Third Time's a Charm PTR - May 2012 - I should give up on planning trips.

[Leshaface]

That's too funny, I did audibly gasp about Fran disliking Jiko! We love Jiko so much I've made us two reservations for a four day trip.

Thanks for including the Culinary Tour posts. That looks like it could be worthy.

Pam, we LOVE Jiko too! In fact, on our very first trip, we made it a MUST for every trip we made from that year on. So we got ADR's for 2010 and will go again the next...hopefully soon

 

[Pinkocto]

Pam, we LOVE Jiko too! In fact, on our very first trip, we made it a MUST for every trip we made from that year on. So we got ADR's for 2010 and will go again the next...hopefully soon

When you get back there, consider eating at the 'Cooking Place'. It's the bar area right infront of the pizza ovens where you can chat with the cooks. We had such a fun time with two guys from CA who were sitting next to us. David and Arthur I think their names were. I keep kicking myself that I didn't write down their names. Of course after dinner I thought, hey maybe Alison or Alicia knows these guys since they're from CA too! I laughed and laughed at myself, but that thought indeed came into my mind. CA is a pretty big place!

 

[franandaj]

Omgosh, omgosh, omgosh!

We are SO going to look into the wine tasting whenever we make it to WDW! I never even heard about it! I'm excited now!

They added it back in June last year so it is still pretty new.

My DH is meat and potatos. I will try just about anything but sushi. I like fish as long as I cant smell it. We have only eaten in one resturant in epcot, the italian one. DUH, I cant remember the name of it. To me everything looks great. If I had all the money in the world it would be hard to choose what tours to take, there is only so much time. But looks like the Jiko tour was excellent.

I'll have to tell you about it.

That's too funny, I did audibly gasp about Fran disliking Jiko! We love Jiko so much I've made us two reservations for a four day trip.

Thanks for including the Culinary Tour posts. That looks like it could be worthy.

She isn't a fan of Indian food either, I think it's the different sorts of spices that they use that she doesn't like. I'm hoping though that being able to order what we want she might like it better than the other times when we ate what they served us.

Pam, we LOVE Jiko too! In fact, on our very first trip, we made it a MUST for every trip we made from that year on. So we got ADR's for 2010 and will go again the next...hopefully soon

I hope you get to go again soon!

When you get back there, consider eating at the 'Cooking Place'. It's the bar area right infront of the pizza ovens where you can chat with the cooks. We had such a fun time with two guys from CA who were sitting next to us. David and Arthur I think their names were. I keep kicking myself that I didn't write down their names. Of course after dinner I thought, hey maybe Alison or Alicia knows these guys since they're from CA too! I laughed and laughed at myself, but that thought indeed came into my mind. CA is a pretty big place!

Oh yeah, David and Arthur, it's been a while since we hung out last.






There's over 10 million people in LA along, I don't know how many in the state, you never know, stranger things have happened, but I don't know them, do you Alicia?

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh yeah, David and Arthur, it's been a while since we hung out last.






There's over 10 million people in LA along, I don't know how many in the state, you never know, stranger things have happened, but I don't know them, do you Alicia?

I laughed so hard tears came to my eyes. I felt so silly thinking it, but it honestly crept into my mind!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi! Sorry I have been away from the DIS for so long until yesterday...but I miss everyone here, and I miss reading your posts! I have been super busy at work with SING rehearsals in full swing...only 17 days until opening night! Crazy how fast time is flying...but I am still around, just not nearly as often. I will be catching up a lot here on the DIS during President's Week in Feb. when I am off...but I hope you and Fran are doing well!

 

[Leshaface]

When you get back there, consider eating at the 'Cooking Place'. It's the bar area right infront of the pizza ovens where you can chat with the cooks. We had such a fun time with two guys from CA who were sitting next to us. David and Arthur I think their names were. I keep kicking myself that I didn't write down their names. Of course after dinner I thought, hey maybe Alison or Alicia knows these guys since they're from CA too! I laughed and laughed at myself, but that thought indeed came into my mind. CA is a pretty big place!

I think Alison first told me about the Cooking Place, and it sounds fabulous! Something we would definitely be interested in doing next time. it's the same menu right?

