Animal Kingdom Resort Area
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
Authentic African lodge architecture, real savanna animals visible from your balcony at any hour, and an unmatched on-resort experience. AKL is not just a hotel — it's a destination in itself.
About this resort
Animal Kingdom Villas spans two buildings: Jambo House (DVC opened 2007, also home to the main hotel) and Kidani Village (DVC-dedicated, opened 2009). Together they represent the most immersive resort experience in all of DVC — with real African wildlife on the savannas, outstanding dining, and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else at Walt Disney World.
Score breakdown
Book at or close to 11 months for best availability
Room types
Deluxe Studio — Value/Resort View
Sleeps up to 4
Lowest point categories, with smaller Value rooms at Jambo House
Best for: Travellers wanting AKL at the lowest point cost
Deluxe Studio — Savanna/Club View
Sleeps up to 4
Savanna or Kilimanjaro Club categories available
Best for: The definitive AKL experience
One-Bedroom Villa
Sleeps up to 5
Full kitchen, separate bedroom — savanna and club categories available
Best for: Travellers who need more space and want to self-cater
Two-Bedroom Villa
Sleeps up to 9
Multiple balconies — savanna-view configuration available
Best for: Larger groups
Grand Villa
Sleeps up to 12
Three bedrooms with resort or savanna views
Best for: Multi-generational groups and reunions
Honest pros & cons
👍 Pros
- ✓ Real African animals (giraffes, zebras, flamingos and more) viewable from savanna-view rooms
- ✓ Night-vision goggles available for wildlife viewing after dark — genuinely memorable after sunset
- ✓ Outstanding dining: Jiko and Boma at Jambo House, Sanaa at Kidani Village
- ✓ Dedicated DVC building (Kidani Village) with its own pool and Sanaa restaurant
- ✓ Exceptional young-child experience — unmatched immersion
- ✓ Easier to book than EPCOT-area or MK-area premium resorts
👎 Cons
- × Bus-only to all four theme parks — expect 20–40 minutes each way
- × Somewhat isolated from the rest of WDW — feels like a separate world (pro or con)
- × Savanna-view rooms are significantly more expensive in points than standard-view
- × Animal Kingdom park itself has limited evening offerings
This resort is best for
Quick facts
Points per night