Why DVC Members Stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Should you ever take a straw poll of everyone’s favorite Disney Vacation Club resorts, you’ll quickly realize the truth. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas finishes at or near the top of the list each time. The popularity of this particular resort raises a logical question. Why do DVC members stay at Animal Kingdom Villas? Here are five reasons.

The Animals

I’d be underselling the property as a whole if I did it, but I could list only one reason to stay at Animal Kingdom Villas. It would still be more than good enough justification for you to bring a trip. And that reason is the animals.

In 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened to the public on Earth Day. After years of widespread curiosity and a large amount of cynicism, Disney wowed everyone by delivering the world’s first combination of theme park and zoo of this scale. Everyone admired the premise, so much so that crowds swarmed to the park.

Three years later, Disney added an accompanying hotel, and Animal Kingdom Villas joined the DVC lineup in 2008 and 2009. At this resort, you can sidestep the theme park crowds while enjoying the same ambiance and experience. 

That’s because Disney built several natural habitats on the hotel campus. In fact, it’s just past the lobby, making animal visits incredibly convenient. Even better, some of the hotel rooms, the ones with Savannah View, overlook the animals’ homes, allowing you to spend the day watching them. It’s an ideal example of Disney magic and one of the best reasons to own at Animal Kingdom Villas. With the 11-month booking window advantage, you can always assure yourself Savannah View. 

The Authenticity 

I reference the late Peter Dominick frequently because I’m reverential about his contributions to DVC. An architect, Dominick created three different DVC resorts: The Grand Californian, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Villas. Tragically, he would die just two years after Animal Kingdom Villas joined the DVC program, making this his final project.

Disney loved the architect for his willingness to embrace large-scale projects, something you’ll understand the moment you enter the Jambo House lobby. But the more profound part of the visit will be the structure itself. 

Imagineers traveled to Africa and took notes from all the countries they visited. When they returned, they constructed the most culturally authentic hotel imaginable. You’ll feel as if you’re ready to go on safari while you’re here, but in between your trips to the animal habitats, you should study the art, history, and civilization on display throughout the campus. 

Disney imported a staggering number of antiquities, some of which you can buy at the gift shops. There are also walking tours of the art, which I highly recommend. Animal Kingdom Villas is a spiritual place where you’ll feel at one with nature. 

The Lobbies 

For my money, the best place to appreciate the authenticity of this hotel is the lobby. Really, I’m speaking more about Jambo House than Kidani Village when I say this, though. With all due respect to the latter facility, which is lovely, it’s smaller and more intimate.

To truly appreciate the majesty of the African nature theming, you should walk into Jambo House and then stare at the ceiling. You’ll quickly appreciate the sheer scale of the building as well as the fact that the theming goes from the floor to the roof. It’s that immersive! In that manner, Jambo House pays tribute to Wilderness Lodge, which features a similar design.

The hotel lobbies at Animal Kingdom Villas provide so much utility in a small space. You’ll find the general stores as well as the exits to the animal habitats right by the lobby’s ample seating area. Pro tip: These couches and chairs provide ideal napping comfort. I’ve snoozed at the Jambo House lobby a lot. 

You’ll also find some of the hotel’s most iconic restaurants right by the lobby, too. So, you should stay at close to the lobby as possible. You’ll have the run of the hotel when you do. 

The Restaurants 

Finally, we have one of the best reasons to stay at Animal Kingdom Villas. The restaurants here rival the best of the entire DVC library. I would argue that this hotel is, at a minimum, one of the top five for DVC dining. 

You’ll have your pick of places like Boma – Flavors of Africa, Jiko – The Cooking Place, and Sanaa. As I type this, those three restaurants currently rank 45th, 71st, and 85th out of more than 3,000 in Orlando. Yes, these are three of the top 100 places to eat in the entire city!

Disney fans are also enthusiastic about The Mara, one of the best breakfast spots on the Walt Disney World campus. Plus, the pool bars at Maji and Uzima Springs provide a lovely respite when you’re sunbathing or between taking dips in the pool. You’ll never go hungry at Animal Kingdom Villas, a place that doubles as Foodie Heaven for DVC members. 

Access all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.