Lunch with WDW Animal Programs

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I just wanted to share this new dining experience with y'all, since I don't think many really know about it. You can now get up-close-and-personal with a Dolphin Trainer, Veterinarian or Animal Curator with the new "Lunch with Walt Disney World Animal Programs" at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Disney's Animal Specialists will share their stories, passions and backgrounds over an authentic South African luncheon in the Wine Room at Jiko...The Cooking Place. Each week, a different presenter will meet with Guests in an entertaining and informal setting. Personalities such as Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Curator Joe Kalla, who spent much of his career at the San Diego zoo, traveled to Africa to study baboons and learned Swahili to communicate with farmers, will share his experiences. Chef Anette Gray-Grecchi serves up a traditional South African feast for this uniquely Disney experience. The Lunch Series will be held every Tuesday from 12:00pm - 2:00pm. Cost is $65.00 + tax and gratuity per person. Guests 21+ can also enjoy an optional Wine Pairing for an additional $15.00.

Five Course Lunch Menu includes:
Breads and Dips
Salad
Fish Entrée, (i.e. Halibut)
Sorbet
Meat Entrée (i.e. pork tenderloin)
Dessert

This experience has limited space, and can be booked through 407-WDW-DINE.

 

[TammyJ]

Wow that sounds great. I won't be able to work it in this trip but maybe some day....

 

[Flower13]

I'm scheduled to do this next Tuesday. I'll give a full report when I get back.

 

[westcliffemom]

This sounds cool!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Neat!

I am really hoping to secure a spot for Lunch with an Imagineer, but if I can't then maybe we could do this one instead! AND it would be convenient since we will be staying at AKL! Do you book 30 days in advance like Imagineer or is it longer? Can't wait to read some reviews!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

What a great program! Thanks for sharing this info!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Neat!

I am really hoping to secure a spot for Lunch with an Imagineer, but if I can't then maybe we could do this one instead! AND it would be convenient since we will be staying at AKL! Do you book 30 days in advance like Imagineer or is it longer? Can't wait to read some reviews!

I believe this one is 90 days, since they have people lined up until February. The only downside is that WDW-DINE does not know the schedule of who will be there when. (It's all subject to change anyways)

 

[TDC Nala]

There's a review of the first one on the board somewhere.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

TDCNala -
Thanks! Found it by searching "Jiko lunch". It sounds lovely, but I do not think it is appropriate for DS9. Mostly from the menu standpoint, but also because I don't think he is THAT interested in animal conservation and so forth. I think I'll stick to my original plan of trying to get the Imagineer lunch. But our friends who may be joining us for the trip do not have children and they might enjoy the lunch at AKL. I will tell them about it. Thanks again!