CLICK HERE for over 250 Photos from the Preview Weekend! (April 3)

23 January 2004: New Sunset Safari

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Whispering winds sweep across the balmy, Africa-like plain, a peaceful sanctuary at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. From balconies overlooking the savannahs, hotel guests marvel as creatures large and small roam the grasses, forage for food and play in harmony.

But now Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge concierge-level guests can actually enter this serene animal reserve for an up-close personal encounter thanks to the newly launched Wanyama Safari experience.

Just before sunset three nights a week, adventurers gather outside the 1,293-room lodge with a guide who readies the group for a traditional game-viewing safari. Up to eight persons can board a specially designed pop-top vehicle for a bird's eye view of a typical North African safari.

Safari-goers are absorbed in careful observation as the vehicle moves along the Uzima savannah, the first of three picturesque savannahs that horseshoe the majestic lodge. A pair of female reticulated giraffes from Northern Kenya pause from browsing and gracefully move within feet of the vehicle. Guests' cameras and videos are poised to capture an unforgettable encounter with the tallest of the land mammals.

Joe Kalla, the resort's animal curator, says the safari strives to recreate the essence of an African experience with free-roaming wildlife in an authentic environment.

"We wanted to give our guests a close look at our animals, understand how we manage the animals and offer a glimpse into the training of the animals," said Kalla.

The hotel's savannahs are home to more than 200 mammals and exotic birds representing a cross-section of the African palette -- bongo, greater kudu, zebra, wildebeest, spiral-horned antelope, impala, African spoonbills and pink-backed pelicans, to name a few. Even the once-endangered national bird of South Africa, the blue crane, has found a home at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

"One of the real challenges was introducing animals and choosing the right ones to live in harmony in this environment," said Kalla.

A customary South African "sundowner" rounds out the safari experience. Fresh-squeezed guava/pineapple juice, dried beef, figs and nuts are shared with guests in a ceremonial moment.

The second part of the journey leads to the resort's signature restaurant, Jiko-The Cooking Place, where a savory South African feast awaits safari-goers. Flavors of Africa fill the air in a memorable meal blending regional spices and grains.

The experience begins with a basket of warm kalamata olive flatbreads and African dips, followed by maize tamales with herb and white truffle oil, lentil pastilles and cinnamon-spiced beef rolls. Entrees such as oak-roasted filet of beef and chermoula-basted and roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, olives and roasted garlic are served family-style. Popular South African wines are paired with each course, which includes a sweet display of desserts.

The Wanyama Safari is offered to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge adult concierge-level guests on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. The 3 ½-hour experience, including dinner, is $150 per person, with a maximum of eight persons. For reservations, contact 407/938-4755.

October 18 2001: Animal Kingdom Lodge at Night

May 11 2001: Press Day Photos

The AK Lodge Team

Above Left: AK Lodge CMs.  Above Right: Norm Noble, General Manager

Above Left: Peter Dominick, Architect.  Above Right: Charles Davis, Art Consultant

Above Left: Mary Hannah, Art Consultant.  Above Right: Joe Kalla, Curator

Above Left: Michael Eisner, Disney CEO.  Above Right: The first animal at AKL

The Restaurants

Above Left: Jiko.  Above Right: Boma

The Lodge

April 3 2001: Recreating an African Wildlife Reserve

The sun rises above the savannah and the earth starts to move. In the distance, giraffe begin to browse the tall trees in search of a morning meal. As a sacred ibis stretches its wings to welcome the day, Thomson’s gazelles kick up their heels in a playful daily ritual. Not far away atop a rustic balcony, a family sips morning coffee and has a front row seat on this quiet rite of nature.

Until now, the only place this could happen was a wildlife reserve in Africa. Soon, guests at Walt Disney World Resort can recreate this experience every day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Opening April 16, 2001, the 1,293-room deluxe resort will showcase the wonder and romance of Africa, from the hand-carved furnishings and the gourmet cuisine served in its three restaurants to the splendor of a 33-acre savannah around the resort where animals roam freely.

