It’s time for an additional replace from Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is the one resort at Walt Disney World with a serious addition to its vacation choices. We’ll check out the savanna woodland critter Christmas creations, egg-citing ostrich ornaments, and main menu updates to a number of eating places at AKL. Buckle up, as a result of it’s going to be a wild trip!
Animal Kingdom Lodge is one in all our favourite lodges at Walt Disney World year-round, and that’s taken up a notch in the course of the Christmas season. While it doesn’t hit the identical vacation excessive notes as Wilderness Lodge, it’s a really comparable thought. If you’ve by no means visited AKL, that is the right time of 12 months to treatment that, and doing a dinner at Sanaa, Jiko, Boma…or maybe one of many decrease profile eating places getting menu updates is a good way to do this.
Of course, you’ll be able to at all times incorporate AKL into our Free Self-Guided Walt Disney World Yuletide Resort Tour. For years, we’ve advised doing the morning earlier than attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party so that you don’t waste a park day of your regular tickets.
However, in relation to visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas, we do not advocate going in your Magic Kingdom day. Walt Disney World transportation is simply too convoluted, and should you drive your self, you threat being turned away at busier occasions (though that’s not as probably at Animal Kingdom Lodge as it’s on the Epcot or Magic Kingdom space resorts).
Instead, do Animal Kingdom Lodge within the night after your Animal Kingdom day. Even with Pandora now protecting that park open later, it nonetheless repeatedly closes at 8 p.m., which is ideal timing for a soothing evening at Animal Kingdom Lodge, maybe with a romantic dinner at Jiko or Sanaa, or an all-you-can-eat affair at Boma.
Purely subjective, however I additionally suppose there are some resorts the place Christmas “comes alive” extra at evening than in the course of the day. Nowhere is that this extra true than at Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodges. It’s not simply sitting across the fireplaces or having fun with an empty foyer after the crowds have cleared out and everybody has gone to mattress.
Due to the big home windows letting gentle into the foyer, the lodges don’t look nearly as good in the course of the daytime. Don’t get me improper, I like pure gentle–however I believe the core design and decor lends itself higher to the darkness of evening. Just evaluate the highest two foyer pictures and inform me you don’t agree! In my opinion, the night one is far superior.
By distinction, I believe all the monorail loop resorts are simply nearly as good in the course of the day as at evening. Same goes for the Crescent Lake lodges. While I favor visiting all of them within the night for seasonal serenity, I don’t really feel short-changed with the substance of the decorations when visiting in the course of the day. But I digress.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is arguably the most effective resort at Walt Disney World. When seen objectively, I believe that’s the case. Thematically, Animal Kingdom Lodge is on par with Wilderness Lodge, sharing comparable bloodlines and the identical fundamental design sensibilities.
On prime of that, Animal Kingdom Lodge has superior eating, rooms, and swimming pools. Then there’s the savanna, the final word “amenity” at any Walt Disney World resort, interval. We cowl all of this in additional depth in our Animal Kingdom Lodge v. Wilderness Lodge put up, so I gained’t fixate on it right here.
There are additionally a whole lot of similarities between the 2 resorts at Christmas. Both have giant ‘icon’ Christmas timber, quite a lot of garland, and wreaths across the resorts, plus soothing background music loops. On paper, they’re very evenly-matched.
However, after spending a very good period of time at every this Christmas season, my unequivocal favourite is Wilderness Lodge. For one, I believe there’s much more depth and variety to Wilderness Lodge’s decorations. There’s merely extra, and a wider vary of decor, at Wilderness Lodge.
While Christmas is well known in Africa as each a spiritual and secular vacation, it isn’t as distinguished or all-encompassing. This is probably going why the decor is essentially muted all through Animal Kingdom, with small wreaths fabricated from found-materials and different additions that largely blend-in with the present particulars of the park.
Then there’s my admitted bias as an American who was born and raised within the snowbelt of Michigan. I grew up round fireplaces, antlers, Native American artwork and tradition, and the model of Christmas typically mirrored in Wilderness Lodge. Even although it’s themed to the Pacific Northwest, many components of Wilderness Lodge could be at residence–or near it–in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and even different areas of the state.
But I digress…once more. I already devoted a lot of our Wilderness Lodge at Christmas put up to discussing how Christmas in Florida isn’t “real” as my preconceived notion of the vacation is what I skilled as a child in Michigan.
If that’s how I view Florida–a spot I’ve spent a ton of time within the winter–I’m certain you’ll be able to think about my view of Christmas in Africa. Fair or not, Animal Kingdom Lodge is correct there with the Polynesian as having a base theme that, in my thoughts, is just about the antithesis of winter and, by extension, Christmas.
This is fully on me, and shouldn’t be construed as a price judgment concerning the high quality of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Christmas decor. My failure to completely “connect” with Animal Kingdom Lodge to the identical diploma as Wilderness Lodge in the course of the holidays is generally rooted in my very own sentimentality and preferences.
