Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 

If you can't decide on your dream holiday, how about two in one? At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, an African safari gets a magic touch of Disney. Often described by guests as feeling like a theme park in its own right, this resort places you right at the heart of your Disney adventure. Where you only have to step outside your door to witness a scene straight out of The Lion King. What’s more, you can enjoy carved wood interiors, collections of African art, pristine pools and a shuttle bus to and from theme parks. So, if you can’t wait for a hakuna matata kind of holiday, here's a trouble-free philosophy for Florida holidays... 

All About Animal Kingdom Lodge 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a resort not far from Animal Kingdom itself. This theme hotel is home to more than 200 animals and birds, such as ostriches, giraffes and tropical birds, which you can spot every day from your window or while exploring the hotel. The lodge has multiple restaurants celebrating Indian, African and Mediterranean flavours and two spacious pools with waterslides and whirlpool baths.



The activities don’t stop there, however, as there’s also entertainment such as African drumming, crafts and educational sessions about the animals, movie nights and other themed evenings. The best part about staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge is that you’ll get early entry to the parks and transportation included, plus discounted Magic Bands and advance Genie+ bookings - these perks can ensure your holiday is as magical as possible.  

Rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge 

There are loads of room categories to choose from at Animal Kingdom Lodge, no matter how big or small your family is. The rooms at the lodge are spread across the resort, in either Jambo House or Kidani Village. The most affordable options are standard rooms.

However, you can also choose pool view and savanna view rooms; the latter is our pick of the bunch to ensure you have the best view of the animals each day. Across these categories are many room sizes, from rooms sleeping a family of four to gorgeous suites, deluxe studios and villas, which come with up to three bedrooms.

Each room is carefully designed with large beds and spacious bathrooms, each with authentic touches such as handmade furniture and African fabrics. you’ll find the bathroom stocked with exclusive Disney products, while the villas also have their own kitchen, living, and dining areas so that larger groups have plenty of space to chill out.  

Things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge 

While many enjoy watching the animals wander past throughout the day, there are many more attractions on offer at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so make sure to leave time after visiting any parks to make the most of everything. Let’s begin with the two pools: Uzima Springs is located at Jambo Village and is a vast 11,000sq/ft! There’s also a 64ft long waterslide, playground, and poolside activities like bingo and hula hoop contests, making it perfect for younger children.


Elsewhere, the Samawati Springs Pool is slightly smaller but has a 128ft waterslide and Uwanja Camp, a water playground with sprinklers and a climbing area which both kids and adults will love. The resort offers a myriad of other fun things to do, such as its two arcades with classic video games, a playground, nightly campfires, painting classes and regular screenings of Disney movies under the stars.


You’ll be provided with a programme of the day’s events, meaning you won’t have to miss out - expect entertainment such as animal information sessions, storytelling, scavenger hunts, dance parties and more. For adults who don’t mind a little extra cost, there’s also the blissful Zahanati Spa, where you can recover from a day of thrills with a massage or treatment.  

Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge 

There are a whole array of places to eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge, no matter if you feel like fine dining, African-inspired cooking or a comforting burger and chips. There are multiple sit-down restaurants, quick-service restaurants and a buffet option, plus three bars. At Boma - Flavors of Africa, you’ll find a huge buffet spread for breakfast with everything from French toast to fresh fruit, and at dinner, they serve delicious roasted meats, seafood and more with an African theme. The Mara and Sanaa are the two quick-service options, serving American and African-Indian fusion, respectively.
 
Jiko - The Cooking Place is one of the resort’s best high-end dining locations, where you’ll find African and Mediterranean dishes for everyone - there’s a dress code here, and it’s very popular, so booking ahead is recommended. On top of these great options, there’s also the Victoria Falls Lounge for enjoying yummy appetisers and cocktails for the adults and a bar at each of the resort's pools, which both serve snacks, sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks, perfect for keeping kids fuelled throughout the day.  

Theme Park Connections 

One of the best parts about Animal Kingdom Lodge is its transport connections to all the Walt Disney World parks. Although Animal Kingdom is the closest, there are complimentary bus connections to all the major parks. If you’re travelling by car, the resort is an even better option, as you’ll have the flexibility to explore as and when you want. There’s complimentary parking and as a rule, if you’re staying in a Disney resort like Animal Kingdom Lodge, standard parking at the parks is free!  



Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers an experience like no other and makes the perfect addition to any Disney family holiday. When you return from the parks or need a bit of rest, relaxing at the pool, enjoying fine dining and letting the kids check out the many activities here is the perfect respite, and being surrounded by the world’s most beautiful animals is an experience you’ll never forget.

Are you ready to holiday where the magic happens? Check out our bespoke Disney World holiday packages for 2024 and 2025.