Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney Resort Review

Featuring wild animals roaming the savanna, African decor and cultural pieces throughout the resort and safari lodge style rooms, you wouldn’t expect to find a resort like Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. But, with unique dining experiences, activities centered on conservation and all the amenities of a Disney Deluxe Resort, staying or visiting AKL may be just what you’re looking for. Here’s our review of Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms, our club-level stay, the resort restaurants, and more. 

As one of Disney’s best themed resorts, you can experience a little bit of your Disney wild side away from it all here. Tucked back in the wilds, you won’t even feel like you’re at a theme park resort here. You can take in quiet evenings, easy going afternoons on the balcony and learn a ton about African culture if you so wish. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Details

This Disney resort is all about relaxation. Taking in nature, enjoying the view of the animals, and hanging out on the porches are all part of the vibe. It’s a calm and easy atmosphere that just allows you to hang out. As a result, whether you’re staying or visiting you can typically grab a drink from the lounge or food court, and browse. There are plenty of African pieces around the resort, with notes about the artifacts history, and places to sit and enjoy the views, indoors and out. 

• Check in: 3 PM
• Check out: 11 AM
• Address: 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
• Transportation: Disney Bus
• Category: Deluxe Resort
• Club Level Concierge: Yes, Kilimanjaro Club

Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Grounds

Everything at Animal Kingdom Lodge is just beautiful. And the grounds are no exception. From waterfalls, to streams, palm trees and the savanna. If you’re a nature lover, this Disney Resort will feel like the perfect little hideaway. One thing we really loved about the grounds was that no matter what time of day it was at the resort, it always felt peaceful. The African drums playing in the background are the perfect addition to the ambiance of the resort. 

You can explore outside or sit on one of the big rocking chairs on the big overlook balconies. Or walk down to the savanna level and watch the animals.  We never felt the hustle and bustle or chaos that we sometimes see at some of the other resorts and it was a welcome change.  Animal Kingdom Lodge is separated into two sections which means two Disney bus stops and little resort shuttle that connects each. So what are the differences between Jambo House and Kidani Village? Kidani Village consists of only DVC rooms. Whereas Jambo House offers both standard rooms as well as a few DVC villas and studios. 

Jambo House

Here you will find regular resort rooms along with villas and a more grand common area and lobby. As the main building of the resort, this is where they put the multi-story Christmas tree during the holidays, and often have special events. Jambo House is also home to Boma, Jiko The Cooking Place and The Mara Restaurants. 

Kidani Village

Kidani Village has DVC villas only, so their rooms tend to be a bit on the pricier side as a result. They have a smaller lobby, and a large walkout terrace. Plus, you can find Sanaa at Kidani Village on the ground floor as well. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Rooms

Animal Kingdom Lodge has several kinds of rooms; Water View, Resort View and Savanna View. Offering king bed rooms, and double queen bed rooms, these are done “lodge” style with “mosquito net” decor, and African artifacts on the walls. There are also club-level rooms, suites, studios and multi-room villas here. Check out all the Rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge so you can make your best choice.  

Standard Room

We have stayed in both a standard view room and a Savanna view room. Savanna-view rooms offer a view of the Savanna of course! Which is lovely. Especially if you prefer easy mornings or afternoons. Being able to sit on your balcony and watch the animals is very peaceful and relaxing. If, however, the Savanna view rooms are just not in your budget, any room here is great. Creating a welcoming, beautiful space that makes you feel like you actually could be going to Africa for a safari. 

Savanna View- Club Level Room

Club level is a type of room stay at Walt Disney World. Many of the deluxe resorts offer it, and so does Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs. It’s a higher priced stay by a couple extra hundred dollars a night. Club Level at Disney World includes gated floor access, the best rooms, and almost non-stop access to drinks and food, enjoyed in a concierge lounge dedicated to guests who are staying Club Level. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, it’s called Kilimanjaro Club. You can read our full review about staying club level at Animal Kingdom Lodge here.   

The club level rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge are almost all Savanna view rooms. Which means you can wake up each day to see the animals roaming outside your balcony. And then head to the Kilimanjaro Club Lounge for a latte and some pastries, all included in the cost of your room. Is it pricey? Yes, but if you plan to be at your resort, more than the parks on your trip, it can help you save money on food and alcohol throughout your stay. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Room Amenities

They now include small touches of The Lion King throughout, and we were glad to see that it didn’t overtake the rest of the decor in the room. The bathrooms are probably the biggest improvement and we love to see AKL getting the attention it deserves.  There is also now a Keurig, with a full drawer of any coffee and tea supplies you may need. 

Do all of the rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge have balconies?

