Animal Kingdom Lodge

The Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) was on my bucket list for decades and finally getting the chance to stay here did not disappoint! The biggest criticism I usually hear of AKL is that it is too far away from the parks. So, is the incredible exotic atmosphere and the out of this world food enough to make a stay here worth being a bit further out of the Disney bubble?

AKL is basically two resorts in one: Jambo House and Kidani Village. When you stay at either you will also have access to the amazing amenities at both. This means double the restaurants, double the pools and double the recreational space.

Jambo House is the main resort building which contains the majority of the regular hotel rooms and a few DVC studio rentals. Walking into the lobby you know instantly you have arrived somewhere special! The ceiling towers 5 stories above you with a huge curved window at the opposite end of the room letting sunshine in to illuminate the gorgeously decorated space. Dark wood, African carvings, and gorgeous fabrics create a feeling of exotic luxury. This resort has some amazing artwork, and you need to make some time to explore around the halls to take it all in. AKL has one of the largest collections of African artwork outside of Africa.

Kidani Village is primarily DVC rentals with an incredible pool and some great dining options. While the main lobby at Kidani Village has a slightly more subtle atmosphere it is still gorgeously decorated with vibrant colours and more of that exotic African art. I found this lobby more relaxed and approachable but without the wow factor of Jambo House. Kidani Village has the superior pool in my opinion, with a great slide and a nice splash area for the kids to run around and play in the water. This is also where you find the only restaurant with a view of the savanna.

Both buildings are incredible in their own right, and both need to be explored while staying at AKL.

The wildlife savannas are the draw for AKL. This resort really lets you feel like you are experiencing an African safari all while in the safe happy bubble of Disney. While there are MANY rooms that will let you enjoy savanna views while in the comfort of your own balcony, you can also see the savannas from a few viewing areas around the lodge. The various savannas have different animals but you can expect to see lots of Zebra, Giraffe, Kudus, Wildebeest and more roaming around just outside this luxury hotel. We loved sitting on the balcony watching the animals come and go but the best time of day was very early morning, when we could hear the zebra’s yipping and everyone seemed a little more energetic, or just after the rain, when everyone was ABSOLUTELY more energetic!

The restaurant options at AKL are indisputably some of the best on Disney property. There are pool bars and casual quick serves that have lots of great options unique to AKL but the stars of the show are Sanaa, Boma and Jiko. We had the pleasure of dining at all three on our stay at AKL.

First things first let’s talk Sanaa! Sanaa is the only restaurant with views of the savanna. Here you can sit in front of floor to ceiling windows and watch the antics of the animals. The food was amazing and the atmosphere is casual and friendly. The bread service is a food adventure you won’t want to miss out on and the butter chicken is delicious! This is a popular restaurant for people who want to see the animals so expect some enthusiasm from guest around you and if your table is in front of a window expect to have people approaching for better views. We watched on woman eager for a photo almost crawling over a man who was having his lunch, he literally had to duck his head to avoid her leaning over him. He took it well and generally everyone was pretty happy and into the fun playful atmosphere of the restaurant.

Boma is a buffet offering breakfast and dinner and both are fantastic. This restaurant has a mix of delicious and familiar comfort food and some exotic dishes for the more adventurous tastes. We had breakfast here and it was easily the only meal we needed for the day. Sticky buns and Simba waffles, amazing fruit and coffee and all the Jungle Juice we could hope for. Dinner has some incredible soup, ribs, breads and salads. Save room for desert though because the zebra domes are amazing!

Jiko is a signature dining restaurant. This is so elegant, so delicious and so fun. From the moment you are seated and they hand you a warm rose scented towel, you know you are in for a night of luxury! The wild boar was a stand out here but every bite that passed my lips was spectacular. The décor is so gorgeous with lights that change through the evening to simulate the sunset.

AKL is a deluxe resort so you can expect it to have all the amenities of the Disney Deluxe resort category. The room itself is a standard hotel room. Aside from the zebras there is nothing particularly special about the room. It’s roomy enough and comfortable but nothing over the top. Transportation is one area where AKL does not excel. That’s not to say we had trouble getting around, but it does take longer to get everywhere aside from Animal Kingdom. The busses come frequently and were not usually overcrowded. We never had to wait for a second bus. But buses are the only option for transportation to and from AKL.

So back to the big question about AKL. Is it too out of the way? For us we enjoyed being a bit out of the way and experiencing some theming that was more exotic and less Mickey Mouse, but when compared to some of the other options I might have to consider carefully before booking AKL. Staying somewhere like the Beach Club where you have multiple modes of transportation at your doorstop and two parks you can walk to, or staying at a Monorail resort is just so relaxing and convenient. Would I stay at AKL again? Yes. Absolutely, but with a few caveats. I would love to stay here for relaxing resort days or days I’m planning to visit Animal Kingdom or the water parks but for days in the other parks or trips to Disney Springs my family is likely to stay instead at a resort that gives us quick access to multiple locations and a variety of transportation options. Bottom line, AKL is an amazing resort you definitely need to visit regardless of the slightly longer travel time.