“We’re trying to capture an image that is not only symbolic of Africa but is culturally relevant,” said project manager Jim Kwasnowski of Walt Disney Imagineering.

In fact, Disney Imagineers visited more than 20 African lodges for inspiration and research. What they created is amazing.

Here’s a quick tour:

Namukelekile! (Zulu - nã mu ke’ le ke lĕ): Welcome All of You!
The entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, featuring lush foliage, leads to the thatched-roofed main lobby. The lodge’s shape -- resembling a horseshoe -- is based on the traditional kraal (pronounced “crawl”), or corral, a design used in African villages to keep homes and livestock safe from harm.

Designed by Peter Dominick (who also designed Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel at the Disneyland Resort), the six-story resort features towering thatched roofs complemented by rich woods and golden tones. The grand lobby features a large, mud fireplace, natural lighting and giant dormer windows that provide spectacular views of sunrises and sunsets over the animal-filled savannah.

At night, incandescent lighting twinkles, resembling fireflies and soft-glowing campfires. Just outside the lobby, an elevated kopje, or rock outcropping, puts guests within 15 feet of the animals, and gives an extraordinary, near-panoramic view of the animal reserve.

• Guest Rooms: Handcrafted Beauty
  Nestled on 74 acres west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is built in the middle of its own savannah, providing most of the rooms views into the animal sanctuary, with other rooms offering views of the Uzima Pool and Springs. Guestroom balconies overlooking the reserve put guests within 30 feet of the rich grasslands.

  Each of the lodge’s 1,293 rooms feature handcrafted furniture and art -- much of it made in Zimbabwe. Rich woods and vibrant colors showcase the art of African craftsmanship. For instance, some headboard designs have been inspired by “butterfly” masks. The Royal Suite features a domed, hut-like living room that’s truly “fit for a king” with a kitchen, dining room and sweeping porches offering spectacular views of the savannah.

  Accommodations range in size from standard rooms, to one- and two-bedroom suites. Concierge-level rooms also are available. Each room sleeps four to eight guests with a variety of choices. King-size beds, queen-size beds and bunk beds are available in rooms throughout the resort.

   

• A World of Amenities
  Famous Disney service and deluxe amenities combine to create an unforgettable adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The resort features a 9,000-square-foot, themed feature pool -- which offers a poolside view of the savannah -- as well as two bubbling spas. Featured for the younger set: a children’s activity center, pool and play area.

   

• A Culinary Journey
  The resort’s restaurants “will recreate the flavors of Africa,” says Dieter Hannig, vice president of Walt Disney World Food & Beverage. “As the world gets smaller, we have the opportunity to be a trend-setter, borrowing flavors from many of the 53 countries in the continent of Africa . . . fruits from Kenya, spices from North Africa, basic products, bold flavors.”

  Hannig, who was once a hotel chef in Kenya, journeyed to Africa with other Walt Disney World chefs to research the latest cooking trends and to hear culinary experiences from African chefs. He’s taken that influence and instilled it in each of the restaurant locations at the new resort.

  The resort’s signature restaurant is Jiko-The Cooking Place, where Chef Serge Burckel melds cuisines from around the globe, harmoniously combining ingredients from different cultures: banana leaf-steamed Chilean sea bass with asparagus puree, mushrooms and apples; oven-baked garlic chicken tagine with grapefruit, olives and herbs; a whole roasted papaya stuffed with spicy minced beef. Appetizers are equally imaginative, like foie gras dumplings with lentil broth and dried fruits, or maize tamales with truffle oil, herbs and spices. Jiko is Swahili for “cooking place.”

  “The menu is a blend of influences from Europe, India and Asia that respect the African culture and history,” says Burckel. Along with the adjacent Cape Town Wine Room and Cape Town Lounge, Jiko will feature South African wines. Jiko’s interior design, inspired by Disney’s “The Lion King,” is by Jeffrey Beers, known for his wildly creative interiors.

