visit animal kingdom lodge

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

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What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique

Pool with Waterslide

Escape to an 11,000-square-foot pool with an exciting waterslide and gently sloping, zero-depth entry point similar to that of a natural watering hole. Read More

Escape to an 11,000-square-foot pool with an exciting waterslide and gently sloping, zero-depth entry point similar to that of a natural watering hole. Surrounded by large canopy trees and Floridian palms, Uzima Pool includes a children’s wading pool and 2 whirlpool spas.

You can also cool off at Samawati Springs Pool, which offers a thrilling waterslide, 2 whirlpool spas and Uwanja Camp—an animal observation site-themed water playground with squirting Venus flytraps, a rope bridge, water cannons and more. Samawati Springs Pool is located just a short walk away at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.

Learn more about recreation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Award-Winning Dining

Savor vibrant African specialties and favorite American classics at our award-winning restaurants.

Exotic Animals

Discover over 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos. Read More

Discover over 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos. Identify each species with a Wildlife Field Guide (found in your Guest Room, with extras available from the Front desk), and learn more about African animals and ecosystems during fun programs led by Animal Specialists.

Room Types Sure to Suit Your Style

Choose from a wide array of accommodations, from rooms and suites—some offering Concierge service—to home-like options in the villa section of the Resort. Read More

Choose from a wide array of accommodations, from rooms and suites—some offering Concierge service—to home-like options in the villa section of the Resort. All room types share the same Resort amenities, including pools, dining and recreation.

Room types offered at this Resort:

• Rooms and Suites (sleep up to 4 adults)
• Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service (sleep up to 8 adults)
• Deluxe Studios (sleep up to 4 adults)
• Deluxe Studios with Club-Level Service (sleep up to 4 adults)
• 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas (sleep up to 12 adults)
• Villas with Club-Level Service (sleeps up to 5 adults)

Villas feature:

• A fully-equipped kitchen , so you can prepare meals and snacks from the comfort of your villa
• Spacious living and dining areas where your family can share even more quality time together after you return from the parks
• Separate bedrooms that offer space, privacy and tranquility – so it’s easy to rest, relax and recharge your spirit after each exhilarating vacation day
• A washer and dryer , so you can pack lightly and always have fresh, clean clothes

Studios and Deluxe Studios feature:

• A kitchenette , so you can prepare meals and snacks from the comfort of your studio
• A sleeper sofa , in addition to one queen bed and one pull-down bed

Deluxe Studios are larger than Studios.

Visit the Room Rates page to see what's available for your stay!

More Magic for Your Stay

A More Magical Stay Starts with "Hey Disney!”

The "Hey Disney!" voice assistant experience features tons of character fun plus a helpful host, who can order you extra towels and answer lots of your park questions.

Disney Signature Services

Guests staying in Club-level rooms and suites are eligible for personalized vacation-planning support.

Enhance Your Stay with the My Disney Experience App

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app. Read More

Simplify your arrival, access your room and discover a world of fun with this helpful app.

Be sure you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app to enjoy these handy features during your stay.

Check In and Check Out with Ease

Enjoy a simplified arrival at your Disney Resort hotel! Use the app to begin the check-in process , view your room number and even unlock your door .

At the end of your stay, there’s no need to stop by the Front Desk if you have a valid payment card on file or a zero-dollar balance on your account. Instead, check out of your room via the app by visiting My Reservations or your Hotel Account.

Plan, Play, Dine and Unwind

There are many more ways to enhance your stay! With the app, you can:

• Make vacation plans during your stay—and review existing plans
• Enter the theme parks (with a valid park reservation and valid admission) using Disney MagicMobile service
• Order food and beverages with mobile order service
• Check park schedules
• Get directions
• Explore transportation options
• View your Disney PhotoPass photos

And that’s only the beginning!

Learn more about the My Disney Experience app .

Available for iPhone®, iPad® and smartphones for Android™. Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc .

Easier Trip Planning – Like Magic!

Once you’ve settled in, let Disney Genie service summon the attractions, entertainment and dining experiences you love the most. Plus, as a Disney Resort hotel guest get early access to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for up to two different attractions each day.

FREE Disney Dining & Drinks in 2025!

Hotel Address

(407) 938-3000

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Guide

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 2901 Osceola Parkway Bay Lake, Florida 32830 Phone: 407-938-3000 Fax: 407-938-4799

Deluxe Resort Classification Located in the Animal Kingdom resort area Check In: 3:00 p.m. / Check Out: 11:00 a.m.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Disney resort and likely the closest thing to a true African journey without crossing the ocean. The resort has its own savannas and guests staying in a savanna view room can literally view the animals from their balconies. However, guests choosing to not stay on the savanna, or just visiting the resort also get the opportunity to experience the African wilderness in the many areas set aside for viewing. The lobby houses a great number of African artifacts, the restaurants offer their own interpretations of African cuisine, and even the gift shop offers a variety of unique African treasures.

How to Make Room Requests

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Rooms

In addition to resort view rooms, there are pool and savanna (which overlooks one of the exclusive Lodge savannas). The Pool or Savanna Views have a standard set up with two queen beds. Full suites include one and two bedroom suites, Vice-Presidential Suite and Presidential Suite.

1293 Guest Rooms Disabled accessible rooms available Alarm Clock Balcony/Patio Ceiling Fan Coffee Maker & Setup Complimentary wireless Internet (WiFi) Hair Dryer In-Room Wall Safe Iron and Board Mini-Refrigerator Table & Chairs Telephone Flat Panel TV – ABC, Disney Channel, Check the  TV channel guide  for more

For the safety of the animals , balloons are allowed in the resort rooms, however they are not permitted on balconies or in any exterior area facing the animals. Guests are cautioned to keep balloons away from any area where they could become loose on the savanna.

Laundry rooms can be found at the following locations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: First Floor, Zebra Trail and Second Floor, Kudu Trail.

Concierge Assistance – Available to Resort hotel Guests 7 days a week, from 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. Located in the main lobby, the concierge can help you purchase Park tickets, make dining reservations and secure show seats, among other services.

Valet parking is available for a nominal fee.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining

Jambo House

Boma – Flavors of Africa – Full Service buffet-style restaurant. Dining Plans will be accepted. Jiko – The Cooking Place – Full Service restaurant. Dining Plans will be accepted. The Mara – Quick Service Location. Dining Plans will be accepted. Uzima Springs Pool Bar Victoria Falls Lounge In-Room Dining available 6am to midnight

Refillable mugs are available for purchase at The Mara .

Kidani Village

Sanaa Restaurant – Full Service restaurant serves African cuisine with Indian flavors for lunch and dinner. Dining Plans will be accepted. Sanaa Lounge Maji Pool Bar In-Room Dining available 6am to midnight

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool and Recreation

Uzima Pool featuring zero-depth entry and 67 ft long water slide Child pool 2 whirlpool spas Hakuna Matata Playground Pumbaa’s Fun & Games Arcade Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center 0.16-mile jogging trail Night vision animal viewing Animal programs Movies Under the Stars and poolside activities

For a fun and more relaxing way to spend a day during your visit to Walt Disney World, each resort hosts Poolside Activities each day from 1:30 – 7:00 p.m.. Pool hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool. However, activities and programs are subject to change. Although the activities vary by day and by resort, examples of what you might find include trivia, arts and crafts, dance parties, games, bingo, and more.

Animal Viewing: Although the selection of animals on the savanna often changes, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge may see giraffe, Ankole cattle, zebra, okapi, several species of antelope, red river hogs, Abyssinian ground hornbills and ostriches, among many others.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Shopping

Zawadi Marketplace stocks Disney character apparel and souvenirs as well as Animal Kingdom Lodge logo merchandise. In addition, there is a large variety of African treasures that are fun and unexpected. Additionally, you can also find snack foods, beverages (including adult beverages), magazines and books, and other general sundries.

Look at all your vacation photos by visiting the   Photopass   page. These professional pictures can make a great souvenir for home

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation

Complimentary Overnight Self-Parking

Transportation Times Between Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney Destinations

Disney’s bus service is available to and from this resort to theme parks, water parks, plus Disney Springs. There is one bus stop for this resort outside of the lobby area.

These times are approximate, provided to give you an idea of average travel times. Most importantly, please plan on up to a 20 minute wait for Disney transportation in addition to walking time to resort or theme park transportation stops.

Magic Kingdom – 22 minutes by bus, 35 minutes by car (with transfers) Epcot – 18 minutes by bus, 18 by car Disney’s Hollywood Studios  – 15 minutes by bus, 16 by car Animal Kingdom  – 11 minutes, 7 by car Disney Springs  – 20 minutes by bus, 18 by car Blizzard Beach Water Park  – 18 minutes by bus, 14 minutes by car Typhoon Lagoon Water Park  – 25 minutes by bus, 17 minutes by car

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Childcare Options

There are no on-site childcare options available for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  However,   Kid’s Nite Out , an in-room child care service, is available at all resorts for children 6 months to 12 years old.  Services are available 24/7.  

The  Walt Disney World Dolphin  offer a Children’s Activity Center option and you do not have to be a guest at that resort to use the Children’s Activity Center.   Camp Dolphin

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas VIP Top Tips

This section is sponsored by the Disney experts at The Magic for Less Travel , Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

Strike up conversations with the Cast Members working here. Most of them enjoy talking about their country and it can be a very interesting experience. Many are on a cultural exchange program and it is like having your own personal guide into African life and the land. If you get a chance, also talk with the animal keepers, including the ones you see out on the savanna.

Request a room close to the lobby . The farthest rooms at the end of the trails can be a long walk to the lobby and bus transportation.

The Zebra Trail is most convenient for accessing the Uzima Pool, laundry facility and dining options located at Jambo House.

Walk past the Uzima pool on the left hand side by the spa to discover flamingos and a great overlook of the Uzima Savanna. Giraffes tend to enjoy eating in this area of the savanna.

The animals on the savanna tend to be more visible during feeding times, like early morning and late afternoon.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers transportation between Kidani Village and Jambo House allowing you to explore both areas of the resort, and enjoy both swimming pools.

Explore the artifacts and cultural pieces displayed throughout the resort. It is educational as well as fascinating to see actual pieces from different areas of Africa.

Jambo House offers night viewing of the animals on the safari. Check the resort activities; it is typically offered between 8:30/9:00pm – 11:00pm each evening. Night-vision googles are available to share in limited quantities.

