Monday, January 24, 2011

The Animal Kingdom Lodge

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.

100_4431

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.

100_4546

100_4530

100_4523

100_4524

100_4526

100_4527

100_4531

If you step outside the main lobby you can view some of the animals on the savannah.

100_4541

100_4538

100_4543

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.

100_4548

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;

100_4359

An amazing view of the animals on the savannah.

100_4419

Don’t forget to bring at least one pair of binoculars from home!

100_4450

100_4423

100_4459

100_4509

In addition to the outstanding views, the actual rooms are some of the nicest and cleanest we have come across.

100_4358

100_4366

100_4356

100_4370

100_4368

100_4369

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.

100_4472

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!

100_4473

The Uzima pool at Jambo House is one of two, at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s not overly themed, but it’s nice.

100_4505

Of course, there’s a water slide…

100_4504

And two hot tubs.

100_4437
Right next to the pool is the Flamingo Pond.

100_4391

Also adjacent to the pool is a viewing area where you can get a close-up view of the giraffes, especially at feeding time.

100_4397

 kidani village

Kidani Village is the second “building/area” at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

101_2380

Kidani Village has it’s own lobby and a very small gift shop.

101_2391

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. 

101_2381

101_2384

101_2386

101_2388

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:

Disney’s Official Page

AKL Resort is a great fan site and can be found here.

All Ears (Information link)

Disboards.com (AKL photo thread)

AllEars.Net (Photo link)

Disboards.com (AKL forum discussion link)

Our Laughing Place (Information link)

Karen

No comments:

Post a Comment