Deluxe - Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway
Bay Lake, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 938-3000
Fax (407) 938-4715

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort hotel adjacent to Disney's Animal Kingdom. It opened April 16, 2001.

Designed by Peter Dominick, of Wilderness Lodge fame, AKL recreates the feel of a South African wildlife reserve lodge. Rooms follow the Kraal African village design, a semicircle concept, offering a view of close to 100 grazing animals and 130 birds on the property and in the private Savannahs.

Like Disney other resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge has a ; distinctive theme carried throughout its architecture, landscape and interior designs. As you drive up to the resort, all you see is a small gathering of huts. The incredible size of the resort is hidden from the front, so it will be like driving up to a small safari village.

Resort Layout:
The Lodge is 6 stories tall. ; You enter the expansive lobby on the 3rd floor of the resort. ; There is a huge picture window which looks out upon 30 acres of land. ; From here, you can walk out onto an elevated viewing area (Arusha Rock) and enjoy the roaming animals.

All three Savannahs are special areas built specifically for the AKL and are separate from Disney's Animal Kingdom. ; There are over 100 Sand Live Oak trees and 35,000 shrubs in the savannahs. ; Seeds for many of the plants were supplied from Africa.

Throughout the rest of the lobby, there are examples of authentic architecture and design, from thatched ceilings to golden tones reflecting the richness and diversity of an African landscape. Rich wood tones surround a large mud fireplace and natural lighting will celebrate dawn and dusk with features that accentuate spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

In the hallways, there are alcoves with glass windows providing Savannah overlooks.

There are 3 separate Savannahs (approximately 10 acres each) that are open 24 hours a day. ; Each savannah is closed daily for approximately 2 hours for cleaning and handling animals, in shifts. ; There will always be at least 2 savannahs open at all times. ; From Left to Right the Savannahs are named: Sunset, Arusha, and Uzima.

Each Savannah has its own unique look and feel. Not all Savannahs have all the animals. For instance, ostrich can only be found on the Sunset Savannah, Zebras are only located on the Arusha Savannah, Kudu are only found on the Uzima Savannah. Giraffe are the only animal found on all 3.

Each room has an animal viewing guide or you can also pick one up at the front desk.
At night, the Savannahs are illuminated by artificial moonlight as if a full moon were ever present.

"Safari Guides" are at the outside viewing areas and can answer your questions about the animals and birds.

Altogether, more than 200 mammals and birds of nearly three dozen species populate the 33-acre area. The Savannahs surrounds the lodge on three sides. You can view the birds and animals from their resort balconies or from several viewing points -- including a landscaped rock outcropping -- the Arusha Rock kopje -- 24 hours a day.

The Savannahs are the actual home for the animals and birds. All animals inhabiting the Savannah return periodically to an on-site animal care facility for feeding and routine care. Many of the species browse, as well, on Savannah plantings that are part of their everyday diet and are continually replenished by horticulturists.

The animals sleep on the Savannahs, although they are generally much further back and therefore you can't see them sleep.

A number of the animals are nocturnal and so you may spot them in the middle of the night.

The first 2 inhabitants of Disney's Animal Kingdom, 2 Giraffe, became the first 2 inhabitants the resort. The other animals either originated at Animal Kingdom or arrived from other accredited zoological facilities.

Services & Amenities:
 Room Service
 Concierge desk
 Health Club
 Babysitting and child services
 Pak-n-play crib available
 Room and facilities for guest with disabilities
 Self parking
 Valet parking available for a nominal fee
 Laundry facilities/services

Guest Rooms:
The accommodations offered are finished in rich tapestries and vibrant colors. Guest rooms feature jewel tones and hand-carved furnishings. There is even a "Royal Suite" with a domed, hut-like living room fit for a king.

The following are the room types and numbers of rooms in each category: Standard View (facing the parking lot) 135 rooms; Pool View 136 rooms; Savanna View 724 rooms; Deluxe Pool View 33 rooms; Deluxe Savanna View 191 rooms and 55 Concierge rooms. The deluxe rooms are bigger than the standard rooms. There is also a Presidential and Vice Presidential suite as well as 5 one-bedroom suites and 12 two-bedroom parlor suites.