  Boma-Flavors of Africa is the name of the family “marketplace” restaurant featuring an exhibit kitchen with a wood-burning grill and rotisserie. Boma in Swahili is “an open, natural space that provides a safe and sheltered place in the bush.” The 270-seat restaurant will be open for breakfast and dinner.

  Two other dining locations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Mara, named after the Mara River, a quick-service eatery serving breakfast, lunch and dinner -- and Victoria Falls, the mezzanine lounge overlooking Boma, will serve gourmet coffee and teas, South African vintage wines, international beers and cocktails.

   

• 24-Hour Animal Viewing Opportunities
  The savannahs will be home to more than 200 mammals and birds representing a cross-section of the African palette -- greater kudu, Grant’s zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala, marabou stork to name a few. Thirty percent of the mammal species are Walt Disney World-exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The hoofstock and birds will roam freely on the savannah where resort guests may enjoy 24-hour viewing opportunities.

   

• Landscape: The Art of the Earth
  Landscape design at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge began long before the resort opened its doors, with the first vegetation planted and secured two years ago. The rich environment is designed to simulate the landscape systems of the African continent -- forested lands, river systems, grasslands and the bush. Tall thryalis and pampas grass cover the ground in front of the resort, while red and pink hibiscus, bright clusters of red, orange and scarlet Ixora, fragrant white jasmine and green pygmy date palms border the Uzima Pool. Behind the lodge on Arusha Rock kopje is the signature tree, Peltophorum dubium -- or Yellow Flame Tree -- the canopy tree most recognized as the one on the African plain.

• Art: A Celebration of Culture
  Reflecting the romance and beauty of African culture, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge features an extensive collection of museum-quality art, with more than 200 pieces in guestrooms and public spaces.

  In fact, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge contracted an art consultant to bring the collection of authentic African art to Walt Disney World Resort. “The idea is to show that Africa is a vast continent full of gifted and culturally diverse people,” said Charles Davis, the resort’s curator.

  The centerpiece of the resort’s collection is the Igbo Ijele (pronounced e-bo e-gelay) mask, featured in the lobby. The Ijele, created by the Igbo people of Africa, is a massive creation that towers more than 16 feet tall and is eight feet in width. In Africa, the mask signifies an important event or celebration and makes rare appearances. No other Ijele, which is the largest mask in tropical Africa, is known to exist outside of Igbo land.

   

• Programs For All Ages
  A series of kid-friendly programs and adult enrichment opportunities at the resort increase guests’ knowledge and appreciation of the African culture. Children can hear African folklore around the outdoor firepit, become a Junior Safari Researcher or Junior Chef of the Day at the resort. Guests of all ages can also learn from the lodge’s Savannah Guides in programs that show differences in animals’ physical and naturalistic behavior, while adults take part in wine tasting (the resort boasts the largest collection of South African wines anywhere in the United States) or a self-guided tour of the resort’s extensive art collection.

   

• Authentic Merchandise in the Marketplace
  The festive, 5,300-square-foot Zawadi Marketplace will carry authentic crafts, clothing and other distinctive merchandise from Africa. Woodcarvings, Zulu baskets, hand-painted dishes, batik fabrics, hand-made jewelry, even clothing inspired by African tribal wear will be offered. African artisans will also demonstrate wood carving, painting, jewelry making and more. Character and resort logo merchandise also will be available

   

• Call of the Wild -- Where to Call Reservations
  Reservations for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can be made by contacting 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or a travel agent. Rates range from $199 to $510 per night. (Rates may vary within this range depending on season and room type.) Additional information is also available at www.disneyworld.com.

February 3 2001: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Fact Sheet

February 3 2001: Animals Kingdoms Species List

Giraffes, zebras and wildebeests have a colorful, diverse group of neighbors on the African savannah of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. They’re joined by an ancient species of long horn cattle depicted in Egyptian pyramids, a territorial hoofed creature now extinct in its native habitat and a turkey-sized bird that walks on its tiptoes.

