For some Disney fans, a trip to Disney is all about experiencing the parks. Each and every one of the Disney hotels are held to the famous Disney standard, but for lots of guests, they are simply a place to sleep between park visits. Themed like an African animal reserve, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a theme park in itself. Let’s explore the hotel basics and the special activities that the Animal Kingdom Lodge has to offer.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is both a deluxe and deluxe villa resort with rooms that range from a 3 to 8 person capacity. What sets the Animal Kingdom Lodge apart from every other Disney resort is allowing the guest to view wild animals directly from their balcony.
Here’s the breakdown of the hotel with the locations of the various wildlife savannas:
The Hotel
There are two buildings that make up the Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village and the Jambo house. Kidani Village houses only Deluxe Villas. The restaurant Sanaa is located in this building. There are no bad views in Kidani Village!
The semi-circle main building is the Jambo house. Portions of this building are standard rooms, and other portions are Deluxe Villas. The Jambo house is also home to several restaurants and the Zahanati Massage & Fitness center.
Throughout the Lodge, be sure to ask Cast Members and Cultural Representatives about the historical significance of the hotel decor. Each piece has a story and meaning.
The only means of transportation to the parks is via bus. The Lodge is pretty far from the other parks, so expect a 20 to 30 minute bus ride everywhere except for Animal Kingdom, which is about five minutes away. I’ve never had an issue with overly-crowded busses, so the journey will be pleasant.
The Rooms
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe level resort, so the rooms will be slightly larger than you will find in a moderate or value resort at about 344 square feet. Each room features a flat-screen tv, empty minifridge, coffee maker, and seating area. In each bedroom, the armoire and headboard are made by craftspeople from Zimbabwe – magical touches like this make the theming immersive and enchanting.
Dining Options
Animal Kingdom’s main building, Jambo House, is where you’ll find the majority of the food options. Boma – Flavors Africa is one of the most popular restaurants in all of Disney World. Celebrate traditional African cuisine in a beautiful all-you-care-to-enjoy setting. If you have picky eaters in your party don’t worry – familiar foods like turkey and mashed potatoes are on the menu as well.
For a quick service option in Jambo House, head to the Mara. You’ll find classic Disney staples like Mickey waffles alongside African cuisine like Potjie and kulcha bread.
You can also grab a poolside bite at the Uzima Springs Pool Bar or sip on something stronger at the Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar and Victoria Falls Lounge.
The highlight of Kidani Village is Sanaa. The food offers flavors from both African and Indian cuisines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Kilimanjaro Club
All Deluxe-level Disney resorts have Club-Level Concierge services. When you book your Disney vacation you can select a club-level room for an increased price. You’ll gain access to the club lounge with food, drinks, and concierge staff ready to help you with whatever you need!
Insider Tips from Disney Cast Members
If you’re looking for the best Savannah view to see the animals up close and personal, book a room with the Arusha Savannah view. This savannah offers the best views and has the highest amount of animal traffic.
The Night Safari Tour is a great way to wind down and explore the animals prowling the grounds. There is an additional cost, at $70.00 per adult. Throughout this one-hour tour, you will be able to observe the animals from the safety of an open-sided vehicle. Though there are similarities between the Night Safari and Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom, there are certain perks to the Night Safari that really make it special. At an hour long, the tour is much longer. It is also only available to guests of the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas. This means fewer crowds and no lines! Additionally, a portion of your $70 entrance fee goes to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Totally worth it.
If you stay in the Kilimanjaro Club Level, you are eligible to journey on the Sunrise Safari Breakfast. This tour takes place in Animal Kingdom. On this tour, you will go on a safari with an Animal Program Specialist and then dig into breakfast in a private room at Pizzafari restaurant. Because this tour takes place in the AM, animals are more likely to be active and since the park is not open yet, your tour guide can drive at a leisurely pace. Be sure to book this ahead of time, this tour is only available on Sundays and Thursdays and there is an additional fee.
Has your wanderlust set in yet? Here’s the ultimate guide to planning your Disney World vacation step by step.
1 thought on “Staying at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge”