animal kingdom lodge pool view room tour

Complete Guide to Animal Kingdom Lodge (w/ review)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of many deluxe hotels at Walt Disney World. It’s located near, you guessed it, Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

You can also find Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House on the same property.

This is 1 of 8 Deluxe Resort hotels (not including Deluxe Villas) on Disney World property. What makes this resort special is that it’s kind of like being at Animal Kingdom.

That’s right, you can see wild African animals roaming the grounds, including, but not limited to giraffes and zebras. This is definitely an amazing resort. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Animal Kingdom Lodge.

In this article

Pros and Cons

Pros:  Dedicated buses, less expensive than most Deluxe Resorts, great on-site restaurants, 1 of the most gorgeous WDW resorts, Savanna View rooms have view of animals, during less busy times upgrades are often possible

Cons:  Not within viewing or walking distance of any theme parks, Standard View could be disappointing, rooms are smaller than average Deluxe Rooms, on-site restaurants are African-themed and may not appeal to everyone

Resort category:  Deluxe

Resort area:  Animal Kingdom

Address & Phone Number 2901 Osceola Parkway Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8410 (407) 938-3000

• View Animal Kingdom Lodge maps

Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in the Animal Kingdom theme park area. It’s probably one of the most unique hotels at Disney World.

The resort is inspired by the traditional “kraal,” which is a horseshoe-curved design that offers views of four savannas where over 200 animals and birds can be seen. There’s also African-themed dining, fun pool areas, a range of room selections that are also accessible, and so much more.

There are also two Disney Vacation Club resorts on property: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House.

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers regular guest rooms, whereas the “Villas” refer to DVC accommodations available at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. All of the resorts also share the same dining locations.

Because Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House, and Kidani Village are so close to each other, Disney provides an internal shuttle to transport guests between the resorts.

As for Animal Kingdom Lodge specifically, here’s what you need to know.

Guest Rooms And Bathrooms

Like all Disney Resort hotels, Animal Kingdom Lodge’s theme really comes through. Depending on the room you book, you can either sleep anywhere from 2 to 8 guests.  

There are, of course, the normal amenities provided, like a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi service, a Keurig coffee maker, a telephone, an in-room safe, an iron and ironing board, and a mini-refrigerator.

Plus, plenty of outlets and USB ports are available to charge your devices that you will most likely be using nonstop at the parks.

As for storage, there are drawers and a big closet. And, there’s even space underneath the beds that you can put items like luggage.

Standard Rooms Without Club Level Service

The following standard rooms all have similar layouts. There’s one main living area with a TV, dresser, bed(s), table, kitchenette, and a view. 

The bathrooms have a sink and vanity area that’s separate from the split shower/tub and toilet. There’s also a wall separating the bathroom and bedroom areas providing plenty of privacy.

• Savanna View : 2 Queen Beds, View of one of the savannas
• Pool View : 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed, Views of pool

• Standard View : 2 Queen Beds, Views of rooftop or parking area

• Standard View — King Bed : 1 King Bed, Views of rooftop or parking area
• Savanna View — King Bed : 1 King Bed, View of one of the savannas

• Pool View — King Bed : 1 King Bed, View of pool

Room and Suites with Club Level Services

Rooms and suites with Club Level Services have the regular room amenities previously mentioned, plus access to Disney Signature Services for personal assistance with your vacation.

Furthermore, there are certain Club Level Amenities that are available, including:

• Complimentary fax assistance
• Secured key access to the club-level lounge, serving refreshments 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
• Complimentary health club access
• Access to Concierge service at the Kiliminjaro Club
• Personalized Front Desk and Guest Services
• Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge

As for the rooms, they are much bigger than the typical standard room. They have more features, amenities, storage, space, and some even have different rooms (bedroom, living area, bathroom, kitchenette).

• 2 Bedroom Suite — Club Level Access : 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, View of one of the savannas

• Savanna View — Club Level Access : 2 Queen Beds, View of Arusha Savanna
• 1 Bedroom Suite — Club Level Access : 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, View of one of the savannas
• Standard View 1 Bedroom Suite — Club Level Access : 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, Views of rooftop or parking area

• Savanna View King Bed — Club Level Access : 1 King Bed, View of one of the savannas

Note: There are also both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include accessible bathrooms and visual alarms.

You can check out room layouts below.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Room Options

Video: disney’s animal kingdom lodge resort tour (rooms, pools, dining).

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

The lobby is located in the main building. Even though the front desk is there to assist guests, especially with checking in and checking out, all Disney World Resort guests are encouraged to check-in online  or by using MDE.

• Checking-In : After you check-in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via next. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to  unlock your room door .
• Checking-Out : Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option of to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

In addition to the lobby, you can find much of the main dining and the Zawadi Marketplace, the resort’s gift shop.

The pickup and dropoff location for  Mears Connect  (which is the replacement for Magical Express) and the bus stop are also right outside the main lobby. You can find luggage storage  inside the lobby for those who have checked out or are waiting to check in.

Note: Resort Airline Check-In and Magical Express are no longer available.

• Learn about how to get from the airport to Disney World

Package Delivery & Pick Up

You can have packages and groceries delivered to your Disney Resort hotel, along with shipping select items home.

• Learn more about how to get groceries at Disney World
• Learn more about shipping packages to and from Walt Disney World

Disney used to have a service where you were able to purchase items in the parks and then have them delivered to your resort’s gift shop. However, that service has been unavailable for several years now.

Although parking at Disney World resort hotels used to cost a nightly fee for resort guests, Disney has changed their policy so that parking is now  free  for all on-site resort guests. This change was implemented on January 10, 2023.

Valet parking is also available for $33 per night.

Complimentary standard self-parking is available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We also have a complete  Walt Disney World parking  guide you can browse.

Important: Valet parking might not always be available.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Building

Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms are located in one main building. All of the rooms are connected by hallways that create a horseshoe-curved design, aka a “kraal.”

This shape offers views of 4 savannas where over 200 animals and birds can be seen.

Animal Kingdom Lodge houses standard rooms with and without access to Club Service. While Kidani Village, one section of the DVC villas on property, are located nearby in a completely separate building, Jambo House, the other section of DVC villas, can be found at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Amenities And Shops

There are several amenities offered to guests at Animal Kingdom Lodge, including a gift shop, on-site laundry services, and even the chance to watch movies outside on a big screen! 

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

• Zawadi Marketplace : Purchase sundires, snacks, souvenirs, and more.

• Laundry Services : There are 24-hour  self-service laundry facilities available.
• Dry Cleaning Services : Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are also an option.

• Movies Under the Stars : Watch complimentary Disney movies by the Uzima Pool.
• Jambo House Campfire Activities : Roast marshmallows around a campfire.

• Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center : workout facility and sauna with massages and facial treatments
• Childcare Services :  In-room babysitting  for children 6 months to 12 years old.

Pools And Recreation

There’s one main pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you need a non-park day, we recommended spending the day at your hotel and enjoying the Disney Resort pool .

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

The pool available is:

• Uzima Springs Pool : An 11,000 square-foot pool with 234,980 gallons of water. It has a zero-depth entry point and a 67-foot-long waterslide. There’s also a bar and lounge nearby.

Some other recreational options include:

• Hakuna Matata Playground

• Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade

• Simba’s Playhouse: A Lion King -themed clubhouse hosting complimentary activities for kids

• Wild About Painting: on select days and for $50 per person (plus tax), you can create art and enjoy a complimentary drink 

How to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to anywhere at Disney World

There is one form of complimentary transportation available at Animal Kingdom Lodge: Walt Disney World buses. You can find the bus stop near the front of the main building.  All of the different ways to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to anywhere in Disney World is listed below.

Restaurant & Dining Options

There are plenty of dining options available at Animal Kingdom Lodge, including lounges, Quick Service spots, and several Table Service choices. At select locations, Mobile Ordering is also available.

Plus, Boma – Flavors of Africa and Jiko – The Cooking Place also feature Mobile Dine Check-In, meaning you’ll check-in using the My Disney Experience app rather than going to the host stand. When your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specific location.

You can read more about the dining options below.

Quick Service

This is a food court-style restaurant with several stations that serve burgers, falafel, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and more.

Location type:  Food Court Type of food:  American, African Meals served:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, & late-night dining

• Link to breakfast menu
• Link to lunch menu
• Link to dinner menu
• Link to late-night dining menu
• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 1 Quick Service credit
• Pros:  Wide variety of options on the menu, including the very popular Zebra Domes which make a tasty dessert, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
• Cons:   Gets very busy during peak times

Table Service

Boma – flavors of africa.

Boma is a popular African themed buffet that features unique African fare in addition to some standard American favorites, plus the popular Zebra Dome dessert.

Location type:  Buffet Type of food:  African, Indian Meals served:  Breakfast & dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 1 Table Service credit
• Pros:  Fantastic food and a great way to sample African foods (save room for great desserts though, including the popular Zebra Domes)
• Cons:   Small tables that are often close together

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Jiko features wood-burning ovens, traditional African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine, and an extensive list of African wines.

Location type:  Fine/Signature Dining Type of food:  African Meals served:  Dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 2 Table Service credits
• Pros:  One of the best restaurants at Disney World with delicious food and great ambiance
• Cons:   Expensive (but to most people, it’s worth every penny)

Everything Else

If you want to grab a beverage to drink by the pool or while you’re hanging at the resort, you may want to try the outdoor bar.

Uzima Springs Pool Bar

Location type:  Pool Bar Type of food:  A pool bar that serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• On the Disney Dining Plan?  No
• Pros:   Standard bar menu available, as well as some African imports
• Cons : Disney Dining Plan credits not accepted
• Link to menu

Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar (Temporarily Closed)

Location type:  Lounge Type of food:  Cocktails, wine, and beer plus a selection of items from the Jiko menu

• Pros:   Extensive drink list, including a nice wine selection (many of them are from Africa)
• Cons : Limited seating

Victoria Falls Lounge

Location type:  Lounge Type of food:  Cocktails, wine, and beer plus a selection of lounge fare

Dining options at Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

There are plenty of dining options available at Kidani Village, including the popular Sanaa (the bread service is a must!).

Plus, Sanaa also features Mobile Dine Check-In, meaning you’ll check-in using the My Disney Experience app rather than going to the host stand. When your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specific location.

Sanaa even has Table Service To Go , which allows guests to Mobile Order and take their meal back to their room. You can read more about the dining options below.

Sanaa is home to the very popular Bread Service and features African cooking with Indian flavors all with views of the Sunset Savanna.

Location type:  Casual Dining Type of food:  African, Indian Meals served:  Breakfast, lunch, & dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 1 Table Service credits
• Pros:  1 of the best restaurants at Disney World with great service, fantastic food (be sure to get the bread service!), and savanna views
• Cons:   Getting there can be kind of a chore if you aren’t staying at the resort (driving is fastest, but you can take a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and get off at the Kidani stop)

Maji Pool Bar

Location type:  Quick Service Type of food:  A pool bar that serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and a small selection of entrees

• On the Disney Dining Plan?  Yes, 1 Quick Service Credit
• Pros:   Great place to get a drink and snack while spending time by the pool
• Cons : Service can be slow

Sanaa Lounge

Location type:  Lounge Type of food:  Cocktails, wine, and beer plus a handful of appetizers

• Pros:   Nice ambiance, ability to grab a drink and order the super popular bread service that’s also served inside the restaurant
• Cons : Getting there can be kind of a chore if you aren’t staying at the resort (driving is fastest, but you can take a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and get off at the Kidani stop)

Schedule Refurbishments

No scheduled refurbishments.

• Check all known refurbishments
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Maps
• Pros and Cons of on-site Walt Disney World Resort hotels

Trip reports that included Animal Kingdom Lodge

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Review and Room Tour

• March 22, 2022

On our January 2022 trip, we were incredibly lucky to stay four nights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. My brother-in-law is a DVC member, and he used his DVC points to book this room and invited us to stay with them!

First of all, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is absolutely stunning. Just walking into the lobby will take your breath away! This resort has two sections—Jambo House and Kidani Village. When booking you can choose from savanna view, pool view, and standard view rooms. (Standard rooms and suites—meaning non-DVC villas—are all in Jambo House.) We stayed in a savanna-view two-bedroom DVC villa on the Kidani Village side.

Each side has its own lobby, gift shop, arcade, pool, and bus stop (though they share busses). Kidani Village definitely feels quieter and cozier, while Jambo House is livlier and full of fun energy. The main thing that Kidani Village lacks is a quick-service restaurant. You can still get drink refills in refillable resort mugs at Kidani Village—there’s a soda fountain and coffee/tea station in the back of the gift shop in the lobby.

I would call this resort medium-sized. Once you’ve stayed at Pop Century or walked around Caribbean Beach, Animal Kingdom Lodge practically feels cozy.

During our stay, the pool on the Kidani Village side was closed for refurbishment, so we walked over to the Jambo House side multiple times to eat at The Mara and go swimming. There is a shuttle you can take between Kidani Village and Jambo House, but it’s probably only about a 7-10 minute walk.

The pool at Jambo House (pictured above) is gorgeous, and our kids had a blast swimming and going down the waterslide multiple times. There’s also a pool bar that serves drinks and snacks, but we didn’t try anything from there. We had no problem finding available chairs in the middle of the day, and it proved to be a really nice break from the parks!

