Updated October 2026
Animal Kingdom Lodge is far from everything, and that's exactly why you should book it. Real giraffes and zebras live right outside. You trade a longer bus ride for the most relaxing stay at Disney World.
I stayed two nights in June 2026 with my husband and my 10-year-old son. This Animal Kingdom Lodge review covers what to do, where to eat and which room to book. It also covers the one thing that disappointed me.
What's Inside This Article
What Is Animal Kingdom Lodge?
It's a Deluxe resort, Disney's top hotel tier, shaped like a horseshoe around four savannas. The animals are the view. And it starts the moment you walk in: the lobby entrance is magnificent.
A few things set it apart from every other Disney hotel:
- Real animals. Over 200 hoofed animals and birds live on the savannas. That's over 30 species, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos.
- The art. It holds one of the largest collections of African art in the United States.
- Two buildings. Jambo House is the main lodge, where we stayed. Kidani Village is a short walk away, or a quick shuttle, which is how I got there.
Is Animal Kingdom Lodge Too Far From the Parks?
It's far, and it's bus only. Here's how that compares with three other Deluxe resorts:
| Resort | Getting to the parks | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | Bus only | Longest trips, calmest setting |
| Wilderness Lodge | Boat to Magic Kingdom, plus bus | Close to Magic Kingdom, still tucked away |
| Polynesian Village | Monorail, boat to Magic Kingdom, plus bus | Fastest to Magic Kingdom, busier |
| Contemporary | Monorail, walking path to Magic Kingdom, plus bus | The only walk to Magic Kingdom |
To be fair, the resorts closer to Magic Kingdom win on one thing. From the Polynesian or the Contemporary, you get to Magic Kingdom in no time. That's especially great if you're staying late for After Hours or a party.
But here's my take: this is one of the best hotels at Disney World, together with Wilderness Lodge, because it's away from the crowds. I haven't stayed at the Polynesian or the Contemporary. I have eaten at the Polynesian, and it was always busy and full of people just visiting.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is for people who like to slow down and actually rest on their vacation. It's for people who want great food, not cafeteria chicken fingers.
Personal Tip: The buses are honestly not that bad. The hotel isn't huge, so there was always space on the early buses, unlike Coronado Springs.
What to Do at Animal Kingdom Lodge
You could spend a full day here without going near a park:
- Watch the animals from the savanna viewing decks. Every room has a Wildlife Field Guide to help you name them.
- Take the Jambo House Lobby Art Tour. It's free, guided and about 30 minutes. It usually starts at 11 a.m., so check the resort's activity schedule.
- Join a program led by the resort's Animal Specialists.
- Let the kids loose at Hakuna Matata Playground, which overlooks the flamingos, or at Pumbaa's Fun and Games Arcade.
- Stay for the evening. There's a campfire with marshmallows from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Arusha Savanna Overlook. Movies Under the Stars starts at 8 p.m. on select nights.
My favorite way to see it was early. On our second morning I walked the whole resort on my own, starting at 6:30 a.m. The lobby was empty, the pool was catching the sunrise, and I had the savanna lookouts to myself.
Personal Tip: My favorite spots are the ones most guests miss: the art collection and the sitting area just past check-in. It's always, always empty.
Where to Eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge: Boma, Sanaa and Jiko
The food is one of the reasons to pick this resort. I ate at Jiko and The Mara. For Boma and Sanaa, you get the facts and their reputation.
- Jiko – The Cooking Place (Jambo House): the signature restaurant, serving a blend of African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine at dinner only. It's number 3 on my Pocket Guide's fine dining list. Plan at least 2 hours.
- Boma – Flavors of Africa (Jambo House): an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet at breakfast and dinner, with dishes from over 50 African countries. It runs $35 to $59.99 per adult.
- Sanaa (Kidani Village): African cooking with Indian flavors, at tables that look onto the savanna. It's known for the Indian-style bread service. Entrées run $15 to $34.99.
- The Mara (Jambo House): the quick-service spot.
- Lounges: Victoria Falls Lounge and Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar.
Hours and prices change, so check the My Disney Experience app.
Jiko was fabulous. We had dinner there on our first night, at a window table. We started with the bread service, and I had steak with a mac and cheese dish that was delicious.
The Mara was OK. The food wasn't as good as the quick service at the Grand Floridian, but it did for us.
