This is our review of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, at Walt Disney World.

After finishing an epic adventure cruising around Antarctica, we found ourselves landing at Miami Airport, ready for a very different kind of trip: a short, magical getaway to Walt Disney World. Tired but excited, we picked up a rental car and drove the 230 miles north to Orlando for a two-night stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

This wasn’t our usual way to arrive at Disney, but after a month of cold weather and rugged expeditions, the Florida sunshine – and the promise of a savanna view room – sounded pretty much perfect.

We filmed our full experience — from the drive up to the hotel, room tour, food, facilities, and our honest thoughts — and you can watch it all here:

Where is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Animal Kingdom Lodge is located right next to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. In fact, it’s so close that you can see the park’s famous Tree of Life peeking over the treetops from certain spots around the hotel.

However, the Lodge is farther from the other parks like Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. Getting to them means a bus journey of 20–30 minutes each way, depending on traffic and timing. Disney provides complimentary buses, and while they are convenient, having to rely on them can add a bit of extra waiting time to your day.

That said, being slightly removed from the main “hub” means Animal Kingdom Lodge feels like a peaceful retreat, and you are fully wrapped inside that famous Disney bubble — everything is beautifully themed, and you hardly notice the outside world.

The immediate surroundings

If you’re looking for hustle and bustle, this isn’t the resort for you. The Lodge sits surrounded by lush greenery and open savannas populated by live animals, creating a peaceful and secluded atmosphere that feels a world away from the busy parks.

Despite its remote feel, the lodge itself is very well-equipped, with a choice of dining options, a large pool area, a gym, and a handful of shops — all of which we’ll cover in more detail shortly.

Inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Walking into Jambo House — the main building — is breathtaking. Towering ceilings, huge wooden beams, intricate carvings, and giant windows overlooking the savanna instantly set the tone.

The theming here feels premium and grown-up. Unlike some other Disney hotels (where the décor can verge on cartoonish), Animal Kingdom Lodge manages to feel sophisticated while still weaving in plenty of Disney magic.

We arrived a little before official check-in time and had to wait about an hour for our room, which was a bit frustrating given the price we were paying. Still, it gave us the chance to explore the beautiful lobby and grab a snack from The Mara while we waited.

Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

We had booked a Savanna View King Room, and walking in, we were immediately impressed. The room was spacious, bright, and much larger than Disney’s moderate-category hotels we’ve stayed at in the past.

The king-size bed was absolutely one of the most comfortable we’ve slept in at Disney. The bedding was plush, and the pillows were plentiful, making it incredibly tempting just to collapse and never leave.

The room design felt thoughtful — lots of plug sockets, an empty fridge for our own drinks, a Keurig coffee machine stocked with Joffrey’s coffee pods, and subtle Lion King touches throughout the artwork and furnishings.

The bathroom was huge, with double vanities, a large walk-in shower, and Disney’s signature H2O+ toiletries (which smelled exactly like Disney Cruise Line — instant nostalgia!).

Of course, the big selling point was the savanna view. Sitting on our balcony and watching giraffes, zebras, and other animals wander past was magical — at least at first. If we’re being honest, once the novelty wore off, we didn’t find ourselves glued to the balcony the way we thought we might. It’s a wonderful feature, but if you plan to spend most of your day at the parks, you might wonder whether the extra cost for a savanna view room is really justified.

Dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

After such a long travel day, we skipped the formal restaurants and opted for a casual dinner at The Mara, the hotel’s quick-service location.

Food here was surprisingly good. The flatbread pizzas were delicious — freshly cooked right in front of us — and the chicken rice bowls were packed with vegetables and flavour. It wasn’t cheap (around $50 for two meals and drinks), but the quality was noticeably better than standard theme park fare.

Animal Kingdom Lodge also hosts two of Disney’s top-rated restaurants — Boma (buffet) and Jiko (signature dining). We didn’t dine there this time, but both have excellent reputations, and they’re part of what makes this hotel feel a step above.

One evening, while walking around the resort at sunset, we stumbled across free marshmallow roasting by the campfire — such a simple, fun touch that felt completely magical.