Oh yeah, David and Arthur, it's been a while since we hung out last.






There's over 10 million people in LA along, I don't know how many in the state, you never know, stranger things have happened, but I don't know them, do you Alicia?

Holy cow that was funny! Dang it, I was planning on saying something similar, but you go to it first, so I won't attempt it!

I laughed so hard tears came to my eyes. I felt so silly thinking it, but it honestly crept into my mind!

You know, i've done that a few times. I'll meet someone and ask where they're from and then I'll say, "I know someone from that State!" As if maybe, by chance, they'll know each other

 

[Pinkocto]

I think Alison first told me about the Cooking Place, and it sounds fabulous! Something we would definitely be interested in doing next time. it's the same menu right?

Yep, it's the same menu. Now I'm thinking about Jiko



Alison, how's Fran doing? is the leg all healed? And how are the new kitties getting along?

 

[franandaj]

I think Alison first told me about the Cooking Place, and it sounds fabulous! Something we would definitely be interested in doing next time. it's the same menu right?

Holy cow that was funny! Dang it, I was planning on saying something similar, but you go to it first, so I won't attempt it!

You know, i've done that a few times. I'll meet someone and ask where they're from and then I'll say, "I know someone from that State!" As if maybe, by chance, they'll know each other

It's easy to forget that people who come from the same state don't know each other, but then again stranger things have happened. I've met strangers who know one of my friends.

Yep, it's the same menu. Now I'm thinking about Jiko

Alison, how's Fran doing? is the leg all healed? And how are the new kitties getting along?

The leg is all healed and she is sort of back with a vengeance. She's being a slave driver trying to get me to work on fixing up all the apartments and get them rented.

The new kitties are fabulous, they travel around like a little pack. They will always be found close together. In the mornings they chase each other all around bite, kick and wrestle with each other. Then in the afternoon they all go their separate ways and take naps. Then they do it all again. They seem to be leaving all the old ladies alone.

 

[franandaj]

For those who do not, know, many of the CMs at AKL are from countries in Africa and are available throughout the Lodge to talk with guests about their home countries, the customs, the animals and their folklore.

All the Disney resorts have something going on every day. When you check in they give you an activity sheet which lists everything that is going on for the week. It changes seasonally and each week is different. One of my friends on the AKL Lite thread was there in August and posted this from the activity sheet. This is just meant as a sampling of the “types” of activities that might be available on a given week. Many of these things are focused for Children, (like the Primal Parade in the Jambo Marketplace), but others are adult focused like the talks, by the various guides who tell stories from their home countries.

Movies Poolside

Jambo =Toy Story 3, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc, Cars, Finding Nemo, UP

Kidani = Tangled, Gnomeo & Juliet, Beauty & the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Tarzan, A Bugs Life, WALL-E.

Community Hall at Kidani is open 9am to 10pm daily and there are activities there from 3-6pm. In August those were: Sunday - Wii Tournament; Monday - Ceramics; Tues - T-Shirts; Wednesday - Ceramics; Thursday - Wii Tournament; Friday - Ceramics; Saturday - T-Shirts.

"Cultural Immersion" included activities such as:

12:30pm: Medallion Rubbing (at Jambo);

2:00pm: African Face Painting (at the Mara in Jambo);

3:00pm: Pin Trading with "King Pin" (at Zawadi Marketplace in Jambo);

4:00pm: Cultural Tour of Sanaa;

4:00pm: Culinary Tour of Boma;

4:30pm:African-Inspired, Disney Designed (learn the story behind the design of Disney's AKL - in Kidani lobby);

5:00pm: Music of the Savanna (play African instruments and learn our role in the circle of life - Sunset Lounge in Jambo);

5:00pm: Wildlife Games (Sunset Lounge in Jambo);

6:15pm: African Folktales (Arusha Rock Fire Pit at Jambo);

7:30pm: Cultural Safari (meet a cultural representative for a virtual tour of their homeland - Sunset Lounge in Jambo);

7:45pm: Drum Cafe (learn to play African drums from a cultural representative);

8:15pm: Join the "Primal Parade" (Zawadi Marketplace at Jambo);

8:30pm: African Journey (listen to cultural representatives' personal stories about life in Africa - Palace Library in Kidani). Listed as "Adult Focused".


