Wanyama Safari & Dinner Question

[DeeCee735]

Just wondering for anyone out there that's done this Safari, is the Jiko's dinner that's included with the Safari a special menu? Or is it off the regular menu? TIA

 

[erionm]

We are doing this on the 19th. I know that the meal is Family Style. They will bring out platters of various entrees.

 

[wildernessDad]

It's a mutil-course dinner served family style with multiple selections per course. There is also a wine pairing for each course. The chef comes out and introduces the courses.

We've done this twice and I can say that our guests were most impressed with this experience. It really is a spectacular dinner.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

It's a mutil-course dinner served family style with multiple selections per course. There is also a wine pairing for each course. The chef comes out and introduces the courses.

We've done this twice and I can say that our guests were most impressed with this experience. It really is a spectacular dinner.

Question -- Dh and I don't really care for alcohol. (I know, we're square.) Is the Waynama safari worth the price if you don't drink?

 

[kristenrice]

Question -- Dh and I don't really care for alcohol. (I know, we're square.) Is the Waynama safari worth the price if you don't drink?

Definitely!

I am not a huge wine drinker and DH had given up alcohol 6 month prior to our trip. We did the Wanyama Safari (as an early anniversary present to ourselves) and it was wonderful. The dinner was served in courses with each one being presented and described in detail by the chef. We had three people under 21 in our group and a couple others that didn't drink the wine. I tried each one that was offered, but only a few sips of each. They offered any beverage on the menu so I had some diet coke and a water. I wish I had taken pictures....I had 4 glasses of wine (one from each course), a diet coke and a glass of water in front of my plate....SIX GLASSES!

Although the atmosphere was a little more "formal" than most Disney restaurants, we felt completely comfortable in our shorts and polo shirts. When they brought out the "intermezzo" (a lemony-sort of cordial, I guess, I don't know the proper term), my DH waited until everyone had one and looked around. Nobody was drinking it and there was a brief silence. DH then says, "Am I supposed to drink it or dip my fingers in it?" We all cracked up. The whole dinner was really a great time. I would love to do it again but it is so expensive. We could justify it as a one-time special event, but it is just too much money to do it again.

If you get the opportunity, I say go for it. I would have done it even if wine wasn't included.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Question -- Dh and I don't really care for alcohol. (I know, we're square.) Is the Waynama safari worth the price if you don't drink?

As a non-drinker, I'd say the Wanyama safari's still worth it if you don't drink. One little thing that annoyed me a little, however, was that when I politely turned down the wine, the server didn't offer me anything else to drink. And when I asked if I could have a soft drink instead, the server wasn't too friendly about it. There was another non-drinker at our table (a the server brought mine, I asked if she'd like one also. She said the water was enough, but I can't help but wonder if she was afraid to put the server out again, as the server made obvious the fact that I had. Other than that, it was a great meal.

 

[whitfamily]

What is the cost for the safari?

 

[erionm]

Only open to those staying at the Animal Kindgom Lodge/Villas.

$160 per person if staying concierge level at AKV/AKL.
$210 per person for all other AKV/AKL guests.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Question -- Dh and I don't really care for alcohol. (I know, we're square.) Is the Waynama safari worth the price if you don't drink?

No, we don't drink wine or alcohol either, and we did not get a price reduction. I didn't expect to though either.

They choose (chef's choice) 3 entree's from their regular menu and serve them familiy style. They will bring more if some want more, and they also can do special dietary things if needed. They do the same system with appetizers, sides, and desserts. Frankly, while we love Jiko and book it at least once every trip, I would have preferred if they would have allowed each person to order off the menu for the entree and jsut provide the family style appetizers and desserts.

 

[4luvofthemouse]

This sounds really cool. I'm thinking it might be a great anniversary gift for my DH. I just have a couple of questions.
What are the times for the Safari? Do you go straight to Jiko after? Can this be booked online or do I call them directly? Do you pay when you book or when you get there? I'ld like to keep it a secret so I need to know which card to use...DH is too nosey sometimes..lol

Thanks!

 

[jamstew]

We are planning to do this in December, but I'm really sorry to hear that it's family style. I'm not an adventurous eater, and am pretty picky at places like Jiko (which I love BTW). I agree with Diane--I'd much rather be able to select my own entree. Gonna have to think about it now...