Altogether, more than 200 mammals and birds of nearly three dozen species populate the 33-acre area planted to replicate an African savannah that surrounds the deluxe lodge on three sides. Guests of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can view the creatures from their resort balconies or from several viewing points -- including a landscaped rock outcropping -- the Arusha Rock kopje -- 24 hours a day.

At least 40 percent of the mammal species roaming the lodge savannah cannot be seen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park or in other Central Florida animal parks, says lodge curator Joe Kalla. Themed as a working wildlife reserve, the 75-acre Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers opportunities for guests to meet with African cultural representatives and the animal care team. Those Disney cast members are equipped to offer animal spotting tips, conservation information and background on the animals.

“There’s no place like this in the world, where you can have a room with a savannah view and 24-hour viewing of animals from your balcony,” says Kalla, who once lived in Kenya and conducted animal research there. “This really feels like an immersion into Africa.”

Among the many species seen on the savannah:

• Ankole-Watusi Cattle – An ancient breed once known as the Egyptian Longhorn, it is a medium-sized cow with very long horns and a long tail pictured in 6,000-year-old Egyptian pyramids.

   

• Blesbok – Now extinct in its native habitat, the blesbok is a hoofed mammal with horns found in a protected area of South Africa. It has a short, glossy reddish or purplish coat and a white blaze on its forehead divided by a dark bar between its eyes.

   

• Abyssinian ground hornbill – A large, turkey-sized bird with black plumage and some white feathers, this hornbill rarely flies but walks on its tiptoes. It’s known for its deep, booming call -- especially at dawn.

   

• Congo buffalo – Both males and females of this small-sized buffalo species have flat-topped, almost circular shaped horns. As forest dwellers, they sometimes graze on the edges of open savannah areas.

   

• Grant’s zebra – This zebra’s broader stripes that extend around its belly and down its legs distinguish it from other zebras. It communicates with a variety of sounds, gestures and even facial expressions.

   

• Thomson’s gazelle – Also referred to as Tommies, these herbivores are known for their endurance that allows them to escape swift predators such as cheetahs or lions. The small creatures have rich tan skin with black stripes on their sides, and males have curved ring horns.

   

• Vulturine guinea fowl – This largest of the guinea fowl hails from tropical East Africa and doesn’t appear to drink water at all. It survives on seeds, fruit, roots and other vegetation and also eats insects, scorpions and spiders.

   

• White-bearded wildebeest – Known for traveling in large herds, the wildebeest is a large, high-shouldered antelope with a broad muzzle, an ox-like head and cow-like horns. It can go five days without water and mainly eats grasses and succulent plants.

   

• Sacred ibis – A long-legged bird from south of the Sahara and Madegascar, the Sacred ibis has white feathers and black decorated plumage toward its lower back. It builds nests in trees or tall grass and forages along streams and lakes.

   

• Bongo – Certain populations of this solitary forest dweller have been designated endangered or near threatened. Bright or dark chestnut red, both the male and female bongo have horns that spiral into a complete twist.

All animals inhabiting the savannah return periodically to an on-site animal care facility for feeding and routine care. Many of the species browse, as well, on savannah plantings that are part of their everyday diet and are continually replenished by horticulturists.

Animals populating the savannah of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge either originated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park or arrived from other accredited zoological facilities, Kalla says. Nighttime viewing of the animals “that just adds to the whole African experience” will occur with the help of artificial lighting that mimics a very bright full moon, he says. “People hopefully will leave with a greater appreciation for wildlife.”