"Animal Programs and Wildlife Discoveries" included:

8:30am-9:00pm: Meet a Savanna Guide (Arusha Rock & Uzima Overlooks at Jambo; Pembe & Kidani Rock Overlooks at Kidani);

8:45am-9:45: African Wonders (Discover the continent of Africa through an interactive matching game - Pembe Overlook at Kidani);

9:15am: Flamingo Activity (learn more about the feeding strategies of pelicans and flamingos - Flamingo Pond at Jambo);

10:30am-12:30pm: Animal Tracking (use real scientific equipment to learn how experts track wildlife - Arusha Rock Overlook at Jambo);

1:00pm: Animal Enrichment (help animal experts as they prepare and present interactive objects to the animals on the savanna: Sun,Tues,Thur at Kidani; Mon-Wed-Fri at Jambo);

2:45-3:00pm: Bio Blocks (Balance the biodiversity blocks that make up a strong African ecosystem - Palace Library at Kidani);

8:30-9:00pm: Have You Heard? (match wildlife to their vocalizations in a nighttime listening game - Pembe Overlook at Kidani);

Sundown to 9:30pm: Night Vision Animal Viewing (Uzima Overlook at Jambo and Kidani Rock Overlook at Kidani).

At this point in our timeline, we’ll have a couple hours of free time to relax, take a nap, watch the animals, enjoy some adult beverages….

Around 7:15 or so we should head over to Jambo House for our 7:45 reservation at Jiko. The last two times that we have dined there, I have not been able to choose what we ate. Both were on the Sunset Safari and while I enjoyed the meals, I really wanted to be able to pick and choose the items we were going to eat and not just eat what was placed in front of us.

When we dined for the safari this was our meal. We started off with a trio of dips and breads.

Then we got some appetizers. I believe this was a BBQ chicken flatbread, with apple-jicama slaw, African Barbeque sauce and four cheeses.

Tibs Watt in Pannekoeke Stewed Beef Rolled Crepes with Peppedew Olive Tapenade

Crispy Savanna Rolls with Sweet Corn, Bitter Greens, Goat Cheese and Curry Vinaigrette.

I just checked the menu online and none of these items but the bread are offered. I’m sure the menu will change again, we may just go with appetizers and desserts and skip entrees because none of us have a very large appetite and we won’t have a lot of opportunity to eat leftovers, so it’s probably better to order on the light side and add food if we need it. Plus there is always the Mara, and I see a stop for some Zebra Domes in my future!

If we did order an entrée, I think one entrée between three of us would be plenty, but since we’ll have enjoyed the wine and cheese tasting and possibly sampled some items on the culinary tour I doubt that any of us will be ravenous. However for the sake of gratuitous food porn, these are the entrees that we were served on the Safari menu.

Filet of beef with Macaroni and Cheese in a pinot noir sauce (this was the signature dish, but I’ve heard it’s no longer on the menu).

I believe this is Maze crusted Wrek Fish with Vegetables of the moment

And Chermoula Tanglewood Chicken with Goat Cheese Potatoes, preserved lemons and Harissa

The Desserts were also served on a sampler platter

This is a pistachio Crème Brulee with a Chocolate-layered bottom

This is a lemon white chocolate mousse

With spiced blueberry Coulis and Vanilla Tuile

And a Chocolate Cremeaux

As I said the menu has completely changed since I dined there almost two years ago (this week), and besides we will probably stick to appetizers and desserts so as not to fill ourselves up and fill the fridge with leftovers that will just be tossed anyways.

I hope to have some Zebra Domes waiting in the Fridge of the Villa. An so concludes my plans for the first full day at WDW!

 

[rentayenta]

Have you done the folk tales at AKV? How long does it last? And do you know anything about the night goggle animal viewing? I added on another night to October in order to take advantage of AVK. Here's to being able to book it at 7 moths. Cheers!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like great programs at AKL and that food looks divine.

 

[Pinkocto]

That food made me so hungry! I think that might be the one thing I don't like about Jiko, they change the menu too fast.

 

[lisaviolet]

That food made me so hungry!

