Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my favorite resort hotels at Walt Disney World, offering guests an experience like no other. Prepare to be captivated by the immersive atmosphere, incredible wildlife encounters, and award-winning dining experiences.

DIsney's animal kingdom lodge savanna view - view of savvana

Welcome to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, starting with the lobby you’ll notice it’s filled with authentic museum pieces, artwork, and wood carvings.

This one-of-a-kind hotel offers a unique experience that will transport you to Africa. You will absolutely forget that you’re in Central Florida. Yes, Animal Kingdom Lodge is in a remote location on Disney World property. It is sometimes criticized in guidebooks for being far away from the parks. But that’s the point!

It needs to be relaxing and tranquil, away from Disney theming, traffic, park noise, and fireworks. Being able to escape the theme park atmosphere while on vacation is a good thing, and only Animal Kingdom Lodge does that.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Vacation Package

What’s included

Accommodations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney World theme park tickets
Early park admission
Extended evening hours
Lightning Lane advance purchase
Disney Water Theme Park admission on check-in day
Expert planning tips from me so you have more fun
Price-monitoring (you’ll always get the best offer)
Disney Resort transportation
Standard parking at Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Disney Springs
Overnight self-parking at hotel
Taxes

Yes, Help me plan my Trip →

What makes Animal Kingdom Lodge great

One-of-a-kind hotel experience
Close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Some of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World
Jiko: The Cooking Place has earned state and national awards for culinary excellence
11,000 Square foot pool surrounded by a wildlife savanna
One of the most beautiful hotels at Disney World with incredible attention to detail
Wildlife savanna is home to over 200 animals and birds
Spacious rooms ranging from standard hotel rooms to deluxe villas
Club Level Concierge is considered one of the best on Disney property by Disney experts
1, 2, and 3-bedroom villas have kitchens, living rooms and washer/dryers

There are 3 main room categories
Resort View - the most economical. Offering standard views of parking areas, rooftops, and/or landscaping.
Water View - overlooks the pool area. While the pool is pretty at night especially, these rooms can be noisy. Early morning power washing of the pool furniture starts around 6 am.
Savanna View - views of the wildlife safaris.
All rooms have a private balcony with 2 chairs.
If you book a Savanna View room, I recommend waking up at dawn for at least one day on your vacation, grabbing coffee, and sitting on your balcony.
The animals are very active at dawn. You’ll see the animals playing with each other and some even calling out to other animals.
Once the sun comes up, the animals begin to chill out.
- Valet parking
- Bell desk
- Concierge
- Wildlife tours
- Room service
- Laundry (self-service)
- Free Wi-Fi
- ATM
- Dry cleaning
- Conference rooms
Jiko – The Cooking Place: Vibrant spices, crackling wood-burning ovens and boutique South African wines transport you to the heart of Africa.
- Air-Conditioned
- Meals Served: Dinner
- Menu Type: A la carte
- Children's Menu Available
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual Attire | Footwear Required | No Swimsuits | No Beachwear | No Flip-Flops | No Sandals | No Shorts | Shirt Required
Boma – Flavors of Africa: Resembling a lively African marketplace, this restaurant features all-you-care-to-enjoy buffets at breakfast and dinner.
- Air-Conditioned
- Meals Served: Breakfast | Dinner
- Menu Type: Buffet
- Children's Menu Available
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual Attire | Footwear Required | No Swimsuits | No Beachwear | Shirt Required
Sanaa: Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, experience the art of African cooking with Indian flavors as exotic animals roam the Sunset Savanna before you.
- Air-Conditioned
- Meals Served: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
- Menu Type: A la carte
- Children's Menu Available
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual Attire | Footwear Required | No Swimsuits | No Beachwear | Shirt Required
The Mara: Named for a river flowing through Kenya and Tanzania, this savanna-like space serves classic entrees and grab n' go favorites. Catch breakfast, lunch or dinner — not to mention a glimpse of the monorail gliding by overhead!
- Air-Conditioned
- Meals Served: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Snacks
- Menu Type: A la carte
- Children's Menu Available
- Reservations: Not Required
- Dress Code: Casual Attire | Footwear Required | Shirt Required
Complimentary Disney World buses operate between Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Disney World Theme Parks.
Buses arrive approximately every 20 minutes.
Travel Times:
- Magic Kingdom: 12 minutes
- Epcot: 11 minutes
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9 minutes
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park: 3
- Disney Springs: 16 minutes
Disney Minnie Van service is also available.
Club Level guests can book Disney Minnie Van service to/from Orlando International Airport.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has one of the best pools on Disney property. By design, you’re surrounded by the hotel where you can see the thatched roof of the lobby, foliage and the animal savana is right there too. You can literally hoop out of the pool and see what the animals are doing.
Also nearby is a pool bar, whirlpool, and a play area for little ones.

Good to know

A common misconception is that you need to get to Animal Kingdom Park early in the morning to see the animals.

But by the time Animal Kingdom Park opens, the animals are already done playing.

The best time to view the animals in the theme park is late afternoon, as the sun begins to set. But if you’re staying at the Lodge, pre-dawn is the absolute best time.

Standard rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge have 2 queen beds and sleep up to 4 people.

Most other Deluxe Resorts at Disney World can sleep up to 5 guests so Animal Kingdom is unique in that way (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge too).

Room Layouts

typical standard room floor plan at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House

Floor Plan of Villa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Floor plan of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Villa Jambo House

Floor Plan of villa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

Club Level at Animal Kingdom Lodge

When you stay Club Level at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you'll be greeted by a personalized check-in and luggage assistance.

But the best perk is having access to the Kilimanjaro Club Lounge. Here, you’ll enjoy continental breakfast each morning, refreshing snacks and evening hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

You can also enjoy complimentary beer, wine, water and soft drinks. Club Level guests receive an array of unparalleled benefits to enhance their stay. The dedicated Club Level concierge service is at your disposal, ensuring that every moment of your vacation is seamless and magical.

As a Club Level guest, you can also arrange Disney Minnie Van Service from Orlando International Airport (for a fee.) This service is available exclusively to Club Level guests.

Similar Hotels

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Address

2901 Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34747

Phone: (407) 939-1936

Darren is an Orlando-based travel advisor and writer with Magical Vacations Travel, since 2008. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent.