If we had another day in Orlando, I would have visited other Disney resorts. While a great location, the Yacht Club is nothing spectacular (compared with other Disney resorts). I'm so glad that I was able to arrange a dinner reservation at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was GORGEOUS! I'm also glad that I didn't keep my 8:30 reservations & kept searching until I found the first reservation of the night.
![Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6463706575_369f026ff5_z.jpg)
None of my photos do it justice. The lodge is probably the least convenient of all the Disney resorts (we took a cab to the lodge because it's so far away), but after seeing the grounds, I know why people stay on the property.
![Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6463694419_b1ca630f6a_z.jpg)
We had a few minutes of daylight before our reservation. There was so much to see in the lobby and observation deck.
![Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6463697145_a8c7e43086_z.jpg)
The kids watched birds being fed and listened to a lesson from the workers.
![Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6463720937_31dc287ca4_z.jpg)
I tried not to think about Nick's comments that he thought it was odd that all the restaurants in the lodge were very meat-centric.
![Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6463724083_ed0787a313_z.jpg)
I remember seeing these birds in Nina's photos from her African Safari.
![Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6463730339_e9a509740d_z.jpg)
In true Disney fashion, all the flora and fauna were brought in from Africa.
![Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6463726277_78eec11352_z.jpg)
We ate at Jiko for dinner that evening. It was a spectacular choice. Easily our best service of the week and the food was fabulous. In addition, the ambiance rivaled any fancy, hip restaurant in your town. It was quiet & relaxed, but not too slow. We had a great wine (all African varieties) and a mini-date night. The kids happily colored on their placemats and ate their kid friendly dinners (that were not chicken strips). Our food was delicious and Nick choose a no-sugar added apple tart with beet ice cream for dessert. Alone, the ice cream tasted like beets. But, the pairing with the tart was lovely (really!)
![Illuminations](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6463739841_19a9a46e87_z.jpg)
After dinner, it was back to the hotel to roast marshmallows on the beach.
Just kidding. We couldn't move. Too much food for one day. Thank goodness we were walking a lot. The kids went to sleep & we caught Illuminations from our balcony. Another successful day.
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