Review: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House in 2024
Choosing your hotel for the most magical place on earth can be overwhelming. To make the process easier, Here’s everything you need to know about the accommodations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.First and foremost-- Having a Savannah on a resort property is mind-blowing, especially in ORLANDO. Jambo House at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is an incredibly themed hotel at Walt Disney World. Overall, Animal Kingdom Lodge is ranked as my favorite Deluxe Hotel at Walt Disney World.Having stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge a few times in different room types, I'm excited to share this review. One of the biggest reasons why I love Jambo House, and Animal Kingdom Lodge overall is because it provides an unmatched level of theming and immersion. You could absolutely do a weekend at AKL without ever leaving the resort. 
Animal Kingdom Lodge Basics
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Resort located next to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.
In addition to offering views of real African animals from both the resort grounds and its resort rooms, Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the best-themed resorts at Walt Disney World.
What’s the Vibe like at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
The theming is beautiful. African art, carvings, and cultural representations throughout. That theming is carried inside of the rooms, and far beats any of the other WDW resorts.It looks and feels like you've traveled to an African savanna, complete with 30 different species of animals. To have this at a hotel in Florida is pretty wild! The huge savanna is right outside Jambo House’s lobby, and you can walk down there, or watch from rocking chairs located on lobby balconies. It’s a peaceful hotel, richly themed, and ideal for slowing down, and relaxing. There’s tons of nooks and crannies throughout Animal Kingdom Lodge that you’re guaranteed to discover something new. Various art collections to admire, awesome napping corners, and good conforms food. 
Room Types at Animal Kingdom Lodge
There are four types of Villas available. There are three different price categories essentially based on the view, etc: Value, Standard, and Savanna.
Studios
One Bedroom Villas
Two Bedroom Villas
Three Bedroom Villas
In addition to standard/villa room sizes, Jambo House offers 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom, and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. The most notable rooms are the savanna view and Kilimanjaro Club.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Rooms
The rooms in Jambo House do differ from Kidani Village, but the differences are very minimal.Decor
Dark and drab vibes. These rooms will ultimately come down to personal preference. Lots lot patterns, and texture carved into the wood. Themed the artwork on the walls.
Comfort
The bedding and mattress have been THE BOMB! Their beds are some of the most comfortable Walt Disney World beds I've EVER slept on. The pillows, however, aren't so great. I'd consider brining your own if you need one that's got more support.
Views
I’ve yet to have a bad view at Animal Kingdom Lodge. A good amount of the rooms provide some sort of a savanna view. I’ve done pool view and most recently a partial savanna view while staying at Jambo House.
The savanna view does cost more, but if you plan to spend a good amount of time in your room, it’s worth it.
Room Set Up
During our most recent stay, we were in a partial savanna-view room on the second level, super far away from the lobby.This room is about 350 square feet. Two queen beds, Large TV, a small table with chairs, and a good amount of closing storage. The best part by far is the private balcony with giraffes, zebra’s and more
The Bathroom Situation
Pretty spacious! No real wow factors for me.Toiletries are supplied by H20The bathroom has a double vanity separate from the shower area. 
Animal Kingdom Lodge– In-Room Amenities
Fast Wifi ideal if working remote!Coffee maker and Joffrey's coffeeSmart room technology for automated heating and air conditioningIn-room safeIron and ironing boardHair dryer and make-up mirror
Animal Kingdom Lodge Hotel Amenities
-African drumming -2 Swimming Pools (Heated year round as needed)-2 spas at the Uzima Pool-Enclosed splash pad area.-Playground-Fuelrod charging stations-Covered patio area with rocking chairs overlooking the savanna-Large gift shop.-Free Wi-FI throughout.-Upscale dinning options.-Complimentary buss transpiration to and from the theme parks.-Fitness center.Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge
AKL has hands down the most unique food options in all of Disney World. There is a variety of quick-service, table-service and lounges at Animal Kingdom Lodge, providing lots of dining options for your budget. 
