Canadave
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 25, 1999
- Messages
- 891
The CAST: DD1 (Brittany, 15 yrs. old), DD2 (Emily, 11 yrs. old), DW (Marylynn, let's just say early 40's) and myself (Dave,same)
Thursday Jan. 29/04
After doing some planning at the pool, and although it is only 3:30, we decide to head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have a PS for 6:30, but we wanted to look around...we've heard so much about it. Well, what a beautiful place...once again, details..details. As we walked around, DD2 was approached by a CM to attend a special kids program to learn about Africa, animals and the environment. It was a series of 5 or 6 short sessions around the lodge. I think this program is meant for guests of the AKL because the sessions are spaced throughout the day, but we thought it would be interesting to partake. The first session we went to, the kids played different instruments (drums, rainmakers,etc) and learned about the circle of life...the CM's were very good with the kids...we hung around after and asked them a few questions about Africa...the CM's are so happy to answer questions about their homeland. Later on we attended another session where they had a 'guess the animal' game. I just love watching the younger children (ahhh, memories) and the things they say. The kids get a bead after each session they attend and when they attend every lesson, they receive a special bead ( a totem) and are assigned an animal that they are responsible to protect for the rest of their lives. DD2 wanted her totem so bad...even though we said we would try to go back to AKL later in the week, alas, it was not to be....but another reason to come back to WDW again
A funny thing that happens when your on holidays...sometimes you lose track of time...it's just after 5 o'clock and we all realize that we didn't have lunch
. Well hunger is really setting in and our ressies are not until 6:30. There is a large lineup at the Boma restaraunt, but I go down to ask if we can get in early...no problem, 5 minute wait!!!. We have a happy family again
Our server was very pleasant and he told us where everything was and then told us that the trick at Boma was to try a little bit of each of the many dishes and then go back and have more of the things you liked. Well, there was 4 different varieties of soup (I loved the seafood), I would guess at about 20 different dishes, many salads, fruit, a special section of 'kid's food' (macaroni, chicken fingers, etc) and a laaaaaaaarge selection of desserts.
DD1 tried a few of the African dishes, but stayed mainly with the 'kid' food and fruit...and of course the desserts. She did like most of what she tried.
DD2 was a little less adventurous...but in her defense, she had some eating problems last summer and also, the last time we were in WDW, she was sick when we had the buffet at Hollywood and Vine (I don't think it was bad food, probably more the excitement of the day and too much bacon!). Anyway, after that, she hasn't been a fan of buffets.
DW took our server's message to heart...she had a small portion of every dish (except the salmon...she will not eat salmon...don't ask )..."we're here to experience different foods". After dinner she came back with a sample of every dessert!!!!...a small sample, but a sample nevertheless. This was our splurge, as we didn't have many buffets on our dining plan. Note to all - you must try the dessert called a "zebra ...something or other"...I can only remember the zebra part
It is their specialty dessert and it was very good. ps. they don't use real zebra in it
I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to eating, but some things just don't cut it (ie. squash)...but I did try almost all the dishes. I especially liked the salmon and the chicken dish. My favourite was the seafood soup/stew/gumbo??? Anyway, it was delicious. Funny though, the second bowl seemed spicier/hotter than the first....but when I reached the bottom of the second bowl, there was a jalapeno pepper sitting there!!!!! Figures.
Overall, the Boma was a big hit for our family. The atmosphere was great, the food was delicious (with something for everyone), service was tops, and although a bit pricey, it was definitely worth it. We certainly got value for our dollar. We would go back again.
After dinner, we decided to explore the AKL a little more. We peaked into the Jiko restaurant. It certainly has had great reviews, but I think it is more for adults than families....and I wasn't too impressed with the 'burning' smell. I think it would be too overwhelming after a while. We loved the pool area, so peaceful with all the foliage. There were several areas to watch the animals on the savannah. Before dinner, we enjoyed watching the giraffes being fed. Giraffes are DD1's favourite animal. It wasn't quite as "natural" as I had hoped when we watched the animals chase the food truck around to the feeding stations...but they have to be fed somehow.
We had breezed through the gift shop earlier and decided that we HAD to go again before we left. Although, this time, it was DW's time to shop. She collects pictures/paintings of old houses castles, neat buildings etc. (yes, we have a print of the Grand Floridian), so she decided to add a print of the AKL to her collection. We also bought 2 pins promoting wildlife conservation that the CM from the kid's activities had encouraged us to buy. They were a dollar each and all the money goes to animal preservation...I thought this was a very good idea and a good cause for WDW to promote, especially in this venue.