The Mara is the only quick-service restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s located on the Jambo House side, and it can be kind of hard to find if it’s your first time staying there! You have to go in the front of the Jambo House lobby, down the stairs, outside, and past the pool, and it’s on the left. We ate here a couple of times during our stay, and the food was great. One thing to note about The Mara, however, is it’s currently only open until 10:00pm. We love to close down the parks, and one night in particular, when we were too busy riding rides to eat dinner, this really threw a wrench in our plans. We ended up ordering pizza on Door Dash (first time we’ve ever had to do that at Disney before!).

There are three table-service restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge— Sanaa is at Kidani Village, and Boma and Jiko are at Jambo House. We ate at Sanaa, and it was incredible—a new Disney World favorite for us! The Indian-style Bread Service and the African Triple Chocolate Mousse were the absolute stand-outs of our meal. This is a great place to try if you want something new and different, but don’t worry about bringing kids—the kids’ menu has both adventurous and standard options. My niece is the pickiest eater I know, and both her and my kiddo were very happy with their cheese pizza. 😆 You can see the full menu on Disney’s website here . Table-service restaurants require advanced dining reservations, which you can make up to 60 days out from your trip!

Transportation

One major drawback to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is that the only transportation option is a bus. This might not be a drawback for you if you drive to Disney World or plan to rent a car. But for us this was pretty unfortunate at times. When we were there in January 2022, the busses were not running consistently or often. This may have been due to staffing shortages (we saw many “in training” bus drivers throughout our stay), so I’m not sure that it’s always like this. But we consistently waited 20+ minutes for a bus to arrive. And, unless you’re going to Animal Kingdom, the bus rides are long. Besides Animal Kingdom, the next closest park is Hollywood Studios, which is about a 15 minute bus ride away.

After staying at Pop Century on our previous trip (which has the skyliner ) and coming from Bay Lake Tower, where we stayed on the first part of this trip, (which has the monorail) this took some getting used to! The night we wanted to go to Magic Kingdom for Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe Resort Guests, we waited 20 minutes for a bus and when it still hadn’t come (and we figured it would take another 20+ minutes to even get to Magic Kingdom), we decided to just stay at the resort and take the kids to the arcade instead. Major bummer!

Both Kidani Village and Jambo House have their own bus stops, though they do share busses. This varied sometimes, but generally the busses would drop off at Kidani Village first and then go to Jambo House. And they pick up at Jambo House first and then Kidani Village. Just a bit of a life hack: if you’re staying at Kidani Village when you get on the bus at the parks try to stay near the front or along the sides where you can get off easily whenever possible. If you’re sitting in the very back of the bus, you’re going to have to climb over everyone to get off at Kidani Village. 😆

Both Kidani Village and Jambo House have arcades. Kidani Village has the Safari So Good Arcade, which is located on the first floor around the corner from the lobby (near Community Hall and the elevators). This arcade is small but still fun and tends to be less crowded. Jambo House has Pumbaa’s Fun and Games arcade, which is located next to The Mara. This one is probably twice the size of the one at Kidani Village, but definitely gets more crowded especially in the evenings!

Our kids love arcades, and these were no exception! They certainly managed to spend all their allotted arcade allowance haha. 😆 Liam maintains, however, that the Pop Century arcade is still his favorite.

We loved the room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. As I mentioned above, we had a split stay on this trip. The first three nights we stayed in a two-bedroom DVC villa at Disney’s Bay Lake Tower Resort. The room at Animal Kingdom Lodge was roomier and more updated than Bay Lake Tower.

DVC villas have full kitchens, living/dining areas, multiple bathrooms, and a washer and dryer, which is SO NICE. Now I can see why people say once you stay in a one- or two-bedroom villa you never want to go back to a standard hotel room!

The BEST part about staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge is of course the savanna view!! Even if you don’t have a savanna-view room, both sides of the resort have areas where you can sit and watch the animals on the savanna. When we were there in January 2022, there were animals out on the savanna all the time! The giraffes (our favorite!) tended to be out really early in the morning, around sunrise when they eat. (It’s so cool to watch the cast members drive around the savanna and feed the animals in the morning!) But we saw all different animals at all different times of the day!

The balcony was our favorite part of this room. It was huge! It extended all the way across our room and had doors from both bedrooms and the living room and plenty of chairs for everyone. We spent every morning of our stay out here (as you can see above, we’re all in our pajamas haha) having coffee with the giraffes. I highly recommend getting up for sunrise at least once if you can. So gorgeous!

This might cramp your style if you’re a hard core Disney parks rope-dropper, but try to take at least one morning easy and watch the savanna. It’s worth it, I promise! But if mornings aren’t your thing, we also found there to be a lot of animals out in the early evening, around 5:00–6:00pm.

We absolutely loved our stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The unique table-service dining options, the quality of the room, and the savanna view just cannot be beat! If you have a real animal lover in your group, this is absolutely a must-do experience!

That said, I don’t think we will be jumping to book here for trips in our near future. Dining and transportation are probably the top two amenities we look for in a resort, and both of those were lacking for us at Animal Kingdom Lodge. When we go to Disney World, we like to be in the parks and we like to hop around. Having the ease of non-bus transportation options puts many resorts ahead of this one for us. Also the limited hours at The Mara really didn’t work for us.

I’m really glad we experienced a stay here, but in the future I would probably only book here if we were using DVC points (if someday in the future we have them!) and we were planning a more resort-stay type of vacation with less park time. Or for one or two nights as part of a split stay.

Have you ever visited Animal Kingdom Lodge? Where does it fall on your list of favorite Disney World resorts? I’d love to hear your thought in the comments below!

And don’t forget to pin this post for later!

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An Unofficial Tribute to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Cultural Representatives Return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Magic Holidays Room Offer Announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Uzima Springs Pool and Pool Bar Closing for Refurbishment on September 1

Choose free dining or a room-only discount this fall at the animal kingdom lodge.

Free Dining Offer for Kids Announced for Summer 2018

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Guest Room Basics

Animal Kingdom Lodge boasts 1,293 guest rooms–all with private balconies–offering choices of Savanna, Pool, or Standard views . All rooms are located on one of four “trails,” which are essentially hallways off of the main lobby: Giraffe Trail, Kudu Trail, Ostrich Trail, and Zebra Trail. Rooms usually contain two queen beds, but are also available with one king bed or one queen bed and a set of bunk beds! Also available are one- and two-bedroom suites, and Vice Presidential and Presidential suites.

Per night room rates range from $280 for a standard-view room, up to $2,300+ for the Presidential Suite. Visit our Blog Post that highlights the 2012 AKL Room Rates for more details.

