Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) — A Resort Review

Disney has some great resorts in every price category, but today’s blog post is going to focus on our family’s favorite—the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  It is a deluxe level resort, but with a price that usually falls between that of the moderate resorts and the other deluxe resorts.  In fact, the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge have many similarities, one of them being that they are the least expensive deluxe resorts on property.  But, I feel that even if the price were as high as other Disney deluxe resorts, it’d still be worth the price!

The first thing you notice when you enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is its expansive and impressive lobby!  The resort has a beautiful African theme throughout and the lobby has so many pieces of art, bits of storytelling, and tons of charm.  There is even a small fire pit right in the lobby area.  And as you gaze through the giant window across from you, you can already catch glimpses of wildlife!

The rooms at the Lodge are decorated according to the theme of the resort and the wood furnishings are so rich, cozy, and charming all at once.  You can choose to reserve a savannah, pool, or standard view room at the Lodge.  If you are willing to go for the more expensive option, choose the savannah view where each room has its own balcony where you can sit and watch the giraffes, zebras, kudu, or other animals that are on your particular savannah.

If you opt for a standard or pool view room, there are many places around the resort where you can view the animals including Arusha Rock, a beautiful viewing area where you can see animals day or night (using night vision goggles) and can often find a cast member who is ready to answer any questions you have about the animals that live at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

There are a few dining options at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  There is a quick service area called The Mara that has pizza, hamburgers, salads, and other quick service options.  They also serve breakfast items and have snacks and desserts.  There are also two table service restaurants:  Boma and Jiko.

Jiko is an upscale restaurant featuring the largest selection of African wines and offering many delectable entrees like seared wild Atlantic grouper, duck breast, braised beef short ribs, and flatbreads and salads.

Boma is a great buffet for breakfast or dinner with many traditional items like wood fired meats, roasted chicken, and vegetables (and of course a kids’ buffet of nuggets and mac and cheese).  But you can also try a few African items too!  Nothing is too “daring,” but you’ll likely be surprised how much you enjoy the African soups, couscous Marrakesh, and sweet potato pancakes.  Boma is a great option for those that want to check out the resort for dinner after a day at the Animal Kingdom, even if you are staying elsewhere.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is an amazing resort with one thing that no other resort on property can boast—live animals!  Our family loves to sit, relax, and watch the wildlife.  It’s a great way to start and end a Disney day!

Leanne Phelps
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
1-888-755-9626
leanne@mickeytravels.com