DVC Resale Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas offers DVC buyers a unique resort experience combining African-inspired theming with genuine animal encounters unavailable anywhere else at Walt Disney World. Understanding the resale market for this distinctive property helps buyers evaluate whether Kidani Village and Jambo House fit their vacation priorities and budget.

Animal Kingdom Lodge DVC Overview

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas actually comprises two distinct DVC buildings: Jambo House, which opened in 2007 as a conversion within the existing Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Kidani Village, which opened in 2009 as a purpose-built DVC resort. Both buildings offer savanna views where African wildlife roams just outside guest windows, creating experiences unavailable at any other DVC property.

The resort's location on the western edge of Walt Disney World property provides proximity to Animal Kingdom theme park, typically a 5-10 minute bus ride away. However, other parks require longer bus commutes, with Magic Kingdom and EPCOT trips typically taking 20-30 minutes. This location factor significantly influences resale pricing compared to more centrally located DVC resorts.

Jambo House vs. Kidani Village

Jambo House offers fewer DVC units within the original Animal Kingdom Lodge building. These rooms provide access to the main lodge's restaurants, pools, and lobby while offering limited room types including studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom villas. The conversion nature means room sizes may differ from purpose-built DVC properties.

Kidani Village provides more extensive DVC inventory with additional room configurations including dedicated two-bedroom villas and grand villas. The building features its own pool, restaurants, and amenities while connecting to Jambo House via a covered walkway. Both buildings share savanna viewing privileges, though specific savanna views vary by room assignment.

Animal Kingdom Villas Resale Pricing

Animal Kingdom Villas resale prices typically fall in the mid-range of DVC properties, generally ranging from 15-145 per point depending on contract specifics, view category, and current point status. Contracts with savanna views may command slight premiums over standard views, as the animal viewing experience represents the resort's primary distinguishing feature.

Pricing factors include contract size, use year, banked or borrowed points, and remaining years until 2057 (Jambo House) or 2057 (Kidani Village) expiration. The resort's moderate pricing combined with unique theming makes it attractive for buyers seeking distinctive experiences without premium resort price tags.

Right of First Refusal Considerations

Disney exercises Right of First Refusal at Animal Kingdom Villas at moderate rates compared to the overall DVC system. Historical data suggests ROFR rates of approximately 15-20% for reasonably-priced contracts. Buyers offering competitive prices relative to recent comparable sales generally progress through ROFR without significant concern.

Very low offers face higher ROFR risk, particularly during periods when Disney actively rebuilds inventory for direct sales. Buyers seeking bargain pricing should research recent ROFR outcomes to understand what price levels pass versus get purchased by Disney.

Room Types and Point Requirements

Animal Kingdom Villas offers varied accommodations with corresponding point requirements. Studios sleep four guests and require 12-26 points nightly depending on season. One-bedroom villas accommodate five guests at 21-44 points per night, while two-bedroom villas sleep nine at 36-75 points nightly. Grand villas at Kidani Village sleep twelve and require 72-150 points per night.

The resort's savanna view rooms require additional points compared to standard views. Many owners specifically choose Animal Kingdom Villas for these savanna views, making them worth the premium for buyers prioritizing the unique wildlife viewing opportunity.

Annual Dues and Operating Costs

Animal Kingdom Villas maintenance fees rank moderate within the DVC system. The 2024 annual dues of approximately .50-8.75 per point (varying slightly between Jambo House and Kidani Village) cover resort operations, animal care and savanna maintenance, and standard DVC reserve fund contributions.

The savanna maintenance represents a unique cost factor not present at other DVC resorts. Animal care, habitat maintenance, and specialized staffing create expenses reflected in dues calculations. However, these costs remain competitive with other mid-tier DVC properties despite the additional complexity.

Location and Transportation

Animal Kingdom Villas' location requires accepting bus-only transportation to all theme parks. Unlike Monorail resorts or Skyliner properties, no alternative transportation methods serve this resort. Guests prioritizing theme park convenience may find the commute times less ideal than centrally-located alternatives.

However, the resort itself provides extensive on-site activities reducing the need for park visits. Savanna viewing, pool areas, walking trails, and dining options create resort experiences that guests enjoy without leaving the property. Many Animal Kingdom Villas owners specifically appreciate days spent enjoying the resort rather than rushing to parks.

The Animal Kingdom Experience

What distinguishes Animal Kingdom Villas from all other DVC properties is the genuine safari experience available without leaving the resort. Over 200 animals from 30 species roam the surrounding savannas, visible from room balconies, restaurant dining areas, and public viewing locations throughout the resort.

This experience appeals particularly to families with children, nature enthusiasts, and guests seeking immersive theming beyond standard Disney resort offerings. The African lodge atmosphere extends throughout public areas with authentic artwork, architecture, and cultural elements creating comprehensive themed environments.

Investment Perspective

Animal Kingdom Villas maintains steady resale demand from buyers specifically seeking its unique experience. While unlikely to appreciate dramatically, the resort's distinctive positioning ensures continued interest from a dedicated buyer segment. The combination of reasonable pricing, unique theming, and solid DVC fundamentals makes Animal Kingdom Villas a sound ownership choice for appropriately motivated buyers.

Additional Considerations for Buyers

For those considering a purchase, understanding the booking window is crucial. DVC members can typically book their home resort up to 11 months in advance, which is particularly advantageous for securing popular savanna view rooms at Animal Kingdom Villas. Non-home resort bookings open up at 7 months, which can make securing a room more competitive.

Prospective buyers should also consider the flexibility offered by the DVC point system. Points can generally be banked, borrowed, or transferred, allowing members to customize their vacation experiences. This flexibility is a significant advantage for families whose vacation needs may change over the years.

Conclusion

Overall, Animal Kingdom Villas offers a unique blend of exotic theming, wildlife experiences, and DVC benefits that appeal to a wide range of Disney enthusiasts. Whether you're a family looking for a memorable vacation experience or an investor seeking a distinctive property within the DVC system, Animal Kingdom Villas provides a compelling option worth considering.