Animal Kingdom resort

[PinMan]

Animal Kingdom resort ,what’s the draw, what to see, closest parks and best way to get there .

 

[holden]

The draw:
Flight of Passage
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Kali River Rapids
Animals (walking trails to see them)
Tiffins/Nomad Lounge

What to see:
Attractions
Shows
Animals

Closest park:
I'd guess DHS but not sure

Best way to get there:
Drive
Uber/Lyft
Disney bus

 

[Skippyboo]

Are you referring to the Park or the hotel?

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Animal Kingdom, what’s the draw, what to see, closest parks and best way to get there .

The food. The animals. The rooms. The food. The lobby. The food. The community hall. The pool. More food.

Closest park is Animal Kingdom. Best way to get there is bus or your own car.

 

[CynBeth]

A lot of people love it but we were not crazy about it. We are usually gone early and get back late so never got to see animals from our balcony which is the main reason to stay there. One day we came back early after spending time at AK and saw them in the viewing areas which is what we do when we come every trip for a breakfast or dinner at Boma we don’t need to spend extra money to stay there for the same thing we experience visiting. We also found the hallways long and even though we have stayed at other resorts that were bus only felt it took longer to get to the other 3 parks and the bus service was not as good.

 

[PinMan]

A lot of people love it but we were not crazy about it. We are usually gone early and get back late so never got to see animals from our balcony which is the main reason to stay there. One day we came back early after spending time at AK and saw them in the viewing areas which is what we do when we come every trip for a breakfast or dinner at Boma we don’t need to spend extra money to stay there for the same thing we experience visiting. We also found the hallways long and even though we have stayed at other resorts that were bus only felt it took longer to get to the other 3 parks and the bus service was not as good.

I agree , everything is a long way from animal kingdom resort , except animal kingdom park . It’s the furthest from Disney Springs , complete opposite.

 

[HopperFan]

It is one of the most unique hotel experiences in this country. To have a room that overlooks a savannah, waking up to giraffes and more is awesome. Even if you don't book a savannah room there are balconies all over you can sit on, there is the outdoor space off the lobby to view the animals.

It is one resort where ALL the dining is excellent and unique. The lobby and hallways are full of African art and it's beautiful to wander. There are firepits, fireplaces, multiple hidden hot tubs, quiet spots ... one of the few Disney resorts I could stay there and not do the parks.

Yes, it is only buses to parks but NONE of them are a horrid ride. MK is the longest and I've been on the bus as short as 10-15 minutes.

Animal Kingdom Lodge to:
Based on travel times right now ..

AK = 1 mile, 5 minutes
DHS = 3.5 miles, 14 minutes
EPCOT = 7 miles, 16 minutes
Disney Springs = 7 miles, 17 minutes
Magic Kingdom =7.3 miles, 16 minutes

NOTHING on Disney property is that far of a drive. I don't know why people get all hung up on it. I can even get to an off-property hotel door-to-do from MK in 15 minutes.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Animal Kingdom resort ,what’s the draw, what to see, closest parks and best way to get there .

Assume you mean Animal Kingdom lodge and not the park. The resort is only close to the AK park, it's a fairly quick bus or car ride from the lodge. It's a disney bus ride to Epcot, MK and DHS and it's further away from those areas sort of on it's own. It's not walking distance to any parks/areas.

The draw is the animals and we've only had savanna view rooms. We first stayed and booked a standard room but were upgraded and realized we didn't want to stay again unless we were guaranteed this view. We are not big "view" people when it comes to our rooms since we don't spend a ton of time in our room but having morning coffee and snacks on the balcony with animals in our backyard is awesome.

The lobby, resort activities, food and pool is a lot of fun. It's a beautiful property and really very unique.

 

[IndyToThere]

Not everything is a long drive from AKL. Epcot and Hollywood Studios is closer than most people think. It's just MK and Disney Springs that are long.

To add to the pros, the African cultural items throughout the resort are really cool. Some people love, some are 'meh'. My wife and I really dig it, as it's the place we decided to get DVC through.

 

[DeeBee3]

The resort is amazing IMO. It's a great place to actually stay at the hotel and enjoy the amenities and environment. Closest park is AK, but the buses were not as bad as some people say. I think that part is hit or miss. I used the shuttle bus between Kidani and Jambo. That made enjoying both resorts so much more easy. I have never stayed there with my own car so I have no idea how that part holds up.

We loved the animals and overall vibe. Food is also good at restaurants.

 

[saraheliz]

Really depends on the experience you're looking for. We stayed at Kidani a couple of weeks ago (the DVC only building of the lodge) and it was absolutely perfect for our family. We are a family of introverts that loves Disney but also values some quiet time away from the parks and this hotel definitely gave it to us. Plus, where else can you wave at a giraffe while you're waiting for the elevator?
There are some drawbacks just like any positive/negatives of resorts. People complain about the distance but we found the bus service excellent- better than any of our other stays at more central hotels- and it really didn't feel any farther than typical. But, if you're looking for resort that is super busy and close to all the action, this isn't it (although the main lodge is certainly busier). This has more of a relaxing, stop to smell the roses type vibe.

