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 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 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
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
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