I didn’t take a photo of DD’s plate. In the photo of my jungle juice, you can see a little bit of DD’s plate. The table next to us was empty so she had some donuts on a plate on that table. She was feeling a little better, but I was sort of getting an ache all over feeling by this time.
The safari and buffet breakfast was $138.46. That included tour, buffet, tax and gratuity. I enjoyed the safari so much. The close up animals and breakfast buffet were great! The only disappointment was the lion. I hope during our October trip, we can catch him awake at an early EMH day.
We said our good-byes to the tour guide, who was very informative and funny. We headed over to the train to see what animal the Veterinarians were going to be working on.

LAST REVIEW: Snack at Epcot and Via Napoli

 

[jedijill]

Great report! I love AKL and AK....very cool to see reviews of the special safaris and tours.

Jill in CO

 

[MLinDisney]

Great report! I love AKL and AK....very cool to see reviews of the special safaris and tours.

Jill in CO

Thank you!! I'm going to post my last update.

 

[MLinDisney]

After our tour at AK and breakfast at Pizzafari, we headed for the train to Conservation Station. We went in to see the veterinarian schedule. They just had a bird up there and we had seen a few birds before. I wasn’t feeling that well and we had a little over two hours before we had to check out. We went back to AKL and sat on the balcony. I got a little rest there. We checked out, checked our baggage and headed to Epcot. We were there around 2:00 and did a few things. We went to Karamell Kuche and DD got a caramel covered marshmallow on a stick which was $4.25 with tax. I didn’t take a photo of this. We both then went to Morocco to get some mint iced tea. I knew I was coming down with something and this tea felt good.

This tea was $2.50 each, very refreshing.

We walked around a little bit and sat down near Mexico on a bench. I asked DD if she would sit with me awhile as I was not feeling well at all. DD was sick 2 days into our trip and 2 days after her I got sick. We were thinking she caught it as soon as she got to WDW and I caught it from her. We must have people-watched for over an hour. I told her I don’t know if I’ll make the ADR at Via Napoli. She told me to cancel it. We could pick up something later. I had my phone out ready to cancel and then said I think food will make me feel better. So we headed to Via Napoli.
DD ordered a coke, I ordered water and we both shared this:

Quattro Quattro Formaggi pizza, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Fontina, Provolone. This was delish! DD had this on our last trip and I tasted it then!

And for dessert we shared:

Pistashio gelato! This is outstanding. This was my dessert on our last trip and we decided to share it this time! We were looking for this outside the restaurant where they sell gelato and they didn’t have pistachio.
This meal for the pizza, soda and gelato was $54.32 without tip. Paid for with DD’s work amex.
We tried out so many restaurants last trip. The deluxe dining plan allowed us to try so many different ones. On this trip, we tried a few new restaurants and meals, but also went back to restaurants and meals that we loved. I liked paying OP for this reason and also because we had quite a bit on our Disney rewards and a few gift cards, so we didn’t pay for food this trip. We are going to do the same when we go back September/October to the Beach Club for Food & Wine!!! We booked a bounce back while still at the AKL for 35% garden view. I can’t wait. I will be bringing Clorox wipes and Purell so that we don’t get sick! I also will be taking many more photos next time for my next Dining Review which will include Food and wine!!

 

[nutz2notz]

I love, love giraffes. How cool that you got to see them up close like that. What a great view you had as well to enjoy the savannah.

We are going to Sanaa on our next trip and I will be trying the butter chicken as it looks so good in your pictures.

Thank you for such a great report.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I love all pics! Jiko looks so good and sounds like fun. I can see why you stayed at AKL, so much to do there.

That's my favorite kind of pizza, one day I'll make it to Via Napoli! lol