Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
DVC Resale — Points, Prices & Listings
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
DVC Resale — Points, Prices & Listings
Animal Kingdom Lodge Video Tour
Animal Kingdom Villas is two resorts in one. Jambo House opened in 2001 as part of the original Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Kidani Village was added in 2009 as a dedicated DVC building. Both overlook private savannas where giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest roam freely, and you can watch them from your balcony if you book a savanna-view room. It’s the only resort in the DVC system where you’ll wake up to animals outside your window.
Contracts expire in 2057, giving you roughly 31 years of remaining use. Resale prices run $100 to $125 per point, which puts AKV in the middle of the DVC price range. Annual dues are $10.16 per point, a bit above average, but that includes the cost of maintaining 30+ acres of savannas and caring for over 200 animals. For a 150-point contract, you’re looking at about $1,524 per year in dues.
The Value Studios at Jambo House are worth knowing about. They’re the cheapest rooms in the entire DVC system at just 9 points per night during Adventure Season. Smaller than a regular studio and no kitchenette, but they let you stretch a small contract across multiple trips per year.
AKV is an unrestricted resort, so resale buyers get full booking access at all 16 DVC properties worldwide. The main trade-off is transportation. You’re bus-only here, no monorail or Skyliner, and Magic Kingdom is a 20 to 25 minute ride. But the dining alone (Sanaa, Boma, Jiko) is some of the best on Walt Disney World property, and the price-to-experience ratio is hard to beat. We close a lot of AKV contracts for exactly that reason.
What makes Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort great!
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Animal Kingdom DVC Resale Listings
4 active contracts from DVC Sales · Updated Jun 5, 2026
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas: Quick Facts
Animal Kingdom Villas Annual Dues (2026)
Annual dues at Animal Kingdom Villas cover property taxes, insurance, resort maintenance, and the cost of caring for the animals on the resort's private savannas. That animal care component is unique to this resort and contributes to dues that are slightly higher than average for a Walt Disney World DVC property. The dues are the same whether you stay at Jambo House or Kidani Village, since they share the same condominium association. Historically, Animal Kingdom Villas dues have increased about 3% to 5% per year.
| Contract Size | Per-Point Dues | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Points | $10.16 | $1,016 |
| 150 Points | $10.16 | $1,524 |
| 200 Points | $10.16 | $2,032 |
Location & Transportation
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas sits on the western edge of Walt Disney World property, adjacent to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The resort's African-inspired architecture blends into over 30 acres of landscaped savannas where more than 200 animals from 30 different species roam freely. The location feels genuinely remote and immersive, almost like you have left Central Florida entirely.
Bus transportation: Complimentary Disney buses are the primary transportation method from Animal Kingdom Villas. Buses run to all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), Disney Springs, and the water parks. The bus ride to Animal Kingdom park takes about 5 minutes. Hollywood Studios is roughly 10 minutes away. Magic Kingdom and Epcot are each about 20 to 25 minutes by bus.
No monorail or boat access: Animal Kingdom Villas does not have monorail, Skyliner, or boat service. You are entirely bus-dependent for getting to the parks. This is the primary trade-off for the resort's unique savanna setting. Many families who stay here do not find this to be a dealbreaker because the bus service is reliable and the resort itself has so much to explore.
Walking to Animal Kingdom park: While the park is technically adjacent, there is no walking path between the resort and the park entrance. You will need to take the bus, which runs every 15 to 20 minutes starting one hour before park opening.
Animal Kingdom DVC Room Types
Animal Kingdom Villas encompasses two distinct buildings: Jambo House (the original lodge) and Kidani Village (the DVC expansion). Both offer DVC villas, though the room layouts differ slightly between the two buildings. View categories include Standard (parking, pool, or landscaping), Savanna View (overlooking the animal savannas), and Value (Jambo House only, smallest standard rooms).
| Room Type | Sleeps | Size (sq ft) | Points/Night (Avg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value Studio (Jambo) | 4 | 316 | 9-16 |
| Deluxe Studio | 4 | 365 | 12-25 |
| One-Bedroom Villa | 4-5 | 710 | 22-43 |
| Two-Bedroom Villa | 8-9 | 1,075 | 30-60 |
| Grand Villa (3BR) | 12 | 2,201 | 48-100 |
The Jambo House Value Studios are the lowest-point rooms in the entire DVC system, requiring as few as 9 points per night during Adventure Season. They are smaller than standard studios and do not include a kitchenette, but they are a great way to stretch your points for shorter stays. Kidani Village rooms tend to have slightly better savanna views because the building was designed specifically to maximize animal viewing angles from balconies.