Mammals:
Ankole cattle
Thomson’s gazelle
Impala
Blesbok
Giraffe
Greater kudu
Waterbuck
Zebra
Bongo
Wildebeest
Eland
Gemsbok
Congo buffalo

Birds:
African spoonbills
Yellow-billed stork
Cape teal
Red-billed pintail
Vulturine guineafowl
Helmeted guineafowl
Greater flamingo
East African crown crane
Ostrich
Egyptian geese
Yellow-billed duck
White-faced tree duck
Abyssinian geese
Sacred ibis
Common shelduck
Marabou storks
Blue cranes
Pink-backed pelicans
Abyssinian ground hornbills
Ruppell’s griffon vultures

February 3 2001: Landscaping at Animal Kingdom Lodge

The landscape design of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge plays a critical role in communicating the overall theme of the resort. In order to illustrate the relationship between the land, animals and man, landscape architects and horticultural experts needed to create an environment that illustrated the beautiful and diverse elements of the African landscape. It needed to be more formal in the residential areas than the landscaping in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and still convey a sense of the wild savannahs.

In the foreground, in order to hide the immense size of the lodge, architects strategically graded the elevation of the land surrounding the resort, providing only glimpses of the immense building. This helps to build the excitement as you approach the resort. It gives a hint of something wonderful ahead.

Following the grading, the first construction component of the lodge was to install the vegetation -- planted and secured two years before the lodge’s grand opening. Although some material may be from environments other than Africa, the intent is to simulate the landscape systems of the great continent: forested lands, river systems, grasslands and the bush.

As guests approach the lodge, they become immersed deeper and deeper into an African landscape designed to set the stage for their journey. To accomplish this setting designers sprinkled within the landscape large character canopy trees such as live oaks, ear trees and sweet bay magnolias. Native Floridian palms and Mexican fan palms are interspersed throughout, giving the resort a tropical look.

Out of the African landscape there is a dramatic moment as the plantings clear for a spectacular reveal of the main building and the porte cochier. Tall fan and Washingtonian palms give scale to the lodge with additional shrubs, grasses and groundcovers such as thryalis and pampas grass completing the entrance scene.

The main pool, Uzima Pool, is bordered with large, flowering canopy trees and native Floridian palms providing some shade. Red and pink hibiscus, bright clusters of red, orange and scarlet ixora, fragrant white jasmine and green pygmy date palms give the surrounding landscape a tropical accent and add vibrant colors to the earth-tone deck.

Behind the lodge on Arusha Rock kopje is the signature tree, a Peltophorum dubium -- the copperpod. This is the canopy tree most recognized as the one on the African plain.

Grown for its shade and its flowers, it is also called the yellow flame tree. The bright yellow flowers appear in dense clusters. The leaves fall during the dry season and are replaced with velvety-brown flower buds with the new growth. The flowers continue to bloom after the tree is fully leafed, creating a mixture of yellow and green. Then masses of thin, flat, copper-colored pods appear, hence the tree’s common name.

On the savannahs, varieties of shrubs such as vibirnum wax murtles and razzleberry along with grasses like cord grass, bamboo and veltver grass give the appearance of the grasslands of Africa. The shrub Duranta repens, or golden dewdrop, with its clusters of bright blue flowers and golden-yellow berries, edge areas of the pastures adding color and definition. This plant also attracts butterflies, adding movement and color to the natural gray-green grasslands.

Planted throughout is the canopy-shaped tree, Tipuana tipu, with its large yellow flowers that resemble orchids. The sweet acacia also has bright yellow flowers and is plentifully interspersed throughout the pastures. Acacia is a main staple for the giraffe and is placed next to the lodge, encouraging the animals to come closer to the building.

February 3 2001: Reservation Information

Reservations for Walt Disney World’s newest and most unique resort -- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge -- are now being accepted.

Inspired by the cultural splendor and exotic beauty of an African wildlife reserve, the 1,293-room, six-story deluxe resort is scheduled to open in April 2001. It will feature hand-carved furnishings, a mud fireplace in the lobby and sweeping views of a 33-acre tropical savannah filled with free-roaming animals.