Personal Tip: The restaurants we used handled my family's food allergies fine, as usual. Allergies are also why we skipped Boma and Sanaa, since I didn't see many options for us or for kids. That's my family's call, not a verdict. Disney lists kids' dishes at both.
The Night Safari and Other Extras
The Starlight Safari is the Lodge's night safari. We didn't do it on this stay, so here are the facts without an opinion.
You ride for about an hour in an open-sided vehicle on the Lodge's savanna, with a night vision device. It runs between 8:30 and 10 p.m. and costs $89 to $99 per person, plus tax. Confirm the current price on Disney's Starlight Safari page.
There's also Wild About Painting, on Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. It costs $45 per person, plus tax, and Disney recommends it for ages 12 and up.
Pools
Here's my honest miss: the main pool was a disappointment.
We spent our arrival afternoon at Uzima Pool, with frozen drinks from the pool bar. It was too hot, and there weren't enough seats or shade. Nobody was checking that only resort guests were using it. It looked very crowded for the size of the hotel. The slide is very small for older kids. The pool at Coronado Springs is much better.
For the record, here's what each pool has:
- Uzima Pool (Jambo House): 11,000 square feet, with a waterslide and zero-depth entry. It also has a kids' wading pool and 2 whirlpool spas.
- Samawati Springs Pool (Kidani Village): a waterslide, 2 whirlpool spas and the Uwanja Camp water playground. We didn't try this one.
Rooms and Views: Is a Savanna View Worth It?
Yes. The view is the whole point of staying here.
Standard rooms come in three views: Resort View (rooftop or parking area), Water View (the pool) and Savanna View. They sleep up to 4, and every room has a patio or balcony. Club Level adds a lounge. Villas and studios add kitchens or kitchenettes.
I booked a Resort View room and got an unpaid upgrade to a partial savanna view. Don't count on that. But it showed me what the view is worth. On our last morning we watched giraffes and birds from the balcony.
Personal Tip: Partial savanna views are the best. It's amazing to see animals any time you want, even over breakfast. I would only book this hotel with a partial or full savanna view.
Disney doesn't sell a “partial savanna” room, so book Savanna View.
What it cost me: about $350 a night in mid-June. That was the Resort View price, booked with a bounce back offer. Book your next visit soon after you check out, usually with the highest discounts available. Check Disney's Special Offers page too.
Who Is Animal Kingdom Lodge For?
This is Finding Your Magic in action. Before you plan anything, ask everyone in your group what they want from the trip. If someone's answer is animals, kid or adult, this is their resort.
It's a natural match for a full day at Animal Kingdom and Kilimanjaro Safaris. My Animal Kingdom one-day itinerary has that plan. It's also a great place for a rest day, and I build one in after every two park days. That's my general advice, though. We didn't take a full resort day on this stay since it was such a short one…but we spent plenty of time exploring the grounds.
Skip it if your trip is built around Magic Kingdom or EPCOT and travel time matters most.
My verdict? It's absolutely the best relaxing place, with a mini “animal bubble” within the Disney bubble. It's perfect for people who want a slow trip to Disney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Animal Kingdom Lodge too far from the parks?
It's bus only, with the longest trips to the other parks. On my stay, the early buses always had space. Pick a monorail resort instead if Magic Kingdom is your priority.
Can you see animals from your room at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Yes, from a Savanna View room. Resort View rooms face the rooftop or parking area, and Water View rooms face the pool.
What are the best restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Jiko, Boma and Sanaa are the three big names. I ate at Jiko and it was fabulous. Boma and Sanaa are considered some of the best at Disney.
Do you need a reservation for Boma or Sanaa?
Disney highly recommends reservations for both. Sanaa has limited same-day availability, and Sanaa Lounge next door is first come, first served.
Can you do the night safari without staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Yes. The Starlight Safari is open to all Walt Disney World guests. Check-in is at Kidani Village, and it's for ages 8 and up.
Far from everything is the point. Book the savanna view, slow down, and let the animals set the pace. See you on the balcony. 🦒
Read More
- Animal Kingdom One-Day Itinerary
- Budget-Friendly Trip to Animal Kingdom
- 10 Tips to a Magical First Trip to Disney World
- Year of Disney Challenge
Get my free Pocket Guide to First Time Disney World → https://robertawest.com/disney-guide
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