"Dine with Animal Specialists... an "Untamed" Lunch at Sanaa"

[MinnieMommy]

So excited to try this with my teen DD. She loves spending time at Rafiki's listening to the CMs there, we always have to drag her away! To have this more intimate interaction will be wonderful! I've booked it as a surprise for her over our Christmas trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm a month away from this experience. I would love to read a review!

Bobbi

 

[Burnt Toast]

It looks like the official reports that Dine with Animal Specialists being officially added to the dining reservations system (including the online site on the Walt Disney World website) is a little pre-mature. They are now shooting for late-September for it go to live in the system.

In the meanwhile, please call Sanaa restaurant directly or you can still continue to pass your information off to me (please follow the instructions on the first post in this thread) and I will sent it along to the appropriate folks.

Thanks!!!

 

[cbg1027]

Hey Burnt Toast! I finally got around to my review.
Here it is, and feel free to share with your superiors if they're still looking for guest feedback:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=42416970#post42416970

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks so much for the review. Sounds wonderful! I can't wait for lunch now one month from today.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Brittany was our hostess on Wednesday, and since it was her first time, Chris joined her. It was worthwhile for all 4 in my group. There were 11 guests including a well behaved 2-3 year old!

In my group, 2 would go back to Sanaa for a meal. I know they emphasize that Flavorful is how they describe the food, for some of us Hot spice is a better description. Still we all found the desserts to be delicious, and the chance to learn about the animals was great.

They talked about the animals at the resort and at the park. There was lots of information about the babies that have been born, about the zebra herd and Kidani the zebra that was born there and who is coming into maturity, and giraffes which are the animals that Brittany works with.

They also talked about their training and how to prepare to do the work that Brittany and Chris do.

Bobbi

 

[Simba's Mom]

Brittany was our hostess on Wednesday, and since it was her first time, Chris joined her. It was worthwhile for all 4 in my group. There were 11 guests including a well behaved 2-3 year old!

In my group, 2 would go back to Sanaa for a meal. I know they emphasize that Flavorful is how they describe the food, for some of us Hot spice is a better description. Still we all found the desserts to be delicious, and the chance to learn about the animals was great.

They talked about the animals at the resort and at the park. There was lots of information about the babies that have been born, about the zebra herd and Kidani the zebra that was born there and who is coming into maturity, and giraffes which are the animals that Brittany works with.

They also talked about their training and how to prepare to do the work that Brittany and Chris do.

Bobbi

That's so interesting-thanks for the review. I'll be on the look-out for the little zebra in a couple weeks. And I was just wondering this morning whether everyone got the same caretaker at their luncheon, or if it's someone different. Thanks for answering that for me. Twelve more days!

 

[bobbiwoz]

That's so interesting-thanks for the review. I'll be on the look-out for the little zebra in a couple weeks. And I was just wondering this morning whether everyone got the same caretaker at their luncheon, or if it's someone different. Thanks for answering that for me. Twelve more days!

Kidani is coming into maturity now, and he's just learning about the birds and the bees, no baby zebras yet!

 

[Burnt Toast]

Dine with Animal Specialists at Sanaa is now officially in the Disney Dine system so you can call the regular Disney Dining line and book it through them.

ALSO... they are now offering Saturday seatings for this offering. Saturday offering will be at 12pm instead of 11:30am.

 

[marshwiggle]

Dine with Animal Specialists at Sanaa is now officially in the Disney Dine system so you can call the regular Disney Dining line and book it through them.

ALSO... they are now offering Saturday seatings for this offering. Saturday offering will be at 12pm instead of 11:30am.

A couple questions:
If we've already booked this through you or Sanaa, will that be loaded into the system or do we need to re-book through the dining line?
Is Wednesday lunch being moved to 12pm too? (can't trust the WDW website)

Thanks!

 

[Burnt Toast]

A couple questions:
If we've already booked this through you or Sanaa, will that be loaded into the system or do we need to re-book through the dining line?
Is Wednesday lunch being moved to 12pm too? (can't trust the WDW website)

Thanks!

Those who are currently booked will still be at 11:30am. I believe Wednesday will also go to a 12pm start soon as well, but those who are already booked will still be at 11:30am.

No need to rebook (as you are already booked directly with the restaurant), it should all be transferred to the new system as well but I'm uncertain if it's been done yet.