Guests are also able to book on the Concierge-Club level, receiving upgraded amenities (such as turn-down service and complimentary bathrobes); access to the Kilimanjaro Club, serving snacks throughout the day and offering an evening wine and cheese reception; the opportunity to venture on the Sunrise Safari, including breakfast and a private Kilimanjaro Safari ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park; or the Wanyama Safari through Animal Kingdom’s Harambe Preserve which is available to all AKL guests.

Finally, remember that you can also book Disney Vacation Club “villas” at the Animal Kingdom Villas , which offer studios (with kitchenettes), one- and two-bedroom villas (with kitchens), and the spectacular three bedroom Grand Villas that can sleep 12.

All rooms contain in-room safes, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers , coffee makers, Free WiFi and refrigerators . Cribs are available by request.

A Few AKL Room Tips and Tricks

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a large resort, and views and room locations can make a big difference to the enjoyment level of your overall stay. Also, don’t forget to check the Animal Kingdom Lodge room rates to determine costs for different room types.

Because the hotel’s biggest draw are its animals, your room view weighs heavily on your room cost. Savanna views include great views of one of AKL’s three savannas, pool views include a view of the main Uzima Pool—or any roofs or trees around the pool area, and standard views constitute everything else: parking lot views, dirt trail views, or even—if you’re lucky—a less-than-perfect view of a savanna.

AKL has been known—especially after the events of 9/11 when tourism slowed significantly—to give free upgrades to savanna view rooms when available. This hasn’t been seen anecdotally for a few years, now, but it’s always a gamble some folks are willing to take.

Because AKL is large and has several different room view types, the location of your room really does matter. And because the resort is far away from most of Disney World’s attractions, travel times can be extensive–a drawback to staying at AKL. This is why many Disneyphiles only consider AKL worth their money if they’re staying in a savanna view room. Here are our top picks for room location, in order of importance:

• Savanna View: You should weigh your priorities here. Some folks really love the atmosphere and away-from-everything location of AKL, making the less expensive standard view and pool view rooms worth their cost. Others consider the remote location of the hotel to be a drawback and will only consider staying at AKL if they have a great view of the animals.
• Arusha Savanna View: There are three different savannas at AKL—Sunset, Arusha, and Uzima. We like the Arusha savanna because it gives us a backdrop view of the beautiful lobby’s picture window. The Arusha savanna is also the hotel’s “main” savanna, located right off the lobby; because of this, you can be assured that there will always be a wide variety of animals on this savanna. It can however, be the savanna that offers the least privacy—at any given time hotel visitors will be oohing and aahing over animals at the public viewing areas, most of which look out onto the Arusha savanna. In 2011 Disney changed it’s pricing structure, the Arusha savanna view rooms now have a premium price.
• Zebra Trail: There are four trails that make up the resorts four architectural arms: Zebra, Kudu, Ostrich, and Giraffe. Only Zebra and Kudu offer views of the Arusha savanna, and the Zebra trail offers the added benefit of being closer to the pool and restaurants.

• Third or Fourth Floor: Being on the third or fourth floor offers just about the perfect animal viewing level; floor 2 feels too low, giving you a less expansive view of the whole savanna and decreasing your ability to spot animals farther away, and floors 5 and 6 can feel so high that it’s hard to get a close-up, intimate look at the animals on the ground.
• Halfway Down the Trail: This is very much a matter of preference. The Zebra and Kudu trails are very long and it can take several minutes to walk to an end-of-the-trail room depending on your speed. This walk gets frustrating at the end of a long day in the parks, if you’ve forgotten something in your room and have to run back for it, or if you have mobility concerns. We like to be situated about halfway down the trail, as many of the animals dislike venturing very close to the lobby/public viewing areas and tend to stay further out on the savanna.

For More About Animal Kingdom Lodge Rooms, Check out These Blog Posts!

• Choosing the Best Room for Your Family on DVC Points
• What’s In A View
• Kilimanjaro Club: Is it Worth it?

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Room Review- View Giraffes From Your Hotel Room

Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the best deluxe resort hotels at Walt Disney World. The deluxe resort hotels are the premium luxury hotels offered at Walt Disney World that come with the best perks. My Animal Kingdom Lodge room review covers why this hotel is a fan favorite and why we've stayed here more than once.

The draw of Animal Kingdom Lodge is its close proximity to the wildlife. The hotel is built in the midst of an African savanna style animal habitat which means you can view animals like zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and more from the hotel. You can even book a room that faces the savanna so you can wake up to these beautiful animals every morning!

I visit Walt Disney World frequently and I have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge often during my visits. This is one of my favorite Walt Disney World deluxe hotel options. Nothing beats the excitement on your family's face when they look out on the balcony each morning to see giraffes and zebras! Keep reading for my full Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna room review to see why this hotel is so popular.

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Overview

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort hotel at Walt Disney World located directly near Animal Kingdom Park. Animal Kingdom Lodge offers standard rooms but also DVC rooms. These rooms offer the chance at great savings if you rent DVC points. Read my review of the DVC Animal Kingdom rooms and my money saving hack for staying at this hotel at a reduced rate.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is surrounded by four savannas that are home to over 200 hoofed animals and birds. There are two main buildings: Jambo House and Kidani Village. Jambo House is where the main lobby is located but both these buildings offer dining, pools and recreation, and savanna views.

The lobby in Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge is also home to one of the largest collections of African art in the United States which you can find displayed all around the hotel with some of the most majestic pieces in the main lobby.

One of the coolest aspects of the Animal Kingdom Lodge is the ease of access for savanna views throughout the entire resort. You can see both sides of the savanna in the hallways that lead up to the rooms, the lobby, restaurants, and outside walkways. This is the reason why this resort is one of my favorites at Walt Disney World. Nothing compares to these wildlife views and it's what truly makes Animal Kingdom Lodge special.

See the Animal Kingdom Lodge map for more information about the layout of the resort, the locations of dining and recreation options, and more.

Animal Kingdom Savanna Room Review

The best way to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge is to make sure you are staying in a room with a view of the savanna. These rooms all have balconies that overlook the savanna. There is nothing better than waking up to a view of giraffes outside your room eating breakfast.

During our stays at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we have seen so many animals from our room including giraffes, zebra, ostriches, and more. This is one of my son's favorite hotels purely for this reason. We like to sit outside on the balcony and take in these views.

Cast members also strategically feed the animals so they come closer to your balconies. This is the same for breakfast and dinner so make sure to take a peek outside during the morning and evening. We noticed dinner time is often around 5PM for the animals.