Here is a sampling of what guests can expect:

ADVENTURES IN ARCHITECTURE: Designed by Peter Dominick, of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge fame, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will follow the kraal African village design, a semi-circle concept with a distinctive "theme" carried throughout its architecture, landscape and interior designs.

"We’re trying to capture an image that is not only symbolic of Africa but is culturally relevant," said project manager Jim Kwasnowski of Walt Disney Imagineering. The visual treat will begin on arrival as guests discover a rolling 33-acre plain unfolding before them through one of the resort’s larger-than-life picture windows. Here guests can walk along the elevated kopje, or rock outcropping, and enjoy a nearly panoramic view of roaming animals and flowing streams.

Throughout the resort, guests will discover examples of authentic African architecture and design, from thatched ceilings to rich wood and golden tones. Features include a large mud fireplace in the lobby and natural lighting fixtures designed to accentuate spectacular sunrises and sunsets. At night, incandescent lighting will resemble twinkling fire-flies and soft-glowing campfires.

ROOMS WITH A SPECIAL VIEW: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will offer many guests a view of the more than 100 hoofed animals and 100 birds spread across 33 acres of grassland.

Accommodations, offered in a range of sizes, are finished in rich tapestries and vibrant colors. Guest rooms feature jewel tones and hand-carved furnishings. "Royal Suite" reaches new heights with a domed, hut-like living room fit for a king.

Complementing the guest accommodations: a festive marketplace shop and flowing swimming pools.

DINING DELIGHTS: Culinary creations will abound at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:

• Jiko - The Cooking Place is a casual restaurant open for dinner that will feature a taste of Africa in an atmosphere shaped by local traditions and customs. Focusing on simpler, lighter cuisine, it will retain the spirit and refinements of a great restaurant while concentrating on the basics of cooking with an emphasis on the freshest of products. The design represents an abstract view of Africa, with twin wood-burning ovens as the restaurant’s icons.
• Boma - Flavors of Africa, a family restaurant open for breakfast and dinner, will capture the essence of vibrant life in the African marketplace. This family-fun buffet restaurant provides guests the ability to savor the African experience, which has multicultural influences. The restaurant showcases an exhibit kitchen, wood-burning grill and rotisserie. The dining areas are under thatched roofs.
• Mara, the quick-service restaurant open morning to night, will offer great food and poolside dining.
• Victoria Falls, a mezzanine lounge, will serve specialty coffees and teas and a variety of beverages at night. This lounge overlooks Boma - Flavors of Africa.

IN YOUR BACKYARD: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be located just a short drive from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort’s fourth and newest theme park, featuring wild exotic animals, dinosaurs and favorite Disney characters in spectacular shows and exciting attractions. Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998.

BY THE NUMBERS: The addition of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will bring to 18 the number of Disney-owned-and-operated resorts. Property-wide, there will be 28 resorts offering more than 25,000 guest-room accommodations.

GUEST TIPS: Guests eager to be among the first to experience Disney’s newest resort next spring are encouraged to book early.

Rates range from $199 to $510. (Rates may vary within this range depending on season and room type.) For reservations, contact 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or a travel agent.

February 3 2001: Zawadi Marketplace

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests on a “gift safari” venture into a realm where each treasure and trinket tells a tale in a fusion of vibrant colors and bold textures.

Zawadi Marketplace, the signature retail shop at Disney’s newest deluxe resort, opening April 2001, celebrates the romantic and adventuresome spirit of Africa through the stories and cultures represented in its merchandise.

Disney sent a team of researchers to Africa to locate one-of-a-kind treasures to showcase amid the natural finishes, patterns and textiles featured throughout the marketplace. At nearly 5,500 square feet, Zawadi Marketplace will be among the largest retail shops at Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests also can watch as a native artisan perfects crafts amid the rich, dynamic showcase of wares. Featured marketplace items include:

• Zulu baskets, tightly woven in a variety of shapes and sizes from the plentiful grasses of Botswana. The centuries-old art of basket weaving is passed traditionally from mother to child. The weaver becomes the narrator. Each pattern woven into the basket symbolizes a certain life stage and social status.

