Reviews of Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by David Carrano Review Date: 09/18/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
Stayed at the AKL the week of Sept 8, 2013. Overall a very nice experience, friendly staff. The resort is beautiful,clean and nicely themed. Somewhat disappointed with the room, small in comparison to Disney's other Deluxe resorts. Our room was showing signs of wear and tear, has a worn look not what you would expect from a deluxe resort and price. Lighting was a big issue, very poor in the bathroom sink area. Had an issue second day with house keeping. We returned back to our room at 3:30 p.m. from being gone all day and our room was still not cleaned. I complained and they said that they have until 4p.m. By 4p.m still no show. We had early dinner reservations and needed to shower. After making a fuss, they came back at some point after we left and cleaned the room. No other issues for the remaining days. Overall the resort is beautiful, well themed. The rooms are not great.
Pros:
Quite, Friendly check-in, Nice theme, Animals, PoolCons:
Out of the way, long bus rides, small roomsReviewed by Brandon Review Date: 09/26/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My son and wife love animals so this resort met and exceeded our expectations. We had a Savanna side room and it was amazing. Giraffes were litterally at your balcony.
The room was clean, well maintained, and well worth the price.
The restaurants were very good. The Mara (quick service) was outstanding. Everything was always well stocked and they had a great helpful staff.
I would recommend staying here, it was great.
Pros:
Clean, Friendly Knowledgable Staff, More than exptectedCons:
N/AReviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I was nervous about staying at AKL because everyone seems to draw so many comparisons to WL. Not that WL is bad, but I didn't love it either. Thankfully, AKL was nothing like WL.
The CM who assisted us at check in was wonderful, Mousekeeping was very attentive, and really everyone we encountered was just so friendly and helpful.
The Mara is so far the best deluxe resort QS we've experienced, we enjoy Boma, and love that Kidani is a quick and easy walk- since Sanaa is divine!
The room was nice and felt much brighter and happier than the WL rooms. And while we were upgraded to a savannah view, it's one of the few resorts where the view really seems worth it.
The pool was also nice...felt like this wonderful oasis. It was clean, the slide was fun, and it's nice how things like flamingos are so close by.
All in all, we've stayed in 4 of the deluxe resorts and been inside all of them...and so far AKL does the best job of really transporting you - i.e. making you feel like you're in a totally different exotic destination.
My only complaint is transportation. The buses were always there in a timely manner, but AKL is just so far from practically everything else that you always burned more time getting from pt A to pt B. We were also told by their CMs that it's pretty much impossible to get from AKL to a 7am breakfast without taking a cab. So, that was kind of annoying.
Still, the attention to detail and the amazing and informative cast members make it worth a visit or even a split stay if you have some downtime planned into your trip.
Pros:
Restaurants, Pool, Staff, Decor/DetailsCons:
Distance to ParksReviewed by hstuck Review Date: 10/23/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I love this resort....it's my 4th time here and each time it impresses me! I didn't splurge for a savannah room this time but my pool room was perfect. I love staying here because of the animals (as I think most would say), but also the staff is great, the pool is amazing, all the restaurants are wonderful (especially JIKO). Had an amazing dinner at Jiko. The rooms have a nice balcony too! It was a nice touch that my room was ready at 11:30...well before designated check-in. Mousekeeping was great per usual. Just another lovely stay and I cannot wait to return next year! I do agree with most that the distance to other parks is far but it's a worthy trade off to have the animals right there! Truly a great experience. With the planned changes to the Animal Kingdom Park, I'm looking forward to staying close to that park! Thank you again AKL staff for a lovely stay.