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a range of room types from queen beds, king beds, studio suites plus 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom villas. All room types have the option of upgrading to a pool view or savanna view. There is also club level service offered for the villas and deluxe studios.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard Room Review

During our stay, we stayed in a regular standard room with a savanna room review. Let's get into the details of our stay in this Animal Kingdom Lodge room review. 

I love the rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, they are so beautiful!

The standard rooms have touches of Lion King around the room- notice the mural near the coffeemaker.

The bathroom is spacious and has plenty of room for multiple guests to get ready.

Families with small children will appreciate that these rooms have bath tubs.

The rooms were extremely spacious with plenty of storage. This room can easily fit a small family without feeling like you're all on top of each other.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Amenities

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers the typical set of amenities you can find at Walt Disney World resorts along with the addition of higher end services for guests staying at club level rooms.

Animal Kingdom Lodge lists their resort amenities as including:

• Disney Bus Transportation
• Minnie Van Service
• Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet
• Online Check-In
• Banking for exchanging foreign currencies
• Designated Smoking Areas
• Housekeeping Service
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
• Mail Services
• Merchandise Delivery and Pickup
• Resort Concierge
• Disney Signature Services for Club-level rooms

We stayed during a rainy weekend at Walt Disney World and the cast members were going above and beyond organizing games for kids in the lobby which was a nice touch.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Recreation

The Animal Kingdom Lodge pool at Jambo House is a great size and features water slides, comfortable lounge chairs, and a hot tub.

Animal Kingdom Lodge really leans into its unique theming with African wildlife located around the pool area.

The Uzima Springs Pool offers plenty of space, nearby pool bar, food-service location and view of the savanna from certain areas.

My son enjoyed the waterslide and I appreciated the choice of two hot tubs to utilize since it was a bit chilly during our stay.

The full list of recreation options at Animal Kingdom Lodge include:

• The largest pool is the Uzima Springs Pool at Jambo house facing the savanna with a zero-depth entry point and a 67-foot-long waterslide. Two hot tubs are also located nearby.
• The second pool is Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village with a 128-foot waterslide and a water playground called Uwanja Camp with three different zones for kids of all ages.This pool area also features a water playground for smaller children to enjoy.
• Located at Arusha Overlook 7:00-8:00pm – 7 days a week
• Watch favorite Disney films in the fresh evening air by the Uzima Pool.

• Located at Jambo House
• Wild About Painting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Locker Rentals for $1 per use near Uzima pool
• Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center- a workout facility featuring equipment, massages and more.

Animal Kingdom Lodge also offers a large gift shop off the main lobby in Jambo House with a good selection of souvenirs and must need items.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a diverse selection of dining options including the signature dining experience, Jiko- The Cooking Place. Read our recent review of Jiko- The Cooking Place to see why this deluxe dining option is a favorite of many Disney fans.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Dining

• Be transported to Africa as you taste the fragrant spices and bold flavors of this amazing continent’s cuisine.
• Breakfast, Dinner
• Feast on an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet in an atmosphere inspired by a lively open-air marketplace.
• Get a snack to go or grab a seat in the dining room and enjoy a meal under a canopy of banyan trees.
• Bar Service
• Enjoy an aperitif prior to dining at nearby Jiko – The Cooking place––or stay put and order an appetizer to enjoy with your cocktail.
• Park yourself by the glow of a fire pit or sink into a sofa while sipping a selection from the full bar menu.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village Dining

• Linger over libations at this inviting retreat while relishing wildlife sightings at nearby Arusha Savanna.
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Discover exquisite East African cuisine and enjoy views of Sunset Savanna—home to some 30 wildlife species!
• Try a flight of African wines surrounded by the warm hues of an Old-World spice market.
• Lunch, Bar Service
• Sip on a cocktail at this romantic open-air oasis serving up signature drinks, sandwiches and salads.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation Review

The main drawback of Animal Kingdom Lodge in comparison to the other deluxe hotels is that it only offers bus transportation.

We always have positive experience with bus transportation and this recent Animal Kingdom Lodge stay was no different. The bus service was constant and we never waited long at the hotel or the parks. The My Experience App under the ‘Resort' section will show you the time when your bus will arrive at your resort and arrival to each park giving you a good idea of how to plan.

My rule of thumb for rope drop, for any Walt Disney World resort, is to line up at your transportation at least 60-90 minutes prior to park opening.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Room Review- Final Thoughts

I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge and this is one of my favorite hotels at Walt Disney World. This is also a beautiful hotel during the holiday season.

One of the biggest critiques this deluxe hotel receives is how far away it is from the other theme parks (aside from Animal Kingdom) and that it only offers bus transportation. This is a big con if you are interested in using the Skyliner or Monorail to get to the theme parks.

You give up the ease of this convenience for the luxury of being surrounded by African wildlife. For some folks, that's a worthy sacrifice to make! There is no other Walt Disney World hotel that offers such unique theming. You won't see giraffes right outside your window anywhere else and for some families, that's the biggest part of the magic right there. For my family, that's what we love about the resort and I do not mind using bus transportation.

You also have all the amenities a deluxe resort provides and the hotel itself is beautiful with its detailing and the large collection of African art in the lobby.

This is one of my favorite Walt Disney World resorts and one that I love to revisit often!

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• Disney World Dining Guide: Food Options, Budget Tips, Restaurant Guides
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• Walt Disney World My Experience App: How to Use this App to Maximize Your Time

Yes! Animal Kingdom Lodge offers so many great chances to view the African wildlife on the savannas surrounding the hotel plus amazing dining options like Sanaa and Jiko The Cooking Pace

No! The entire lodge is well kept and smells like, well, any deluxe Disney hotel. You cannot smell the animals that live outside.

All rooms above the ground floor have balconies!

Yes, there are plenty of viewing areas to view the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Ultimate Guide

Posted on Last updated: March 18, 2024

Categories Disney World

Here’s my detailed guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge pool, dining, rooms, wildlife, and more.

Our family’s favorite place to stay at Walt Disney World is Animal Kingdom Lodge, hands-down.

We’ve stayed here over 10 times and we keep coming back for the amazing rooms, restaurants, pools, activities, and animals!

I’m sharing everything I know about the resort in this review so you can have the best possible experience. 

What is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) is a Disney World Deluxe Resort hotel. It is located near Orlando, FL, and opened in 2001.

What makes it unique is that the hotel is set on an actual 33-acre wildlife preserve!

In 2009, a second property, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, opened adjacent to the original Animal Kingdom Lodge. This section only contains Disney Vacation Club villas (more on those soon).

The Lodge was renamed “ Jambo House ” to differentiate it from the new property. 

Kidani Village

Both hotels comprise Animal Kingdom Lodge in its entirety, which is regularly listed in the top ten family resorts in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. 

