Family Travel Guide for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

We stayed as a guest of Disney

When looking for a resort for your family to stay at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a premier vacation destination where families will have an unforgettable vacation experience. The resort is unlike any other with an African safari surrounding the property complete with real animals, and many of the rooms have a balcony that overlooks the animals on the savanna.

The resort is divided into two different sections, Jambo House, and Kidani Village. Jambo House is where most families stay when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for a vacation, and Kidani Village is home to many Disney Vacation Club Members. However, guests have access to the facilities at both locations, and a complimentary shuttle is available.

Rooms
The rooms are spacious at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. We stayed in a room with a savanna view where I was able to wake-up to giraffes right outside my resort room window. Every morning, I would wake-up, and watch the sunrise on the savanna while sitting on the outdoor balcony. My room featured a queen size bed and bunk beds for the kids. There was an entertainment center, small dining table, mini-refrigerator, and coffee maker. The closet was large enough to accommodate luggage for a large family, and there was a spacious vanity area with a private shower room.

Dining
There are many different dining options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. From quick service to fine dining, there are dining options for every family’s needs while staying at the resort.

Sanaa
Sanaa is my favorite restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is located in Kidani Village, and families can dine while looking out the windows at the different animals on the savanna.

Jiko – The Cooking Place
It is the fine dining restaurant at the resort, and I recommend getting reservations in advance. It is open from 5:30-10pm, and offers incredible African cuisine in a chic, upscale dining environment.

Boma – Flavors of Africa
Boma is a go-to place for breakfast and dinner at the resort. They offer a buffet with endless food options, so there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy. The restaurant has a spacious open-air dining ambiance where families will feel at home while dining.

The Mara
It is a perfect place for a quick bite or when your kids get hungry late at night. They have hot food offerings along with pre-packaged salads, fruit, and more. It is open from 6 am to 1:30 am, and has a large indoor dining area. I recommend families visiting Mara upon arrival to stock-up their room with bottled water and snacks for the kids.

Uzima Springs Pool Bar and Maji Pool Bar
Both of the pools at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have a pool bar. The Maji pool bar at Kidani Village is larger than the one at Jambo House, and both are a great place to get a refreshing drink to sip on while watching the kids splash and play in the warm pool waters.

Victoria Falls Lounge
The lounge features a beautiful bar made of rich dark woods. It overlooks Boma – Flavors of Africa and is a place where parents can get a cocktail after a fun day exploring Walt Disney World before returning to their room for some much-needed rest.

Shopping
There is Johari Treasures at Kidani Village and Zawadi Marketplace at Jambo House. The stores offer everything from snacks to souvenirs. If your family doesn’t have time to shop for souvenirs in the parks, then there are endless options available at the two stores.

Entertainment
Children will be entertained for hours at one of the two arcades. There is the ‘Safari So Good Arcade’ at Kidani Village, and ‘Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade’ at Jambo House. There is a fee for children to play games in the arcade and is an excellent place for kids to unwind after a busy day in the parks. For children who have too much energy at the end of the day, there is a large playground for children to run around before heading back to the room to rest.

Pools
The pools are very different at Jambo House and Kidani Village. The ‘Uzima Pool’ at Jambo House is large with one small waterslide flowing into it. There are multiple small jacuzzis hidden throughout the pool area and one children’s pool. The ‘Samawati Springs Pool’ at Kidani Village features a larger waterslide, splash pad and jacuzzi. There are also tennis courts and barbecue grills just a short distance away from the Samawati Springs Pool.

Fitness Centers
The two fitness centers at the resort offer high-tech fitness equipment for parents to keep in shape while visiting Walt Disney World. Both the fitness centers are located near the pools and have water and fresh towels available. The Zahanati Fitness Center at Jambo House has a large facility where parents can make reservations for a relaxation massage while on vacation.

Simba’s Clubhouse
For parents who want to have a date night, Simba’s Clubhouse offers childcare services. They are open from 4:30 pm to 11:55 pm and the cost is $15 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Children ages 2-12 years can be supervised by premier childcare staff and advanced reservations are required.

There are animals everywhere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. For families who don’t have a room with a balcony overlooking the savanna, there are lookout points throughout the resort to watch the African animals.

Transportation to the Walt Disney World parks is convenient with a complimentary bus service to transport families to the park of their choice.

What better time to plan a vacation to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge than now with the upcoming release of the film “Zootopia?” Your family will have a magical vacation experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the film will come to life for your children when coming to stay at the resort after seeing the movie. “Zootopia” is out in theaters on March 4th.