UPDATED November 27, 2024

JAMBO! Welcome to Disney World’s uniquely beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Walt Disney World offers three Resort hotel levels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Resort. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is also home to Disney Vacation Club Villas at Kidani Village.

This truly stunning Resort is unlike any other in Walt Disney World — or anywhere else, for that matter!

Deluxe amenities, memorable Resort activities, a wide range of fantastic and flavorful dining, lovely and relaxing pools, and much more are all part of the Animal Kingdom Lodge experience. However, what truly sets this Resort apart are the over 200 animals and birds that call the savannas of Animal Kingdom Lodge “home!”

If you’d like to jump to a specific topic, simply click on any of the links below:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge Atmosphere
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Guest Rooms
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Tours and Special Activities
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Amenities and Activities
• Disney World Resort Hotel Guest Benefits
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Shopping
• Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation

Let’s get to know this remarkable Disney destination!

Atmosphere

As Disney shares, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge invites you into the “heart of Africa,” with four savannas housing over 200 hoofed animals from over 30 species and birds offering a truly stunning and unique feature of the Resort.

You may spy zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and more.

And you’ll have new friends to guide you, as you may encounter an Animal Specialist at the overlooks (and more spaces around the Resort) offering fun and education programming.

You can also explore on your own thanks to Wildlife Spotting Guides placed in Guest Rooms.

Lobby Concierge can provide extra copies, as well, so you don’t miss a thing.

While the savannas alone offer plenty of reasons to enjoy the Resort’s outdoor settings, the Resort also presents “one of the largest collections of African art in the United States,” according to Disney.

Let’s check-in…

… and explore!

Dining

Guests at Animal Kingdom Lodge have a wide array of dining options to enjoy, from fine dining to quick service to relaxing lounges, and beyond!

Table Service Restaurants

From all-you-care-to-eat dining options to fine signature dining, Animal Kingdom offers several of our favorite Table Service (sit-down) restaurants in all of Walt Disney World!

Boma gives visitors the opportunity to sample a wide variety African dishes while also dining on American favorites during breakfast or dinner.

Jiko — The Cooking Place, the Lodge’s Signature Restaurant, comes highly recommended if you enjoy excellent, gourmet food in a lovely and tranquil atmosphere.

Sanaa, which means “Work of Art” in Swahili, is a beautiful restaurant serving a fusion of African and Indian cuisine made with authentic cooking methods like slow-roasting and tandoori oven cooking.

You’ll find Sanaa in Kidani Village. And be aware that Sanaa also offers Table Service To Go!

Boma vs. Sanaa vs. Jiko: Click HERE to Find Our Comparison of Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants!

And find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge HERE.

Counter Service Dining

Named after the Masai Mara National Reserve in Africa, The Mara is a quick service restaurant that’s sure to please all appetites with a taste of Africa, as well as American favorites, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Bars and Lounges

Victoria Falls is a relaxing oasis perched above Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Boma restaurant. Enjoy a glass of South African wine, or indulge in your favorite martini, beer or mixed drink.

Or just stop in on your way out to the parks to grab a quick bite from the unique appetizer menu including crisp breads and African dips, marinated olives, and more.

Tucked into the entrance of the Table Service restaurant, Sanaa, the exotic ambiance of the Sanaa Lounge is the perfect setting before or after visiting the savanna overlooks at the Kidani Village.

With dim lighting and cozy banquettes, this is an intimate watering hole with specialty beverages, wine flights, and signature appetizers. (You can order Sanaa’s Indian-style Bread Service here, too.)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers several lovely respites, and among them is Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar located en route to the main dining room at the Resort’s signature restaurant, Jiko — The Cooking Place.

This wine bar serves appetizers and pairings of African wines along with hand-crafted cocktails, dessert wines, and more.

The Uzima Springs Pool Bar is a relaxing oasis at the pool at Jambo House, complete with a thatched roof and surrounded by lush foliage.

Did you know that Maji is Swahili for “water”?

Luckily, the Maji Pool Bar at Kidani Village in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge serves other liquids as well: cocktails (served frozen and on the rocks), wine, and draft beer, including Safari Amber.

We chat about the BEST Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants HERE.

Guest Rooms

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge features options including standard Guest Rooms, Studios, and Villas, along with options for accommodations with Club Level Concierge services. The Lodge is comprised of Jambo House (the main building, which includes standard guest rooms among the options) and Kidani Village. 

Kidani Village is home to the Disney Vacation Club Villas featuring options for Studios and one-, two-, and three- bedroom Villas which can sleep from 6 to 8 Adults. (Note that Studios offer kitchenettes, while the Villas offer kitchens.)

In Jambo House, Guests Rooms include choices of Resort View, Water View, Pool View and the popular Savanna View (where you can see the animals directly from your room’s balcony).

Our photos are of a Standard Room in Jambo House, which come with either a King bed or two Queen beds and can sleep up to 4 Adults.  

The beautifully themed rooms include features like nightstands with easy access outlets.

Spaces to relax include a small table with chairs.

The coffee bar includes a Keurig and a gorgeous nod to The Lion King.

A mini-fridge can chill drinks or late-night snacks. (We recommend storing extra Zebra Domes in here. 😉 )

An especially appreciated feature for families are double sinks that are separated from the shower area, so more than one person can get ready at once.

Glass-encased showers also offer a full-sized tub.

And here’s a look at the toilet and shelving for towels and toiletries.

In keeping with Disney’s environmentally friendly initiatives, the shower features refillable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash dispensers.