Well, it was a long day, and we hadn't even made it into the parks yet. But many new experiences. Time to head back to PC and get ready for early entry at the Animal Kingdom.
Thursday Jan. 29/04
After doing some planning at the pool, and although it is only 3:30, we decide to head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have a PS for 6:30, but we wanted to look around...we've heard so much about it. Well, what a beautiful place...once again, details..details. As we walked around, DD2 was approached by a CM to attend a special kids program to learn about Africa, animals and the environment. It was a series of 5 or 6 short sessions around the lodge. I think this program is meant for guests of the AKL because the sessions are spaced throughout the day, but we thought it would be interesting to partake. The first session we went to, the kids played different instruments (drums, rainmakers,etc) and learned about the circle of life...the CM's were very good with the kids...we hung around after and asked them a few questions about Africa...the CM's are so happy to answer questions about their homeland. Later on we attended another session where they had a 'guess the animal' game. I just love watching the younger children (ahhh, memories) and the things they say. The kids get a bead after each session they attend and when they attend every lesson, they receive a special bead ( a totem) and are assigned an animal that they are responsible to protect for the rest of their lives. DD2 wanted her totem so bad...even though we said we would try to go back to AKL later in the week, alas, it was not to be....but another reason to come back to WDW again
A funny thing that happens when your on holidays...sometimes you lose track of time...it's just after 5 o'clock and we all realize that we didn't have lunch
. Well hunger is really setting in and our ressies are not until 6:30. There is a large lineup at the Boma restaraunt, but I go down to ask if we can get in early...no problem, 5 minute wait!!!. We have a happy family again Our server was very pleasant and he told us where everything was and then told us that the trick at Boma was to try a little bit of each of the many dishes and then go back and have more of the things you liked. Well, there was 4 different varieties of soup (I loved the seafood), I would guess at about 20 different dishes, many salads, fruit, a special section of 'kid's food' (macaroni, chicken fingers, etc) and a laaaaaaaarge selection of desserts.
DD1 tried a few of the African dishes, but stayed mainly with the 'kid' food and fruit...and of course the desserts. She did like most of what she tried.
DD2 was a little less adventurous...but in her defense, she had some eating problems last summer and also, the last time we were in WDW, she was sick when we had the buffet at Hollywood and Vine (I don't think it was bad food, probably more the excitement of the day and too much bacon!). Anyway, after that, she hasn't been a fan of buffets.
DW took our server's message to heart...she had a small portion of every dish (except the salmon...she will not eat salmon...don't ask
)..."we're here to experience different foods". After dinner she came back with a sample of every dessert!!!!...a small sample, but a sample nevertheless. This was our splurge, as we didn't have many buffets on our dining plan. Note to all - you must try the dessert called a "zebra ...something or other"...I can only remember the zebra part It is their specialty dessert and it was very good. ps. they don't use real zebra in it I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to eating, but some things just don't cut it (ie. squash)...but I did try almost all the dishes. I especially liked the salmon and the chicken dish. My favourite was the seafood soup/stew/gumbo??? Anyway, it was delicious. Funny though, the second bowl seemed spicier/hotter than the first....but when I reached the bottom of the second bowl, there was a jalapeno pepper sitting there!!!!! Figures.
Overall, the Boma was a big hit for our family. The atmosphere was great, the food was delicious (with something for everyone), service was tops, and although a bit pricey, it was definitely worth it. We certainly got value for our dollar. We would go back again.
After dinner, we decided to explore the AKL a little more. We peaked into the Jiko restaurant. It certainly has had great reviews, but I think it is more for adults than families....and I wasn't too impressed with the 'burning' smell. I think it would be too overwhelming after a while. We loved the pool area, so peaceful with all the foliage. There were several areas to watch the animals on the savannah. Before dinner, we enjoyed watching the giraffes being fed. Giraffes are DD1's favourite animal. It wasn't quite as "natural" as I had hoped when we watched the animals chase the food truck around to the feeding stations...but they have to be fed somehow.
We had breezed through the gift shop earlier and decided that we HAD to go again before we left. Although, this time, it was DW's time to shop. She collects pictures/paintings of old houses castles, neat buildings etc. (yes, we have a print of the Grand Floridian), so she decided to add a print of the AKL to her collection. We also bought 2 pins promoting wildlife conservation that the CM from the kid's activities had encouraged us to buy. They were a dollar each and all the money goes to animal preservation...I thought this was a very good idea and a good cause for WDW to promote, especially in this venue.
Well, it was a long day, and we hadn't even made it into the parks yet. But many new experiences. Time to head back to PC and get ready for early entry at the Animal Kingdom.
