Animal Kingdom Lodge – Orlando, FL

Have you ever booked a vacation after researching the heck out of Google to find the “perfect” place, only to be disappointed in the end? You wake up on the last day to pack your bags and think to yourself, “This place really isn’t worth what I just paid." Fortunately, the polar opposite of vacation experiences do exist and Animal Kingdom Lodge will be an experience that surpasses anything you could have dreamed.

Our stay was only one night, but it was a fantastic Saturday / Sunday and we took full advantage of the spectacular amenities. The resort is split between two lodges: The Jambo House (Main Lodge) and Kildani Village. Each lodge has dinning, arcade, pool, fitness center and spectacular views. It is about a 10 minute walk between the two lodges, or a short complimentary bus ride. The only downside to Kildani is there are no breakfast facilities; one must do a walkabout to find food at the Jambo House.

Ashley, Luke and I had a villa in Kildani Lodge that was perfect. It included a master bedroom with top of the line master bathroom, full kitchen, second full bath and living room with pull out couch and chair. For a family, this is perfect. Everyone had there own space and plenty of area to throw clothes and bathing suits in any direction without disrupting high traffic or sitting areas. 

Of course the selling point of Animal Kingdom Lodge was our view of the “African Landscape” sprawling with deciduous animals of the African ecosystem. It was great to relax on our deck and see Giraffes, Zebra, Cattle, Wildebeest, birds and many more animals grazing the confines as if they were all alone.

 

We spent much of our time in the pool area and this was our second favorite amenity. Great water slide that is adult friendly and infant water “park” that provides an atmosphere of great fun. Don’t worry, lifeguards abound – and they are strict. Not that I had any experience with them. Did I mention the outdoor food and beverage area, otherwise knows as a bar? Can’t swim up to the bar, can’t have a drink in the pool or for that matter near the pool – but it provides an adult opportunity to relax in the sun with a cool drink and know that your family is having a blast. Just be careful of your proximity to the pool while holding a drink – the lifeguards will get ya! Being in my early 30’s it was a little hard to swallow when a teenage squirt tells me to back away from the pool. I tell you what squirt, when you figure out how to wipe your butt and not leave skid marks in those Fruit O’ The Looms, you can tell me to back away from the pool.

We had dinner Saturday night at the restaurant Sanaa and it was fantastic. With Ashley being vegan, we were a little worried about the options for her. Fortunately, we requested their vegan options and to our surprise, they have a complete vegan menu. That made Ashley’s night because she didn’t have to worry about her food and it made my night because I didn’t have to hear the complaints regarding limited food options. Good food, good wine and great kids menu.

We will absolutely be visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge again. How can you not have a wonderful vacation in the “Happiest Place on Earth”?

Welcome Home.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Quick Picks:

Family Resort

Great Amenities

Great Pool and Fitness Center

Good Eats – Vegan Friendly

Pricey $$ in season

Watch out in summer – it was 95 degrees in April.

Awesome Animal Experience

Add to your Bucket List

Stump Pass

I opened my blog talking about the need to travel large distances for fun, excitement and culture. I should remember my own backyard though. Not my literal backyard - it's grass is overgrown, flower beds overcome with weeds and needs some serious removal of dog waste!!!

Stump Pass can only be reached via boat; so - buy one, rent one, borrow one, or go with someone that has one. It is absolutely a must!! It is located in, well Stump Pass. It's where the intercoastal meets the Gulf. As you head out to the gulf there is a large shallow (sandbar) on the right side of the channel - perfect to anchor a boat and relax in the clear, blue, gulf water. Depending on the tide, the water levels allow for putting a chair out, or swimming at waist and chest levels. The beautiful waters, views of the gulf, sunshine and marine life aren't enough to enjoy Stump Pass. You need a cold drink and great friends! Of course, the area is not a secret. There are normally 30-50 boats anchored on the sandbar, but it is plenty large enough to handle that and more.

Families and friends abound. Many bring out there dogs and puppies because the water is a perfect level for running and swimming.

Music in the background, cold drink in hand, friends by your side, cool blue ocean and making new friends makes for the perfect experience of the beaches in SW Florida.

We have been able to experience this fun the last two weekends and it makes for a very relaxing beginning or ending to the weekend. Go enjoy!

Traveling encompasses the persona of being something or someone that you are not, but that is irrelevant because you are the only person in the know. I fell in love with travel a few years ago as I had the opportunity to travel far away from home for work and fun. I was fortunate to visit great cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, Newport Beach, Houston and Seattle. All were great, but it was in Seattle that I embraced travel as an opportunity to escape all reality.

I set out on a trip to see my cousin in Seattle and it was mostly a trip to get away from some rough things happening in my life. As I was able to experience the city and all it offered, I began to realize that it is a lot of fun being away and enjoyed the relaxation of something new. Growing up I did travel with the family, but it was never very far or to new and exciting places. We would go camping at Hunting Island, SC, go to Ft. Lauderdale to see family, go camping in Maggie Valley, NC. I did go on a few church trips with the youth group to Chicago and snow skiing on Sugar Mountain, NC. But I never did any flying or extensive travel. In fact my first time in a plane was when I was 21. All these trips are great memories for me as we spent them with family.

I've had some unbelievable experiences and great stories from traveling. I won't go back in time, but as time goes on, I want to share the experiences and tips for travel. This will not be a travel channel special where they point you in the direction of the most well known 5 star hotel. No, this will be a dedication to mostly off the beaten path vacations and travels. It is a charge to find the eccentric and unique vacations that no one else will be able to tell about.

Maybe some people will follow suit and create vacations for themselves that are more thoughtful and have more meaning.

I grew up in North Augusta, SC, a fairly small town just across the Savannah River from Augusta, GA. My family has lived there for generations and it is great to visit on occasion. I moved to Florida in 2008, so I spent 28 year in my hometown. Moving to Florida meant that I left my family and friends, but it was for a great reason.

Since moving to Florida I have been fortunate to find a beautiful lady that enjoys the food, culture and history of travel. It has been great to share the experiences with Ashley over the last two years as compared to traveling single. We are planning our wedding as I write and it is quickly approaching! Of course, with a wedding comes a honeymoon and I was able to use some personal inspiration to create a magical trip. I will be sharing from the road on that trip.

So now we begin our new journey in marriage and travel.