Wondering if Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level is worth the extra cost? You’re not alone. Many Disney guests face this dilemma when planning their vacation.
I’ve stayed at multiple Disney Club Level properties and researched pricing, amenities, and guest experiences extensively. This guide will help you decide if the Kilimanjaro Club upgrade fits your budget and vacation style.
Club Level is Disney’s luxury service tier, costing an extra $200 to $800+ per night. You get concierge service and exclusive lounge access with complimentary food and beverages throughout the day.
Animal Kingdom Lodge stands out with its unique savanna views and perfect setup for resort-focused days. We’ll cover everything – from food offerings to exact pricing – so you can make an informed decision.
Daily Food Service Schedule and Offerings
The Kilimanjaro Club serves food four times throughout the day. Each service has a unique African name and different offerings. Here’s what you can expect during your stay.
1. Miamko – Adventurous Awakenings (7:00 AM – 10:30 AM)
Breakfast is the lightest meal of the day at the club. You’ll find basic options that work well for starting your morning, including breakfast meats, fresh pastries, and fruit.
The yogurt and granola selection is decent. Turkey Bobotie stands out – a special meat and vegetable dish from Boma restaurant. Self-serve coffee, water, and juices are always available.
Want something stronger? Ask for a Mimosa or Bloody Mary. The staff will make them upon request. Honestly, breakfast feels a bit limited compared to other meals.
It’s functional but not exciting. Most guests grab coffee and light bites before heading out. The quality is good, but the variety could be better for the price you’re paying.
2. Vitafunio – Safari Snacks (11:30 AM – 4:00 PM)
This is snack time, not lunch. Disney reduced these offerings in recent years, which is disappointing if you expect a full meal.
You can create your trail mix with Goldfish crackers, dried fruit, mixed nuts, and chocolate chips. Fresh vegetables come with pita, crackers, multiple hummus varieties, and ranch dips.
House-made spreads add variety. Uncrustables are always available – perfect for kids who won’t eat anything else. The good news?
These snacks can tide you over until dinner service. The bad news? It used to be more substantial.
You won’t leave full, but it’s enough to keep hunger at bay. The hummus selection is quite good and worth trying different varieties throughout your stay.
3. Kisikusiku – Twilight Offerings (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
This is where the club shines. The evening food rivals what you’d get at Disney’s signature restaurants. Hot items include meat skewers, ribs, soup, and chicken wings.
Fresh items from the chef’s station change daily, keeping things interesting. Quality charcuterie selections round out the offerings. You’ll also find African beer and wine.
The quality matches Jiko appetizers – just in smaller portions. I could easily make this my dinner most nights. The vegetables, hummus, and Uncrustables stay available too.
This service alone makes the club level upgrade feel worthwhile. The portions are small but flavorful.
You might want to supplement with quick service if you’re hungry, but most guests find it satisfying enough.
4. Rehema – Evening Indulgences (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Dessert service wraps up the day with mixed results. The famous zebra domes are the highlight here they’re worth the hype.
Other options include pineapple cheesecake and chocolate-covered strawberries. Cordials and after-dinner drinks are available for adults.
Warning: Some guests report stale desserts. The selection is limited compared to other services. Quality can be inconsistent, which is frustrating given the premium you pay.
The zebra domes are consistently good, but other items sometimes taste like they’ve been sitting too long. It’s hit or miss depending on when you visit.
The cordials are a nice touch – Frangelico, Bailey’s, and Grand Marnier are typically available. Still, this is probably the weakest of the four daily services.
Service Quality and Staff Experience
The concierge service is essentially a helpful front desk with a fancy title – they can’t get you exclusive reservations or special access, just answer questions and help with basic resort needs.
1. Concierge Services Available
Two concierges staff the desk from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. They’re helpful but have significant limitations that guests should understand upfront.
Before your trip, expect pre-arrival phone calls about special requests and questions about dietary restrictions. Welcome packages upon check-in are standard.
Here’s the reality check. They can’t get you exclusive dining reservations, special Lightning Lane access, or any booking advantages you can’t get yourself.
They will help with general resort questions and transportation when needed. The service feels more like a fancy front desk than a true concierge service.
Don’t expect miracles – they’re helpful cast members with a different title. Transportation assistance is genuinely useful given the resort’s location.
The welcome packages are a nice touch, but don’t add significant value.
2. Staff Interaction and Hospitality
The staff works hard to keep things clean during busy periods. They constantly clear tables and organize the space, which is impressive given how crowded it gets.
Recent improvements include more engaging staff interactions, better organization systems, and occasional cultural presentations. But let’s be honest.
Staff do play favorites with attention. Make an effort to be friendly,y and you’ll get better service. There’s a designated spot for dirty dishess, use it because it helps everyone.
The cultural presentations are genuinely interesting when they happen. Staff seem more motivated than in previous years, though consistency varies by individual.
Proactive cleaning prevents the lounge from becoming chaotic during peak times. The improvement in service quality is noticeable compared to older reviews, suggesting Disney is investing in better training.
