Hi Erin! You're going to love the Animal Kingdom Lodge! Watching giraffes and zebras grazing on the savanna from your resort room balcony is such a unique experience! The
Wanyama Safari gives a small group of guests at the Animal Kingdom Lodge the opportunity to see the animals up close and personal during an afternoon drive through the savanna. There is a minimum age of 8 years old to participate in this experience, and the only exception to that rule of which I'm aware is if you have a large party (12 people) and "buy out" the entire safari. My family went on the Wanyama Safari this summer, and we really enjoyed it. The experience includes not only the afternoon safari led by a knowledgeable animal guide, but also a multi-course meal at Jiko with wine pairings. While my children enjoyed the animal portion of the safari, I personally don't think the dinner is geared toward younger children. All the guests attending the safari are seated together for the family-style meal, which can last quite a while. Children pay the same price as adults, even though they don't partake in the wine pairings and, unless they're adventurous eaters, don't eat a lot of the foods served. While the tour alone is priceless, you'll get more bang for your buck if you wait until your child is old enough to also enjoy the gourmet exotic meal at Jiko.
For little ones who love animals, you'll find lots of fun activities at the Lodge. Stroll out to the savanna viewing area at night to spot animals with night-vision goggles or watch a flamingo feeding while learning about the birds from animal specialists. You'll find these and other opportunities on the resort activities guide given to you at check-in.
Come visit me again at the Moms Panel if you have more questions! I'm always happy to help!