8 Reasons You Need to Stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is by far my favorite Walt Disney World resort. The atmosphere, food, location, and so many other things make it perfect for a Disney vacation!
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is unlike anything you’ll ever experience. Everyone who stays here loves it. The moment you pull into the resort entrance, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into the wild plains of Africa.
The resort perfectly captures the look and feel of an African lodge. With wild animals roaming the grounds and the building’s unique architecture, there is something to catch your eye at every turn.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has two separate lodging areas – Jambo House which is the main part of the resort and Kidani Village which is the Disney Vacation Club rooms. You can use the bus system or simply walk to get back and forth between the two.
The walk is only about 5 minutes long. Both sections are u shaped with the lobby at its center with hallways extending out on both sides. This design allows you many opportunities to stop and view the savannas and their inhabitants.
Dining
Even if you aren’t staying at this resort, you should still come to experience the amazing food it has to offer. There are many dining options located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Each offers up the unique flavorings of Africa, as well as American for those who don’t like to experiment with new foods. There are 4 table service restaurants, 1 quick service, 3 lounges, 2 bars, and even a couple of special dining experiences.
Table Service
- Jiko – The Cooking Place
Located on the ground floor of Jambo House, Jiko has a beautiful and romantic design. With its low lighted atmosphere, it’s the perfect place for you and that special someone to enjoy the sizzling flavors of African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine.
Jiko is only open for dinner and I highly recommend making advanced dining reservations.
- Boma – Flavors of Africa
Boma is also located on the ground floor of Jambo House. It offeres a delicious African inspired buffet. With choices available to satisfy the whole family, it’s an excellent option if you’re open to trying something new and unique.
Boma serves breakfast and dinner and I would also recommend making advanced dining reservations here.
Pro Tip: Your MickeyTravels agent can make those Advanced Dining Reservations for you when you book your Disney vacation through them! Remember, their service is 100% FREE, so why not?!
- Sanaa
Sanaa is located at Kidani Village and serves a fusion of African and Indian inspired cuisine. The Indian-Style bread service is quite popular here as well as many of their other dishes. Another bonus of this restaurant is the view. Large windows lining the side of the restaurant allows for a fantastic view of the savanna.
Sanaa is open for lunch and dinner as a table service restaurant. However, it is also open for breakfast as a quick service and converts into a lounge at night. Advanced Reservations are also recommended here.
Quick Service
- The Mara
Serving as the only quick service at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Mara offers a mix of both African inspired dishes as well as American. While it is not among the best quick service restaurants you’ll find at a Disney Resort, it does have a few items that you can’t get anywhere else. The famous frozen Jungle Juice and the wonderfully amazing Peanut Butter Brownie are two such items!
The Mara is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and also contains a grab and go section with snacks, desserts, bottled drinks, and many other items.
Lounges
Savor the unique flavors of African wines from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s three unique lounges featuring different aspects of African culture.
- Sanaa Lounge (Kidani Village)
- Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar (Jambo House)
- Victoria Falls Lounge (Jambo House)
Bars
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s two bars, one located at Kidani Village the other at Jambo House, you can enjoy wine, beer, or a cocktail while you relax and sit poolside.
- Maji Pool Bar (Kidani Village)
- Uzima Springs Pool Bar (Jambo House)
Special Dining Experiences
- Dine with an Animal Specialist
Here you can enjoy a four-course lunch at Kidani Village’s Sanaa. You’re able to dine with an animal expert and learn all about the resort’s animals and how they are cared for.
- Wanyama Safari
Go on a private safari adventure around the savannas at Animal Kingdom Lodge and end it with a meal at Jiko – The Cooking Place!
Recreation
Along with its wonderful theme and exciting savannas, there are plenty of fun activities to keep the excitement going. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can go for a dip in their large pools, take part in nightly campfire activities, and watch movies under the stars. They also have the Hakuna Matata Playground and Simba’s Cubhouse where children ages 3 to 12 can be dropped of for some supervised fun!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is full of exciting opportunities and should definitely be at the top of your resort choices for your next Disney vacation. With great food, fun activities, and unique theming, it will help you have a Disney vacation you’ll never forget!
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below! One of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Hello Disney Fans! Janie here. I was a Disney kid growing up and now that I am an adult I love it even more. Whether its movies, music, parks, or games I just can’t get enough of it. I visit Disney World at least twice a year and even when I’m not there it’s all I can think about!