I point out all of this, although, as a result of there’s a good likelihood these studying this may have comparable biases. (Walt Disney World’s largest markets outdoors of Florida are the Chicago and New York metro areas–two locations with “real” winters.)
Nevertheless, I can nonetheless admire tradition, magnificence, and unimaginable themed design–and Animal Kingdom Lodge has all of this in spades. That the resort manages to get into the festive spirit to the diploma that it does is known as a testomony to the artistic staff that designed the vacation overlay package deal.
The icon tree is without doubt one of the greatest in all of Walt Disney World, the nice and cozy Christmas lights shine brilliantly in opposition to the resort’s colour scheme, and the background music is a sleeper contender for greatest Christmas loop at Walt Disney World.
And to the resort’s credit score, Christmas at Animal Kingdom Lodge retains getting higher!
The first huge enchancment is the alternative of wicker giraffes by the resort’s roadside welcome signal with way more elaborate and substantial ones. These are so cool and detailed that I truly suppose it’s a disgrace they aren’t on show by the entrance entrance. It’s powerful to see the main points whereas passing by on a bus that’s bouncing round.
Inside the resort, Christmas 2022 at Animal Kingdom Lodge additionally continues the custom begun final 12 months when a life-sized child giraffe made a shock, unannounced look in early December at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
This 12 months, the life-sized Baby Gingerbread Giraffe has been joined by a brand-new Baby Zebra–you can even buy a Gingeraffe Cookie to commemorate the event.
This is a extremely enjoyable enhancement, and the type of “plussing” that I believe each Deluxe Resort ought to have along with the icon Christmas timber.
Back in 2019, Wilderness Lodge quietly added Humphrey the Bear’s gingerbread cabin. It was a fairly large hit with company, and made for a preferred snack spot at Wilderness Lodge. It has but to return, presumably as a result of it was merely too good and made Wilderness Lodge approach too superior at Christmas. Could be a security problem with minds being blown as company had been overwhelmed by the spirit of the season or one thing of that kind.
These savanna woodland Christmas critters are not so good as Humphrey the Bear’s log cabin, however they’re fairly cool.
Due to its off-the-beaten-path location, these edible animals are additionally far much less common than actually another gingerbread shows at Walt Disney World. You’ll discover actually no different company in my pictures, which had been taken in the course of the center of the day. That’s not good timing of Photoshop trickery–it’s merely a standard noon at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Walt Disney World’s “Ginger-affe” and “Debra the Zebra” are the creations of Pastry Chef Lexy Ross and the Animal Kingdom Lodge Bakery Team.
As indicated within the above photograph, the show is dropped at life by roughly 32,256 honey bees pollinating almost 84 million flowers on crops similar to apples, cranberries, espresso, and avocados to provide the 42 kilos of honey used for the show. One honey bee visits about 225,000 flowers in a single day.
I couldn’t discover another show–like these across the gingerbread homes–indicating what different components had been used past honey. The animals characteristic gingerbread and fondant, so…no matter makes these issues. (My culinary chops are confined to microwaving issues, so don’t ask me.)
Regardless, these Christmas critters display the artistic and creative skills of the Animal Kingdom Lodge pastry staff, in addition to their expertise within the kitchen…which had been already apparent to anybody who has dined at actually any AKL restaurant. Speaking of which…
Animal Kingdom Lodge has a bunch of recent menu gadgets beginning at the moment (December 8, 2022). Starting out at Maji Pool Bar, which is including poolside snacks with an African twist. First up is the Shrimp Bakuli, which implies bowl in Swahili. This dish is impressed by the open-air meals markets present in Zanzibar, Chef Sahib Bhatti’s residence nation, the place every night because the solar units, the distributors put together seafood delicacies with the day’s catch. The bakuli consists of chilled poached shrimp, pickled carrots, and Basmati rice with a flavorful soy-ginger dressing and berbere aïoli.
For plant-based patrons, the cooks have additionally created a brand new providing only for you – the Multigrain Tabbouleh. This bowl is a vibrant salad with protein-rich grains, recent herbs, and grilled greens.
For these with a much less adventurous palate, the staff has developed two extra conventional choices with African aptitude. The Spiced Pork Nachos are topped with spiced pork, beans, herbed crema, and kachumbari. The “spiced pork” used is pork vindaloo, initially from Goa however based mostly on a Portuguese dish “carne de vinha d’alhos.” This tender pork is ready with flavors of paprika, garlic, tomato, vinegar, and a house-made spice mix.
Another mouth-watering possibility accessible is the Short Rib Grilled Cheese. The brief ribs are slow-cooked with a house-made spice mix, tamarind, and pink wine till tender. The buttery brioche bread is topped with brief ribs, gouda cheese, and pickled onion and pressed to order.
