can you visit animal kingdom resort

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Visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge as a non guest - Orlando Forum

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Visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge as a non guest

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Hi, can you visit the resort and walk around? or would we have to maybe book a restaurant, for breakfast or dinner? any suggestions? thanks.

You are free to walk round any Disney resort, despite not being a resident.

We had a good (but slightly unusual) meal at Jiko - not cheap but nice. They use some ingredients I had never heard of before.

thank you. will there be special visitor parking? do we need to sign in somewhere?

you just tell the security you have a restaurant reservation, or are just visiting the resort and you will be allowed in. No special parking, and you don't need to sign in.

Maybe book a meal at Boma??

Either breakfast or dinner, both one of our favourites:-)

But don't swim in the pool lol. Couldn't resist it :):):)

Boma at AKL has a varied and unusual buffet (but also kid's type food) of African food. Having a buffet allows you to try anything appealing - and it is all good! Fu-Fu and Bo Bo Tie are favorites and you have to try the Zebra Domes for dessert. It is our favorite WDW restaurant and reasonable given the quality of the spread (about $40 + adult) and the atmosphere. Definitely make a reservation if you want this meal. Security will provide you with a 3 hour pass and you can enjoy time before/after dinner (or lunch or breakfast) experiencing the stunning lodge, animal viewing area (usually guides are availabe to answer questions) and unique gift shop with African art. I don't know how many in your party, but I think $100 per couple for a fabulous meal at WDW and several hours enjoying the atmosphere is well worth it!

Having dined there for breakfast & dinner in the last couple of weeks, family of 4. 2 Adults & 2 Disney Adults, so all adults.

Breakfast $106.59

Dinner $180.36.

And we all loved every mouthful. From the melt in the mouth Corned Beef at Breakfast, to the Zebra Domes at dinner:-):-)

You don't need to be a resort or dining guest to visit the hotel but either reservation will guarantee parking. Without reservations, you can still park for free by letting security know that you're just visiting and showing a driver's license. You can then go to the check in area and ask for an activities schedule. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is using the swimming pool which is for guests only.

You don't need to be a resort guest to visit any of the resorts on property. Boma is a wonderful dining experience that you may want to try. It is lovely to explore the grounds and see the animals. Obviously, as mentioned, you can't visit other resort swimming pools, but exploring the other resorts is fun!

Not only can you visit Disney resorts for a meal,Disney likes you to spend your money at the resorts very much. And AKL has a really nice lobby store,more than the usual stuff. You can park for up to 3 hours(have picture ID ready) and of course, you can't use any hotel guest amenities.But Dining and shopping (Disney feels) is how they encourage non guests to become guests on their next visit

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Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

View Gallery 

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.

View Rooms and Prices

Hotel Address

(407) 938-3000

Check Availability

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PROS AND CONS: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World

by Terri Miller | May 20, 2021 | Animal Kingdom , Walt Disney World Resorts , WDW Blog

What are the Pros and Cons of a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Check here before you book your next trip to Walt Disney World!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one-of-a-kind at Walt Disney World! Animal fanatics are amazed when they look just beyond their balcony to see giraffes, zebras, and antelopes roaming the savanna! 

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Pros

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Savanna View

Staying in a Savanna View room is one of the best ways to experience the African wildlife from the comfort of your own balcony . There are three savannas, encompassing more than 30 acres of land, which are home to the animals here.

Which animals might you see? It depends on the savanna you’re observing. But you’re likely to spot animals and birds such as the bongo, kudu, impala, waterbuck, red river hog, blue crane, ostrich, greater flamingo, and many more!

Dining Options

Animal Kingdom Lodge is known for its excellent restaurants! Here, you’ll find a great variety of African , Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and French cuisine amongst the restaurants.

Be sure to experience the free culinary tour at Boma and Jiko!

So Much to Do!

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers quite a bit to see and do! You can ask to borrow Night Vision goggles from the lobby or talk to cultural ambassadors . AKL arguably has the best gift shop on property. Plenty of activities for kids, including storytime by the fire! Many guests describe Animal Kingdom Lodge as a perfect escape from reality.

Thanks to readers like you, we’re able to keep our site free of disrupting ads. Please consider subscribing to our print edition if you’d like to support us directly, and feel free to sign up for our free newsletter so you never miss out on spotlights like these!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Cons

Photo by Cliff Wang

Further from the Parks

While guests are super close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park , it’s a bit of a hike to the other three theme parks. Animal Kingdom Lodge is purposefully tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world; well worth it for the animals sake! Just give yourselves some extra time for bus rides.

This Deluxe Resort is up there in cost– but worth it for those savanna view rooms!  

Keep in mind that the savanna animals that live there are well cared for by the animal team, and horticulturists often replace the plant life from which the animals feed. To have views like this is money well spent! 

Like many of the Disney resorts, your walk from the lobby to your room could be a long one. Remember though; those views are worth it! 

Should You Stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Photo by Brett Svenson

If you love to admire animals in their habitat– definitely consider a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

If you’re more likely to be on-the-go rather than spending some downtime in your room, then consider staying at a Value resort such as Disney’s Pop Century .

Not sure if you’re going? You can just get more information about a potential Disney vacation.

Know your dates? Just need advice for now?

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Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

View Gallery 

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.

Save Up to 25% at Disney Resort Hotels in 2024

Hotel Address

(407) 938-3000

Use CoBrowse to Share Your Screen?

Even as the Disney Cast Member guides you around our site, they will be unable to access or view any files or information on your device or anything you type.

To stop the session, click the X in the screen-sharing window at any time. You can remain on the phone with the Cast Member.

Enter the code provided by the Cast Member and Accept to get started.

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Not on the Phone with a Cast Member?

Our Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Review + Guide

This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here .

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is such a unique Disney experience ! I mean, imagine waking up and walking out to your balcony to find a giraffe or a zebra! Here’s our full Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Review + a guide to help you understand the ins-and-outs of this Disney World resort!

Planning a trip to Disney World? Check out our Ultimate Disney World Planning Guide !

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge At-a-Glance

Resort Category: Deluxe and Deluxe Villas Date Opened: April 16, 2001 Rooms Last Renovated: 2020-2021

Number of Buildings: 2 (Jambo House and Kidani Village) Number of Rooms: 1300+ Number of Pools: 2

Disney Transportation: Disney buses

Save Money at Disney World !

• Undercover Tourist — We almost always use Undercover Tourist to buy our Disney tickets.
• David’s Vacation Club Rentals — Want to stay at a Deluxe Disney Resort at a discounted price? We love using David’s Vacation Club Rentals !

Booking Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Disney Resort , so booking it will cost you a lot more than a stay at a Value Resort like Pop Century.

I definitely have a few tips to help with booking though:

• Considering booking through a travel agent. They sometimes have room discounts to offer.
• Rent DVC points through David’s Vacation Club Rentals . You can use them to stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort for a fraction of the price. (But do know that these reservations on non-refundable so I definitely recommend also getting travel insurance.)

Savanna View rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge are the most in-demand rooms, but they are also the priciest. Booking a Savanna View room can easily cost you hundreds more a night.

However, there are a few tricks to up your chances of getting a Savanna View even if you book a standard room. There are several rooms in each building that face the savanna but are technically classified as Standard Rooms because there is some kind of obstruction that prevents Disney from classifying them as Savanna.

For instance, during our stay, we had a Standard View room that looked out over the savanna but had a large corral in front of it. (Fun fact: these are actually evacuation corrals for people in case they need to evacuate in an emergency!) And it didn’t bother us one bit.

To find these standard rooms, you can use Touring Plans room finder . You can then put in a room request. My recommendation is to request a standard room in the Kudu Trail building, since pretty much all of these rooms face a savanna in some way.

Remember, requesting a room is NOT a guarantee that you will get the room you want ! But also remember that if a room becomes available during your stay, you can switch rooms. When we arrived for our stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, our room faced the parking lot. The next day though, we were able to move to a room in the Kudu Trail.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobby & Check-In

The lobby of Jambo House in Animal Kingdom Lodge is absolutely GORGEOUS. The theming is beautiful and there’s a huge window overlooking the savanna and seating area. Definitely spend some time here.

Outside there is a large savanna overlook where you can enjoy watching the animals.

The check-in desk is to the left when you enter the lobby. However, if you check into the resort using the My Disney Experience app, you won’t need to visit the check-in desk unless you need to change something about your reservation or make a request.

You’ll also find bell services near the check-in desk, where you can store your luggage if needed, or pick up strollers or wheelchairs you may have rented from third-party companies.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Location & Layout

Animal Kingdom Lodge is comprised to two HUGE buildings: Jambo House and Kidani Village. There are savannas surrounding both buildings.

