Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Review

Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge Review

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe Walt Disney World resort inspired by traditional African savanna lodges. The resort is brilliantly themed with the adjacent Animal Kingdom theme park. Learn about the savanna view rooms, top-notch restaurants and resort amenities and activities in this Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge review.

Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobby

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you’ll find family-friendly facilities, outstanding cultural activities and animal programs, and rooms overlooking three savannas that are home to over 200 animals and birds. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney World during our family trip to Orlando and thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience.

Related: Family Trip to Orlando, Florida

Being Disney, the attention to detail is amazing throughout the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The resort’s magnificent lobby has been designed to capture the look of an African savanna lodge.

Bridge over the lobby area, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby

The Animal Kingdom Lodge has one of the largest collections of African art in the United States, with traditional decor, tapestries and artwork displayed throughout the resort.

African art in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando FL

Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannas

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of Disney’s deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World. The six-story resort is arranged in a horseshoe design, topped with thatch rooftops and surrounded by three expansive savannas across a 33 acre wildlife preserve.

Animal Kingdom Lodge review Walt Disney World

Public areas and the savannah view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge overlook the savannas where over 30 African species graze and roam about. More on the savanna view rooms in the next part of the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge review.

Savanna View Room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Savanna View Rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Around half of the rooms at Jambo House and Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge overlook the three expansive savannas surrounding the resort that are home to hundreds of animals. In these photos, you can have an idea of the amazing savannah room views at Jambo House.

Savanna View Animal Kingdom Lodge

It is worth booking an Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View Room at Jambo House or Kidani Village for the unique opportunity to watch the animals from your balcony. During our stay, we would see giraffes, zebras, cattle, gazelles, cranes and more from our window. Each Savanna View Room has a guidebook to help with identifying the animals and birds.

Savanna View Room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

We stayed in a standard Savanna View Room, which is 344 square feet, with two queen beds. Other options at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are to have one king size bed, or one queen size bed and a bunk bed.

Check Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge room rates and latest reviews at Tripadvisor.com

Savanna View Room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

The Savanna View Room also included a small table with chairs, a flat screen TV, a dresser with three drawers, a small refrigerator, coffee machine and a wardrobe with an iron, ironing board and small safe.

Savanna View Room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

The bathroom has a split design, with the vanity and two sinks outside the small room that consists of a toilet and shower with a bathtub. Complimentary Disney toiletries (shampoo, lotion and shower gel) were provided, but only enough for one person.

Savanna View Room Animal Kingdom Lodge

Check Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge room rates and latest reviews at Tripadvisor.com

Overall, the standard Savanna View Room was a comfortable size for the three of us and we enjoyed our stay, especially the great view watching the animals from our balcony.

Best rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney Resort Benefits

There are more than 25 resorts at Walt Disney World that cater to all budgets, from value to moderate to deluxe, all offering the following benefits for staying on-site.

Check the most up-to-date list of Disney resort benefits on the Walt Disney World Disney Resorts Collection page.

  • Early Theme Park entry 30 minutes before opening (more details)
  • Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel have the option to purchase MagicBands at special pre-arrival prices up to 6 days before arrival.
  • Complimentary bus, boat and monorail services throughout Walt Disney World Resort
  • Complimentary parking at Disney theme parks, Disney water parks and the Disney Springs area
  • Delivery of purchases, from the Disney theme parks or Disney Springs, to your hotel gift shop

Disney Magic Bands

The Magic Bands are worn as a bracelet and are used to unlock your hotel room, enter theme parks, charge food and merchandise purchases and connect Disney PhotoPass images to your Disney account. At the time of our stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Magic Bands were complimentary, however this has since changed and Magic Bands are no longer provided complimentary to Disney Resort hotel guests.