Pros:
Savannah!Cons:
cost and distanceReviewed by emmhorton Review Date: 12/14/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
AKL is a beautiful, warm, welcoming resort! The moment you step into the doors you are greeted with the tranquility of the resort. A great feeling after the hustle and bustle of the parks! We stayed in an Arusha View room and it was well worth the price. We had zebras, giraffes, and many more animals outside our balcony. What a treat to see while relaxing. The rooms are smaller than expected, but nicely done, and very comfortable. Plenty of drawer space, closet space and enough space to store your luggage under the beds. We found this to be very convienent with the kids suitcases and backpacks. The bathroom is small and does not leave much space for dressing. I wish the sink area had a curtain that you could close off for dressing as some of the other resorts have. House keeping was outstanding! We ate at Boma and at Mara which is the food court. Both were very good. Very impressed with the food court. Quick and easy to get in and out- not crowded at all! Being so far our it was a longer bus ride to the parks, however, we never waited longer than 5 or 10 minutes. The ride did not bother us. We used the kids club one night and we, and our son, were very happy with it. The pool area was fantastic. When we go back, I will be sure to schedule in more resort time!
Pros:
Unique, beautiful resortCons:
distance to parks, room sizeReviewed by 2SweetFlowers Review Date: 12/27/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
We love staying at AKL Jambo House for the ambiance -- especially the lobby area -- and the great views of animals. We stayed here two nights in December 2013. Our DVC room was about a two minute brisk walk from the lobby, which was a real problem for one of my traveling companions with health issues. Unfortunately, no other rooms closer to the lobby were available. The deluxe studio was comfortable for two, but a little challenging with four in the room. The wait time for bus transportation to the parks was very long -- especially for those of us heading to Animal Kingdom park. We waited over 20 minutes -- and some guests waited over 35 minutes -- before a bus arrived. It quickly filled to standing capacity leaving about 20 of us waiting to board. Another 5 or 6 minutes wait -- and then success -- only a short drive to Animal Kingdom park and we were even able to get seats on the bus! I would stay here again, but would definitely call in advance to request a room close to the lobby.
Pros:
Ambiance, AnimalsCons:
Bus Transportation, Distance to RoomReviewed by SusieH212 Review Date: 03/01/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Third time at AKL. Usually stay @POFQ, but this was a special trip. Can't imagine staying anywhere else! Just walking into that lobby. Loved our rooms and paying extra for Arusha view was worth it! Unfortunately it rained everyday, but AKL helped. Only wish we had more time for the firepit. Back Dec. 2015.
Pros:
Everything....ambiance, music, mood, ANIMALS!Cons:
Check in...although we did online checkin took quite awhile @8am?Reviewed by momtoone Review Date: 04/28/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our first time staying in a Disney resort, let me tell you, it will never be forgotten.
From the moment we stepped on the property to the moment we left was amazing!!! We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at 1130am our room was ready. The rooms were a bit small, but we managed. Every one of the staff of friendly and knowledgeable.
Even though we were further from all the parks and other resorts, it was great. The resort felt sucluted and tropical, it also never felt busy or overwhelming. The resort was our tranquility from the busi ness of the parks and Disney experience. We actually did spend a lot of time there, it was absolutely perfect. WE WILL BE BACK!!! 🙂
Pros:
Everything!!!!Cons:
—Reviewed by hougher Review Date: 05/08/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Stayed her April 27- May 2nd and we couldn't be happier. We usually stay at Port Orleans but couldn't resist taking the deal and staying here. Upon entrance you are welcomed and you feel like you are at home. They only negative thing was noise from the hallway. We were on Floor number 3 which is the off the main Check in and gift shop area. I don't know if I noticed the noise more since the doors are inside vs having an outside entrance at a moderate. The food at the Mara was great and my daughter enjoyed seeing the animals from her room. I suggest staying here at least once in your lifetime.
Pros:
Beautiful Grounds loved the animals!Cons:
NONReviewed by Breeze1979 Review Date: 05/19/2014
Rating: (5) Recommended
Stayed May 11-16. Loved being able to see the animals and the overall atmosphere of the resort.
Disliked the size of the room.....way too small for price we paid. The bathroom size was very small and the lighting terrible. For a deluxe resort we didn't feel we received any upgrade compared to a moderate.
