Hello there Chrystal, welcome back to planDisney!
It looks like you've got plans to venture out and around the different
Disney Resort Hotels despite having a stay booked at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which is perfectly fine! In fact, many guests enjoy the benefits of Resort-Hopping as a way to check out the accommodations and amenities to inspire future stays, or even
enjoy the dining options like you'd previously asked us about here at planDisney!
Based on the way that you phrased your question, I'm guessing you're asking whether you can come to
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for a visit to spot the wildlife roaming its savanna habitats. You'll be happy to hear that at the current time, guests are welcome to do so - even if they're staying at other Disney Resort Hotels! There are even wildlife spotting guides to help you identify the various species of roaming ruminants (on our most recent visit this month the Cast Members at the Front Desk did not have any paper copies available as they explained they were directing guests to download this guide instead in an effort to reduce waste).
Bear in mind that if it'll be much easier to make your way over there by using
complimentary Resort Transportation like taking the
Disney Skyliner to Disney's Hollywood Studios and transferring to a bus headed to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's also important to note that in recent years, the Parking and Security Cast Members have been more strict about whether they let day guests in for a visit, as they have been observed restricting access to resort guests only staying there with a room reservation, or with a valid Table Service dining reservation that they can look up if you choose to try to head over in your own vehicle. (For example, if you were to simply drive over from Disney's Art of Animation Resort and tell the Cast Members at the gate that you were just heading over to visit the animals, there's a greater chance lately that they would turn you away, especially at busier or more popular times of the year.) This could however, be a great opportunity to make a reservation at
Boma - Flavors of Africa to guarantee being able to access the resort and also enjoy the delicious options on the buffet - like the highly sought-after Zebra Domes!
Be sure to take advantage of the larger-than-life animated characters abound at Disney's Art of Animation Resort that you'll find between the buildings, especially all of the expressive sculptures from The Lion King before making your way over to
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park to see many of these animals in the flesh. Come back to planDisney again for any more advice or strategies to check out other experiences around Walt Disney World Resort during your upcoming Disney adventures!
Wishing your family all the best on your wildlife-spotting quest!
Prince