Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando Florida
A Disney World Resort Minutes Away From the Magic Kingdom - Review
May 18, 2009
Located several miles from the other Disney World Resort hotels, the Animal Kingdom Lodge offers guests a deluxe hotel experience away from the hustle and bustle of the famous theme parks.
Upon entering Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests feel as though they’ve walked into an authentic African game-reserve lodge. While a little dark (despite the huge windows), the mammoth lobby features African-inspired architecture including thatched ceilings, hand-carved furniture, giant fly-like chandeliers and a huge mud fireplace. African artifacts are scattered throughout. Great attention to detail has been paid to this Animal Kingdom-adjacent deluxe hotel, ensuring that guests do indeed “have a magical stay”.
Rooms at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Paying a little extra to get a room overlooking the surrounding Savannah is well worth it. In fact, it’s the main reason to stay in the Animal Kingdom. Over 30 species of wildlife wander around throughout the day and evening, and there’s nothing like waking up to find a giraffe meandering around just off your balcony, unless it’s coming back after a long day to find a zebra grazing only a few feet away. The rooms are small and a little dark, but visitors tend to spend so much time gazing out over the Savannah that it shouldn’t really matter.
Transportation to Theme Parks
When staying at the lodge, one of the things visitors will miss out on is the convenience of the monorail. The resort is simply too far away from the theme parks. Having said that, the free shuttle buses come every 20-30 minutes and will get guests there in approximately 20 minutes or so, depending on which park they're headed to. As long as timing is planned accordingly, it’s not a bad trade off for the pleasure of staying in the Animal Kingdom.
A Fun Disney Hotel for Adults and Kids Alike
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a hotel that adults will enjoy just as much, if not more than children. With more of a focus on nature and culture than Disney characters, the hotel isn’t as ‘kid-centric’ as some of the others within the Disney compound. While there are plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, adults will find it a little easier to forget they’re in Disney World.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge has a nice pool and outdoor bar as well as 3 adequate restaurants, which are fine, although like all food in Disney World, fairly expensive. Staff members are friendly and helpful, with some acting as guides, giving tours of, and information about, the plethora of indigenous grass and shrubs, as well as all of the animals. And as with all Disney hotels, there are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy and entertained.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe hotel that offers guests a different kind of Disney experience – one that is well worth the price.
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