Depending on where in each building you are staying, you may have to walk A LOT to get from the lobby to your room.

Jambo House vs. Kidani Village

So what’s the difference between Jambo House and Kidani Village?

Jambo House is mostly made up of standard resort rooms , while Kidani Village is mostly made of DVC rooms and villas (including villas with 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms).

Jambo House is also the main lobby you will see pictures of and has more dining and shopping options. Kidani Village has one main Table Service restaurant and a much smaller (but still beautiful) lobby.

You can visit both parts of the resort no matter which one you are staying in. There is a small bus at the front of each lobby that will take you back and forth from Jambo House to Kidani Village. (Although, it didn’t seem particularly Disney themed, which I thought was odd. But it works!)

Animal Kingdom Lodge Theming

I love a good resort theme, and the theming at Animal Kingdom Lodge is just incredible. Because it’s styled after a safari lodge , it’s full of African patterns, warm woods, and reds and browns and yellows meant to invoke the savanna.

Be sure to look at all the details when you visit, from the light fixtures to the flooring. Everything has been so perfectly thought out.

And be sure to take a look at the artwork around the lobby and displays throughout the hallways , which gives context and history for various regions of Africa and traditions of certain African tribes. They really have embraced being both beautiful and educational at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Rooms

The rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge are so spacious and clean. They were redone during 2020 and 2021, getting rid of the carpet and some of the more dated looks, adding wooden headboards instead of mosquito nets, and updating the furniture.

The rooms now are so clean and beautiful and I absolutely loved our stay here. The beds were comfortable and rooms had plenty of space. Standard rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodges are 344 square feet (this is about 80 more square feet than some of the Value Resorts!).

There’s plenty of storage in the room, with both a dresser under the TV and a closet near the front door. There’s also a counter with a coffee maker and drink fridge . The coffee station is Lion King themed, but I think it’s done in a really nice and classy way with just a landscape picture of the sunrise. (But you know it’s from The Lion King.)

The bathroom is also clean and beautiful. And it had deluxe touches like double sinks and thoughtful lighting . And of course, you get those favorite Disney H2O shower and bath products.

As I’m typing up this review, I really am trying to think of something less-than-stellar to point out, because I always like to go through the pros and cons. But I really had no complaints about this room!

Everything felt deluxe, even down to the room’s lighting. I loved our whole stay here!

Savanna Rooms vs. Standard View Rooms

We’ve already talked about this earlier when discussing booking this resort. But if you are planning a stay here, it’s is absolutely 100% worth it to get a room with a Savanna View. At least if it’s your first time here!

There is nothing like waking up and sitting on your balcony to see what animals are out. And I will never forgot getting back from the park one night and walking outside to see a giraffe hanging out under a full moon outside our window.

(One thing to note: Some people think that animals can come close to their rooms. They cannot! There are barriers set up to prevent them from getting too close to the buildings.)

While you can take a chance like we did and book a Standard Room and request a partial Savanna View, there are no guarantees that it will work out for you. And you should count it more as a lucky break than as something you expect. If you book a Standard View, you could also end up with a view of the parking lot.

(Again, one great way to get that Savanna Room with a lower price is through David’s Vacation Club Rentals! )

Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining & Restaurants

Animal Kingdom Lodge has some absolutely fantastic dining options. We’ve got a whole breakdown of the Animal Kingdom Lodge dining here. But here’s a short and sweet summary.

Table Service Restaurants

There restaurants are truly fantastic experiences. We ate at all of them during our stay and loved our meals at every single one.

• Boma — Flavors of Africa . Buffet restaurant open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is more traditional American while dinner has more African dishes.
• Jiko — The Cooking Place . Fine dining with African, Indian, and Mediterranean dishes. Jiko is only open for dinner, and be aware that they do have a dress code.
• Sanaa — The Table Service restaurant located at Kidani Village. This is an Indian restaurant and DO NOT miss their bread service. They’re open for lunch and dinner, and for breakfast they are open as a Quick Service restaurant (which is helpful for the people staying at Kidani Village since they don’t have another Quick Service spot).

Quick Service Restaurants

The Quick Service options at Animal Kingdom Lodge are somewhat limited. But remember that if you are staying Kidani Village, Sanaa operates as Quick Service for breakfast.

• The Mara — Counter Service restaurant located near the Uzima Springs pool in Jambo House. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Bars and Lounges

Since this is a Deluxe Resort, there are several bars and lounges where you can get drinks and some food options.

• Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar — Small bar at the front of Jiko.
• Victoria Falls Lounge — The main bar in Jambo House. It’s located above Boma, but because of it’s open design it can get pretty noisy in here at certain times of the day.
• Uzima Springs Pool Bar — The poolside bar at the Uzima Springs pool at Jambo House.
• Sanaa Lounge — The bar at Sanaa in Kidani Village. You can get the bread service here without having to have a full meal and reservation at the restaurant!
• Maji Pool Bar — The poolside bar at the Samawati Springs pool at Kidani Village.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Pools & Amenities

Since AKL is a Deluxe Resort, you’re going to find more deluxe amenities here, including a spa and fitness center. Plus the pools have waterslides! (Only Deluxe and Moderate Resorts at Disney World have water slides…Value Resorts to not.)

Pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge

There are two pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge. One is located at each building.

You’ll find the Uzima Springs Pool at Jambo House . It’s located downstairs from the lobby, and it features a waterslide and a zero-entry point. There’s also a small wading pool and a spa pool in the area. And there is an observation area nearby where you can watch the animals on the savanna.

At Kidani Village you’ll find the Samawati Springs pool . This pool is smaller than the Uzima Springs pool, but it has a larger water slide and a splash pad area for younger kids called Uwanja Camp . There are also two spa pools and a savanna overlook.

Hakuna Matata Playground

Near the Uzima Springs pool at Jambo House, you’ll find the Hakuna Matata Playground . It’s a small playground with slides and areas to climb and is for children ages 2-5 .

It’s also right next to the savanna overlook, which is pretty cool!

Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade

Also near the Uzima Springs pool and right next door to The Mara is Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade . Here you’ll find video arcade games, air hockey, pinball, and other similar games.

You will have to purchase game card to be able to play. But these game cards work at ANY Disney World Resort arcade, so hang on to them if you have money left on them.

Recreation and Activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge

There are always TONS of activities going on at Animal Kingdom Lodge! Besides the normal Campfires and Movies Under the Stars that are offered at most Disney resorts, you’ll also find activities specific to the theme of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

There are often art classes offered around the resort, from painting to tie-dye to African-themed crafts.

Animal Kingdom also has a special program called String of Memories . For this, you can visit African Cultural Representatives around the resort and collect beads. There are different talks offered on different days, ranging on topics like Animal Tracking to African Wonders to Animal Enrichment. You’ll find the times posted on the recreation activity signs in the lobbies of the resort.

Both Jambo House and Kidani Village have family activity centers too, where you’ll find games and crafts. At Jambo House, this is Simba’s Activity Center and at Kidani Village it’s called Community Hall .

Animal Kingdom Lodge Shopping

Both Jambo House and Kidani Village have their own gift shops.

Zawadi Marketplace is the main store for the resort. It’s located in Jambo House, and it’s significantly bigger than the shop at Kidani Village.

At Zawadi Marketplace you’ll find merchandise for both Disney Parks and Animal Kingdom Lodge, plus a small selection of grab-and-go groceries or park necessities you may have forgotten (like sunscreen).

The shop at Kidani Village is called Johari Treasures . It is significantly smaller than Zawadi Marketplace, but it still has a selection of souvenirs, merchandise, and grocery necessities.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation

One of the biggest drawbacks of Animal Kingdom Lodge is the transportation. The only way to get to any of the theme parks and Disney Springs is by bus.

And because Animal Kingdom Lodge is pretty far away from all the parks except Animal Kingdom, the bus rides can be kind of lengthy. Between waiting for the bus to arrive and actually riding it to the parks, I would give yourself at least 30-45 minutes.

The good news is that because buses are the only mode of transportation at Animal Kingdom Lodge, they run pretty frequently. I’m not sure we ever waited more than 5 minutes for a bus to arrive in the mornings when we were staying there.

Also, there is another smaller bus just outside the lobbies of each building that will take you back and forth between Jambo House and Kidani Village.

