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Mother, Son, Giraffe, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Animal Kingdom, Savannah
  • On Jul 15, 2008
    Crystal from PA Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi Erin! You have been so helpful! We are planning on dining at the AKL-you don't have to be a guest there right? Would you recommend Jiko or Boma to us? We wanted something different and heard the atmosphere at the AKL is wonderful!

    You do not have to be a guest of any of the Disney resorts to dine there. I have eaten at the Animal Kingdom Lodge several times over the years, but will actually be staying there for the first time this September (savannah view villa, VERY excited). The Lodge itself is beautiful with incredible African art on display (Disney Mom Laura is a real expert on this, if you want more info you should direct a question to her).

    I would recommend either Boma or Jiko, depending on your mood and your budget. To get a full picture of the food offered at each restaurant, you should go to the website allearsnet.com, click on the search button (near the top right) and search on the terms "Boma menu" and "Jiko menu." You'll see what the food offerings and recent pricing are here.

    Boma is a buffet. There are some standard American dishes for the non-so-adventurous, but most of the buffet is African foods. I heard this description on a Travel Channel show about the AKL, but I'm going to borrow it here ... the food is spiced, but not spicy. I lived in Manhattan for 10 years and ate a lot of food from a variety of countries, but had never had much experience with African cooking until I dined at Boma. So yummy. One great thing about the buffet is that you can take very small portions of many dishes, see what you like best and then go back for more. It's a great way to get an overview of a new cuisine.

    Jiko is one of Disney's upscale signature dining restaurants. The service is impeccable. This dishes are gourmet, with incredible tastes, textures, and presentation. The wine list is said to be the finest selection of African wines in the United States. This is a truly special place to eat. If you're in the mood to pamper yourself, then Jiko is certainly the place to go.

    I hope you enjoy your meal at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, whichever restaurant you choose.

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Meet the Panelist: Erin, New York

I have three teenage daughters. We're DVC members obsessed with Disney travel. We've been to Walt Disney World countless times and have visited Disneyland & Disneyland Paris. We've taken several Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise trips. Learn More About Erin

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