Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
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Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opened on April 16, 2001.
This African themed resort is located adjacent to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It allows guests the
opportunity to watch wildlife graze outside their rooms and public areas in the resort within proximity,
conveying the feeling of being in an African savanna.
This hotel was designed by architect Peter Dominick, who also designed Disney's Wilderness Lodge and
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
On October 11, 2006, Disney announced to local media that Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge would become
home to the newest Disney Vacation Club property, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. On February 18, 2008,
Disney announced the first phase was complete with 109 rooms.
A separate building, currently titled Kidani Village, is being built to the west of the lodge to house more than
300 villas. The Sunset Savanna is being extended to the new structure and an introduction of more species
of animals. Guests now have the option to stay club level while lodging in a villa. There will be a concierge
lounge which will serve to a number of floors. Also, a new pool exclusive to villa residents is being built. This
pool will be more spacious than the villa pool sizes and is planned to have waterslides and an aquatic
playground.
Dining:
Features African style cooking with influences from the Mediterranean coast, India and Europe. Jiko also
features wines of South African vintage. The restaurant's design, created by designer Jeffrey Beers,
emulates an African lodge with a color palette in earth tones. An open kitchen includes twin wood-burning
showcases a collection of wine-based sculptures. Jiko is Swahili for "a cooking place", thus the subtitle "The
Cooking Place".
Boma: Flavors of Africa
Features African style cooking in a buffet setting. The selection features items from fifty different African
countries. The restaurant is designed to resemble an open African marketplace. Food is prepared in open
cooking areas in view of diners. Boma is a word in Swahili and several other African languages, meaning an
enclosure such as a fort or a livestock pen.
The Mara
American food (counter-service)
Rooms:
Most rooms are available with either a king-size bed (available with daybed), two queen-size beds, or
one queen-size bed and bunk beds (available with daybed).
Disabled accessible rooms are available.
Amenities including room service, irons, ironing boards, hairdryers, and make-up mirrors are available
for each room. In-room coffee makers and refrigerators are also available.