Pros & Cons of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

To be honest, it’s really hard to find cons for Animal Kingdom Lodge. But here’s a break down of what I think the pros and cons are.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Pros

• BEAUTIFUL resort with spacious rooms and amazing theming elements.
• Views of animals on the savanna—a truly one-of-a-kind experience!
• Fantastic Table Service dining options.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Cons

• As a Deluxe Resort, it can be pricey, especially for a Savanna View room.
• Far away from most of the theme parks relative to other resorts.
• Only has buses for transportation.

Our Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Review

So, would we stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge again? ABSOLUTELY!

We loved our stay here. It felt luxurious and relaxed. And there is truly nothing like walking outside on your balcony to see the savanna animals.

However, it can be pricey , and unless we were purposefully taking a “splurge” trip, this probably won’t be first on our list. (Honestly, especially because there are also so many other resorts we want to try on Disney property!)

I do think that next time we want to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge I’ll keep an eye on the David’s Vacation Club “Confirmed Reservations for Rent” page to see if any good AKL deals pop up. (I love this feature because it shows your bookings that are already made instead of you having to request a stay and cross your fingers it will get fulfilled.)

Animal Kingdom Lodge FAQs

What restaurants at animal kingdom lodge can you see animals from.

Sanaa at Kidani Village is the restaurant where you can see animals while you eat. Note that not every table will have a great view though. The best views will be the tables by the windows.

Are the animals always out at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Yes, the animal are out day and night, but they may not always be in your section of the resort. The cast members do try to put incentives (i.e. food) out in strategic places for the best viewing though.

What animals can you see at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

While you won’t find lions or elephants at Animal Kingdom Lodge, there are tons of other animals! Here are some of the most popular that we saw during our stay:

• Ankole Cattle

Is there a spa at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

While there is a spa at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Zahanati Massage and Fitness Center) it is not currently open. The only place where you can get spa services at Disney currently is at The Grand Floridian.

More Disney Planning Resources

Planning a trip to Disney World? Here are some more resources to help you!

• The Ultimate Disney World Planning Guide
• Disney World 101: Tips for Beginners
• Guide to Magic Kingdom
• Guide to Epcot
• Guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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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.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

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

Accommodations

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Ultimate Guide to the Best Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort

There’s nothing quite like staying at a Disney World resort ! You get proximity to the parks, impeccable theming, and all kinds of unique amenities.

But with thousands of hotel rooms around the various hotels , there are definitely some that are better than others in terms of view, location, and features. If you’re planning a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge soon, we’ve done the research, and now we’re presenting our guide the BEST rooms at the resort!

Savanna View

When it comes to Disney World hotel rooms with a view, the creme de la creme are the savanna view rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge . This is the only resort where you’ll find live safari animals living outside your balcony, and many guests want to take advantage of those spectacular views!

Around the resort, there are four major savanna areas, each with its own name. Pembe Savanna is the smallest of the four on the north side of Kidani Village. It’s the savanna without any giraffes, but you’ll find other animals like impala, waterbuck, red river hogs, ostrich, and okapi there.

The Sunset Savanna is shared space between most of Kidani Village and the left side of Jambo House. It has the largest variety of animals with male giraffes, bongos, impalas, ostriches, African crown cranes, and more. It’s a very large area with a wide selection of rooms on most sides.

Next, we’ve got the Arusha Savanna, which you’ll be familiar with if you’ve ever walked out the back of the Jambo House lobby and out into the viewing area. All the rooms that face this savanna are located in Jambo House, which forms a curve around the area. The location is pretty prime here, and you can see a good selection of animals like pelicans, geese, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, and others.

Finally, there’s the Uzima Savanna, which is on the eastern-facing side of Jambo House. It’s smaller, but still has giraffes, impalas, kudus, bongos, and gazelles. Mostly, you’ve got giraffes and a variety of hoofed and/or horned animals on this side.

Keep in mind that no matter which savanna you request, you’ll probably want an upper-level room to get one of the best views of the animals. Also, it’s important to note that the savanna view rooms cost extra, and you’ll need to select that particular room category when booking.

Jambo House

One big thing to keep in mind about Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is that there are two main sections — Jambo House and Kidani Village. These two different buildings are close enough to walk between, but they’re large enough that it can be a HIKE if you’re on the further ends. So it’s important to know which building to choose based on your needs!

Jambo House is the main building at the resort, home to both Disney Vacation Club villas and standard guest rooms, it has a massive (STUNNING!) lobby and a variety of amenities. This is where you’ll find Boma , Jiko , The Mara , Zawadi Marketplace, and the Uzima Pool. Parking is located in a lot out in front of the building.

In Jambo House, the lobby is centered between four different hallways (two small ones at the front of the lobby and two large, curved halls on either side of the Arusha Savanna). If you’re hoping to be close to the lobby and the parking in those smaller hallways, you’ll want to stay in the 00s and 100s rooms. (These are the Giraffe Trail and Ostrich Trail guest rooms.)

For those hoping to be close to the pool and the restaurants, the 00s and the 400s are both nearby, but only some of the 400s will have the possibility to be a savanna view if you’re looking for both a good view and proximity to amenities.

Keep in mind that rooms with numbers in the 300s and 500s are the furthest from the lobby, but it might be worth it to stay there if that’s your only availability for a savanna view.

Kidani Village

Finally, we’ve got Kidani Village, the secondary area of the resort. You’ve got all DVC villas and studios over here, so the rooms will likely be a bit more expensive than the basic ones at Jambo House. The lobby is much smaller (though still beautiful), and you have access to a separate pool and gift shop. This part of the resort is home to one major restaurant — Sanaa .

Kidani Village is two long, curved hallways extending from the lobby in the middle, and it’s quite the walk if you’re at the very end. Parking for this resort is located in a garage underground, so you could park relatively close to your room, even if you’re not near the lobby or pool.

For rooms that are closest to the lobby, request a room number that ends in 00-20. Rooms 7613-7641, 7713-7741, 7813-7841, and 7913-7941 are all closest to the pool.

And for those who want to be nearest to Jambo House for the dining options, you’ll want to request rooms 7228-7262, 7328-7362, 7428-7462, or 7528-7562. These are all closest to the path between the resorts.

So there you go — a full guide to the best rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingodm Lodge! This resort is truly one of a kind, and it’s a favorite of many guests. It’s also a deluxe resort, so it’s a bit more pricey, but you’ll get the Extended Evening Hours perk if you choose to stay here.

For all the news about Disney World hotels and all the advice on where to stay during your next trip, stay tuned to AllEars. We’ve got you covered with tips from the experts! (That’s us!)

Click Here to Go Inside the Rooms of Every Disney World Hotel!

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Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Tell us in the comments!

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2 Replies to “Ultimate Guide to the Best Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort”

We’ve stayed in a one bedroom 3x’s and we’re just headed down in about 10 days just my husband and myself for a few days! Can’t wait!!

We first stayed at Jamba House in 2011. It was awesome! Have stayed nowhere else since! It is home to us whenever we go to Disney World. The music when you walk into the lobby, the smells, the whole atmosphere. Will never stay anywhere else!

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Ultimate Guide

Posted on Last updated: March 18, 2024

Categories Disney World

Here’s my detailed guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge pool, dining, rooms, wildlife, and more.

Our family’s favorite place to stay at Walt Disney World is Animal Kingdom Lodge, hands-down.

We’ve stayed here over 10 times and we keep coming back for the amazing rooms, restaurants, pools, activities, and animals!

I’m sharing everything I know about the resort in this review so you can have the best possible experience. 

What is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) is a Disney World Deluxe Resort hotel. It is located near Orlando, FL, and opened in 2001.

What makes it unique is that the hotel is set on an actual 33-acre wildlife preserve!

In 2009, a second property, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, opened adjacent to the original Animal Kingdom Lodge. This section only contains Disney Vacation Club villas (more on those soon).

The Lodge was renamed “ Jambo House ” to differentiate it from the new property. 

Kidani Village

Both hotels comprise Animal Kingdom Lodge in its entirety, which is regularly listed in the top ten family resorts in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. 

In 2011, AKL also earned AAA Four-Diamond status.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Map

Here is a map that shows the layout of Animal Kingdom Lodge. You can see the two parts of the resort (Jambo House and Kidani Village), the four savannas, and the location of the pools. 

It is about a 10-minute walk between the lobbies of the two sections. There is a shuttle bus that runs back and forth between the two sections if you don’t want to do any additional walking.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Rooms

There are two distinct room types at AKL – regular hotel rooms and DVC Villa rooms.

Jambo House Bunkbed Room – Photo Credit Disneyworld.com

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House has a mixture of standard hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas.

There are several room categories such as Standard View, Pool View, and Savanna View.

The 2024 rack rate at AKL is around $500 per night – but please don’t pay that much to stay here!