The restaurant will no longer take reservations (so you can stop calling them directly heh heh)... all new reservations should be done through the regular channels (Disney Dining, Concierge, and Itinerary Planning for those that have access to that). You currently cannot book this through the online portal (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/dine-with-animal-specialists/) but there is some information about the offering on that page and the phone numbers you can call.

 

[LindaBabe]

Dine with Animal Specialists at Sanaa is now officially in the Disney Dine system so you can call the regular Disney Dining line and book it through them.

ALSO... they are now offering Saturday seatings for this offering. Saturday offering will be at 12pm instead of 11:30am.

oops. I should have read this first, instead of just page one. I just pm'd you and will await your response before I attempt to book through DD.

 

[bsmcneil]

BT - I need to cancel my reservation, please.

 

[Burnt Toast]

BT - I need to cancel my reservation, please.

Call the WDW Dine Line or call the restaurant directly to do this. I no longer have access to the way we were doing reservations before.

 

[Cafeen]

BT - Forgot to say a huge THANK YOU for bringing this to our attention. I attended this last Wednesday (9/28) and it was amazing. We had lunch with the curator of the AKL savannahs who's name I promptly forgot, and one of his assistants Vickie.

The food was amazing, even though I was feeling pretty sick (caught a cold earlier in the trip, thanks Mom) and my appetite was a bit low, the service was astounding (they even offered to cook me something completely separate after they saw I didn't touch the chicken or shrimp, but I wasn't hungry enough for them to bother), and the presentation was very engaging and interesting. The hour and a half (or so) flew by.

We also had a tiny group that day, a whopping 4 of us (out of the 14 who were supposed to be part of it, 2 more than the normal max) and that made it real nice, as we all had a lot of personal attention.

Overall, it was a great experience for anyone who's been to WDW several times as it's definitely something different to do outside of the norm.

Thanks again BT! If this is still running on my next bigger trip, I'm most certainly going again (and hopefully I won't feel as yucky and be able to eat the actual entree portion )

 

[Simba's Mom]

BT - Forgot to say a huge THANK YOU for bringing this to our attention. I attended this last Wednesday (9/28) and it was amazing. We had lunch with the curator of the AKL savannahs who's name I promptly forgot, and one of his assistants Vickie.

The food was amazing, even though I was feeling pretty sick (caught a cold earlier in the trip, thanks Mom) and my appetite was a bit low, the service was astounding (they even offered to cook me something completely separate after they saw I didn't touch the chicken or shrimp, but I wasn't hungry enough for them to bother), and the presentation was very engaging and interesting. The hour and a half (or so) flew by.

We also had a tiny group that day, a whopping 4 of us (out of the 14 who were supposed to be part of it, 2 more than the normal max) and that made it real nice, as we all had a lot of personal attention.

Overall, it was a great experience for anyone who's been to WDW several times as it's definitely something different to do outside of the norm.

Thanks again BT! If this is still running on my next bigger trip, I'm most certainly going again (and hopefully I won't feel as yucky and be able to eat the actual entree portion )

OMG, Cafeen! I was also one of those 4. That other Animal Keeper was Greg-

I got the biggest kick out of the man in our group who was just in love with all the food (I don't think he much cared about the animals). Although I loved such a small group, I was kind of upset about the people who'd signed up but then didn't show up. Besides, they don't know what they missed! I'd go again anytime even if they pretty much said/did the same thing. I thought it was so interesting!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have looked at some pictures from the luncheon I had in September, and Bethany, not Brittany was our leader! My friend's camera is very good, the name tag is clear!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Is this still available? I do not know how to find it on My Disney Experience.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, it's still available, and just a couple weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to do it for the third time. As bobbiwoz's ? implies and my experience trying to reserve it shows, this is a well-hidden secret. So thanks so much, Burnt Toast, for making us aware of it. When I called to reserve it, the CM had no idea about it and had to get her supervisor to help. I think that now it's listed under reservations at Sanaa. Still $49 and worth every penny!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, it's still available, and just a couple weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to do it for the third time. As bobbiwoz's ? implies and my experience trying to reserve it shows, this is a well-hidden secret. So thanks so much, Burnt Toast, for making us aware of it. When I called to reserve it, the CM had no idea about it and had to get her supervisor to help. I think that now it's listed under reservations at Sanaa. Still $49 and worth every penny!

Ok...so you called...I will do that tomorrow!

I enjoyed it so much 2 years ago, I would like to do it again when we stay at Jambo in January.