Walt Disney World Resort Free Quote

Start planning your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation with The Magic For Less Travel . Use the form below to request a free no-obligation quote, and one of their counselors will get in touch with you to begin planning. The Mouse For Less recommends the Walt Disney World vacation planning services provided by our sponsor, The Magic For Less Travel. Their expert planning advice will help you make the most of your vacation time and money. The Magic For Less Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and provides service free of charge.

Privacy Overview

Much more than the Lion King: Review of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

When staying at Walt Disney World, you have the luxury of choice when it comes to lodging options. On Disney World property, you can pick from a couple of dozen resorts , not to mention the array of off-site options . Each of the Disney World resorts has its own theme, and one of the most spectacular and unique themes can be found at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

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This African-themed lodge is nearest to the Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, but you don't have to leave the hotel's grounds to enjoy the animals roaming the safari. They are viewable from the lobby, the hallways and even many of the rooms. Paying extra for a better view (especially considering how much a trip to Disney World can cost ), is rarely worth it in the realm of family travel, but at Animal Kingdom Lodge, a savanna-view upgrade is absolutely worth consideration.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opened in 2001 but was expanded a few years later to include a few hundred Disney Vacation Club villas, giving the resort a variety of accommodation types to meet the needs of families of different shapes and sizes. Now, the rooms have undergone a recent renovation, to the extent that an update to this review (originally completed in late 2018), was in order after a March 2020 stay.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is considered a Disney Deluxe Resort (along with iconic properties such as Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort). This means that your stay probably won't be inexpensive, but the investment in a 24/7 magical Disney Resort experience is worth it. Thankfully, there are also some ways to save big on your stay.

FOR NO COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

You can book Walt Disney World Resort hotels using some types of points (such Citi ThankYou points ). For our late-2018 stay, we paid cash by booking directly with Disney via targeted bounce-back offers that allow you to save up to 35% or so by booking a return trip -- sometimes while you are still on a current trip.

Rack rates for entry-level rooms at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge usually range from about $300 to $500 per night, but Disney sales and discounts can drop that price to under $300 per night certain times of the year.

A great way save money at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is to rent Disney Vacation Club points . Not only does this spare you from the daily parking fee, but, as outlined here , you can pretty easily save 50% on the retail price of the stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge by renting points. There are trade-offs (such as the lack of daily housekeeping), but turning a $2,000 multi-night stay into a $1,000 stay may be worth making your own bed.

We put our stay on my Chase Sapphire Reserve to earn 3x points for the travel charge, but we primarily used discounted Disney gift cards to cover the majority of the charges while at the resort.

The main reason you might want to avoid a stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge is its location. On our stay, we found it to be the most remote of all of the Walt Disney World Resorts, and it could have easily taken us 45 minutes to get to the Magic Kingdom from the lodge door to door. None of the Disney World parks were within walking distance of this resort, and only the Animal Kingdom was relatively nearby.

I mean, we were still on Disney property, so nothing was terribly far away. However, unlike when staying on the monorail at the Contemporary , nothing was especially close, either. If you stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom, expect to rely heavily on the Disney bus system, your own rental car or the (magical but pricey) Disney Minnie Vans .

Related: Best credit cards for a trip to Disney

Disney World didn't have an elite status program or anything that got us guaranteed early check-in (or late checkout), so I always assumed that the room wouldn't be ready until the stated time. In this case, it often means 3 p.m. check-in for the traditional hotel rooms in the lodge and 4 p.m. for the deluxe villa-style accommodations you would probably be renting with Disney Vacation Club points.

We arrived at the lodge a little before 1 p.m. and fully expected to wait a few hours for a room, but it was ready for us upon arrival.

On other Disney trips, we have loved the added convenience of a Disney Club-level room for ready-to-eat breakfast, upgraded service and included simple dinners and evening snacks, but none were available for booking on our dates online, since we booked pretty close to our travel dates. So I inquired at check-in if a Club Level upgrade was possible. The good news was that it was available, but at a staggering charge of $400 additional per day. We politely (and quickly) passed on that option. Had the upgrade been $150 per day or less, our family would have likely said yes.

At check-in, we were also given an itinerary of the on-site entertainment and cultural activities, of which there were many — more than I've seen at any other Disney Resort.

There were two separate villages at Animal Kingdom Lodge: the original Jambo House and the Kidani Village that was added later and made up of DVC villas. We spent the entirety of this stay in the Jambo House and were assigned a savanna-view room on the second level, about as far down the hallway away from the lobby and pool as possible.

The lobby was on the third level, which meant taking an elevator down to the second level. This resort is massive, with well over 1,000 rooms and villas, so expect to do some walking. We brought the stroller into the resort simply because the walk to the room in the evenings with a tired 3-year-old was very far.

Our room was around 350 square feet with two queen beds, a small table, TV and, most importantly, a balcony with a view of the zebras and giraffes and more.

The view of the animals was the star of the room and the primary reason to stay at this resort. My tween was totally overwhelmed with happiness watching the animals from the room.

If you love the idea of waking up to drink coffee and view animals on the savanna from your private balcony, then book the room with a view. We watched the animals for hours. These were real animals, not animatronics, so they roamed different parts of the savanna at different times of the day and weren't always visible from our room.

Other than the view, the room was totally fine for a Disney property, but not over-the-top spectacular. We appreciated the two queen beds ( instead of the doubles found in some Disney rooms ) and the African theme was carried throughout, though in 2020 the carpeting, mock-mosquito netting and some of the older decor have been thankfully retired.

The bathroom has a double vanity separate from the shower area. We did have issues with both the toilet and phone during our 2018 stay, as both required maintenance. At the time, this made calling down for our $33-per-day car valet impossible, but service was very efficient even without the call-ahead option. These issues did not repeat on the 2020 stay.

Related: How to use points for a trip to Disney World

Food and beverage

Animal Kingdom Lodge had some of the best dining available at Disney World . Many of the restaurants have an African theme, which I personally consider great news, but your experience traveling with more narrow eaters may vary.

Boma — Flavors of Africa is the breakfast and dinner restaurant located in Jambo.

It's an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant, and while there were no characters here (unlike at many similar Disney restaurants), it simply doesn't need them. The food and surroundings stood alone quite nicely.

For breakfast, there were both African and traditional American favorites: corned-beef hash, sweet plantains, goat-cheese scrambled eggs, bread pudding, bacon and even Simba waffles.

The house juice, coffee and service were also well above average at this pricey but delicious restaurant. Breakfast for two adults and two kids rang in around $100, so expect dinner to be more than that.

For a less expensive on-site dining option, there was Mara, just out back off the Jambo lobby. Mara had hot items such as fried eggs, ham-and-cheese sandwiches and Mickey waffles, cheeseburgers and flatbread, as well as grab-and-go drinks, snacks and muffins.

On a longer stay, or if you just really like tea, coffee or soda, you may want to spend $19.99 for the refillable mug that you could fill up in this grab-and-go restaurant. You could also pick up a bottle of wine for some animal watching on your patio.

For a nice dinner, there's Jiko — The Cooking Place and Sanaa. While I've still yet to try Sanaa, I had appetizers and a wine tasting at Jiko on my most recent visit to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I was able to walk in to an open seat at the bar shortly after the restaurant opened for the evening and from the service to the food itself, the experience was fantastic.

The $19 'Tour of Africa' appetizer recommended by the server included sausage, honeyed goat cheese, pimento spread, house-made hummus, Egyptian fatir bread and more. It was -- worth it.

The wine tasting, consisting of three South African wines, was also quite a lot of fun. Jiko has a couple of different wine tastings you can choose from, depending on what you'd like to try.

I've also tried out room service at Animal Kingdom Lodge, ordering two kid meals for the littles and two glasses of wine for the bigs. After a long day in the parks, it was fantastic to have dinner and drinks appear at our room.

The animals are king of the jungle at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but the resort had much more going on than "just" a savanna.

First, let's talk about the African drumming that was going on when we walked in for our 2018 stay. It set the tone, and the women who were drumming were excellent at getting the kids involved in making music. We encountered the drumming around the resort multiple times per day on our stay.

Other free activities available on site during our stay were African face painting, talks with a savanna guide, access to African cultural experts, wildlife-themed games, the Primal Parade, night-vision animal viewing, cookie decorating and a daily culinary tour that allowed you to tour and sample food from the on-site restaurants. Again, these activities are all free. My biggest regret from this trip was that we didn't have more downtime at the resort to try out all of the available tours, talks and other options.

On-site amenities included one of the largest pools at a Disney World resort, on the Jambo portion of the resort. There was also a pool with small waterslides and a kids play area on the Kidani side of the village, though we didn't make it over there during our stay.

The Jambo pool had a zero-entry section, a medium-sized waterslide and attentive Disney lifeguards.

If your family was in search of some drier fun, there was a nearby playground to burn off steam while you waited for dinner, since they will text you when your table is ready.

A few steps away from the playground was a spot to enjoy on-site flamingos.

There was also an above-average arcade and Simba's Activity Center. This spot used to be known as Simba's Clubhouse, a kids club that provided childcare. In 2018 it became an activity center where children need parental supervision, but can play and make African-themed crafts for a small fee.

Like at all Disney Resorts, staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge provides included access to the Magical Express Bus to and from the Orlando airport, as well as complimentary bus transportation around the Walt Disney World Resort.

Overall impression

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is not a cartoon version of Africa. It's not "The Lion King" and "Hakuna Matata" at every turn -- you'll actually find those rooms at Disney's Art of Animation . This is a breathtakingly detailed property that is a joy to inhabit for a few days. The amount of real African art, the emphasis on knowledgeable cultural guides and local experts, and the way that they engage guests in learning about a place many have never seen is nothing short of impressive.

While renting Disney Vacation Club points or hunting for deals can make this one of the more affordable Disney Deluxe Resorts, it will still be an investment in the experience of staying here, so make time to actually enjoy the unique on-site amenities, meals and resources. Choosing this resort means you are isolating yourself from much of Disney World, since no park is within walking distance. But if a taste of African culture, watching animals on the savannah and learning a thing or two on your vacation sounds good, then Animal Kingdom Lodge should be the site of your next Disney World vacation.