 

[purpliequeen]

One of our fave Disney resorts and one of my favorite resorts/hotels one planet Earth. Very creative - lots of great details and just simply beautiful.

Highly recommend scheduling a resort day so you can enjoy all the activities at the resort. Pre-Mar 2020, the resort had many activities on its daily schedule inc. kid-oriented stuff (scavenger hunt, musical parade, Medallion rubbings, bead / necklace activities, cookie decorating <-- I did this as an adult and it was fun) and also adult-oriented stuff (culinary-related activities (some for a fee) at the restaurants, tours of the hotel with guide, etc.). As many mentioned, the savanna view rooms are incredible and if you're not staying at the resort, there are many places you can still sit and watch - or go out onto the overlook and watch. They should do night vision goggle viewings too.

The food is incredible. Boma is probably the best buffet on property for both breakfast and dinner. I highly recommend. Sanaa is one of my favorite restaurants on property. Jiko is truly special and if you can swing it, highly recommend. The QS is good as well.

I know a lot of people complain about the distances to parks/Disney Springs (everything except from AK theme park). However, I never felt that this was an issue. Time is all a wash. For instance, larger resorts like Saratoga Springs or resorts that share bus transportation (Swan/Dolphin/BC/YC) have multiple stops in the resort. Jambo House shares with Kidani. That's it. And they're not very far apart from one another. I feel like the # of stops are often worse than a long distance. With multiple stops, the driver has to get out each time, lower the ramp, wheelchairs, etc. With fewer stops, bus boards and you're on your way. It's much more efficient.

 

[Mazz519]

We love AKL..weve actually just stayed there and didn't do parks one trip...my wife can sit on the balcony all day and just watch as the animals come and go....there are a ton of activities if you have young children and the pools are really cool

 

[PinMan]

Wow that sounds nice , we are going to be staying there with a view of the animals. I love your tips and experiences , loking forward to our stay .

 

[Mousetopia]

It is one of the most unique hotel experiences in this country. To have a room that overlooks a savannah, waking up to giraffes and more is awesome. Even if you don't book a savannah room there are balconies all over you can sit on, there is the outdoor space off the lobby to view the animals.

It is one resort where ALL the dining is excellent and unique. The lobby and hallways are full of African art and it's beautiful to wander. There are firepits, fireplaces, multiple hidden hot tubs, quiet spots ... one of the few Disney resorts I could stay there and not do the parks.

Yes, it is only buses to parks but NONE of them are a horrid ride. MK is the longest and I've been on the bus as short as 10-15 minutes.

Animal Kingdom Lodge to:
Based on travel times right now ..

AK = 1 mile, 5 minutes
DHS = 3.5 miles, 14 minutes
EPCOT = 7 miles, 16 minutes
Disney Springs = 7 miles, 17 minutes
Magic Kingdom =7.3 miles, 16 minutes

NOTHING on Disney property is that far of a drive. I don't know why people get all hung up on it. I can even get to an off-property hotel door-to-do from MK in 15 minutes.

I agree! Never have felt the location a problem. It is truly special. I have learned my lesson over the years. Plan mid trip days off to savor the world class resort experience. I plan as many days as I need to do everything then add a couple for resorts. The day we arrive at AK in december it is a day off..so check in head for the pool, animals, lodge..ahhhhhh paradise!. Those are the days we end with special evening experiences that can be hard to rush to aftet park days..Hoop Dee Doo, Drawn To Life, etc.

 

[Mousetopia]

It is one of the most unique hotel experiences in this country. To have a room that overlooks a savannah, waking up to giraffes and more is awesome. Even if you don't book a savannah room there are balconies all over you can sit on, there is the outdoor space off the lobby to view the animals.

It is one resort where ALL the dining is excellent and unique. The lobby and hallways are full of African art and it's beautiful to wander. There are firepits, fireplaces, multiple hidden hot tubs, quiet spots ... one of the few Disney resorts I could stay there and not do the parks.

Yes, it is only buses to parks but NONE of them are a horrid ride. MK is the longest and I've been on the bus as short as 10-15 minutes.

Animal Kingdom Lodge to:
Based on travel times right now ..

AK = 1 mile, 5 minutes
DHS = 3.5 miles, 14 minutes
EPCOT = 7 miles, 16 minutes
Disney Springs = 7 miles, 17 minutes
Magic Kingdom =7.3 miles, 16 minutes

NOTHING on Disney property is that far of a drive. I don't know why people get all hung up on it. I can even get to an off-property hotel door-to-do from MK in 15 minutes.

I agree! Never have felt the location a problem. It is truly special. I have learned my lesson over the years. Plan mid trip days off to savor the world class resort experience. I plan as many days as I need to do everything then add a couple for resorts. The day we arrive at AK in december it is a day off..so check in head for the pool, animals, lodge..ahhhhhh paradise!. Those are the days we end with special evening experiences that can be hard to rush to aftet park days..Hoop Dee Doo, Drawn To Life, etc.