Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in the Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park area. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is an African lodge-style resort amidst a 43-acre wildlife preserve. The Resort offers authentic African-inspired architecture and the kraal African-village landscape design-a semi-circle design popular in Africa which offers expansive views of the surrounding savanna and its many animal inhabitants. Thatched ceilings, large beams, hand-carved golden-tone furnishings, real African artifacts and a vast mud fireplace in the main lobby surround you in the inimitable spirit of Africa.
Just outside the main lobby, an elevated rock platform-Arusha Rock-offers up-close glimpses of the animals and a panoramic view of the sprawling grounds. In addition to animals, thousands of indigenous African shrubs and grasses-including the most recognized canopy tree of Africa, the copperpod-paint a picture reminiscent of the unspoiled African grasslands. Savor authentic African cuisine at the Resort's 2 award-winning restaurants, Jiko - The Cooking Place and Boma - Flavors of Africa. Take a guided tour of the savanna led by African wildlife specialists and relax in the Uzima pool, an 11,000-square-foot zero-depth entry pool that offers a 67-foot-long slide. Offering all this and more, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a wonderful choice for your Walt Disney World vacation.
Exciting Animal Encounters
Featuring over 30 species of wildlife that roam amidst 4 lush, tropical savannas, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offers the unique opportunity to observe exotic animals from special alcoves with glass windows throughout the Resort-and from the balconies of select Guest rooms. Each savanna features a unique look and feel, and is home to different animals.
Among the animals you may see are Ankole Cattle, Bontebok, Eland, Zebra, Greater Kudu, Impala, Okapi, Red River Hog, Nyala, Reticulated Giraffe, Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, Thompson's Gazelle, Waterbuck, White-Bearded Wildebeest, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Blue Crane, East African Crowned Crane, Greater Flamingo, Marabou Stork, Ostrich, Pink-Backed Pelican, Spur Winged Geese, Guinea Fowl and Ruppel's Griffon Vulture!
For a truly unforgettable experience, make reservations for the Wanyama Safari. Enjoy up-close encounters with the Resort's wildlife, followed by a delectable South African feast at Jiko - The Cooking Place. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has been designated by the Florida Green Lodging Program, recognizing the Resort's environmentally responsible practices.
Resort
Most rooms are available with either a king-size bed (available with daybed), two queen-size beds, or one queen-size bed and bunk beds (available with daybed). It is a smoke-free Resort; smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor smoking locations. Accessible rooms and features are offered for Guests with disabilities.
In addition to the Uzima pool and slide, there's a wading pool for little ones, unique animal-themed activities for everyone in your family, a 24-hour, high-tech game room and a 24-hour playground. And don''t forget to take advantage of Simba's Cubhouse, a supervised activity center for children ages 3-12 that affords parents a carefree night on the town. (Additional fee required)
Amenities including room service, irons, ironing boards, hairdryers, and make-up mirrors are available for each room. In-room coffee makers and refrigerators are also available.
Dining
- Jiko: The Cooking Place - Features African-style cooking with influences from the Mediterranean coast, India and Europe. Jiko also features South African vintage wines. The restaurant was designed by designer Jeffrey Beers and emulates an African lodge with a color palette in earth tones. The dining room surrounds an open kitchen which includes twin wood-burning stoves. The private Cape Town Wine Room seats up to forty guests and showcases a collection of wine-based sculptures. Jiko means "a cooking place" in Swahili, thus the restaurant's subtitle "The Cooking Place".
- Boma: Flavors of Africa - Features African-style cooking in a buffet setting. The selection features items from fifty different African countries. The restaurant was designed to resemble an open African marketplace. Food is prepared in view of diners in open cooking areas which allows for interaction between chefs, cooks, and patrons. Boma is a word in Swahili and several other African languages, meaning an enclosure, such as a fort or a livestock pen.
- The Mara - Counter service restaurant serving American food.
- Sanaa - Located in Kidani Village, this restaurant specializes in African Cuisine with Indian flavors and overlooks the savannah. Sanaa means "works of art" in Swahili.
Touring Tips
- The most popular activity at this Lake Buena Vista resort is observing the exotic animals who wander the savannah-like grounds. Guests can stop by viewing areas to catch glimpses of giraffes, ostriches, impalas, and zebras. The large zero-entry pool offers a gently sloping entrance accessible to young children and guests without full mobility, while a 67-foot-long slide zips swimmers into the center with a splash. There is also a children's pool, 24-hour playground, game arcade, and two spa tubs on site.
- Supervised children's activities for ages 4-12 are offered at Simba's Clubhouse, and include Disney movies, computer games, and dinner (surcharges apply). Guests of all ages can venture on a safari or watch the animals roaming about the savannah from the resort public viewing spaces. Complimentary programs include flamingo and pelican feedings, games with savannah guides, storytelling, night-vision tracking, and a horticulture show-and-tell.
- The Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center provides treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, and complimentary use of a sauna and steam room. Guests can also receive a variety of spa treatments (surcharge).
- Resort Airline Check-In Service allows guests to check luggage and receive boarding passes at the hotel. This service accepts one bag per passenger on JetBlue. Guests wishing to check multiple bags on JetBlue or any bags on AirTran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, or US Airways must call 407-284-1231 (5 AM - 11 PM) to pay luggage fees prior to check-in, or guests can check bags at the airport. Guests must pre-book Disney's Magical Express, a complimentary transfer from the Orlando airport to the hotel. Visit www.disneysmagicalexpress.com/USA for registration. This service picks up and delivers luggage directly to guestrooms for those arriving between 5 AM - 10 PM.
- Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
History
This hotel was designed by architect Peter Dominick, who also designed Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. On October 11, 2006, Disney announced to local media that Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge would become home to the newest Disney Vacation Club property, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. On February 18, 2008, Disney announced the first phase of this expansion was complete, and included 109 rooms. The first phase of Kidani Village opened on May 1, 2009. At that time, the main lodge building was renamed Jambo House. The second phase was expected to open autumn 2009.
A separate building named Kidani Village was built to the west of the lodge and houses more than 300 villas. The Sunset Savanna was extended to the new structure and more species of animals were introduced. When lodging in a villa, guests can now stay on the club level. A concierge lounge serves a number of floors. A new pool exclusive to villa residents was built. It is more spacious than the villa pool, and features water slides and an aquatic playground.