“I shee aminals”…. my not-quite-two-year-old son pressed his nostril in opposition to the balcony door of our savanna-view room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and shouted out in pleasure. I’ve been to fairly just a few of the properties on-site at Walt Disney World, however I’ve to confess that one in all my favorites is the Animal Kingdom Lodge – a resort I’ve been to quite a few instances. The coziness of the resort, mixed with the animal viewing, makes it a enjoyable keep – no matter how previous your children are.
We stayed at this resort throughout our second household trip to Walt Disney World, and my children completely beloved it. It’s a deluxe resort lodge, and a savanna-view room with an amazing view of the animals generally is a bit costly. However, it’s undoubtedly a enjoyable splurge for households. Learn our overview of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and determine if it’s proper for your loved ones.
Disclosure: I paid for my first two stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge, however have additionally had two complimentary stays. All opinions are my very own. This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks, and a purchase order and/or click on by means of one in all these hyperlinks might end in a fee paid to us at no further value to you.
Get monetary savings in your Walt Disney World theme park tickets by reserving by means of Get Away Right now. They provide trip packages in addition to particular person ticket gross sales. Disney journey brokers don’t cost company an additional fee and can assist you discover offers.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Evaluate
Animal Kingdom Lodge is among the deluxe Walt Disney World lodges, and as you might guess, it’s positioned closest to the Animal Kingdom theme park. Because of that, it’s somewhat farther from the opposite resorts and the opposite parks, which was one in all our considerations earlier than my household visited for the primary time – and a priority I usually hear from different households.
You’ll must take a bus to all 4 theme parks, so that you do surrender some comfort that you could be get with the opposite deluxe resorts. However it might be value it to you as a result of that is such a enjoyable, distinctive resort.
So that you’ll should determine – is it value sacrificing the comfort of the opposite deluxe resorts for the unbelievable views?
Animal Kingdom Lodge is an African-themed resort constructed on a 33-acre wildlife protect with three savannas, and over 30 species of wildlife. We all the time e book a savanna-view room, which signifies that we’re capable of see animals outdoors our porch door. This undoubtedly doesn’t disappoint! I feel our youngsters really favor watching the animals to going to the parks typically, so it’s good to do some of each.
Rooms on the Animal Kingdom Resort
When reserving your Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort room, you’ll have a number of choices for rooms. Inside Jambo Home (the unique constructing), you’ll discover customary view rooms (with a king mattress or two queen beds), pool view rooms, and savanna view rooms.
There are additionally bunk mattress rooms, which embrace one queen mattress and one set of bunk beds. You probably have a household like mine, with a boy and a woman, these bunk mattress rooms generally is a implausible choice in order that the children don’t should share a mattress. It additionally makes the room appear somewhat extra spacious as a result of there’s much less floor house on the ground utilized. Transportable cribs can be found, like on the different Disney resorts.
Membership-level rooms are additionally provided at this resort. With these rooms, you’ll get entry to the membership degree, which incorporates refreshments from 7 am to 10 pm day by day. Though these rooms are undoubtedly costlier, it can save you some cash by consuming breakfast and different meals within the membership.
Animal Kingdom Lodge additionally affords Kidani Village, which is the Disney Trip Membership property. It is a newer constructing throughout the resort, and it has a separate pool, check-in, bus cease, and restaurant. This constructing affords villas, which have extra room than the usual lodge rooms. Whereas this can be a Disney Trip Membership property, it may be booked by these with out memberships to the holiday membership.
The visitor rooms at Jambo Home are clear and good, however a bit on the small facet. I feel they’re considerably smaller than these on the different deluxe Disney resorts – and the furnishings can also be bigger, making the room appear smaller.
Let’s speak in regards to the views. Basically, I don’t suggest that households spend more money on a great view in the event that they aren’t going to spend time within the room.
However at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I like to recommend the alternative. When you can afford it, it’s value paying for the improve.
If a savanna-view room isn’t within the finances, don’t fear – there are quite a few animal-viewing areas all through the resort. Relying in your trip plans, it is probably not value the additional cash to get the view, particularly should you aren’t planning to spend an excessive amount of time in your room. But when your children love animals, it’s a pleasant splurge.
The rooms provide African-themed furnishings, fridges, secure, complimentary WiFi, an in-room espresso maker, an iron, and a hairdryer. Normal toiletries are additionally provided.
