Hi there, Amy, and welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my absolute favorite resorts, and we frequently visit to dine at either
Boma - Flavors of Africa or
Jiko - The Cooking Place and to take in the incredibly unique atmosphere. Did you know that Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has the largest collection of African art in the United States?
Amy, you will be able to access the animal viewing areas at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge before your scheduled reservation. I would allow a minimum of an hour to explore the resort and savannahs. Before you head outside, be sure to grab a Wildlife Field Guide from the Lobby Concierge to help you identify which of the 30 species of African animals you are seeing.
After dinner, you may want to head back outside, as, on select nights, Cast Members are out on the savannah overlooks with
night vision goggles available for guest use. When you arrive, I would check with the front desk to see if it will be offered on the night of your reservation, and to find out the exact times, as they are always subject to change. This is really a unique experience that completely blew the mind of both my 4-year-old and my father-in-law.
When dining at Boma, Amy, you must make sure you try the Zebra Domes! Similar to a tiramisu, these are one of my absolute favorite treats at the Walt Disney World resort, and we often stop by
The Mara restaurant to grab a few for the road!
I hope that this answered your question, Amy, and I am sure that your family will have an absolutely wild time. Please come back over to the Disney Parks Moms Panel if we can help you in your vacation planning adventure!
Sarah B.