Boma
Flavors of Africa is the breakfast and dinner restaurant located in Jambo, It ’s an all you can eat style restaurant. There are no characters (unlike at many similar Disney restaurants)
The Mara
For a less expensive on-site dining option, go to the Mara. The Mara is a quick service option that we utilized almost every morning for breakfast. It's behind the Jambo lobby. Mara had really good hot items such as egg croissant, fried eggs, ham-and-cheese sandwiches and Mickey waffles, cheeseburgers and flatbread, as well as grab-and-go snacks and drinks.
Sanaa
Sanaa is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast, Sanaa operates as a quick-service restaurant with no reservations required. Some of the breakfast choices include, sausage, bacon, eggs and African home fries, along with grab-and-go options. For lunch and dinner, enjoy African cooking with Indian flavors. Reservations are highly recommended for lunch and dinner, and you can also order your meal to-go via mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app. If you just want a quick drink or appetizer, Sanaa Lounge is also available for walk-up.
Victoria Falls Lounge
Overlooking the Boma restaurant, Victoria Falls Lounge offers appetizers and a wide variety of specialty cocktails, beers, South African wines and more. Usually the lounge is only open in the evenings.
Pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Prepare to be wowed! AKL has one of the largest pools at a Walt Disney World resort (Jambo area of the resort). The second pool has small waterslides and a kids play area on the Kidani side.You can use both pools when staying at either Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort property – many people don’t know this and stay at the pool where they’re staying.
1. Samawati Springs Pool
Although the biggest, it always seems to be the busiest. Features a 128-foot waterslide and zero-depth-entry.Closest to the Kingdom Villas – Kidani.
2.Uzima Springs Pool
Zero-depth entry point similar to that of a natural beach, and with a 67-foot-long waterslide. Two spas.Faces the Uzima Savanna.
Uwanja Camp Playground
AKL’s playground with 3 zones to accommodate kids of all ages.
At Observation Station, children 4 years of age and younger can climb through cargo crates, unscramble animal images and frolic through a gently bubbling geyser and shallow cistern pool—while you watch nearby.
At Departure Zone, a leaky water tower and sneaky African irises squirt children 5 to 7 years of age.
At Base Camp, kids 8 years of age and up can SOAK each other with water cannons.
Carson loved the playground. It also featured some flamingos!
Animal Kingdom Lodge Exclusive Theme Park Benefits
Extended Evening Magic Hours on select nights.Early Magic Hour accesss.Complimentary bus transportation from AKL to WDW + Disney SpringsResort-wide charging privileges with your room.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation To and From Walt Disney World
AKL is pretty far from the parks, with the exception of Animal Kingdom. Because of the distance, taking the bus to and from the parks typically takes about 30-45 minutes. Not the end of the world, but it can be a hassle with children, and if you're limited on time inside the parks. 
Things to Consider When Booking Animal Kingdom Lodge:
AKL is a huge resort, and is really spread out. It might take you a little bit longer to get to and from your hotel room, to the pools, and to the busses.If you love the idea of waking up to drink coffee with view of animals on from your private balcony, then book the room with a view. Carson watched the animals for hours.This resort doesn't really have much outside space where you can walk and enjoy getting close to the savanna animals.$25.00 per night for parking.
My Overall Review on Animal Kingdom Lodge:
Overall, Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite resorts at Walt Disney World, and I prefer Jambo Houseover Kidani Village. AKL well worth the Deluxe price if you can afford it. The savanna makes Animal Kingdom Lodge by far the coolest resort in Florida. Where else can you experience live Africa wildlife right outside your window?!The hotel lobby is breathtaking, and the staff have always been externely friendly and helpful.You get the most well-rounded dining options compared to any WDW resort. It’s cheaper that most of the other Deluxe hotels making it more appealing for families or those on a tighter budget. 
Animal Kingdom Lodge is *the* WDW hotel you should stay when you want a Walt Disney World trip that emphasizes the resort experience over the parks.
AKL does a great job at balancing being very family friendly AND romantic enough for couples, and honeymooners.The best perk at AKL is the Extended Evening Magic Hours. Especially if you're visiting during one of the busiest times of the year. The transportation situation can be really annoying, especially if you’ve got children. It would be the only reason why I wouldn't recommend AKL.For the price, I would also consider stay somewhere else if you're not planning to spend a good chunk of your time enjoying the resort
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