Wine tasting at Jiko

[crissysc]

Hey guys! New here to these boards but longtime Disney fan! I have a question about Jiko Wine tasting experience on Wednesdays. I am 5 months out and tried to book this but its full. I am staying at AKL and just wonder if anyway has had luck just going to Jiko once I arrive to see if they will let me and my husband do this tasting? Any help is appreciated! Thanks, Crissy

 

[Cramden]

I don't have an answer about just showing up. If I had to guess I'd say they wouldn't let you do it. I think they cap it at 12 or so people. I tried for 4 months to book it leading into my trip last September and it never came available. This year I managed to book it for my September trip at 180 days but the 2 Wednesdays prior are booked up.

Good luck. I hope it works out for you.

 

[gharter]

I doubt that you can just show up. You could check the day before or day of as people change their mind and do cancel. Keep checking as something may open. Otherwise, most of these have a set number of people that can attend and thats the number. We haven't done it, but it does sound fun.
Hopefully you can do it and then post your experience.

 

[FredQc]

I did Jiko wine tasting three times over the years. I would not jeopardize park time to show up at this without a reservation, capacity is very limited (about 12).

However, spots become available from time to time. So check again as cancellations happen, especially as we become closer to the event.

Shellie is often the sommelier who hosts the activity. So if you don't get it, book Jiko for dinner on a Wednesday, and call Disney dining line to attach a special request to your reservation, for this server. Let her make the wine pairing with each of your courses and introducing you to the selected wines. She is enthusiast, you won't regret!

 

[MarkinNM]

How long does it take for the wine tasting, how many different wines, what all is included, very curious about this and in staying at the AKL and Wed is our off day, no parks scheduled, I know my wife will love it......thanks!

 

[FredQc]

The experience last about 45 minutes - between 45 and 60 minutes. It includes three wines, paired with various cheeses.

I recommend to combine the Wine tasting experience with the free, daily culinary tour which starts at 4pm at Boma, next door.

 

[summerlvr]

The experience last about 45 minutes - between 45 and 60 minutes. It includes three wines, paired with various cheeses.

I recommend to combine the Wine tasting experience with the free, daily culinary tour which starts at 4pm at Boma, next door.

Does the Boma tour have to be booked ahead of time, or do you just show up? Will be doing the Jiko Wine Tasting in September.

 

[FredQc]

Does the Boma tour have to be booked ahead of time, or do you just show up? Will be doing the Jiko Wine Tasting in September.

No, you just show up at the Boma entrance podium.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

But Jiko related!

I just tried to make dinner reservations at Jiko for our trip the end of October with no availability. I backtracked open reservations to June 30 with nothing after that. Did I miss an upcoming renovation? Jiko hasn’t been a hard ressie to get in the past!

Thanks for any info!

 

[monorailmom]

We have been trying to get Jiko for our August trip with no luck either. It does make you wonder if a refurb is coming.

 

[MarkinNM]

We have been trying to get Jiko for our August trip with no luck either. It does make you wonder if a refurb is coming.

Hmmm, not sure have yet to hear that one but we were able to get a ADR for Jiko and a wine tasting for our upcoming trip in Aug, the last week in Aug, when we booked the wine tasting I asked the CM on the phone if she could tell me how many openings were left, she mentioned that she could only book an additional 2, if she went to 3 or more no openings.......

 

[gwynne]

Hmmm, not sure have yet to hear that one but we were able to get a ADR for Jiko and a wine tasting for our upcoming trip in Aug, the last week in Aug, when we booked the wine tasting I asked the CM on the phone if she could tell me how many openings were left, she mentioned that she could only book an additional 2, if she went to 3 or more no openings.......

We've gone a couple of times, there were around 12 guests. You might have gotten the last two spots.

I just noticed you asked for more info on this event upthread. This link gives a pretty good description.
https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/review-jiko-wine-tasting-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge/

 

[gwynne]

But Jiko related!

I just tried to make dinner reservations at Jiko for our trip the end of October with no availability. I backtracked open reservations to June 30 with nothing after that. Did I miss an upcoming renovation? Jiko hasn’t been a hard ressie to get in the past!

Thanks for any info!

I have a couple of dinner reservations for Jiko in mid-Oct. (It's not unusual for us to eat there twice on a trip.) When I went back and searched just a few minutes ago, no availability. That's definitely odd this far out. I'm hoping it's an IT glitch. I'll keep checking now and then, just out of curiosity.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

I have a couple of dinner reservations for Jiko in mid-Oct. (It's not unusual for us to eat there twice on a trip.) When I went back and searched just a few minutes ago, no availability. That's definitely odd this far out. I'm hoping it's an IT glitch. I'll keep checking now and then, just out of curiosity.

Me too! I’ll keep checking.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

But Jiko related!

I just tried to make dinner reservations at Jiko for our trip the end of October with no availability. I backtracked open reservations to June 30 with nothing after that. Did I miss an upcoming renovation? Jiko hasn’t been a hard ressie to get in the past!

Thanks for any info!

I have a couple of dinner reservations for Jiko in mid-Oct. (It's not unusual for us to eat there twice on a trip.) When I went back and searched just a few minutes ago, no availability. That's definitely odd this far out. I'm hoping it's an IT glitch. I'll keep checking now and then, just out of curiosity.

Really hope it’s a glitch! Or that they’re going back to doing special dinners during the Food & Wine festival and holding back reservations until sorted out. Doubt it’s the latter. Will be really disappointed if it’s not available for our late Oct trip.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

FYI - I was able to book the wine tasting for 10/23 so unless they’re planning to hold it elsewhere it seems like the restaurant will be open. Hopefully the lack of dining reservations are just a temporary IT issue. Super excited for the wine tasting and an afternoon at AKL!

 

[Spudsie]

Y'all are making me nervous. I just double checked, and I still have a Sept 9th reservation. Mr. Spuds LOVES Jiko and will weep bitter tears if it's closed for refurb. Of course we have 3 dozed other restaurants we are dying to try so the tears won't last too long. LOL

 

[gwynne]

Y'all are making me nervous. I just double checked, and I still have a Sept 9th reservation. Mr. Spuds LOVES Jiko and will weep bitter tears if it's closed for refurb. Of course we have 3 dozed other restaurants we are dying to try so the tears won't last too long. LOL

Honestly, I think you all are fine. We love it too, and are looking forward to dining there about a month after you.
All the Jiko discussion sent me looking for a current wine list. I was glad to find one!

https://touringplans.com/walt-disne...lace/menus/specialty-beverages-and-wine-menu#

 

[Spudsie]

Ooohhhhh!!! Thanks for the wine list link!! Mr. Spuds and I were both very impressed with how "on point" their wine list was on our last visit. We'll probably spend way too much time dreaming about which ones to order.

 

[crissysc]

Sorry guys I got caught up in work all week and didn't see all the replies!!! Thanks so much for the tips. We have dinner for Jiko that night which is the first Wednesday in October but that wine tasting was already booked! I think I'll just keep checking especially closer to time because I know people cancel last minute so hopefully it will work in my favor! Thanks for te tips and help though. I really wanted to get in. No worries I wouldn't cut my time at AK short in the hopes of that. No way LOL