Read on to learn more about maximizing your time, points and money at Disney World:

• TPG ultimate guide to Walt Disney World
• Hotel review: Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Hotel review: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• The best points hotels near Disney World
• The 10 best Disney thrill rides around the world
• How to use points for Disney tickets
• Disney World without kids: 10 ways to enjoy an adult trip to Disney
• How to ride every Disney World ride in one day
• How to eat healthy at Disney World
• Best $69 you can spend at Disney World

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

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Theme park reservations are not required for tickets added as part of a room-and-ticket package. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required. Learn more about theme park reservation requirements.

Rooms & Suites

• Complimentary high-speed WiFi Internet access
• In-Room Safe
• Telephone with voicemail
• Coffee maker
• Coffee and tea set up
• Flat panel TV
• Iron & Ironing Board
• Beverage Cooler
• Patio or Balcony

Water View - King Bed

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge shares all Resort amenities—including pools, dining and recreation—with the other sections of the Resort: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.

The following room types are available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:

• Rooms and Suites
• Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service, offering complimentary continental breakfast, snacks and evening beverages

Views of Pool

Sleeps up to 2 Adults

• Includes a beverage cooler, coffee and tea station, and a patio or balcony.

Check Availability

Resort View - King Bed

Views of rooftop or parking area

Savanna View - King Bed

Views of one of the savannas

Resort View

Views of Rooftop or Parking Area

2 Queen Beds

Sleeps up to 4 Adults

Savanna View

Views of One of the Savannas

Rooms & Suites with Club Level Service

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

Includes All Room Amenities, Plus:

• Access to Disney Signature Services—for personal assistance with your vacation. Call: 407-939-7777

Savanna View - Club Level Access

Views of Arusha Savanna

• Includes a beverage cooler, coffee and tea station, patio or balcony and Personalized Guest Services. Plus, enjoy access to the Kilimanjaro Club.

Resort View - 1 BR Suite - Club Level Access

2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

Sleeps up to 6 Adults

• Includes a small fridge, coffee and tea station, patio or balcony and Personalized Guest Services. Plus, enjoy access to the Kilimanjaro Club.

Savanna View - King Bed - Club Level Access

Savanna view - 1 br suite - club level access, 2 bedroom suite - club level access.

1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

Sleeps up to 8 Adults

Deluxe Studios

• Paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils
• Refrigerator - small

Studio - Value

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House shares all Resort amenities—including pools, dining and recreation—with the other sections of the Resort: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.

The following room types are available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House:

• Deluxe Studios with a kitchenette
• Deluxe Studios with Club-Level Service* and a kitchenette
• Villas featuring a kitchen, private bedrooms, and a washer and dryer
• Villas with Club-Level Service*, featuring a kitchen, private bedrooms, and a washer and dryer

Villa room types let you make the most of your vacation:

• A fully-equipped kitchen lets you prepare meals and snacks from the comfort of your villa
• Separate bedrooms in our 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom villas offer space, privacy and tranquility—so it’s easy to rest, relax and recharge your spirit after each exhilarating vacation day
• A washer and dryer let you pack lightly and ensure you’ll always have fresh, clean clothes

*Club-Level Service includes complimentary continental breakfast, snacks and evening beverages.

Views of Landscape or Parking Area

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa

• Comfortable accommodations: includes a kitchenette with small fridge and microwave, and a balcony.

Deluxe Studio - Savanna View

Views of Savanna

Deluxe Studio - Standard View

Views of Landscaping or Parking Area

• Comfortable accommodations: includes a kitchen with small fridge and microwave, and a balcony.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village shares all Resort amenities—including pools, dining and recreation—with the other sections of the Resort: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House.

The following room types are available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village:

Views of Pool or Parking Area

Villas with Club Level Services

• Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge

1 Bedroom Villa - Club Level

Views of Pool or One of the Savannas

1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair

Sleeps up to 5 Adults

• Great for families: includes a full kitchen, living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a balcony. Plus, enjoy access to the Kilimanjaro Club.
• Dishes, glasses and utensils
• Refrigerator
• Washer & Dryer
• Whirlpool Tub
• Stove and oven
• Pots and pans

1 Bedroom Villa - Standard View

• Great for families: includes a full kitchen, living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a balcony.

3 Bedroom Grand Villa - Savanna View

Savanna views can be enjoyed throughout this 2300 sq. ft. space—game room included.

1 King Bed and 4 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

Sleeps up to 12 Adults

• Great for large families: includes 3 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, living and dining areas, game room, washer and dryer, and a balcony.

1 Bedroom Villa - Savanna View

1 Bedroom Villa - Value

1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

• Great for large families: includes 4 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a balcony.

Views of Parking Area

• Great for families: includes 2 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a balcony.

2 Bedroom Villa - Savanna View

1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair

Sleeps up to 9 Adults

• Great for large families: includes 3 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a balcony.

2 Bedroom Villa - Standard View

Deluxe studios with club level services.

Deluxe Studio - Club Level

• Comfortable accommodations: includes a kitchenette with small fridge and microwave, and a balcony. Plus, enjoy access to the Kilimanjaro Club.

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20+ FREE Things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Share Our Happy!!

Have you been wondering about which activities are offered at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? We’ve got you covered!

Some links provided on How We Find Happy may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small portion of income for our recommendations. Rest assured, this does not increase the price you pay for products or services. Happy Traveling!  

We became Disney Vacation Club owners on our first Disney Cruise back in January 2012. Becoming a member wasn’t something we ever thought we’d be interested in doing, especially after moving to Florida, but it really is a great fit for our family. Plus, with Animal Kingdom Lodge as our home, it’s the best of both worlds. Our entire family loves it, and we particularly enjoy all the FREE things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge . 

Top Features

✔️ Remote Location

✔️ Hands on Activities

✔️ Multiple Pools

When we first became Disney Vacation Club Members, we were also annual passholders. Therefore, we spent a lot of time in the parks all through the year. So, during many of our beginning stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge , we did resort only. As a result, we explored so much of the resort, and got to see all it has to offer. 

Exploring the Resort: FREE Things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Can i visit animal kingdom lodge and walk around.

First, you may be wondering if anyone can walk around the resort. If you are staying at either Jambo House or Kidani Village, then you are easily able to walk around the resort. Plus there is a shuttle between each end. Those staying at other Disney resorts , or off property, to park at the resort, you must have dining reservations. Without dining reservations, you can either take a bus from a Disney theme park or Disney Springs. Or get dropped off by Uber, Lyft, or taxi.  

1. Educational Exhibits

Walt Disney World Resorts are all about the immersive experience, based on the theme of each resort. But one thing that sets Animal Kingdom Lodge apart from all the others, education. You can literally walk around the resort for hours reading all about life in Africa. Throughout hallways are large displays on all different topics. 

Sometimes in the lobby they will have additional tables set up with more educational items on display, like these wildlife footprints. Cast members are there to answer questions too.

What Animals can you see at Animal Kingdom Lodge ?

Is animal kingdom lodge in the park.

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The Animal Kingdom Lodge is not inside the Animal Kingdom theme park, but it does border it. Therefore, the behind the scenes where they take care of the animals is accessible for Disney to have Savanna wildlife at both the resort and park. Many animals from Kilimanjaro Safari, are also on the savannas at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. 

2. Savanna Overlooks: Popular Things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook is located at Jambo House, straight through the lobby, down the stairs, and out the doors. This is the main public savanna overlook. You will find boards and interactive displays to learn about the wildlife on the savanna. Plus, there is usually guides to answer any questions you may have. 

🦓 Check prices and availability for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 🦒

Often you can catch both zebra and giraffe on the Arusha Overlook. 

Pembe Savanna Overlook is at Kidani Village, by the pool. But there’s also a main savanna overlook through the lobby. We’ve actually only stayed at Kidani Village once. 

If you would like to know all the animals you can see on the savannas, you can find the Animal Kingdom Lodge spotting guide HERE . 

3. Relax on the Overlook

Spend some time just relaxing on your balcony, even if you don’t have savanna view. Or, if you prefer to be watching the animals, there are several seating areas with rocking chairs where you can relax. Maybe even read a book. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Experiences

4. off the path .

At Kidani Village Pemba Savanna you can learn from the guides several times daily. You can get the times from the activities guide at the check in desk. More of the great educational fun. 

5. Animal Enrichment

This is probably the most fun thing to do at the resort. My girls still talk about preparing interactive objects and puzzle feeders for the animals. Currently they are doing this on Saturdays and Sundays. These are the feeders they put out on the savannas for the animals. 

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6. Coloring in Lobby

Not sure if they have people come out and do this with the kids anymore, but you can definitely just do it on your own. All you need is plain paper and crayons. You can create rubbing designs on your paper from the beautiful metal designs in the floor of the lobby. There are several of them. My girls really enjoyed this too.

7. Wood Working Demonstrations

Just inside the main entrance, to the right, and by the marketplace, there are a couple chairs. Daily you can catch an artist out there creating wood designs. 

8. Find Hidden Mickeys

If you’ve never looked for Hidden Mickeys, it’s another great way for kids to pass the time, and even get a little competitive. This one is found on the metal leaves that cover the stairway on the Arusha Overlook. If you really enjoy Hidden Mickeys, my girls used to use this book .

Animal Kingdom Lodge Activities

9. community hall and simba’s activity center.

At both Jambo House and Kidani Village there is an activity center where kids can color, do crafts and play games. 

Outdoor Recreation at Animal Kingdom Lodge

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10. Hakuna Matata Playground by Uzima Pool

The only playground at Animal Kingdom Lodge is at Jambo House, by the pool. 

Does Animal Kingdom Lodge Have a Pool?

11. swimming.

Actually, there are two pools. Both Kidani Village and Jambo House each have a pool with large slides, toddler areas, hot tubs, and more.  

12. Poolside Activities: FREE Things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge  

Another favorite of our girls. Whenever we spent time at the pool, they were always joining in the dancing and games. Kids can even win some prizes. 

13. Educational Games

January visits will have some cold days. So instead of swimming, our girls would play educational games by the pool. Learning about ecosystems, and how they can make a difference in the world around them. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Walking trails

14. walking.

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15. Running

With lots of property around, and a walkway from Jambo House to Kidani Village, there are a couple different places you can walk or go for a run. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Things to do 

17. basketball, 18. shuffleboard.

Located between both main entrances, you can either bring your own equipment, or grab some from the activities desk. 

