What DVC Members Love About Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby interior with rock work, a double staircase, Ostrich sculptures and a brown, intricate rounded ceiling

There are quite a few DVC resorts to choose from overall. When you’re considering buying in, or adding on points, researching the resort themes, dining options and property highlights can help you with your decision. The Disney Vacation Club resort options at Disney World are especially ample. Most of the DVC properties are in Orlando. There is one that really stands out from the rest as a one of a kind hotel offering. Animal Kingdom Lodge makes you feel like you went somewhere far away. The detailed, authentic theming captures the beauty of African culture and art. Let’s gallop through what DVC Members love about Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Magical value: How much is Animal Kingdom DVC?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge DVC is $210 per point when purchased directly from Disney Vacation Club. This is one of the lowest per point prices you’ll find. For comparison, only Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort are lower in price at Disney World at $205 per point. The next resort up in price is Boulder Ridge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at $215 per point, a resort that’s older than AKL and with less time left on the contract.

On the resale market, you can buy Animal Kingdom DVC for an excellent price and fantastic value. Over the last few years, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge DVC points have been selling for around $120 per point on average. This varies greatly depending on the current market and the size of the contract. Talk to an Expert about resale prices at the time you are interested.

a flora sign points out information about the grounds at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge has educational opportunities with lots of interesting information about plants and animals.

Can you book club level with DVC? Yes at Kilimanjaro Club Concierge

Animal Kingdom Lodge DVC has something extra luxurious you don’t see often. On the Animal Kingdom point charts you’ll see another type of view category. Yes, you can use DVC points at Animal Kingdom Villas to book club level. This comes complete with access to the lounge with delicious snacks, treats and savory dishes provided at different times throughout the day.

People also love the service that comes with club level stays. Anyone who has visited Disney knows that there can be a lot of planning needed to enjoy the stay you want. With club level stays, you can expect a bit of help with that planning on your vacation. Forgot to make a dining reservation? Your concierge cast member might be able to secure that for you.

It’s also a huge plus that you can book club level in the Deluxe Studios, One Bedroom Villa and Two Bedroom Villa accommodation options.

Hidden Mickey at Sanaa entrance
Hidden Mickey at the entrance of Sanaa, a popular restaurant at Kidani Village.

Animal Kingdom Lodge has space to relax

This resort has a particularly cozy atmosphere. When you enter the Jambo House or Kidani Village lobbies, you’re greeted by a dark and detailed interior. There are many different places to sit and relax in serene atmospheres. In the Jambo House lobby, an indoor fire pit glows all day. Over at Kidani Village, there are proverbial quotes with butterflies on the walls in and around the community hall. There are also indoor and outdoor spaces all around this resort with animal views, rocking chairs and other comfy seating.

There are Animal View Rooms at Animal Kingdom Villas

Disney has a special way of immersing guests in unique atmospheres and experiences. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge brings so much to all who visit through multiple animal habitats. Throughout the day, you’ll be able to view different kinds of animals living, eating and sauntering by. There are flamingos by the Jambo House pool and zebras out the window at Sanaa. Not only are there a few different habitats to view but some are so large you can view them from different angles around the resort property. Waking up with a cup of coffee and giraffes near your balcony is something special.

Being close to Animal Kingdom theme park is a plus

Those first few theme park hours are crucial for getting in all of the shows and attractions on full Disney days. Being close to Animal Kingdom theme park means early morning trips to Pandora and bustling safari rides.

This property is also a great choice for those looking for a quieter vacation experience. Because this resort and the neighboring theme park are home to so many different animal species, you can not see fireworks from Animal Kingdom Lodge. This area is intentionally void of fireworks to provide a peaceful environment for all of the animals who live there. You can enjoy that peace on your next stay.

a zebra grazes in a field at Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World in Florida
A zebra grazes in a field at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. There are multiple savannas and animal habitats at this Disney Vacation Club Resort. You can stay in a room with a savanna view in both the Kidani Village and Jambo House buildings.

