Visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge

[Mazzy]

We thought we would visit AKL whilst we are at AK and wondered if anyone could recommend where best to view the animals from? Thanks. Also suggestions for food would be helpful.

 

[nfggirl5454]

I would recommend going to Sanaa in Kidani house, I love that restaurant. When you walk into the Kidani lobby, Sanaa is on the floor directly below that, and there's an animal viewing area outside the restaurant. If you go in the daytime, for lunch or an early dinner, you can get a window seat and watch the animals while you're eating. I've only been to Jambo house once, to a later dinner at Boma, but I'm fairly certain there's an animal viewing area over there too. I know Boma gets rave reviews on the boards, but I much preferred Sanaa personally.

 

[Pakey]

There are viewing spots throughout both resorts-both Jambo and Kidani have some right off the lobby. The only restaurant that has viewing is Sanaa at Kidani. Not all tables have views and even if you get a window table, there may not be animals out and about while you dine. My late lunch meal of almost 2 hours (we weren't in a hurry) had one bird in view for the entire time and nothing else.

As far as dining, there's Sanaa, Boma and Jiko. I've dined at all 3 multiple times. I would look at menus and see what appeals to you as they are all very different. I like all three of them and enjoy the foods and the atmosphere. Sanaa is Indian inspired. The menu is not huge but all of the dishes I have tried have been outstanding and the servers can tell you what dishes are more seasoned/spiced to fit your tastes. Boma is a very large buffet that will allow you to try dishes you won't see anywhere else at WDW. Jiko is a signature and IMO, has the tamest food of the three. Some of the appetizers are unique but the entrees are not--my picky friends felt there was plenty to choose from here (as opposed to Boma and Sanaa). Sanaa is at Kidana and the other two are at Jambo.

The counter service, Mara, is probably my favorite resort counter service at WDW if you would rather do that than make an ADR for a table service. It is located at Jambo.

 

[figment_jii]

If you're heading to AKL, both Kidani and Jambo House have excellent locations to view the animals from. At Jambo House, the main look out is the Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook. At Kidani, the main savanna is the Sunset Savanna. Depending on the time of day and weather, you might see zebra, giraffes, hogs, birds, ankole cattle, Wildebeast, eland, and/or gemsbok, plus some others.

Both savanna are amazing and if you go during the day, there is usually a CM (or two) out on the outlooks that can give you a lot of information about the animals you're seeing. I found talking to the CMs very informative and interesting.

In terms of the two different buildings, if I could only choose one, I'd go to Jambo House. I have to admit, some oft he reason I liked Jambo better is that the store is bigger and I felt like there was more to see and do in the lobby and surrounding areas at Jambo.

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions. As we want to be flexible, I think we will go to the counter service, as we will be visiting in the middle of our park visit, then going back to AK for the parade, so need to be flexible. It all sounds great, thanks to everyone for your input!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am enjoying this thread. DH and I take the autotrain to Sanford then drive to Fort Myers to visit MIL. We often like to stop at WDW for lunch on the way through and thought we'd like to stop at AKL.

If we do stop and only go to counter service, will they let us park at the hotel? I know they will if you have a sit-down reservation because we have done that at Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge. Or should I get a sit down reservation for lunch?

Thanks for your help.

 

[chicagoshannon]

We visited in November. I would recommend waiting until after 11am. We were there around 10am and most of the animals weren't out yet. They were having physicals. I'm. Of sure if it happens every day but it felt like it was an everyday occurrence.

We still enjoyed our visit even without seeing many animals. The staff were great. We got to see a real ostrich egg up close.

 

[Mazzy]

We visited in November. I would recommend waiting until after 11am. We were there around 10am and most of the animals weren't out yet. They were having physicals. I'm. Of sure if it happens every day but it felt like it was an everyday occurrence.

We still enjoyed our visit even without seeing many animals. The staff were great. We got to see a real ostrich egg up close.

Thanks for the tip, we will be going either at lunchtime, in the middle of our park visit, or after the parade, we will see how the day goes for time. Wow to the ostrich egg!

 

[fintywalker]

We now stay at AKL Mazzy, we've moved on from POFQ LOL, anyway, not keen on Boma, Sanaa is fantastic, The Mara quick service is so so, but there are loads of viewing areas with rocking chairs all round. kidani Village has a lovely viewing area not far from Sanaa where you can get fantastic photos. We loved POFQ for years but *** it's always full they never offer a discount, it is actually £75 cheaper to stay at AKL for us this year.

 

[disnut8]

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions. As we want to be flexible, I think we will go to the counter service, as we will be visiting in the middle of our park visit, then going back to AK for the parade, so need to be flexible. It all sounds great, thanks to everyone for your input!

Not sure of your eating habits but Mara pizza is one of the best onsite we've gotten (and my guys are pizza lovers so three pies in ten days was enough said). You can order a whole pizza and then take it outside and enjoy. Truly lovely.

 

[Mazzy]

We now stay at AKL Mazzy, we've moved on from POFQ LOL, anyway, not keen on Boma, Sanaa is fantastic, The Mara quick service is so so, but there are loads of viewing areas with rocking chairs all round. kidani Village has a lovely viewing area not far from Sanaa where you can get fantastic photos. We loved POFQ for years but *** it's always full they never offer a discount, it is actually £75 cheaper to stay at AKL for us this year.

It's interesting you should say that, Deborah, lol, and I did consider AKL, but we decided to stick with POFQ as we like the location, the boats to DTD, the smallness of the resort (less walking distance to the room) and also, it holds a lot of memories for us. We have two rooms this year so looking forward to having more space. Really looking forward to visiting AKL, we did visit very briefly a few years ago, but can't remember much about it at all, so looking forward to it.

 

[Mazzy]

Not sure of your eating habits but Mara pizza is one of the best onsite we've gotten (and my guys are pizza lovers so three pies in ten days was enough said). You can order a whole pizza and then take it outside and enjoy. Truly lovely.

Ooooh thanks, sounds perfect then, lol, my son is a total pizza fiend and the rest of us are right behind him, so thanks for that!