19. Sunrise/Sunset

Depending on which way your balcony is facing, you can catch some very beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Or from any of the public overlook areas too. 

Things to do at Night

20. s’mores and campfire.

At sundown each night you can head down for a campfire. Bring your own s’mores supplies to make yourself some snacks. 

🍫 Book your own stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge 🔥

Night Safari and Night Vision Googles

21. starlight safari – night vision.

Take a look at the animals on the savanna after dark with night vision googles. Daily at the Kidani Sunset Overlook.

22. Movies Under the Stars

Nightly Disney movies are shown under the stars and rotates between Jambo House and Kidani Village. Movies switch monthly, so check the activities guide. 

If you are staying at another Disney resort, you can get the movie schedules by calling (407) 939-2273. **Movies and entertainment are subject to cancellation or change without notice, and are weather permitting.

23. Sitting by the Lobby Fireplace

To unwind at night, grab a seat around the fireplace in the lobby. This was perfect for our visits in January and cool weather. Adults can even grab a cocktail from Victoria Falls Lounge first.

Does Animal Kingdom Lodge Have a Gym?

24. work out at the gym.

Lastly, if you don’t want to lost momentum on your exercise progress, take some time in the gym. 

Tour of Animal Kingdom Lodge Video    

If you’d like to see a tour of Jambo House and our room, here’s a video from our January 2020 visit. 

💵 I’m inviting you to find out about Disney Vacation Club so you can enjoy the kind of dream vacations my family gets to experience year after year. If you’re interested, check it out yourself 💵

How far is Animal Kingdom Lodge From the Parks?

This all depends on which park you are coming from. Animal Kingdom Park is right next door, so that’s a quick drive. The other three parks are pretty close to each other, so depending on traffic, about a 10 -15 minute drive. 

How far is Animal Kingdom Lodge From Disney Springs?

Disney Springs is at the east end of Walt Disney World Property, and the Lodge is at the west of of the property. So, they are as far away as you can get. It’s about a 20 minute drive. 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Map

A map showing how large the resort property is.

Final Thoughts on FREE Things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Which animal kingdom resort is better.

As you can see, there’s a lot to do at both resorts , but we personally prefer Jambo House because of the grand lobby, lounge access, and pool location. 

🦓 Book your own Magical Stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge 🦒

Why Stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge ?

Is it worth staying at animal kingdom lodge .

If you, or your kids love animals, and hands on learning activities, then this resort is the best place for your family to stay. Being at the edge of Walt Disney World property, it just seems so much quieter. The views can leave you speechless. In our opinion, it is totally worth staying. 

Can I stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge if I’m not a Disney Vacation Club Member?

Yes, you can stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge even if you’re not a vacation club member. The best, and most cost efficient way to stay at any Disney Vacation Club resort is through a rental agency. As an affiliate, I can assure you that David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the largest and most trusted source of Disney Vacation Club Rentals in the world and many have saved THOUSANDS of dollars on their Disney vacations and you can too. No Membership is required. Start saving NOW at David’s Vacation Club Rentals .

🎟️ Get your theme park tickets HERE 💵

Our other favorite place to stay on Walt Disney World property is Fort Wilderness Campground. Check out our:

25 FREE Things to do at Fort Wilderness

Copper Creek Villas at Wilderness Lodge

Review of Disney’s Hilton Head Resort

Marvel Must Dos at Disney

FREE Things to do at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

• 10 Best Places to Eat in Mount Dora
• Wops Hops Brewing Review

Julie Gazdecki

Julie is owner and founder of How We Find Happy. As an optimist, the name is perfect as we share the ways we find happy living in Florida, visiting breweries, spending time with our adult children, and getting away on some couples trips. As previous residents of Michigan, we still spend lots of time each year visiting our family up there, along with new and favorite places. My hope is to encourage others to spend time exploring this beautiful world, and finding happy in unexpected places.

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26 thoughts on “ 20+ free things to do at animal kingdom lodge ”.

I love Animal Kingdom and finding free things at Disney is always a plus!

Congrats on your 10-year anniversary as Disney Vacation Club Members. And love your guide to all the free things you can do at Animal Kingdom Lodge. So fun!

Wow! I never knew there were so many free things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge! I’m sure my kids would love the educational exhibits and crafts. I would love to stay here one day and wake up to the safari animals outside my window.

Animal Kingdom has so much that we have not yet explored. We would love to stay in this park at some point!

I love Animal Kingdom so I know I would love Animal Kingdom Lodge. So many cool (and free) things to do! Thanks for this guide!

Plenty of great information and great ideas for things to do as a family. Most families enjoy “free” when on vacation.

Wow! This makes me so excited for my first trip in a few weeks!

Lots to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge! Thanks for sharing.

This September we are doing an Animal Kingdom and Epcot parks trip. I was trying to decide if we would pop over to Animal Kingdom Lodge just to see if we wanted to stay someday. Great list!

These are really awesome things to do! And it’s even more awesome because it’s free.

This sounds like a great place to spend family time!

I would love to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge and see the animals when I wake up. What a super cool experience. I love how all the activities also center around fun and learning about the African Safari.

Thanks for sharing! Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a variety of activities

You are welcome! Happy it was helpful to show all this resort has to offer.

Right?? FREE things to do are great!

That is the best thing about Disney, the theming. They incorporate so much education all around.

It’s for sure on the top of our list. So family friendly!

You definitely should pop over there! I think your family would love to stay there.

You are welcome!! Happy to share all the things there are to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Yay!! I cannot wait to hear all about it.

So true! And there is so much FREE, if you just look for it.

Same for our family. Nature and animals are at the center of things we like to do. Happy the guide is helpful.

Yes! There is still things we have not explored either. It’s what keeps us coming back for more.

Your kids would for sure love it. So much education, and perfect for homeschoolers.

Thank you!! Hardly seems that long. Happy you enjoyed our guide to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I agree! Free things to do at Disney are always a plus.

Comments are closed.

Accommodations

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Jambo from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort, where the wilds of an African savanna meet the comforts of a Deluxe Resort!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Highlights

• View live safari animals such as giraffes, zebras, and antelopes from many rooms and Resort overlooks.
• The Resort has amazing food! AKL is widely described as one of the best foodie Resorts.
• The incredible six-story lobby is full of African artwork and crafts.

What is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL)?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Resort hotel proximal to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It opened April 16, 2001. The main lodge and its adjacent rooms are called Jambo House. (A smaller Disney Vacation Club section of the Resort is called Kidani Village.) Designed by Peter Dominick  (designer of Wilderness Lodge fame), AKL recreates the feel of a South African wildlife reserve lodge. Rooms follow the Kraal African village design, a semicircle concept, offering a view of close to 100 grazing animals and 130 birds on the property and in the private savannas.

Like other Disney Resorts, AKL has a distinctive theme carried throughout its architecture, landscape, and interior design. As you drive up to the Resort, the large building appears to be a gathering of huts. The incredible size of the Resort is hidden from the front, so it simulates driving up to a small safari village.

Tell me more about the look and feel of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is six stories tall. You enter the impressive lobby on the third floor of the Resort (though you won’t be climbing three flights of stairs — the Resort entrance is elevated).

There is a huge picture window at the far end of the lobby that looks out over 30 acres of land. From here, you can walk out onto an elevated viewing area called Arusha Rock and enjoy the roaming animals.

All three savannas are specially-built areas that are just for AKL and are separate from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There are over 100 Sand Live Oak trees and 35,000 shrubs on the savannas. Seeds for many of the plants were supplied from Africa.

Throughout the lobby, there are examples of authentic architecture and design, from thatched ceilings to golden tones reflecting the richness and diversity of an African landscape. Rich wood tones surround a large mud fireplace, and natural lighting will celebrate dawn and dusk with features that accentuate spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to the largest collection of African art in the world outside the continent of Africa. You’ll see pieces throughout the lobby, restaurants, and hallways.

In the hallways, there are alcoves with glass windows providing savanna overlooks.

Next to Animal Kingdom Lodge is Kidani Village (opened May 1, 2009), a Disney Vacation Club Resort. Kidani has its own parking, restaurant, and pool. It shares the Sunset Savanna with Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House and has its own savanna (opened fall 2009) called Pembe.

What types of accommodations are available?

The accommodations offered at AKL were updated in 2019 and feature more muted colors and patterns than the original design. Though the previous jewel-toned soft goods were vibrant, the new design is understated and elegant. Heavy, carved wood furniture gives an air of natural grandeur.

The following are the room types and quantity of rooms in each category:

• Standard View (facing the parking lot) 135 rooms
• Pool View 136 rooms
• Savanna View 724 rooms
• Deluxe Pool View 33 rooms
• Deluxe savanna View 191 rooms
• Concierge 55 rooms

The Deluxe rooms (381 square feet) are bigger than the Standard rooms (344 square feet).

There are 79 king bed rooms, and there are 65 accessible rooms with king bed, roll-in shower, accessible seat for toilet, TDD kit, and ADA guide maps. There are also Presidential and Vice Presidential suites, as well as five one-bedroom suites and 12 two-bedroom parlor suites.

Some rooms also include sleeper sofas. Some rooms feature an additional dresser. Each room that is not ground level, no matter what the category or view, has a balcony that is long and narrow.

The suites are located at the end of the animal trails. From the outside of the Lodge, they are the ones located within the rounded parts of the building, with the curved balconies, topped with thatch. They are located on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. Even the ones below 5th floor still have concierge access. All concierge rooms have savanna or pool views.

In addition, Animal Kingdom Lodge also has some Disney Vacation Club villas. See that fact sheet for details.

Standard Rooms

Floors 1-2-3-4 have Standard rooms with one of three views: Standard, Pool, or Savanna. The rooms can be configured with two queen beds or one king bed. Some rooms are handicapped accessible with a king bed and a daybed. Some Standard Pool View rooms offer a bunk bed and a queen bed.

Deluxe Rooms

Floors 5-6 have Deluxe rooms. Concierge rooms are the same as the Deluxe rooms. These have one of two views: Pool or Savanna. The rooms can be configured as either two queen beds; two queens and one queen size sleeper sofa; or one king bed. The 6th floor is exclusively Concierge.

How much does it cost to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge ?