Jambo House Animal Kingdom Lodge Walt Disney World

Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel that reside in the United States and Canada have the option to purchase their MagicBands up to 10 days prior to arrival. The Magic Bands can be personalised with different themes, favourite Disney characters and your name. Magic Bands can also be purchased when you arrive. While I found the Magic Bands handy to have throughout the trip especially at the parks, you do not need to buy them for your Walt Disney World visit or

Family-Friendly Facilities

The Animal Kingdom Lodge has two areas: Jambo House, the original resort and main section, and Kidani Village, a Disney Vacation Club resort. Resort guests can use the facilities, i.e swimming pools and fitness centers, throughout both areas and a shuttle van goes back and forth between the two every 8 minutes. In this part of the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Review, I will show the top-notch family-friendly facilities at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Uzima Springs Pool, Jambo House

At the center of Jambo House’s recreational area is its main swimming pool, featuring a zero-depth entry point, a 67-foot-long waterslide and nearby beach bar. A small wading pool, perfect for toddlers, is located in an enclosed area to the side, near the restrooms and showers.

Swimming Pool at Jambo House, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Swimming Pool and Water Playground, Kidani Village

The Samawati Springs Pool and Uwanja Camp water playground at Kidani Village is great swimming pool and water play area for young children. The swimming pool features zero-depth-entry and two waterslides – a small one and a 128-foot one.

Zero Entry Swimming Pool, Kidani Village, Animal Kingdom Lodge

Check Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge room rates and latest reviews at Tripadvisor.com

Uwanja Camp consists of three zones for children of all ages. Base Camp has a water slide, water cannons and sloshing buckets.

Water playground at Kidani Village Swimming Pool, Animal Kingdom Lodge

At Departure Zone, water shoots from all directions, leaking from the water tower and spraying from the flowers.

Water playground at Kidani Village Swimming Pool, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

And Observation Station is designed for children 4 and under, with a shallow wading pool, bubbling geysers and a play area. It all makes for a great little water park at the Animal Kingdom Lodge resort that Little T loved!

Water playground at Kidani Village Swimming Pool, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Hakuna Matata Playground, Jambo House

Back at Jambo House, children will also love the Hakuna Matata playground that overlooks the flamingo pond and savanna.

Playground at Jambo House, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade, Jambo House

The arcade is open from 7am and full of classic arcade games and popular video games. You can use your credit card to receive an arcade card and purchase play points, which start from $1.00 for 50 play points.

Arcade at Jambo House, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Zahanati Massage and Fitness Center, Jambo House

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge resort has a fitness center which, though small, has all the basic equipment – cardio machines, some free weights and weight machines – to get a good workout during your stay. There’s a spa that offers a range of massages and facials.

Laundry Room

There are a few laundry rooms around the resort that are efficient and easy to use. You select a washer and/or dryer then pay $3 per each load using your credit or debit card (not the Magic Band or cash).

Award-Winning Restaurants

The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers several dining options, from award-winning, African fine dining to quick service restaurants serving class American favorites. In this part of the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Review, I’ll share our highlights of dining at the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants, which were the breakfast buffet at Boma and the African cooking with Indian flavors at Sanaa.

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma – Flavors of Africa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge offers family-friendly buffets with a great selection of food from over 50 African countries along with typical American classics. Here’s a look at what was served at the breakfast buffet during our visit;

Selection of muffins, scones and banana bread, along with bagels, breads and croissants

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Bread pudding and sticky buns with caramel sauce and pecans

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

The classic Mickey – and Simba – waffles

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Chocolate chip pancakes and plenty of syrup

Pancakes at Boma Breakfast Buffet, Animal Kingdom Lodge

Selection of cold cuts and cheese, smoked salmon, capers, egg whites, egg yolks and a tray of sliced vegetables

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

West African plantains (my favourite), roasted potatoes, pork sausages and bacon

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Scrambled eggs and biscuits with gravy, in addition to a create your own omelette station

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Carving station with meats spit-roasted over a blazing wood fire: roasted turkey breast or ham, with African-spiced corned beef hash

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Side dishes such as grilled tomatoes and asparagus, pap (similar to grits) and chakalaka, a tomato stew

Breakfast Buffet at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL

Sanaa Restaurant

We ate very well at Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is described as an East African-inspired eatery serving African cooking with Indian flavors. The Indian-style bread service came highly recommended – it comes with 9 accompaniments that include mango chutney, roasted red pepper hummus, spicy jalapeno-lime pickle and red chile sambal.