I wanted to come on earlier today to catch up. And then I went "nope - I MUST eat first".

Drat you Alison.

Kitties?

I've been off because one of mine became very ill. He's okay I think. Surgery and such but - sighing - awful two weeks.

 

[lisaviolet]

Sounds like great programs at AKL and that food looks divine.

Great, eh? Stayed there a couple of times and I had no idea.

 

[lisaviolet]

And Chermoula Tanglewood Chicken with Goat Cheese Potatoes, preserved lemons and Harissa

]

Goat cheese potatoes? HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the food looks heavenly to me.

 

[rentayenta]

Have you done the folk tales at AKV? How long does it last? And do you know anything about the night goggle animal viewing? I added on another night to October in order to take advantage of AVK. Here's to being able to book it at 7 moths. Cheers!

I must have posted my questions at the same time you were posting the activities.

 

[franandaj]

Have you done the folk tales at AKV? How long does it last? And do you know anything about the night goggle animal viewing? I added on another night to October in order to take advantage of AVK. Here's to being able to book it at 7 moths. Cheers!

I haven't done any of these things, mostly we eat in the restaurants or hang out in our room watching the animals. I know we're going to do the culinary tour, but I hope we can do some other things like listen to the CMs and trainers talk.

Sounds like great programs at AKL and that food looks divine.

As I said above, I hope we can do some of the programs.

That food made me so hungry! I think that might be the one thing I don't like about Jiko, they change the menu too fast.

It makes it hard to get my appetite whet when I can't see the current menu prior to my visit.

I wanted to come on earlier today to catch up. And then I went "nope - I MUST eat first".

Drat you Alison.

Kitties?

I've been off because one of mine became very ill. He's okay I think. Surgery and such but - sighing - awful two weeks.

And if you want more glutton for punishment, check out the last few pages of my "Cheating on Mickey with Harry" PTR, I've had some tasty meals in the last week or two and I've been posting them there.

Great, eh? Stayed there a couple of times and I had no idea.

Me either! Who knew?

Goat cheese potatoes? HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the food looks heavenly to me.

I remember enjoying it back when we ate it, there was just too much to eat it all!

I must have posted my questions at the same time you were posting the activities.

Well I hope that the list helped you then!

 

[Angel16]

Ok, I am onboard for Arline's first WDW trip. Plus your birthday!

Sounds like great plans for far.

Angel16

 

[franandaj]

Ok, I am onboard for Arline's first WDW trip. Plus your birthday!

Sounds like great plans for far.

Angel16

Doh! You DID post over here!!!!!

 

[franandaj]

Day 3 of the trip is when we will pick up our rental car. When I started on this update, it made me realize that I had not yet reserved our rental car. I could shop around and try and find the best deal, but I’m lazy and wanted convenience. We get a decent rate through AARP and we’ve always done well with Alamo. Besides there is an Alamo rental at the WDW Car Care Center which is right up by the MK. They will pick you up from any WDW resort and drop you off when you turn in the car. It might not be so convenient for AKV, but it will be super easy for BLT when we drop off the car. With adding me as an additional drive we got a Standard SUV for a little less than $100 a day. Not bad to avoid the dirty looks from people at the bus lines.

My plan this morning is to get up and make us bacon and eggs for breakfast. I have the rental car scheduled for 10AM so that means I’ll need to get my butt out of bed and going by 8AM. That’s not bad, while I enjoy sleeping in, there is just too much to do at WDW to dilly dally and sleep in especially on our second full day.

So if we pick up the car around 10, we should be back to the room before noon and we’ll probably make ourselves some sandwiches or something for lunch. I’m planning on ordering a can of tuna since I can’t get anyone to commit to what they want for lunch. I mean PL-lease! Why can’t you tell me what you’ll want to eat on May 3? It’s already February 6th?

So far the plan is to take the car over to Epcot and enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival. However I have an ulterior motive. Sometime while we are at Epcot, we will venture into this tasty little spot.

Thanks Brandi!

It will be Flower and Garden Festival, so I imagine that we will see some of these…

After this we will head on over to DTD for our Dinner at Raglan Road. This is another first for me and I am looking forward to it!