What’s the difference between Kidani Village and Jambo House?

One of the nicest things about Animal Kingdom Lodge is that you have options. There are two different areas at the resort. Both have a fantastic pool area, savanna views, a bus stop for transport to the parks and great dining options. It’s a short walk to get from one area of the resort to the other. There is also a shuttle that takes you between the two. DVC Members can use their points to stay in either section of the resort. This is different than some other resorts which only have DVC rooms in one building or area.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge resort opened in 2001 with Jambo House. This section includes the main Jambo House building, 11,000 square foot Uzima Pool, Boma – Flavors of Africa buffet restaurant, The Mara quick service restaurant and more. From Jambo House, guests can view the Uzima, Arusha and Sunset Savannas.

Kidani Village is the Disney Vacation Club home resort building at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It first opened in 2007 and contracts here expire in 2057. At Kidani Village you’ll find a long list of great amenities like the Samawati Springs Pool which hosts the Uwanja Camp water playground, the restaurant Sanaa and excellent animal viewing on two different savannas: Pembe Savanna and Sunset Savanna.

Lounge chairs in a rounded shape in front of a beautifully landscaped lush pool area at the Animal Kingdom themed  resort
The Uzima pool located at Jambo House has lush landscaping and animal observation areas nearby.

Sanaa, Boma and Jiko are top tier restaurants

With so many good restaurants within a 40 mile radius, you’ll want to choose where you eat intentionally. The Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants have food and flavors you won’t find anywhere else in the area. The bread service at Sanaa is one of the most memorable things you’ll eat on your trip to Walt Disney World Resort. The zebra domes at Boma and The Mara are a dessert delight. The steakhouse Jiko – The Cooking place enchants visitors with notable wine pairings. You can please your palate with new tastes at these hidden gems.

The Jambo House and Kidani Village pools are a highlight

With its own Disney Vacation Club building and amenities area, Members are catered to at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Kidani Village pool is far from simple and incredibly themed. Both pools at this resort have beautiful landscaping that makes the area feel like an escape. Lush greens surround the highly themed pool bars and waterslides you’ll find here.

What DVC Members love about Animal Kingdom Lodge during the holidays

Animal Kingdom Lodge has stepped up the holiday display situation in the last few years. The lobby of the Jambo House building at this resort has been home to one of the best Christmas trees at Disney for years. There is now also a gingerbread display at Animal Kingdom Lodge featuring cookie sculptures in the shape of a baby giraffe and baby zebra. Special treats can also be found to celebrate the season.

Kidani Village Animal Guide with giraffe information
A giraffe sign with information at an Animal Overlook. You can rotate these displays to learn more.

DVC Resale Experts Can Help with Animal Kingdom Lodge DVC

The DVC home resort at Animal Kingdom Lodge is called Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas. It’s possible to find great deals on Animal Kingdom resale DVC contracts. These contracts have quite a bit of time left and don’t expire until 2057.

DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in resale DVC. Whether you’re adding on points, buying or selling Disney Vacation Club, the Experts can help you find the right price to place a bid with or list your contract for. Our independent, licensed real estate agents are former Disney Vacation Club Guides. They have decades of pixie dusted experience selling DVC and delight in providing excellent service to their clients. The Experts have seen it all and are happy to answer your questions throughout the process.

DVC resale prices can pleasantly surprise Members interested in selling DVC. See our resale DVC listings for a look at real time availability and pricing. Ready to sell DVC? Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract today. There may be someone waiting on our Buyer Wish List for a contract just like yours.

Disney Blogger Nicole and Disney CEO Bob Iger

Sparkly Nicole

Nicole is a native Floridian who attended the University of Central Florida and decided to call the land of theme parks home. She’s been sharing magical tips, tricks and Orlando travel and tourism favorites online for over a decade.

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