Eating places at Animal Kingdom Lodge
One in all my favourite issues in regards to the Animal Kingdom Lodge is the scrumptious eating places on the property. There are a number of provided, in numerous codecs/worth ranges. Even should you aren’t staying on the resort, you might take into account reserving at the least one meal. You’ll be capable to go to the restaurant and may even stroll across the resort wanting on the animals and decor.
The Mara is the meals court-style fast service restaurant on the resort. It affords breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and that is the place you’ll refill your mug if you are going to buy one. When you eat on the Mara when you are on the resort, undoubtedly attempt the zebra domes dessert.
These are one in all my favourite treats at Walt Disney World, and you’ll solely get them at this one resort. They sort of style like frozen cheesecake, and are scrumptious.
Jiko – The Cooking Place is the signature restaurant on the resort. It’s one in all my favourite eating places on the Walt Disney World Resort and options African-inspired dishes and wines. The filet mignon is one in all my favourite dishes of all the pieces I’ve eaten at WDW.
When you’ve bought choosy children, you’ll be able to nonetheless dine at Jiko, regardless of the unique menu. Whereas there are some extra adventurous dishes on the children’ menu, there are additionally a number of kid-friendly objects like macaroni and cheese and pizza.
I’d undoubtedly suggest this restaurant to these searching for a scrumptious signature eating expertise. It’s well worth the splurge.
Boma – Flavors of Africa is a buffet restaurant providing breakfast and dinner, positioned adjoining to Jiko. We’ve been there for each breakfast and dinner and have actually loved it. Once more, a lot of the menu is African-inspired, however there are undoubtedly some issues on the buffet that can attraction extra to those that are a bit choosy. The meals is basically scrumptious.
Over in Kidani Lodge, you’ll discover the latest restaurant on the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sanaa affords breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s positioned within the Sundown Savanna, so relying in your desk, you could possibly see animals roaming round outdoors. I particularly suggest Sanaa to those that aren’t staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, as a result of it’s a nice restaurant to essentially immerse your self within the resort.
The delicacies at Sanaa can also be African, however there may be additionally some Indian affect within the dishes. When you like Indian meals, you undoubtedly ought to go to Sanaa throughout your Walt Disney World trip. When you go, be sure you order the scrumptious Indian bread service with bread and dips. It’s undoubtedly essential! We visited a number of years in the past on Thanksgiving and actually loved our meal.
Along with these eating places, there are some lounges and pool bars positioned all through the resort. These embrace Victoria Falls, Cape City Lounge and Wine Bar, Sanaa Lounge, and the Maji Pool Bar. I particularly love the environment at Victoria Falls, which is positioned proper off the foyer at Jambo Home. Room service is obtainable, should you’d reasonably simply keep in.
Facilities on the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
There are such a lot of family-friendly facilities on the resort that you could be take into account spending a day on the resort with out shopping for park tickets for the day.
Most evenings whereas staying on the resort, we wandered round, trying out the varied animals. Every savanna has completely different animals to see, so even in case you have a savannah-view room, it’s value strolling round. We noticed an incredible assortment of animals – each single day! I’ve even loved strolling across the resort on days once we stayed elsewhere however dined on the Animal Kingdom Resort.
Along with the savannas, there are forged members positioned all through the grounds who can reply questions and assist you discover particular animals.
The resort additionally affords the Zahanati Therapeutic massage and Health Heart. Along with exercise tools, you will get a therapeutic massage or facial proper on the resort. There are additionally two swimming pools – the Uzima Springs Pool and the Samawati Springs Pool (one at every a part of the resort).
The Uzima Springs Pool features a waterslide with a zero-entry pool, whereas the Samawati Springs Pool affords a waterslide, zero-entry pool, and a small water playground. Each time we’ve stayed on the resort, we’ve spent plenty of time on the pool.
There’s additionally a playground, an arcade, and present outlets. The resort affords actions like out of doors films and campfire actions. Whenever you arrive on the resort, you’ll be capable to get a schedule of those occasions.
Like different Walt Disney World resort lodge company, these staying on the Animal Kingdom Lodge have entry to a number of advantages. There’s a concierge within the foyer that may assist you make any further reservations that you just want.
Like the opposite Disney Resort lodges, there’s a direct-to-room service you’ll be able to benefit from. To do that, you’ll must examine in to your resort by means of My Disney Expertise. Then, you’ll get a textual content when your room is prepared. As soon as it’s prepared, your resort room door will be opened with both a MagicBand or by means of the app.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a implausible resort, and it’s probably that your complete household will love the expertise! You’ll be able to learn extra critiques right here.
Looking for the finest Disney resort? Click on to search out our information with all the data you want earlier than making a call.
