AKL lobby refurb advice!

[ELG13]

We will be traveling to Disney the first week of November. We are not staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge however I was wanting to book Dining over there because my family has never been and I’ve always found it to be a beautiful resort. My mom especially has always wanted to stay at one of the Savannah view rooms. I guess my question is more of needing an opinion from frequenters of Animal Kingdom Lodge. Do you think the experience of the lodge will be completely diminished due to the construction? I’ve seen pictures of how it looks now and I know a lot can change between now and the first week of November. And technically everything should be done before we leave so I could aim for one of our last days there but again, I know these things can change and take longer than expected. I guess I’m just wondering if we should still make the reservation to go check it out or if we should pass. I know this is purely opinion, but Animal Kingdom Lodge is probably the resort I’m least familiar with so any input is welcome. I was considering either Sanaa or Boma but I know that Boma is not in the lobby.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

If you are going there to eat and look around, I wouldn't let construction stop you. On the other hand, I have not been impressed by my recent WDW dining experiences. I used to love Boma, and the last time I went they still had some classic menu items, but it was not nearly as good as it once was.

Then again, I just wrote about how most WDW dining has gotten pretty marginal. One of the better food locations is Kona Cafe, but I wouldn't describe it as great.
Food is one area where WDW really needs to rethink about quality, IMO.

 

[ELG13]

If you are going there to eat and look around, I wouldn't let construction stop you. On the other hand, I have not been impressed by my recent WDW dining experiences. I used to love Boma, and the last time I went they still had some classic menu items, but it was not nearly as good as it once was.

Then again, I just wrote about how most WDW dining has gotten pretty marginal. One of the better food locations is Kona Cafe, but I wouldn't describe it as great.
This is one area where WDW really needs to rethink about quality.

We used to travel to wdw multiple times a year but as kids and sports and school have gotten older and more important we haven’t been back as a family in 4 years so this makes me sad to hear. We always would brag about how most of our dining experiences have been phenomenal. My friend recommended Boma and said it’s one of her favorite buffets (second favorite to be exact). If we did book dining there, would we miss all of the lobby completely? I want to try Sanaa but I think that menu wouldn’t go over well with our crew, but the Savanah view would be incredible but I know we may not even be seated where we could see it. There are 6 of us.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

We used to travel to wdw multiple times a year but as kids and sports and school have gotten older and more important we haven’t been back as a family in 4 years so this makes me sad to hear. We always would brag about how most of our dining experiences have been phenomenal. My friend recommended Boma and said it’s one of her favorite buffets (second favorite to be exact). If we did book dining there, would we miss all of the lobby completely? I want to try Sanaa but I think that menu wouldn’t go over well with our crew, but the Savanah view would be incredible but I know we may not even be seated where we could see it. There are 6 of us.

1. I don't think there is a way to get to Boma without going through the lobby, but I am struggling to understand your level of concern. Mind, I don't know the details of the construction currently happening at AKL, but most of the resorts currently have construction, or very recently have had construction. It is hard to entirely avoid w construction, but WDW does a very good job of minimizing the impact. I don't know how to say that in a way that sounds convincing, but I was just at CR, and I barely noticed the construction. I've stayed at a number of resorts during construction, including AKL, and it is well hidden. they also minimize noise

2. Boma was a favorite buffet of ours for at least 10 years. It is still probably one of the better buffets, so that is a good reason to choose it. I think they still have zebra domes, which were a highlight dessert. Sadly, Sanaa's menu is also reduced from what it was when it opened. It was also great when it first opened, but has been much reduced. Too bad.