In 2011, AKL also earned AAA Four-Diamond status.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Map

Here is a map that shows the layout of Animal Kingdom Lodge. You can see the two parts of the resort (Jambo House and Kidani Village), the four savannas, and the location of the pools. 

It is about a 10-minute walk between the lobbies of the two sections. There is a shuttle bus that runs back and forth between the two sections if you don’t want to do any additional walking.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Rooms

There are two distinct room types at AKL – regular hotel rooms and DVC Villa rooms.

Jambo House Bunkbed Room – Photo Credit Disneyworld.com

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House has a mixture of standard hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas.

There are several room categories such as Standard View, Pool View, and Savanna View.

The 2024 rack rate at AKL is around $500 per night – but please don’t pay that much to stay here!

Keep reading to learn how to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for far less, which is such a perk when you get to experience this magical hotel.

Alternatively, there are several different Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village.

We have paid as little as $150/night to stay in these rooms which cost $500/night when booked directly with Disney.

DVC is Disney’s vacation ownership program,  but you don’t have to be a DVC owner to stay in these rooms. 

We can stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge so frequently because we rent DVC points for our trips. 

I detail the process for renting DVC points in great detail in this post , so I won’t repeat it here.

I know it seems too good to be true but trust me – you can do this, too! 

Kidani Village Studio Villa

Studio Villas (which sleep four) are about 375 sq. feet and feature a queen bed and a full-size sleeper sofa. They also feature a small kitchenette with a microwave, sink, toaster, mini fridge, and cabinets with some food preparation items.

In other ways, they are similar to the regular resort rooms – including beautiful artwork and the wildlife preserve theme running throughout all of the details of the room.

Living/Dining Room Area in a Two Bedroom Villa

There are also one, two, and three-bedroom villas AKL Jambo House.

If you want to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge for far less than you’ll pay when booking directly with Disney, be sure to check out this post about renting DVC points for your Disney World vacation. 

And if you want a detailed comparison of the two parts of the resort, check out my post on Kiandi Village vs Jambo House here . 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Pools

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House Pool

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge pools are nothing short of spectacular and a great perk of this hotel and property. 

You can use the pools at both resorts when staying at either Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort property – many people don’t know this and stick with just the pool at their section!

Between the two resorts, you’ll find two zero-entry pools, three water slides, four hot tubs, two pool bars, three kiddie pools, and an interactive water playground.

We spend at least a day just visiting the pools on each of our stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Morning at the Jambo House Pool

Jambo House features a large zero-entry pool with a 67-foot long water slide.

There are two hot tubs around the pool area, one in a bamboo grove and the other right next to an animal viewing area.

There is also a (rather uninspired) kiddie pool. You can order drinks from the Uzima Springs poolside bar (I suggest the Safari Amber beer and the Mango Margarita).

Hot tub at Jambo House

Towels and kids’ life jackets are provided at the Animal Kingdom lodge pools.

You are allowed to bring your own toys into the pool, as long as they aren’t too big.

You’ll find a nice playground and a few more animal viewing spots in the Jambo House pool area as well.

I’ve seen cast members wiping down the playground equipment with disinfectant each morning. Only at Disney World.

Kidani Village – Samawati Springs Pool

Kidani Village has a zero-entry pool that is about half the size of the Jambo House pool. However, the main water slide is 128 feet long and really fun!

There is also a kiddie-sized water slide that empties into the main pool.

Our little one has loved it since age one. You’ll find two nice-sized hot tubs in the pool area as well.

The large interactive water play area at Kidani Village is called Uwanja Camp and it is really amazing.

There are a few shallow kiddie pools, water blasters, buckets that periodically dump water, a playground area and more.

I feel like there is something for toddlers through teenagers in this area. Here are a few more pictures of the Animal Kingdom lodge pool areas:

Overall, we enjoy both Animal Kingdom Lodge pool areas tremendously and especially enjoy the ability to go to both pools during our stay.

And to compare with another Disney Deluxe resort, click here for a review of the Swan and Dolphin hotel pool . 

Location and Transportation

Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in the southwest corner of the Walt Disney World Resort, close to the Animal Kingdom theme park.

It is about a 15-minute drive from AKL to the parking for Magic Kingdom (to give you a sense of distance on this map).

Can you walk from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the Animal Kingdom theme park?

Animal Kingdom Lodge is very close to the Animal Kingdom theme park, however, you can’t walk to the park from the hotel. I would love it if they would add a walkway in the future, though!

How do I get to the theme parks from Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The only way to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the theme parks is by bus, car, or taxi/Uber.

We love to use the bus service when we stay at AKL. The bus travel times are less than 5 minutes to Animal Kingdom, around 15 minutes to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and about 20 minutes to the Magic Kingdom.

You can expect a 5-10 minute wait for the bus, though sometimes there is no wait and the longest you can wait is 20 minutes. 

You can walk to certain theme parks from some other Disney Deluxe Resort. If you are used to the 10-minute walk from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom, or the even shorter walk from the Boardwalk to Epcot, you might consider this a downside to AKL.

Tropical view from one of our balconies

However, the tradeoff of being a bit farther from the parks is that you really feel surrounded by nature at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

There is no development around the resort and this helps with the illusion that you really have been transported to a remote African wildlife preserve. The view from any room is of lush foliage or animals, instead of a concrete jungle.

My family would gladly spend a few extra minutes on the bus in exchange for the feeling that we aren’t staying in Orlando at all. 🙂 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Wildlife Viewing

The amenity that makes AKL unique among all other Disney hotels is the savanna, of course! There are actually four different savannahs at AKL,  with Kidani and Jambo sharing the main Sunset Savanna. 

What animals are at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge?

More than 200 mammals and birds representing almost 40 species live there, and different animals can be found on different savannas. It is so incredible to have all these animals living around the hotel, another reason why the experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is unbeatable. 

Our favorite animals to view are the Giraffe, Zebra, Ankole Cattle, Okapi, Flamingos, and African Crowned Cranes. There is an animal viewing guide in every room which you can keep and even carry down to the animal viewing areas with you.

The savannas are the actual homes of the animals who live there and they are open 24 hours. AKL is even accredited by the American Zoological Association (AZA), which ensures the quality of care for the animals.

The main viewing area for animals at Jambo House is called Arusha Rock. It is fun to explore and you can usually find a “Safari Guide” around the area who is happy to answer questions and tell you more about the animals.

Most often the guides are from Africa and are on a cultural exchange at AKL for a period of time. Here are some animal pictures from the public viewing areas:

You can also use special night vision goggles to view the animals at night during the early evening hours at Arusha Rock.

Walkway to Animal Viewing Area at Kidani Village

There is a similar animal viewing area at Kidani Village, complete with Safari Guides, binoculars, and a fire pit.