Take a Photo Tour to see even MORE details of an Animal Kingdom Lodge Guest Room here!

Tours and Special Experiences

Starlight Safari

Enjoy a nighttime safari on the Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna with the Starlight Safari!

Since this hour-long experience takes place well after the sun goes down, guests will receive night vision goggles to spot the African wildlife that call the savanna home. Over 30 species reside at the Lodge including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, antelopes, flamingos, and more.

Wild About Painting

Wild About Painting invites guests to create their own work of art — while enjoying savanna views (and a complimentary Mimosa, for of-age guests) on select dates!

This experience is typically offered at Jiko — The Cooking Place on Wednesdays from 1 – 3PM for a fee of $35.00. Simply e-mail  [email protected] to reserve your spot, or stop by the Front Desk to inquire about openings!

Amenities and Activities

Guests can enjoy the spacious Uzima Springs Pool (complete with a waterslide) at the Jambo House and the Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village. Each are accompanied by two whirlpool spas.

And the Front Desk will provide you with information about current Resort Activities which may include options like Movies Under the Stars, Pool Parties, evening Campfires, and additional activities for a nominal fee such as Arts and Crafts that you can take home!

You will also see signs alerting to the day’s and week’s activities around the Resort so you don’t miss any of the fun!

Many activities offered at the Resort are entirely unique to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Guests have several opportunities to interact with Cultural Representatives and Animal Specialists in fun, family-friendly programming.

“Daily Adventures” may include — but are by no means limited to! — Cultural Safaris, Culinary Tours, Animal Viewing with Night Vision, Cookie Decorating, Bead Activities, African Games, Music and Drumming, and more.

Additional recreation options include pickleball (all the equipment you’ll need to play is complimentary) and tennis courts. Guests also have 24-hour access to the Zahanati Fitness Center.

Get your game on at Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade! And kiddos can get their wiggle out at the Hakuna Matata Playground.

Additional amenities for Resort guests include complimentary Wi-Fi, currency exchange, self-service laundry rooms, mail services, and online check-in.

Additional Benefits

MORE Theme Park Hours

Guest staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have access to ADDITIONAL hours in the Disney World theme parks!

Early Theme Park Entry allows guests to enter any of the parks 30 minutes early to get a head start on their day in the parks!

This benefit is available for ANY theme park every day. Please note that guests need a valid theme park ticket for the park they’re planning to visit in order to gain early access.

The Disney World Parks also offer Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for select guests, giving them extra hours in the parks at night! Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge qualify for this benefit, as it is exclusively to guests who are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Walt Disney World Resort hotel for the length of their stay. 

Guests attending Extended Evening Hours need a valid ticket for that theme park. Alternatively, they may visit with a Park Hopper. Click HERE to see the schedule for Extended Evening Hours!

Find out more about EXTRA Theme Park Hours for Disney Resort hotels guests HERE!

Early Access to Lightning Lanes for Theme Park Attractions

Lightning Lane Multi Pass is an optional paid service available through the My Disney Experience app which allows you to bypass standby lines and enter the Lightning Lane at select attractions in the parks by paying a base price for multiple attractions. When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can make up to 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections in a park in advance of your visit.

Additionally, guests may opt to purchase Lightning Lane Single Passes via the My Disney Experience app. Lightning Lane Single Pass is essentially a pay-per-ride service. Guests pay a fee to utilize the Lightning Lane for an individual, in-demand attraction.

DISNEY WORLD RESORT GUEST BENEFIT: Those staying at a Disney World Resort hotel (including Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) can purchase and select their first 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections and/or Lightning Lane Single Passes up to seven days in advance of their check-in day for their entire stay (up to 14 days), with all other guests being able to purchase and select their first 3 Lightning Lane Multi Passes three days in advance.

Eligibility to Purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass

An additional Lightning Lane option called Lightning Lane Premier Pass is an inclusive option that grants one-time entry into EVERY Lightning Lane entry in a given park for one price, eliminating the need to monitor Lightning Lane availability and make new Lighting Lane reservations throughout the day, and granting the ability to simply show up at an attraction and enter the Lightning Lane (as opposed to booking a specific time).

Lightning Lane Premier Pass is available in “very limited quantities” for Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels including Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Learn everything you need to know about Lightning Lanes in Disney World HERE!

“Hey, Disney!”

“Hey, Disney!” offers “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Resort hotels in Walt Disney World!

This complimentary service, which works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, assists guests with room amenities, guest services, planning, and weather info… AND it brings along LOTS of extra Disney MAGIC to make all of these things a lot more FUN!

Click HERE to learn MUCH more about “Hey, Disney!”

Shopping

Of course, you’ll want to grab a souvenir (or ten 😉 ) to remember your Walt Disney World trip and your stay at the Lodge.

In Jambo House, you’ll find the Zawadi Marketplace, and in Kidani Village you can shop at Johari Treasures.

Looks for items unique to Animal Kingdom Lodge along with other Walt Disney World souvenirs.

Transportation

Guests have complimentary access to Disney Bus Transportation to and from all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), water parks, and Disney Springs.

And, of course, the nearest park is Disney’s beautiful Animal Kingdom!

Watch our video from our DFB YouTube Channel below to see MORE from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to help you decide if it’s the right choice for YOUR Walt Disney World vacation!

Considering a stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge? Get the Magic started and complete a request for a price quote. An agent will review your travel preferences and provide you with a no-obligation quote along with their phone number so you can talk with them.