Disney Resort Snapshots: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Visit the heart of Africa at the majestic Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort is inspired by a traditional African kraal. The horseshoe-curved design provides amazing views of 4 lush savannas that over 200 hoofed animals and birds call home.
Delight in sparkling pool areas, enthralling animal programs, and one of the largest collections of African art in the United States. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Disney resort and likely the nearest you can get to a true African journey without having to cross the Atlantic.
DINING
With a tantalizing variety of dining options available, you’re sure to find something to satisfy any craving. (use code BLOG10 for 10% off this Dining Reservations Guide!) Here, you’ll find everything from quick service to sensational sit-down style restaurants, as well as snack bars for a little pick me up and a lounge where you can relax and unwind after a long day at the parks.
Jiko (Table Service/ Signature Dining)
Vibrant spices, sizzling wood-burning ovens, and boutique South African wines transport you to the heart of Africa. Uncover a delicious blend of traditional African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine. Steak, chicken, seafood, vegan, and vegetarian dishes are permeated with a uniquely bold blend of tantalizing flavors and fragrant spices. Changing seasonally, the menu may include appetizers exploding with flavor, like imaginative brick oven-fired flatbreads and mouth-watering entrées such as oak-grilled filet mignon. Twin wood-burning ovens roar as ambient light mimics the warm red, orange, and gold tones of an African sunset.
Jiko boasts one of the finest collections of South African wines in the U.S.! Most Wednesday afternoons, Disney invites you to take a journey through the wine regions of South Africa and sample three delicious vintages paired with the perfect cheeses and fruits.
Boma (Table Service)
Enjoy Boma-Flavors of Africa Buffet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Guests will bask in the warmth of this extensive and appetizing family buffet reminiscent of an African marketplace. Watch as the creative culinary team prepares salads, vegetarian dishes, grilled seafood, and roasted meats — inspired by the varied flavors of over 50 different African countries from the coast of the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. Bask in the magic of the alluring tastes and textures that make up the flavors of Africa at Boma Buffet.
Sanaa (Table Service)
Experience the art of African cooking with Indian flavors as exotic animals roam the Sunset Savanna before you while you dine at Sanaa.
We love to make dining reservations for just before sunset. I don’t know what my family loves more, the animals or the bread service!
The Mara (Quick Service)
Named for the infamous Mara River flowing through Kenya and Tanzania, this savanna-inspired space serves African stew, half-chicken dinners, and more. American favorites like burgers and flatbreads are also available, as is breakfast until 11:00 AM.
Victoria Falls (Lounge)
At Victoria Falls Lounge, sample cold brews from South Africa, with or without dinner, inside this intimate bar overlooking Boma restaurant. Victoria Falls Lounge also features a variety of South African wines, all of which can be enjoyed in the twinkling ambiance of the fire pit outside.
Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
Sample delicious South African wines at this intimate watering hole near Jiko. Enjoy an appetizer and wine pairing prior to your meal at Jiko, or order from the full Jiko menu and dine at the bar. A full bar is also available.
Uzima Springs Pool Bar
Delight your senses at this “spring of life.” Uzima Springs Pool Bar offers cocktails, frozen drinks, salad, snacks, and more!
Maji Pool Bar
Swahili for “water,” the secluded poolside Maji Pool Bar offers many pleasant libations, in addition to sandwiches, salads, fruit, and other snacks. Private dining is also available.
Unique Dining Experiences
- Wanyama Safari and Dinner (Dinner only)
- Dine with an Animal Specialist (Lunch only)
In-Room Dining
Whether you’re hungry for a late dinner or you just want some breakfast when you wake up, private dining is the ticket. With Disney Resorts Private Dining, you can choose from a variety of American favorites—along with some specialty items particular to your Disney Resort hotel!
ACTIVITIES
Pools: The Main Pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge is the Uzima Pool featuring zero-depth entry and a 67 ft long water slide, a child pool, two whirlpool spas, and the Hakuna Matata Playground. Kidani Village also has a feature pool featuring zero-depth entry and a 128 ft long water slide, and two whirlpool spas.
Family Fun: Children will enjoy Pumbaa’s Fun & Games Arcade while adults can relax at Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center. AKL has some of the most incredible resort activities with animal programs and private night vision safaris for resort guests only.
Movies: Animal Kingdom Lodge also hosts Movies Under the Stars in two locations.
Although the activities vary by day, here is an example of some of the trivia, arts and crafts, dance parties, games, and bingo you might find.