Animal Kingdom DVC Resale: Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Savanna-view rooms let you watch zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest from your private balcony
- ✓ Two distinct buildings (Jambo House and Kidani Village) each with their own pool, restaurants, and character
- ✓ Value Studios at Jambo House offer the lowest point requirements in the entire DVC system
- ✓ Outstanding dining including Sanaa, Boma, and Jiko (now The Cooking Place)
- ✓ Moderate resale prices at $100 to $125 per point, well below monorail-loop resorts
- ✓ Unrestricted resort with full booking access at all 16 DVC properties worldwide
Cons
- ✗ No monorail, boat, or Skyliner access, buses are the only park transportation option
- ✗ Farthest major resort from Magic Kingdom, with a 20 to 25 minute bus ride
- ✗ Savanna-view rooms cost 30% to 50% more points per night than standard view
- ✗ Higher annual dues at $10.16/point compared to resorts like Saratoga Springs or Old Key West
- ✗ Contract expires in 2057, giving roughly 31 years of remaining use
Recreation & Amenities at Animal Kingdom Villas
Animal Kingdom Villas delivers an experience unlike any other DVC resort. The combination of African-inspired theming, live animals, and world-class restaurants creates a resort stay that many families rank as their favorite Disney vacation, even above the parks themselves.
Savanna Viewing
The resort maintains four separate savannas covering more than 30 acres. Over 200 animals from 30 species live on these savannas, including giraffes, zebras, African wild dogs, ankole cattle, wildebeest, ostriches, and various species of gazelle and antelope. Animals are active throughout the day, but the best viewing times are early morning (just after sunrise) and late afternoon (around 4:00 to 6:00 PM). Night vision goggles are available at the lobby viewing areas so you can watch the animals after dark. There are also multiple ground-level viewing areas at both Jambo House and Kidani Village where anyone can watch, even if your room does not have a savanna view.
Pools
Jambo House features the Uzima Pool, a 11,000 square-foot zero-entry pool with a 67-foot waterslide and a separate children's wading area. The pool deck has a hot tub and overlooks one of the savannas, so you can watch giraffes while you swim. Kidani Village has the Samawati Springs Pool, which many families consider the better of the two. It features a larger waterslide (128 feet), a more extensive zero-entry area, two whirlpool spas, and a dedicated kids' splash playground called Uwanja Camp with water cannons and interactive play features. Both pools have complimentary towels, life jackets, and lounge chairs.
Dining
The dining at Animal Kingdom Villas is consistently rated among the best at Walt Disney World. Sanaa, located at Kidani Village, serves Indian and African-inspired dishes with bread service that has a devoted following (five different naan breads with nine dipping sauces). The restaurant's windows overlook the savanna, so you can watch animals while you eat. Boma, at Jambo House, is an African-themed buffet for breakfast and dinner that features over 60 items including bobotie, pap and chakalaka, banana bread, and carved meats. Jiko (now The Cooking Place) at Jambo House is the signature fine-dining restaurant featuring South African wines and dishes like oak-grilled filet mignon with mealie pap and chakalaka. The Mara at Jambo House is the counter-service restaurant with grab-and-go meals, flatbreads, and desserts.
Other Activities
The resort offers guided savanna tours, a community hall with arts and crafts activities, campfire programs with marshmallow roasting and Disney movie screenings, a fitness center at both Jambo House and Kidani Village, an arcade at Kidani Village, jogging trails through the resort grounds, and a basketball/volleyball court. The Survival of the Fittest fitness challenge is a unique activity where guests navigate an outdoor obstacle course inspired by African wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions: Animal Kingdom DVC
What is the difference between Jambo House and Kidani Village?
Jambo House is the original Animal Kingdom Lodge building that opened in 2001. It has a dramatic six-story lobby with African artifacts, and houses Boma (buffet) and Jiko/The Cooking Place (signature dining). DVC villas were added to Jambo House through a conversion of existing hotel rooms, so they tend to be slightly smaller. Kidani Village opened in 2009 as a dedicated DVC building with purpose-built villas, its own pool complex (Samawati Springs with the larger waterslide), and the popular Sanaa restaurant. Kidani rooms generally offer closer savanna views because the building was designed specifically to maximize balcony sightlines to the animals. Both buildings share the same DVC point charts and the same condominium association.
Can I see animals from my room at Animal Kingdom Villas?
You can if you book a savanna-view room. These rooms have balconies that overlook the resort's private savannas where zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and other animals roam freely. The animals are most active at sunrise and in the late afternoon. Standard-view rooms face parking areas, pools, or landscaped gardens and do not have animal views. If savanna views are your priority, Kidani Village rooms tend to offer closer, more direct sightlines to the animals.
When does the Animal Kingdom Villas DVC contract expire?
Animal Kingdom Villas contracts expire on January 31, 2057, giving buyers roughly 31 years of remaining use as of 2026. While this is shorter than newer resorts, the moderate resale prices ($100 to $125 per point) make the cost per remaining year quite competitive.
What are Value Studios at Jambo House?
