Fun Facts About the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Area Resorts

Installment three of our tour through the Walt Disney World resorts, finds us in the Animal Kingdom Area Resorts. Jambo!!

Opening appropriately on Earth Day, April 22 in 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the company’s largest Park at 580 acres.  It is home to over 100 species of live animals from all over the world.

Walt Disney was at home in nature and was quite passionate about animal conservation and this park is a reflection that.  It’s resorts bring you outside, let your inner athlete out and inspire the artist within!

Disney's Tree of Life greets all guests and stands at 145 feet in height!
Disney’s Tree of Life greets all guests and stands at 145 feet in height!

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Opening Date: January 15, 1994

Category: Value

Transportation: Bus

Little Known Fact: Complimentary Disney films are screened at the Reel Spot, an outdoor venue on the resort’s property!

There is a theme in the All Star Resorts that you might notice, everything is LARGE!
There is a theme in the All-Star Resorts that you might notice, everything is LARGE!

This resort surrounds you in Disney films.  They are literally larger than life here! Pongo and Perdita bring their pups, Buzz and his buddies are ready for Infinity and Beyond, and giant magical broomsticks wander the property and dwarf you in the process.  Swim while Mickey as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice sprays water in the air and watch Disney films under the stars!

Magical giant broomsticks aren't the only things you'll find here!
Magical giant broomsticks aren’t the only things you’ll find here!

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Opening Date: April 29, 1994

Category: Value

Transportation: Bus

Little Known Fact: This resort sits on the only portion of the Walt Disney World Resort that is in Osceola County, the rest of the resort is in Orange County.

This sports complex exhibits five sports in giant themes and calls out to the competitor in all of us!
This sports complex exhibits five sports in giant themes and calls out to the competitor in all of us!

Baseball, basketball, football, surfing, and tennis are represented in gigantic fashion here and the entire place feels like you’ve been dropped into a world of play! The End Zone Food Court provides choices for all of your squad.  There are a few pools to choose from – one is even adorned with giant surfboards! The energy here is fun and light and the location is central.

Wanna play some hoops? Might need a little help here!
Wanna play some hoops? We might need a little help here!

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Opening Date: November 24, 1994

Category: Value

Transportation: Bus

Little Known Fact: Some of the older Standard Rooms were converted to Family Suites and can sleep up to six people plus a crib. They include a kitchenette with a microwave and two full bathrooms.

Disney's musical side is on display and again in the All Star enormous fashion!
Disney’s musical side is on display and again in the All-Star enormous fashion!

Music is a part of everything in Walt Disney World and this resort celebrates music in very huge and fun ways! In its guitar-shaped pool the Three Caballeros play.  There is a deli-style market in the Intermission Food Court. There are five pairs of buildings that provide five different themes; Broadway, Calypso, Country Fair, Jazz Inn, Rock Inn. You should easily find your own rhythm here!

There's no mistaking which resort is Disney's All Star Music Resort!
There’s no mistaking which resort is Disney’s All-Star Music Resort!

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Opening Date: August 1, 1997

Category: Moderate

Transportation: Bus

Little Known Fact: Coronado Springs houses the largest hot tub on property with space for 22 people!

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is themed in Colonial and Ancient Mexico!
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is themed in Colonial and Ancient Mexico!

This resort is in so many ways just beautiful to see.  From the amazing archways at its entrance to the tiling and detail put into the Grand Destino Lobby and Tower, this resort transports us to Mexico.  Its famous Dig Site Pool is enormous and is marked by its signature 50 foot Mayan replica pyramid! Villa del Lago or “Lake Villa” is a centralized hub of an area where guests can eat, relax and enjoy the resort!

Arrival at Coronado Springs enters you into the beauty of Mexico.
Arrival at Coronado Springs enters you into the beauty of Mexico.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge

Opening Date: April 16, 2001

Category: Deluxe, DVC

Transportation: Bus

Little Known Fact:  Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is actually adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom giving guests the ability to view four different savannas that are home to over 200 animals!

Inspired by African kraal villages, Jambo House greets all guests!
Inspired by African kraal villages, Jambo House greets all guests!

Welcome to Walt Disney’s version of Africa. Welcome to a resort where you might be able to see an actual zebra from inside the lobby! Welcome to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Disney has really gone all out here with all things Africa on display in such beauty and inspiration. Hear live African music throughout the day as a guest here. Enjoy authentic African fare including 4 1/2 star restaurants; Jiko – The Cooking Place, Boma – Flavors of Africa, and Sanaa.  Disney comes full “circle of life” when you arise in the morning with the animals of the four savannas, just incredible.

So much intricate detail and beauty in simplicity here at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
So much intricate detail and beauty in simplicity here at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Well, those are the Animal Kingdom Area Resorts. There is a good variety in theme, category, and age here. These resorts have provided fun, food and magical memories to folks (and animals!) from all over the world and we hope they continue to do so for many years to come.

Ever stay at an Animal Kingdom Area Resort?