DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
by Paula Hughes Court
Don’t bother packing an alarm clock if you’re staying at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando. The deep,
booming call of the tiptoeing Abyssinian ground hornbill at
dawn guarantees that nobody oversleeps. Then again,
nobody wants to since dawn is the best time to view the
nearly three dozen species of animals grazing on the 33-
acre savannah.
Two giraffes stand a mere thirty feet from my balcony,
stretching their long necks high to reach food hidden
among the leaves of an Acacia tree. A herd of long-horned
Ankole-Watusi cattle graze nearby, while a flock of East
African Crowned cranes splash in the watering hole.
Though several guests are watching from nearby balconies,
no one says a word. Only a reverent silence fills the air.
THE BEST OF ORLANDO'S ACCOMMODATIONS
And so another breathtaking morning begins at Disney's
Animal Kingdom Lodge, the prized jewel of Disney’s deluxe
resorts. Nestled on 74 acres west of Animal Kingdom theme
park, the 1,293 room resort is built in the middle of its own
savannah, providing most of the guest rooms with direct
views into the animal sanctuary. The savannah is home to
more than 200 mammals and birds representing a cross-
section of African animals, including Greater kudu, Grant’s
zebra, wildebeest, impala, and Marabou stork to name a
few. At night, under artificial lighting designed to simulate a
full moon, the savannah takes on a different look as
Thomson’s gazelles and shy, forest-dwelling bongos graze
in the tall grass.
While the animals are undeniably the main attraction, the
lodge itself is an impressive tribute to the wonder and
romance of Africa. Before building the resort, Disney
Imagineers visited more than 20 African lodges for
inspiration and research. The effort paid off. One step into
the lobby and you’re instantly immersed in the cultural
splendor and beauty of an African wildlife reserve.
The massive lobby is the heart of the resort, featuring a
large, mud fireplace, a flowing stream and a gigantic rare
ceremonial mask. Floor-to-ceiling dormer windows provide
spectacular views of the animal filled savannah. An elevated
rock outcropping located right outside the lobby puts guests
within 15 feet of the animals. At sunset, guests gather
around the large fire pit to hear story-tellers while
incandescent lighting twinkles, resembling fireflies.
ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE ARTWORK
The Animal Kingdom Lodge also showcases an extensive
collection of authentic artwork. Approximately 380 museum
quality pieces are located in public areas, with more than
4,000 handcrafted pieces in the guest rooms. Keeping with
the resort’s theme, the art tells stories about the
relationship between man and animals while also helping
guests understand the diversity of the different regions of
Africa. The centerpiece is the grand scale Igbo Ijele
ceremonial mask. The Ijele, standing 6-feet-tall and 8-feet-
wide, was created specifically for export by the Igbo people
and no other Ijele is known to exist outside of Igbo land.
The artwork is for display only, but the Zawadi Marketplace
offers an extensive selection of handmade items for sale,
including Zulu baskets, tightly woven from the grasses of
Botswana, vibrantly colored hand-loomed fabrics, and hand-
carved masks. Children will enjoy trying out the large variety
of musical instruments and rain sticks.
DINING AT ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
No stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is complete without
an African culinary tour of one of the resort’s gourmet
restaurants. Jiko-“The Cooking Place”, features cuisines
from around the globe and an interior design inspired by,
“The Lion King”, while Boma, meaning “flavors of Africa” is
a mouth-watering buffet-style restaurant featuring an exhibit
kitchen with a wood-burning grill. Make your restaurant
reservations early since tantalizing aromas wafting though
the lobby entices in crowds of hungry diners.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is not a place to drop by for a few
quick hours sleep after a long day at the theme parks. To
truly appreciate all the resort has to offer, plan a few hours
of downtime to enjoy the 9,000 square-foot Uzima Pool,
relax in a secluded, bubbling hot tub and soak up the
unusual ambience. Lulled by the sound of softly beating
drums and chirping birds, you’ll soon feel a continent away.
For more information:
Contact Disney Reservations at 407-W-DISNEY (934-
7639).
Rates range from $199 to $510 per night. For the best view,
ask for a Zebra or Kudu trail room facing the main
savannah.