Almost! All of the rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge have some sort of outside space. If you’re on the ground floor, you’ll get a patio. But if you’re above the ground floor, then yes, you’ll have a balcony.

What are the Best Rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The Arusha Savanna Rooms are generally considered the BEST. And while we LOVE a good luxury stay, rooms that expensive are hard to justify when we’re in the parks all day. But, if you’re considering a Disney staycation Hotel then Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the perfect choice! So you can settle in at this resort, and break the bank by grabbing the best room. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Pools

The Uzima pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House is a huge pool, at 11,000 square feet, and features a 67 foot waterslide! Just next to The Mara, this pool features a central hut area, loungers, and flamingos in a separate area nearby. You can also find a pool bar at the pool, if you’re looking to lounge  the day away. At Kidani Village, the Samawati Spring Pool also has a waterslide, at 128 feet, and a nearby children’s water paly area called Uwanja Camp. Guests staying at either building can use either of the resort pools and share all the resort amenities. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants

It’s no secret that Animal Kingdom Lodge has amazing food. In fact, 3 of the 4 restaurants here made our Best Disney Resorts Restaurants List. The first time we ever visited this resort was to eat at Boma! Known to many as the most amazing brunch at Walt Disney World. Since then we’ve tried a bunch of food here and are never disappointed. You don’t need to stay here to experience the restaurants, simply make a Dining Reservation and  grab one of the buses headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Here’s where you can eat at this Disney resort. 

Boma at Jambo House

Animal Kingdom Lodge’s buffet restaurant, Boma, serves up breakfast and lunch and dinner, with African flair. Budget-friendly and good for families, even picky eaters will find something great here. Since Boma is a buffet you can count on loads of food options; fish, pasta, steaks, salads, and desserts are all in the lineup, and yes, they do have Zebra Domes, one of the Best Snacks at Animal Kingdom.

Sanaa at Kidani Village

Animal Kingdom Lodge’s table service restaurant, Sanaa is a Disney MUST DO. Even on Disney Vacations when we have no time to head to Animal Kingdom Lodge, we always get lured out to Sanaa. Whether it’s for the amazing views, or the hearty potijie, or the bread service, you will find cozy food at a good price. And we love that since it’s African fare, it’s not something you can just get anywhere, making it a unique Disney restaurant experience. In fact, the bread service here is so renowned that we actually learned about it from die-hard devotees on our Wild Africa Trek Tour.  While some may say this is just naan and sauces, let us clear that up for you. The Bread Service at Sanaa is a selection of naan and thin breads that are flavored with garlic, peppers, spices and African flavors. Then they add 9 sauces. Yes, NINE! So you can dip and try the breads and sauces to your hearts delight. Just get it. It’s so amazing you won’t be disappointed. We also love the desserts here. Of course. Check out the Sanaa Menu.

Jiko The Cooking Place at Jambo House

Or you’re looking for fancy, then try Jiko, which is the resort’s signature restaurant. With a curated selection of African cuisine, entrees are between $40- $70 each and it does count as 2 dining credits on the Disney Dining Plan. They also have a selection of beers and wines, and if you plan to eat here, you’ll need a reservation! Check out the Jiko menu for the lineup. 

The Mara at Jambo House

The Mara is the resort’s Quick Service Restaurant serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, you can also grab bottles of wine here to take back to your room. This is also where you can refill your Disney Refillable Mugs every day, grab your morning coffee and pastry or grab a light meal a anytime. Located on the bottom floor of Jambo House, connected to the main building by an outdoor pathway, it’s situated by the pool and you can eat indoors or outside. Take a look at the menu at The Mara for everything to try on your next trip. Sandwiches, flatbreads, falafel and meal bowls are all on the menu. Plus, you can mobile order here, if you’re in a rush, or want to grab food to go. 

Victoria Falls Lounge at Jambo House

Nestled along the stairway between the main Lobby, and Boma is Victoria Falls Lounge. This bar offers up full bar service along with several signature drinks you can sip while you enjoy the resort, or wait for a dining reservation. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Recreation

Offering savanna views with Giraffe, Pelicans, Zebra, Warthogs, and more, you can head to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a variety of activities without even needing a park ticket! There is a resort tour, hidden Mickey game, and cast members on the terrace to share stories about conservation and the animals. We were also lucky enough to speak with a few different cast members from Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. We honestly really enjoyed this part of our stay and felt like it added to the authenticity of our experience. In addition, there are extra safaris you can take on property, projects that can be made in the lobby, culinary programs, animal specialists on-site, movies under the stars, and s’mores making out by the fire at Jambo House. Plus, Animal Kingdom Lodge also comes with all the amenities we like to see at any amazing resort including an arcade, beautiful pool, fitness center, spa with sauna and steam room. Check out all the Animal Kingdom Lodge activities you can do throughout the day!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation

One thing that sets Animal Kingdom Lodge apart from other Disney Deluxe Resorts is the limited transportation. Offering only Disney Bus Service to the parks and Disney Springs, this puts a damper no things during busy times when the buses are crowded. However, if you’re driving, or willing to rideshare this won’t be an issue for you.  And, since it’s an Animal Kingdom area resort, it’s only about a 5-10 minute bus ride from Animal Kingdom. Which is amazing. As such, even if you have driven a car, taking the bus on your Animal Kingdom day will be faster.  Magic Kingdom is about a 20- 30 minute bus ride away from Animal Kingdom Lodge. And Hollywood Studios and EPCOT Park are about 15-20 minutes away from Animal Kingdom Lodge. As always check the My Disney Experience App when your at the resort. So you can see bus arrival times, and estimated park arrival times. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Cost

Generally staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts range from about $400 – $3000 per night, depending on when you stay. Luckily, rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge can often go as low as $300/ per night during the cheapest times of year to visit ( January, August, September). For a Standard room, sleeping up to 4 adults, you can plan around $450- $650/ per night. And as always, there are many ways to get that price tag down. Be sure to check out the Disney Special Offers Page, hotels.com and all the ways to save money at Disney World, before you book your package. 

Is Animal Kingdom Lodge Worth It?

Visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge is always worth it, because it’s free. And truthfully taking time to see the animals, and relax in the rocking chairs on the porch or browse the resort gift shop is always a nice time. If wanting to stay here, know that Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the cheapest Disney Deluxe Resorts. With multiple restaurants on property and two separate buildings showing off African culture, artifacts, and activities there is plenty to do between everything to make the most of your time and money here. That said, the wildlife vibe isn’t for everyone.  And there isn’t much “Disney” here. Lion King theming is minimal. And it really is more about feeling like you’re in the middle of a safari vacation, than a Disney vacation. Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the best resorts for Disney Adults. However, children may feel a bit lost without the familiar Disney characters, and decor here. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge FAQ

Here are some more things to know before you go, whether you’re visiting or staying at this resort. 

How do you get to Kidani Village from Jambo House?

Jambo House and Kidani Village are just a short bus ride away from each other. So it’s easy to go between the two by taking the resort shuttle bus, or  the walking path between Jambo House and Kidani Village that connects the two.

Is Animal Kingdom Lodge a Deluxe Resort?

Yes, this is a Disney deluxe resort. However, it is generally one of the least expensive deluxe resorts. So if you’re looking for a deluxe resort and all its amenities without the high price tag, it may be just what you’re looking for. We were able to find a great deal on hotels.com. And actually paid the same as we normally would for a moderate resort. Animal Kingdom Lodge is also home to Disney Vacation Club rooms and villas. So you can use your existing points to stay here, rent DVC points, or even just check the Disney World website for an available DVC room.

Can I walk to Animal Kingdom Park from Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Unfortunately, no, this resort is not within walking distance of any park. Unlike the Boardwalk Resorts that offer walking distance to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, or the Monorail Resorts, which offer walking distance to Magic Kingdom, you really are quite out in the middle of nature when you stay here. 

Can I visit a Disney Resort without staying there?

Yes, Absolutely! We highly recommend taking time to visit all the Disney Resorts actually! You can easily take the bus from any Disney Park to the resort to enjoy food, shopping, and more. And here, you can stop by to see the animals roaming the savanna too. If you’re driving, be aware that to park at the resort you have to have a valid dining reservation at the resort, which is good for 3 hours of time. You can alternatively park all day for free at Disney Springs and take the bus over instead.  

Is Animal Kingdom Lodge a DVC Property?

Yes! This is a Disney Vacation Club property. If you’re interested in staying in one of the DVC villas, you can read more about how that works and how that can save you money here. When you stay in a villa at any resort you get accommodations for 6+ people, often multiple rooms, and a kitchen. While we haven’t tried renting DVC points yet, this is a common way to stay and you can still enjoy all the luxury without the price!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Review

Overall, this is one of our favorite Disney Resorts. With a casual resort feeling, you can count on easy mornings, afternoons and evenings. And there is rarely any hustle and bustle here. Too out of the way for visiting groups and student sport teams, there is generally always a calm vibe, perfect for a nice meal, to sip drinks, or to just lounge in the lobby or outside. Seeing the animals here is always a treat, and learning about them is something we appreciate we don’t have to go into the parks for. If you’re looking for a unique stay at Disney World, with a little more culture than you’ll find elsewhere, we highly recommend AKL for your next stay.