Hello Corey,
I love helping out a fellow Buckeye!
I completely understand wanting to sort out the easiest Disney transportation for your family...especially when traveling with a toddler.
Because you know your Princess is
wild about animals, I think
Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) might be your best bet. Yes, some people say its location is further off the beaten path than they would like. But hear me out.
You know your daughter adores animals. So I would suggest getting a room with a savanna view. That way, she wakes up to a new and exciting experience every day of your vacation without ever stepping foot in the Theme Parks! Also, the AKL has programs unique to the Resort that offers up close encounters with the animals. So you can ask the Resort Concierge about those. These can be great for those much needed midday breaks toddlers need!
As for transportation, you can hop on a Disney Transportation bus from the AKL directly to the Magic Kingdom. Simple!
Hope this helps. Happy trip planning!