Hey Howdy HAA Everyone!
Welcome back to another HAA Disney Give Me A Review!
Today, we’re talking about one of the most unique and immersive resorts at Walt Disney World: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
But this isn’t just a look at the resort. We’re answering the question I always want to know when I’m considering a Disney Resort:
Is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Actually Worth It?
After staying here, I can tell you that this resort quickly became one of my favourite Disney Resort experiences.
From the moment you walk into the lobby, Animal Kingdom Lodge feels completely different from anywhere else at Walt Disney World. The architecture, art, details, dining, wildlife and storytelling all work together to create an experience that feels immersive from the moment you arrive.
And honestly, my favourite part?
The animals.
Having the opportunity to sit on my balcony, enjoy my coffee and watch animals roaming the savanna was such a special experience. There is something incredibly peaceful about waking up and seeing giraffes, zebras and other animals right outside your room.
That is not something you get at every Disney Resort—and it is a memory I won’t forget.
So, after experiencing Animal Kingdom Lodge for myself, let’s break down what makes this resort so special, what I didn’t love, and whether I think it’s worth adding to your Walt Disney World plans.
🦒 What Is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World inspired by the architecture, art, culture and wildlife of Africa.
The resort opened in 2001 and is built around large savannas where guests can see wildlife including giraffes, zebras, gazelles and flamingos.
The main lodge, Jambo House, is home to the spectacular African-inspired lobby and a variety of guest accommodations. Nearby, Kidani Village offers Disney Vacation Club villas and additional resort amenities.
Room options include standard rooms, Savanna View rooms, Club Level accommodations, suites and Disney Vacation Club studios and villas.
And while the price can vary significantly depending on your dates, room type and promotions, Animal Kingdom Lodge sits within the Deluxe Resort category.
That means this isn’t necessarily going to be the cheapest place to stay at Walt Disney World.
But I think that is where the real question comes in.
What are you actually paying for?
Because with Animal Kingdom Lodge, the resort itself is part of the experience.
🦒 What Makes Animal Kingdom Lodge So Special?
This is, without a doubt, the biggest selling point for me.
You are not simply paying for a Disney hotel room.
You are paying for an immersive resort experience.
You can spend time watching wildlife from the savanna viewing areas, explore the extensive African art throughout the resort, participate in animal-focused activities, enjoy the pools, eat at some incredible restaurants and simply take time to enjoy the resort.
Disney says the resort is home to more than 30 species of African wildlife, making the animals a huge part of the overall experience.
And then there is the Uzima Pool, which gives you another reason to slow down and actually enjoy a resort day.
That is something I think is important when considering Animal Kingdom Lodge.
You don’t necessarily have to be in a theme park all day to feel like you’re having a Disney vacation.
Sometimes, the resort itself can be the experience.
🏠 Jambo House and Kidani Village
One thing to understand when researching Animal Kingdom Lodge is that the resort includes both Jambo House and Kidani Village.
Jambo House is the main lodge and where you’ll find that incredible lobby, along with several dining and resort amenities.
Kidani Village is home to Disney Vacation Club accommodations and has its own amenities, including Sanaa and the Samawati Springs Pool.
Both areas have their own feel, so it is worth paying attention to exactly where your room or villa is located when you are booking.
🍽️ Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Another major reason Animal Kingdom Lodge stands out is the dining.
Some of the resort’s best-known restaurants include:
Boma – Flavors of Africa
Boma offers buffet-style dining with African-inspired flavours and a wide variety of options.
Jiko – The Cooking Place
Jiko is the resort’s signature dining experience and offers a more elevated African-inspired menu.
The Mara
The Mara is the quick-service location at Jambo House.
And this is actually one of the areas where I had a bit of a mixed experience.
To get to The Mara from the main lobby area, you do have to walk outside. Normally, that wouldn’t bother me at all.
But we stayed in August.
And if you’ve spent time in Florida in August, you already know what that can mean: heat, humidity and those classic afternoon rainstorms.
So when you’re simply trying to grab some quick-service food, walking outside in the rain wasn’t exactly my favourite part of the experience.
It’s a small thing, but when you’re reviewing whether a resort is worth it, I think those little details matter.
Sanaa
Sanaa is located at Kidani Village and is particularly well known for its savanna views.