REVIEW OF ANIMAL KINGDOM THEME PARK
REVIEW OF DISCOVERY COVE
REVIEW OF SEAWORLD
by Paula Hughes Court
Don’t bother packing an alarm clock if you’re staying at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando. The deep,
booming call of the tiptoeing Abyssinian ground hornbill at
dawn guarantees that nobody oversleeps. Then again,
nobody wants to since dawn is the best time to view the
nearly three dozen species of animals grazing on the 33-
acre savannah.
Two giraffes stand a mere thirty feet from my balcony,
stretching their long necks high to reach food hidden
among the leaves of an Acacia tree. A herd of long-horned
Ankole-Watusi cattle graze nearby, while a flock of East
African Crowned cranes splash in the watering hole.
Though several guests are watching from nearby balconies,
no one says a word. Only a reverent silence fills the air.
THE BEST OF ORLANDO'S ACCOMMODATIONS
And so another breathtaking morning begins at Disney's
Animal Kingdom Lodge, the prized jewel of Disney’s deluxe
resorts. Nestled on 74 acres west of Animal Kingdom theme
park, the 1,293 room resort is built in the middle of its own
savannah, providing most of the guest rooms with direct
views into the animal sanctuary. The savannah is home to
more than 200 mammals and birds representing a cross-
section of African animals, including Greater kudu, Grant’s
zebra, wildebeest, impala, and Marabou stork to name a
few. At night, under artificial lighting designed to simulate a
full moon, the savannah takes on a different look as
Thomson’s gazelles and shy, forest-dwelling bongos graze
in the tall grass.
While the animals are undeniably the main attraction, the
lodge itself is an impressive tribute to the wonder and
romance of Africa. Before building the resort, Disney
Imagineers visited more than 20 African lodges for
inspiration and research. The effort paid off. One step into
the lobby and you’re instantly immersed in the cultural
splendor and beauty of an African wildlife reserve.
The massive lobby is the heart of the resort, featuring a
large, mud fireplace, a flowing stream and a gigantic rare
ceremonial mask. Floor-to-ceiling dormer windows provide
spectacular views of the animal filled savannah. An elevated
rock outcropping located right outside the lobby puts guests
within 15 feet of the animals. At sunset, guests gather
around the large fire pit to hear story-tellers while
incandescent lighting twinkles, resembling fireflies.
ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE ARTWORK
The Animal Kingdom Lodge also showcases an extensive
collection of authentic artwork. Approximately 380 museum
quality pieces are located in public areas, with more than
4,000 handcrafted pieces in the guest rooms. Keeping with
the resort’s theme, the art tells stories about the
relationship between man and animals while also helping
guests understand the diversity of the different regions of
Africa. The centerpiece is the grand scale Igbo Ijele
ceremonial mask. The Ijele, standing 6-feet-tall and 8-feet-
wide, was created specifically for export by the Igbo people
and no other Ijele is known to exist outside of Igbo land.
The artwork is for display only, but the Zawadi Marketplace
offers an extensive selection of handmade items for sale,
including Zulu baskets, tightly woven from the grasses of
Botswana, vibrantly colored hand-loomed fabrics, and hand-
carved masks. Children will enjoy trying out the large variety
of musical instruments and rain sticks.
DINING AT ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
No stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is complete without
an African culinary tour of one of the resort’s gourmet
restaurants. Jiko-“The Cooking Place”, features cuisines
from around the globe and an interior design inspired by,
“The Lion King”, while Boma, meaning “flavors of Africa” is
a mouth-watering buffet-style restaurant featuring an exhibit
kitchen with a wood-burning grill. Make your restaurant
reservations early since tantalizing aromas wafting though
the lobby entices in crowds of hungry diners.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is not a place to drop by for a few
quick hours sleep after a long day at the theme parks. To
truly appreciate all the resort has to offer, plan a few hours
of downtime to enjoy the 9,000 square-foot Uzima Pool,
relax in a secluded, bubbling hot tub and soak up the
unusual ambience. Lulled by the sound of softly beating
drums and chirping birds, you’ll soon feel a continent away.
For more information:
Contact Disney Reservations at 407-W-DISNEY (934-
7639).
Rates range from $199 to $510 per night. For the best view,
ask for a Zebra or Kudu trail room facing the main
savannah.
REVIEW OF ANIMAL KINGDOM THEME PARK
REVIEW OF DISCOVERY COVE
REVIEW OF SEAWORLD
FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
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