The Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World is a magnificent Resort hotel with spectacular views of the in-house savannas. It is home to over 30 species of African wildlife including zebra, kudu, giraffes, and gazelles. Staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a chance to fully immerse yourself in Africa without ever leaving American shores. And of course, one of the main advantages of staying onsite at a Disney Resort hotel is the ease of access to the Disney theme parks. But, can you walk from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom?
The short answer is no. It is only about 2.5 miles from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to the Animal Kingdom theme park. But there is no walking path from the lodge to the park and you need to cross the Osceola Parkway to get there. It’s safer, quicker, and more convenient to drive or take the air-conditioned Disney motorcoach transportation. With either of these options, it’s a very short trip from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom.
Even though you cannot walk from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom, there are many reasons to choose this Resort hotel as your accommodation in Disney World. Keep reading to find out more about your transportation options and some of the great amenities at this deluxe hotel.
How long is the walk from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom?
If you do decide to walk from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom (not recommended), expect it to be a 45- to 60-minute walk for a fairly fit person walking at a good pace. The route is mostly flat but includes private or restricted usage roads. Also, you’ll have to cross the Osceola Parkway which is the only link between the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Animal Kingdom theme park.
How to get from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom?
If you have a rental car, then driving from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom is the quickest and easiest way to get there. It’s a short trip, roughly 2.5 miles, and should take you less than 10 minutes to get from the hotel to the Animal Kingdom parking lot. Remember, as a guest of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, you enjoy free standard parking in the Resort hotels and theme parks.
If you don’t have a car, Disney’s internal bus service is easy and hassle-free. There are services every 15-20 minutes and the ride from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom theme park is quick (typically less than 5 minutes). A third option is to use a taxi or Uber.
Are there any plans to add more transportation options from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom?
Theoretically speaking, Disney can build a walking path from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom, although this would take some creativity given the existing roads and landscape. Should Disney decide to build a walkway from the lodge to the park, it will be at least a mile long, if not more, depending on where it starts and ends.
Another possibility in the long-term is that the Disney Skyliner may link Animal Kingdom to other parts of Walt Disney World, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge. There have been some rumors that Disney is planning a special form of transportation between Animal Kingdom Lodge and Animal Kingdom, but none of these plans have been officially confirmed. It does not look like adding transportation options between the Animal Kingdom Lodge and theme park is a top priority for Disney, given that driving and using the buses are convenient.
How far is Animal Kingdom Lodge from Disney theme parks?
The Disney theme park that is closest to the Animal Kingdom Lodge is Animal Kingdom, which is only about 2.5 miles away. However, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is kind of remote and located at a fair distance from the other three main Disney parks. The approximate distance from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Magic Kingdom is 12 miles. Epcot is roughly 8 miles from Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Hollywood Studios theme park is about 6 miles from Animal Kingdom Lodge.
As such, it’s not possible to walk from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom or any of the other Disney theme parks. You will need to drive or use the Disney transportation system.
Why choose Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
While walking from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom theme park is not possible, there are many reasons to choose this deluxe Disney Resort hotel. With cast members hailing from sub-Saharan countries like Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa, and with a décor that includes one of the largest collections of African artifacts and art in the US, this is the closest you can get to Africa without ever leaving Orlando.
The Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge
The showcase feature of the Animal Kingdom Lodge is the private savanna which is home to over 30 species of African wildlife, including zebra, flamingo, ostrich, kudu, and giraffe. Wildlife field guides are placed in all guest rooms to help guests identify the various species. Animal specialists lead fun programs educating guests about the animals and the ecosystem.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great place to spend non-park days with plenty to keep the kids busy. They can watch the flamingos being fed, decorate a cake, play in the Hakuna Matata playground, enjoy the pool, or learn to drum. Adults and older kids can sign up for a Sense of Africa tour (extra charge) that includes a 3.5-hour sunrise safari and breakfast buffet at Boma.
Dining
Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas have access to the Wanyama Safari and Dinner where they can enjoy close-up encounters with the animals and a delicious multi-course meal. There are several other dining options as well, offering the chance to sample some exotic cuisines.
Pool and recreation
The 11,000-square-foot pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is designed like a natural watering hole with zero-depth entry. In addition to a children’s wading pool and whirlpool spas, there is a thrilling waterslide and an animal-themed aqua playground.
Disney Deluxe Villas
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is massive with over 1,000 rooms and villas of various types. If you’re a large group looking for more spacious accommodations, consider the Disney Deluxe Villas that come complete with private bedrooms, full kitchen, spacious dining and living areas, washer/dryer, and more, making them a home away from home. A 2-bedroom villa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can comfortably sleep up to 9 adults. But the prices are not for the faint of heart. Studios start at $500 on average per night plus tax and 2-bedroom villas are $1500+ plus tax.
Is Animal Kingdom Lodge worth it?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe property and staying here is not easy on your pocket. However, it is a Disney Resort hotel that offers a unique experience. You don’t have to leave the hotel grounds to enjoy an African safari experience. Now, that’s something near impossible to find anywhere else in Orlando, perhaps even all of the United States. So, a view of the animals from your room is something that will make a stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge a memorable experience for kids and adults alike. Remember, however, that you’ll pay extra for savanna-view rooms, but the upgrade is totally worth considering.
The only reason to avoid staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge is its somewhat remote location. For example, it can take up to 45 minutes to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Magic Kingdom. And even though the Animal Kingdom theme park is just around the corner, it is not within walking distance. If you want to go from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom or any of the other Disney theme parks, you’ll need a car or you’ll have to rely heavily on Disney transportation.