Keep reading to learn how to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for far less, which is such a perk when you get to experience this magical hotel.

Alternatively, there are several different Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village.

We have paid as little as $150/night to stay in these rooms which cost $500/night when booked directly with Disney.

DVC is Disney’s vacation ownership program,  but you don’t have to be a DVC owner to stay in these rooms. 

We can stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge so frequently because we rent DVC points for our trips. 

I detail the process for renting DVC points in great detail in this post , so I won’t repeat it here.

I know it seems too good to be true but trust me – you can do this, too! 

Kidani Village Studio Villa

Studio Villas (which sleep four) are about 375 sq. feet and feature a queen bed and a full-size sleeper sofa. They also feature a small kitchenette with a microwave, sink, toaster, mini fridge, and cabinets with some food preparation items.

In other ways, they are similar to the regular resort rooms – including beautiful artwork and the wildlife preserve theme running throughout all of the details of the room.

Living/Dining Room Area in a Two Bedroom Villa

There are also one, two, and three-bedroom villas AKL Jambo House.

If you want to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge for far less than you’ll pay when booking directly with Disney, be sure to check out this post about renting DVC points for your Disney World vacation. 

And if you want a detailed comparison of the two parts of the resort, check out my post on Kiandi Village vs Jambo House here . 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Pools

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House Pool

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge pools are nothing short of spectacular and a great perk of this hotel and property. 

You can use the pools at both resorts when staying at either Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort property – many people don’t know this and stick with just the pool at their section!

Between the two resorts, you’ll find two zero-entry pools, three water slides, four hot tubs, two pool bars, three kiddie pools, and an interactive water playground.

We spend at least a day just visiting the pools on each of our stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Morning at the Jambo House Pool

Jambo House features a large zero-entry pool with a 67-foot long water slide.

There are two hot tubs around the pool area, one in a bamboo grove and the other right next to an animal viewing area.

There is also a (rather uninspired) kiddie pool. You can order drinks from the Uzima Springs poolside bar (I suggest the Safari Amber beer and the Mango Margarita).

Hot tub at Jambo House

Towels and kids’ life jackets are provided at the Animal Kingdom lodge pools.

You are allowed to bring your own toys into the pool, as long as they aren’t too big.

You’ll find a nice playground and a few more animal viewing spots in the Jambo House pool area as well.

I’ve seen cast members wiping down the playground equipment with disinfectant each morning. Only at Disney World.

Kidani Village – Samawati Springs Pool

Kidani Village has a zero-entry pool that is about half the size of the Jambo House pool. However, the main water slide is 128 feet long and really fun!

There is also a kiddie-sized water slide that empties into the main pool.

Our little one has loved it since age one. You’ll find two nice-sized hot tubs in the pool area as well.

The large interactive water play area at Kidani Village is called Uwanja Camp and it is really amazing.

There are a few shallow kiddie pools, water blasters, buckets that periodically dump water, a playground area and more.

I feel like there is something for toddlers through teenagers in this area. Here are a few more pictures of the Animal Kingdom lodge pool areas:

Overall, we enjoy both Animal Kingdom Lodge pool areas tremendously and especially enjoy the ability to go to both pools during our stay.

And to compare with another Disney Deluxe resort, click here for a review of the Swan and Dolphin hotel pool . 

Location and Transportation

Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in the southwest corner of the Walt Disney World Resort, close to the Animal Kingdom theme park.

It is about a 15-minute drive from AKL to the parking for Magic Kingdom (to give you a sense of distance on this map).

Can you walk from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the Animal Kingdom theme park?

Animal Kingdom Lodge is very close to the Animal Kingdom theme park, however, you can’t walk to the park from the hotel. I would love it if they would add a walkway in the future, though!

How do I get to the theme parks from Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The only way to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the theme parks is by bus, car, or taxi/Uber.

We love to use the bus service when we stay at AKL. The bus travel times are less than 5 minutes to Animal Kingdom, around 15 minutes to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and about 20 minutes to the Magic Kingdom.

You can expect a 5-10 minute wait for the bus, though sometimes there is no wait and the longest you can wait is 20 minutes. 

You can walk to certain theme parks from some other Disney Deluxe Resort. If you are used to the 10-minute walk from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom, or the even shorter walk from the Boardwalk to Epcot, you might consider this a downside to AKL.

Tropical view from one of our balconies

However, the tradeoff of being a bit farther from the parks is that you really feel surrounded by nature at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

There is no development around the resort and this helps with the illusion that you really have been transported to a remote African wildlife preserve. The view from any room is of lush foliage or animals, instead of a concrete jungle.

My family would gladly spend a few extra minutes on the bus in exchange for the feeling that we aren’t staying in Orlando at all. 🙂 

Animal Kingdom Lodge Wildlife Viewing

The amenity that makes AKL unique among all other Disney hotels is the savanna, of course! There are actually four different savannahs at AKL,  with Kidani and Jambo sharing the main Sunset Savanna. 

What animals are at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge?

More than 200 mammals and birds representing almost 40 species live there, and different animals can be found on different savannas. It is so incredible to have all these animals living around the hotel, another reason why the experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is unbeatable. 

Our favorite animals to view are the Giraffe, Zebra, Ankole Cattle, Okapi, Flamingos, and African Crowned Cranes. There is an animal viewing guide in every room which you can keep and even carry down to the animal viewing areas with you.

The savannas are the actual homes of the animals who live there and they are open 24 hours. AKL is even accredited by the American Zoological Association (AZA), which ensures the quality of care for the animals.

The main viewing area for animals at Jambo House is called Arusha Rock. It is fun to explore and you can usually find a “Safari Guide” around the area who is happy to answer questions and tell you more about the animals.

Most often the guides are from Africa and are on a cultural exchange at AKL for a period of time. Here are some animal pictures from the public viewing areas:

You can also use special night vision goggles to view the animals at night during the early evening hours at Arusha Rock.

Walkway to Animal Viewing Area at Kidani Village

There is a similar animal viewing area at Kidani Village, complete with Safari Guides, binoculars, and a fire pit.

Personally, I have always seen more animals at the Kidani Village viewing areas. The animals are a lot closer than at Jambo House and I have seen a wider variety of animals .

Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants

Sanaa at Kidani Village

I can’t believe I made it this long without writing about the incredible dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Between the two properties, there are four restaurants, two lounges, and the pool bars I already mentioned. In my experience, they are all excellent. Here’s a quick summary:

Famous bread service at Sanaa

Sanaa is a table service restaurant at Kidani Village that serves African inspired food with some Indian influence.

It’s open for breakfast (fast casual), lunch and dinner (table service). 

It has gorgeous design and theming. It’s the only restaurant from which you can view animals while you dine.

Sanaa has one of the more adventurous menus at Disney World, though you’ll find a standard strip steak and chicken entree. I most recommend the bread service and cheese plate.

The famous Boma Zebra Domes

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma is a buffet at Jambo House that serves breakfast and dinner. It has outstanding quality and selection.

Though the food is African-inspired and you’ll find some dishes you’ve never heard of, the food appeals to a standard American palate.

It’s one of my top three restaurants at Disney World and is not to be missed!

Appetizer at Jiko

Jiko – The Cooking Place  

Jiko is a high end (Signature) table service restaurant at Jambo House open for dinner only. It boasts wood-burning ovens, seasonal menus, and the largest selection of South African wines outside of Africa.

While it is pricey, the quality and flavors will knock your socks off. I like to make a meal out the extensive appetizer menu and enjoy a glass of South African wine. Jiko is a special dining experience for sure.

Cupcakes at The Mara

The Mara is the quick service restaurant at Jambo House that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I love that it opens for coffee and pastries at 6 am.

It has great food at reasonable prices (for Disney World). My favorites are the African Stew, Butternut Squash soup, and Zebra Domes for dessert. You can find standard quick-service fare (hamburgers, fries, etc.) right alongside food with some African flair. Special cupcakes unique to AKL for you cupcake aficionados.

Victoria Falls Lounge at Jambo House

You’ll find a lounge at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. Victoria Falls Lounge is found on the second floor of Jambo House, below the lobby and above Boma. It is a great place to grab a drink and relax.

There is also a lounge at Kidani Village, found just inside the entrance to Sanaa. It has some nice cozy seating and is a little tucked away from the bustle of the restaurant. It boasts an impressive wine list featuring African wines.

I think the restaurants at Animal Kindom Lodge are some of the best in all of Disney World. They are not to be missed if you are staying at AKL, and are even worth a trip to the Lodge to eat if you are staying elsewhere!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Activities

The resort activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge are so incredible, I’ve written an entire post just about them here !

