Walt Disney World Resort of the Month
July 2002
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

2901 Osceola Boulevard
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-1000
(407) 938-3000

Animal Kingdom Lodge Facts
Opening Date: April 16, 2001
Category: Deluxe
Rooms: 1,293
Levels: 6

Designed by Peter Dominick, who also designed Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Room Categories: Standard View; Pool View; Savanna View; Savanna View Deluxe; Concierge Level. Typical room size is 344 square feet. Deluxe rooms are slightly larger.

Rooms are available with two queen beds, one queen bed and bunk beds, or a king bed and daybed.

The resort is located in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area. Animal Kingdom is the closest theme park; Blizzard Beach is the closest water park. Because it is located in Osceola County, the room tax is 12%.

Transportation to Disney Attractions: By bus to all destinations. The bus stops are located to the left as you exit the lobby.

Main Lobby

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is themed as an African game reserve lodge. It is built in a horseshoe shape. Its biggest attractions are the three savannas - Uzima (right side of the horseshoe), Arusha (central) and Sunset (left side of the horseshoe).

The savannas are home to giraffes, zebras, gazelles, wildebeest, Ankole cattle and a variety of antelopes and birds.

Most of the resort's rooms overlook the savannas. Rooms on the Kudu Trail may overlook the Sunset or Arusha savannas; rooms on the Ostrich Trail may overlook the Sunset savanna or the parking lot; rooms on the Zebra Trail may overlook the Arusha or Uzima savannas; rooms on the Giraffe trail will overlook either the pool or the parking lot.

The resort requires that guests follow its strict "don't feed the animals" rule.

DINING AT THE ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

Three restaurants are located at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

MARA is the quick-service dining option, open from 6 AM to midnight. Order your food and have it prepared for you, or grab pre-made sandwiches and other selections. Refillable mugs are available here in regular or travel sizes. Straws are not available for drinks - they may be dangerous to the animals and birds if dropped into their enclosures.

BOMA (Flavors of Africa) offers buffet dining for breakfast (7 AM - 11 AM) and dinner (5:30 PM - 10 PM). It is styled after an African marketplace, and manages to approximate the bustle and noise! A wide variety of offerings are presented, many based on traditional African cuisine. Boma has its own wood-burning grill and rotisserie, and at dinnertime combines its meat, poultry, fish and vegetable offerings with a good selection of soups and desserts.

JIKO (The Cooking Place) is open for dinner (5:30 PM - 10 PM) and boasts twin wood-burning ovens that give it its name. It features modern African-inspired cuisine and an extensive list of South African wines. Jiko's décor calls to mind the African plains - note the "birds" flying overhead!

VICTORIA FALLS LOUNGE is located on the second floor overlooking Boma. It's open from 4 PM to midnight.

RECREATION AT THE ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

Even if you don't have a savanna view from your balcony, you can see the savannas from many public viewing areas (with seating) throughout the Lodge.

There are outdoor overlooks on the Arusha Savanna (Arusha Rock) and the Uzima Savanna. The Sunset Savanna Overlook is indoors. Savanna Guides are available at the overlooks to answer questions about the animals and the Lodge.

You can spend plenty of time just watching the animals, but there's much more to do!

Uzima Pool: Uzima means "clear water" and there's lots of it in the 11,000 square foot pool. Themed as a water hole in the savanna, the zero-entry pool has two spas and a 67-foot water slide. The Uzima Springs pool bar, open from 10 AM to 9 PM, serves up specialty drinks. Just off the pool area is the overlook for the Uzima Savanna. Flamingos and teal ducks have their own enclosure here. Poolside activities are offered - ask for activity schedules.

Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center: Exercise equipment and spa services, including saunas and steam rooms. The center is open from 6 AM to 9 PM. There is a fee for use of the fitness center.

Pumbaa's Fun & Games Arcade: Video and arcade games, located next door to the Mara restaurant.

For Kids:

The Hakuna Matata Playground, for active play with no worries. It's located next to the pool and the Uzima savanna overlook.

Simba's Cubhouse Children's Activity Center has supervised activities for 4 to 12 year olds. Make reservations 24 hours in advance by calling 407-WDW-DINE (or touching Dining Options on your room phone).

Cookie Decorating: Takes place at Boma. Check with guest services for exact times and days.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Activities
African Storytelling at Arusha Firepit: Each evening, located at the outdoor firepit on Arusha Rock (at Ogun's Firepit indoors in inclement weather). Check at the desk for times.

Sunset Overlook: A relaxing, comfortable room with a perfect sunset view. Look for the Lodge's Cultural Representatives to tell stories and discuss the animals here.

Lodge Tour: Daily tour of the architecture and artwork of the lodge. Starts at 3:30 daily at Ogun's Firepit.

Sunrise Safari Tour: Open only to Concierge Level guests; includes an early morning in-depth tour of the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction at the Animal Kingdom park and a buffet breakfast at the Tusker House restaurant, plus fastpasses good for a later safari ride. The safari tour is offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays and must be booked through the concierge prior to arrival. An extra fee is charged.

SHOPPING AT THE ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

The Zawadi Marketplace store, located on the lobby level, features native artisans demonstrating their crafts - and a wide selection of Disney souvenirs. It's open from 8 AM to 10:00 PM

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