If you can't make it to Kenya's Masai Mara to see the pride of lions that inspired The Lion King, then at least visit Walt Disney World's reproduction of an African safari at Orlando's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Enter the large lobby of the sprawling hotel, boasting a thatched roof, rope bridges, and mud fireplaces, and plant yourself by the four-story observation windows. You'll soon spot zebras, ostriches, wildebeests, and tall giraffes strolling around the 33-acre savannah. To get a close-up view, head outdoors and walk along an elevated rock walkway to see the more than 200 animals.

The resort is built like a horseshoe, so that 90 percent of the 1,293 rooms (suites and private villas) have balconies that overlook the wildlife. There's nothing quite like heading back to your room after a frenzied day at the Magic Kingdom and relaxing with a cool drink in hand and a view of a rhino. Keeping with the African theme, each room has hand-carved furniture, colorful

If you can't make it to Kenya's Masai Mara to see the pride of lions that inspired The Lion King, then at least visit Walt Disney World's reproduction of an African safari at Orlando's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Enter the large lobby of the sprawling hotel, boasting a thatched roof, rope bridges, and mud fireplaces, and plant yourself by the four-story observation windows. You'll soon spot zebras, ostriches, wildebeests, and tall giraffes strolling around the 33-acre savannah. To get a close-up view, head outdoors and walk along an elevated rock walkway to see the more than 200 animals.

The resort is built like a horseshoe, so that 90 percent of the 1,293 rooms (suites and private villas) have balconies that overlook the wildlife. There's nothing quite like heading back to your room after a frenzied day at the Magic Kingdom and relaxing with a cool drink in hand and a view of a rhino. Keeping with the African theme, each room has hand-carved furniture, colorful tapestries, and mosquito netting.

Lions, families of elephants, and crocodiles can be found on the open-air Kilimanjaro Safari Drive around the premises. There's also a short nature trail behind an immense pool (with requisite waterslide). The hotel is right next door to the Animal Kingdom theme park, with its own private entrance to the park. Transportation to other area theme parks and water parks is via a shuttle bus, not a monorail, which is the lone disadvantage of staying here.

A highlight of the lodge is the exceptional cuisine. Boma resembles an African marketplace with stall after stall of food. Buffets are its specialty, with fresh fruit, eggs, pancakes, bacon, and many other offerings for breakfast; salads, seafood, and roasted meats are a few of the highlights at dinner. The signature restaurant is Jiko, with walls covered in bright tapestries. Here, kids can dine on child-friendly selections like macaroni and cheese while mom and dad dig into lamb rolled in phyllo, arctic char topped with polenta, and this being a make-believe Africa, ostrich schnitzel. The vast collection of South African wines, the largest list outside sub-Saharan Africa, is no fantasy. Savor dinner with one of Stellenbosch's top vineyards and you'll understand why locals in Orlando come to Jiko for a great meal.

Nighttime activities for the children include storytelling and sing-alongs by the campfire. However, many families head over to Epcot to enjoy the fireworks. Then it's back to this tranquil African savannah, done American-style, to sleep amidst the wild beasts.

The Spread:
Kids and animals equal one unbeatable formula. So it's no surprise that Disney's luxurious Animal Kingdom Lodge, adjacent to the Animal Kingdom theme park, is a huge hit with families. Many of the balconies of its 1,293 rooms overlook a re-created 33-acre African savanna where more than 200 animals roam.

The African-themed pool also offers a view of the grasslands, and kids can't get enough of the playground and video arcade. And while kids are occupied with organized programs in the evening, parents can opt for a massage, wine tasting, or fine dinner at Jiko. The marketplace format of Boma, meanwhile, is more suited to families.

Why Families Love It:
Like all Disney resorts, the Lodge offers theme-park perks to its guests, including access one hour before and at least one hour after regular park times at one of the four Disney theme parks. This gives families extra time for the rides and to meet

The Spread:
Kids and animals equal one unbeatable formula. So it's no surprise that Disney's luxurious Animal Kingdom Lodge, adjacent to the Animal Kingdom theme park, is a huge hit with families. Many of the balconies of its 1,293 rooms overlook a re-created 33-acre African savanna where more than 200 animals roam.

The African-themed pool also offers a view of the grasslands, and kids can't get enough of the playground and video arcade. And while kids are occupied with organized programs in the evening, parents can opt for a massage, wine tasting, or fine dinner at Jiko. The marketplace format of Boma, meanwhile, is more suited to families.

Why Families Love It:
Like all Disney resorts, the Lodge offers theme-park perks to its guests, including access one hour before and at least one hour after regular park times at one of the four Disney theme parks. This gives families extra time for the rides and to meet Disney characters ahead of the throngs. Free transportation takes guests to all Disney World attractions and guests can charge admission and park purchases to their room key.

The resort also operates special kids' programs for ages four to 12 at Simba's Cubhouse from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $10 per hour per child, with a one-hour minimum unless you want to include dinner, which requires care for two-plus hours. Supervised activities include playing with toys, free time at the arcade and electronic games, arts and crafts, and Disney movies.

Special Activities & Events:
African culture representatives give free daily programs such as storytelling around the campfire.

For the full safari experience, book a room in the resort's concierge club and benefit from close-up animal encounters on the Wanyama Safari, which departs Monday, Wednesday, or Friday around sunset. A guide leads a group of up to eight (adults only) in a pop-top vehicle for an awesome view. The 3.5-hour experience costs $150 including dinner.