What I Wish I Knew Before Staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most beloved hotels in all of Disney World, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know what you’re getting yourself into before staying here…

There’s no denying that choosing where to stay during a Disney World visit is one of the most crucial decisions you can make when putting together your vacation. If you’ve been considering staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or need a refresher on the hotel resort, we’re here to help!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort lauded for its atmosphere, restaurants, amenities, and ability to get you up close to some rare animals (at least by Central Florida standards). A lot of folks’ favorite resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, has some complexities — starting with its location.

First and foremost, unless you plan on spending most of your time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll find that Animal Kingdom Lodge is very far from everything. In fact, it’s spread out wide enough that walking anywhere is a trek.

The hotel’s main location perk is being situated next to Animal Kingdom, but it’s far from the other three parks and Disney Springs. Factor in long hallways, long hauls to the pool, and just a sizeable amount of space everywhere, and you may get your steps in before your Disney day even begins.

If you’re thinking, “Well, everything is far away, so Animal Kingdom Lodge MUST have great transportation,” think again.  The resort primarily relies on bus transportation to get around Disney World. Buses generally arrive every 20 minutes near Jambo House and Kidani Village, and you’re pretty much at the whim of these schedules and crowds. If you’re expecting a variety of transportation options, you just won’t find it here.

But enough about the negative. As we previously mentioned, Animal Kingdom Lodge is praised for its dining options, which include some of the best restaurants in all of Disney World, like Sanaa, Jiko, and Boma.

Jiko offers “vibrant spices, crackling wood-burning ovens and boutique South African wines that transport you to the heart of Africa.” Serving only dinner, you’ll find a blend of traditional African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine here.

Sanaa offers two distinct dining experiences:

• Kuamsha Breakfast: a casual quick-service offering that does not require reservations
• A table-service experience for lunch and dinner, featuring African cooking with Indian flavors. Advance Reservations are highly recommended.

Sanaa is consistently considered one of the best dining experiences Disney has to offer, as you’ll find delicious East-African dishes as well as a view of the savanna animals.

Boma serves all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner in a space that resembles a lively African marketplace.

Other restaurants and lounges include The Mara, Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar, Victoria Falls Lounge, Uzima Springs Pool Bar, Sanaa Lounge, and Maji Pool Bar.

Another boon of this hotel is that you can book a Starlight Safari!

Starlight Safari is a VIP tour that lets you set out on an immersive open-air safari adventure through an African game reserve! The resort is home to over 30 species of African wildlife, and this nighttime excursion gets you a closer look!

Guests must be 8 years of age or older to participate, and prices range from $75.65-$89 per person (tax not included). You don’t have to be a hotel guest to participate, but it makes it easier!

During the safari, you’ll get to use a night vision device with which you can spot zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, antelopes, ostriches, and more! To book, go online to the Disney World Website or use the My Disney Experience app.

Finally, it’s important to note that Animal Kingdom Lodge is like a vacation within a vacation.

If you’re looking to spend a lot of time at your hotel and want a unique experience, this is the place for you. You can spot animals from right outside your room, all while feeling separated from the rest of Disney World. It truly is a getaway.

It’s tough to find a lodging experience quite like Animal Kingdom Lodge. We’ve stayed here and visited plenty, and we’ll keep coming back because of how much we absolutely love it.  For many, this is the BEST hotel at Disney World, and it can be tough to argue against that claim.

Have you stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge? Share your experience in the comments below and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest Disney World coverage!

We May Have Found an Unfortunate Side Effect of Staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Hotel

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

 

What Animal Kingdom Lodge tips should newbies know? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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