We’ve added lots of fun and new dining info to our updated e-Book — The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2017. One of my favorite tips in the book is the recommendation of the free tours at the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants! Yep, free!
After you read all about this great Disney Dining Tip, learn more about our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining — including a limited-time discount code — here!
Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurant Tours
The Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World is known for quality table-service restaurants that offer some exotic menu items and exquisite African-themed decor. But there’s a way to explore the restaurants without actually dining in them!
Learn The Meaning Behind the Decor At Jiko Restaurant
Jiko, Boma, and Sanaa offer half-hour culinary tours each day! These tours cover some of the decor and meaning behind the architecture of the restaurants and also explain certain menu items. You may even get to sample some of the restaurant’s dishes.
You can see our review of the Boma and Jiko Tour here.
Seating at Sanaa
When you don’t have time to eat at each restaurant, these free tours will allow you to take in the detailed atmosphere without an Advance Dining Reservation.
Bread and Dip Tasting at Jiko
Stop by the Front Desk to inquire about the current schedule and meeting spots. These restaurant tours usually take place at 4 pm most days of the week, and, as far as we know, you don’t have to be staying at the resort to take the tour.
Find more info on great free food-related events and many other budget planning tips for eating in Walt Disney World in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2019!
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Have you participated in one of these tours? Or know another fun FREE Disney food activity? Let us know in the comments below!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I wish I knew this a few weeks ago when we ate at BOMA. Will check this out next time!
Dennis — It’s a really fun tip, eh?? They’ve been doing this for quite some time, and I think it might be because some folks are a little intimidated by the menu. To see it up close and taste some things makes it easier to choose to dine here!
I would like to download the new book, but am confused. I have an iPad and iPhone. Do I have to download to my iTunes account first? After that, do I just plug in my iPad to the computer? I did down load the snack book, but think I just did it from the iPad. I am computer literate, but this is a new one on me. Oh yes, I downloaded the other one to kindle on my iPad.
Another question, where cam we get crime brûlée besides the French restaurants. Thank you so much and sorry this so long
Hi Jill! An easy way to get the book onto your iPad and iPhone is to save it to your computer, then drag the file into iBooks on your iTunes account like you mentioned. Then the books will sync to the devices! Here are some handy instructions.
And creme brulee is one of the most common desserts in Disney World! We’ll be doing a post all about it soon, but you can get creme brulee (off and on…sometimes dessert menus change) at Tony’s Town Square, Jiko, Fresh, Le Cellier, Narcoossee’s, the boulangerie patisserie in France as well as the table-service restaurants, Citricos, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Planet Hollywood, and quite a few other spots! 🙂
Cool! We are staying at AKL for the first time in October, but we won’t have time to eat at all 3 restaurants. I’m going to try to work a tour into our schedule!
Shayne! You’ll love it! I think this is a must-do for you guys…the boys might even enjoy it!
I love this tip! We’re staying at AKL in June and I can’t wait to look into these tours!
Staying at AKL for the first time this coming June (5th wedding anniversary – hi honey!) and definitely going to take advantage of this. THANKS!!
Will do this when we go. Are there other free resort dining tours?
Laura — Not that we know of; but if you find some, let us know! 🙂
We did the Boma and Jiko tours a few years ago. They were both interesting and fun. We all got a Zebra Dome at Bome and at Jike we sampled different breads that they make.
I am planning on doing the Sanaa tour in June. Is there a phone number that I can the evening before to make sure the tour will be given?
This article is several years old. I’m heading to WDW for the first time in April, 2016, and wonder if these tours still exist?
Diana — Yes! They should still be available. Just be sure to check ahead if you’re interested, since things are always subject to change.
Thanks Brooke!
I surprised my mom by taking her on the Animal Kingdom Lodge food tour. We did not stay at the resort, so just hopped on the bus as a break from a day at Animal Kingdom. I called the lodge front desk that morning to confirm the time and meeting place. It ended up just being a private tour with my family and the guide. He was from Africa so had a lot of personal stories about the theming and it was related to his culture. And we got generous food samples! We were very impressed with this!
Although this article is older, I took the tour May 2018 and it was still excellent. The tour finishes around 5pm, just when Boma opens for the evening which is when the African drum number is. This really is a hidden gem at WDW and a definite must do.
Diane, we so agree!
Voy a alojarme en Animal Kingdom en Mayo 2019 , ya queda nada ? y me gustaría saber si aún está el tour . Un Saludo desde Cádiz(España)
Adolfo, sí, la última vez que verificamos, el tour todavía estaba disponible. ¡Que tengas un divertido viaje!