What DVC Members Love About Animal Kingdom Lodge

May 19, 2023 by Samantha - DVC Millennial

If you were to ask Disney Vacation Club Members what the most unique resort is, most of them would definitely say Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! This resort gives Members the option of two slightly different stays – Jambo House (DVC Villas in the main building of Animal Kingdom Lodge) and Kidani Village (a standalone DVC resort). Let’s take a walk on the wild side and see why Members love the villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Room Features

When talking about Animal Kingdom Lodge, there’s one distinctive feature that is always the first topic of conversation – the savanna! Members lucky enough to book a Savanna View villa can sip their morning coffee while watching giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife walk by. This feature makes the resort especially popular for families, as kids are able to use guides provided in the rooms and common areas to identify and observe some very cool creatures.

If you’re a Member that typically books One-Bedroom Villas, the units in Kidani Village offer a feature that ranks them above those at other resorts. These villas feature a full second bathroom, making them ideal for families and even friends traveling together. Much easier to get everyone ready for rope drop when there are multiple spaces for that!

Dining

Let’s start our eating journey at Jambo House! Guests looking for a quick bite at breakfast, lunch, or dinner can stop into The Mara. We recommend picking up Zebra Domes – the resort’s signature dessert! Looking for a buffet with exotic flair? Boma – Flavors of Africa has options that cater to both picky and adventurous eaters. Guests who love a signature cocktail have three great options – Uzima Springs Pool Bar, Victoria Falls Lounge, and Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar. All feature a wide array of South African wines, sure to please sommeliers. Finally, the resort’s fine dining location is Jiko – The Cooking Place. Here, guests can immerse their palettes in African tradition with dishes like Seafood Tagine and Zulu Oxtail Samp and Beans.

Kidani Village also offers some great dining options! Maji Pool Bar features a menu of African wines, cocktails, salads, and sandwiches for guests wanting to stay poolside for their midday bite. This resort is also home to fan-favorite restaurant, Sanaa. Guests staying at Kidani Village can enjoy a grab-and-go style breakfast here, or stop in for a table service experience for lunch or dinner. Signature items include the Indian-Style Bread Service and Zanzibari Vegetable Curry. If you enjoy a vacation without dining reservations, most of the menu is available in the Sanaa Lounge.

If you want to make sure you get those hard-to-find dining reservations, make sure you check out our friends over at Unlocked Magic. Their dining reservation finder allows you to set unlimited alerts and sends you a text when reservations becomes available!

Resort Amenities

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers two great feature pools. Uzima Springs Pool at Jambo House faces the Uzima Savanna and features a zero-depth entry point and 67-foot water slide. Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village also features a zero-depth entry point, a 128-foot water slide, and a water playground, Uwanja Camp. Guests needing special assistance accessing the pools can find chair lift devices at both pools.

Guests sticking to their workout routines have two fitness centers to choose from – Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center at Jambo House and Survival of the Fittest Fitness Center at Kidani Village. Both feature cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights.

Resort Activities

One of the best things about this resort is the recreation spaces for kids, (and the young at heart). They can try for their high score on multiple arcade games at Pumba’s Fun and Games Arcade. Young kids will enjoy the Hakuna Matata Playground, which overlooks the savanna and flamingo area.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is best known for its wide array of activities lead by cultural representatives, which will inspire travelers of all ages to learn more about African culture and arts. Be sure to check the Activities Guide when you visit!