Jambo, Tamara!
I'm so glad you stopped by planDisney to discuss one of my favorite Disney Resort hotels -
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. My husband and I are regular Guests because we love enjoying morning coffee on a balcony in the company of giraffes and zebras!
Even when a stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort hotel is not in the budget, we love popping by our favorite Resort to
enjoy a meal at Boma - Flavors of Africa, Jiko -The Cooking Place, Sanaa, or Victoria Falls Lounge. Not only are we treated to delicious, unique cuisine, but we can also linger along the savanna to take in the wildlife.
The
Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is another great way all Guests can experience the unique environment of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. As you mentioned, the Starlight Safari departs twice nightly for a one-hour tour of the savannas with the assistance of night vision goggles. Much like Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, each Starlight Safari is different, and there is no guarantee of animal activity at a given time. However, I have found that the wildlife tends to be more active around meal times, so I would suggest booking the earlier timeslot if possible as it will be closer to their dinner time.
It's important to keep in mind that
reservations become available for booking 60 days in advance, but Guests of the Disney Resort hotels are able to make their reservations for their entire length of stay 60 days before their arrival date. This added benefit is super helpful for popular experiences such as the Starlight Safari. If you aren't successful in securing a reservation at the 60-day mark, I suggest checking back periodically as your vacation approaches because Guests are able to change their plans up to 24 hours in advance.
As a bonus tip: For a truly
WILD time, you might also consider checking out
Up Close with Rhinos,
Caring for Giants,
Wild Africa Trek, and
Savor the Savanna.
I hope this was helpful, Tamara, and that your upcoming vacation is filled with magical safari memories. Please feel free to
stop back by with any additional questions that arise. I'm always happy to help!
Kwaherini,
Lizzie