DVC Resale Animal Kingdom Villas
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas is one of the most distinctive properties in the Disney Vacation Club collection, and it holds up well in the resale market for a specific type of buyer. The resort is unlike anything else at Walt Disney World. It's built around the idea of an African wildlife lodge, and it actually delivers on that concept in ways that feel genuinely immersive rather than just themed. If you've stayed there before and are drawn back to it, buying a resale contract here makes a lot of sense. If you haven't stayed there, it's worth understanding what makes it different before you commit to it as your home resort.
The Two Sections: Jambo House and Kidani Village
Animal Kingdom Villas is divided into two distinct sections on the same resort property. Jambo House is the original building, adjacent to the entrance of Animal Kingdom Lodge. Kidani Village is the DVC expansion that opened later and is connected to Jambo House but operates somewhat separately, with its own pools, lobby area, and dining.
Both sections have savanna views available, which is the signature feature of this resort. Savanna view rooms look directly onto the resort's private savannas where African wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and various bird species, roam freely. Not every room at the resort has a savanna view. Standard view rooms look toward the parking area or into the resort's landscaping. If the wildlife viewing is a major draw for you, booking a savanna view room is the priority, and that typically costs more points than a standard view room.
Jambo House has slightly different character from Kidani. Jambo's lobby and public spaces are the original design and feel more central to the resort's identity. Kidani has a somewhat quieter, more residential feel. Both are excellent, and your preference probably depends on which atmosphere you prefer and which pool you like better.
What Makes Animal Kingdom Villas Unique
The savanna viewing is genuinely unlike anything else in the DVC system. Sitting on your balcony at 6 AM watching a giraffe walk past while you have coffee is not something you can experience at any other Disney resort. For families with young children who are into animals, or for anyone who appreciates wildlife, this is a powerful draw that justifies choosing this resort as a home resort over alternatives that might be located closer to the theme parks.
The resort's pools are strong. Jambo House has the Uzima Springs Pool, a large pool with a waterslide and zero-depth entry area. Kidani Village has the Samawati Springs Pool with a dedicated splash zone that works especially well for young children. Having two pools between the two sections means there's usually something available even during busy periods.
The dining options at Animal Kingdom Villas are among the best at any DVC resort. Sanaa at Kidani Village is known for its Indian and African fusion menu, and the bread service with accompaniments is consistently rated one of the best casual dining experiences at Walt Disney World. Boma at Jambo House is a buffet-style restaurant that offers a wide variety of African-inspired dishes and is popular with families for its variety. Jiko at Jambo House is a more formal option with adventurous cuisine for guests who want a refined dining experience. The dining alone is a compelling reason to stay here even if you were booking at the 7-month window as a non-home-resort member.
Location Considerations
Animal Kingdom Villas sits near Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, which is in the western part of Walt Disney World. It's not particularly close to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios. Getting to those parks requires bus transportation. For visitors who want to be within walking distance of multiple parks, or who want easy access to Disney Springs, Animal Kingdom Villas requires more transportation planning than resorts in the EPCOT resort area or the Contemporary/Bay Lake area.
That said, the bus service is reliable and the resort's relative distance from the busier park areas contributes to its calmer, more secluded atmosphere. Many guests specifically prefer it for longer stays precisely because it doesn't feel like you're in the middle of the theme park hub. And if Animal Kingdom is your favorite park or a park you visit frequently, being right there has obvious advantages.
One practical note: the resort is genuinely large. Getting between your room and the lobby or the pools can involve a significant walk, particularly in Kidani Village. For guests with mobility limitations or young children who don't like long walks, this is worth considering when choosing room location within the resort.
Animal Kingdom Villas in the Resale Market
Animal Kingdom Villas contracts appear in the resale market with reasonable regularity and are generally priced competitively relative to other DVC resorts. The resort has a large inventory of contracts in existence, which means more supply in the resale market. That supply tends to keep prices somewhat more accessible than smaller, newer resorts where fewer contracts exist.
The value proposition here is strong for the right buyer. If you love the resort's atmosphere and want home resort priority to get savanna view rooms at the 11-month window, a resale contract here gives you that at a lower purchase price than buying directly from Disney. And the annual dues at Animal Kingdom Villas, while not the lowest in the DVC system, are in a reasonable range that doesn't dramatically change the long-term cost comparison.
One practical reality: savanna view rooms at Animal Kingdom Villas are popular and book up. At the 7-month window, getting a savanna view studio during peak periods can be difficult. If savanna views are important to your experience here, having Animal Kingdom Villas as your home resort gives you a real advantage in securing those rooms early.
Room Types and Points
Animal Kingdom Villas offers several room types: deluxe studios, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas, three-bedroom grand villas, and the unique value studios that are available in the Kidani section. The value studios are smaller than standard studios but cost fewer points, making them useful for couples or solo travelers who want to stretch their point budget.
Within most room types, you can choose between standard view, savanna view, and occasionally club level. The savanna view premium in points is meaningful and worth understanding before you decide on a contract size. If you always want a savanna view studio, you need more points than if you'd be happy with a standard view room for some trips.
Running your target vacation through the DVC Points Calculator before shopping for a contract helps you understand how many points your Animal Kingdom Villas trips would actually cost. That number should guide your contract size decision more than any rule of thumb.
Who This Resort Is Best For
Animal Kingdom Villas works especially well for families with children who love animals and wildlife, for guests who prioritize a more peaceful and immersive resort atmosphere over proximity to all the theme parks, and for anyone who values exceptional on-site dining as part of their Disney experience.
It's also a solid choice for buyers who want a value-conscious entry into the DVC resale market. Because inventory is relatively plentiful and prices are competitive, it's accessible to buyers who might not be able to afford a contract at Grand Floridian or Polynesian at current market prices.
Browse current Animal Kingdom Villas resale listings to see what's available now. For a side-by-side comparison of Animal Kingdom Villas against other resorts on price and dues, the price comparison page is useful. And if you want to understand the full ownership cost picture including annual dues, our annual dues page has current rates for every DVC resort. Questions about specific contracts or the buying process can be directed to the DVC Sales team through the contact page any day of the week.
