The Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge refurb upgraded the hotel rooms back in 2020. And now it’s time for the Animal Kingdom Villas refurbishment!
If you’ve walked through Animal Kingdom Villas lately and thought the vibe was a little too vintage (to put it politely), you’re not alone.
The long-awaited Animal Kingdom Lodge refurb is finally on the horizon, and yes, it’s been a long time coming.
If you’re curious what this means for your next stay or want the details on what could change during and following the Animal Kingdom Lodge DVC refurb, you’re own the right place.
This post is all about the Animal Kingdom Villas refurbishment, and how it compares to the Animal Kingdom Lodge refurb.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Refurb
Is Animal Kingdom Lodge a Deluxe Resort?
Wondering ‘what tier is Animal Kingdom Lodge’?
Animal Kingdom Lodge is indeed a Deluxe Resort, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas is a Deluxe DVC property.
RELATED POST: Savanna Savings: 9 Easy Ways to Secure the Best Animal Kingdom Lodge Prices for Your Disney World Trip
Why Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas Refurbishment is Long Overdue
The Animal Kingdom Villas have been a popular place to stay – since the Villas at Jambo House opened in 2007, followed by Kidani Village in 2009.
However, the rooms have been looking tired for a few years now – particularly when you compare them to almost any other recently updated Disney Vacation Club resorts (i.e. BoardWalk Villas and Beach Club).
I stayed in a Deluxe Studio at Kidani Village in 2023 and a One Bedroom Villa at Jambo House in 2024. Although I LOVE the theming of the rooms here (and how spacious the villas feel), they are definitely past their prime.
I mean, they still have sofa beds in the age of DVC Murphy beds!
They look especially tired when you compare them to the hotel-side rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which were updated a few years ago, and look a lot healthier!
But all is good, because Disney have made a major announcement on the Animal Kingdom Villas refurb!
What to Expect from the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas Refurbishment
Whilst plenty of the details are under wraps, here is what we currently know:
- It’s a hard goods refurbishment, so it’s a pretty “drastic” update. We can expect to see Murphy beds instead of the old couches, upgraded furniture and a more modern design.
- The refurb at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village is expected to start soon, in October 2025, followed by Jambo House in summer 2026, once Kidani has been completed.
- The refurb may go beyond the rooms. Lobbies, for example, may see upgrades (particularly at Kidani Village).
- Potentially less intense theming – Animal Kingdom Villas have interesting African-inspired Studios and Villas. However, the rooms on the hotel-side at Animal Kingdom Lodge saw a decrease in the theming “intensity” when they were refurbished. So, could we see a more standardised and less unique version of these Studios and Villas? Quite possibly. 😭
RELATED POST: Everything You Should Know Before Booking Your Stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
How Will the Refurb Affect Your Stay at Animal Kingdom Villas?
Booking Tips for DVC Members During the Refurbishment
- Know the Construction Schedule: Work is typically staggered by floor or building, and Disney usually focuses on one area at a time. When there’s construction at Kidani Village, consider booking a stay at Jambo House, and vice versa.
- Request Away from Construction: Can’t entirely avoid construction, but your top priority is a quiet stay with minimal construction noise or blocked views? You’ll want to specifically request rooms away from work zones. Disney makes these notes on your reservation (not a guarantee, but they try).
RELATED POST: Walt Disney World Resort Refurbishments – Should You Stay at a Disney Hotel During a Renovation?
What the Updates Mean for the Future of Animal Kingdom Villas (& DVC Members)
Resale Value and Member Satisfaction
For those of us who obsess over our DVC points and talk resale value, a big resort refresh is great news. Refurbishments can drive up both pride and price by taking a tired resort and making it feel new again.
- Potential for Stronger Resale Value: Refreshed interiors, modern amenities, and a general vibe of newness almost always boost appeal for potential buyers. No one wants to pay top dollar for a fixer-upper! This may lead to more demand for Animal Kingdom Villas resale contracts, and higher prices (but remember that this can never be guaranteed).
- Less Uncertainty, More Confidence: Guests can book being pretty sure the room and experience will meet today’s standards (although we may see less traditional “Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas” theming than we’re used to).
Some members worry about construction, but the long-term payoff nearly always wins out!
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the DVC Animal Kingdom Lodge Refurb – Animal Kingdom Villas
Is Animal Kingdom Lodge all inclusive?
Animal Kingdom Lodge is not all inclusive. In fact, none of the Disney World on-site resorts are “all inclusive”.
However, if you book certain Disney World packages, you may get the Disney Dining Plan included.
You could also book a Club Level room if you would like some food and drinks included in the price of your stay (though this will come at an added cost).
RELATED POST: Decoding Luxury: Is Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Worth the Wild Price Tag in 2025?
Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House is the only Disney Vacation Club resort with some Club Level Studios/Villas (though they can be really hard to book, as there aren’t many!).
What’s the cheapest way to book a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge / Villas?
The cheapest way to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge is usually to book a stay at the Villas through a trusted DVC rental company – like David’s Vacation Club Rentals.
Because Animal Kingdom Villas has one of the best, most reasonable DVC point charts, you can usually get a wonderful deal here.
And by renting DVC points, you may even be able to save 50% + compare to booking directly with Disney for this resort – either by requesting a reservation or by booking a confirmed reservation.
How old is Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Animal Kingdom Lodge opened on April 16th, 2001 – making it 24 years old at the time of publishing this post.
Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House opened on July 2nd, 2007, followed by Kidani Village on May 1st, 2009.
Final Thoughts & Ta Ta For Now
The Animal Kingdom Lodge refurb is more than a fresh coat of paint or new bedding.
This overdue update is likely to be a a real game-changer for DVC members and anyone who loves these villas.
What upgrades are you hoping to see most when the Animal Kingdom Lodge refurb wraps up? Thanks for reading and drop your thoughts below 🙂
This post was all about the Animal Kingdom Villas refurbishment, and how it compares to the Animal Kingdom Lodge refurb.
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