TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Recently returned from a three night stay at Jambo House. The rooms were ok, but nothing special. For some reason, we could hear guests in the rooms around us urinating in toilets and then loud flushes. This was a bit disconcerting. The handle on our tub/shower combo looked like it had been glued back on multiple times. It seemed like the walk to our room was about 300-400 yards off the elevators, which was taxing after a long day. The dryer was extremely loud and it took several cycles to get our clothes dry. Overall, not terribly impressed.

Our first stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge absolutely lived up to the hype! After hearing rave reviews from friends, I went ahead and booked our Trip in the Fall which ended up saving us $$$ for a 4 Night, 3 Day Park Pass for 2 people for April. We stayed at the main Resort: Jambo House. As we approached the entrance, we were warmly greeted by Cast Members with a cheerful “Welcome Home!” Stepping inside the breathtaking 5 story lobby, you are instantly transported to Africa. Check-in experience was easy peasy. Cast Members stand in front of the desk, NOT behind to personally greet You. Everything is linked to your Disney Magic Band. So, if you pre-purchased your bands like I did, now's the time to bring them out to have the Cast Member activate them.The Band links You to everything: Park tickets, lightning lane and single ride passes, hotel room key, credit card, etc. NOTE: The Hotel Room has a large charging station for several USB ports to recharge your bands. Initially it was a bit confusing to get to our room. Once we understood the unique “topography” of the lodge, we got it. We had to go "down" to get to the 2nd floor, not up. Our room was also African-inspired with a balcony which overlooked the huge pool. We never used the pool: Too busy visiting the Disney Parks. Next time, we will factor in pool time! OMG, LOVED all the personalized Disney bathroom essentials (took them all home with us!). From the Cast Members’ warmth and excellent customer service to the thoughtful amenities throughout the property, everything felt special and well done. BTW, take advantage of the Disney Bus transportation. It will save you $30 in daily parking fees versus driving your car to a Disney park and again it's easy peasy! We would absolutely return and highly recommend this immersive Resort.

The resort is beautiful. You will feel as if you're in Africa on the Savannah. The rooms are clean and well thought out for storage and amenities. The common areas are beautiful. The staff are friendly and always willing to answer your questions. It's been a great place to stay.

One of the coolest hotels I've ever stayed in hands down. Every morning we were greeted by giraffes and other safari animals outside our window. The pool is warm and perfect for kids. The Boma restaurant is great and unique, make sure you reserve ahead of time! The only detractor was noisy families above us, but that's not the resort's fault. All in all a truly fabulous, memorable stay that we'll remember for a lifetime.

Cleanliness here is genuinely exceptional, and the staff are overwhelmingly warm and helpful — though our check-in experience left something to be desired. We think we were simply unlucky with the cast member we got, as this seems to be a one-off rather than the norm. Dining-wise, we used the Disney dining package so only ate at the hotel a few times. Boma was enjoyable but very busy — we waited 30 minutes to be seated despite having a reservation. We also ate at the Mara, which delivered good food and great service. The pool bar was a highlight with outstanding service throughout. The grounds are simply wonderful. The pool could have been a touch warmer, but that’s a personal thing — I do feel the cold! One practical note for anyone considering staying here: it’s further from Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios than other deluxe resorts, and you’ll need to take a bus to all parks. That said, bus wait times are generally short and the stops are comfortable and shaded. Overall, a truly unique resort experience. 4 out of 5.