JAMBO!
Some people argue the rooms are too small for Animal Kingdom Lodge to be a deluxe Walt Disney World Resort hotel! They also complain that unlike other Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort Hotels, it is not close to any parks!
So, what are the pros and cons of staying in Animal Kingdom Lodge
Where is Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort Area.
It is around a 30-minute drive from Orlando International Airport. Unless as below you are us!!!
So, did I enjoy my stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Hotel?
Oh my goodness absolutely yes, we loved it!
We were lucky enough to be able to book a Savanna View room and I would say it was worth every penny!
Waking up each morning, heading onto the balcony with my coffee, watching the sunrise and the animals waking up and making their way onto the beautiful Savanna. It was bliss.
Was there anything I disliked about Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Unfortunately yes, but to be honest it was more our fault than the hotels!!!
When we arrived exhausted at Orlando International Airport, we collected our hire car and headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. BUT……… we took a wrong turn doh!!! The cars sat nav just took slightly too long to register.
So, we sort of got lost, or you could say we took the scenic route to the hotel! It was getting dark and we suffered the traditional summer late afternoon Florida shower. If you have been in one of these showers you would know how it affects your visibility!!!
So needless to say, things were getting tense in the car!
We finally arrived at the lovely, amazingly themed Animal Kingdom Lodge and walked in exhausted and rather frazzled, we had done a Garden Grocer delivery so had to collect that, my eyes took ages to adjust to the dark foyer, then there was a children’s activity going on with a trail of children, walking around the foyer banging drums!!
I was at complete sensory overload, I just needed to get to my room. I was fine an hour later, but it was a stressful couple of hours!
One actual potential negative about the hotel, is the rooms can be a long walk from the entrance and facilities. As much as I loved every second of our time at Animal Kingdom lodge, I also enjoyed moving to a Villa for our second week, so I could just fall out of the car into our accommodation after a day at the parks!
What are the room facilities at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
- Creatively themed bedrooms.
- Balconies
- Many rooms with a view of the Animals
- The rooms have all the amenities you would expect in a deluxe Disney Hotel.
- Air conditioning
- Cable TV with Disney Channel
- Safe
- Mini Fridge
- Hair Dryer
- Iron and Ironing Board
What are the room sizes of the Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts?
To help you understand the difference between the deluxe resort room, here are the sizes:
Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard room) 344 square feet
Beach Club Resort 380 square feet
Boardwalk Inn 380 square feet
Contemporary Resort 422 square feet
Grand Floridian 400 square feet
Polynesian resort 409/422 square feet
Wilderness Lodge 340 square feet
Yacht Club Resort 380 square feet.
It is also worth considering, certainly the last time I checked, Animal Kingdom Lodge is the cheapest of the Deluxe Resorts.
What general facilities are available at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
- Even for a non-Savanna View room there are amazing views of animals around the hotels.
- Non residents can also benefit from these magical views.
- Fabulously themed public spaces
- Themed restaurants and unique desserts, like the Zebra Domes.
- The hotel has all the facilities you would expect in a deluxe Disney Hotel.
- Laundry
- Dry Cleaning Services
- Room Service
- Free Wi-Fi
- Disney themed shop
- Disney bus transportation
- Babysitting service
Pools
- Uzima Springs Pools at the main hotel
- Children’s wading pool.
- 2 whirlpool spas.
- Waterslide
- Zero entry pool
- Samawati Springs at Kidani Village
- Waterslide
- 2 whirlpool spas.
- Themed water playground
Outdoor areas and activities
- Hakuna Matata Playground
- Jambo house campfire activities including roasting marshmallows.
- Movies under the stars
- Wild about painting
- Jogging trail
Indoor areas and activities
- Games Arcade
- Health club and spa services
- Dine with an animal specialist.
- Jiko Wine tasting
- Wanyama Safari and Dinner
https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/dining/animal-kingdom-lodge/wanyama-resort-safari-and-dinner/
Which restaurants and quick services places are there?
- Jiko – The Cooking Place
- Signature dining
- African cuisine
- Dress code
- Location – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Boma – Flavours of Africa
- Family Style Buffet
- African and American Cuisine
- Location – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Sanaa
- Themed Dining
- African and Indian Cuisine
- Location – Kidani Village
- Sanaa Lounge
- African and Indian Cuisine
- Bar service
- Location – Kidani Village
- The Mara
- African and American Cuisine
- Quick service
- Location – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Maji Pool Bar
- African and American food
- Quick service
- Location – Kidani Village
- Uzima Springs Pool Bar
- Quick service
- Location – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
- Bar service
- Location – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Victoria Falls Lounge
- Lounge service
- Location – Animal Kingdom Lodge
What animals might you see at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
- It is common to see Zebra, Giraffes, Gazelles roaming about
- There are actually over 30 species a African Wildlife at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
What is Kidani Village?
The rooms at Kidani Village in Animal Kingdom Lodge are Disney Vacation Club (DVC rooms).
If available, anyone can book these rooms, but DVC members will get first choice.
DVC rooms are generally more of an apartment as they generally have a small kitchen. They also often have separate bedroom/s.
What methods of transportation are available from AKL?
- Disney buses are available to get you to the parks and Disney Springs.
If you brought your car or have a hire car there is a $25 a night (inc tax) per night parking charge, but then you do not have to pay to
Here are some products that might add value to your visit.
Ravensburger 1000-piece Disney Villainous Dr Facilier Puzzle https://amzn.to/3uTqQwU
A princess costume – Cinderella for example https://amzn.to/3fip4Pq
A Disney Parks Cookbook – https://amzn.to/3ohlqcA
Disney Parks CD – https://amzn.to/3uRpAKX ❤🎵🎵❤this is essential in our car on the way to the airport!
Please note the links above are affiliate links, which means that we see a very small commission on any of the products you purchase. This will not affect the price you pay and is just a way of supporting our adventures. Thank you for your support. ❤
Ears and Ideas 