In-Depth Look at Disney's Deluxe Resorts Part 5: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Step into the African savanna into our next part of our in-depth look at Disney's deluxe resorts today in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. This deluxe resort which is adjacent to Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park opened on April 16, 2001. This is many guest's favorite deluxe resort to stay at for the beautiful view as well as seeing all the animals on the resort property.

Animals to be seen at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge include: Anikole Cattle, Bongo, Blesbok, Eland, Grant's Zebra, Greater Kudu, Impala, Reticulated Giraffe, Thomson's Gazelle, Water Buck, Red River Hogs, and White-Bearded Wildebeest. Birds that can be seen at the resort include: Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Blue Crane, East African Crowned Crane, Greater Flamingo, Marabou Stork, Ostrich, Pink-Backed Pelican, and Ruppel's Griffon Vulture.

Here is the overview listed on Disney's website for Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge:

Step into the heart of Africa at this magnificent Resort hotel. Inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design provides spectacular views of 4 lush savannas that over 200 hoofed animals and birds call home. Delight in dazzling pool areas, exciting animal programs and one of the largest collections of African art in the United States as you experience your own African safari adventure with a touch of Disney magic. 

Room Types and Rates:

Rooms at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge are the cheapest of the Disney World deluxe resorts where they begin at $284 a night. You wouldn't believe that this is a deluxe resort at its price but the detail and views of the resort make it just what it is a luxury resort right next to the African savanna. Amenities in the standard rooms of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge include: a hair dryer, coffee maker, in room safe, pack n' play crib, internet with free wi-fi service, telephone with voicemail, and an iron and ironing board.

Standard View Room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

A Standard View room as stated above at its lowest is $284/night with views of the rooftop or parking area. It sleeps up to 4 adults and has the choice of 2 queen beds, a queen bed and a bunk bed, or a king and a daybed. The Pool View rooms start at $331/night, sleeping up to 4 adults, and choices of 2 queen beds, a king bed, or a king bed and a daybed. The Savanna View rooms are $381/night with views of any of the 3 savannas. It also sleeps up to 4 adults and choices of 2 queen beds or a king bed and a daybed. The Arusha View room is $411/night and has views exclusively of the Arusha Savanna at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. It sleeps up to 4 adults and has the same choices of beds as the Savanna View rooms. 

Arusha View Room w/Bunk Bed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Like Disney's Wilderness Lodge bunk beds are an option for rooms at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. As stated above Standard rooms have a choice of bunk beds are starting at $281/night. All rooms have a queen bed and a bunk bed and sleep up to 4 adults. The rooms have different views and are at different price ranges. A Pool View with bunk bed is $351/night, a Savanna View with bunk bed is $421/night, and an Arusha View room with bunk bed is $456/night. 

As with all the other Disney World deluxe resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge has upper tier rooms and suites with club level service. Amenities in these rooms include: evening turndown, opportunity to book and experience the Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure, pre-arrival Walt Disney World Resort itinerary planning, access to concierge service at Kiliminjaro Club, secured key access to the club-level lounge with refreshments served 7 am to 10 pm daily, complimentary health club access, personalized front desk and guest services, complimentary newspapers in the club-level lounge, complimentary fax assistance, plus all the standard room amenities plus a dvd player.

2-Bedroom Suite with Club Level Access at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

There are four different types of rooms with club level access at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. A Standard Room with Club Level Access starts at $457/night with a view of the Arusha Savanna. It sleeps up to 4 adults and has choices of 2 queen beds, a queen bed and a bunk bed, or a king bed and a daybed. The Standard View 1-bedroom suite with club level access is $825/night with views of the rooftop or parking area. It sleeps up to 6 adults and has 2 queen beds and a queen-size sleeper sofa. The 1-Bedroom suite with club level access is $878/night with views of one of the three savannas. It sleeps up to 6 adults and has 2 queen beds and a queen-size sleeper sofa. Your last choice for a room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is the 2-bedroom suite with club level access starting at $1,679/night and views of one of the three savannas. This suite sleeps up to 8 adults and choices of a queen bed, bunk bed, king bed, and a queen-size sleeper sofa or a king bed, 2 queen beds, and a queen-size sleeper sofa.

Dining:

Dining at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge as described on Disney World's website is that they serve award-winning, African inspired specialties as well as American favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner amidst a lush, wildlife African preserve. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offers fine/signature dining, unique/themed dining, quick-service, lounges, and in-room dining. 

Jiko - The Cooking Place at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has one fine/signature dining experience in Jiko - The Cooking Place. Jiko is the fine dining experience that has vibrant spices, crackling wood-burning ovens, and a boutique of South African wines that will transport you to the heart of Africa. There is a dress code where tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentleman, cut-offs, torn clothing and shirts with offensive language and graphics are not permitted in the restaurant. 

Sanaa a Unique/Themed Dining Experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

There three different unique/themed dining experiences at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Starting with Boma - Flavors of Africa where you can experience a restaurant that resembles an African Marketplace that serves all you can eat buffets for breakfast and dinner. At Sanaa (pictured above) you can experience the art of African cooking with Indian flavors as you watch exotic animals roam the Sunset Savanna. Finally at the Jiko Wine Tasting you can enjoy South Africa's distinguished varietals all while sampling the complimentary tastes of exquisite cheese pairings of your choice.

Also at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge there are three quick-service options to choose from for guests. The Mara which serves African stew, pitas, half-chicken dinners, and more. American favorites like burgers and flatbreads are also available. Breakfast is served until 11 am. There are also two pool bars with the Maji Pool Bar and the Uzima Springs Pool Bar. The Lodge also provides two lounges in the Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar and Victoria Falls Lounge. Room Service is all available form 6 am till midnight.

Recreation and Amenities at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge:

As with all Disney World resorts there isn't just your room and dining for your hotel stay at the Walt Disney World Resort. There are many spots of recreation throughout the resort. There are two pools both with waterslides in the Uzima Pool and the Samawati Springs Pool. Other sources of recreation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge include:

• Simba's Clubhouse for preschoolers (0-5) and kids (6-9)
• Jambo House Campfire Activities
• Hakuna Matata Playground
• Jogging Trails
• Pumbaa's Fun and Games Arcade

Amenities at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge include:

• Disney Bus transportation to all theme parks
• Complimentary use of Disney's Magical Express to and from Orlando International Airport
• Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet Access
• Complimentary Parking
• Valet Parking
• Online Check-in
• Resort Airline Check-in
• 24-hour ATM and Banking
• Childcare Services
• Designated Smoking Area throughout the resort (Except in room)
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
• Locker Rentals
• Mail Services
• Merchandise Delivery and Pickup
• Resort Concierge
• Spa & Fitness at Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center

As you can see Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has everything you need for staying at a deluxe resort in Walt Disney World. I have never stayed here but in the future I would love to stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge just to experience the views and feelings of being on the African savanna. That just about ends our in-depth look at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. We still have 4 more deluxe resorts to look into, tune in next week for part 6 in the series: The Boardwalk Inn.