And honestly, that is one of the things I love about this resort.
The dining isn’t just something you do because you’re hungry.
It becomes part of the storytelling and experience of the resort.
🚌 The Transportation Trade-Off
This is probably the biggest consideration I would have for anyone thinking about staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Animal Kingdom Lodge does not have direct access to the monorail, Skyliner or boat transportation.
Disney’s motorcoach bus service is the primary transportation option.
That means you are getting one of the most immersive resorts at Walt Disney World, but you are giving up some of the transportation convenience you would have at resorts such as the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Riviera.
And I actually think that is a much more useful way to look at the question of whether Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth it.
It isn’t necessarily about whether the resort is “good” or “bad.”
It’s about what matters most to you.
Do you want transportation convenience?
Or are you looking for a resort experience that feels like a destination all on its own?
For me, the immersive experience won.
🏗️ A 2026 Note About Refurbishment
If you’re considering Animal Kingdom Lodge in 2026, there is one important thing to know.
Jambo House is undergoing guest room refurbishment from May 2026 through January 2027.
Depending on when you visit and where your room is located, Disney notes that guests may see or hear construction during this period.
So if you’re booking a stay during the refurbishment window, that’s something I would keep in mind and check for the most current information before your trip.
🏠 Could Renting DVC Points Make Sense?
If you love the idea of staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge but the regular cash rate has you thinking twice, another option to consider is renting Disney Vacation Club points.
Animal Kingdom Lodge has DVC accommodations at both Jambo House and Kidani Village, and renting points can sometimes give you access to those accommodations at a different price point than booking directly with Disney.
Of course, availability depends on your dates, the number of points required and the villa you’re looking for, so this is something you’ll want to research and plan for in advance.
I’m also an affiliate with DVC Rental Store, so if you’re interested in exploring DVC rentals for Animal Kingdom Lodge or another Disney Vacation Club Resort, you can check availability and pricing through my affiliate link.
As always, do your research and compare your options before booking.
📍 Location: Another Thing to Consider
Animal Kingdom Lodge is also a little more removed from some of the other Walt Disney World parks.
It is obviously convenient for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but getting to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios can require a little more planning.
That isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker.
In fact, one of the unexpected positives for me was that it was closer to Target.
And as someone who likes having easy access to essentials during a Disney trip, that was actually a pretty great bonus!
Sometimes it’s the little things.
🦁 My Animal Kingdom Lodge Pros
✨ Incredible immersive theming
✨ Stunning lobby and resort design
✨ Wildlife viewing throughout the resort
✨ The opportunity for savanna-view rooms
✨ Unique Disney experience
✨ Incredible storytelling throughout the resort
✨ Great dining options
✨ Resort activities and amenities
✨ A resort that can genuinely be part of the vacation itself
🦁 My Animal Kingdom Lodge Cons
❌ The Mara requires walking outside from the main lobby area
❌ Bus transportation is the primary Disney transportation option
❌ It is farther from some of the theme parks
❌ Transportation can take more time depending on where you’re going
❌ Savanna View rooms and some accommodations can come at a significant premium
⭐ So, Is Animal Kingdom Lodge Worth It?
For me? Absolutely.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is actually one of the resorts that reminds me why I think a Deluxe Resort can be worth considering.
It’s not simply about having a nicer room.
It’s about what you can experience without leaving your resort.
You can wake up and watch giraffes from your balcony.
You can explore beautiful African-inspired art.
You can enjoy unique dining.
You can spend time at the pool.
You can participate in animal-focused activities.
And you can simply slow down.
Would I stay here again?
100%.
I would come back time and time again.
Because Animal Kingdom Lodge isn’t just a place where you sleep after a long day in the parks.
The resort becomes part of your Disney vacation.
If you love animals, immersive experiences, incredible theming and having the opportunity to actually enjoy your resort instead of simply using it as a place to sleep, Animal Kingdom Lodge is one I would absolutely consider.
And for me, that is what makes it worth it.
⭐ My HAA Rating: 4.75/5
Animal Kingdom Lodge is proof that sometimes the magic isn’t just inside the parks.
Sometimes, the magic is where you stay.
Have a blessed and wonderful day,
London
Leave a Reply