   

• Hand-loomed fabrics and textiles, hand-woven in vibrant colors, posing as floor coverings and tapestries. Whether the textile’s patterns reflect the love of a family or the heroism of a tribal chief, each textile bears a unique story.

   

• Hand-carved masks, a significant part of a tribe’s religious and cultural life. Songye Masks, one of the featured selections, would customarily welcome important visitors to the village while a round carved mask, crafted from dark wood with etchings, was believed to add youth and strength to a tribesman.

The Zawadi Marketplace also features beaded gourds, hand-carved chess sets and an assortment of authentic accents.

The marketplace has items in store for the Disney collector as well, including distinctive headwear, T-shirts, picture frames and more featuring the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge logo.

January 18 2001: Inside a room at the soon to open Animal Kingdom lodge

5 May 2000: AK Lodge Brochure

Click each image for a larger view. Thanks to Kenneth for the scans!

25 March 2000: AK Lodge Facts

• 1307 rooms, all have balconies
• 33 acres of animals out of the 74 acres of the resort represents wild game preserve, 100 hoofed & 136 birds
• All the animals at the lodge will have been born at AK
• The resort opens in Spring of 2001
• Each of the rooms are unique...because the beds are hand carved in Africa
  Room prices are from Wilderness Lodge to Yacht/Beach Club prices. Standard rooms to suites.

Approximate room rates

8 February 2000: AK Lodge article from Disney Magazine - thanks Kenneth!

2 September 1999: AK Lodge Test Site?

We have been sent in these great pictures (thanks Bongo the Ape Man) of a test site for many of the WDW resorts.

Above: an angled side view, as well as a view of the All-Star Music Calypso mock-up next to it

Below: Mock-up exteriors that I assume to be the new Safari Lodge.

2 September 1999: Animal Kingdom Lodge news

Disney Building New Hotel

Richard Verrier
of The Sentinel Staff

Published in The Orlando Sentinel on September 2, 1999.

In 18 months, when Disney's newest hotel opens, guests will be able to look out their hotel room windows and see zebra, giraffes and antelopes grazing nearby.

Walt Disney World has already begun construction of its 18th resort, a 1,307-room safari lodge close to the Animal Kingdom theme park.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge, an upscale hotel set to open in spring 2001, will be modeled on an African village and will overlook three savannas with more than 200 birds and a variety of grazing animals.

The savannas will total nearly 35 acres, about one quarter the size of the savanna at Animal Kingdom. The lodge is a mile southwest of Disney's fourth theme park, which opened last year.

"The animals are very popular at Animal Kingdom, and this gives our guests an opportunity to enhance their experience with animals," said Don Robinson, senior vice president of resort operations for Disney World.

The lodge will be Central Florida's 10th largest resort and the third resort in the Animal Kingdom area. The other two are Coronado Springs Resort, built in 1997; and All-Star Resorts, which added a third hotel earlier this year.

Since 1995, Disney World has added 6,702 hotel rooms.

The five-story, 800,000-square-foot lodge, off Osceola Parkway, will be shaped like a horseshoe and will have a distinctly African theme, including thatched roofs, reed walls and African tribal shields.

The lodge will include three restaurants, a swimming pool, an arcade and a gift shop.

The animals will be acquired from American Zoo and Aquarium Association-accredited organizations, Disney spokesman Craig Dezern said.

"A lot of people never make it to Africa," Robinson said Wednesday. "This is an opportunity to experience what the African lodge feeling is like."

Lodge room rates will run from $185 for a standard room and up to $500 a night for a suite.

The project's architect is Peter Dominick, who also designed Disney's Wilderness Lodge, near Magic Kingdom. The Wilderness Lodge has been "very, very popular," Robinson said. "We're using that same concept but applying the African theme and storyline to it."

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