Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge551

A truly grand adventure awaits families at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, an African lodge-style resort amidst a 33-acre wildlife preserve that is home to over 30 species of wildlife. The opportunity to observe zebra, gazelle, waterbuck, impala, ostrich, pelicans, and flamingos roaming freely - and there are plenty of viewing areas throughout the hotel - makes a stay here a truly unique experience. And in classic Disney fashion, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge goes over the top in everything from its attention to design details - thatched ceilings, large beams, a woven ceiling, hand-carved golden-tone furnishings, real African artifacts, and a mud fireplace - to the service it provides its guests.

Standard room options include queen- or king-sized beds and the choice of day beds or bunk beds. Suites sleep up to eight, with varying configurations of one, two, and three bedrooms with seating areas. Rooms have refrigerators and coffee makers; kitchenettes or kitchens are available in the suites. The fridge is left empty for items you may want to bring, which means no unexpected mini-bar charges. Rooms have private balconies, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, air conditioning, cable TV (with ESPN and The Disney Channel, of course), and high-speed Internet access (for an additional fee). Cribs are available on request. Laundry rooms are available, too.

When making your room selection, we recommend keeping in mind some available features that cost a bit more but can really add to the hotel experience:
Rooms with a savannah view: It's quite an experience to wake up in the morning, go out on your balcony, and spot a giraffe or gazelle before breakfast, or check out an eland before turning in for the night. (The Wildlife Field Guide is handy for keeping track of which animals you spot.)
Rooms with Kilimanjaro Club benefits: This allows access to the Club Level Lounge, which serves refreshments from 7am to 10pm daily. Here, families can grab a quick, casual, serve-yourself breakfast before heading out to the theme parks. In the afternoon, a visit to the lounge is a welcome respite for tired and hungry kids (and parents).

There's plenty to do on the hotel grounds for families who opt for a day or afternoon off from visiting the theme parks. Special activities are offered throughout the week, many of which are free to resort guests. These include animal-themed games, African musical instrument demonstrations, arts and crafts, African face painting, and storytelling. Special safaris that include a drive through the savannah and a meal at one of the restaurants are also worth looking in to. Check with the concierge for the current schedule.

The hotel's zero-depth entry pool is easily accessible for even the youngest paddlers and includes a 67-foot long slide. There are also two hot tubs and a wading pool close by.

A playground overlooks the flamingo area and the savannah. A 24-hour high-tech game room features both classic arcade games and the latest in video game entertainment. Parents who want an evening to themselves can check out Simba's Cubhouse, a supervised activity center for children ages four to 12 that is open daily from 4:30pm to midnight.

Dining at the resort is also an adventure - in taste, that is. Two sit-down locations, Jiko and Boma - Flavors of Africa offer traditional African dishes alongside American favorites with a special flair. The fast food options are standard fare, but are nice and quick when you have to get to the parks or to the pool. An on-site store sells authentic African-themed merchandise and Disney-branded items.

Resort benefits: As guests of a Disney resort hotel, families can take advantage of special hours at select Walt Disney World theme parks - check with the concierge for a schedule. If you plan to spend your time between the hotel and the theme parks, you won't need a rental car, as the hotel offers complimentary transportation to Orlando International Airport with Disney's Magical Express and to destinations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, including the theme parks and water parks. The hotel offers guests the option to check in their luggage and receive their boarding passes right at the front desk on the day of departure.

Plan ahead: Families can get the most out of their visit by planning their stay, as nearly every special activity requires advance reservations. This includes dining at the two on-site African restaurants, participating in the Simba's Clubhouse option, and taking part in the special safaris and some arts and crafts activities.