For a quick summary, you’ll find the following resort activities at AKL every day (most free but some paid):

• Cookie decorating at Boma
• Culinary tour of Jiko & Boma
• African face painting
• Poolside games
• Craft activities in the old Simba’s Clubhouse
• Educational wildlife games
• Talks by cultural ambassadors visiting from Africa

And every night you can roast unlimited free marshmallows at the fire pit in the Arusha Rock area (Jambo House). 

I think this my daughter’s favorite thing at Disney World, LOL.  Read about all of the free resort activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge here.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobbies, Gift Shops, & Art

Jambo House Lobby

It’s kind of a good thing that pictures don’t do these places justice. There is nothing like experiencing the Jambo House lobby in person for the first time – I remember it literally took my breath away.

The towering ceilings, light fixtures, four-story glass window that looks out onto the savanna… there is truly a majestic feel to the place.

Kidani Village Lobby

Kidani Village’s lobby is equally gorgeous but scaled down from the Jambo House lobby.

In both lobbies, you’ll find check-in desks, concierge, and Magical Express airline check-in areas ( read all about Disney Magical Express in this post ).

Jambo House features Zawadi Marketplace, a huge store that functions as both a gift shop and general store. It has everything from sunscreen to t-shirts to basic groceries. You can buy gallons of milk for not much more than you’d pay at home (thank you for not gouging us on milk, Disney) and groceries for making basic meals.

The gift shop at Kidani Village is about one-tenth the size of Jambo House’s, though you’ll still find all of the same basic groceries there. If you are looking for souvenirs, you are way better off walking over to Jambo House.

In the lobby and throughout the resorts you’ll find genuine African art on display. This is another of my favorite parts of visiting these resorts. It is almost like visiting an art museum to boot!

In fact, these resorts hold one of the largest collections of African art in the world outside of Africa. Take some time to notice the artwork when you walk to and from your room and even stroll around the resort to see all that’s there.

I have neglected to mention the outstanding hospitality and service ethic of the Cast Members at these resorts.

We have stayed at this hotel many times (seven at the time I write this) and we have only had excellent interactions with folks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. On many occasions, they have gone out of their way to help us out, from soothing a sick kid to changing travel plans.

This is one area where Disney excels and something that keeps us coming back year after year.

Savannah View Rooms

One question that I am often asked is “Should I spend the extra money on a savanna view room??” That really depends on how much time you will spend in your room and how badly you want to see the animals.

There are many public viewing locations around the resort, so you can check out the animals there. You’ll find rocking chairs with great views of animals that are open to anyone anytime.

A public savanna viewing area at Kidani Village

That said, there is something magical about watching animals while you drink your morning coffee or an evening cocktail. On average you’ll pay about $150 more per night to have a room with a balcony that opens onto the savanna , so you just have to decide if you are willing to pay that for a guaranteed view of the animals. 

If you are going to be spending a lot of time at the theme parks (such as on your first trip) and are trying to keep costs down, I suggest opting for a standard view room. If you plan on spending more time in your room or a full day at the resort, then it would make more sense to upgrade to a savanna view. 

My family has mostly stayed in standard view rooms to save money. This allows us to visit more often, which is more important to us!

I have had lots of luck requesting a room with a partial view of the savanna even when I’m only paying for a standard view room. Read about how I manage to see animals from standard rooms by making effective rooms requests here . 

So it is really up to your family if it would be worth the extra cost for a guaranteed full savanna view, or if you’d rather use that money on some other part of your vacation.

Animal Kingdom Lodge FAQs

Here are answers to a few more common questions about the resort. 

Can you feed the giraffes?

Unfortunately, no, you can’t feed or touch any of the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The closest you can get it is to take the Wanyama Safari and Dinner which is offered on select nights. Get more info on this special experience here. 

Can you see the fireworks?

No, you aren’t able to see fireworks from any room at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Actually, this a reason that I love it here. At many Deluxe resorts, you are woken up multiple times each night from fireworks noise. This is something to consider if you are traveling with small children who are startled easily too. Just another bonus of staying at this beautiful hotel and another reason I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney. 

Are there fitness centers at the resort?

Yes, there are fitness centers at both properties. The one at Jambo House is a bit bigger and also contains a spa where you can get a massage and other (very pricey) treatments. Get more info here.  

Is there childcare available? 

Yes, both hotels offer in-room babysitting services for ages six months through twelve years old starting at $18 per hour. You can get more info from Disney World here.

The child care center (Simba’s Clubhouse) is no longer. There is still a child care center at the Contemporary called the Pixar Play Zone . 

Is Animal Kingdom Lodge worth it?

I’m guessing you can figure out my answer to this – ABSOLUTELY YES! Animal Kingdom Lodge is not just my favorite hotel at Disney World, but my favorite hotel in the world.

You may notice that (particularly at Kidani Village) your room can potentially be a LONG way from the lobby!

For this reason, I strongly suggest making a room request whenever you stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge ( read all about how to make effective room requests in this post ). 

I can’t imagine another place having this combination of unique experiences, amazing cast members, outstanding dining, and gorgeous surroundings. 

Do you have any questions about Animal Kingdom Lodge? Please leave a comment below join the discussion in my free private Facebook group for readers called The Budget Mouse!

If you liked this post you will also like:

• Disney Saratoga Springs Reviews
• Disney Polynesian Restaurants
• The Best Value Resort at Disney World (And The Worst)

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Jambo House vs. Kidani Village: Where To Stay At Animal Kingdom Lodge - The Frugal South

Friday 22nd of February 2019

[…] In this post, I’ll share the differences between the two hotels and the pros and cons of each to help you decide where to stay. If you want a thorough review of Animal Kingdom Lodge, check out this post.  […]

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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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

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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.

Free Things to Do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most beautiful resorts on property and there is so much to do. Schedule some time to visit this amazing resort to enjoy all the free activities.

If you are not staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, simply take a bus to the Animal Kingdom Park and then transfer to the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort bus. It is a super quick bus ride. You will want to get off at the Jambo House bus stop.

If you are driving, you can park at the Animal Kingdom Lodge to explore the resort as a guest and it is free to park. Just let the security guard at the entrance know that you are just resort hopping. During the holiday season, there may be limited parking so I would try just using the buses.

What to Do At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Jambo House has a lot of free and low-cost activities for both kids and kids at heart.

Free Activities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Free activities offered all year long.

Scavenger Hunts . If you go to the check-in desk politely ask for the 2 available scavenger hunts the resort offers. The resort doesn’t give you prizes but they are fun to do. It is helpful to have a pen or pencil to fill out the hunts but the front desk will offer you a writing utensil.

• Hidden Mickey Safari . One of the scavenger hunts is a Hidden Mickey Scavenger hunt. The page gives you clues to find them around the resort. This is one of my favorite activities to do at every resort and I love having this clue sheet to help me find them!
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Scavenger Hunt. This scavenger hunt helps you get to know the resort. Parents will need to help non-readers as some of the questions require some reading.

Animal Viewing . In the back of the resort, there are trails where you can see various animals. On the paths, there are small displays where you can learn more about the animals you are seeing. There are also Cast Members available to ask questions about the animals. 

Beaded Activities . Along the paths and in the lobby there are activities you can do to earn beads. Each of the activities teaches about the animals, the environment, or the countries the Cast Members or animals are from. Even as a former teacher I learned things I didn’t know before.

View African Art . All throughout the lobby are pieces of African Art, it is just like going to an Art Museum. Placards are available to learn about each piece and the meaning behind it.

Food Tour of Boma and Jiko . This tour includes food sampling and is completely free. It takes about an hour and you start in Jiko late afternoon. Check at the lobby desk for the exact time. It usually starts around 4.

Children’s Primal Parade . This fun activity starts at the gift shop near the entrance where children get little drums to play on while following around one of the cultural representatives through the lobby singing an African song. It is so adorable!

Cookie Decorating . This is for kids only and takes place in Sanaa. The kids get to sit and decorate their own cookies to eat or take with them. They did not have plastic baggies available for kids to take so I would have one in your bag if you think they would eat it later.

Face Painting . In the Jambo lobby, there is free face painting. This is not the elaborate face fainting that is offered in the park, but it is still cute! The line forms fast though and they only offer it for about an hour or so.

Window Shopping . The Gift Shop at the Jambo House is gorgeous and has a lot of beautiful decor along with Disney treasures you might want to buy.

Free Activities During the Christmas Season

Christmas Tree Viewing . The Animal Kingdom Lodge Christmas tree is gorgeous and is arguably one of the most beautiful trees of all the resort Christmas trees.

