I plan Disney trips for families all year long, so when it came time to plan our own, I pulled out the same checklist I use for my clients. Since this wasn’t our first visit, we skipped the mad dash and built in a slower pace this time, with pool afternoons, a full rest day, and a split stay at two very different resorts.
Here’s my honest recap of what worked, what surprised me, and who I’d recommend each resort for.
Why we split our stay
Our original plan was Old Key West for the whole trip. Then Disney released a special offer for Disney+ subscribers that included Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I couldn’t pass it up. A savanna view room had been on my bucket list ever since we had to cancel our 2020 Disney trip, so AKL became our grand finale.
Our itinerary at a glance
Old Key West
- Day 1: Check in, then an early evening at Magic Kingdom
- Day 2: Animal Kingdom
- Day 3: EPCOT
- Day 4: Rest day at the pool, then an evening at Disney Springs
- Day 5: Magic Kingdom with Premier Pass
- Day 6: Hollywood Studios with Premier Pass
Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Day 7: Switch resorts, pool time, then the Hollywood Studios After Hours party
- Day 8: EPCOT
- Day 9: Magic Kingdom in the morning, then the entire afternoon at the Kidani Village pool
- Day 10: Checkout
Yes, we hit all four parks, but that rest day in the middle is non-negotiable for my family. Kids (and adults!) run out of steam, and one slow day keeps the second half of the trip fun instead of cranky.
Old Key West: room to breathe
We booked a two-bedroom villa, and I loved everything about it. My husband and I had a king bed and our own bathroom, while the kids shared a room with two queen beds and a bathroom of their own. If you’re traveling with a teenager, that second bathroom alone is worth it.
The villa also had a full kitchen, a living room, a balcony, and a washer and dryer. At night we’d all pile into the living room to watch a movie and have a snack before bed, and it felt much more like home than a hotel room. The villa sleeps up to nine people with the full-size sofa bed and a chair that folds out into a twin, which makes OKW a great fit for big families and multi-generational trips.
Groceries: We ordered from Publix through Instacart and had everything delivered to bell services, so it was waiting for us when we checked in. We stocked up on a case or two of bottled water, coffee and creamer, sodas, cereal, milk, and juice, and having breakfast in the villa saved us time every single morning.
The pool: Our building was right across the street from the Sandcastle Pool, the main pool with a slide that winds through a giant sandcastle. Jackson loved that slide and went down it over and over again until I honestly lost count. With the pool just a short walk from our room, those “just one more swim” afternoons were easy to say yes to.
Food: We had dinner one night at Olivia’s, and while it was good, it isn’t one I’d write home about. We also grabbed quick meals and snacks from Good’s Food to Go, the resort’s walk-up window, which was perfect on nights when nobody wanted a sit-down dinner. I think Kyle and I ordered the Cuban there both times we went.
The boat: We tried several times to take the boat from OKW to Disney Springs, but the weather kept getting in the way. We did take it back from Disney Springs one night, though, and cruising along the Sassagoula River past the other resorts was such a relaxing way to end the evening. The boat launch at Disney Springs is easy to find, and the crew will check My Disney Experience to confirm you have a room or dining reservation at the resort you’re heading to.
The honest part: OKW is a slower resort, and the buses can take a while, especially if you’re at the first stop like we were. If your family likes to rope drop every morning, keep that in mind when you’re choosing where to stay.
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Switch day: easier than you’d think
Since we drove, switching resorts was simple. We packed up the car, drove over to Animal Kingdom Lodge, dropped our bags with bell services, and checked in. Our room wasn’t ready yet, so we relaxed at the pool until it was, then showered and got ready for the After Hours party that night.
Flying in? Bell services will move your luggage between Disney resort hotels for free (a tip is customary). Keep a day bag with your essentials, since your bags usually won’t arrive until later in the afternoon.
Animal Kingdom Lodge: the wow
We stayed at Jambo House in a savanna view room, and waking up to giraffes, zebras, and ostriches wandering right past our balcony was every bit as magical as I’d hoped. We spotted plenty of other animals, too, and it never got old. Staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge has been top of my list for so long and I just couldn’t believe how beautiful this resort was when we walked in.
The food is where AKL really shines. We had the breakfast buffet at Boma, where you absolutely have to try the Jungle Juice, Boma’s version of POG juice made with passion fruit, orange, and guava. Another night, we ordered takeout from Sanaa and brought it over to the Kidani Village pool. If you decide to eat at Sanaa, get the bread service. Trust me on this one.
The Kidani Village pool turned out to be one of our favorite spots. Even though we stayed at Jambo House, we spent a whole afternoon at Samawati Springs, and it was amazing. Guests on either side of AKL can use both pools, so don’t skip it. It is a trek between Jambo and Kidani, so I 100% recommend taking the shuttle between the two. Also, there’s probably one of the best splash pads I’ve ever seen at Kidani, and the slide goes on FOREVER! I usually don’t do the slides, but Jackson talked me into going on this one. I’m glad I did.