Walt Disney World Resort rates vary by season (there are nine seasons now) and also by day of the week. The holiday season is the most expensive time of the year. It runs from mid-December to early January as well as during Easter Week. Prices below include a 12.5% tax, and the higher end of the range is holiday pricing.

Rates can vary from day to day and season to season. Be sure to check DisneyWorld.com for the most recent, up-to-date pricing.

• Standard View Room: $417 – $705
• Standard View Room — King: $434 – $722
• Pool View Room: $452 – $750
• Pool View Room — Bunk Bed: $480 – $853
• Savanna View Room: $602 – $950
• Savanna View Room – King: $619 – $966
• Savanna View Room – Bunk Bed: $628 – $980
• Savanna View Room – Club Level: $695 – $1051

Is there a fee to park at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

There is a fee for overnight self-parking at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Click here  for current pricing and other parking-related information.

What type of amenities are offered?

The rooms have a small safe in the closet to store valuables. It’s big enough for your plane tickets, cash/travelers checks, and maybe some jewelry — but not much more. For storing larger valuables, inquire at the front desk. In addition, you’ll also find a hairdryer, small coffee maker with packets of coffee and tea, iron and ironing board, and a small refrigerator. Valet parking, voice mail, and room service are also available.

Walt Disney World Resort has complimentary Wi-Fi service in all of its resorts. See our Internet Access page for details.

I hear that there are no more room keys at Disney resort hotels. How do I get into my room?

Walt Disney World has converted their room keys and admission tickets from plastic cards to MagicBands, flexible plastic wristbands, resembling a watch or bracelet, that use Radio Frequency (RF) technology. Your MagicBand is linked to your My Disney Experience (MDE) account and acts as your Disney resort room key. Simply touch the Mickey symbol on your MagicBand to the RFID reader near your room door to gain entry. Read about using MagicBands for park admission, FastPass+ and more here .

You can also use  your My Disney Experience app on your smartphone to open your Resort room door.

Are there smoking and nonsmoking rooms?

All Disney resorts and guest rooms are now smoke-free . There are designated outdoor smoking areas. Check the resort map or with a Cast Member for locations.

How does check-in work?

Online Check-in is available through the My Disney Experience app. Look for the special Online Check-in line at the Resort’s front desk when you arrive, or wait for a text with your room location information.

Check-in is at 3PM. Upon arrival head to the front desk to check-in (if you haven’t checked in online). Rooms are not guaranteed to be available until 3PM, but you can request early check-in when you do Online Check-in, and you may have your wish granted if there’s availability.

Early check-in allows you to leave luggage with bell services, get your MagicBands (if you don’t already have them), and head off to the Parks or Disney Springs or to relax around the Resort. You will be get a notification on My Disney Experience when your room is ready. You will then be given your room number, and your MagicBand (or MDE app) will open your door!

Check-out time is 11AM. Express Check-out is available to all guests paying with a credit card. You used to have to arrange for this service at check-in, but it’s standard procedure now. A detailed hotel bill is delivered to your door by 7AM. If the bill is correct you simply leave. Your MagicBand serves as a Disney souvenir, so take it home with you. Late Check-out of noon can be requested without additional cost (note that there’s very limited availability). If you need Late Check-out, request it at Check-In and as soon as possible the morning of check out (the number of eligible rooms are limited).

Resort Airline Check-In Service at your Disney resort is only available if you are flying domestically (includes Puerto Rico) on specific airlines It is a complimentary (free) service and allows you to check your luggage.

What kind of concierge service is available?

AKL’s concierge (or club level) guest rooms are located on part of floor 5 and all of 6. The actual lounge and staff are located on the 6th floor. The concierge rooms are identical to the Deluxe rooms in terms of size and amenities (with a few extra). You can not book a specific concierge view. They are either a Pool View or Sunset or Arusha Savanna View. For some odd reason, the lounge was not built with a Savanna View and instead opens to the lobby on the 6th floor.

The lounge is wonderful and large, and the food is quite good. You also have a selection of South African wines to try as well. The Cast Members can assist you in dining, entertainment, or just about any Disney plans you might want to make.

What are the savannas like?

Animal Kingdom Lodge has three separate savannas (approximately ten acres each) that are open 24 hours a day. From left to right the savannas are named: Sunset, Arusha, and Uzima.

Each savanna has its own unique look and feel. Not all savannas have all the animals. For instance, ostriches can only be found on the Sunset savanna, zebras are only located on the Arusha savanna, and kudu are only found on the Uzima savanna. Giraffes are the only animal found on all three savannas.

Each room at the Resort has an animal viewing guide. You can also pick one up at the front desk.

At night, the savannas are illuminated by artificial moonlight as if a full moon were ever present.

“Safari Guides” are Cast Members in the outside viewing areas who can answer your questions about the animals and birds.

Altogether, more than 200 mammals and three dozen birds populate the 33-acre area. The savannas surround the Lodge on three sides. You can view the birds and animals from Resort balconies or from several viewing points — including a landscaped rock outcropping called the Arusha Rock kopje — 24 hours a day.

Are the animals and birds on the savannas 24 hours a day? Where do they sleep?

The savannas are the actual home for the animals and birds. All animals inhabiting the savanna return periodically to an on-site animal care facility for feeding and routine care. Many of the species browse, as well, on savanna plantings that are part of their everyday diet and are continually replenished by horticulturists.

The animals sleep on the savannas, although they are generally much further back. You probably won’t be able to see them sleep. Each savanna is closed daily for approximately two hours for cleaning and handling animals, in shifts. There will always be at least two savannas open at all times. A number of the animals are nocturnal, so you may spot them in the middle of the night.

What animals and birds might I see on the savannas?

The following animals may be found on at least one of the three Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannas:

• Anikole Cattle
• Grant’s Zebra
• Greater Kudu
• Reticulated Giraffe
• Thomson’s Gazelle
• Red River Hogs
• White-Bearded Wildebeest.

• Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
• East African Crowned Crane
• Greater Flamingo
• Marabou Stork
• Pink-Backed Pelican
• Ruppel’s Griffon Vulture.

Where did the animals come from?

The first two inhabitants of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, two giraffes, became the first two inhabitants of AKL. The other animals either originated at Animal Kingdom or arrived from other accredited zoological facilities.

Will I be able to touch or feed the animals? What responsibilities do I have regarding the animals and birds?

No, you may not touch or feed the animals. If you attempt to do so, you risk expulsion from the Resort.

The safety of both the guests and the animals is very important. As an in-room notice states:

To assist the animal care staff in maintaining the health and safety of the animals, please do not feed them or drop items into the habitats. Also, please do not attempt to approach or cross the barriers designed for guest and animal safety. If any guest attempts to harm the animals or their habitats, they will be immediately asked to leave the resort. During your stay you may notice cameras in and around the savannas. These cameras are for the protection and safety of our animals. For privacy, please close your drapes.

What  safari experiences are available?

Sunset (wanyama) safari.

The Sunset or Wanyama Safari takes place on the savannas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is meant to be a re-creation of a true African afternoon game drive and is an opportunity to spend time with members from the animal programs team learning about the natural history and management of the animal collection at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Your safari will conclude with a true African dining experience at Jiko.

For pricing and other details, visit the Wanyama Safari page.

Starlight Safari

The Starlight Safari is a safari only experience, where you’ll climb into a safari truck with guide and explore the Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna. The experience is approximately one hour, and a portion of the proceeds is donated to Disney’s Global Conservation efforts. The cost is $74.17 per person and can be booked by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.

How do I get to the Disney theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs?

All Disney transportation to and from AKL is via bus. As you exit the main lobby, the bus station is down to the left. There are several stops to take you to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. The buses that service AKL do not service other Resorts.

You may walk or take bus over to Kidani Village, the Disney Vacation Club area next to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Is morning coffee available?

All rooms should be equipped with a small coffee maker and complimentary coffee packets. In addition, Mara, the Quick Service restaurant located on Jambo House’s lower level, serves coffee. Be sure to get a Rapid Fill mug if you drink lots of coffee and soda. Hours at Mara are usually 6:00AM to 11:30PM.

Describe the restaurants that are at the Animal Kingdom Lodge .

Animal Kingdom Lodge is widely considered one of the best “foodie Resorts.” Reservations for the Resort’s Table Service dining are highly recommended.

The restaurants offer a blend of African, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, and French cuisine with a dash of English served with a hint of classical flair. The menus reflect a blend of sweet and savory international tastes.

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Jiko is a Signature restaurant serving dinner that features a taste of Africa in an atmosphere shaped by traditions and customs. The design represents an abstract view of Africa, with twin wood-burning ovens as the restaurant’s icon. Jiko consistently ranks among the best Walt Disney World restaurants in both food and service.

Boma — Flavors of Africa is a very popular buffet restaurant open for breakfast and dinner. Boma captures the essence of vibrant life in the African marketplace. This buffet has great variety and is known for its carved meats, various soups, and one iconic dessert: Zebra Domes.

The restaurant showcases an open kitchen, and a wood-burning grill and rotisserie fills the Resort lobby (located two floors up) with intoxicating aromas. The dining stations at Boma are under thatched roofs.

The Resort’s Quick Service restaurant, Mara is open morning to night and offers great food and poolside dining.

Browse Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant menus here!

Victoria falls.

Victoria Falls is a mezzanine lounge overlooking Boma that serves specialty coffees and teas and a variety of beverages at night.

Uzima Springs

Uzima Springs is Jambo House’s poolside bar.

Sanaa is a beloved Table Service restaurant located in Kidani Village. It offers full service lunch and dinner. This is an excellent restaurant — and is very underrated — therefore it’s usually easy to snag a reservation. Sanaa’s large windows offer a view of the Savanna.

I’m interested in hearing about the food options for vegetarians and plant-based diners.

There are lots of vegetarian and plant-based options available at Jiko, Boma, Sanaa, and Mara! There were several items on the Jiko menu that would/could easily be adapted to vegetarian or are plant-based already. The chefs are very tuned into special diets. At Boma, ask the chefs at each of the stations, and they will take care of you!

Is there a gift shop at the Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Yes! It’s called the Zawindi Marketplace. It has a combination of Disney souvenirs and artist creations.

Featured marketplace items include: Zulu baskets, hand-loomed fabrics and textiles, hand-carved masks, beaded gourds, hand-carved chess sets, and an assortment of authentic accents.

What about Laundry facilities?

The laundry room is located on the first floor of Jambo House. Learn more about Disney’s laundry services here and LaundryView here .

