Jambo, Donna, and welcome to planDisney!
I'm so delighted to hear you'll soon be calling
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge your magical home away from home. My husband and I embarked on (what we thought at the time would be) a once-in-a-lifetime vacation there during our honeymoon over a decade ago and wound up loving it so much that we have become regular Guests. I mean, enjoying your morning coffee on a balcony as giraffes amble by will never get old.
Now, it's important to keep in mind that what makes the savannas of Animal Kingdom Lodge so special is their authenticity and the freedom given to the wildlife. Much like on
Kilimanjaro Safaris, there's no guarantee of seeing a specific animal on any given day, but if you booked a Savannah View Room and are hoping to see
zebras and giraffes from your balcony, your best bet will be to request a room on the Arusha Savanna. This is the savanna located inside the horseshoe of Jambo House, and as such, features ample Guest rooms with incredible views. Because requests cannot be guaranteed, if this particular view is important to you, I suggest making the request before your arrival by
phone or via the live chat function on the website and then speaking with a Cast Member at the Front Desk upon arrival to verify your assigned location.
With such magical views, you'll likely be reluctant to leave your room, but I encourage you to also spend some time down at the Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook. I've had some incredible conversations with Cast Members here about the care and personalities of various animals. You also won't want to skip the Uzima Flamingo Pond near the Uzima Springs Swimming Pool. I've been known to grab a snack or iced coffee from
The Mara and linger with the flamingos for a bit before heading back to my room.
planDisney Pixie Dust: For a more immersive ambiance in my Guest room, I love asking
Hey Disney! to play the Spirit of the Pride Lands soundscape.
I hope this helps, Donna, and that you love Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge as much as I do. It's such a great reminder of the magic our world holds! If you'd like any additional recommendations for your stay, don't hesitate to
reach back out to me directly. I'm more than happy to help!
Hakuna Matata,
Lizzie