I do know at Animal Kingdom Lodge I ought to order adventurous, envelope-pushing entrees. That’s what I wish to see extra of at Walt Disney World, and saying what I would like is one factor–however voting with my pockets is way more highly effective. However, that Short Rib Grilled Cheese has my title on it. Holy cow. I’m sorry, everybody, however I’ve gotta do the “unadventurous” factor and eat that. It’s for analysis. (You all ought to go forward and order the Shrimp Bakuli and Tabbouleh, although!)
The Mara can even be including a number of gadgets to the menu beginning at the moment.
For those that wish to preserve their safari on the tamer aspect, there may be the Marinated Sun-dried Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread with sun-dried tomatoes, recent herb ricotta, tomato sauce, four-cheese mix, and arugula.
For these seeking to stroll on the wild aspect, the cooks have created three new bowls. The Chermoula-spiced Shrimp Bowl is a must-try with grilled shrimp, pilau rice, kale slaw, cucumber-tomato salad, and chermoula bitter cream. Pilau rice is just like rice pilaf, and this model is simmered with The Mara’s distinctive spice mix and utilized as the bottom for all three bowls.
Also accessible is the Oak-grilled Chicken Bowl made with marinated rooster thighs, slow-roasted over the oak-fired spit.
Rounding out the brand new additions at The Mara is the plant-based South African Vegetable Bowl. Chef Wendy Welcovitz and Sous Chef Khuloud Abu Samra drew inspiration from South African delicacies to craft every part: curried vegetable stew, pilau rice, kale slaw, dried fruit achar, and avocado-tahini sauce.
I’m hoping these carry out effectively and the Mara turns into a quasi-Satu’li Canteen, however with extra menu decisions.
Jiko: The Cooking Place is including quite a lot of seasonal gadgets to its menu for this winter. You can at all times take pleasure in fan-favorites just like the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon or Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin, however there’s a new appetizer to strive – Sweet Potato-Groundnut Soup. This soup options spiced groundnuts, finger lime, pickled pink chilies, and sorrel.
Finally, to have fun the premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” on December 16, Animal Kingdom Lodge will probably be introducing a signature beverage for these over 21. Available at Boma: Flavors of Africa, Sanaa, and Victoria Falls Lounge, Way of Water is a shimmering mix of African Starr Rum, BACARDÍ Raspberry Rum, Bols Blue Curaçao, and lemonade garnished with a glowing lotus flower and mint.
Another egg-citing addition at Animal Kingdom is a brand new exercise to get you within the vacation spirit– adorning Christmas tree ornaments with ostrich shells. Throughout the month of December, you’ll be able to create a mosaic-like decoration comprised of crushed and dyed ostrich eggs.
Guests of all ages could make a whimsical decoration that makes use of actual eggs laid by ostriches on the resort and Animal Kingdom. With no male ostriches on the park or lodge, these eggs stay unfertilized and go unused by the feminine ostriches who lay them on a cycle just like chickens. Once cleaned, the eggs are crushed and colorfully dyed, glued onto an animal-shaped decoration of your selecting and tied off with a recycled phone wire.
At the tip of the exercise, you’ll deliver residence a particular memento paying homage to all of the wildlife you’ve seen and recollections you’ve made throughout your go to to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Guests can take part by visiting the recreation clubhouses at Jambo House from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Kidani Village from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. till December 31, 2022.
Ultimately, all of those new and up to date choices at Animal Kingdom Lodge ought to offer you greater than sufficient of an “excuse” to make the journey out to the out-of-the-way resort for Christmas 2022 at Walt Disney World. Even should you’re unable to safe a dinner ADR at Jiko, Boma, or Sanaa, it’s effectively value your time. (The new menu choices on the Mara sound nice, as do these on the pool bar, and Victoria Falls Lounge is a powerful sleeper choose.)
Even earlier than all of this, Animal Kingdom Lodge is a prime 5 resort year-round, however particularly at Christmas. Subjectively, it doesn’t have the identical sense of nostalgia or Christmasy appeal that places Wilderness Lodge excessive for me, however Animal Kingdom Lodge continues to be an wonderful resort at Christmas (and now, an “eggs-cellent” one, apparently!) that’s completely value your restricted trip time. Go test it out after a day at DAK should you’re visiting this Christmas season!
For complete ideas for planning your Christmas-time journey to Walt Disney World, try our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World. For Walt Disney World journey planning ideas and complete recommendation, make sure that to learn our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide and associated articles.
YOUR THOUGHTS…
What do you consider Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas? Do you discover Animal Kingdom Lodge each bit as charming as Wilderness Lodge at Christmas, or do you agree with me? What do you consider the Christmas tree and background music at Animal Kingdom Lodge? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing your suggestions is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!