The standard rooms are on floors 1-4 and are 344 square feet. ; Deluxe rooms are on floors 5 and 6 and are 381 square feet. ; All rooms have balconies.

Some rooms feature one queen size bed and bunk beds. Some rooms feature an additional dresser. There are 79 king bed rooms, and there are 65 accessible rooms with king bed, roll-in shower, accessible seat for toilet, TDD kit and ADA guide maps.
Concierge rooms have either Savanna or a pool view.

Each room that is not ground level, no matter what the category or view, has a balcony that is long and narrow.

The suites are located at the end of the animal trails. From the outside of the Lodge, they are the ones located within the rounded parts of the building, with the curved balconies, topped with thatch. They are located on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. Even the ones below 5th floor still have concierge access.

There are smoking rooms at the resort, however, although you may smoke in these rooms smoking is not allowed on the balcony of any room that overlooks the Savannah.

The rooms have a small safe in the closet to store valuables. It's big enough for your plane tickets, cash/travelers checks and maybe some jewelry, but not much more. For storing larger valuables inquire at the front desk. In addition, you'll also find a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, valet parking, voice mail, a crib, and room service. There may be a complimentary refrigerator in your room, also -- if not, request one if you want it.

Floors 1-2-3-4 have Standard Rooms with one of 3 views: Standard, Pool or Savannah. The rooms can be configured with 2 Queens; 1 Queen and Bunk Beds; King Bed with Daybed; Handicapped Accessible with King Bed and Daybed.

Floors 5-6 have Deluxe rooms. Concierge rooms are the same as the Deluxe rooms. These have one of 2 views: Pool or Savannah. The rooms can be configured as either 2 Queens; 1 Queen and Bunk Beds; King Bed and Daybed; Handicapped Accessible with King Bed and Daybed. The 6th Floor is exclusively Concierge.

The best way to understand the various views is to compare them to the seating in a theater or stadium. For example Savannah view room to the orchestra and box seats: you have a close and personal view of the event, in which you are totally immersed in the action and sometimes even feel like they are playing just for you.

The pool view rooms are similar to the mezzanine or club level: you still have good seating, but you are not as close to the action and are much more aware of your surroundings. Standard view rooms? They would be akin to the upper, upper deck, or the back of the highest balcony. You are there and can enjoy the experience, but you are much further removed both emotionally and physically. ; You will enjoy the views of the Resort grounds.

Room Features:
• Most rooms are available with your choice of king-size bed, two queen-size beds, two queen-size beds and one pull-out sofa, one queen-size bed and bunk beds
• Disabled accessible rooms available
• Turndown service available upon request
• Nonsmoking rooms available
• Irons, ironing boards, hairdryers and make-up mirrors in each room
• In-room coffee makers and refrigerators available at no charge
• Cribs available upon request
• In-room safes
• Dual line phones with voicemail
• Disney Channel and ESPN
• Newspaper delivery available
• Laundry facilities/services

Club Concierge-level guests
• Comfy robes available in your room
• Turndown service
• Staff available prior to and during your visit for reservations and vacation planning
• Access to the exclusive Kilimanjaro Club featuring Continental breakfast, snacks and evening wine and cheese reception
• Ability to participate in the Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure — an exclusive early-morning tour of Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park — offered only to a limited number of Club Concierge-level Guests for an additional fee
• Ability to participate in the Wildlife Discovery Excursion — an exclusive guided tour of Kilimanjaro Safaris® at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park — offered only to a limited number of Club Concierge-level Guests for an additional fee

Check-In & Check-Out
Check-in is at 3pm. ; Your room may be available prior to that time, but it is not guaranteed. ; If your room is not available, you can leave your luggage with the Bell Services where it will be delivered to your room with it is ready.

Check-out is at 11am. ; If you pay by credit card, you do not have to go to desk to check out. ; An itemized bill will be hung on your door by 8:30am on the day of your departure. ; The electronic room key which was given, will be automatically deactivated at 11am. ; You can use Bell services to take luggage to your car. ; If you are taking a bus or taxi to the airport, Bell services will keep your luggage until your transportation arrives.

