Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: The Most Unique DVC Experience on Property

A Deluxe Resort Unlike Anything Else at Disney

Every DVC resort has a theme, but Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only one where the theme walks past your balcony on four legs. This is a resort where you can pour your morning coffee, step onto your private balcony, and watch giraffes, zebras, ankole cattle, and dozens of other African wildlife species graze on a 33-acre savanna just steps from your room. There is nothing else like it in the DVC system — or anywhere in Orlando, for that matter.

The resort's design draws inspiration from the great lodges of East Africa. The main lobby at Jambo House features soaring thatched ceilings, a massive mud fireplace, and authentic African artwork and artifacts displayed throughout. It's one of the most breathtaking resort lobbies at Walt Disney World and sets the tone for an experience that feels worlds away from the parks.

Two Villages, Two Personalities

Animal Kingdom Lodge's DVC villas are spread across two distinct buildings:

• Jambo House — The original resort building, home to the stunning lobby, Jiko and Boma restaurants, and a limited number of DVC rooms that were carved from the existing hotel inventory. Jambo House has the more dramatic public spaces and the signature dining.
• Kidani Village — The purpose-built DVC wing, connected to Jambo House but with its own entrance, lobby, pool, restaurant, and savanna viewing areas. Kidani features the Samawati Springs pool (a sprawling zero-entry pool with a water slide), the beloved Sanaa restaurant, and its own dedicated savanna with a different mix of animal species. Rooms here were designed specifically for DVC and tend to have more thoughtful layouts.

Both villages offer studios, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas, and grand villas. The choice between Jambo and Kidani often comes down to whether you prefer proximity to the signature dining (Jambo) or purpose-built DVC rooms and a quieter atmosphere (Kidani).

Savanna View vs. Standard View: The Most Important Decision

When booking at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the single most impactful decision you'll make is your view category. The difference between standard view and savanna view is not subtle — it fundamentally changes the experience:

• Standard view rooms overlook the parking lot, pool area, or landscaping. They're perfectly comfortable rooms in a great resort, but they miss the resort's defining feature.
• Savanna view rooms place you directly above the animal savannas with an unobstructed view of wildlife from your private balcony. Giraffes may walk close enough to almost touch. Zebras graze at sunrise. The experience is mesmerizing and endlessly entertaining.

The difference typically runs 4–8 points per night depending on season and room type. For a five-night stay, that's 20–40 additional points. Our strong recommendation: it's worth it. The savanna view is the entire reason to stay here.

The savanna view at Animal Kingdom Lodge is not just a nice perk — it's the whole point. Budget the extra points. You will not regret it.

Dining: Among the Best at Walt Disney World

Animal Kingdom Lodge boasts what many consider the finest collection of restaurants at any single Disney resort:

• Jiko — The Cooking Place — A signature dining restaurant featuring African-Mediterranean cuisine, an outstanding South African wine list, and dishes that consistently rank among the best at Walt Disney World. The flatbreads and filet are legendary.
• Boma — Flavors of Africa — A buffet restaurant with over 50 items drawing from cuisines across the African continent. Boma is regularly ranked in the top three restaurants at all of Walt Disney World, and its breakfast and dinner services are both exceptional.
• Sanaa — Located in Kidani Village, Sanaa serves Indian-African fusion cuisine with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the savanna. The bread service with nine accompanying dips has been called the best single dish at Disney by countless food writers and fans. It's a must-order.
• The Mara — The quick-service location serving African-inspired bowls, flatbreads, and grab-and-go items. Well above average for counter service.

Cultural Activities and Experiences

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers complimentary activities that you won't find at any other resort:

• Night vision safaris — Free guided experiences using night-vision goggles to watch the animals after dark. An absolutely magical experience for both kids and adults.
• African storytelling — Cultural representatives from African nations share traditional stories around the fire pit in the evening.
• Wildlife viewing with specialists — Cast members stationed at savanna overlooks share detailed information about each animal species, their behaviors, and the resort's conservation efforts.
• Live drumming — African drummers perform in the lobby and sometimes invite guests to join in. It's joyful, communal, and distinctly Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The Value Proposition

Here's what makes Animal Kingdom Lodge one of the smartest DVC bookings: it delivers deluxe resort quality at moderate-plus point costs. Consider the numbers:

• Standard view studio: 10–17 points per night
• Savanna view studio: 14–23 points per night

Compare that to monorail resorts like the Polynesian or Grand Floridian, where studios can run 18–35+ points per night. You're getting a deluxe resort experience — arguably a more unique and memorable one — at a significantly lower point cost.

The trade-off is transportation. Animal Kingdom Lodge is located near Disney's Animal Kingdom park, which puts it farther from Magic Kingdom and EPCOT than the monorail or Crescent Lake resorts. Bus rides to those parks typically run 15–20 minutes. For many guests, the savings in points and the uniqueness of the experience more than compensate for the extra travel time.

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers some of the best point value in the DVC system. Explore available rentals from AKL owners at DVCHomeResort.com and see for yourself why this resort inspires such passionate loyalty.

Is Animal Kingdom Lodge Right for You?

If you want a resort that's more than just a place to sleep — one that's a destination in its own right — Animal Kingdom Lodge stands alone. The savanna views, world-class dining, cultural experiences, and outstanding point value make it one of the most compelling DVC resorts on property. Book the savanna view, order the bread service at Sanaa, and prepare to fall in love.