Indian-style bread service at Sanaa, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

The kid’s menu at the Sanaa Restaurant has a good selection. For Little T, we ordered the butter chicken (which was delicious) with green beans and rice.

Dinner at Sanaa Restaurant, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

I ordered the Berbere braised lamb shank, which was served with hominy mash, scented greens and tandoor vegetables.

Dinner at Sanaa Restaurant, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Mr. G enjoyed the Braaivleis – South African Braai sample plate which consisted of a trio of grilled meats – lamb and pork – with seasonal vegetables.

Dinner at Sanaa Restaurant, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Little T’s meal came with a dessert, and he chose the chocolate brownie, which was served on a plate with colored icing and a paintbrush – a nice touch!

Dinner at Sanaa Restaurant, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Check Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge room rates and latest reviews at Tripadvisor.com

Animal and Cultural Programs

During our pre-Covid stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I was impressed with the resort’s calendar of activities, which included African culture immersion, poolside games, wine tasting, cookie decorating, music sessions and animal programs. The cultural ambassadors and animal experts were all very informative, friendly and did a fantastic job engaging the guests in each activity.

In this part of the Animal Kingdom Lodge review, I will share our experience participating in several of the resort’s activities that were available at the time. We took part in three activities: helping to prepare food for the savanna birds, learning about the feeding strategies of pelicans and flamingos, and playing musical instruments and participating in the evening “Primal Parade”.

Animal Enrichment Activity

The Animal Enrichment activity we participated in involves helping animal experts as they prepare and present interactive objects to the animals and birds on the savanna.

Animal Interaction Activity, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Little T helped the experts prepare a stimulating way for the savanna birds, such as cranes, to catch their food. The children were given trays and bamboo sticks with holes to fill with hay then mealworms. We then watched as an animal expert brought the bamboo sticks and trays into the savanna for the birds to peck at and catch the worms.

Animal Enrichment Activity, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Flamingo Activity

Every morning, by the flamingo pond, the animal experts demonstrate the feeding strategies of pelicans and flamingos in a fun, educational activity. Here, the children use combs to represent flamingos that feed by filtering shrimp from the water, while pelicans are represented with pouches to demonstrate how they dip their large beaks into the water to scoop out fish.

Activity at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

Part of the activity also educated about the importance of protecting the environment, and how birds are endangered by pollution when rubbish ends up in the waterways and is accidentally eaten.

Flamingos at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando

I hope you enjoyed reading this Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge review and found this helpful in planning your own holiday at Walt Disney World. I would recommend the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a unique Disney World resort experience with family-friendly facilities, great restaurants and an excellent activity program with fantastic cultural ambassadors.

Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, Florida

We enjoyed our stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and miss those views watching the giraffes and zebras from the balcony!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Address

Address: Walt Disney World Resort, 2901 Osceola Parkway, Orlando, FL 32821

Telephone: +1 (407) 938-3000

Website: https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/resorts/animal-kingdom-lodge/

Orlando with Kids

I hope you have found this post helpful for planning your own family holiday in Orlando. Read on for more details on visiting the Orlando theme parks, booking Walt Disney World character meals and a day trip to Clearwater Beach;

Family Holiday in Orlando

Magic Kingdom with a Preschooler

EPCOT Walt Disney World with a Preschooler

Universal Islands of Adventure with a Preschooler

Day Trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida

Ohana Character Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney Character Meal at Cape May Cafe, The Beach Club Resort

Disney Crystal Palace Character Meal Review

Family-Friendly Hotel Reviews

Read on for more family travel inspiration in our reviews on family-friendly hotels and resorts in destinations around the world;

Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel Disneyland Paris Review

Disney Newport Bay Club Disneyland Paris Hotel Review

Padma Resort Legian Bali Hotel Review

Four Seasons Prague Hotel Review

Makati Shangri-La Manila Hotel Review

Moana Surfrider Waikiki Hawaii Hotel Review

This post was updated on 10 May 2022 with current information. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for your support in this way.

