Animal Kingdom Lodge

Okay, as promised here is more info on Animal Kingdom Lodge:

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) is the first Disney resort to be completely and consistantly tied into the theming of a nearby theme park - in this case, Disney's Animal Kingdom park. The transition from the Animal Kingdom theme park to the Animal Kingdom lodge hotel is seamless. The resort was designed by Peter Dominick and opened on April 16, 2001. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) is the newest deluxe resort on Walt Disney World Resort property and the resort is beautiful and brilliantly themed to resemble a South African Wildlife reserve. The resort has three savannah areas ( Arusha Rock, Uzima, and Sunset Savannahs) with live animals. At how many resorts can you look out from your balcony and see giraffes?

The Animal Kingdom Lodge resort has two main areas: Jambo House is the original portion of the resort and has the largest lobby area; this is where the typical hotel reservations and Disney's Magic Your Package reservations have typically occurred. Disney recently added some new Disney Vacation Club (DVC - timeshare program) Villa reservation options in both the Jambo House and their new Kidani village area - which opened in 2009. Reservations in this area are not limited to DVC members; the general public can reserve accomodations in the Disney Vacation Club Villas areas on a space available basis. You do receive daily maid / housekeeping service when you reserve accomodations in the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Villa (DVC) areas.
Because this resort is so new and modern, both the main resort area and the Kidani Village area have very nice pool areas with zero-depth entry.