Facilities at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Pools:

There are two large pools across the resort: the Uzima Springs Pool at Jambo House and the Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village. Both pools are beautifully landscaped, have fun waterslides, and are surrounded by whirlpool spas. Whether you’re after a relaxing soak or a proper swim, there’s plenty of space to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Fitness Center:

Guests have 24-hour access to the Zahanati Fitness Center, a well-equipped gym offering free weights, cardio machines, and more. Perfect if you’re trying to balance all the delicious Disney dining with a bit of exercise.

Dining and Lounges:

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a real standout when it comes to food.

Boma – Flavors of Africa offers an impressive buffet at breakfast and dinner with both African specialties and familiar American favorites.
Jiko – The Cooking Place is a signature dining restaurant, perfect for a gourmet evening meal with a strong South African influence.
Sanaa (over at Kidani Village) serves up African and Indian fusion cuisine, including their famous Indian-style bread service, with beautiful views overlooking a smaller savanna.
Quick-service options include The Mara, where we grabbed freshly made pizzas and hearty bowls.
For drinks and light bites, there’s a choice of relaxing lounges like Victoria Falls Lounge and Cape Town Wine Bar, and even two pool bars if you want a cocktail without leaving your sun lounger.

Activities and Entertainment:

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a wide range of complimentary activities that really make the resort feel special:

Campfire s’mores each evening — a real highlight, especially for us as it’s not something common back home in the UK!
Movies Under the Stars by the pool.
Wildlife talks and educational programs led by Animal Specialists and Cultural Representatives.
Wildlife Spotting Guides in your room to help you identify animals around the savanna.
Bead activities, African drumming, cookie decorating, and even arts and crafts sessions (some of which come with a small fee).

If you’re looking for something extra special, the hotel offers paid experiences like the Starlight Safari — a nighttime drive through the savanna using night-vision goggles to spot the animals — and Wild About Painting, a relaxing art class with savanna views (and even a mimosa if you’re of age!).

Shops:

The lodge features two shops: Zawadi Marketplace at Jambo House and Johari Treasures at Kidani Village. Both stock a good range of Disney souvenirs, African crafts, and essentials like snacks and drinks. It’s easy to lose track of time browsing here — especially with some of the resort-specific merchandise you won’t find anywhere else.

Arcade and Playground:

Families can head to Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade for some classic Disney fun, while little ones can burn off energy at the Hakuna Matata Playground near the pool area.

Transportation:

Animal Kingdom Lodge provides complimentary bus transportation to all four Disney parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks. Buses run frequently, although you’ll want to allow extra travel time given the resort’s slightly remote location.

(One bonus: if you’re driving, parking at the hotel is free for resort guests, saving you about $30 per day.)

Extra Perks for Disney Hotel Guests:

Guests at Animal Kingdom Lodge benefit from Early Theme Park Entry, allowing access to the parks 30 minutes before regular opening each day, and Extended Evening Hours on select nights (for Deluxe Resort guests only). These extra hours made a big difference for us — less queuing, cooler temperatures, and a more relaxed experience in the parks.

Final thoughts

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most stunning, peaceful, and thoughtfully designed hotels at Walt Disney World.

The comfortable beds, spacious rooms, and premium feel make it a real treat, especially if you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated than the typical Disney experience.

But it does come at a cost. Even with an Annual Passholder discount (we paid around $350 per night), it’s still an expensive stay.

The distance from the main parks and the limited time we actually spent enjoying the hotel made us question whether the extra money was truly worth it for this trip.

If you want a relaxing Disney resort where you can soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the facilities, and spend time appreciating your room and balcony, Animal Kingdom Lodge delivers in spades.

If you’re more the type to be out rope-dropping every park and stumbling back late at night, you might be better off saving your pennies and staying elsewhere.

Either way, we’re glad we experienced it — even if next time, we might save the savanna views for when we plan a slower, more resort-focused trip.

You can find out more and book Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge here.
Book Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge via Klook

We paid for our stay ourselves. This post contains an affiliate link, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through our link, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are 100% our own.

Review: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge - Savanna View Room