Are there any special programs at AKL?

Yes, there are a number of special programs offered throughout the day at AKL. Be sure to ask for a list when you check into the hotel. A sampling of the recent programs offered at the Resort (all programs subject to change without notice):

• flamingo feedings at the Flamingo Pond
• animal tracking at Arusha Rock
• music of the Savanna in the Sunset Lounge
• wildlife games in the Sunset Lounge
• African games and crafts on the Uzima Pool Deck
• cultural safari in the Sunset Lounge
• animal viewing with Night Vision
• cookie decorating at Boma

Outside, at the Arusha Rock, there is nightly African storytelling next to Ogun’s Firepit. (Storytelling is held indoors in the event of inclement weather.) If you have the opportunity, take the time to speak with the storytellers.

What types of recreation are available?

AKL has a themed pool, a kids’ wading pool, two outdoor spas (“hot tubs”) and a fitness center. There is also a kid’s playground.

The Uzima Springs pool is the second-largest on Disney property at over 11,000 square feet. It is also a “Zero-Depth Entry” pool, meaning there is an entrance without steps. I saw lots and lots of kids (young ones, too) enjoying the 67-foot long slide and kiddy wade pool area. There is no quiet pool at AKL.

The Uzima pool is open 24 hours, but the lifeguards go off duty at 10PM, and the slide also closes. The two spas close at midnight.

Guests at Jambo House can also venture over to Kidani Village to enjoy the Samawati Springs Pool, which has a fun splash area for the kiddos.

Is there a fitness center?

Zahanati Fitness Center is open from 6AM to 9PM at no additional charge to Animal Kingdom Lodge guests 14 and over. Those 14-17 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

The Fitness Center has a full line of Cybex equipment, including a Smith machine. The cardiovascular area has Life Fitness Treadmills, Stairmasters and Bicycles (regular and recumbent).

Zahanati Fitness Center is also a massage center. Spa services include massages and facials. It is recommended to book these in advance by calling 407-WDW-SPAS.

What kid’s services are there at this Resort?

There are lots of children of all ages having a wonderful time and full of smiles. Many kids were all over the Lodge with their animal checklists in hand. The storytelling in the evenings is geared to both children and adults. There is always the pool, and as time goes on, more more kids’ activities will be added.

There is an area in the lobby and also in Mara with a TV that plays Disney movies. Pumbaa’s Arcade appeals to many kids.

There is no child care activity center at this resort. For child care alternatives, visit our Child Care FAQ.

Balloons at Animal Kingdom Lodge

AKL does not allow balloons inside the Resort. Any balloons brought to the Resort (from the theme parks, for example) will have to be checked with bell services for the duration of the guest’s stay. They will be returned upon departure. This information might be helpful to families with younger children, so there are no disappointments when returning to the Resort.

To learn more about what Animal Kingdom Lodge has to offer, check out this AllEars TV Video!

The Animal Kingdom Lodge Address is:

2901 Osceola Parkway Bay Lake, FL 32830

The main number is 407-938-3000 and the fax number is 407-938-4799. The Zahanati Fitness Center phone number 407-938-4715.

• Phone: (407) 938-3000
• Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway, Bay Lake, Florida 32830

Transportation Options (1)

Activities & recreation (7).

• Running Trail
• Poolside Movies
• Tennis Courts

Room Options (12)

• Standard View
• Standard View - King Bed
• Pool View - Bunk Bed
• Savanna View
• Savanna View - King Bed
• Savanna View - Bunk Bed
• Savanna View - Club Level Access
• Standard View-1 BR Suite-Club Level Access
• 1 Bedroom Suite - Club Level Access
• 2 Bedroom Suite - Club Level Access
• Royal Asante Presidential St-Clb Level Access

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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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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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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Gets a Special Anniversary Commemorative Pin

by Madeleine Lily · April 23, 2024

As one of Disney World’s most well-known, beloved, and exceptionally-themed Deluxe Resorts, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is certainly one worth celebrating.

Especially now, as the world-class lodge is currently in the midst of a very special anniversary!

Image Credit: Disney

Beloved for its savannah views, world-class dining, spectacular artwork and so much more , it’s no wonder that Animal Kingdom Lodge guests hold memories of their adventures at the resort in their hearts for years. 

If you’ve ever stayed here, we’re sure you’ll know what we’re talking about!

Credit: Disney

So, when our MickeyBlog reporters spotted this beautiful souvenir on a visit to the resort, we knew we had to share it with you readers right away. Not only is it new in stock, but it’s also very exclusive, full of celebration, and the perfect keepsake to capture the magic of an Animal Kingdom Lodge resort stay for years to come.

Keep reading, and let’s check it out!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 15th Anniversary Pin

How adorable is this? It’s a stunning new Disney Pin, released in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

The eye-catching pin features a safari-clad Minnie Mouse, enjoying a fun interaction with a smiling giraffe outside the resort’s spectacular architecture. The “Animal Kingdom Lodge” emblem is included, along with a subtle yet impactful number “15” to remind us of the anniversary occasion.

The pin’s card itself is also rather special, featuring the year 2024 and the “15 years” celebration proudly printed in blue.

Now not only is this pin beautiful, but it’s also something of a collector’s piece! Only 2,000 of these have been made, meaning you’d better act fast if you’d like to buy your own.

Our reporters found them in store over at the resort’s Zawadi Marketplace, where they cost $19.99 each. 

Will you be marking a special stay at this landmark resort with such a beautiful and commemorative pin?

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Tags: Disney pins Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Pin Trading Pins Resorts Zawadi Marketplace

Madeleine Lily

Hi, I'm Madeleine! I write from somewhere near Manchester, England, which is far too far away from Walt Disney World for my liking. When I'm not writing, I'm probably hanging out with my Disney cat and listening to the Moana soundtrack. Come and say hey - my Instagram is @madeleinelilyw

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Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants and Dining

D isney World may be a theme park, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in dining options. And its resorts have some of the best restaurants on property. This is especially true at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, a deluxe resort that offers unique dishes inspired by Africa and Asia. So if you’re planning a stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, here is everything you need to know about Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants.

(And even if you aren’t staying here, you might want to consider making a trip to AKL just for a meal!)

One thing to know before we get started: There are two sections to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jambo House is the main resort area, while Kidani Village is the Disney Vacation Club area of the resort. They are two distinct buildings, but there is a shuttle that runs from the front entrance of each resort to take you back and forth.

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Table Service Restaurants

Animal Kingdom Lodge has three different Table Service restaurants. And if you are staying at AKL, I definitely recommend trying to eat at as many of them as possible because they are all delicious!

These are popular restaurants, so we definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time. Remember, you can book your Walt Disney World Dining at 60 days before your resort stay! (See more about planning your Disney trip here .)

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma – Flavors of Africa is located in Jambo House and it has a breakfast and a dinner buffet. The food here is excellent and the décor is full of vibrant colors inspired by Africa.

We dined here at breakfast, and I was so impressed with all the options. To start off, we got fruity juice blend that was included in the breakfast.

Then the buffet included unique items like Turkey Bobotie and Pap, but also lots of breakfast items you’ll recognize like Mickey waffles, omelets, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes. There are also yogurt parfaits and an avocado, papaya, and grapefruit salad, and so much more.

Dinner at Boma will have more unique African offerings. You’ll find things like Tabbouleh, North African Cauliflower Salad, Lamb Bobotie, Moroccan Harira, and Butternut Squash Soup. But you’ll also find family-friendly favorites like chicken bites, beef striploin, and macaroni & cheese.

Boma is also the place to get the popular Zebra Domes everyone loves at Animal Kingdom Lodge! These are white chocolate covered chocolate mousse domes, and you can usually find them on the dessert buffet at Boma.

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Jiko is definitely the fine dining location in Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jambo House. It’s a restaurant that features African, Indian, and Mediterranean dishes that they prepare in their open kitchen. Jiko is only open for dinner, but they have a delicious menu you won’t want to miss. And this is the perfect place to dine if you are celebrating a special occasion on your trip.

Included in your meal is a bread service of amazing Egyptian breads, and you can order appetizers like Duck Confit and Honey-Raisin Flatbread or Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin.

Entrée options include favorites like Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon and Sustainable Fish. And they also have a great kids menu that includes fish, steak, chicken, or (of course) cheese pizza.

And the desserts here are a work of art. Honestly, I’m not even sure what all my dessert included (except I know it had chocolate mousse) and it was absolutely heavenly.

Pro-Tip: There is a Jiko dress code! This is a fine dining restaurant, so the Disney website states that “Guests are expected to dress accordingly.” So, wear nice clothes, don’t show up in your sweaty theme park t-shirt, and definitely don’t wear a swimsuit!

Sanaa is a table service restaurant located in the Kidani Village section of Animal Kingdom Lodge. To get there from Jambo House, you can take a free shuttle from the front entrance. (Just ask at the front desk if you aren’t sure where the pick up is!)

Sanaa serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Note that for breakfast it is a quick-service restaurant, and for lunch and dinner it is table service.

The menu at Sanaa for lunch and dinner is definitely a favorite among Animal Kingdom Lodge guests. They are especially famous for their Indian style Bread Service! It comes with five different Naan options (like Garlic Naan and Spiced Naan) along with nine different accompaniments (like Red Pepper Hummus, Cucumber Raita, and Tamarind Chutney). If you go to Sanaa, the bread service is definitely the one thing you should ABSOLUTELY order!

The rest of the menu includes Indian and African inspired dishes like Curries, Butter Chicken, and Pork Vindaloo. I had the Samaki Wa Kupaka, which was a sustainable fish dish and it was delicious.

And of course, for your more picky eaters and kids they have a burger and kids options like pizza.

Another important thing about Sanaa is that it is the only restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge that looks out directly over the savanna. So this is where to dine if you want to see animals while you eat!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Counter Service Restaurants

While Sanaa does operate as a Quick Service restaurant for breakfast, there is really only one true Quick Service restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge: The Mara.

The Mara is located in Jambo House near the Uzima Springs pool. They serve a Quick Service breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Mara is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., so this is where to go for your early morning breakfast or late night snacks before or after your theme park day.

For breakfast they offer grab and go pastries along with entrees like the Savanna Platter (your standard eggs, potatoes, bacon, and sausage), a Bacon and Gruyere Quiche, and French Toast Bread Pudding.

