Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Guides are stationed throughout the hotel

Like other Disney resorts, the lines during peak hours can sometimes wrap around the check-in desk and the restaurants can have upwards of two-hour wait times and snaking lines. But on the whole, the service at Animal Kingdom Lodge is exceptionally warm and friendly -- it's some of the best, most kid-attentive service of any of the Disney resorts. Service requests are answered within 20 minutes (not bad for such a huge resort) and staff members consistently engage children in conversation, often stopping to explain the origins of some of the animals walking around the grounds. (On the other hand, the "Have a magical day" at the end of every phone call can begin to feel a little contrived after a few days.)

• Guides are stationed around the pool and the Arusha Rock to answer questions about animals, conservation, and African culture.
• Free shuttle to and from Orlando International Airport; free delivery of one luggage item per person
• Airline check-in desk at the entrance lets guests check bags and get boarding passes at the hotel.
• Free shuttle bus to all Disney theme parks; buses are supposed to arrive every 20 minutes to ferry guests between resorts and parks, but guests complain that they're often late.
• Guests can charge all theme park purchaces (and purchases at other Disney Resorts) to their rooms
• Full room service menu available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. -- most other Disney resorts only offer pizza delivery.
• Concierge desk; open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The concierge is mainly available to help guests book an activity or get tickets to an event.
• Book restaurant reservations early. Otherwise, wait times can be up to two hours.
• Free copy of USA Today delivered every morning
• No poolside drinks, like all Disney resorts
• Valet parking is $12 per day; self-parking is free.

View on a Larger Map

Located on the far southwestern edge of Disney World, adjacent to the Animal Kingdom theme park, the Lodge's most significant downside is its distance from most other theme parks. While getting to the Animal Kingdom only takes a five-minute drive, other parks, like Magic Kingdom and Epcot, can be a 10- to 25-minute drive (depending on traffic). However, the Lodge's distinctive surroundings, enormous pool, and free transportation system (which can be sluggish) make up for some of this inconvenience. Like most Disney resorts, the Lodge is set back from the main roads, so traffic and noise aren't much of an issue. Like most resorts in Orlando, there's nothing within walking distance.

• Free bus to Animal Kingdom from the Lodge, a five-minute drive away
• Free shuttle bus to Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney (all within 10 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic); buses, however, often don't arrive on schedule.
• 25-minute drive to International Drive, a 14.5 mile road parallel to Interstate 4 that's full of hotels, strip malls, outlet shops, and restaurants.
• 20-minute drive to SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild parks
• 35-minute drive to Downtown Orlando; Orange Avenue has a notable dining and nightlife scene, and non-theme-park attractions like the Orlando Science Center and Harry P. Leu Gardens draw some tourists, but otherwise there's not much to see.
• 1.5-hour drive to Kennedy Space Center
• Free shuttle bus to Orlando International Airport, a 30-minute drive away
• Free self-parking; valet parking costs $12 per day.

The Standard Room

Standard rooms aren't especially spacious, but the brightly patterned bedspreads, few pieces of hand-carved wooden furniture, and sheer draperies above the headboards made to look like mosquito netting help create a fun, safari spirit in the rooms. At 344-square-feet, rooms are smaller than those at the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian, but the unique African decor makes up for the more cramped space.

• Most standard rooms are 344 square feet, smaller than other Deluxe-category Disney resorts like the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian.
• Various bed options in standard rooms: two queen beds, bunk beds and a queen, or a king with a daybed.
• Comfortable, but not exceptional, beds: 250-thread-count Wamsutta sheets; synthetic (not down) pillows; polyester-blend bedspreads
• Small bathrooms with double sinks, marble vanities, a small, separate shower area, and toiletries by H20
• iHome iPod docking alarm clock (though mine was broken)
• Small, 27-inch LG flat-screen TV with 30 basic cable channels and Disney programming
• Electoronic safe, large enough for a laptop
• Empty mini-fridge and coffeemaker with free coffee; no minibar items, though
• Wired Internet costs $10 a day (no Wi-Fi).
• Most rooms come with balconies; room prices vary according to the view: savannah, pool, or "standard view" (which typically translates to a view of the parking lot).
• Tip: Request a room located closer to the lobby -- the walk from the rooms on the outer edges of the horseshoe-shaped building can take up to 10 minutes (plus all the time waiting for the elevators)
• Tip: Savannah-view upgrades aren't always worth it; it's easy to spot the animals anywhere else on the property, including special lookout points in the hallways.

The enormous pool features a waterslide

A massive pool area, full-service spa and fitness center appeal to couples and families alike -- but there's no business center.

• Huge, 11,000-square-foot pool with a 67-foot-long waterslide as well as a gradually sloping, zero-entry section (great for young swimmers)
• Countless lounge chairs, plenty of shaded areas, and lifeguards on duty until 10 p.m. (pool is open 24 hours, though)
• Two well-shaded Jacuzzis located near the pool
• Popular playground near the pool; plenty of benches for tired parents
• Spacious gym: 14 Life Fitness cardio machines, most with personal monitors; wide selection of weight machines and free weights; personal trainers available (for an extra fee)
• Spa offers a full range of massage, facial, and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, and haircuts; treatments, like a 25-minute facial or a 25-minute Swedish massage, start at $65.
• No business center; however, guests can access the one nearby at Coronado Springs
• In-room hard-wired Internet costs $10 per day; no Wi-Fi.
• Animal tours available (for an additional fee)

Kids activities at Simba's cubhouse

From the gazelles and giraffes grazing in the savannah to the enormous pool with a waterslide, the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge was made for kids. Plus, throughout the day, staff members lead educational activities for children like craft-making, African drumming, or mini-lessons about the where giraffes come from. The end result? Capitivated kids.

• Standard rooms come with various bed combinations, like two queen beds, bunk beds and a queen, or a king with a daybed (maximum occupancy is four); Cribs are free, but an extra rollaway bed costs $15 extra per night.
• Plenty of kid-friendly eats at the restaurants, like burgers and chicken nuggets
• Simba's Cubhouse is a supervised kids' club for children ages four to 12, open from 4:30 p.m. to midnight for $11.50 per hour. Includes videogames, dinner, snacks, and movies.
• Concierge can arrange private, in-room babysitters through a separate company.
• Free daily activities, including animal tracking and cookie decorating; most activities are free, but some craft-making workshops cost up to $10.
• Coin-operated laundry rooms
• Public bathrooms have convenient kid-high sinks.
• Great playground
• Excellent pool and waterslide; lifeguards on duty until 10 p.m.
• Guides are stationed around the pool and the Arusha Rock to answer questions about animals, conservation, and African culture.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is the newest resort in Walt Disney World (opened in 2001) and the grounds and public spaces still look immaculate. Rooms are also clean, though I did spot a hair on my blanket.

African fusion fare at Jiko

There are two full-service restaurants, Boma and Jiko, plus a quick and easy grab-and-go called The Mara. Both Boma and Jiko claim to offer African cuisine, but it's really more like American offerings with a few African dishes and flares of spice.

• Boma, arguably the kid-friendliest and most economical of the three restaurants, offers a buffet for breakfast ($17 adults; $10 kids) and dinner ($29 adults; $14 kids).
• Open for dinner only, Jiko is the most upscale restaurant, and has prices to match (entrees between $25 and $35), but its twin wood-burning ovens are fun for kids to watch.
• The Mara is a cross between a convenience store and a fast-food joint, but with slightly healthier options, like flatbread pizzas, salads and sandwiches, plus some grab-and-go alternatives like pre-made salads and hummus. It's great for grabbing a quick snack to eat by the pool.
• Full room service menu available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Make reservations early -- wait times at Jiko and Boma can be up to two hours without one.