Decoding Luxury: Is Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Worth the Wild Price Tag in 2024? -

Have you heard about how wild Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level is?! Are you wondering if it’s worth the upgrade? This is the post for you!

Welcome to a realm of incredible luxury at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

As you plan your enchanted escape, the option of upgrading to Club Level provides promises of exclusivity, personalised service, and breathtaking views.

But is this elevated experience truly worth the investment?

In this exploration, we delve into the intricacies of Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level – dissecting the perks, considering the costs, and ultimately seeking to answer the question: Is the splendour of Club Level worth the price tag?

And we will even cover how to save money on this extravagant splurge!

Join us on a journey where extravagance meets scrutiny, as we navigate the landscape of luxury that awaits at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

This post is all about answering the question: ‘Is Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level worth it’?

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level

What is Club Level Access at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Club Level Access is essentially VIP access at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

You get access to an exclusive lounge that isn’t open to the general public – with “complimentary” food and drinks throughout the day.

There are also dedicated concierge cast members – available to help you with your queries throughout your Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level stay. If you need help with reservations or Genie+, for example, a cast member should be able to advise.

List of Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Rooms and Suites You Can Choose From

Savanna View – Club Level Access – sleeps up to 4 guests

Savanna View – King Bed – Club Level Access – sleeps up to 2 guests
Resort View – 1 BR Suite – Club Level Access – sleeps up to 6 guests
Savanna View – 1 BR Suite – Club Level Access – sleeps up to 6 guests
2 Bedroom Suite – Club Level Access – sleeps up to 8 guest
Deluxe Studio – Club Level (Jambo House – DVC) – sleeps up to 4 guests
1 Bedroom Villa – Club Level (Jambo House – DVC) – sleeps up to 5 guests

What is the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Price of Rooms and Suites?

In order to tell how expensive Club Level rooms and suites are, let’s compare them to similar/same rooms – which do not have Club Level Access. These are based on 2024 prices.

Savanna View Room (sleeps 4 guests):

WITHOUT Club Level Access: $696/night – $1,174/night

WITH Club Level Access: $872/night – $1,550/night

PRICE DIFFERENCE: $176 – $376 more per night for Club Level Access

Savanna View – King Bed (sleeps 2 guests):

WITHOUT Club Level Access: $716/night – $1,195/night

WITH Club Level Access: $891/night – $1,568/night

PRICE DIFFERENCE: $175/night – $373/night more per night for Club Level Access

All the suites have Club Level Access, but here are the price ranges of the suites:

Resort View – 1 BR Suite – Club Level Access – $1,281/night – $2,257/night
Savanna View – 1 BR Suite – Club Level Access – $1,365/night – $2,538/night
2 Bedroom Suite – Club Level Access – $2,181/night – $4,004/night

DVC Club Level Studios/Villas

Points are based on 2024 points charts for Animal Kingdom Villas.

Deluxe Studio

WITHOUT Club Level Access (Standard View): 10-23 points/night ($210/night – $483/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

WITHOUT Club Level Access (Savanna View): 13-29 points/night ($273/night – $609/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

WITH Club Level Access (Savanna/Pool/Water View): 18-36 points/night ($378 – $756 – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

One-Bedroom Villa

WITHOUT Club Level Access (Standard View): 20-45 points/night ($420/night – $945/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

WITHOUT Club Level Access (Savanna View): 27-52 points/night ($567/night – $1,092/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

WITH Club Level Access (Savanna/Pool/Water View): 38-73 points/night ($798/night – $1,533/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

Two Bedroom Villa

WITHOUT Club Level Access (Standard View): 28-60 points/night ($588/night – $1,260/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

WITHOUT Club Level Access (Savanna View): 35-76 points/night ($735/night – $1,596/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

WITH Club Level Access (Savanna/Pool/Water View): 51-98 points/night ($1,071/night – $2,058/night – if renting points at $21 per point per night)

Please note that DVC availability of studios/villas with Club Level Access is very limited – so they can be extremely difficult to book (especially if you’re not a DVC member with Animal Kingdom Lodge as your Home Resort).

What is included in Club Level at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?

When staying Club Level at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can expect a selection of delectable food throughout the day to great customer service.

So, here is a “typical” Club Level experience at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Check-In For Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Guests

Your journey into Club Level luxury begins at check-in.

Disney’s renowned hospitality extends to this exclusive experience, setting the tone for the enchantment that lies ahead.

If you go to Check-In, a cast member can take you to the Kilimanjaro Club lounge.

Alternatively, you can check-in online or on the My Disney Experience app, and make your way to the Kilimanjaro Club lounge yourself (or your room/suite, if it’s ready).

When you arrive at the Lounge for the first time, you are presented with a welcome letter and an impressive chocolate bar! (Unfortunately, you only get one bar per room – not per person – even though the prices are so high!).