PIN FOR LATER – Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Review

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Review

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

  1. This looks like so much fun! I’d have a blast here with all of the animals and activities. Were there people staying there without kids? Because I’m a little lacking in that department. #CityTripping

  2. Oh wow, that breakfast buffet has got my mouth watering…And I have to say, I’ve never stayed in a hotel with a view of giraffes and zebras!

  3. This looks an incredible place. Those views of the animals. Shame about housekeeping and customer service. Like the sound of the cultural ambassadors though! I’ll have to bear this in mind for when we eventually go. #citytripping xx

  4. I never made it to Animal Kingdom when visiting the parks in Orlando. Looks great!

  5. This place looks incredible. I like the fact that it combines fun, free play with educational activities like helping to feed the animals. I’ve loved seeing all your pics on Instagram! #citytripping

  6. I love that Animal Kingdom Lodge has educational activities for the kids. Disney does such a great job with the theming of its resorts. It seems like every one has a fun, consistent theme. Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the resorts that I really want to stay at. #FarawayFiles

  7. I really enjoyed reading this as we very nearly stayed at Animal Kingdom, it was the pool at the Beach Club that swung it for us. I can see we would all have absolutely loved it and I have heard that the food is excellent as well so if we ever go back I can see this being our choice! Thanks for such a detailed review with so much useful information. #FarawayFiles

  8. Thank you! It was actually between the Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge for us too. We had breakfast at the Beach Club to meet Minnie etc and I loved the pool, resort design and that it’s walking distance to Epcot, so we’re actually considering staying there next time we go to WDW to try somewhere new. So many great resorts to choose from!

  9. They do know how to do it right at Disney, don’t they. I love how you are really transported into the experience at Disney hotels. Also the little touches make it special — LOVE the desserts that little ones can “paint” themselves before eating. #farawayfiles

  10. I know a couple of small people who would love to visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge! I think it’s great that Disney have extended the experience creation to include elements of African food culture and environmental education. Pity the service didnt match the experience design. Do you think it is a one off? I’ve stayed at the Beach Club there for a work conference and the service was fantastic. Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles

  11. WOW Cindy, this place has it all! I would have trouble getting my son out of the pools, but then there is always something else to explore. The African themed rooms and safari experiences would be amazing. I also love that they offer babysitting services, but it doesn’t sound like a great idea to stay out very late because there is no where for kids to rest. The food and other activities that you participated in all seem amazing. This place is a full-on destination in itself! #FarawayFiles

  12. Disney does know how to create a magical experience! I haven’t been to Orlando in about 20 years, and didn’t know about this resort, thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles

  13. WOW. Great review and photos! I loved Animal Kingdom (just came back from vacation) and seeing a resort on site is great insight for a future trip. I hope you and your family had an incredible time!

  14. would you recommend staying at Jambo or Kidani.. I’m travellign with my 3 year old, my husband and his parents. 3 days, 4 nights. Thank you!

  15. Hi Andrea, thanks for your message. I think Kidani Village only offers villas for Disney Vacation Club members, might need to double check that. I’d recommend Jambo House – it’s also the main area, with most of the restaurants, facilities and activities. Your son will love the swimming pool at Kidani Village, however, and you can take the shuttle between the two areas. Enjoy your stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge! And definitely make some time for the cultural activities, the evening parade playing musical instruments by the entrance is great for young ones!

  16. Thanks so much!

  17. You’re welcome! And sorry meant to put son “or daughter”! Good luck with planning your trip!

  18. Awesome review! We will make it a priority to do the animal feeding activity. I think my daughter will love it! The flamingo game looks really fun too. Can’t wait to be in 10 days… eek!

Comments are closed.