When Disney Vacation Club Members talk about bucket list stays, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level accommodations almost always enter the conversation. With only a handful of Disney Vacation Club Club Level rooms available at Jambo House, these reservations have become one of the most difficult stays to secure anywhere in Walt Disney World.
After years of trying, Amy and I finally spent a night in a Kilimanjaro Club Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. While we were certainly excited about the room itself, the real reason for our visit was simple: we wanted to experience everything Club Level has to offer.
From personalized service and concierge assistance to nearly all-day food and beverage offerings, here’s what we discovered and whether we think Club Level is worth the cost!
What Is Club Level at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Club Level at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge gives guests access to the exclusive Kilimanjaro Club Lounge located on the sixth floor of Jambo House.
Unlike a standard resort stay, Club Level includes dedicated concierge services, complimentary food and beverages throughout the day, and a more personalized level of hospitality.
For Disney Vacation Club Members, this experience is especially unique because Animal Kingdom Lodge is currently the only DVC resort offering Club Level accommodations that can be booked with points.
The challenge is availability.
There are only five DVC Club Level Deluxe Studios and five DVC Club Level One Bedroom Villas. Because those rooms can also be combined into Two Bedroom Villas, inventory is extremely limited and often disappears right at the eleven-month booking window.
The Kilimanjaro Club Experience Begins Before You Arrive
One of the things that immediately stood out was that the Club Level experience started before we even checked in.
Prior to arrival, we received a phone call from the Club Level team asking if we needed assistance with any part of our upcoming stay. Whether it’s dining reservations, special requests, celebrations, or itinerary planning, the concierge team is available to help make the trip smoother before you ever step foot inside the resort.
When we arrived at Jambo House, the service continued.
Instead of simply checking in at the front desk, Cast Members greeted us personally and escorted us directly to the Kilimanjaro Club Lounge. Along the way, they provided an overview of the resort, explained how Club Level works, and answered questions about the amenities available during our stay.
We were also welcomed with complimentary chocolates from The Ganachery and a personalized welcome note outlining the lounge schedule and offerings for the weekend.
It immediately felt different from a standard resort stay.
The Service Is What Makes Kilimanjaro Club Special
The food and drinks are excellent, but the service is what truly separates Club Level from a typical Disney resort experience.
Throughout our stay, every Cast Member we encountered seemed genuinely invested in creating memorable experiences for guests.
One moment stood out more than any other.
The night before Easter brunch, Amy realized she needed a safety pin for her dress. Rather than simply suggesting where we might be able to find one, a Cast Member went above and beyond. She actually retrieved a safety pin from her own sewing kit that she kept in her car and brought it back for Amy.
That level of personalized service feels increasingly rare, even at Disney.
It wasn’t about the safety pin itself. It was about the willingness to solve a problem and make sure a guest’s vacation continued without stress.
Those are the moments that transform a nice stay into a memorable one.
Throughout our visit, Cast Members also assisted guests with questions, dining recommendations, beverage service, and general vacation planning. Every interaction reinforced the feeling that the Kilimanjaro Club team truly enjoys what they do.
What Food and Drinks Are Included with Club Level?
One of the biggest benefits of staying Club Level is access to complimentary food and beverages throughout the day.
The Kilimanjaro Club schedule offers nearly continuous service from morning until night.
Coffee Service
- Begins at 6:30 AM
Early risers can grab coffee before breakfast service begins.
Breakfast
- 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Breakfast includes pastries, fruit, hot items, cereals, coffee, juices, and other morning favorites.
For many guests, breakfast alone can eliminate the need to purchase a meal elsewhere in the resort.
Safari Snacks
- 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
This midday service functions as a light lunch.
Offerings during our visit included:
- Build Your Own Snack Safari trail mix station
- African spiced nuts
- Cheese crackers
- Banana chips
- Chocolate covered raisins
- PB&J sandwiches
- Tri color curry pasta salad
- Multiple hummus varieties
- Fresh vegetables
- Citrus olive salad
- House made chips
The lounge also featured:
- Nespresso and espresso beverages
- Specialty coffee syrups
- Tea selections
- Soft drinks
- Juice
- Bottled water
- Infused spa water
- Lemonade
- Iced tea
Guests can also request alcoholic beverages during service periods, including beer, wine, sangria, and mimosas.
Twilight Offerings
- 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
This is essentially dinner.
While Disney refers to these as hors d’oeuvres, we found there was more than enough food to create a complete meal.
Highlights included:
- African shrimp pearl couscous
- Tamarind barbecue meatballs
- Corn chowder from Boma
- Assorted cheeses and charcuterie
- Specialty breads
- Hummus selections
- Fresh fruit
- Salads
- Rice dishes
- Vegetables
- Turkey and cheese rollups
The quality felt exactly like what you would expect from Animal Kingdom Lodge dining venues such as Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko.
An open bar style beverage service is also available during evening hours.
Evening Indulgences
- 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Dessert service rounds out the day with sweets and after dinner treats.
Although we missed dessert service during our visit, many guests consider it one of the highlights of the Kilimanjaro Club experience.
More Than Food: Small Touches That Add Magic
One thing we appreciated throughout the stay was the number of small details that elevated the experience.
From welcome gifts and personalized notes to hand drawn artwork on drink glasses created by a talented Cast Member, there was a level of attention to detail that felt special.
None of these touches individually justify the cost of Club Level.
Collectively, however, they create an atmosphere that feels distinctly different from a standard Disney resort stay.
How Much Does Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Cost?
The answer depends on whether you’re paying cash or using Disney Vacation Club points.
DVC Point Cost
For our Easter weekend stay:
| Room Type | Points |
|---|---|
| Savannah View Deluxe Studio | 29 Points |
| Club Level Deluxe Studio | 36 Points |
That means Club Level required only seven additional points for the night.
In some seasons, Club Level Studios can be booked for as few as 18 points per night on weekdays.
From a DVC perspective, that’s an incredible value.
Cash Cost
The math becomes very different when paying cash.
During our stay:
- Club Level Deluxe Studio rack rate: approximately $1,415 per night
- Standard Savannah View Deluxe Studio rack rate: approximately $1,109 per night
That’s a difference of roughly $306 per night.
While discounts may reduce those numbers, the premium remains significant.
Is Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Worth It?
For Disney Vacation Club Members using points, my answer is absolutely yes.
The additional points required are often surprisingly reasonable, especially when you factor in:
- Breakfast
- Snacks throughout the day
- Evening appetizers that can serve as dinner
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks and bottled water
- Concierge services
- Personalized guest assistance
The challenge is availability.
Actually securing one of these rooms is often harder than justifying the points required to stay there.
For guests paying cash, the answer becomes more complicated.
At more than $1,400 per night, you’ll need to maximize the lounge offerings to fully appreciate the value. Families who plan resort days, enjoy the included food and beverages, and take advantage of concierge services will likely see the greatest return on that investment.
Final Thoughts
After years of wanting to experience Kilimanjaro Club, I can confidently say it lived up to the hype. The food was excellent. The lounge was comfortable. The included beverages added meaningful value. But what truly made the experience memorable was the people.
From the pre-arrival concierge call to the Cast Members who welcomed us, served us, assisted guests throughout the day, and even tracked down a safety pin when we needed one, the service consistently exceeded expectations.
Would I pay the cash rate every time? Probably not. Would I book it again with Disney Vacation Club points if I had the opportunity? Without hesitation.
If you ever see Club Level availability appear during a search, consider it the Disney Vacation Club equivalent of spotting a unicorn. Grab it while you can and enjoy one of the most unique experiences available to DVC Members at Walt Disney World.
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