Consider planning and booking your next Walt Disney World vacation with a Concierge Vacation Planner like  Favorite Grampy’s Travels . I’ll take away the stress of planning a Disney vacation and help you get the best price!  Click Here  to Get a no-obligation consultation now.

Thank You for Spreading the Pixie Dust!

Aaron Anderson

Wednesday 17th of January 2024

To any one reading… my kids are going with their grandparents in the first week of Feb 2024. How many of these activities still happen since covid

Thursday 18th of January 2024

Hi Aaron, last year they brought back the cultural representatives so the activities while varied are still happening. Be sure to check the schedule that is posted near the check-in desk!

Sunday 15th of January 2023

I tried to visit the lodge today but was told by the security guard that they no longer allow non-guests to walk around. You have to be a guest or a Disney world vacation member.

That guard must have been having a rough day and cranky. They do like you to have a dining reservation though, even a mobile order would work. A lot of times the morning is tougher to park at the resorts than the afternoon since many guests try to park at the resorts to bypass parking fees at the parks. You can always park at Disney Springs and then take a bus to the resorts.

Kathy hawks

Tuesday 1st of September 2020

What events will be h go king on in September during covid? We are so excited to come and bummed about covid si wondering if any free activities will be happening

Instead of the Halloween parties, Disney is allowing guests to go to the Magic Kingdom in costumes and they will have special treats and merchandise you can buy. As for free activities, I know Disney resorts are still doing the movies under the stars.

Wednesday 5th of February 2020

This is amazing! Thanks! We are going in May

Becky Ginther

Thursday 3rd of October 2019

I will be there the first week in December! Can't wait!

The Complete Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

© Walt Disney World

The fourth park to open at the massive Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is perhaps the most unique among Disney’s worldwide portfolio of theme parks. Part zoo, it is the company’s only park to showcase live animals. Zebras, giraffes, lions, and a wide variety of other species roam freely on the park’s 110-acre safari site. You can come (nearly) face-to-face with tigers, water buffalo, gorillas, and more along walking trails. There is also an area where guests can pet and interact with animals and discover a veterinary care center.

But Disney’s Animal Kingdom is so much more than a zoo. The park also features e-ticket rides , engaging shows, and wonderful dining options. And it is home to Pandora – The World of Avatar, a highly-themed (and highly popular) land based on James Cameron's “Avatar.” The land brings the films’ mythical animals and flora to life and includes one of Disney’s best attractions. If it’s thrills you seek, Animal Kingdom delivers those as well .

In addition to Pandora, Animal Kingdom’s other lands include Africa, which features one of the park’s highlights, Kilimanjaro Safaris; Asia, where a towering mountain houses Expedition Everest; the whimsical DinoLand U.S.A.; Discovery Island, home to the iconic Tree of Life; and Rafiki's Planet Watch, which is accessible via train and offers animal encounters and Conservation Station.

Animal Kingdom Ride and Attraction Highlights

• Live animals and the natural world may be the park‘s heart and soul, but with the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar in 2017, much of Animal Kingdom’s focus shifted to the fictional planet of Pandora and its curious creatures. The headline attraction, Avatar Flight of Passage , is a next-gen "flying theater” experience (a concept Disney developed for Soarin’ ) that places passengers on the backs of winged banshees and sends them on a giddy airborne journey above Pandora. It is one of Disney World's best rides –and one of the best rides on this (or any other) planet.
• Pandora’s other attraction, Na’vi River Journey , is a much gentler, almost serene boat ride through a lush jungle glowing with bioluminescent plants and critters. For the finale, passengers encounter the Shaman of Songs, one of Disney’s most complex animatronic characters.
• The most thrilling attraction at Animal Kingdom is Expedition Everest . It's near the upper end of what is considered a "family coaster,” with a top speed of 50 mph, a section that reverses direction and sends the train racing backwards (in total darkness no less), and some potent G-forces, the ride pushes the boundaries. The story and effects are very well done, however the giant animatronic Yeti that lives inside the mountain broke down soon after Expedition Everest opened, and it’s never been repaired.
• The park’s signature attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris , brings guests through the “Harambe Wildlife Reserve” on open-air vehicles to ogle the herds of animals that live there.
• Dinosaur transports visitors to prehistoric times where its namesake animals lurk in the darkness. It uses the same trackless ride vehicles Disney pioneered for Indiana Jones Adventure  at California's Disneyland.
• On the raft ride, Kali River Rapids , passengers get soaked as they brave the rapids and a 30-foot finale drop.
• The 4-D movie attraction, It's Tough to be a Bug , which is located inside the base of the Tree of Life, features characters from the Pixar movie, "A Bug’s Life." Beware the stink bug!

Animal Kingdom Shows

• The park is home to what may be Disney World’s best stage show, Finding Nemo - The Musical . Based on the popular Pixar film, it features wonderful puppetry (with the puppeteers fully visible and part of the performance), grand-scale sets, and a lovely, engaging score specially composed for the production.
• Animal Kingdom’s other major show is Festival of the Lion King . The spectacle features songs from the landmark movie and also offers a hint of Cirque de Soleil with scenes that present acrobatics and other feats of derring-do.
• UP! A Great Bird Adventure incorporates characters from the Pixar movie into a show starring trained, exotic birds.

Where to Eat

Through the years, Disney Word has really upped its culinary game, and Animal Kingdom is no exception. Sure, you can find burgers, pizza, ice cream, and other fare typically associated with parks. But there are some unique and outstanding choices as well, including the following:

• Tiffins Restaurant makes our list of Disney World’s best table service eateries , and for good reason. The menu, inspired by African, Asian, and South American cuisines, include adventurous dishes such as Ethiopian coffee butter-infused venison loin and grilled octopus with squid ink aioli. The funky dining rooms are decorated with artifacts gathered by the Imagineers that helped design Animal Kingdom. Tiffins is a great way to cap a day at the park as well as a wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion.
• At Satu'li Canteen , you can dine like a Pandoran. Enjoy “native” food, including bao buns and scrumptious grain bowls that you can custom-order with your favorite ingredients. This is one of Disney World’s best quick-service restaurants .
• Another Animal Kingdom quick-service eatery that earns kudos is Flame Tree Barbecue . The aroma of the smoked ribs, pork, and chicken is intoxicating.
• Delicious African dishes such as curry chicken, black-eyed pea salad, peri peri whole salmon, and fruit chutney are available buffet-style at Tusker House Restaurant .
• For some out-of-this-world beverages, including a Night Blossom that glows in the dark, head to Pongu Pongu in Pandora.

Admission Information

To enter Animal Kingdom, you’ll need a valid ticket (or season pass). You could purchase a single-day pass or a multi-day pass with or without park-hopping privileges (that allow holders to visit more than one theme park per day). We have a feature about Disney World tickets to help you wade through all of the options and determine the best choice and value for you and your park posse.

Best Time to Visit

As far as when to visit Disney World, a lot depends on your preferences and needs. Do you want to try to avoid crowds? Or would you want to plan a family trip to celebrate the holidays? (The busiest time at Disney World is traditionally the week between Christmas and New Year’s.) We have a separate article that addresses these and other issues to help you determine when might be the best time for you and your gang to visit the resort .

Getting There & Where to Stay

Unlike Disney World’s other three theme parks, which offer monorail service, ferries, water taxies, and aerial gondolas, there are only a few ways to get to Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Take the resort’s complimentary bus transportation; drive your own car; or take a cab or ride sharing service (including Disney Minnie Van that is operated by Lyft.)

All of the on-property hotels offer bus service to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Note that there are no walking paths to the park. But if you want to stay the closest to the park and enjoy its theme even when you leave the gates, consider booking a room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge . You might be able to see giraffes and other animals roaming the savannas from your balcony at the lovely Deluxe category hotel. It also offers four of Disney World’s best restaurants.

Tips for Visiting

• With Pandora’s two popular attractions, it is virtually a requirement to make advance Fastpass+ reservations . Really, it’s necessary to become fluent and to take full advantage of the  My Disney Experience  website and app for your entire Disney World stay.
• For Kilimanjaro Safaris, the ideal time to see the animals bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is generally early in the morning. Later in the day, many of them tend to doze and escape the Florida sun.
• For many years, Disney’s Animal Kingdom used to close fairly early–often before sunset. Now, however, the park frequently remains open into the evening. Consider visiting at night to enjoy features such as the bioluminescent plants that come to life after dusk in Pandora, special nighttime journeys aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, and "Tree of Life Awakenings,” projection-mapped vignettes that animate the centerpiece tree.
• For Tiffins and other table-service restaurants, it is important to plan ahead. Learn how to make Disney World dining reservations with our complete guide.
• You can dine with Mickey and his friends for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Tusker House Restaurant inside the park.
• Are you wondering whether you or your park companions can handle the thrills of Expedition Everest or some of Animal Kingdom’s more toned-down attractions such as Dinosaur? Wonder no more! We break it down for you in our feature, Walt Disney World for Wimps .

