There are so many different Disney hotels in Orlando that it can seem like a daunting task to figure out which one to stay at for your vacation. Luckily, you can find endless information about each and every resort.
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For this trip to Orlando, we decided to give our son a few options of where he would like to stay. Of course he chose the hotel with all of the animals!
Here is a little information on our family vacation to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Unfortunately, many of my photos from this trip were lost to an Apple update on my phone but here are a few (less than quality) images that I was able to recover.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is considered a Deluxe Resort Hotel within the portfolio of Disney hotels located in Orlando.
This amazing African themed resort has nearly 1,300 guest rooms, many of which have views of the four savannahs built on the resorts grounds. More than 200 animals call the Animal Kingdom Lodge their home!
Keep an eye out during your stay, it’s likely that you will see zebras, giraffes, flamingos and other awesome creatures roaming around the grounds.
As you could have guessed, the hotel is located right next to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park making it extremely convenient if you plan on exploring that park during your trip. A complimentary shuttle provides transportation to all of the parks and even Disney Springs!
For more information on this resort, click here.
We stayed in a Savannah View – Bunk Bed Room, which had one queen bed and one bunk bed. This room is great for a family of four. Having the balcony overlooking one of the Savannah areas was the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee in the morning!
Each morning, our son would wake up and run over to the windows to see what animals were out and roaming around at that time. It was a great way for him to start each day.
Our room was kind of tucked into a corner of the resort so we were a little further from the animals than many of the other rooms but we still had a great view!
Flying into Orlando for your vacation? Check out my post 20 Tips for Traveling on Flights with Kids!
Animal Kingdom Lodge has two pool areas – the Uzima Springs Pool and the Samawati Springs Pool. Both of them are large and can accommodate peak-season crowds.
The Uzima Springs Pool is located right at the heart of the resort and features both a natural beach entry and a 67-foot water slide. This enormous pool is surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation and faces one of the savannahs look outs!
The Samawati Springs Pool also has a zero entry pool but here you will find a 128-foot water slide! This area also has a water playground, known as Uwanja Camp.
Don’t worry about bringing towels to the pool, they are provided at each! Each pool area also has its own bar and lounge area for refreshments and snacks.
If you are able to stay up late enough, Jambo House (by the Uzima Pool) is home to a campfire and movie under the stars each night. Each activity is included in your stay but you will need to purchase a s’mores kit if you are wanting to enjoy this fun dessert while at the campfire!
The Hakuna Matata Playground is located near the flamingos and is a great place for kids to run some energy out! For a little friendly family competition, head over to Pumbaa’s Fun and Games arcade!
Other resort amenities include complimentary wi-fi, at ATM, mailing services, a spa & fitness center, money exchange and even merchandise delivery!
Self parking is currently $25 per night while valet parking is $33 per night.
Like many Disney hotels, the Animal Kingdom Lodge has multiple dining options. Whether you want a sit-down meal, a cocktail lounge, quick service or grab and go, there is something here for you.
I would highly recommend making reservations for dinner at the restaurants that you are interested in! Some of these restaurants are wildly popular and will book up months in advance.
We had a really nice dinner at Jiko one evening. The entire restaurant is centered around an open kitchen which allows you to watch the chefs creating your meal. The waitstaff were really great and helpful. Our server was completely understanding of our fussy toddler and went out of their way to make things easier for us.
For an appetizer, we had the wild boar tenderloin which was delicious. We followed that up with the Moroccan lamb shank and the seafood tagine. Both were fantastic.
This restaurant is located at the ground level of the main building. You can begin your day here with a quick-service breakfast here or enjoy a sit down meal for lunch or dinner.
This restaurant is lively and the food was delicious. While dining, you get to enjoy amazing views of the Savannah through the floor to ceiling glass windows!
Don’t miss the Indian-style bread service. With this appetizer you choose five different breads to accompany a tray of nine different sauces such as jams, chutneys and hummus. It’s delicious and a great way to try out many different flavors!
The chicken biryani and braised beef entrees were also great.
If you are looking for an all-you-can eat buffet, this is your spot. Open for breakfast and dinner, you can dine under a thatched roof while you enjoy American favorites as well as assortment of delicious African inspired dishes.
This grab-and-go spot is located near the Uzima Springs Pool. They serve three meals a day in this cafeteria-like restaurant making it perfect to grab something quick in the morning before heading to the parks or for a fast dinner after a long day.
Other options include Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar, Victoria Falls Lounge, Uzima Springs Pool Bar, and Maji Pool Bar. All have great cocktails and many also have appetizer & snack options too!
Although great for the convenience, if you are looking for a really great lunch, I suggest skipping the food at the pool lounges. We were a little surprised when we ordered sandwiches and fruit salad and they came to us having been made and packaged the day prior.
Overall, we had a really great stay at this hotel. It’s fun being so up close and personal to the animals at your hotel and we also enjoyed some great meals here.
It’s on the pricier side, so if you aren’t planning on spending a ton of time here during your trip, it may be beneficial to stay at one of the more moderately priced Disney hotels.
Planning on going to Universal Studios during your vacation in Orlando? Check out my post Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando!
2901 West Osceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
(407) 938-3000
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