Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining

[icarus]

I am curious as how the dining is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

We are looking at spending the day at the Animal Kingdom (we are staying at the WL), and are looking to eating at the lodge.
How are the restaurants?
Should I make reservartions far in advance?
Also, how far away is the resort from the Animal Kingdom Park?

Thanks.

 

[Laura]

Boma is the only restaurant I've visited, but it is, in my opinion, the best buffet on property. You should make an ADR if you know what day you want to be there; I did that far in advance and also made an additional ADR during our trip a few days beforehand. It just depends on availability. The other restaurant, Jiko, is a different experience. From reviews I've read (generally great reviews), it's much more upscale. It's not a restaurant I'm interested in, as the vegetarian food there sounds pretty bland.

It's very easy to get to AKL from AK park; just about 5 mins on the bus. It's trickier getting back to a hotel from there via WDW transportation; the easiest thing to do is get on a park bus and change to WL from there. If you have a car, of course, it's not a big deal.

 

[Chloesmom]

I love the food at AKL. Boma is a great buffet. We are staying at AKL this trip and we are eating breakfast and a dinner there. I am really looking forward to it. Jiko is my favorite restaurant at WDW. I have had nothing but great food there and the service is always great. I am not going there this time since I decided not to put DD thru the upscale dining experience. We do however plan on getting dessert at least once at the bar there since I dream about their pistachio brulee... yum.
It is very close to AK.. like 5 minutes. Its a beautiful resort. I am so thrilled that I get to stay there this trip!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

The counter service at AKL(The Mara) is one of the best at all of the Disney hotels. I love that I can get desserts there that you would normally have to eat at Boma for(I love Boma for dinner). The Mara has a wide variety of hot and cold menu items, and I think it would be a nice break from the park for lunch.

 

[MamaKate]

We love the dining at AKL. If you like to try different foods you will love Boma!! We've ate there for both breakfast and dinner.

Jiko is my favorite restuarant in WDW. I love there flatbreads.

Mara is good for counterservice because the have the basics plus a couple items that you won't find on regular counterservice menus. My daugther loves getting the soup of the day.

 

[JD3419]

Boma is by far our favorite restaurant on property. Their soups and desserts alone make it worth eating here.

 

[crisi]

I'm not a Boma fan, but lots of people are. Boma serves Breakfast and Dinner but not lunch. You definately need reservations.

Jiko is fancy - not somewhere I'd go to straight from a full day at AK - its a "shower first" restaurant in my opinion (I'm sure plenty of people go straight from the park).

Mara is their counterservice - I agree, its a great counterservice restaurant.

AKL requires a short (5 minute) bus ride/cab ride/drive from the AK.

 

[disneytraveler]

Jiko for dinner and Boma for breakfast are my favorites.

 

[Marci]

Just back from a stay at AKL. We ate B and D at mara--good counter service for both meals. It was very nice to eat outside around the pool.
We had breakfast at Boma 2x and it was very good. I would assume dinner would be good as well.
Had dinner at Jiko and it was excellent. People were wearing dinner jackets there (we were in a sundress and polo and didn't feel uncomfy).

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Another vote for Boma here. I think it might be my husband's favorite restaurant -- definitely his favorite buffet. My girl's love it too.

The only person I know who didn't like it is my mom -- but the older she gets the pickier she gets. She doesn't like some spices -- like clove, alspice, ginger.

 

[AKL_obsessed]

Boma and Jiko are our favorite restaurants in WDW. I dream of dinner at Jiko until we get to Disney again lmao. Not kidding either.....
Its awesome. A must......

Its a very short hop from the park as well.

 

[cdrn1]

For me, AKL has some of the best dining on WDW property. Jiko is out of this world it is so good (food, service, and atmosphere) and Boma is the best buffet I have ever eaten. And Mara has wonderful unusual selections for counter service.