3. As it happens, this forum has a thread with many past WDW recipes. Most of the items in the thread are long gone from the restaurants, but WDW chefs used to give out recipes a long time ago, so they were once popular dishes at WDW. The thread has recipes for Boma's zebra domes, the squash soup, and a citrus/spinach/quinoa salad that's really good. The soup and the salad are fairly easy to make. It is a long thread, but here is the link:

Thread 'Disney World Restaurant Recipies'

Jun 7, 2002

I was recently at Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast and had the french toast that is part of the meal. It was just so good but had an unusual stuffing ( Ithink it was a custard, my friend said cream cheese kinda like a danish) Any ideas as to what it is? Also if anyone has the recipe?? Thanks!!! :slurp:

• wannabeBelle
• Replies: 2,166
• Forum: WDW Restaurants, Dining & Snacks

• 

 

[ELG13]

1. I don't think there is a way to get to Boma without going through the lobby, but I am struggling to understand your level of concern. Mind, I don't know the details of the construction currently happening at AKL, but most of the resorts currently have construction, or very recently have had construction. It is hard to entirely avoid w construction, but WDW does a very good job of minimizing the impact. I don't know how to say that in a way that sounds convincing, but I was just at CR, and I barely noticed the construction. I've stayed at a number of resorts during construction, including AKL, and it is well hidden. they also minimize noise

2. Boma was a favorite buffet of ours for at least 10 years. It is still probably one of the better buffets, so that is a good reason to choose it. I think they still have zebra domes, which were a highlight dessert. Sadly, Sanaa's menu is also reduced from what it was when it opened. It was also great when it first opened, but has been much reduced. Too bad.

3. As it happens, this forum has a thread with many past WDW recipes. Most of the items in the thread are long gone from the restaurants, but WDW chefs used to give out recipes a long time ago, so they were once popular dishes at WDW. The thread has recipes for Boma's zebra domes, the squash soup, and a citrus/spinach/quinoa salad that's really good. The soup and the salad are fairly easy to make. It is a long thread, but here is the link:

Thread 'Disney World Restaurant Recipies'

Jun 7, 2002

I was recently at Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast and had the french toast that is part of the meal. It was just so good but had an unusual stuffing ( Ithink it was a custard, my friend said cream cheese kinda like a danish) Any ideas as to what it is? Also if anyone has the recipe?? Thanks!!! :slurp:

• wannabeBelle
• Replies: 2,166
• Forum: WDW Restaurants, Dining & Snacks

• 

My concern is that if the Lobby is just a wall of black sheets, would it still be worth going to visit because the Lobby is typically beautiful and we can walk out to see the animals. Just wondering if that experience would be significantly diminished. We won’t ever stay there but I’d love for my mom to get a small taste of its beauty and theming. It’s sounds silly, I know.

 

[Swissmiss]

Are you planning on going to Kidani or Jambo? Because I think the lobby construction is limited to Kidani.

 

[nickys]

Are you planning on going to Kidani or Jambo? Because I think the lobby construction is limited to Kidani.

I think so too.

The rooms at Jambo House will be being refurbed but I’m not aware of the lobby being done.

Kidani’s rooms are finished but work on the lobby starts in September.

Also, @ELG13 , Sanaa is at Kidani and has the lookout right outside it.

Boma is at Jambo.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

My concern is that if the Lobby is just a wall of black sheets, would it still be worth going to visit because the Lobby is typically beautiful and we can walk out to see the animals. Just wondering if that experience would be significantly diminished. We won’t ever stay there but I’d love for my mom to get a small taste of its beauty and theming. It’s sounds silly, I know.

I was there when they were working on the Jambo lobby just a few years ago. I'm not sure exactly when that was, but based on that, I think it is unlikely they are redoing that lobby again so soon. I haven't followed updates of what's being done, but most updates don't phase me very much. I just stayed at CR during renovation and hardly noticed any work was being done.

 

[HakunaMatata89]

Depends on how much you enjoy the resort and the food. I'd wear a hardhat and swing a hammer to stroll around outside walkway with the safari overview and getting my Jiko fix. But like others have said, most resorts on property have some form of construction going on, same with the parks so i'd base it off how you feel seeing walls up already.