If you’re considering staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with toddlers or young kids, here’s my honest experience after staying here for 3 nights in March. This was our second time staying at this Disney resort, but our first time visiting with kids, and while we had a great trip overall, there were definitely some pros and cons that stood out this time around.
Between the incredible animal views, beautiful resort atmosphere, and amazing food options, there’s a lot to love about Animal Kingdom Lodge. But the transportation and distance from the parks made traveling with toddlers more challenging.
Why We Chose Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge has always been one of the most unique Disney resorts to me. The resort itself feels immersive from the second you walk in. The lobby is stunning, the African-inspired theming is beautiful, and being able to see animals throughout the resort truly makes it feel special.
We stayed on the Jambo House side for this trip and were actually upgraded to a Savanna View room, even though we originally booked a standard room. That upgrade alone made the stay feel extra magical.
Our Savanna View Room Experience
One of the biggest reasons people book Animal Kingdom Lodge is for the Savanna View rooms. Being able to sit on your balcony and watch animals walk around sounds like an unforgettable experience — and it definitely can be.
For us, though, it was a little hit or miss. We mostly saw an ostrich from our balcony during the stay, so it felt a bit like a gamble. Some guests may see giraffes and zebras constantly, while others may not see much at all.
Still, it was fun and exciting for the kids whenever animals did appear, and there are also plenty of viewing areas around the resort where you can see animals no matter what room you book.
The room itself was very nice and spacious. We had:
- Two queen beds
- A table with two chairs
- A coffee station area
- A large bathroom with plenty of space
I personally tend to prefer deluxe resort rooms that include a sofa but honestly, I really have no complaints about the room itself.
One thing worth mentioning is that the resort can feel dark. The atmosphere is beautiful and cozy, but because of the design and lighting, the common areas definitely feel dim compared to some other Disney resorts.
Getting Around the Resort
One challenge with staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge is simply learning your way around. The resort is large, and navigating the hallways can feel confusing at first.
After the first day, though, it became much easier to figure out where everything was located.
Transportation: The Biggest Downside for Families With Toddlers
Transportation was probably the biggest negative for us during this stay.
Unlike resorts on the Skyliner or Monorail lines, Animal Kingdom Lodge only offers bus transportation. That means you have to fold your stroller every single time you board a bus, which can be exhausting with toddlers.
The biggest issue is the location of the resort. While it’s incredibly close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it’s far from almost everything else. Most bus rides to the other parks felt like they took around 20–25 minutes.
There were also several times we had to stand on the bus while holding or managing a stroller with two toddlers, and that was not fun with the 20 minute ride.
For a shorter stay, we managed just fine. But personally, I don’t think I would want to stay here for an entire week with toddlers because of the transportation situation alone.
If you love the convenience of Disney transportation, I definitely prefer resorts on the Skyliner or Monorail routes when traveling with young kids.
Pool and Splash Pad Review
We spent time at both Jambo House and Kidani Village during our stay.
Jambo House Pool
The main pool at Jambo House was nice, but nothing especially memorable compared to some other Disney deluxe resorts. One thing I did love, though, was the dry playground located right next to the pool. It made it easy for the kids to switch between swimming and playing.
You can also see flamingos nearby, which added a really fun touch to the pool area.
One thing to note is that Jambo House does not have a splash pad.
Kidani Village Splash Pad
The next day, we visited the splash pad and pool area at Kidani Village, and my toddlers absolutely loved it.
The splash pad is large with lots of open play areas and spraying water features. There aren’t any deep water sections — it’s more designed for interactive toddler and kid play.
While it’s not my favorite splash pad at Disney World, it was still a huge hit with my kids and definitely worth visiting during our stay.
The Food at Animal Kingdom Lodge Was Excellent
One area where Animal Kingdom Lodge really stands out is the food.
Even though we didn’t eat at some of the resort’s most popular restaurants, we still had some really great meals during our trip.
Sanaa
We ordered lunch to-go from Sanaa and ate it by the pool, and honestly, this ended up being one of my favorite meals of the trip.
I ordered the burger, and it may genuinely be one of the best burgers I’ve had on Disney property. We also ordered the famous bread service, which absolutely lived up to the hype.
My husband ordered the kids’ butter chicken meal, and it was actually the perfect portion size.
Everything was delicious, but next time I would love to dine inside the actual restaurant instead of getting it to-go because I think the full experience would be even better.
The Mara
We also ate multiple meals at The Mara, the quick-service restaurant at Jambo House.
This was a really convenient option with good food and a menu that felt a little different from standard Disney quick-service meals thanks to the African-inspired flavors.
Restaurants We Want to Try Next Time
We didn’t eat at Boma – Flavors of Africa, but every time we walked by it smelled amazing. I’ve heard the breakfast buffet is excellent and would definitely love to try it in the future.
We also skipped Jiko – The Cooking Place this trip, but I’ve heard wonderful things about it as well.
One night we grabbed drinks at Victoria Falls Lounge, and that ended up being a great relaxing spot after a long day.
The Best Part About Staying Here
On our last day, we visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and this is where the location of the resort really shines.
The ride there was incredibly short and convenient compared to the other parks. If Animal Kingdom is your favorite park, staying here makes a lot more sense.
Final Thoughts: Would We Stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge Again?
Overall, we had a really nice stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The resort is beautiful, unique, and unlike anywhere else at Disney World. Seeing animals throughout the resort is such a fun experience, especially with kids.
The food was excellent, the rooms were comfortable, and the atmosphere truly feels special.
That said, the transportation situation makes this a harder sell for me when traveling with toddlers. Between the long bus rides, folding strollers constantly, and distance from most parks, I personally prefer other Disney resorts for longer stays with young kids.
I’m glad we stayed here again, and we definitely enjoyed our trip, but it’s not currently at the top of my list for future Disney stays.