In addition, when you check out, you receive this note on your last day:

What can you expect from Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level food and drinks?

Food offerings & times:

Miamko (breakfast): 7 AM-10:30 AM

Vitafunio (“lunch-themed” snacks): 11:30 AM-3 PM

Kisikusiku (dinner): 5 PM-7 PM

Rehema (desserts): 8 PM-10 PM

You can also find drinks and some light snacks throughout the day.

I stayed in a Club Level Savanna View room for four nights in September 2023, and I did notice that the food options changed slightly day-to-day.

Breakfast at the Kilimanjaro Club

From continental choices to heartier options, you can fuel up for a day of adventure. The elegant setting and the convenience of having a sumptuous breakfast within arm’s reach enhance the overall enchantment.

Here are some of the offerings you can find at breakfast (though they varied slightly day-to-day):

Fruit

Yoghurt
Oatmeal (they had an entire oatmeal station!)

Muffins (banana or blueberry – depending on the day)
Chocolate chip loaves (which almost tasted like chocolate chip muffins)
Croissants (Multi-Grain and Buttery)
Cheese Danish

Bagels
English Muffins

A few choices of cereal

Hard Boiled Eggs
Cheese

Lunch at the Kilimanjaro Club

Late morning to early afternoon, you can indulge in a delightful lunch. Though there was less choice than breakfast, there are still some great snacks!

Here are some of the offerings you can find at lunch (which didn’t vary too much day-to-day):

PB&J Sandwiches

Salad
Hummus

Cookies (Chocolate-Chip, Sugar or Snickerdoodles)

Potato chips (or “crisps” if you’re from the UK like me)

They also have a “Build-Your-Own Safari Snack” station, with:

Goldfish
Chocolate-covered raisins
Banana chips
Yogurt-covered pretzels
African Spice Nuts

Dinner at the Kilimanjaro Club

For dinner, there was a very small selection of hot food every night.

Whilst I was there, this included light dishes, such as:

Chicken nuggets
A vegetarian rice dish

Tomato soup

These dishes changed every night we stayed there.

They also had salad, hummus, pita bread, cold mac ‘n’ cheese (on one night) and sometimes, leftover PB&J sandwiches!

As a vegetarian, I found it slightly limiting, but I always managed to find something I could eat (even if it wasn’t from the hot food selection).

Dessert at the Kilimanjaro Club

Whether you have a craving for decadent desserts or prefer a lighter indulgence, Club Level offers a delightful assortment to satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s a fitting end to a day filled with magical moments.

This was probably the best “meal-time” with some incredible desserts. These changed every night, but included:

Cookies (Chocolate-chip, Sugar or Snickerdoodle)

Banana Cream Tart

S’more Tart with Passion Fruit

Zebra Domes

Caramel & Cashew Tarts
& various other sweet treats (often variations of cake)

General Snacks/Drinks at the Kilimanjaro Club

Throughout the day, you can partake in a selection of snacks and drinks.

The main snacks you could find were chips (/crisps), Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars, Mickey Ice Cream sandwiches, etc.

Here are the drinks stations at the Kilimanjaro Club Lounge:

Also, if you needed to take food to go, cast members would provide you with the correct boxes/containers, which is perfect if you’re rushing to the parks.

How Booking a Club-Level Room Can Actually Save You Money

Yes, you read that right! I know I’ve been speaking about how expensive Club Level at Animal Kingdom Lodge is, but when my family stayed there, we saved money.

Thanks to our 35% Annual Pass discount (click here to find a list of ways you can save money on your stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge), it worked out slightly cheaper to stay in a Club Level room – and utilise the food offerings – than to stay in a Savanna View (without Club Level access) and pay for food.

However, if you would prefer to eat larger meals, this strategy may not work for you, as most of the food offerings are lighter snacks, and aren’t as filling as some of Disney’s hearty meals – served at Quick Service and Table Service locations.

This strategy also works best if there are 3+ people in your room. After all, the more people in your room = the more you can save on food.

If I had travelled solo (or even with just one other person), it probably wouldn’t have been as great of a deal.

So, is Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Really Worth It?

Like many Disney-related questions, there is no one-size-fits-all answer (currently refraining from making a Cinderella glass slipper joke).

Ultimately, I don’t think Club Level would be something that the majority of guests would regret.

I personally think it’s best for shorter stays (1-2 nights), as the food selections at the Kilimanjaro Club lounge can seem a little repetitive after a while.

It can also feel a little restricting, as you have to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, etc., at a certain time, and not when you would necessarily choose to have it.

But all in all, I’m happy I have experienced Club Level at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I can see myself booking it again in the future.

Ta Ta For Now

Do you think Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level is worth it?!