Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney's version of an African safari lodge is truly a stunner, a faithful celebration of African wildlife, culture, cuisine, and art. Its authentic architecture combined with grasslands filled with hundreds of roaming exotic animals is simply a stroke of genius. The six-story, horseshoe-shaped structure topped with extravagant thatched rooftops is rustically surrounded by eucalyptus fencing and a glorious savanna. Though often compared to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in design and pricing, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a step above in terms of sophistication.

The imposing, five-story, thatched-roofed lobby is a wonder. Just as at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (both designed by architect Peter Dominick), the first impression is nothing but wow! Resplendent overhead chandeliers formed by Masai shields and spears tower over the boulder-lined lobby. Safari-chic seating areas are extraordinary, with hand-carved coffee tables, handsome handwoven rugs, richly tinted rattan and cane chairs, and relaxing leather sofas adorned with African textile throw pillows, but fabrics are beginning to show wear and are in need of replacement. A rope suspension bridge spans the lobby and draws the eye to balconies carved with graceful antelopes and a 46-foot picture window interposed with the branches of an intricate ironwork tree.The centerpiece of the lobby is the one-of-a-kind sacred Ijele, a 16-foot, dazzling mask created by the Igbo tribe of Nigeria.

Out back sits a massive yellow flame tree poised atop Arusha Rock, an outcropping with panoramic views of the savanna, and nearby a fire pit surrounded by rocking chairs hosts nightly storytelling by the African staff. Lobby and restaurant greeters together with the savanna guides are all cultural representatives from Africa, and they are more than delighted to answer questions or share information and tales of their homeland.

Located within a five-minute drive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (but with no walking path to the park), the animals you’ll see here are exclusively the lodge’s and not part of the theme park’s menagerie.

The design is one that encourages observation of the animals from both common lookouts as well as from 75% of the rooms. Several viewing platforms are staffed by guides helpful in identifying wildlife as well as communicating interesting information about the animals. Each savanna holds different species and patience is sometimes required to spot them. But more times than not you’ll find the savanna brimming with an abundance of prime viewing opportunities including zebra, giraffe, gazelle, ankole cattle, wildebeest, exotic birds, and more.

If for some strange reason you’re bored with this marvelous place, take a tour of the resort’s outstanding collection of museum-quality African art, including intricate masks, amazing beadwork, artifacts dating as far back as 8,500 BC, and much, much more.

1,188 rooms including Jambo House Villas. 2901 Osceola Parkway, Bay Lake, FL 32830; 407-938-3000; Fax 407-938-7102. Check-in 3 p.m.; Check-out 11 a.m.

Accommodations

Guestrooms

Don’t even consider booking a room without a savanna view, well worth every penny for a front row seat in which to view the animals. And don’t forget to bring your binoculars from home! Through a shield-covered door is an attractively designed, honey-colored room outfitted with handcrafted and carved furnishings, torch-shaped lamps, tribal baskets, and ethnic prints. Intricately engraved headboards are draped in a gauzy fabric reminiscent of mosquito netting and beds are covered in vibrant African print spreads. Flat-panel TVs are built into a bureau (one that takes up too much room space), beside which sits a table and two chairs. Baths have a separate granite-topped vanity area boasting double sinks, hairdryer, full-length mirror, make-up mirror, and too-dim lighting. Bathroom walls are covered with maps of Africa and the vanity is topped with a wonderful hand-carved mirror.

Amenities include an iron and ironing board, keyed safe, refrigerator, coffeemaker, and daily newspaper. All rooms have balconies, with 75% of them offering savanna views, but guest rooms at 344 square feet are a bit cramped. Room bedding includes one king, two queens, or a queen-size and bunk beds. Views are standard, overlooking the front of the resort and the parking lot; savanna, overlooking one of three savannas; and pool, overlooking the pool area.

Cara's Tip:At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge are three savannas, each with their own charm. The Kudu Trail savanna now faces the new Animal Kingdom Villas. Beware the standard view rooms that look at the parking area and could possibly be in the valet parking drop-off area with a constant stream of buses and cars passing by your room balcony at all hours of the day and night.

Concierge Rooms

Concierge-level guestrooms come with a view of the savanna and are located on the 4th and 5th floor. The thatch-roofed, sixth-floor Kilimanjaro Club overlooking the lobby offers unusual food and a pleasant ambience, and would be perfect if not for the indifferent wait staff. Extra amenities include the services of a concierge staff, curbside check-in, DVD players, and turndown service. In the morning there’s a continental breakfast of mango, pineapple, and orange juice, Danish pastry, muffins, bagels, croissants, fresh fruit, oatmeal, quinoa, and cereal. Later you’ll find afternoon beverages and snacks of African smoothies, Kettle Chips, cookies, trail mix, spiced nuts, fruit, banana chips, granola bars, goldfish crackers, and gummy bears, with the addition of scones and biscuits at tea time.

