I have a bone to pick with Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
I’ve stayed there in the past, I’ve been there for meals, and I’ve made trips to the resort simply to walk around. The problem with Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Once you’re there, you don’t want to leave! It’s just too darn wonderful. And today, we’re breaking down why it’s so amazing…maybe it’ll be the perfect resort for you!
Incredible Atmosphere
First up, we’ve got to chat about the incredible atmosphere. The architecture in the lobby and around the resort is stunning — it feels like walking through a safari lodge. The vibes are simply immaculate.
But the real atmosphere kicker? The animals! Animal Kingdom Lodge sits on a real savanna where live animals roam during the day. This means that if you stay in a Savanna View room, you could see animals from your balcony while you sip coffee in the morning or while you wait for your kids to get done with their midday nap (but good luck getting them to sleep with all this excitement outside the window!).
Even if you’re not staying in a Savanna View room, you can walk out into the various observation areas around the resort and see the animals. It’s unlike any other Disney hotel, that’s for sure!
The Cultural Significance
If you’re a fan of museums and cultural exhibits, Animal Kingdom Lodge is also going to be a great resort for you. Throughout the lobby and the hallways of the hotel, you’ll find various African artifacts on display, complete with informational plaques.
We’ve met several African Cast Members at the resort in the past, who’ve had wonderful things to share with us about their culture back home. And on top of that, there are often little pop-up experiences like musical demonstrations or special cultural displays to check out.
Fantastic Food
But maybe you’re a foodie? Well, this resort has got it going ON in terms of eats. One of our favorite restaurants on Disney World property is Boma, which is a buffet at this resort, serving breakfast and dinner. They have traditional African fare as well as some classic American eats, and it’s arguably the best buffet across Disney World property.
For a fancier experience, you can make a reservation at Jiko — the Cooking Place. This steakhouse has some incredible menu offerings for adventurous palettes, and the service is unmatched. The robust wine list and cozy atmosphere just add to the ambience.
And of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Sanaa, home of perhaps the best bread service in Disney World. They’re a bit more affordable on the scale of sit-down dining over here, and if you’re staying at the resort, you can actually mobile order the food to-go.
Besides these bangers, the pool bars and The Mara are also delicious options when compared to similar spots at other Disney World hotels. You can’t go wrong with the food!
The “Bubble”
Finally, one of our favorite things about Animal Kingdom Lodge is that it feels like its own little bubble away from the rest of Disney World. It’s not close to other resorts or super close to any of the parks (it’s near Animal Kingdom, but you couldn’t walk there or anything). When you step foot in this hotel space, you feel like you’re truly on a relaxing vacation.
However, we do have to acknowledge some of the downsides of this hotel so that you’re fully informed. First of all, transportation can be a problem for some. The only form of Disney transportation offered at this hotel is bus, so that’s your sole way to get to the parks and Disney Springs, unless you have a car.
Also, that location can be a bummer. It’s in the Animal Kingdom area, so it’s on the far end of the property. That means the ride to Disney Springs or Magic Kingdom can be particularly long. Even the ride to Animal Kingdom itself isn’t as short as you may think.
Of course, since this is a Deluxe Resort, the price is also higher than many other Disney hotels. Staying in a standard room without a Savanna View makes it one of the most affordable Deluxe options, but if you upgrade to see the animals, you could be paying $500-$1000 a night. That’s certainly a factor to consider.
However, if those problems don’t bother you, then this resort could be the perfect place for you to stay. Plus, you get the Deluxe Resort perk of Extended Evening Hours in the parks.
As you can see, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a unique experience in Disney World that’s the perfect vacation offering for many. If you haven’t stayed there before, we highly recommend giving it a try!
For more recommendations on hotels and tours of the Disney World Resorts, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
My Obsessive Quest for the Best Disney World Hotel Room
Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Let us know in the comments!
It was wonderful. Enjoyed the food, atmosphere and animals. Hotel room was comfortable and staff was accommodating. Would stay here again and highly recommend visiting. Different from the hustle and bustle of other theme parks.