3. Crowd Management and Atmosphere
Morning and evening services get packed – plan accordingly and have realistic expectations. The good news?
Kilimanjaro Club handles crowds better than other Disney lounges, so you’ll usually find a seat somewhere. The bad news?
Lobby noise carries up to the lounge, including music and occasional parades through the main lobby. This isn’t a quiet retreat it’s an active resort environment.
The noise level can be jarring if you expect peaceful dining. Over 100% capacity by seat count happens regularly during popular service times.
Staff work constantly to manage the chaos, but it’s still chaotic. The atmosphere feels more like a busy restaurant than an exclusive lounge.
You might grab food and head back to your room during peak times. Despite the crowds, it’s generally more manageable than other Club Level locations.
Room Experience and Accommodations
All Club Level rooms include savanna views at no extra cost, feature spacious layouts with comfortable bedding and basic amenities like mini-fridges, plus iconic balcony patios for animal watching.
1. Club Level Room Features
All Club Level rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge have savanna views – this is different from other Disney hotels, where you pay extra for views.
Room options include studios with savanna views and suites with both savanna and non-savanna options. Large floor plans with comfortable bedding make the rooms feel spacious.
Spacious bathrooms feature walk-in showers in accessible rooms or standard bath setups in others. Every room includes a mini-fridge and a coffee maker with supplies.
Iconic balcony patios for animal watching are the main attraction. The rooms feel luxurious without being over-themed. The bedding is genuinely comfortable, no complaints there.
In-room amenities are basic but functional. The mini-fridge gets heavy use for storing lounge snacks and drinks.
Coffee maker quality is standard Disney fare, adequate but not exceptional. Room locations vary, but all provide good savanna access.
2. Savanna View Experience
Here’s what nobody tells you – animals are most active in late afternoon, not early morning like many guests expect.
I dreamed of morning coffee while watching giraffes, but reality showed the savanna was mostly empty before lunch.
The resort places feed stations strategically to encourage animal presence, but these are wild animals following their schedule, not yours.
Late afternoon brings the best animal activity, so plan your balcony time accordingly. You’ll see giraffes, zebras, and other African animals when they feel like showing up.
Feed stations help, but don’t guarantee animal sightings. The view is always beautiful, even without animals present.
Morning coffee on the balcony is still pleasant – just don’t expect a nature documentary. Animal patterns vary by season and weather, so your experience may differ from others.
Booking Tips and Recommendations
From my own Disney stays, these booking tips have helped me save money, reduce stress, and get the most out of Club Level perks.
- Book through Disney’s website using the “Club Level” filter for the easiest process
- Consider DVC rentals for significant cost savings – availability increases closer to travel dates
- Call Disney directly if the website shows no availability – hidden inventory exists
- Pre-arrival calls help with dietary restrictions and special planning
- Plan at least one full resort day to justify the upgrade cost
- Use multiple daily food services throughout the day
- Schedule balcony visits for late afternoon when animals are most active
- Check with the concierge about cultural presentations
- Consider split stays: value resorts for park days, club level for relaxation
Conclusion
Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level works best for guests who plan resort-focused days and can take advantage of the four daily food services.
The $100-150 nightly upgrade over Savannah View rooms is reasonable compared to other Disney Club Level options.
Your decision should depend on your vacation style. If you’re spending all day in parks, skip it. If you want to relax at the resort, watch animals from your balcony, and enjoy quality food throughout the day, Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level delivers good value.
The Kilimanjaro Club isn’t perfect – breakfast is light and crowds happen during peak times. But the evening food service alone makes it worthwhile for many guests.
Have questions about your specific situation? Drop a comment below. I’d love to help you decide if this upgrade fits your Disney vacation plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much extra does the Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level cost per night?
Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level costs an additional $100-150 per night over standard savanna view rooms, or about $200+ over basic rooms. This makes it the most affordable Club Level option at Disney World, especially when booked with DVC points.
What food is included at the Kilimanjaro Club lounge?
The lounge offers four daily services: breakfast (7-10:30 am), snacks (11:30 am4 pm), dinner appetizers (7 pm- 4 pm, and desserts 10 pm0pm). Evening offerings include quality items from Jiko and Boma restaurants, plus complimentary beer, wine, and cordials.
Are all Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level rooms Savannah view?
Yes, all Club Level rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge include savanna views at no additional cost. This is different from other Disney hotels, where savanna views cost extra. Rooms are located on floors 4-6 of Jambo House.
When are animals most active on the savanna?
Animals are most active during late afternoon hours, not early morning, as many guests expect. The resort places feed stations strategically, but these are wild animals following natural patterns. Plan balcony time for late afternoon viewing.
Is Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level worth it for park-heavy trips?
No, Club Level isn’t worth the cost if you’re spending all day in theme parks. The value comes from using the lounge throughout the day. Consider it only if you plan resort-focused days or split stays.