Dining:
The restaurants offer a blend of Malaysian, Indian, Chinese and French cuisine with a dash of English served with a hint of classical flair. The menu reflects the perfect blend of sweet and savory international tastes.

Jiko- The Cooking Place -- a casual restaurant, serving dinner, that features a taste of Africa in an atmosphere shaped by local traditions and customs. Focusing on simpler, lighter cuisine, it will retain the spirit and refinements of a great restaurant while concentrating on the basics of cooking with an emphasis on the freshest of products. The design represents an abstract view of Africa, with twin wood-burning ovens as the restaurant's icons.

Boma- Flavors of Africa, a very popular family restaurant open for breakfast and dinner, captures the essence of vibrant life in the African marketplace. This family-fun buffet provides guests the ability to savor the African experience, which has multicultural influences. The restaurant showcases an exhibit kitchen, wood-burning grill and rotisserie. The dining areas are under thatched roofs.

The quick-service restaurant, open morning to night, offers great food and poolside dining.

Victoria Falls, a mezzanine lounge, serves specialty coffees and teas and a variety of beverages at night. This lounge overlooks Boma - Flavors of Africa.
Uzima Springs is the Poolside bar.

Disney Dining Experience card holders will be happy to know it is honored at Boma and Jiko!

There are LOTS of vegetarian options available both at Jiko, Boma and Mara! Mara even has tofu for lunch! There were several items on the Jiko menu that would/could easily be adapted to vegetarian. The chefs are very tuned into special diets. At Boma -- ask the chefs at each of the pods and they will take care of you!

Vegans just showing up at Jiko or Boma will have a harder time, however, CALL 24 hours ahead and you will be well taken care of at either restaurant. If you are staying Concierge, ask the staff to assist you with your dietary concerns.

Tip:
The best beverage deal is the refillable mugs, available for approximate $12 at any of the food court vendors and through pizza delivery. ; The mugs are 16-oz, sturdy, dishwashable safe containers with lids. ; Mugs are refillable for the length of your stay at a self-service beverage island in the center of the food court. ;

Beverages include soft drinks, coffee, tea, iced coffee and tea, and hot chocolate (but not milk or fruit juice).

Recreation:
Pools
The Uzima Springs pool is the largest on Disney property, over 11,000 square feet. It is also a "Zero Entry" pool, meaning there is an entrance without steps. I saw lots and lots of kids (young ones too) enjoying the slide and kiddy wade pool area. There is no quiet pool at the resort.

The Uzima pool is open 24 hours, but the lifeguards go off duty at 10:00 PM and the slide also closes. The 2 spas close at midnight.

Uzima pool really does has a zero depth entrance -- and that entrance has no steps. There are other entry/exit areas around the pool that do have steps.

The Zero-Depth entrance is concrete and goes right into the pool (like a ramp). The area is around 8-10 feet wide.

A special wheelchair is available upon request (not guaranteed). You will be able transfer in and out of the wheelchair with the assistance of family/friends. Cast Members can help push the wheelchair, but may not transfer or lift people. (Same restriction as at the theme parks.)

Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center
Pamper yourself with facials, body treatments and various massages. Work out on state-of-the-art exercise equipment, make an appointment for a personal training session and take advantage of amenities including dry saunas and steam rooms.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Programs
Join us for viewings and activities honoring the creatures of the savanna. Go on a cultural safari, watch animals at play at dusk with night vision, try your hand as a junior researcher, or watch animal handlers feed the pelicans and flamingos.

Simba's Cubhouse
Enjoy a parents' night out and treat children ages 4-12 to an evening of supervised activities, computer games, Disney movies, dinner and snacks in an environment created just for them.

Pumbaa's Fun & Games Arcade
Play both classic arcade favorites and the latest in video game entertainment at this high-tech game room, located next to The Mara restaurant and across from the wading pool.

Hakuna Matata Playground
Climb, slide and have fun with "no worries" on this 24-hour playground located next to the pool, overlooking the flamingo area and savanna.