For lunch and dinner, The Mara has standard offerings like burgers and chicken strips. But they also have unique dishes like an Oak-Grilled Chicken Bowl, a Tamarind Barbecue Pork Sandwich, and a Chermoula-Spiced Shrimp Bowl.

Also, The Mara is another place to get Zebra Domes! You can find them in the grab and go dessert fridge. They also have the popular Nyala Brownie here, which is a brownie with peanut butter and vanilla buttercream.

One note about The Mara: I found the service a little confusing. Unlike other some other Quick Service restaurants (like, for example, the food court at POP Century), we ordered at the register and then were given a number to take to our table even though it *looks* like there are counters where you pick up food. However, if you want something like pastries or a dessert out of the fridge, you can go up and get that and then take it to the register.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Bars and Lounges

Cape town lounge and wine bar.

The Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar is located just inside the restaurant Jiko – The Cooking Place. It’s a small place, but perfect for grabbing a drink if you are waiting for your table at Jiko.

Their menu features a wide variety of South African wines, but they also have specialty cocktails, beers, and after-dinner drinks. You should also be able to order from the Jiko menu here.

Victoria Falls Lounge

Victoria Falls Lounge is the main bar at Jambo House. It’s located just above Boma (like, it overlooks the restaurant) and there is plenty of seating either at the bar or in more comfortable lounge chairs.

At Victoria Falls you can get specialty cocktails, beers, Scotch, and South African wines. From 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. they also serve a limited menu that includes olives and nuts, bread with goat cheese dip, and a burger.

Uzima Springs Pool Bar

The Uzima Springs Pool Bar is located at the Uzima Springs pool at Jambo House.

Here you can get beer, tropical drinks, sangria, specialty non-alcoholic drinks, and more.

Sanaa Lounge

The Sanaa Lounge is located at Sanaa in the Kidani Village section of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Their menu features specialty cocktails and mocktails as well as beers.

And if you want the Sanaa Indian Style Bread Service but can’t get a reservation at Sanaa (or don’t want a full meal) you CAN get the bread service at the lounge!

Maji Pool Bar

The Maji Pool Bar is located at the Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village.

Here you can get pool-side drinks like margaritas, beers, and sangria as well as non-alcoholic smoothies.

They also have a small food menu that includes Spiced Pork Nachos, Short Rib Grilled Cheese, Multigrain Tabbouleh, and more.

Special Dining Experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge used to have several dining experiences. Unfortunately, these still have not returned since the pandemic. We’ll see if they return in the future though or if AKL decides to offer new specialty experiences!

Past Animal Kingdom Lodge dining experiences included Dine with an Animal Specialist at Sanaa, the Wanyama Safari and Dinner, and a Jiko Wine Tasting.

Transportation to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you are staying at another resort and want to dine at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can take a free Disney Bus from any of the theme parks or Disney Springs to get to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

If you are in your own car and want to drive, you will generally need to show that you have a dining reservation at Animal Kingdom Lodge to be allowed to park there.

One thing to note: Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most removed Disney World resorts. It’s going to take a bit of time to get from pretty much any of the theme parks (except Animal Kingdom) to AKL. So if you have a dining reservation and are coming from somewhere else, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there!

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Tips for Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Here are a few tips for dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

• Make reservations. All of the Table Service restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge take reservations and they are highly recommended.
• Sanaa Lounge has the Indian Style Bread Service. This is one of the most popular dishes at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so if you can’t get a reservation for Sanaa, try the lounge.
• The Mara has Zebra Domes. If you can’t get a Boma reservation, this popular treat can be found in the dessert case at The Mara.
• Give yourself plenty of time for transportation. If you are coming from a theme park or other resort, give yourself lots of time to get to Animal Kingdom Lodge. The same applies if you are traveling between Jambo House and Kidani Village. Make sure you take travel time into account.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining FAQs

Can you eat at animal kingdom lodge without staying there.

Yes! You can dine at Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants even if you aren’t staying there! Just make a dining reservation and take a Disney bus to AKL from a Walt Disney World theme park or Disney Springs.

Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The Disney Dining Plan is returning in 2024 and you will be able to use it Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Just make sure you know what credits can be used at what restaurants. A few things to note:

• Jiko and Cape Town Lounge will require 2 dining credits.
• The Uzima Springs Pool Bar will not accept dining plans.

Is there character dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

No. There is currently no character dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Where are Zebra Domes at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Zebra Domes are chocolate mousse domes covered in white chocolate. You can get them when you dine at Boma or you can get them in the dessert case at The Mara.

Where do you get bread service at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The Indian-Style Bread Service at Sanaa is one of the most popular dishes at Animal Kingdom Lodge! You can get it at either Sanaa or Sanaa Lounge.

There are also other good bread services on property, too though! We loved our complementary Egyptian bread service at Jiko!

At what restaurants can you see animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The only restaurant that offers Savanna views is Sanaa. And note that not all the tables are going to look directly over the Savanna. Remember though that there are lots of public Savanna viewing areas throughout the resort!

More Disney Planning Resources

Planning a Disney Trip? Here are some more helpful posts!

• 9 Steps to Planning a Disney Vacation
• Complete Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
• Disney 101: Disney World Tips for Beginners

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The post Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants and Dining appeared first on Flying Off The Bookshelf .

The Best Time to Visit Disney's Animal Kingdom

The most important part of timing your Disney vacation is deciding what time of year is best for your needs. Once you have chosen your dates, selecting the right park to visit at the right time will help you avoid delays and long lines. Like most Disney parks , the best time to visit Disney's Animal Kingdom is in January or September when the weather is mild, crowds are thin, and the prices have plummeted.

Head to the Animal Kingdom first thing in the morning on the right day of the week, and you'll spot plenty of animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Show up just a few hours later on a wrong day and you may find yourself facing a two-hour wait to ride Expedition Everest.

The Best Days to Visit Animal Kingdom

If you are staying at one of Disney World's on-site resorts, you will be able to get into the Animal Kingdom an hour early on select mornings for Extra Magic Hours . This perk is only offered to resort guests and is a time that you can enjoy the park with relatively low crowd levels. Compared to other parks, Animal Kingdom has limited Extra Magic Hours, so be sure to check before your trip to avoid disappointment.

Extra Magic Hours on Saturday and Monday mornings will bring plenty of resort guests to the Animal Kingdom theme park, so avoid this park on those days if you are staying off-site. By the time you are admitted, there will be guests in line at every popular attraction.

The Best Time of Day to Visit Animal Kingdom

While it is a good idea to show up first thing in the morning at any Disney Park, it is particularly important to head to the Animal Kingdom when it opens. If you are visiting during one of the hot summer months, you won't see many of the animal inhabitants by the afternoon, since they will retreat to the shadiest spots in their enclosures to escape the heat.

If you are visiting during a slow time of year, head to the Animal Kingdom in the afternoon without worry; the park will begin to empty out around 3 p.m. Skip the Animal Kingdom in the afternoon if you are traveling during a crowded time — not only will the park be packed, but most FastPass+ will have completed distribution for the day as well.

Give yourself about a half hour to reach the Animal Kingdom in the morning if you are relying on the Disney transportation system , and about 15 minutes if you are driving your own car. (If you are a big fan of the Animal Kingdom theme park, consider staying at the adjacent Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Lodge offers plenty of educational activities and live animal viewing; it is also just a five-minute bus ride away from the entrance of the Animal Kingdom theme park.)

The Weather at Animal Kingdom

Central Florida is hot and humid during the summer, with highs above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but cool and sometimes wet in the spring.   It's generally pleasant in the fall, and winter at the Animal Kingdom often serves as a great respite from cold weather in the north, offering sunny afternoons and mild evenings. While Florida doesn't usually get hit hard by hurricanes, they do affect weather at Walt Disney World, and hurricane season runs from June through October.

Spring can be a great time to visit Animal Kingdom, but crowds can be intense due to spring break. If you visit during the spring, try to visit during May before Memorial Day weekend to avoid overcrowding. Planning a spring break trip? Make your hotel reservations and other bookings well in advance!

Events to check out:

• Animal Kingdom usually holds a celebration for Earth Day , which takes place in mid-April.

Florida summers are hot and humid and it's also peak season across all of Disney's park—Animal Kingdom is no exception. Highs can sometimes reach into the 90s Fahrenheit, but the humidity can make it feel much warmer. While summer isn't the best time of the year to visit, you can make your visit much more enjoyable by getting to the park early, before the hottest part of the day, and then spending your afternoons relaxing by your hotel's pool!

Once the kids have gone back to school, Animal Kingdom is much less crowded. September and October are great months to visit, with weather that isn't nearly as stifling hot as July or August. November can also be a good time to visit, but you'll want to avoid Thanksgiving week. If you visit after Thanksgiving weekend, you may discover no lines at all.

The holidays are, predictably, a busy time for the park, but the festive decor and special events make it a fun time to visit. If you want the benefit of mild winter weather minus the crowds, plan your visit for January; just be sure to avoid federal holiday weekends, like Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

• Disney After Hours usually takes place from December through April. On these special ticketed nights, park visitors have extra exclusive access to attractions, snacks, and more.
• Walt Disney World marathon weekend takes place in early January each year. While the Magic Kingdom is the main backdrop for the race, the course takes runners through each of the parks, including Animal Kingdom.

The best time to visit Disney's Animal Kingdom is in January or September, when the weather is mild, crowds have thinned, and airline and lodging prices are cheapest.

Animal Kingdom is one of the only Disney parks that is less crowded on weekends. Fridays and Sundays tend to see fewer crowds, as do Wednesdays.

Most visitors rush to Pandora Land to ride Avatar Flight Of Passage, arguably Animal Kingdom's best ride. Seasoned visitors recommend arriving 30 minutes before park opening for "rope drop." If you get there first thing, expect only a half-hour wait for this popular ride.

Weather-US. "Walt Disney World Resort, FL." Retrieved Jan 6, 2021.

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Disney Eats

Disney Eats: Mother’s Day Foodie Guide 2024  

by Nicole Cantore , Digital Integration Specialist, Global Food & Beverage

Happy Mother’s Day! This lovely occasion is coming up on May 12, and I’ve got your list of all the decadent delights coming to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort . Once you see these bites and sips, you’ll be counting down the days until you can try them yourself.  

