Jambo, Lauri, and welcome to planDisney! Animal Kingdom Lodge is such a unique resort hotel and has some of the best dining at Disney World. And it’s the practically perfect place to meet up for dinner, since you don’t need a theme park ticket or even to be staying at a Disney resort hotel!
If you’re coming from another resort hotel on property and would like to use complimentary Disney transportation, you can take a
bus to Animal Kingdom Theme Park (even though you won’t be entering the park) and then switch to a bus headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Keep in mind that this bus will typically make two stops,
Animal Kingdom Lodge (where you’ll find
Jiko and
Boma, and is sometimes referred to as
Jambo House) and
Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village (where you’ll find
Sanaa).
For a direct route to Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can use a ride-share service, like
Minnie Van Service, or drive your own vehicle. If you’re going with the latter, parking is often limited to overnight guests and those with a dining reservation. So you may need to show your dining reservation in the
My Disney Experience app at the security booth before entering the parking lot.
You can’t go wrong with any of the three table service restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge. At Jambo House, Boma is my family’s must-do because it has plenty of options for both picky and adventurous eaters. And the buffet setup makes it easy to try new things, like the delicious bobotie, which is a classic South African casserole-style comfort dish. We also love
Jiko for celebrating special occasions, and they have an impressive collection of African wines. And finally, Sanaa at Kidani Village is such a cool place because you can see animals right from the tables near the windows.
When my family eats at Animal Kingdom Lodge, we always plan to arrive a little early so we can spend time watching the giraffes and zebras from the savanna viewing areas.
I’m wishing you a magical visit with your family and friends next month! And if you have any other questions, you’re always welcome back at planDisney.
JoAnna