NOTE: Effective July 1, 2006, Lunch with Disney's Animal Programs has been suspended. No word on whether the program will resume, or if another program will take its place.

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Event Details | Reader Reviews

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Event Details

WHAT: As of November 1, 2005, Walt Disney World introduced special Tuesday afternoon meals called "Lunch with Walt Disney World Animal Programs." Diners will share an authentic South African luncheon with a dolphin trainer, veterinarian or animal curator, with such speakers as Animal Kingdom Lodge's Animal Curator Joe Kalla, formerly with the San Diego Zoo. Chef Anette Grecchi Gray's menu will include whole wheat lavosh flat bread with Moroccan Chermoula, organic field greens, maize crusted and pan-roasted halibut, oven-roasted tenderloin with sweet potato and potato gratin, followed by pomegranate macerated fruit salad with homemade yogurt for dessert.

WHERE: In the wine room at Jiko - The Cooking Place at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

WHEN: The luncheons will run from noon to 2 p.m.

COST is $65 per person; there is also a wine pairing option for an additional $15.

For more information, contact 407-WDW-DINE.

Laurie Prencipe, 1/06: These five-course lunches are held every Tuesday from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Lion Room at Jiko. There is a speaker from Animal Programs (when I went it was Dr. Greg Fleming, but it could be any of the vets or animal staff) and chef Anette Grecchi personally introduced each course of fabulous food. Both the chef and the veterinarian are passionate about what they do, and their enthusiasm was infectious. Dr. Fleming was wonderfully entertaining and informative. He had prepared a slide show and shared stories about his involvement in Disney's conservation programs worldwide. If you've ever eaten at Jiko, you know how amazing the food is. I'm a vegan, which I mentioned when making the reservation, and my meal was balanced, creative and delicious! No complaints from any of the carnivores, either! We all (there were 10 guests) received souvenir menus with our names on them. I'll do this again on my next trip. It was expensive if you're doing it just for the food, so only go for it if you're interested in the animal presentation also. The five-course lunch & animal presentation is $65 plus tax and gratuity (came to about $80). Wine pairing is available for $15. Reservations are available through 407-WDW-DINE or through Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby concierge.