Reviews of Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by mmfan Review Date: 01/09/2015
Rating: (5) Recommended
We have stayed at several different WDW resorts, and picked this resort for our family reunion vacation due to our Annual Passholder discount. We were disappointed in this resort, and felt for service rendered and the money paid, we would have definitely been better off at a moderate resort. Check in was very slow, we had requested king beds and not necessary to all be near each other, but they originally had us near each other and no king beds. After much discussion, the king bed request was met for two of the rooms. The resort was busier than expected for the beginning of December. The food court was very disappointing, as the resort caters to those wanting a sit down meal experience. Food court selections were very limited and food preparation took a long time. We did not use the pool as it was very chilly weather. Bus service was definitely as issue, service was very spotty with frequent waits of up to 1/2 hour. Buses were usually very crowded as Jambo house is the second pick up.
My DH became very ill our last day, and at least we were granted a check out time of 1 hour later. In all the confusion of checking out and catering to him, some clothing items were left in the room accidentally. After repeated phone calls over a period of 3 weeks, I finally got someone in lost and found to talk to me. The items were never located although I had left numerous messages. I have never stayed at a hotel that did not gladly forward items that were found to their rightful owners. Not the usual Disney experience.
The rooms at the moderate resorts are the same size, and the indoor corridors at a deluxe resort are not that important to us. This deluxe resort provide no additional amenities and was actually lacking in service.
Pros:
lovely surroundingsCons:
food courtReviewed by SNC Review Date: 11/30/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed at the AK Lodge Jambo House for one night to complete our weeklong Honeymoon at Disney (Started at Poly, Next Beach Club, then AK). We were so impressed! Neither of us had ever been to this resort. It was absolutely Amazing! Friendly, warm, super clean and inviting and full of beautiful details in the decor. The lobby was gorgeous, with big overstuffed chairs and couches and the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever seen. I loved the fire pit in the lobby and the viewing platforms and looking at the amazing African Art throughout the resort. Stayed in Savannah View room on the third floor. Loved the Decor! Mosquito netting and warm earth tones. The animals of course stole the show! Zebras, Giraffes, Ostrich and Wildebeast right outside our window. We loved looking out and sitting on the patio. This is a great resort to stay at if you want to avoid the parks and just have a restful vacation. Only drawbacks were the lighting was dim (easy to bump into something) and it took forever to walk from our room to Mara to grab sandwiches and drinks. But I'm not complaining! It was terrific and we really want to spend more time here!
Pros:
Relaxing, Animals right outside your windowCons:
Rooms are far from facilities/restaurants, dark interiorReviewed by powlen21 Review Date: 09/23/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
We stayed at The Animal Kingdom Lodge for our honeymoon. Overall, we were very pleased. Be sure to try the night vision goggles to view the animals. I recommend paying for a standard room. There are plenty of areas throughout the resort to view the animals.
Pros:
animals, atmosphere, poolCons:
uncomfortable bed sheets, not the most knowledgeable staff, didn't care for food courtReviewed by RSZB Review Date: 06/29/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
This was my first stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We checked in early (7:30am) with plans to arrive at Hollywood Studios by 9:00am. Check–in was a bit bumpy – our early arrival and reservation request were both met with disapproval and uncharacteristic resistance from the attending cast member. Even though I supplied a cell phone number, I wasn’t notified when our room became available. I’m choosing to believe it was a coincidence. All the other cast members we encountered here were friendly and conversational.
We stayed in room 2308 (Sunset Savanna – which was a reservation request) and had wonderful views of giraffes, zebras, cattle, cranes, and an ostrich. The animals tended to stay close to what looked like a viewing platform at the Kidani Village. The room was amply sized for the 2 of us on a girls’ trip, but the size would work for a family with 4 adults.
The lobby is beautiful and worth checking out in detail. There is art work on display throughout the resort. I enjoyed exploring the pathways that wind through the inside and outside of the resort. There are many opportunities to sit and view animals. The gift shop has a variety of merchandise including refrigerated drinks.
Two restaurants are located inside Jambo House and a quick serve is accessible from an outside covered walkway. We ate breakfast at Mara (quick serve), which had hot and cold selections with indoor and outdoor seating available. We ate dinner at Jiko, which was relaxing and enjoyable.
At night, we walked around the large zero entry pool and there was a fire pit with rocking chairs outside the main back doors from the lobby. The animal viewing areas around the pool were closed when we passed by around 10pm.
The bus service was fine. A longer ride is to be expected due to the remote location of the resort. We rode the bus to and from Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT.
The guest laundry area came in handy. There seemed to be more dryers than washing machines. I used a dryer which was $2 for 20-30 minutes. A change machine was available.
I would recommend the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a “more than going to the parks†vacation. The inviting atmosphere encourages planning time to spend at this resort.
Pros:
atmosphereCons:
noneReviewed by Breeze1979 Review Date: 05/30/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
The overall experience of staying at Animal Kingdom was good. The resort is true to its name!
However, we had a pool view, bunk bed room. The view of the pool was poor....it was more of a view of the outside seating area of The Mara. Our room was tiny....we had stayed at Coronado right before checking into AKL so we were saw a contrast in the size. There is a lot of room in the sink area but the bathroom size and lighting is terrible! Also we didn't feel wowed by the amenities.....a bit disappointing.
We are glad we tried this once though.
Pros:
AnimalsCons:
Room sizeReviewed 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.
Pros:
Animals, atmosphereCons:
Price vs. value, size of roomReviewed 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 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 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 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.