The cultural representatives are all over the resort, and they’re friendly and happy to share about their home countries and cultures. Ask them questions! It’s one of the things that makes AKL feel different from every other Disney resort.
Our one miss was the night-vision savanna viewing. We really wanted to go, but it was completely booked by the time we tried, so if it’s on your list, plan ahead. Maybe next time?
The squeeze
The move itself was easy, but the room change was a jolt. Going from a two-bedroom villa to one hotel room was startling, even though our AKL room was lovely. With two queen beds, my husband and I took one and the kids shared the other. The real squeeze came at bathroom time, when four people were trying to get ready for the parks in one small space.
My Room Request Tips
Confession: I was a die-hard “check in at the front desk” girl for years. I liked talking to a real person and asking for exactly what I wanted. This trip I finally used online check-in, and I’m converted. You put in your room requests ahead of time, get a notification when your room’s ready, and skip the lobby line with a tired crew in tow. Do it. Just know that requests are never guaranteed, even when you ask nicely.
Old Key West (near Hospitality House and the main pool)
We stayed off Peninsular Road this trip, in building 29, and it was perfect. The bus stop was steps away and the main pool was less than a five-minute walk. It’s a tiny section (just buildings 27 through 29), and it’s the first bus stop on the way to the parks, so you’re on the bus before it fills up. If Peninsular isn’t available, go for Miller’s Road Area. It’s the other section close to Hospitality House. Whichever you pick, pair it with Near Pool. OKW has quiet pools all over the resort, and “Near Pool” by itself could put you next to one of those instead of the main pool. (Renting DVC points? Ask about booking the “Near Hospitality House” category. It’s the only way to guarantee those buildings.)
Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jambo House (Savanna View)
We picked Sunset Savanna this trip and asked for a lower floor. We ended up on the 2nd floor, and I’d do it again. On higher floors you’re looking down at the treetops, and the trees can block the animals underneath. From the 2nd floor you’re right at their level. Sunset is the biggest savanna, so there was always something wandering by. Our room was a short walk to the lobby and not a bad walk to the pool, but that depends on where your room lands in the wing. Some rooms are much farther down the hall. If being close to the lobby matters, add that to your request too. Want the classic view right off the lobby? Ask for Arusha. If your kids live in the pool, ask for Uzima, which sits right next to Uzima Springs.
Animal Kingdom Lodge: Kidani Village (Savanna View)
Kidani rooms look out over either Sunset or Pembe. Sunset is the largest savanna, so it usually has the most going on. Pembe is quieter and more laid-back. Kidani’s hallways are long, so if walking is hard for anyone in your group, ask to be close to the lobby. Samawati Springs, Kidani’s main pool, is right off the lobby too.
Premier Pass vs. the After Hours party
Premier Pass was 100% worth it for us at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. We could ride anything at any time without zigzagging across the park for a return window, and we could actually enjoy our meals without keeping one eye on our next Lightning Lane. It definitely is not cheap and it’s a huge splurge, but alleviates a lot of the Lightning Lane stress for us. AND I’m not in my phone as much, so I’m able to be more in the moment with the family.
The After Hours party at Hollywood Studios was by far one of the best things we did. It is a ticketed event, so you do have to purchase a separate ticket, but after comparing our premier pass for Hollywood Studios and our After Hours tickets…the cost was less than our Premier Pass day. And it ended up being one of the best nights of the trip even though it poured the entire time, but that’s what ponchos are for, right!
We rode Tower of Terror twice, and Jackson rode it too! He’d refused the last two times we visited, so that was a huge win. We also loved walking through the standby lane for Rise of the Resistance for all of the theming that we don’t normally see since we usually using the Lightning Lane. And of course we rode Toy Story Mania over and over, because in our family it’s a full-on competition to see whose car gets the highest score.
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My take: Premier Pass is the way to go if you want to see a lot in one day. If you’d rather spend the hot afternoon at your resort pool and hit the rides once it cools off, look into an After Hours party. I’m happy to help you get tickets for either one.
The order I’d pick next time
If I did this trip again, I’d start at Animal Kingdom Lodge and finish at Old Key West. Going from more space to less feels like a squeeze, but going from a hotel room to a two-bedroom villa feels like an upgrade, right when everyone is tired and ready to spread out.
Who each resort is best for
Old Key West is perfect for large families, multi-gen trips, longer stays, and anyone who wants a slower pace with less Disney theming. If your family needs space, this is your resort.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a dream for animal lovers and foodies. It’s close to Animal Kingdom, and its restaurants are some of the best at any Disney resort.
The whole trip was perfect, and we’re still talking about it.
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