Whether you’re enjoying your time with your mother, aunt, grandmother, caregiver, mother figure, or any special person in your life, Disney Parks has something for you to indulge in. Try a new dish that will brighten your day like the Sunflower Cake from The Mara or treat yourself to a sweet selection with the return of the Bouquet of Roses Cupcake from Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette . For those heading over to the Disneyland Resort on May 12, Storytellers Cafe has a special Mother’s Day Dinner Buffet filled with flavors, fun, and even some Disney Characters, and one at Plaza Inn within Disneyland park . To learn more and book, check out the official website for Storytellers Cafe and Plaza Inn . 

Grab your loved ones and your appetite because it’s time we get to all the Mother’s Day goodies coming in this year’s Foodie Guide!  

Walt Disney World Resort   

Disney’s animal kingdom lodge  .

The Mara (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available)   

• Sunflower Cake: Marbled chocolate and vanilla cake, vanilla buttercream, and mini chocolate chips (New)   

Disney’s Beach Club Resort   

Beach Club Marketplace (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available)   

• Mother’s Day Croissant filled with raspberry jam topped with raspberry crunchies (New)   

Disney’s BoardWalk   

BoardWalk Deli and Carousel Coffee (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available at BoardWalk Deli only)   

• Mother’s Day Croissant: Croissant dough filled with raspberry jam topped with raspberry crunchies (New)   

Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa  

Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (Available May 5 through 18)   

• Bouquet of Roses Cupcake: Chocolate Cupcake, strawberry pastry cream, chocolate mousse, and buttercream 

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort   

Pineapple Lanai (Available May 5 through 18)   

• Makuahine DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip with Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red topped with shimmering edible flowers  

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort   

The Market at Ale & Compass (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available)   

Available at Various Table-Service Restaurants and Lounges at Disney Resort Hotels   

• Strawberry-Orange Mimosa: Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut, orange juice, and strawberry purée topped with a strawberry (New) (Available May 5 through 18)   

Disney Springs   

Amorette’s Patisserie (Available May 5 through 12; mobile order available)   

• Mother’s Day Éclair: Lemon and lavender éclair (New)   

The Ganachery (Available May 1 through 12)   

• Mother’s Day Chocolate Flower Box: Ganache with flavors of hibiscus-strawberry and jasmine tea (New)   

Disneyland Resort   

Disneyland park  .

Plaza Inn (Available May 12 only)   

• Mother’s Day Brunch: Join in the celebration and drop “Inn” for brunch hosted by Minnie Mouse and her friends. Start with a memorable moment with Minnie Mouse and a special flower, picked just for mom. 

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa   

Grand Californian Great Hall Cart (Available May 3 through 13)   

• Mickey-shaped Mother’s Day Cookie  
• Box of Assorted Cookies  

Storytellers Cafe (Available May 12 only from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.)  

• Mother’s Day Dinner Buffet: Indulge your mom with a glorious dinner buffet – and encounter some beloved Disney Characters!  

Available at Various Candy Locations Around Disneyland Resort Including Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen and Trolley Treats (Available May 5 through 12)   

• Tulip Cake Pop: Vanilla tulip-shaped cake pop dipped in purple-colored white chocolate, outlined in purple sanding sugar, and adorned with marshmallow leaves dipped in green-colored white chocolate (New)   
• Pink Minnie Caramel Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel, enrobed in milk chocolate, adorned with marshmallow ears, and dressed with pink sanding sugar and white M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies 

I hope you all have a very Happy Mother’s Day however and whoever you celebrate!  

Want to stay up to date on all the tasty tidbits? Check out our Disney Eats topics page and be sure to follow us @DisneyEats on Instagram and Facebook.  

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)   

Topics: Disney Eats

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by Nicole Cantore , Digital Integration Specialist, Global Food & Beverage

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Norilsk: The city built by gulag prisoners where Russia guards its Arctic secrets

Environmental activists are frustrated by how authorities handled a diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

International correspondent @DiMagnaySky

Friday 3 July 2020 23:41, UK

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The drive from Norilsk airport to the city takes you past mile after mile of crumbling, Soviet-era factories.

It looks like an endless, rusting scrapyard - a jumble of pipes, industrial junk and frost-bitten brickwork. If you were looking for an industrial apocalypse film setting, this would be your place - but you're unlikely to get the permissions.

Norilsk was built in Stalin's times by gulag prisoners. This gritty industrial city is a testament to their endurance both of the cruelty of Stalin's regime and of the harsh polar climate. There were no thoughts then on how to build to protect the environment, just to survive it.

Vasily Ryabinin doesn't think much has changed, at least in ecological terms. He used to work for the local branch of the federal environmental watchdog, Rosprirodnadzor, but quit in June after exposing what he says was a failure to investigate properly the environmental impact of the gigantic diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

At 21,000 tonnes, it was the largest industrial spill in the polar Arctic .

Despite the Kremlin declaring a federal emergency and sending a host of different agencies to participate in the clean-up, just last week Mr Ryabinin and activists from Greenpeace Russia found another area where technical water used in industrial processes was being pumped directly into the tundra from a nearby tailing pond. Russia's investigative committee has promised to investigate.

"The ecological situation here is so bad," Mr Ryabinin says.

"The latest constructions such as the tailing pond at the Talnack ore-processing plant were built exclusively by Nornickel chief executive Vladimir Potanin's team and supposedly in accordance with ecological standards, but on satellite images you can see that all the lakes in the vicinity have unnatural colours and obviously something has got into them."

Mining company Nornickel would disagree. It has admitted flagrant violations at the tailing pond and suspended staff it deems responsible at both the Talnack plant and at Norilsk Heat and Power plant no 3 where the diesel spill originated from.

On Thursday it appointed Andrey Bougrov, from its senior management board, to the newly-created role of senior vice president for environmental protection. It has a clear environmental strategy, provides regular updates on the status of the spill, and its Twitter feed is filled with climate-related alerts.

But what investors read is very different to the picture on the ground.

Norilsk used to be a closed city - one of dozens across the Soviet Union shut off to protect industrial secrets. Foreigners need special permissions approved by the Federal Security Service (FSB) to enter the region. It would take an invitation from Nornickel to make that happen and, for the past month since the spill, that has not been forthcoming.

Unlike in Soviet times, Russian citizens are now free to come and go. That's why our Sky News Moscow team were able to fly in and travel around the city, even if getting to the spill site was blocked. What they were able to film provides a snapshot of the immense challenge Russia faces in upgrading its Soviet-era industrial infrastructure, particularly at a time when climate change is melting the permafrost on which much of it was built.

Just downwind from one of the rusting factories on the city outskirts is a huge expanse of dead land. The skeletal remains of trees stand forlorn against the howling Arctic winds. Sulphur dioxide poisoning has snuffed the life out of all that lived here. Norilsk is the world's worst emitter of sulphur dioxide by a substantial margin.

"For 80km south of here everything is dead," Mr Ryabinin says, "and for at least 10km in that direction too. Everything here depends on the wind."

Immediately after the spill, Mr Ryabinin filmed and took samples from the Daldykan river just a few kilometres from the fuel tank which had leaked. By that point the river was a churning mix of diesel and red sludge dredged up from the riverbed by the force of the leak. Norilsk's rivers have turned red before and the chemical residues have sunk to the bottom, killing all life there. Nothing has lived in those rivers for decades.

In his capacity as deputy head of the local environmental watchdog, Mr Ryabinin says he insisted that he be allowed to fly further north to check the levels of contamination in Lake Pyasino and beyond.

Nornickel at the time claimed the lake was untouched by the spill. Mr Ryabinin says his boss encouraged him to let things be.

"I can't be sure I would have found anything, but this sort of confrontation - making sure I didn't go there with a camera, let alone with bottles for taking samples, it was all very clear to me. It was the final straw."

Rosprirodnadzor refused to comment to Sky News on Mr Ryabinin's allegations or suggestions that the agency was working hand in hand with Nornickel.

Georgy Kavanosyan is an environmental blogger with a healthy 37,000 following on YouTube. Shortly after the spill, he set out for Lake Pyasino and to the Pyasina River beyond to see how far the diesel had spread.

"We set out at night so that the Norilsk Nickel security wouldn't detect us. I say at night, but they've got polar nights there now, north of the Arctic Circle. So it's still light but it's quieter and we managed to go past all the cordons."

He is one of the few to have provided evidence that the diesel has in fact travelled far beyond where the company admits. Not just the 1,200km (745m) length of Lake Pyasino but into the river beyond.

He says his measurements indicated a volume of hydrocarbons dissolved in the water of between two and three times normal levels. He thinks after he published his findings on YouTube, the authorities' vigilance increased.

Greenpeace Russia have spent the last two weeks trying to obtain samples from Lake Pyasino and the surrounding area. They have faced difficulties getting around and flying their samples out for independent analysis.

They are now waiting for results from a laboratory in St Petersburg but say the samples remain valid technically for just four days after collection and that they weren't able to make that deadline due to the authorities' actively obstructing their work.

Elena Sakirko from Greenpeace Russia specialises in oil spills and says this has happened to her before. This time, a police helicopter flew to the hunter's hut where they were staying and confiscated the fuel for the boat they were using. Then a deputy for the Moscow city parliament tasked with bringing the samples back from Norilsk was forced to go back empty-handed.

"We were told at the airport we needed permission from the security department of Nornickel," Ms Sakirko says. "We asked them to show us some law or statement to prove that this was legal or what the basis for this was, but they haven't showed us anything and we still don't understand it."

Nornickel announced this week that the critical stage of the diesel spill is over. The company is now finalising dates for a press tour for foreign media and for other international environmentalists.

Mr Ryabinin thinks this should have happened weeks ago.

"If we don't let scientists come to the Arctic region to evaluate the impact of the accident, then in the future if anything similar happens, we won't know what to do."

A spokesperson for Nornickel said the company "is actively cooperating with the scientific community and will meticulously assess both the causes and effects of the accident."

Nornickel considers permafrost thawing to be the primary cause of the accident, but is waiting for the end of investigation before making a final statement, the spokesperson said.

They added that the company "accepts full responsibility for the incidents on its sites these past two months and holds itself accountable for any infrastructural deficits or poor decisions by personnel.

"The imperative is to do everything to clean up our sites, instil a stronger culture of transparency and safety in our workforce, and ensure that such situations do not occur in the future."

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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