Pro & Con
Advantages - The animals make this a unique and special resort. The standard (non-view) rooms are one of the best deals to be found at a Disney deluxe resort. Very nice pool - in fact, the pool area in the Kidani Village (Disney Vacation Club - DVC) area is probably the best pool for young children anywhere on Disney property. The fact that this isn't in a "resort area" and is a bit off the beaten path means that you have less non-resort guests just wandering through the lobby. A stay here is both restful and an experience in itself.
Disadvantages - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is only deluxe resort that offers only bus transporation to the Disney theme parks. You are closest to the Animal Kingdom theme park but this deluxe resort is the farthest Disney resort hotel from the Magic Kingdom theme park. This is a "stand-alone" resort, meaning that it isn't in a cluster of resorts; while this definitely makes the public areas less conjested by non-resort guests, it also limits your nearby dining options. There are three sit-down restaurants and a food court on AKL property.
Exclusive to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort : The Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is an activity offered exclusively to Concierge level guests of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is offered twice weekly and lasts offers a special tour along the Kilimanjaro Safari ride path in the Animal Kingdom theme park. A breakfast buffet is served at the Tusker House restaurant. The Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure costs $150 per person age 10 and older and $75 per child ages 8 or 9. Children must be 8 years or older to participate. There is very limited availability for the Safari so advance reservations should be made as early as possible. Concierge / Club Level guests also have the opportunity to book and expereicne the Wildlife Dsicovery Excursion at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. The Wanyama safari is offered to club level guests at a discounted price. Amenities
The Uzima Pool has a Waterslide and is a large zero entry pool.
Secluded and landscaped Spa / whirlpool area
Small wading pool for the kids
3 Savannah areas with African wildlife viewing areas.
Staff includes goodwill ambassadors from African countries, available to answer questions.
Fire pits with nightly storytelling experience.
Most rooms have 2 queen beds.
Rooms with queen bed + bunk beds are a nice option for families with a boy and girl.
Rooms come with mini-refrigerator
Four On-site Restaurants
On-Site shopping
Resort shuttle - complimentary Disney's Magical Express Airport transfers between the resort and the Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Free bus transportation to the Disney Theme Parks, Disney Water Parks, and Downtown Disney.
Free Parking for registered resort guests.
Special resort activities
Pumba's Fun and Games Arcade
Simba's Clubhouse - onsite childcare (fee)
Hakuna Matata Playground
Coin Laundry available
All rooms are non-smoking
Cribs & highchairs available
King Bed rooms available
Some rooms have an in-room Jacuzzi.
Zahanati Massage and Fitness Center
Outdoor sports courts and picnic tables
Valet parking available
Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining
Mara - Food court area open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Victoria Falls Lounge - a messanine lounge overlooking the Boma restaurant.
Boma - wonderful buffet offering breakfast and dinner
Jiko - Specialty dining offering dinner only. This location takes two Disney Dining Plan table service credits per person.
Sanaa - wonderful new sit-down restaurant in the Kidani Village (DVC) area.
Uzima Springs Poolside Bar
Animal Kingdom Lodge Shopping
Zawadi Marketplace - offers African themed items as well as Disney's Animal Kingdom lodge logo items. This is a unique gift shop.
Transportation
Guests may use Disney's Magical Express - a shuttle bus service included in your reservation - between the Orlando International Airport and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Disney buses are available to take Animal Kingdom Lodge guests to the Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney.
Jambo House Room View Options
All of the rooms have balconies.
Handicap access rooms available.
Standard View overlooks the parking lot. These are some of the least expensive rooms at a Disneyworld deluxe resort.
Pool View - Overlooks the pool area. Most rooms have 2 queen beds and are 344 square feet. Some king-bedded rooms available. The king bed rooms also have a day bed.
Pool View / Bunk Bed - Overlooks the pool area. These rooms have 1 queen beds and a bunk bed. 344 square feet.
Pool View / Deluxe Room - Overlooks the pool area. These rooms have three configurations: 1 queen bed and a bunk bed; 2 queen beds; - or - a king bed and daybed. 381 square feet.
Savannah View - These rooms overlook the Wildlife viewing / Savannah areas. Most rooms have 2 queen beds and are 344 square feet. Some king bedded rooms available. The king bed rooms also have a day bed.
Savannah View / Bunk Bed - Overlooks the Savannah Wildlife viewing areas. These rooms have 1 queen beds and a bunk bed. 344 square feet.
Savannah View / Deluxe Room - Overlook the Savannah areas. These rooms have three configurations: 1 queen beds and a bunk bed; 2 queen beds; - or - a king bed and daybed. 381 square feet.
Club Level / Pool View or Savanah View - These rooms are the size of the deluxe rooms but offer extra amenities. Kilimanjaro Club level guests receive personalized front desk and Concierge service, evening turndown service with chocolates, secure key access to the Club Level Lounge which serves light refreshments from 7:00AM to 10:00PM daily; complimentary Health Club access, and complimentary fax assisatance.
Club Level / 1 Bedroom Suite - Pool View or Savanah View - These rooms have one bedroom with 2 queen sized beds; the parlor area also has a queen sized sofa sleeper - this suite can sleep six. Kilimanjaro Club level guests receive personalized front desk and Concierge service, evening turndown service with chocolates, secure key access to the Club Level Lounge which serves light refreshments from 7:00AM to 10:00PM daily; complimentary Health Club access, and complimentary fax assisatance.
Club Level / 2 Bedroom Suite - Savanah View - These rooms have two bedrooms - the first bedroom has a king bed; the second bedroom has 2 queen sized beds; and the parlor area also has a queen sized sofa sleeper - this suite can sleep eight people. Kilimanjaro Club level guests receive personalized front desk and Concierge service, evening turndown service with chocolates, secure key access to the Club Level Lounge which serves light refreshments from 7:00AM to 10:00PM daily; complimentary Health Club access, and complimentary fax assisatance.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villa Options
All of the rooms have balconies.
Handicap access rooms available.
Standard View overlooks the parking lot, resort, or pool.
Savannah view overlooks one of the three wildlife viewing areas.
Jambo House - Studio unit - Standard View or Savannah View. These rooms have a queen bed and a double size sleeper sofa. The kitchenette has a mini-refrigerator, a microwave, coffee maker, and table & chairs. Sleeps 4.
Jambo House - 1 Bedroom Unit - Standard View or Savannah View. These rooms have a master bedroom with a king bed and whirlpool tub. The living room has a queen size sleeper sofa and a single-size sleeper chair. The unit has a fully equipped kitchen and washer and dryer. Sleeps 5.
Kidani Village - Studio unit - Standard View or Savannah View. These rooms have a queen bed and a double size sleeper sofa. The kitchenette has a mini-refrigerator, a microwave, coffee maker, and table & chairs. Sleeps 4.
Kidani Village - 1 Bedroom Unit - Standard View or Savannah View. These rooms have a master bedroom with a king bed and whirlpool tub. The living room has a queen size sleeper sofa and a single-size sleeper chair. The unit has a fully equipped kitchen and washer and dryer. Sleeps 5.
Kidani Village - 2 Bedroom Unit - Savannah View. These rooms have a master bedroom with a king bed and whirlpool tub. The second bedroom has 2 queen beds and a bath. The living room has a queen size sleeper sofa and a single-size sleeper chair. The unit has a fully equipped kitchen and washer and dryer. Sleeps 9.
 
IMHO:
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort is where we go to hang out when we have spare time - we love this hotel. The details that went into the design of this Kraal African Village themed resort are nothing short of amazing. The animal viewing areas are a treat and you definitely get the resort experience at this wonderful and unique WDW hotel. This resort is sophisticated enough to appeal to honeymooners and guests travelling without children while the pool and on-site amenities also make it a perfect location for families. We've also had some wonderful cross-cultural experiences and conversations with the cast members here. This hotel is some of Disney's finest work as far as attention to detail and theming goes.

So the good news is we are in a MUCH cooler hotel. The bad news is that only one room is a Savannah view room. Dad, John & Pizza you all will be viewing the pool.