Personally, I have always seen more animals at the Kidani Village viewing areas. The animals are a lot closer than at Jambo House and I have seen a wider variety of animals .

Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants

Sanaa at Kidani Village

I can’t believe I made it this long without writing about the incredible dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Between the two properties, there are four restaurants, two lounges, and the pool bars I already mentioned. In my experience, they are all excellent. Here’s a quick summary:

Famous bread service at Sanaa

Sanaa is a table service restaurant at Kidani Village that serves African inspired food with some Indian influence.

It’s open for breakfast (fast casual), lunch and dinner (table service). 

It has gorgeous design and theming. It’s the only restaurant from which you can view animals while you dine.

Sanaa has one of the more adventurous menus at Disney World, though you’ll find a standard strip steak and chicken entree. I most recommend the bread service and cheese plate.

The famous Boma Zebra Domes

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma is a buffet at Jambo House that serves breakfast and dinner. It has outstanding quality and selection.

Though the food is African-inspired and you’ll find some dishes you’ve never heard of, the food appeals to a standard American palate.

It’s one of my top three restaurants at Disney World and is not to be missed!

Appetizer at Jiko

Jiko – The Cooking Place  

Jiko is a high end (Signature) table service restaurant at Jambo House open for dinner only. It boasts wood-burning ovens, seasonal menus, and the largest selection of South African wines outside of Africa.

While it is pricey, the quality and flavors will knock your socks off. I like to make a meal out the extensive appetizer menu and enjoy a glass of South African wine. Jiko is a special dining experience for sure.

Cupcakes at The Mara

The Mara is the quick service restaurant at Jambo House that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I love that it opens for coffee and pastries at 6 am.

It has great food at reasonable prices (for Disney World). My favorites are the African Stew, Butternut Squash soup, and Zebra Domes for dessert. You can find standard quick-service fare (hamburgers, fries, etc.) right alongside food with some African flair. Special cupcakes unique to AKL for you cupcake aficionados.

Victoria Falls Lounge at Jambo House

You’ll find a lounge at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. Victoria Falls Lounge is found on the second floor of Jambo House, below the lobby and above Boma. It is a great place to grab a drink and relax.

There is also a lounge at Kidani Village, found just inside the entrance to Sanaa. It has some nice cozy seating and is a little tucked away from the bustle of the restaurant. It boasts an impressive wine list featuring African wines.

I think the restaurants at Animal Kindom Lodge are some of the best in all of Disney World. They are not to be missed if you are staying at AKL, and are even worth a trip to the Lodge to eat if you are staying elsewhere!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Activities

The resort activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge are so incredible, I’ve written an entire post just about them here !

For a quick summary, you’ll find the following resort activities at AKL every day (most free but some paid):

• Cookie decorating at Boma
• Culinary tour of Jiko & Boma
• African face painting
• Poolside games
• Craft activities in the old Simba’s Clubhouse
• Educational wildlife games
• Talks by cultural ambassadors visiting from Africa

And every night you can roast unlimited free marshmallows at the fire pit in the Arusha Rock area (Jambo House). 

I think this my daughter’s favorite thing at Disney World, LOL.  Read about all of the free resort activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge here.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobbies, Gift Shops, & Art

Jambo House Lobby

It’s kind of a good thing that pictures don’t do these places justice. There is nothing like experiencing the Jambo House lobby in person for the first time – I remember it literally took my breath away.

The towering ceilings, light fixtures, four-story glass window that looks out onto the savanna… there is truly a majestic feel to the place.

Kidani Village Lobby

Kidani Village’s lobby is equally gorgeous but scaled down from the Jambo House lobby.

In both lobbies, you’ll find check-in desks, concierge, and Magical Express airline check-in areas ( read all about Disney Magical Express in this post ).

Jambo House features Zawadi Marketplace, a huge store that functions as both a gift shop and general store. It has everything from sunscreen to t-shirts to basic groceries. You can buy gallons of milk for not much more than you’d pay at home (thank you for not gouging us on milk, Disney) and groceries for making basic meals.

The gift shop at Kidani Village is about one-tenth the size of Jambo House’s, though you’ll still find all of the same basic groceries there. If you are looking for souvenirs, you are way better off walking over to Jambo House.

In the lobby and throughout the resorts you’ll find genuine African art on display. This is another of my favorite parts of visiting these resorts. It is almost like visiting an art museum to boot!

In fact, these resorts hold one of the largest collections of African art in the world outside of Africa. Take some time to notice the artwork when you walk to and from your room and even stroll around the resort to see all that’s there.

I have neglected to mention the outstanding hospitality and service ethic of the Cast Members at these resorts.

We have stayed at this hotel many times (seven at the time I write this) and we have only had excellent interactions with folks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. On many occasions, they have gone out of their way to help us out, from soothing a sick kid to changing travel plans.

This is one area where Disney excels and something that keeps us coming back year after year.

Savannah View Rooms

One question that I am often asked is “Should I spend the extra money on a savanna view room??” That really depends on how much time you will spend in your room and how badly you want to see the animals.

There are many public viewing locations around the resort, so you can check out the animals there. You’ll find rocking chairs with great views of animals that are open to anyone anytime.

A public savanna viewing area at Kidani Village

That said, there is something magical about watching animals while you drink your morning coffee or an evening cocktail. On average you’ll pay about $150 more per night to have a room with a balcony that opens onto the savanna , so you just have to decide if you are willing to pay that for a guaranteed view of the animals. 

If you are going to be spending a lot of time at the theme parks (such as on your first trip) and are trying to keep costs down, I suggest opting for a standard view room. If you plan on spending more time in your room or a full day at the resort, then it would make more sense to upgrade to a savanna view. 

My family has mostly stayed in standard view rooms to save money. This allows us to visit more often, which is more important to us!

I have had lots of luck requesting a room with a partial view of the savanna even when I’m only paying for a standard view room. Read about how I manage to see animals from standard rooms by making effective rooms requests here . 

So it is really up to your family if it would be worth the extra cost for a guaranteed full savanna view, or if you’d rather use that money on some other part of your vacation.

Animal Kingdom Lodge FAQs

Here are answers to a few more common questions about the resort. 

Can you feed the giraffes?

Unfortunately, no, you can’t feed or touch any of the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The closest you can get it is to take the Wanyama Safari and Dinner which is offered on select nights. Get more info on this special experience here. 

Can you see the fireworks?

No, you aren’t able to see fireworks from any room at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Actually, this a reason that I love it here. At many Deluxe resorts, you are woken up multiple times each night from fireworks noise. This is something to consider if you are traveling with small children who are startled easily too. Just another bonus of staying at this beautiful hotel and another reason I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney. 