Walt Disney World Guide: Planning Your Trip

The 10 Coolest Things to Do at Pandora - The World of Avatar

Top 10 Attractions at Disney World's Animal Kingdom

Best Walt Disney World Resort Hotels in Orlando

Disney World Vs. Universal Orlando

Your Guide to Visiting Walt Disney World During the Pandemic

Best of Disney's Animal Kingdom for Tweens and Teens

What to Know About Visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom During the Pandemic

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Is Savanna View At Animal Kingdom Lodge Worth It? | Pictures + Guide

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most unique hotels in the world being surrounded by an African savanna and dozens of animals!

However, only the Savanna View rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge have views of the animals... and it comes with a steep price!

Our Savanna View Animal Kingdom Lodge Guide walks you through what you need to know about Savanna View rooms and our assessment of if they're worth the upgrade!

Questions We'll Answer About Savanna View At Animal Kingdom Lodge:

What animals can you expect to see, can you see the animals all day, where are the best savanna view rooms located, is savanna view at animal kingdom lodge worth it.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is divided into three different savannas which have a different mix of animals that call these savannas home.

The animals you'll be able to see with a Savanna View room will depend on which savanna your room is located in.

The three different savannas and the animals you can expect to see at each are below:

• Arusha Savanna:   Ankole Cattle, Gemsbok, Giraffes, Zebras and Wildebeests
• Sunset Savanna:   Ankole Cattle, Bongo, Giraffes, Impala, Ostrich, Waterbuck 
• Uzima Savanna:   Bongo, Blesbok, Giraffe, Impala, Kudu, Gazelles

Keep in mind that Disney can swap out different animals on these savannas at any time so we can't guarantee you'll see all of these animals but it is very likely!

You may have noticed there are no elephants or lions listed in any of these savannas. There are in fact no lions or elephants at Animal Kingdom Lodge - you'll need to head over to the Animal Kingdom park to see them!

During our stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and throughout multiple visits on the property, we've seen the animals start to roam the savannas at around 11 AM.

The animals spend the night in a separate holding area so it takes a bit of time for them to leave this holding area and begin traveling across the savannas where Animal Kingdom Lodge cast members have placed food to lure them closer to guest viewpoints.

After about noon we were able to see the animals all day.

The employees at Animal Kingdom Lodge do their best to spread food around the entire savanna so the animals will spend time by each block of rooms but during our stay, the animals spent most of their time in one area.

Luckily for us, they stayed close to our room but there were definitely rooms that would only ever get the opportunity to see the animals from much further away.

Even into the evening we were still able to see the animals which we learned would roam the savannas until quite late because of a special nighttime safari that Animal Kingdom Lodge runs each night!

It wasn't until about midnight that we noticed Animal Kingdom Lodge cast members luring the animals back into their holding areas away from guest view.

At about 1 AM most of the animals were gone except for some of the storks and herons which always stay out in the savanna areas.

From our experience, the   Arusha Savanna View rooms are the best! 

The Arusha Savanna is home to some of the most iconic African animals including giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests which are also some of the most active animals in the savannas.

The Arusha Savanna is also in a more intimate circular-shaped space when compared to the other savannas, allowing for better overall views and getting as close to the animals as possible.

These rooms will be located in what's called the Kudu Trail and Zebra Trail wings of the hotel which are used to divide up the various sections of the hotel to make finding your room easier. 

The Kudu Trail (where we stayed) is an especially great area of the Arusha Savanna as many of the rooms are very close to the animal feeding areas which means they'll spend a lot of time near your room.

The Zebra Trail on the other side of the Arusha Savanna also has some great views but we noticed the animals were spending a lot more time near us in the Zebra Trail.

When booking a Savanna View Room you aren't able to pick exactly what area of the hotel you'd like to stay in or what savanna you'd like to overlook. The only thing you're guaranteed is some sort of Savanna View.

So while your view does come down to a lot of luck, we recommend at least asking at check-in to see what views and more desirable locations are available!

The Savanna View rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge are much more expensive than a standard view (parking lot or other guest areas) or pool view rooms, so this isn't always an easy decision. 

We've seen Savanna View rooms typically start at around $200 more per night than a regular view room so you can easily find yourself spending an extra $1,000 in total for a view of the animals.

If you're going to be spending most of your time at the parks and your room is only for sleeping then Savanna View is not going to be worth it.

We'd even go as far as saying if you plan to be in your room for a few hours each day to take a break from the parks then Savanna View still might not be worth it.

You'll get the most value out of Savanna View rooms if someone in your family is an animal lover or if you plan to spend time watching the animals from your balcony. 

If you really enjoy animal watching and plan to take time out of your day just to watch the animals roam the savanna then Savanna View is worth the upgrade.

The Savanna view is almost an attraction itself and we recommend carving out some dedicated time to do some animal watching to get value out of this more expensive room option.

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You can visit Disney World, Universal for under $100 a day: The deal with summer tickets

C entral Florida can swelter in the summer, with high temperatures and what feels like even higher humidity. But it’s still a popular time to visit the region’s theme parks . 

This year, those who brave the heat can be rewarded with ticket deals at destinations like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and LEGOLAND Florida, all starting at under $100 a day. SeaWorld Orlando tickets drop as low as $60 on select dates.

Here’s what travelers planning summer theme park vacations should know. 

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

How much is a ticket to Disney World?

Disney World tickets vary by date and park. For one-day, one-park admission for guests ages 10 and up, starting prices range from $109 at Disney's Animal Kingdom to $124 at Magic Kingdom.

However, the resort is offering two ticket deals for spring and summer.

• The 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket costs $396, which works out to $99 a day. It includes one day at each of Disney World’s four theme parks, without park-hopping or repeating parks. Visits must start between April 2 and Sept. 22 and end within seven days of the start date.
• The 3-Day, 3-Park Magic Ticket costs $267, which works out to $89 a day. It includes one day each at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, without park-hopping or repeating parks. Admission to Magic Kingdom is not included. Visits must start between April 2 and Sept. 24 and end within five days of the start date.

Your next Disney trip could cost more, depending on when and where you visit

How much does it cost to get into Orlando’s Universal Studios?

One-day, one-park admission to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure starts at $119 for guests ages 10 and up.

Universal Orlando Resort is offering a 2-Park Play 4 Days Promotional Ticket starting at $306.99, however, which works out to just under $77 a day. Guests can visit both parks each day. Visits don’t have to be consecutive, but they must all fall within seven days of the start date. The deal is available through the mid-December on the resort’s website.

How can I save money at SeaWorld Orlando?

Non-discounted SeaWorld Orlando tickets cost $139.99, according to the park’s website, which offers various deals throughout the year.

The biggest deal of the year is available through March 24. It's a $60 throwback ticket in honor of SeaWorld’s 60th anniversary, which is March 21.

SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego are offering the specially priced tickets for select dates throughout the year for guests older than 2. Quantities are limited. 

Who gets in free at LEGOLAND Florida?

Admission is free for guests under the age of 2 at LEGOLAND Florida . 

After that, one-day theme park tickets start at $74 online or $119 at the front gate, according to the resort’s website. Admission to neighboring LEGOLAND Water Park or Peppa Pig Theme Park costs extra. There’s also a convenience fee for online purchases.

Travelers with the flexibility to visit by June 14 can get specially priced $29 kids tickets with the purchase of a full-priced multi-park ticket starting at $94. Up to four kids’ tickets, for children ages 2 to 12, can be purchased in one transaction.

Travelers should note LEGOLAND Florida is in Winter Haven, about 50 miles from Orlando.

Is Busch Gardens the most expensive?

No, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is not the most expensive theme park in Central Florida. Its website lists non-discounted tickets at $139.99, tying in price with sister park SeaWorld Orlando. Also, like SeaWorld, Busch Gardens’ website regularly offers discounts. 

Its Spring Break Sale slashes the starting price to $99.99 for guests age 3 and up. The sale runs through March 24. Invariably, another deal will become available after this one expires.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is more than 80 miles from Orlando, but the park operates a free shuttle to and from Orlando for ticketed guests.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: You can visit Disney World, Universal for under $100 a day: The deal with summer tickets

Confirmed: Guests From One Country Can Eat and Drink for Free at Disney World

in Walt Disney World

We have good news for international foodies wanting to visit Walt Disney World but not  pay for the Disney Dining Plan.