The hotel has plenty of great areas to view all the critters and you are all more than welcome to come and hang in our room and sit on the balcony.

Staying here also switches up the dining game a little bit since Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to BOMA our favorite restraurant.

Eating there isn't even a choice. It's a total must. Since Boma is the  most expensive buffet on property if we are going to do it (sorry, WHEN) I think it makes the dinning plan a no brainer and a must.

Check out the menu with an open mind. The food is amazing and there is something for everyone if you are willing to be a little on the adventerious side. Like I tell the boys: At a buffet, take a little of everything. If you hate it, no worries. If you like it great!

MENUS!
Boma Breakfast
Menu Date: November 2010
Breakfast Served 7:30 - 11 a.m.
Adults $24.49, Children 3-9 $13.84
Price includes tax - gratuity additional
Special Pricing May Apply During Specific Times of the Year

Boma is a family restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. It will capture the essence of vibrant life in the African marketplace. This family-fun buffet restaurant provides guests the ability to savor the African experience, which has multicultural influences. The restaurant showcases an exhibit kitchen, wood-burning grill and rotisserie.
This is an all you can eat experience, but unlike traditional buffet lines, where you start at one end and work your way across...Boma offers "pods". Each pod has a selection of food and generally a chef nearby to answer questions.
Morning offerings may include fresh fruit, African pastries, omelets, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, cereal, quinoa, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pap and wors, and corn beef bobotie.

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Breakfast features over 45 different items!
Menu Items Always Subject to Change

Boma
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Dinner Menu
Menu Date: November 2010
Dinner Served 5:00pm - 10:00 p.m.
Boma is a family restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. It will capture the essence of vibrant life in the African marketplace. This family-fun buffet restaurant provides guests the ability to savor the African experience, which has multicultural influences. The restaurant showcases an exhibit kitchen, wood-burning grill and rotisserie.
This is an all you can eat experience, but unlike traditional buffet lines, where you start at one end and work your way across...Boma offers "pods". Each pod has a selection of food and generally a chef nearby to answer questions.
Adults - $39.40; Children 3-9 - $19.16
Tax included - gratuity additional
Seasonal Pricing May Apply During Specific Times of the Year
Non-alcoholic, non-specialty drink included in price.

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The dinner menu changes daily. This listing gives you an idea of the types of foods that may be offered, over 60 items on the buffet.
African Breads
Mixed Field Greens:
Mango Vinaigrette, Paw Paw Vinaigrette,
Chili Cilantro Vinaigrette, Balsamic Vinaigrette
Potato Salad
Fresh Fruit
Avocado, Grapefruit and Papaya Salad
Pasta Salad
Watermelon Rind Salad
Kool Slaai
Chicken Salad with Chili Cilantro
Moroccan Seafood Salad - Couscous, mussels, scallops and shrimp
Avocado, Grapefruit, Papaya, Curry Cucumber Salad, Spinach and Beet Salad
Macaroni and Cheese
Saffron Rice
African Soups and Stews May Include 1 or 2 of these:
Chicken Corn Porridge
Smoked Tomato Soup
Creamy Carrot and Ginger Soup
Coconut Currey Seafood Soup
Seafood Gumbo
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Vegetable Lentil Kofta
Pap
Braised Greens
FuFu - sweet and white potatoes mashed with coriander and cinnamon
Potatoes with Afritude
Durban Spiced Roasted Chicken
Malabu Pepper Steak
Grilled Seafood
Wood Roasted Meats
Bobotie - lamb and beef quiche with onions, raisins and bread.
Vegetable Skewers
Chicken Pepper Pot
Coconut Curried Chicken Soup
Curried Coconut Seafood Stew
Couscous Marrakesh
Chicken Tenders
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Wonderful Dessert Buffet including:
Zebra Domes
Simba Paw Prints


There is also another restaurant in the hotel we've never eaten at. It's a sitdown affair. They do offer a kids menu so this is also an option for us.

Jiko
The Cooking Place
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Flatbreads
Grilled Flank Steak - with Manchego cheese, caramelized onions, arugula and berbere sour cream $11
Barbecue Chicken Flatbread - with Apple-Jicama slaw, African barbecue sauce, and four cheeses $10
Kalamata Olive Flatbread - With four cheeses and Laura Chenel soft goat cheese $9

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Appetizers
Grilled Wild Boar Tenderloin - with Mealie Pap, Chakalaka, White Truffle Oil and micro cilantro $16
Crispy Beef Bobotie Roll - with cucumber raita, green mango atjar and honey roasted ground nuts $9
Artisan Cheese Selection - Five tasting portions from Around the World $14
Tibs Watt in Panekoeke - braised beef rolled in "crepes" with peppadew-olive tapenade $9
Taste of Africa - Trio of Dips with Assorted Breads and House-made Naan $9

