Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

UPDATE: Find my most recent resort review HERE!
While it wasn’t our original plan, we absolutely positively adored our stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. (We were booked at Wilderness Lodge for MONTHS when we found out about their pool closure and decided to switch.)

 

DSC_0610

Overlooking four savannas with loads of animals, it is nothing short of magnificent.

DSC_0863

DSC_0856

Unlike any of the other Disney resorts we’ve visited, Animal Kingdom Lodge was a complete immersion for the senses. The architecture wows you, the scents of African cuisine overwhelm you, the sound of bongo drums playing cannot be ignored. It’s just incredible!!

DSC_0860

DSC_0862

DSCF0917

We played tic tac toe in the lobby.

DSCF0892

We roasted marshmallows at a couple of the nightly camp fires overlooking the savannas on arusha rock.

DSCF0907

DSCF0915

DSCF0947

We logged many hours at the pool, being sure to have time in our schedule to do everything we could at the resort.

DSC_0014

DSC_0015

DSCF0989

DSC_0018

DSCF0971

DSCF0972

DSCF0973

DSCF0975

DSCF1044

photo 3 (6)

DSCF0984

We attended the session on flamingo feeding.

DSCF0948

We adored our room!! We had a bunk bed room in building four on zebra trail – 3rd floor. It offered a wonderful and sweeping view of the savanna and we constantly marveled at the animals right outside.

DSC_0005

DSC_0007

DSC_0008

DSC_0009

DSC_0011

We love checking off the wildlife as we saw them!

DSC_0013

We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony each morning, bringing fruit, bars, yogurt and pop tarts from home.

DSC_0125

DSC_0127

DSC_0128

DSC_0133

DSC_0134

DSC_0136

We used the night vision goggles a couple of times and thought they were SO fun!! I caught this picture from our balcony after a very late night at the park.

DSC_0593

We had the free dining plan, so we ate at every single restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Our very favorite was Sanaa at Kidani Village. Every single thing about it was memorable… the window seat overlooking the savanna at sunset, the food, the bread service, the atmosphere and the company. We enjoyed a glass of wine in the lounge while we waited on our table. We did have reservations but asked to wait on a window seat.

DSC_0137

DSC_0143

DSC_0147

DSC_0159

DSC_0166

DSC_0171

Another night we gorged at the buffet at Boma. It was also quite good and had a great mix of African foods.

DSC_0417

DSC_0418

DSC_0421

DSC_0422

A third night we checked the littles into Simba’s Cubhouse (which they absolutely adored) and had date night at Jiko. It was lovely and romantic and super yummy. We started in the wine bar and then had dinner in the dining room. And we had the cheese plate for both an app AND then again for dessert. Hey, it was on both menus and we do adore cheese.

DSC_0598

photo 3 (3)

photo 4 (3)

photo 5 (3)

After dinner we sat by the fire in the lobby for a while and just soaked it all in. It was a huge treat to have a date night on a trip like this and we hope to make a habit of it :-)

DSC_0604

DSC_0612

These two were all smiles when we were reunited, having spent their evening playing video games, making crafts and eating dinner!

DSC_0613

The Mara quick serve restaurant was very yummy and had a good mix of American and African foods. I particularly loved their salad, couscous, zebra domes and chicken pita.

DSCF0966

DSC_0859

DSCF0967

We made the quickest trip to the arcade possible. We had a coupon for 100 free tokens and when that ran out in three games we were done.

DSCF0956

And, all in all, we loved every second of our stay and had not one single complaint. The main con we had heard going in was that it is far from everything. This was true, but was not an issue for us. We took the busses to the main parks and drove everywhere else. I can see that it would have been a hassle to get anywhere that didn’t have direct bus service. As much as I want to try every single resort on the Disney property, this is one I would love to do again soon!!!

xoxo

Read about Animal Kingdom Lodge Kilimanjaro Club Level here
See our Disney trip reports here!!!
Read everything Disney here!!!

| Filed under disney, Uncategorized | Tags: