🇺🇸 What’s It Like to Stay INSIDE a Disney Zoo? 🦒🏨

【Animal Kingdom Lodge Structure】 The resort is divided into two sections: 1️⃣ Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House 2️⃣ Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village (We stayed at the former.) 🔸 Uber/Lyft will be checked at the gate — security will ask if you’re dining or checking in. Have your hotel confirmation email ready. 🔸 Each side has its own: lobby, pool, restaurants, kids’ activities, and full amenities. 🔸 Guests at either location can use facilities at both! Complimentary shuttle buses run between them every 10-15 mins 🚌. ✨ Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House 【Dining】 3 restaurants: The Mara (quick service 🍔, open all day) Boma (buffet 🍽️, breakfast & dinner) Jiko (signature dining 🥘, dinner only) Price and ambiance go up in that order! 【Pool】 Uzima Pool — free towels, lockers, fitness center 🏋️, and arcade nearby. ✨ Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village 【Dining】 1 restaurant: Sanaa 👍 Highly recommended! You can enjoy African-Indian cuisine while watching animals like antelopes 🐐 right outside the window. Reservations are needed for window seats! 【Pool】 Samawati Springs Pool — features the Uwanja Camp water playground 💦, very popular with kids. 【Room Views】 Most animal enclosures are closer to this side, so many rooms and common areas offer better safari views. ✅ Pros This is arguably the most unique hotel in all of Walt Disney World. Tons of kid-friendly activities and an immersive animal experience 🐾. For a lighter version, try Hong Kong Disney’s Explorer Lodge — I’ve shared about it in past notes! ❌ Cons Except for The Mara, all restaurants get very crowded. Some are reservation-only 🍽️⏳. Dining options feel limited for such a large resort. The shuttle, including wait time, can take over 10 minutes each way — not the most convenient. Overall, staying here once for a zoo-like experience is totally worth it — especially with kids! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦❤️ #Orlando #DisneyAnimalKingdomLodge #ZooHotel #OrlandoHotels #DisneyTips