Hey Brandie!
I am so excited to see that you are going to be staying at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, this is my daughter's favorite resort. It's such a great idea to spend the first day at Walt Disney World exploring and getting all settled in. There are many great dining option to enjoy at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. You can enjoy the popular signature dining spot,
Jiko - The Cooking Place which would really kick off your vacation with a bang. Another popular option is
Sanaa, which is famous for their Indian-style bread service. For something a little bit more low key, you could always check out
Boma Flavors of Africa which is a beautiful buffet boasting dishes inspired from over 50 African countries. You can't go wrong with any of these options. However, if none of this appeals to you, there are so many other options! Restaurants at any of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are open for you to choose from. Also, any restaurant at Disney Springs would be a great option because it does not require theme park admission. Some of my very favorite restaurants that don't require a theme park ticket are:
- 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort for an all-you-care-to-enjoy Polynesian inspired dinner
- Cape May Cafe at Disney's Beach Club Resort for a buffet style clam bake with all-you-care-to-enjoy crab legs
- STK Orlando at Disney Springs for a classic Signature style meal
- Blaze Pizza at Disney Springs for more of a fast casual dinner
I hope this helps give you some suggestions. Enjoy your dinner!