Shopping
Zawadi Marketplace is the retail shop celebrating the romantic and adventuresome spirit of Africa through the stories and cultures represented in its merchandise. Disney sent a team of researchers to Africa to locate one-of-a-kind treasures to showcase amid the natural finishes, patterns and textiles featured throughout the marketplace. At nearly 6,000 square feet, Zawadi Marketplace will be among the largest retail shops at Walt Disney World Resort.

Featured marketplace items include: Zulu baskets, hand-loomed fabrics and textiles, hand-carved masks, beaded gourds, hand-carved chess sets and an assortment of authentic accents. The marketplace has items in store for the Disney collector as well, including distinctive headgear, T-shirts, picture frames and more featuring the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge logo.

Other
Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is available to concierge guests only. The tour, along the safari ride path, lasts about 45 minutes and includes multiple stops so that you can stand up and take many pictures. Each of the animals along the way is described in great detail, since there is plenty of time. The Adventure is available on Sunday and Thursdays.

After the Safari, you go to Tusker House for a breakfast buffet which includes both standard American and African items. Each person also gets a FastPass to Kilimanjaro Safari to experience it "the regular way".

Like the Sunrise Safari, this is offered exclusively to our Concierge Guests saying with us at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Admission is limited to 8 guests and can be reserved 90 days in advanced.

During this approximately 1 and a half our safari experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge you will experience a recreation of a true African afternoon game drive. An opportunity to spend time with members from the DAKL animal programs team in a very personal environment. Learning about the natural history and management of the animal collection at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Incredible photo opportunities of the animals and architecture of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge that can only be experienced from our savannahs.

Your safari will conclude with a true African dining experience at Jiko. Just like the lodges in Africa, a multi-course meal will await you. Be advised it is a preset menu, give you a sampling of various appetizers, entrees, and desserts, and a wine pairing along with each course. Also be advised that all 8 guests on this Safari Experience will be dining together.

Offered Monday, Wednesday, Friday (as of 8/2005) -- Guests must be 16 years of age or older. The price for the experience is $150 per person, tax and gratuity included 48 hour cancellation policy.

Transportation:
All Disney transportation to and from the resort is via bus. As you exit the main lobby, the bus station is down to the left. There are several stops to take you to the Theme Parks, Water Parks and Downtown Disney. The buses that service Animal Kingdom Lodge do not service other resorts.

Most areas of the Walt Disney World Resort are accessible by bus from other areas within the Resort, including Theme Parks, Water Parks, the Disney Resorts and the Downtown Disney area. Buses travel on routes throughout the Resort and do not provide direct service between all destinations.
*Magic Kingdom® Park is not accessible by bus from Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Polynesian Resort. These Resorts provide monorail transportation to the park.

By Boat:
The Magic Kingdom Park is accessible by water launch from Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney's Wilderness Lodge. The Disney ferryboats connect the Magic Kingdom Park to the Transportation and Ticket Center (adjacent to Magic Kingdom parking).

Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios are accessible by boat from Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas Resort, Disney's Yacht Club and Disney's Beach Club Resorts and the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotels.

Downtown Disney is accessible by ferryboat from Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Old Key West Resort.

By Monorail:
Disney's monorail runs between the Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center (adjacent to the Magic Kingdom parking lot). A connecting monorail takes Guests from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Epcot. Standard rooms have a maximum four-person occupancy per room. Prices are per room, and there is an additional adult charge of $25 per adult per night for more than two adults in a room.

Extra Information:
Bring binoculars

Bring a tripod for your camera

Lighting in the rooms is low, women may want to consider a make-up lighted mirror.

There are cameras everywhere on the outside of the lodge. Be sure and close your room drapes for privacy.

There is no pathway to Animal Kingdom and there are no trams to Animal Kingdom either.
The resort does not allow balloons inside. Any balloons brought to the resort (from the theme parks, for example) will have to be checked with bell services for the duration of the guest's stay. They will be returned upon departure. This information might be helpful to families with younger children, so there are no disappointments when returning to the resort.