Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of most unique on-site hotels at at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is one Disney’s “Deluxe Resort” category hotels, providing an extensive array of amenities and a premium experience.
Originally constructed in 2001, this traditional African themed resort features 1,307 rooms and suites and includes Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, one of Disney’s vacation club properties, that originally opened in 2009.
What makes this resort unique is the three savannas that are home to more than 200 live animals, reptiles and birds that are of African origin. Most of the rooms have direct savannah views where guests will enjoy spectacular views of animals. Some of the animals include zebras, giraffes, rhinoceros, African lions, water buffalo, Nile crocodiles, flamingos and Indian elephant.
Typical for a luxury Disney property, guests will find that hotel amenities are extensive and include two resort style pools, numerous organized activities, a full service finesses center, complimentary resort wide transportation and a number of great food & beverage options.
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Frequently Asked Questions – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
What are the hotel rates at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Since the Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of Disney’s “Deluxe Resorts”, prices are among the highest of any at the Walt Disney World Resort. Typically, nightly rates range from around than $350 per night to more than $1,000 per night depending on the time of year and the room type. See our price chart below for rates during specific nights.
Does the Animal Kingdom Lodge provide transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers complimentary bus transportation throughout Walt Disney World including the other theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.
Can you walk to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park from the Animal Kingdom Lodge?
While the Animal Kingdom Lodge is fairly close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, there is no walking path so unfortunately it is not possible to walk to the park.
Is there free transportation from the Orlando International Airport to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, as with all on-site Disney hotels, no longer provides complimentary transportation from the Orlando International Airport. Mears Connect provides fee based transportation service for $16.00 one way from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World.
Is there a Resort Fee or Parking Charge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
There are no Resort Fees at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge but self-parking costs $25.00 per night for hotel guests. Valet parking is available for $33.00 per night.
How many pools are there at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
There are two pools at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The main 234,980-gallon Uzima Springs Pool is located just outside the lobby facing the Uzima Savanna. This pool features a zero-entry and 67-foot long water slide. In addition to the Uzima Springs Pool, the 118,138-gallon Samawati Springs Pool is located at the adjacent Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani. This pool features 128-foot water slide and a children’s splash pad.
Contrary to rumors circulating on the internet, Disney does not allow hotel guests to “pool hop”. However, there are a few exceptions when stay at DVC resorts (owners only), Disney’s All-Star Resorts and Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts.
What are the food & beverage options at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge features a number of dining options which range from grab-and-go / quick service, to upscale and resort casual dining. See a complete list of food & beverage options below.
What is the check-in and check-out time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
The check in-time at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is 4:00 pm and check out time is at 11:00 am.
What is the pet policy at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. However, Disney has an ongoing pilot program that allows pets at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort.
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About Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge originally opened in April 2001 and is one of the most popular on-site resorts at Walt Disney World due to most of it’s room facing one of the four savanna’s which are home to more than 30 species of African Wildlife. The main resort building is known as the Jambo House which includes both traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas while the adjacent Kidani Village, which was opened in 2009, features over 300 vacation club villas.
This resort hotel is located on-site within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida near the western end of the property at the end of the Osceola Parkway. Osceola Parkway connects to Interstate 4 just a few miles to the east.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort
291 Osceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
407.938.3000
It will take about 30 minutes to get to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge from the Orlando International Airport. Guests can either take SR-528 (Beach Line Expressway) to Interstate 4, west to Osceola Parkway or SR-417 west to the Osceola Parkway. Both routes are similar in mileage and fairly easy to navigate for out-of-area travelers.
From Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the time / distance to the visitor toll plazas at the Disney theme parks are as follows (per Google Maps):
- Magic Kingdom Park: Approximately 15 minutes by personal vehicle
- Epcot: Approximately 10 to 15 minutes by personal vehicle
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Approximately 10 minutes by personal vehicle
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Less than 10 minutes by personal vehicle
- Disney Springs (Orange Parking Garage): Approximately 15 to 20 minutes by personal vehicle
The time / distance to other popular Orlando area attractions is as follows:
- SeaWorld Orlando: Approximately 20 minutes
- Universal Orlando Resort: Approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
- Downtown Orlando: Approximately 30 to 40 minutes
- Orange County Convention Center: Approximately 20 minutes
- The Mall at Millenia: Approximately 25 to 30 minutes
Click here to see the photo gallery for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Amenities at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the premier hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. This resort hotel features an extensive amount of amenities and recreational offerings.
Resort Pool Areas
There are two separate pool areas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – one at the Jambo House and one at Kidani Village. The main pool at the Jambo House is the Uzima Springs Pool which feature a beach/zero-entry pool along with a 67-foot long waterslide. There is plenty of patio seating and a nearby bar offers food & beverages.
Kidani Village features the Samawati Springs Pool which features a 118,138-gallon a beach/zero-entry pool, 128-foot long waterslide and a children’s water playground with three individual zones suites for children of differing ages.
Resort Wide Transportation
Complimentary resort wide bus transportation is provided and accessible at the front of the hotel. Disney’s transportation service takes guests to all four theme parks, the two water parks and to Disney Springs.
Unfortunately Animal Kingdom Lodge does not feature Monorail or water taxi service.
Organized Activities
The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a number of organized activities including Disney movies under the stars as well as family campfires where guests can roast marshmallows.
Other Amenities & Activities
- Zahanati Massage Fitness Center
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Hakuna Matata Playground
- Resort Concierge
- Merchandise Pickup and Delivery
- Tennis and Basketball Courts
- Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade
- Wild About Painting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Dining Options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Dining options at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are fairly extensive and range from quick service to upscale dining.
- Jiko – The Cooking Place: This Disney Signature Dining restaurant is one of the best in all of the Walt Disney World Resort. Jiko is open daily for dinner service and offers African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. Click here to see the menu at Jiko – The Cooking House.
- Boma – Flavors of Africa: Serving an all-you-can-eat buffet with cuisine from more than 50 African countries along with traditional American classic fare, Boma is one of the most popular restaurants at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Prices start at $29 per adult for breakfast and $49 per adult for dinner. Click here to see the menu at Boma.
- The Mara: The Mara is the perfect grab-and-go dining option to grab a quick breakfast, light lunch or dinner, and even a quick snack or drink. Mobile orders are offered. Click here to see the menu at The Mara.
- Sanaa: Enjoy African and Indian fare while overlooking the Sunset Savanna and watching the animals roam. Sanaa is open daily for lunch and dinner service. Click here to see the menu at Sanaa.
- Uzima Springs Pool Bar: Grab a cold beer, wine or specialty cocktail as well as a sandwich or snack while at the Uzima Springs Pool. This quick service restaurant is open lunch and dinner (until 10:00 PM). Click here to see the menu at the Uzima Springs Pool Bar.
- Maji Pool Bar: Grab a cold beer, wine or specialty cocktail as well as a sandwich or snack while at the Samawati Springs Pool. This quick service restaurant is open lunch and dinner (until 10:00 PM). Click here to see the menu at the Maji Pool Bar.
Additional food and beverage options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge include:
- Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
- Victoria Falls Lounge
- Sanaa Lounge
The Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
There are a number of different room types at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort which are listed below. All rooms feature free wireless internet service, a coffee maker, iron / ironing board, in-room safe, telephone with voicemail, hairdryer and bathroom products.
- Standard View: One King or two Queen beds; views are of the rooftops or parking area.
- Pool View: One King or two Queen beds; views are of the pool area.
- Savanna View: One King or two Queen beds; views are of one of the Savannas.
- Deluxe Studio: One Queen bed and one double size sleeper sofa; views are of the landscaping or parking area.
- Studio – Value: One Queen bed and one double size sleeper sofa with a kitchenette & balcony; views are of the landscaping or parking area.
- Deluxe Studio – Savanna View: One Queen bed and one double size sleeper sofa in the Jambo House; views are of one of the Savannas.
- Deluxe Studio – Savanna View: One Queen bed and one double size sleeper sofa in the Kidani Village views are of one of the Savannas.
- Club Level Rooms: Standard rooms, one-bedroom suites, one-bedroom villas and two-bedrooms suites; various views with access to the club level amenities.
- Villas: There are a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom villas with varying views.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a club level rooms and suites which offers secure key access to the club lounge which is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Guests enjoy complimentary refreshments, free health club access and personalized front desk / guest services.
Like most hotels in the greater Orlando area, rates at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are highly seasonal and we have found that rates and availability do vary quite considerably throughout the year. The rates shown below are the best available rate for two adults multiple room types offered at this hotel.
The following rates were obtained from the hotel web site at the time of publication. Please note that nightly rates can change at any time.
| Rates for 2022 – 23 | November 15th | December 15th | March 15th |
| Two Queen Beds – Standard View | $458.00 | $570.00 | $558.00 |
| One King – Savanna View | $673.00 | $784.00 | $784.00 |
| Deluxe Studio – Savanna View | $657.00 | $768.00 | $766.00 |
Disney is constantly running special offers and there are always discounts for annual passholders and Florida Residents. Taxes: There is a 6% resort tax on top of a 6.5% sales tax. There are no resort fees but there is a $25 per night parking charge.
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (Disney Vacation Club)
In 2006 Disney expanded the Animal Kingdom Lodge to include the addition of 109 rooms for the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas.
A separate building called Kidani Village was completed in 2009 and includes more than 300 villas. Many of this villas have savanna views and the village includes a new pool and water playground.
What We Liked about Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
There are a number of things to like about Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Following are some of the highlights:
- Great location near Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park
- Complimentary Disney resort wide transportation
- Great views of live animals in the savannas
What We Did Not Like about Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
There are a few things about the Disney’s Animal Kingdom we do not like which include:
- Very expensive nightly hotel rates
- $25 per day self-parking fee
- Limited availability due to high demand (forget about last minute trips here)
What We Think Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is Perfect For
We were very happy with our stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and find that it is perfect for:
- Guests seeking a premium Disney vacation experience
- Families spending time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
