Walt Disney World Review - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

As the first Walt Disney World property we ever stayed at as a family, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge will always hold a special place in our hearts. Part of that is because my then 3 year old daughter came running up to me from across the lobby and jumped into my arms (the perfect way to start a Walt Disney World vacation), but the majesty of having live safari animals wandering around the resort really can't be described.

The Good
The best reason to stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is if you love animals. Being able to drink your morning coffee and watch giraffes wander by isn't something most of us can do just about anywhere else. And when you don't have a lot of animals near you (which does happen), there are a handful of really nice viewing spots that provide over-sized rocking chairs and a great change of scenery in which to enjoy the view.

From a cost standpoint, in comparison to some of the other Magic Kingdom and Epcot area resorts, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge also offers some savings, without "downgrading". The pool was very nice and the onsite restaurants provide good variety whether you're there with the family or just your spouse.

Lobby of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Bad
The biggest downside of staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is that you are pretty far from the other parks. If you don't mind the bus rides, then it's less of an issue. But for us, a twenty minute bus ride back from the Magic Kingdom at the end of the night always seemed a lot longer than it was. Plus, you're not on the monorail or anything, so if the kids want to ride it, you have to go somewhat out of your way (either by going to the Magic Kingdom, a Magic Kingdom area resort, Epcot, or the Ticket and Transportation Center)to do so.

The other downside is that as much as the animals are billed as the main reason to stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, there are a several times a day where you don't really see much (which is logical, they are migratory animals, so they move around throughout the day). If you're expecting to see a giraffe every time you pull open the shade, you will be let down.

The Verdict
If you've got an animal lover in your family, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge will make your Walt Disney World experience extra magical. The rooms are nicely appointed and available in a variety of configurations, so being able to find a room to fit your needs is pretty easy.

And if you don't mind the bus rides, you can take advantage of all the "staying on Disney property" benefits a bit more reasonably than at Bay Lake or some of the other properties. I recommend staying here though for us, our preference is still to be closer to Magic Kingdom or Epcot. I hope this helps in your vacation planning, have a magical day!