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
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