So What's Wrong With Jiko?

[llqool]

I had always heard that this is one of the best restaurants on property. So last nite I was trying to change around some of our ADRs for our December trip, and while many things were booked up, Jiko, in the words of the CM was "wide open". I was able to choose from pretty much ANY time slot! I made an early ADR, but now I'm second guessing myself. I've never eaten there, but have always heard favorable reviews...has the place gone downhill lately?

 

[ahill004]

Jiko is wonderful. We were there this past fall and it was excellent. We were there during free dining and we walked right in on a spur of the moment decision. It was not crowded for us either. I think it is still kinda a hidden gem. That and a lot of people rave about Boma or don't want to make the hike to Animal Kingdom Lodge!

 

[budbeerlady]

It should be an excellent meal. For people on the dining plan it would take 2 credits so I think that might contribute to its lower demand. Also being over at AKL might help lower the demand also vs California grill people can walk right over from MK.

 

[GoodFairies]

Most people don't book their reservations 6 months ahead of time, despite what this board seems to indicate. Remember this board only represents a very small fraction of visitors to WDW.

I visited Jiko once and while the appetizer and dessert were fantastic, our entrees left a lot to be desired. They were both literally swimming in sauce. Probably won't go back anytime soon.

 

[PrincessBride07]

I agree with what the others have said. It is one of those restaurants you kinda have to go out of the way to get to. I also know a lot of people that don't want to use two credits thinking the food maybe too exotic for their tastes.

Jiko is a wonderful restaurant, my favorite of the signature restaurants.

 

[inkkognito]

Jiko ALWAYS seems to be wide open, even the same day, along with Artist Point and Citricos. As a local, we can almost always get into one of those three for a spontaneous meal...we just call an hour or two ahead. It's probably because of the prices and the fact that you have to use two dining credits, and perhaps because Jiko and Citricos have food that's a little "froo-froo" for some people.

 

[D&R love Disney]

We love Jiko, try it!

 

[daisy112878]

I think it's b/c it's 2 credits and a lot of people are scared off by the sound of the food. Which for us is fine b/c it means we can get any time we want to eat there. We love Jiko's and it's one of our must dos every trip. The food from apps to desserts have always been very good and tasty. Plus they have a great wine list.

 

[ElizabethB]

There is always availability to 2TS restaurants (except CG -- and that's only due to the fireworks). It's the 1TS that book up quickly.

 

[LisaInNc]

Don't let that scare you. Jiko is my favorite Disney restaurant. I find that there is usually availability at most of the non character meal hotel restaurants.

 

[SarahInMN]

As other posters have said, Jiko is out of the way and it is pretty time consuming to get to (I think but I am very impatient). We have reservations for our next trip, but I am insisting that we take a cab to AKL from the GF. It is though totally worth the trip over.

 

[JMD]

I agree with what other posters said about its location. If you don't have a car or aren't staying at AKL, getting to Jiko can be time consuming.

 

[rgf207]

Jiko is wonderful. Best meal I had at WDW both times

 

[Tricia1972]

Jiko is fantastic. I think it's easier to get into because it's a 2 credit restaurant for the DDP.

 

[hauntedmansion0810]

We didn't care for it but everyone has different tastes.

 

[TDC Nala]

The crowds don't seem to prefer the 2 credit restaurants, except for CRT and California Grill (due to the fireworks viewing). It's usually easier to get into them (except for free dining - and even then it's probably easier than it is to get a 1 credit restaurant - but I would still never suggest walking in during free dining and expecting to get a table).

 

[crisi]

Most signature restarauants are easy to book if you are booking a few months out - the exception being California Grill at a time when you might get seated for fireworks. But we've been able to book plenty of signature places day of for our family of four, including Jiko.

Jiko's biggest weakness is that its out of the way - unless you are staying at the AKL, its a cab ride or bus ride over - and bus rides for signature dining are Not Fun. I didn't like it, but blame it on my own misordering rather than the food (I like creme brulee, I don't like pistashios, why I thought I'd like pistashio creme brulee is a mystery to me). We also had a bad server, but I'm also willing to say that was an exception because most people haven't.

 

[pilferk]

I had always heard that this is one of the best restaurants on property. So last nite I was trying to change around some of our ADRs for our December trip, and while many things were booked up, Jiko, in the words of the CM was "wide open". I was able to choose from pretty much ANY time slot! I made an early ADR, but now I'm second guessing myself. I've never eaten there, but have always heard favorable reviews...has the place gone downhill lately?

Jiko's is one of my favorites. The food, during past visits, is to die for. And the selection of South African Wines is just amazingly good.

I've found it's usually NOT booked very early, for most times of year. I suspect this is because :

a) it's not AS family friendly as Boma's...right across the way. For sure, it's still family friendly, but not AS family friendly.

b) It's a signature place, so many of the DDP folks avoid it because it "costs" 2 credits

c) It's slightly (and I mean slightly) exotic, and many of the meat and potatoes folks might be intimidated by the menu.

d) It's at AKL, and that means it's a little bit off the beaten path. Not having super direct access to any of the theme parks, it means Jiko's becomes "destination dining" if you're not STAYING at AKL. I think that cuts down on the traffic, some.

For us, Jiko's is second only to Victoria and Alberts for on property dining quality. I'll admit, I haven't been since Chef Annette left, but I've hear the quality has not slipped one bit. We're looking forward to going there this December...our kids first time at Jiko's!

 

[JenSop]

We were at Jiko's just over two weeks ago. We LOVED it! We will be eating there on our next trip for sure.

The food selection was wonderful and the service was great. We were staying at AKV, so getting there was not an issue.

I also like that it wasn't swarmed with children. It was a nice adult dinner and very relaxing.

Here's some pics of the food we got:
I got the "Samosas" appetizer (sp?) It was sort of like a pierogie but with phyllo dough - and it had corn inside as well. Very tasty.

DH had the lamb appetizer with a mint chutney: (I think I'm remembering that right)

For our entrees:
I had scallops (so good!):

And DH had the curried shrimp dish:

Here's our desserts:

Keep your ADR! You'll love it!

 

[madcoco]

Jiko ALWAYS seems to be wide open, even the same day, along with Artist Point and Citricos. As a local, we can almost always get into one of those three for a spontaneous meal...we just call an hour or two ahead. It's probably because of the prices and the fact that you have to use two dining credits, and perhaps because Jiko and Citricos have food that's a little "froo-froo" for some people.

Ditto.