Gems to look out for in this signature dining restaurant!
The Walt Daily
Hidden Gems of Jiko
Hi everyone! Or should I say, Jumbo! Today, let's head over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to discover hidden gems of Jiko. Jiko is the signature dining restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, but it's more than just one of the most unique restaurants at Walt Disney World because of its cuisine, but also because of tons of symbolism you'll find right in the dining room. First, the name. Jiko is Swahili for the cooking place, and its name is derived from more than just the cooking happening in the main kitchen, but also the two woodfire ovens within guest view. These ovens cook a variety of dishes offered, but a particular note are the fresh breads that come from them. The oak wood varietal burning in the ovens are chosen specifically to complement the subtle flavors of the breads coming from its hearth. Next, onto the Florida ceiling pillars. These tiled pillars are scattered throughout the space, but more than the lovely mosaic work to take note of are the gold rings that encircle them. These rings are meant to honor the traditional dress of the debele women of Zimbabwe, who may wear copper or brass rings around their necks, and the more rings worn, the more wealth the family has. It's said that these rings have strong, ritual powers, and no two rings around the pillars are the same at Jiko, just as no two women's rings would be the same. Now, cast your eyes from the pillars to the ceiling. The light fixtures throughout the restaurant resemble birds with their wings wide, flying through the air. Not literally, of course, but the design does give that effect. The ceiling itself is painted in a shade of blue to represent the sky. The overall effect is meant to symbolize birds flying through the savannah. The symbolism throughout Jiko transports you to the landscapes, cultures, and flavors of Africa. But one last thing to mention, it is Disney, after all, and wouldn't be complete without a hidden Mickey. So, spoiler alert here, check out the ceiling above the wood-burning ovens, where you'll find the traditional tricycle Mickey silhouette. [MUSIC] (upbeat music)