Look for an activities board near the pool or food court, or check your tv for the schedule during your stay.
SERVICES
Animal Kingdom Lodge features multiple laundry rooms on-site. Two can be found at Jambo House, one on the Kudu Trail, and a DVC only one on the Zebra Trail. The final laundry room is located at Kidani Village at the Samawati Springs Pool.
Each cycle at the self-service laundry facilities has reasonable costs per wash; the dryers run on 30 minute increments. Credit and debit cards are now accepted at all laundry locations for washers, dryers, and soap vending at most Walt Disney World Resort hotels. In addition, all laundry rooms have the ability to request a text message when a laundry cycle is complete!
Please note: While some locations still contain a limited number of coin-operated washers (with a change machine made available), other locations accept credit and debit cards only.
Walt Disney World Resort hotels also offer dry cleaning and valet laundry services. Select “Housekeeping” on your in-room phone to schedule a pick-up.
SHOPPING
At Zawadi Marketplace at Jambo House, you’ll find items ranging from the every day to the exotic: African art, African-themed clothing, toys, Disney wares, sundries, snacks, and more.
Zawadi Marketplace offers signature Disney character apparel and Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas logo merchandise. In addition, there is a large variety of African treasures that are unexpected and fun to explore.
Johari Treasures at Kidani Village offers authentic African-themed merchandise, including Zulu baskets, hand-loomed clothing and hand-carved masks, snack food, and breakfast options. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Johari Treasures also sells Disney-branded items like apparel, toys, and Disney Character plush.
TRANSPORTATION
You have one Disney transportation option at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
- Motorcoach Bus
These travel times are approximate and provided to give you an idea of the average travel time from the resort to the park.
Please plan on up to a 20-minute wait for Disney transportation in addition to walking time to resort, or theme park transportation stops.
- Magic Kingdom – 22 minutes by bus, 35 minutes by car (with transfers)
- Epcot – 18 minutes by bus, 18 minutes by car
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 15 minutes by bus, 16 minutes by car
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom – 11 minutes by bus, 7 minutes by car
- Disney Springs – 20 minutes by bus, 18 minutes by car
- Blizzard Beach water park – 18 minutes by bus, 14 minutes by car
- Typhoon Lagoon water park – 25 minutes by bus, 17 minutes by car
PRO TIPS
- When you check in at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, you should receive an activities and recreation information sheet. Take advantage of the fun and cultural activities offered at the resort. Children can even earn Animal Kingdom beads after they complete each cultural event at the lodge.
- Be sure to check the schedule for many extra activities, including bead art, storytime, night-vision viewing, and more.
- Take time to explore the resort, including down each of the halls. Notice the artwork displayed throughout. At the end of the halls in Jambo House, there are outdoor stairways; they are great places to watch animals from two different savannas at the same time.
- Strike up conversations with the Cast Members working here. Most of them enjoy talking about their country, and it can be a very interesting experience. Many are on a cultural exchange program, and it is like having your own personal guide into African life and the land. If you get a chance, also talk with the animal keepers, including the ones you see out on the savanna.
Pro Tips for Animal Viewing
- Discover all the overlooks throughout the resort. Walk around and explore the hidden wonders that bring you closer to the animals. Each overlook has information about the animals you may see.
- Walk the trail around Arusha Rock. You will often find a Cast Member there who can answer questions about the animals.
- Walk past the Uzima pool on the left-hand side by the spa to discover flamingos and a great overlook of the Uzima Savanna. Giraffes tend to enjoy eating in this area of the savanna.
- The animals on the savanna tend to be more visible during feeding times like early morning and late afternoon.
- Animal Kingdom offers transportation between Kidani Village and Jambo House, allowing you to explore both areas of the resort and enjoy both swimming pools and unique dining experiences.
- Explore the artifacts and cultural pieces displayed throughout the resort. It is educational as well as fascinating to see actual pieces from different areas of Africa.
- Jambo House offers night viewing of the animals on the safari. Check the resort activities; it is typically offered between 8:30/9:00 pm – 11:00 pm each evening. Night-vision goggles are available to share in limited quantities.
- For the safety of the animals, balloons are not allowed inside the Animal Kingdom resorts. Any balloons brought to the resorts will have to be checked with Bell Services for the duration of the guest’s stay. They will be returned upon departure.
Related Posts:
Grow Your Own Magic: Creating a Disney-Inspired Fairy Garden
Exploring Disney’s Botanical Magic: A Biology Adventure for Kids!