Pixie Dust for us -- Lunch with an Animal Specialistt

[dgaston]

Just got a call from Sanaa, We are in for Lunch with an Animal Specialist for our Mother's Day trip! So Excited!

When I called the Sanaa number, I really didn't think there would be an opening this close to our trip.

We were booked on Direct Air , so now are driving all the way to FL, and don't really have any ADRs. This has made my day!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just got a call from Sanaa, We are in for Lunch with an Animal Specialist for our Mother's Day trip! So Excited!

When I called the Sanaa number, I really didn't think there would be an opening this close to our trip.

We were booked on Direct Air , so now are driving all the way to FL, and don't really have any ADRs. This has made my day!

Sounds cool. Is this only at Sanaa?

 

[TomD]

Just got a call from Sanaa, We are in for Lunch with an Animal Specialist for our Mother's Day trip! So Excited!

When I called the Sanaa number, I really didn't think there would be an opening this close to our trip.

We were booked on Direct Air , so now are driving all the way to FL, and don't really have any ADRs. This has made my day!

Have fun at your lunch. We just came back and drove for the same reasons. We took 84/81/77/26/95. A nice easy drive with not much traffic. We drove 14 hours the 1st day and 8 the next on the way down and 16 hours and 6 hours on the way back.

Gas prices ranged from $3.59 to $4.29.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Congratulations! I enjoyed the lunch we had & hope to do it again.

 

[dgaston]

Deb and Bill: Yes the lunch is only at Sanaa on Wednesday and Saturday. You call the Sanaa number and wait for a call back. It's $49 per person including a small donation to the Conservation Fund. 407-938-6922

TomD: That's the route we're planning on too. I've even been stuck in DC traffic at 3 am, and prefer the ease and beauty of the alternative route. Also love the NC rest areas! They are so pretty.

Bobbiwoz: I am really looking forward to the lunch. We've done both Sunrise and Wanyama Safaris at the Lodge, and the Backstage Tour at AK twice as I love learning more about the animals and their care -- it's my undergrad bio major sneaking out. Oh yeah, we did the Wild Africa Trek for my 60th too

 

[mecanterbruy]

Just got a call from Sanaa, We are in for Lunch with an Animal Specialist for our Mother's Day trip! So Excited!

When I called the Sanaa number, I really didn't think there would be an opening this close to our trip.

We were booked on Direct Air , so now are driving all the way to FL, and don't really have any ADRs. This has made my day!

This lunch is awsome. We were able to get a Reservation this past January and it was the highlight of our trip. Ejoy!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Deb and Bill: Yes the lunch is only at Sanaa on Wednesday and Saturday. You call the Sanaa number and wait for a call back. It's $49 per person including a small donation to the Conservation Fund. 407-938-6922

TomD: That's the route we're planning on too. I've even been stuck in DC traffic at 3 am, and prefer the ease and beauty of the alternative route. Also love the NC rest areas! They are so pretty.

Bobbiwoz: I am really looking forward to the lunch. We've done both Sunrise and Wanyama Safaris at the Lodge, and the Backstage Tour at AK twice as I love learning more about the animals and their care -- it's my undergrad bio major sneaking out. Oh yeah, we did the Wild Africa Trek for my 60th too

Yes! I did it last year and loved it. Do they take a credit card or pre-payment now? When I did it, only 4 or the 12 people who'd reserved showed up. The other 8 missed a great experience! I'm going again in late October, and I'm already planning to do the lunch again. How far ahead do you think I should book?

 

[cj9200]

Very cool. We need a report and pictures when you get back.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but, for those who have done this, do you think this would this be an interesting experience for a 9 year old? We are taking my niece next summer who is OBSESSED with animals and she will be almost 10. We are going in December, and I have considered taking my 6 year old son. He loves school and learning, but I wonder if it would be boring for him or annoy the other guests at our table.

Thoughts? It sounds like something my wife and I would really enjoy. Sanaa is one of our favorite restaurants at WDW!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you just order off the menu for this or is there a set menu?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do you just order off the menu for this or is there a set menu?

We all had the same meal.

As far as children, there were youngsters, even as young as 4 when we did it. They seemed to have a good time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I agree that a 9 year old, especially with a love for animals, would enjoy it. The only challenge would be the food. As Bobbi said, you all eat the same and it's fairly adventuresome food.
When I went, there was lots of opportunity to ask questions, and the most fascinating thing to me was when they explained why the animal keepers out on the savannah never pet the animals. That would be such a temptation to me-I'd want to stop and pet and give a scratch on the head to all the animals.

 

[dgaston]

Simba's Mom: I was charged the entire $49 per person up front. I don't have much info on how far in advance to book. The CM who called me said it was becoming popular, and they've added Saturday to the original Wednesday lunch. So I would do it as soon as you can to get in again. We were unable to book it for a larger party last November when we were there with extended family.

There are pics of the food over on Deb Will's site at www.allears.net. Here's the review : http://land.allears.net/blogs/allearsteam/2011/07/untamed_lunch_with_an_animal_s_1.html

 

[bobbiwoz]

Today!

It will be my 3rd time, Tom's first.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Dan was our animal specialist on Wednesday. He mentioned that the savannah is mowed because if they had the number of animals that would keep it trimmed in summer, there would not be enough for the animals to eat in the winter.

Today the savannah was mowed, just formed a bit, but I was happy to know "why" it's mowed!

Dan works primarily with giraffes. We learned a lot!

Bobbi

 

[dgaston]

Reading my old post makes me want to do this one again!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Dan was our animal specialist on Wednesday. He mentioned that the savannah is mowed because if they had the number of animals that would keep it trimmed in summer, there would not be enough for the animals to eat in the winter.

Today the savannah was mowed, just formed a bit, but I was happy to know "why" it's mowed!

Dan works primarily with giraffes. We learned a lot!

Bobbi

Sounds like such a great time. I always loved it. Did they have the tortoise?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sounds like such a great time. I always loved it. Did they have the tortoise?

They are there, but we did not visit them. Instead, after the meal, we went to where the fire pit is, and another animal specialist went out to the savannah and did some animal training with the huge Marabou Storks. They have inverted drums for them to stand on. A scale may be placed there to weigh the animals.

Bobbi