Welcome to planDisney, Brian!
Thank you for stopping by with your question, and I am happy to hear you are in the beginning stages of planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation!
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is the perfect oasis for families! I loved staying here a few years ago, and the theming (did you know it's home to one of the largest collections of African art outside the continent?!), food options, and, of course, the animals on site are just magical. While staying here, don't forget to check out all the available fun activities, including the Jambo House Lobby Art Tour,
Movies Under the Stars, and nightly
Campfires (pending weather) near the Arusha Savanna Overlook. Other fun activities include African Mosaic Art,
Wild About Painting, and arts and crafts near Uzima Springs Pool and in Simba's Activity Center, all of which may require a small participation fee. For dining, I recommend breakfast at
Boma-Flavors of Africa, the flatbreads from
The Mara, and, of course, the Zebra Domes!
While we don't have current information about when 2026 vacation packages will appear on the
Walt Disney World Resort website, typically, they become available early the year before. For example, 2025 vacation packages were available in early 2024. The Disney Parks Blog will be the first to announce this news, so be sure to follow Disney Parks on Instagram and Facebook! Once they are available, call the
Disney Resort Hotel Reservations line, and a friendly Cast Member can assist you with your reservations. Be sure to mention you prefer rooms close by. They aren't guaranteed, but they will do their best to accommodate! Another important date reminder is for dining and
Enchanting Extras. Those can be booked 60 days in advance of your check-in date. So, around late November next year.
Brian, I hope all of this information was helpful! Thank you so much for stopping by planDisney, and if you need additional pixie dust to plan your visit, feel free to visit us again. We are happy to help!
Magic Awaits!
Frances