Hi Miranda!
Jiko is a fantastic restaurant, and a meal there would definitely be a special way to kick off your Disney World vacation! It is an upscale restaurant with uniquely flavored gourmet food. My husband and I dined at Jiko with another couple earlier in the year, and our meal was exquisite. It was easily the best meal of our vacation, even beating out the California Grill, which is one of our longtime favorites! We loved the flatbread appetizers, the flavorful soups, the Taste of Africa sampler of dips and spreads, and the delicious short ribs entree. Although you can't see the animals from Jiko, you can stroll out to the savanna before or after your meal to view them. (Night-vision goggles are even available for you to use when it's dark!)
A meal at Jiko is a fine dining experience, and the restaurant is fairly dark and quiet. Service can be very leisurely, and in my experience, a meal there can take several hours. If this kind of leisurely, upscale meal is what you had in mind for your first night, you're going to love Jiko. If not, you might want to consider a different restaurant. If you want to view animals while you eat, consider Sanaa, also in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you want a bustling atmosphere and a quicker meal, consider the popular and tasty buffet at Boma. If you want to dine at a restaurant closer to the Port Orleans Riverside, Downtown Disney is a pleasant boat ride away and has lots of dining options. My family always enjoys the wood-fired pizzas at the Wolfgang Puck Cafe at Downtown Disney.
Hope this helps! Come visit us again at the Moms Panel if you have more questions! We're happy to help!