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Soups and Salads
Heirloom Tomatoes - with midnight moon, red onion, dhania chutney, extra virgin olive oil and micro basil $14
Jiko Salad - with heirloom apple, pistachio, pumpkin seen, sheep's milk cheese and pomegranate vinaigrette $13
Braised Beet Salad - with smoked bacon, goat cheese, shallot marmalade and sherry vinaigrette $11
Sweet Corn Bisque - with with Peekytoe Crab, pickled celery, and cilantro-green chili yogurt $9

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Entrees
Seared Irish Salmon - with succotash, peppadew peppers, applewood smoked bacon $37
Seared Barbarie Duck Breast - potato and spinach masala, chanterelles, bruleed fig and port emulsion $39
Grilled Shrimp Curry - with citrus-coconut basmati, early fall vegetables and Durban curry sauce $30
Roasted Lamb Loin - with heirloom tomato-chickpea salad, bacon vinaigrette and Kottumbari relish $38
Sikhumbuzo's Peri Peri Chicken - with cassava, french beans, mango sambal, caramelized onion jus $28
Berbere Pork Loin - with black eyed pea risotto, mustard greens, baby eggplant and tomato jam $344
Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon - with two potato gratin, gruyere, broccolini and red wine sauce $41
Maize-crusted Halibut - with Vegetables of the Moment and Tomato-Butter Sauce $38
Aleecha, Shimbra Asa, and Inguday Tibs - with goat cheese cream $26

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Desserts
A Sweet Ending to Your Celebration
Cape Malva Pudding - warm Cape Dutch cake with vanilla custard, mango and apricot sorbet $9
Amarula Creme Brulee - With a chocolate-layered bottom, white chocolate, cranberry, and pistachio biscotti $9
Cheesecake and Blueberries - creamy cheesecake with lemon curd, blueberry coulis, blueberry compote and sesame "bee sting" $9
Tarzanian Chocolate, Chery and chocolate - Chocolate cremeux with chocolate crunch, chocolate-cherry mascarpone and cocoa nibs $10
Three Sisters - Chocolate Pistachio Creme, Cheesecake with vanilla creme anglaise, madeleine with strawberries and cream $9

For breakfast or to satsify a hunger pang they also have a quick service joint called Mara

Mara
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jambo House
Breakfast
The Mara Story -- the Masai Mara National Reserve is approximately 170 miles west of Nairobi and is part of the Serengeti ecosystem in Northern Tanzania. It has been a game conservation area since 1889. The reserve consists of well watered grassland plains, standing at an altitude of 1,650 meters/5,413 feet, and crossed by two permanent rivers, the Mara and Talek.
The western Kenya Highlands are drained by a number of rivers that empty into Lake Victoria. The Mara River in the southwest highlands flows southward for about 160 kilometers/100 miles, enters Tanzania, and turns westward to flow for almost another 160 kilometers 100 miles into Lake Victoria. (taken from the sign outside Mara).

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Refillable Mug $13.49
Adult Breakfast Platter - scrambled eggs, potatoes, biscuit and bacon $6.29
Breakfast Bounty Platter - scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, Mickey waffle, biscuit $8.29

Croissant Sandwich $5.99
Mickey Waffle $5.69
Child's Mickey Waffle $4.39
Oatmeal $2.49
Breakfast Wrap $5.59

Side of Bacon or Sausage $1.99
Side of Breakfast Potatoes $2.39
Cinnamon Roll $2.59
Bagel $2.29

Muffin $2.29
Danish $2.39
Smoothies $4.29
Mara Cappuccino $3.19
Espresso $2.69
Cafe Latte $3.19
Mara Caffe Mocha $3.69
Extra Shot of Espresso $1.00
For Young Safari Guides 9 and under - Children's Breakfast Platter $4.39


Mara
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Lunch/Dinner
Refillable Mug $13.49
Chicken Flatbread - corn, mozzarella and zough drizzle $8.29
Cheese Flatbread $6.99
Vegetable Flatbread - olives, cheese, pesto $7.99
Half Chicken Dinner $9.49
Chicken Breast Nuggets $7.69
African Stew $7.89

Bacon Double Cheeseburger $8.59
Fried Shrimp Platter $9.69
Falafel Pita $8.19
Turkey Ciabatta - $8.59
Chicken Pita $8.79
Mara Salad with Chicken $8.99
Chicken Caesar Salad $7.79
Caesar Salad $5.79

Soups $2.59
Cheesecake $3.29
Carrot Cake $3.59
Zebra Domes $3.69
Fresh Baked Cookies $2.09
Kids' Picks - Ages 9 and under
Kid's Burger with Apple Sauce $4.99
Roasted Chicken with Apple Sauce $6.49
Macaroni and Cheese with Apple Sauce $4.99
Cheese Piza $4.99
Chicken Nuggets $4.99