Thinking of booking a room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge on your next trip to Disney World? Staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Disney World, in room with a Savannah View is an amazing experience. Expensive? Unfortunately, yes. But worth every penny. Without a discount, a standard room with a Savannah View, depending on the time of year, can range anywhere from about three to six hundred dollars per night.
Jambo House
Jambo House is the “Main Building/Area” at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
The Main Lobby is very grand and reminds me of a museum. It is meant to resemble a South African Wildlife Reserve Lodge. There are quite a few artifacts on display. The main gift shop is also located adjacent to the lobby.
If you step outside the main lobby you can view some of the animals on the savannah.
There are native South African “Safari Guides” on hand to answer any questions you may have about the animals, or even their country in general.
The Jambo House is home to two nice restaurants. My favorite is Boma. In our opinion, Boma has one of the best breakfast buffets to be found on Disney Property. It offers many ethnic dishes, but there are just as many, if not more traditional offerings. The picky eater and the more adventurous will love it equally. The juice is delicious! You can find a breakfast menu here. And a dinner menu here.
The other restaurant located at Jambo house is Jiko – The Cooking Place. It’s a fancier restaurant and some of the food served is a little bit more exotic. It is only open for dinner and you can find the menu here.
As with all Disney restaurants, make your reservations early! At present time, you are able to make your ADR’s (Advance Dining Reservations) 180 days in advance. There are many people who get to the World, especially during those busy times, only to find that all the sit down restaurants they planned to eat at are booked. You can make your reservations here or call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).
On to the rooms… And this is what you’re paying for;
An amazing view of the animals on the savannah.
Don’t forget to bring at least one pair of binoculars from home!
In addition to the outstanding views, the actual rooms are some of the nicest and cleanest we have come across.
If you get hungry for a snack, be sure to pick up some zebra domes to bring back to the room with you. You can’t stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge without trying them. They were created for Boma, but they can also be found at Mara which is a counter service/fast food, cafeteria style restaurant next to the pool at Jambo House.
Zebra Domes are a “bite sized” mousse-like dessert whose secret ingredient is said to be Amarula Liquor. Amarula Liquor is a sweet liquor made from the berries of the Marula tree, which is only found in Africa. Apparently, the berries are a favorite of elephants who often get “intoxicated” from eating the ones that fall to the ground and ferment.
Dear Son loves them!
The Uzima pool at Jambo House is one of two, at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s not overly themed, but it’s nice.
Of course, there’s a water slide…
And two hot tubs.
Right next to the pool is the Flamingo Pond.
Also adjacent to the pool is a viewing area where you can get a close-up view of the giraffes, especially at feeding time.
kidani village
Kidani Village is the second “building/area” at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Kidani Village has it’s own lobby and a very small gift shop.
Through the lobby at Kidani Village is a great view of the Savannah and a wonderful night viewing area, complete with a fire pit. There is also a safari guide here, well into the evening.
The pool attached to Kidani Village is much more themed than the one at Jambo House. It is a favorite of families with small children. The restaurant attached to the Kidani Village is Sanaa. You can find the menu here.
For more detailed information and photos on the Animal Kingdom Lodge please visit the following sites:
AKL Resort is a great fan site and can be found here.
Disboards.com (AKL photo thread)
Disboards.com (AKL forum discussion link)
Our Laughing Place (Information link)
Karen
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