Home to the most popular theme park in the world (Magic Kingdom), it should come as no surprise that Disney World draws in millions of international visitors per year . A huge chunk of the resort’s 58 million guests a year herald from outside the U.S., with many making Disney World a regular pilgrimage.

To encourage foreign attendance , Disney World regularly issues offers to appeal to tourists from that country specifically. The UK – home to one of Disney’s most avid international client bases – receives annual offers to entice new and regular visitors alike, and its latest promotion is a doozy.

Yesterday (April 4), Disney revealed that UK visitors can benefit from free food and drink while visiting the parks in 2025.

“Our Free Dining & Drinks offer returns for 2025 Walt Disney World Resort Package Holidays,” it revealed on its Disney Parks UK Instagram . Those booking a package holiday will benefit from a 14-Day Magic Ticket for the price of 7 days (a common offer for UK guests) and will save “£300 per booking on flight-inclusive packages, or save £200 per booking on Hotel & Ticket packages” if they book by July 2, 2024.

In other words, guests will benefit from a free Disney Dining Plan when booking their vacation. Guests booking a Value will get a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan that covers one meal per day, while those staying at a Moderate Resort can enjoy two quick-service meals per day. If you book a Deluxe Resort (such as Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Contemporary Resort, or the Polynesian), you get the full Disney Dining Plan, which includes one quick-service, one table service, and one snack per day (and claims to save one adult £1,105 over the course of one week).

This offer only covers guests visiting the parks between January 7, 2025, and December 17, 2025, and will kick in for bookings placed after April 18, 2025.

Unfortunately for those visiting Disney World from within the U.S., it is also very much limited to those booking through the UK website. Disney has previously introduced similar (but not quite as comprehensive) offers for domestic visitors , with a promotion launched in January giving Disney+ subscribers a free Disney Dining Plan for four-night stays between July and September 2024.

The Disney Dining Plan isn’t a new addition to Walt Disney World. However, it did only recently return from its nearly four-year-long hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – albeit with higher prices . As before, however, unused credits do roll over from previous days, meaning you can get plenty of bang for your buck (and come home with your jeans slightly tighter than before you left).

Do you opt for the Disney Dining Plan when visiting Walt Disney World? Let us know why (or why not) in the comments!

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CONFIRMED: Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park EXPANSION Is Moving Forward!

By Madeleine Zaharchuk 14 Comments

Disney’s Animal Kingdom could soon look a whole lot different than it does right now.

Animal Kingdom in Disney World

Have you ever heard that there was once an idea to include DRAGONS in Animal Kingdom? Don’t believe us? Look at the signs in front of the park — you may see a dragon or two ! But we’re not here to talk about dragons. No, we’re here to talk about some exciting new developments that Disney has planned for a potential new park expansion!

Disney is FINALLY moving forward with some interesting plans for Animal Kingdom! They’ve been teasing their new Tropical Americas-themed land as a replacement for DinoLand…and we just got a few more hints about its progress during an invite-only media event at Walt Disney Imagineering this week!

The project is still in the VERY early stages of development; in fact, Disney just revealed that Imagineers are currently on research trips to Mexico to gather inspiration for the new area. 

We first learned about this ambitious new project at the 2023 D23 Expo. Disney executive Josh D’Amaro revealed Disney is “ building on what makes Animal Kingdom so, so special. “As we said, there’s still a lot that’s up in the air right now, but based on early concept art, we may see experiences inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones, both of which are “being considered” for the reimagined land.

Below, you can see the concept art for the updated DinoLand area that Disney has proposed . 

Based on the concept art, we’re wondering if Casa Madrigal (one of the most iconic parts of the movie Encanto ) will someday arrive at Animal Kingdom. The possibilities for a Casa Madrigal attraction are LIMITLESS when there is so much happening inside La Casita. Disney even hinted at some FUN Encanto -themed ideas in a  special episode of 20/20 titled “Disney100: A Century of Dreams.” 

It’s the same concept art!

ABC viewers may have even caught Disney’s nod to Casa Madrigal  — could this be a clue of what’s to come? THE Lin Manuel-Miranda even previously commented, “I want to go inside Casita, don’t you? I don’t even know what that would look like, but some genius Imagineer does!”

Oh, and we’ve got even more news. Disney recently  filed a permit with the South Florida Water Management District , and while that may not sound super exciting, it was the LOCATION that got our attention. Why? The permit is for the DinoLand, U.S.A. area of Animal Kingdom!

The permit that was filed was for a trailer compound. Typically, these types of setups come to big construction areas, which has many wondering what this could mean for the future of DinoLand. The permit outlines that the new compound will also have parking and utilities for those who will be working on-site.

Click here to learn more!

Whew! Now that Disney has confirmed that Imagineers are doing some field research, we can’t wait to see what kind of CREATIVE ideas they may come up with! Want more updates about this possible re-theme? Check out these posts!

• A New Invention Might Mean a  Moana -themed Boat Ride Is Coming to Disney World!
• Could Dinoland U.S.A. Be Re-themed to  Moana  or  Zootopia ?
• Disney Just Dropped a MAJOR Hint about the Animal Kingdom  Encanto  Expansion!
• A Disney Executive Dropped a Hint About the Possible Animal Kingdom CHANGES!

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

FIRST LOOK at a Possible ‘Avatar’ EXPANSION in Disneyland 

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

What would YOU like to see in a NEW Animal Kingdom expansion? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited to attend a media preview of Disney’s new and upcoming projects by Walt Disney Imagineering. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy . Thank you for reading. — AJ

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April 4, 2024 at 10:47 am

Sigh…Tropical Americas is a great biome to introduce more animals and zoo area, but Encanto doesn’t have anything to do with Animal Kingdom. IT could still be as great as Pandora was…but at least Zootopia had some connection. I never really understood peoples’ objections to IP attractions in Epcot but I think I do now.

April 4, 2024 at 11:08 am

I love AK very much, but this is so needed! They need another land with a couple heavy hitter attractions to space out the crowds. I know it’s still in the early stages, but I hope they get this moving quickly and doesn’t take too long to complete. I’m excited for whatever is to come!

April 4, 2024 at 11:10 am

Most of the trailers in the proposed compound are labeled “WDI”. That many Imagineers on-site point to a very large project. Can’t wait!

April 4, 2024 at 1:41 pm

I hope that if the re-imagined Dinoland gets a Mexico/Central America/South America spin that the connection will go beyond Disney IP, to include animal exhibits from the region.

April 4, 2024 at 2:06 pm

I wonder if Casa Madrigal will be similar to Mystic Manor?

April 4, 2024 at 2:33 pm

More creatures!! Birds, bugs, bats, snakes, furry four footed friends…More to learn for my nephews. This would be awesome!

April 4, 2024 at 7:23 pm

Indiana Jones, please! He’s ICONIC! But please, no Encanto. It will not age well as time goes by. It doesn’t have any connection to Animal Kingdom – for example, no conservation link , or other related theme.

April 4, 2024 at 8:22 pm

Encanto, ho hum, I could care less. I never saw the movie, and don’t care about the character. Too bad.

April 4, 2024 at 8:40 pm

NOOOO!!!! They are ruining animal kingdom!! The ethos of the park is conservation, the creator of the park explicitly stating that the main characters of Animal Kingdom don’t wear clothes (because the main characters are animals) and here we have ENCANTO????? so unbelievably stupid!! Disney is ruining its own parks for the sake of shoving IP into everything. WALT AND ROY ARE ROLLING IN THEIR GRAVES!!!!

April 5, 2024 at 5:52 am

I love the idea of more animals(Antonio’s room in Encanto?) but don’t understand the Indiana Jones thing. Put that in Hollywood Studios. Dinosaur could be reimagined as a trip through the rain forest. Now that makes sense!

April 5, 2024 at 6:52 am

Some kind of boat ride with all the beautiful waterways

April 5, 2024 at 7:49 am

AK is my favorite park at Disney. I love the two walking trails to see animals from Africa and India, but have wanted them to expand to Australia. They could do a Rescuers Down Under theme, I know it’s an older movie but it is about poachers and could help educate people on the animals of Australia and the impact of poaching. Australian wildlife is unlike any in other parts of the world and I for one would love to see more of it and learn more about it

April 5, 2024 at 11:12 am

Encanto? Not more Woke rubbish. Let’s stop trying to fit into the agenda and work on it fitting into the park – Animal Kingdom!

April 5, 2024 at 8:50 pm

Not excited. It took them 7 years to build tron. A new land will take decades lol.

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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.