| Hotel Rating: |   | | Satisfaction: |   | | Reviews: 22 | Photos: 24 | | 2901 Osceola Parkway PO Box 10000 |
 | Orlando Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Reviews | 1 - 10 of 11 |  |
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 | Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Animal Kingdom Lodge ~ A Small Taste of Africa
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NOTE: (February, 2007) Disney has announced that construction is in the works on the Animal Kingdom Villas which will be part of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC). Accommodations will be similar to the 4 or so floor plans in other Disney Vacation Club properties, however, floor plans will be even larger and the one-bedroom suites will now accommodate 5 people instead of 4. this will be a great benefit to families. The new DVC resort will include a new restaurant, water play area, and savannah. It is certain that the rooms will be decorated with an African theme. The Animal Kingdom Villas are scheduled to open late in 2008. Exactly where the villas will be located in relation to the original Animal Kingdom Lodge has not been revealed but it is likely to be somewhat close.
One of the newer Disney resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge is another good choice if you desire to stay close to the parks on Disney property and have some spectacular scenery at the same time. Built into a brushy, dry area, Animal Kingdom Lodge seems to fit into its surrounding.
The interior of the lodge is unique and a striking feature are the large, suspended chandeliers which are made from colorful, African war shields! As you will see from the accompanying picture, the furnishing and accessories have been designed to give you the feeling of being inside of an African-type, lodge.
Animal Kingdom Lodge has a beautifully designed outdoor pool flanked by rocks and foliage. A large gift store can be found in the lodge and features many items made in Africa. At least 2 restaurants are also located in the lodge, Boma (a buffet-style eatery) and Jiko which features "new" African cuisine and serves South African wines. In fact Jiko recently received an award its extensive array of fine wines (2006).
The real highlight of the Lodge is that it borders the Animal Kingdom park where animals from Africa can be seen. It is expensive, but getting a room overlooking the svelt and savannah is a top prize and you will possibly be rewarded by the sight of elephants, giraffe, rhinos or zebras within close view of your balcony. It may not be the real Africa, but it maybe as close as you'll ever get without crossing the Atlantic. Theme: HotelPrice: US$180 and up » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageDirections: On Disney property next to Animal Kingdom Park.
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Imagine if you will a place where you can walk out onto the balcony of your hotel room and watch zebras, giraffes, gazelles, wildabeasts, and many more animals without the need of binoculars! That's what Disney was thinking when they developed the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The hotel is designed and themed to feel and look like a lodge in an African wildlife reserve. In fact, as you come up the entrance driveway, all you see are small huts making it feel like driving into a small African village. The main area of the resort is hidden from view. The huge hotel has a semi-circle shape surrounding the 3 savannahs, which contrary to popular belief are seperate from the Animal Kingdom savannahs. Note that each savannah is closed for a couple hours each day for cleaning and caring of the animals but there are always two savannahs open. At night the savannahs are illuminated by artificial moonlight. Unlike a zoo, the savannahs are open 24 hours a day and the animals don't have special sleeping quarters. The savannahs are their homes just like in the wild. There are usually guides at the outside viewing areas that will be happy to answer any questions for you. While the majority of the rooms at the resort overlook a savannah, there are about 300 that don't. The ones that don't overlook the savannah are obviously cheaper. Also note that while there are smoking rooms, smoking is NOT allowed on the balcony of any room overlooking the savannah. There are two types of rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge: Standard and Deluxe. Standard rooms occupy the first four floors of the hotel and have one of three views: parking lot, pool, or savannah. Deluxe rooms are on the fifth and sixth floors and have either a pool or savannah view. Prices are in that order as well with parking lot being cheapest and savannah being more expensive. The Deluxe rooms cost still more money. There are also concierge and suite level rooms ranging from $425 to $2505 a night. Ask me if you want details on these.
The resort features a casual restaurant, a family-style buffet, a quick service restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar. Jiko, meaning The Cooking Place, is the casual restaurant features tastes of Africa and is only open for dinner. Boma is open for breakfast and dinner and features a very nice family buffet. Mara is open all day and is the resorts quick service restaurant. Victoria Falls is on the mezzanine and offers teas and coffees during the day and a wide range of drinks at night. The Zawadi Marketplace is one of the largest retail shops at Disney World and features items imported from Africa. Of course there's the typical Disney and Animal Kingdom Lodge memorbilia. The Uzima Springs pool is the largest pool on Disney property and features a "Zero Entry" meaning there are no steps, it's just a natural slope into the pool. There is also a kids wading pool, two hot tubs, and a fitness center. This pool is the only one at the resort, thus the reason it's so big. Unlike most Disney resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge doesn't feature any quiet pools. The pool is open 24 hours; however, lifeguards go off duty at 10PM and close the water slide along with them. The hot tubs close at midnight. The fitness center is open from 6AM-9PM.
SPECIAL NOTE: In order to ensure the animals' safety, Disney has installed cameras through the savannah area of the resort and some of these cameras may look into rooms. Always close your drapes for complete privacy.
ANOTHER NOTE: No balloons are allowed inside the resort, period. If you have a balloon from a theme park for example, you will have to check it will bell services and they will return it when you check out.
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| Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: ... an African styled hotel with great views
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On first arriving after the arduous journey from the UK this Hotel made us forget the drudge to get there. It has to be one of the most spectacular lobby's.
The theming is spot on and it really is a credit to those Imagineers at Disney.
Unless you are in a suite though the rooms are, let's say compact, but this does not take away the fact that they are well themed, very clean and extremely comfortable and let's face it you will be out enjoying the other stuff most of the day.
The service was brilliant (as you would expect from a Disney Resort) and the food in all three restaurants was tip top. There is a self service (Mara - no booking necessary), a buffet (Boma - best to book in advance) and a full service (Jiko - best to book in advance).
I booked pretty much all of our meals before we went by ringing the Disney Dining number found on (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningFinder?id=DiningFinderPage).
I made a list of where we were going to be each day, selected a restaurant/s, made a list then reserved them all in one go over the phone. Once there you can cancel and change bookings at the foyer but at least I knew we had a table.
You can book all Disney restaurants up to 6 months in advance of your holiday (I know this sounds well in advance, but if you want to ensure you get a seat for a themed restaurant then I do advise it.
There is a gift shop with a large selection of goodies in the lobby. (Much to my husbands dismay).
Although more expensive than most I would say try and push the boat out if you can. It made our trip more special. We all loved it and would go back in an instant.
The view from the room was amazing. It really was like looking out onto an African Savanna with Giraffes, hogs, ostriches, bison and a selection of birds within a stones throw. If you want a Savannah view though, be sure to book one otherwise you will get an internal room.
You do, however, trade off a long walk to the end of the complex for a a more peaceful view. If you are too close up one end you hear the air conditioning units from the main part of the building which spoils the ambiance. Make the effort and try and get a room at one of the ends and of an evening you will hear crickets from your balcony whilst viewing the animals (albeit probably via a recording) but hey it sounded real.
The pool is well themed, is open most of the day and into the evening with a life-guard present. It might look a bit murky but it wasn't really. The bottom was painted to make it look like a natural watering hole and again the plants and setting was lovely.
The only negative observation was the staircases to each floor (I know these are mainly for use as an emergency exit - but people did use them on a daily basis). You go from this magical African themed walkway to a concreted, brightly lit staircase. So my advice is to stay to the walkways and the lifts to maintain the feel of the place.
There are the Disney shuttles to take you around but it is best to have a hire vehicle to enjoy full freedom.
I loved it, my kids loved it and we all want to go back.
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