In the evening enjoy South African wine and beer as well as cold hors d’oeuvres and hot items from the on-site restaurants, Boma and Jiko, including such goodies as a nightly soup like carrot ginger and butternut squash, samosas, meatballs with Tunisian tomato sauce, palaver stew, mini vegetable bobitie, chicken wings, barbecue pork ribs, assorted cheeses, hummus, yogurt dip, and crudités. Kids enjoy PB&J sandwiches. After-dinner treats include cookies, pineapple cheesecake, minitarts, Rice Krispies treats, mango-filled phyllo dough, cordials, and sometimes zebra domes (ganache-covered chocolate-coffee mousse) from Boma. Lemonade, iced tea, and sodas are available throughout the day. You’ll even find a self-service espresso and cappuccino machine.

A special early morning excursion, the Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure, is available to concierge guests only on Thursday and Sunday at 6:30 a.m. It includes a 45-minute, before-park-hours ride through Kilimanjaro Safaris® at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, followed by a buffet breakfast at Pizzafari.

Suites

One-bedroom suites at 777-square-feet feature a separate parlor with a queen sofa sleeper, easy chair, coffee table, entertainment center, four-person dining table, wet bar with small refrigerator and microwave, writing desk, half bath, and balcony with savanna view. In the bedroom are two queen beds, entertainment center, vanity desk, and balcony. The bath has double sinks, both a tub and large shower, and a separate room for the commode. Sleeps 6.

Two-bedroom suites have the same living room layout, but in the master is a king bed, easy chair and ottoman, and a separate vanity area. A standard-size second bedroom sits off the foyer with two queen beds with a standard bath. Sleeps eight..

For something grand book the newly renovated, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath Royal Assante Suite with more than 2,115 square feet of exotic luxury. Located on the 5th floor and reminiscent of famous African lodges, it offers panoramic views of the main savanna teeming with exotic wildlife. In my opinion this is Disney’s best suite. Just off the entry is the dining room boasting a massive table made from a single tree trunk and eight faux zebra-upholstered chairs. The suite’s highlight is its circular living room with a fascinating thatch ceiling completely surrounded by a stand-up balcony, hardwood and stone flooring, rich African textiles and artwork, a rock fireplace, and hand-carved furnishings including an assortment of easy chairs and a curved sofa. The master bedroom comes with a mosquito net-draped king bed composed of tree trunks, a wall of reed built-ins filled with drawers and a flat-panel TV, and a sitting area with sleeper sofa and drum-style table. The adjoining bath is one of Disney’s best with its free-standing soaking tub, double sinks, vanity, shower, mini TV, and separate commode and bidet area. The second bedroom is standard size with two queen beds. A deep balcony with lounge chairs and outdoor dining table runs the length of both bedrooms, perfect for dinner overlooking the savanna. You’ll also find a half bath with a river rock vanity and raised basin, an office featuring a grass cloth and copper clad desk, and a service kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, wet bar, microwave, and separate entry.

The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath Royal Kuba Vice Presidential Suite at 1,619 square feet, also located on the 5th floor, is another gem. Similar to the Royal Assante Suite, it simply comes with rooms that are a bit smaller in size and without an office, but with the same amazing décor, thatch ceiling, master bedroom, bath, and balcony.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House

Similar to the lodge’s guest rooms with rich, warm fabrics, lovely carved wood furnishings, earthy colors, and a warm atmosphere, they are a winner in my book.
Studios offer 316-365 square feet and come with a queen bed adorned with mosquito netting above the headboard, sleeper sofa, table and two chairs, flat-panel TV in a bureau, freestanding armoire closet, and a balcony. There’s also the typical wet bar mini-kitchen with microwave, sink, and refrigerator. In the bath is a tub and single sink with the commode separate.

The One-Bedroom Villa has 629-710 square feet. You’ll find a small with a full-size stove and refrigerator, sink, and dishwasher and a very small, free-standing island. The parlor has a chocolate brown sleeper sofa, an oversized, pumpkin-colored sleeper easy chair, a table with a two-person bench and two chairs, coffee table, flat-panel TV, and balcony. Most sleep five. The master comes with a king bed, leopard motif carpeting, bureau with TV, desk, and a second balcony. In the bath are double sinks in a granite vanity, whirlpool bathtub decorated with a setting sun Lion King mural, and separate commode area. There’s also a washer, dryer, and two balconies. A Two-Bedroom Villa is a One-Bedroom plus a connecting Studio with 945-1075 square feet.

There are six Grand Villas with three bedrooms, four baths, and 2,349 glorious square feet. All are on one level and are located at the end of each wing.