Value Studios are smaller rooms at Jambo House that require the fewest points per night of any room in the entire DVC system, as low as 9 points per night during Adventure Season. They sleep up to 4 guests in 316 square feet and include a small refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave, but no kitchenette. They are ideal for short stays or for stretching your points on a longer trip where you plan to spend most of your time in the parks.
What is the best restaurant at Animal Kingdom Villas?
That depends on what you are looking for. Sanaa at Kidani Village is the fan favorite, known for its Indian-African fusion cuisine and legendary bread service with nine dipping sauces. The savanna views from the restaurant are stunning. Boma at Jambo House is one of the best buffets on Walt Disney World property, with over 60 items at dinner. Jiko (The Cooking Place) is the signature fine-dining option with an outstanding South African wine list. All three consistently rank among the top restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Is Animal Kingdom Villas a restricted or unrestricted resort?
Animal Kingdom Villas is an unrestricted DVC resort. Resale buyers can book at all 16 DVC properties worldwide at the 7-month booking window, and at Animal Kingdom Villas at the 11-month window. This full flexibility makes AKV a popular choice for buyers who want to split their trips between different DVC resorts from year to year.
Which pool is better at Animal Kingdom Villas?
Most families prefer Samawati Springs at Kidani Village. It has the larger waterslide (128 feet vs 67 feet at Uzima Pool), a more extensive zero-entry area, two whirlpool spas, and the Uwanja Camp kids' splash playground with water cannons and interactive features. Uzima Pool at Jambo House is quieter, overlooks the savanna, and works well for families who prefer a more relaxed pool experience.
How many points do I need for a week at Animal Kingdom Villas?
A Value Studio at Jambo House in Adventure Season runs as low as 63 points for a full week. A standard-view Deluxe Studio in the mid-range Magic Season needs roughly 120 to 140 points per week. A savanna-view one-bedroom in Magic Season requires about 200 to 250 points. Point requirements vary by season, view category, and building (Jambo vs Kidani), so checking the point chart for your specific dates is important.
How does buying Animal Kingdom Villas on resale compare to buying direct?
Buying on resale typically saves 40% to 50% off Disney's direct pricing. Resale contracts for AKV trade between $100 and $125 per point, putting a 150-point contract in the $15,000 to $18,750 range before closing costs. Because AKV is unrestricted, resale buyers keep full booking access at all DVC resorts. The main perks you lose with resale are discounts on Annual Passes and the ability to use Collection packages for non-DVC Disney hotel stays.
Can I walk from Animal Kingdom Villas to the Animal Kingdom park?
No. Even though the resort is adjacent to the park, there is no walking path between them. You will need to take the complimentary Disney bus, which runs every 15 to 20 minutes and takes about 5 minutes to reach the park entrance. The bus service begins one hour before park opening and continues until one hour after the park closes.
Why Buy Animal Kingdom Villas DVC Resale
Animal Kingdom Villas is one of the most distinctive DVC resorts you can buy on the resale market. No other timeshare property in the world lets you watch giraffes and zebras from your balcony while staying at a resort with restaurants that rank among the best at Walt Disney World. That combination of unique experience and solid value makes AKV a strong resale purchase for the right buyer.
The resale pricing at $100 to $125 per point puts AKV in the middle of the DVC price range, well below monorail-loop resorts like Bay Lake Tower ($130 to $155) and Grand Floridian ($160 to $185), but above value-oriented resorts like Saratoga Springs and Old Key West. For that mid-range price, you get a savanna experience, outstanding restaurants, two separate pool complexes, and an unrestricted resort that lets you book anywhere in the DVC system.
The Value Studios at Jambo House are a major selling point for budget-conscious DVC owners. At as few as 9 points per night, they let you stretch a small contract across multiple trips per year. A 100-point contract at AKV can cover 10 or more nights in Value Studios during the lower seasons, which is more nights than a 100-point contract would get you at most other DVC resorts.
Annual dues at $10.16 per point are above average for Walt Disney World, but they include the cost of maintaining the savannas and caring for the 200+ animals that make this resort special. For a 150-point contract, you are looking at $1,524 per year. That is roughly comparable to the Grand Floridian and well below Aulani.
The primary consideration with AKV is transportation. You are bus-dependent for reaching all four parks, and Magic Kingdom is a 20 to 25 minute ride away. If walking to a park or taking the monorail is a top priority, this may not be the right resort for you. But if you value unique experiences, exceptional dining, and a resort that your kids will remember for decades, Animal Kingdom Villas delivers something that no other DVC resort can.
At DVC Sales, we handle Animal Kingdom Villas resale transactions at a 6.9% commission rate, the lowest in the industry. Our brokers have closed thousands of DVC contracts and can help you find the right AKV contract, navigate Disney's Right of First Refusal, and close with a title company experienced in DVC transfers.
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