 

[Redbudlover]

I am also disappointed it is family style - though that does give you a chance to sample different things. Still would like a choice. We were told when we were there a couple of weeks ago that the price was going down. Jamstew can correct me but I am thinking it is $170 for non-concierge after Sept. I am excited about going even though it is family style because the tour looked awesome from our room and I love Jiko. But I am a pretty adventurous eater, so easier for me.

 

[Simba's Mom]

This sounds really cool. I'm thinking it might be a great anniversary gift for my DH. I just have a couple of questions.
What are the times for the Safari? Do you go straight to Jiko after? Can this be booked online or do I call them directly? Do you pay when you book or when you get there? I'ld like to keep it a secret so I need to know which card to use...DH is too nosey sometimes..lol

Thanks!

Let's see what I remember from when I went. There was a phone # on the Member's website. I don't remember it, and it was pretty well buried. I remember that when I called that #, I got a recorded message that they were busy and to leave my name and #. About 20 minutes later, they called back. Was it maybe concierge (although I was staying in a value studio)? We met at Jiko around 4:00 for the Safari, and we went to eat right afterwards (well, a few people made potty stops). I don't think I got the charge on my credit card bill until afterwards.

 

[DeeCee735]

They use a credit card to hold it. You pay it when you are there.
It needs to be booked through Animal Kingdom Lodge Itinerary Planning.
# is 407-938-4755.
You must be at AKL at 3:45 at the Jiko podium. Safari starts at 4:00 and is 1 1/2 hours long. Then straight to dinner at Jiko.
I'm not going to let a family style dinner dissaude me from going. I hear it's really a great experience, and the socializing with those we experience it with is part of it (to me anyway).
I personally can't wait!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

They use a credit card to hold it. You pay it when you are there.
It needs to be booked through Animal Kingdom Lodge Itinerary Planning.
# is 407-938-4755.
You must be at AKL at 3:45 at the Jiko podium. Safari starts at 4:00 and is 1 1/2 hours long. Then straight to dinner at Jiko.
I'm not going to let a family style dinner dissaude me from going. I hear it's really a great experience, and the socializing with those we experience it with is part of it (to me anyway).
I personally can't wait!

I agree, but unfortunately...I think I will let $210/person dissuade me from going.

I can buy a lot of things for $420, and our travelling friends can buy a whole lot of things for $840!!

 

[4luvofthemouse]

Thanks for all the info!

I just booked our safari for Dec. 21st.
I was told today that the price of the safari is going down after Dec. 1st ,so we only pay $170 pp.
I'm really excited! It's something different and it sounds so cool!

 

[DeeCee735]

I agree, but unfortunately...I think I will let $210/person dissuade me from going.

I can buy a lot of things for $420, and our travelling friends can buy a whole lot of things for $840!!

Boy do I agree with that! If this was a trip with my family, we wouldn't do it either, for $840! However, I get to spoil myself this trip....it's an all girls trip, DH's and kids aren't coming. Since it's just me I have to worry about, I'm going for it!! And I have to say, my DH is SO AWESOME to encourage me to do these "side" trips and experience these great types of once in a lifetime things! What a guy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

For those of you who are worried about the family style dining, don't worry. I have lots of food issues, and I had plenty to eat when we did it. As I said, I would have preferred ordering on my own, but it was fine.

The Wanyama Safari is one of the coolest things we have ever done at WDW. I rank it right up there with the Backstage Magic tour, and that one lasts all day! I have been trying to decide if we want to do it again in December, but I think we'll wait a bit to do it another time. We last did it a year and a half ago.

 

[DeeCee735]

Thanks for all the info!

I just booked our safari for Dec. 21st.
I was told today that the price of the safari is going down after Dec. 1st ,so we only pay $170 pp.
I'm really excited! It's something different and it sounds so cool!

Are you staying conceirge, or is this the price for everyone? It figures I'd miss out of the lower price, but I'd also miss out on the company I'll be with, so no complaints here! I'm really havppy to have the opportunity to being doing this with my cousins!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you are staying concierge level, the cost is $160. If you are staying elsewhere it's $210. At least that was the cost when we did it.