Quick Look:

Layout: The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a unique resort experience, and the only deluxe resort located in the Animal Kingdom Resort area.  If you check out the map here, you can see that building form a circular pattern around the hub of the savanna. Because of this you can opt to stay in a savanna-view room and watch animal roam the grounds as you wake up and prepare for your Disney day!

Rooms: There are 972 rooms at AKL, all featuring vibrant African-inspired art.  Most have 2 queen or 1 king size bed and come with the standard deluxe amenities (fridge, safe, internet access, flat screen tv, cable or satellite, iron, hair dryer).

Shopping: You can visit Zawadi Marketplace in AKL for not only African and Animal themed merchandise but Disney World merchandise as well as sundries an clothes.  Over at the villas there is a similar store called Johari Treasures.

Recreation: Simba’s Cubhouse kid’s program, Fitness center, Tennis, Arcades, and even Safari tours (to be booked in advance)

Pools: There are main pools located on both the DVC and hotel property as well as kid’s play areas and two whirlpools.

DVC: The popular vacation club property here at AKL is called Kidani Village.  You can view a full map here, and see that similar to the main hotel the building work around the savanna (only making more of a “w” pattern here).

Tips: Even though Animal Kingdom Lodge and Kidani Village are Deluxe Resorts they do not offer the same ease of transportation of the Epcot or Magic Kingdom deluxes, therefore you will find that most times of year AKL is actually a little cheaper than these other hotel choices!

Dining Options:

Find a complete overview of dining here

Sit down restaurants: Boma, Sanaa

Quick service restaurants: The Mara

Bars & Quick Stops: Cape Town Lounge, Victoria Falls Bar, Maji and Uzima Springs

Signature/Dinner Shows: Jiko- The Cooking Place

Transportation:

To Magic Kingdom: Bus

To Epcot: Bus

To Animal Kingdom:  Bus

To Hollywood Studios: Bus

To Downtown Disney:  Bus

To Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon:  Bus

Melissa has created Chip & Company’s ‘Guide to Walt Disney World: Restaurant & Snack Options’ posts as well as chronicling her Disney baking (and cooking) exploits In the Kitchen. She also writes original articles about her experiences visiting Walt Disney World and finding Disney magic in her home state of New York. Melissa is a World History teacher and you can find her on tumblr. Oh & you should probably know she believes in fairytales.