Are there fitness centers at the resort?

Yes, there are fitness centers at both properties. The one at Jambo House is a bit bigger and also contains a spa where you can get a massage and other (very pricey) treatments. Get more info here.  

Is there childcare available? 

Yes, both hotels offer in-room babysitting services for ages six months through twelve years old starting at $18 per hour. You can get more info from Disney World here.

The child care center (Simba’s Clubhouse) is no longer. There is still a child care center at the Contemporary called the Pixar Play Zone . 

Is Animal Kingdom Lodge worth it?

I’m guessing you can figure out my answer to this – ABSOLUTELY YES! Animal Kingdom Lodge is not just my favorite hotel at Disney World, but my favorite hotel in the world.

You may notice that (particularly at Kidani Village) your room can potentially be a LONG way from the lobby!

For this reason, I strongly suggest making a room request whenever you stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge ( read all about how to make effective room requests in this post ). 

I can’t imagine another place having this combination of unique experiences, amazing cast members, outstanding dining, and gorgeous surroundings. 

Do you have any questions about Animal Kingdom Lodge? Please leave a comment below join the discussion in my free private Facebook group for readers called The Budget Mouse!

If you liked this post you will also like:

• Disney Saratoga Springs Reviews
• Disney Polynesian Restaurants
• The Best Value Resort at Disney World (And The Worst)

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Jambo House vs. Kidani Village: Where To Stay At Animal Kingdom Lodge - The Frugal South

Friday 22nd of February 2019

[…] In this post, I’ll share the differences between the two hotels and the pros and cons of each to help you decide where to stay. If you want a thorough review of Animal Kingdom Lodge, check out this post.  […]

Accommodations

Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, all reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, animal kingdom lodge kidani village pools: everything you need to know.

While the driving force of Walt Disney World will always be the Vacation Kingdom’s theme parks, the complex’s resort hotels are nothing to sneeze at.

The near 30 resorts on property offer countless amenities for travels, including fantastic pools. In fact, there are are some Disney resort water recreation areas that reach water park-attraction level quality, such as the Animal Kingdom Lodge pools.

For those unfamiliar, some quick backstory on Animal Kingdom Lodge: Opened in 2001, this Deluxe-level Disney resort is (unsurprisingly, given the name) themed similarly to the Animal Kingdom theme park. The hotel has become known for its up-close encounters with real animals, lauded dining options, and yes – it’s pools and water play areas.

Uzima Springs Pool

The first of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s main pools is the Uzima Springs Pool, located near the Jambo House area of the resort. Uzima Springs is Animal Kingdom Lodge’s largest pool, measuring in at 11,000 square feet and capable of holding 234,980 gallons of water. The pool features a zero-depth entry point — meant to mimic a natural beach’s entrance into the ocean — and a 67-foot long waterslide that thrills guests of all ages. Despite all this, the pool is surrounded by a canopy of trees, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Located near the pool, the aptly-named Uzima Springs Pool Bar provides a relatively large drink menu including non-alcoholic beverages, beer, wine, frozen cocktails and those served on the rocks, and several specialty drinks including:

• African Sunset: Cruzan Mango Rum and African Starr Rum, blended with Mango and Strawberry Purée
• Safari Mudslide: Amarula Cream Liquor, Kahlúa Liquor, Snow Leopard Vodka, blended with Vanilla Ice Cream
• Flamingo Mule: Snow Leopard Vodka, Van der Hum Tangerine Liquor, Ginger Beer, Lime Juice, and Cranberry Juice with flavors of Mango and Guava
• Mount Kilimarita: Patrón Silver Tequila, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur, and Sweet-and-Sour with a splash of Cranberry Juice

Samawati Springs Pool

Located across the Animal Kingdom Lodge property, in the Kidani Village area, sits the resort’s other major pool: the Samawati Springs Pool.

Samawati Springs comes in slightly smaller than the Uzima Springs Pool, measuring 4,700 square feet and holding 118,138 gallons of water. However, the pool offers a longer 128-foot waterslide for those so inclined, as well as the same zero-depth entry found at its counterpart. In addition, the Samawati Springs pool offers a hot tub and jacuzzi located near the entrance to the water slide.

The Maji — Swahili for “Water” — Pool Bar is located near the pool, and features a full drink menu — including beer, wine, cocktails, and signature drinks including:

• Mauritius Mule: STARR African Rum and Lime Juice topped with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
• Marula Shake: Amarula Cream Liqueur blended with Kahlúa Liqueur and Vanilla Ice Cream
• Hakuna Colada: STARR African Rum and Amarula Cream Liqueur blended with Pineapple and Coconut
• Pembe Lemonade: STARR African Rum, Cointreau Liqueur, and Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade
• Elephant Slide: Amarula Cream Liqueur, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur, and Kahlúa Liqueur blended with Vanilla Ice Cream
• Funky Monkey: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum with Mozart Chocolate Liqueur and Banana Purée

In addition, Maji features a quick-service meal menu, with entrees including an All-Beef Foot-long Hot Dog with Chili and Cheese, Caesar Salad with Tandoori Chicken, Multigrain Tabbouleh with Grilled Vegetables, Caesar Salad with Poached Shrimp, Spiced Pork Nachos, Tortilla Chips topped with Spiced Pork, Shrimp Bakuli, and Short Rib Grilled Cheese.

Both pools feature beach towels, life vests, and access to changing rooms, restrooms, and lockers. Each is also located near one of the Lodge complex’s fitness centers – the Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center near the Uzima Springs Pool and the Survival of the Fittest Fitness Center located near Samawati Springs.

Both pools also require Magic Band or keycard access, limiting their usage to guests of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

While pool hours are flexible, varying by weather and season, both Uzima Springs and Samawati Springs are generally open from either 9AM to 9PM or 10AM to 10PM.

In addition to all these amenities, both pool areas offer “family-friendly activities each day, like themed pool parties and other cool activities. Fun offerings include themed pool games, relays, trivia and more! “

Uwanja Camp

Pools aren’t the only water-related recreation at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Located near the Samawati Springs Pool in the Kidanai Village area, the Uwanja Camp water play area offers three distinct zones for children in different age groups:

• The Observation Station, where children 4-years-old and younger can “climb through cargo crates, unscramble animal images and frolic through a gently bubbling geyser and shallow cistern pool—while their parents watch from nearby.”
• The Departure Zone, where “a leaky water tower and sneaky African irises squirt children 5 to 7 years of age.”
• Finally, the Base Camp, where those 8 and older can “douse each other with water cannons.”

The pools and water play areas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge provide thrilling fun, themed relaxation, and delicious food and drink in equal measure. Which of the two do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!

And keep following All Ears for the latest Disney news!

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