Age and kids policy: what families need to know
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a family-friendly, all-ages resort — there are no adults‑only towers or rooms. The reservation holder must be at least 18 to check in; the property also offers supervised childcare/children’s club and babysitting (both for a surcharge).
In this guide
Age and check-in rules
The minimum age for the reservation holder to check in is 18. At check-in the hotel asks for a photo ID and a credit card.
There are no adults‑only buildings, floors, or towers at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge — the resort is marketed as family-friendly and welcomes guests of all ages.
- Reservation holder minimum age: 18 (photo ID and credit card required at check-in)
- No adults‑only rooms or sections on property
- Express check-in and express check-out are available; standard check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. and check-out is 11:00 a.m.
| Policy | Fact |
|---|---|
| Reservation holder minimum age | 18 (ID & credit card required) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 3:00 p.m. / 11:00 a.m. |
| Adults-only sections | None |
Childcare, kids’ club and supervised activities
The resort lists supervised childcare/children’s club activities and babysitting services; these services are available for an additional surcharge. Availability, hours, and pricing are handled by the resort and can change, so ask the front desk or concierge when you arrive.
In addition to paid childcare options, the hotel runs complimentary daily kids’ activities such as face painting and cookie decorating, plus nightly family-friendly events like campfires and 'Movies Under the Stars.'
- Children’s club / supervised childcare — surcharge
- Babysitting or in-room childcare — surcharge
- Daily complimentary kids’ activities (examples include face painting and cookie decorating)
- Nightly campfire with marshmallow roasting and family movie nights
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Children’s club / supervised childcare | Surcharge |
| Babysitting/in-room childcare | Surcharge |
| Daily kids’ activities (face painting, cookie decorating) | Complimentary |
Pools, water play and age access
There are two main themed pools: Uzima Springs at Jambo House and Samawati Springs at Kidani Village. Both pools have zero-depth entries, waterslides, and adjacent pool bars; the Samawati Springs complex includes the Uwanja Camp water-play area with water cannons and a tipping bucket.
Pool hours vary by season and weather and are posted at each pool; access is limited to registered resort guests using a MagicBand or room key.
- Uzima Springs Pool (Jambo House): zero-depth entry, 67-foot waterslide, Uzima Springs Pool Bar (hours commonly 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.)
- Samawati Springs Pool (Kidani Village): larger water-play area (Uwanja Camp) and a 128-foot waterslide; Maji Pool Bar services this pool
- Pools heated to approximately 82°F and hours can change at Disney’s discretion
- Pool access requires a MagicBand or room keycard (registered guests only)
| Pool | Notable kids’ features |
|---|---|
| Uzima Springs (Jambo House) | Zero-depth entry, waterslide, pool bar |
| Samawati Springs (Kidani Village) | Uwanja Camp water-play zones, 128-foot slide, pool bar |
Rooms and sleeping arrangements for families
Room types include a range of standard rooms, savanna- and water-view rooms, club-level options, plus suites and Two Bedroom Suite categories that can accommodate larger families. Many room types offer two queen beds or one king plus a sofa bed where noted.
Club-level rooms grant Kilimanjaro Club lounge access and additional services; confirm exact bedding and sofa‑bed types at booking.
- Standard View Room (beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Water View Room (beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Savanna View Room (beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Savanna View - Club Level Access Room (beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds) — includes Kilimanjaro Club access
- 2 Bedroom Suite (beds: 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed or alternate sofa bed configurations)
| Room name (exact) | Typical bed setup |
|---|---|
| Standard View Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Savanna View Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| 2 Bedroom Suite | 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed (or alternate sofa options) |
Dining, meal plan and food for kids
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is not an all-inclusive resort — room rates do not include meals or drinks. The property offers a variety of dining options for families across Jambo House and Kidani Village.
Advance dining reservations are recommended for table-service restaurants; guests do not have to be staying at the resort to dine there, though policies and hours can change.
- The Mara — quick-service, breakfast/lunch/dinner (commonly 6:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.)
- Boma - Flavors of Africa — buffet breakfast and dinner (breakfast and dinner hours listed by venue)
- Jiko - The Cooking Place — signature dinner-only restaurant (advanced reservations recommended)
- Pool bars (Uzima Springs Pool Bar, Maji Pool Bar) serve cocktails, beer and wine; check current hours and whether they accept meal-plan credits
| Venue | Type / typical service |
|---|---|
| The Mara | Quick-service counter (breakfast, lunch, dinner) |
| Boma - Flavors of Africa | Buffet (breakfast & dinner) |
| Jiko - The Cooking Place | Signature dinner-only |
Savanna viewing, animal rules and safety for kids
One of the resort’s signature free activities is savanna viewing. Guests can watch hoofed animals and birds roaming the resort savannas from public overlooks and some guest-room balconies (depending on room type).
Because the resort surrounds functioning savannas, policies restrict items that could harm wildlife — for example, balloons and plastic straws/cup tops are disallowed in dining and event areas. Supervise children around balconies and public viewing areas and follow staff guidance for safety.
- Savanna viewing available from Jambo House lobby overlook and select room balconies (savanna-view rooms and suites)
- Do not feed or interact with animals; follow resort signage and staff instructions
- Balloons and some plastic items are restricted in dining and event areas due to animal-safety rules
| Where to view | Notes |
|---|---|
| Jambo House lobby / Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook | Public viewing area with floor-to-ceiling windows |
| Some Savanna View rooms and suites | Direct balcony views — confirm when booking |
