Swimming next to a giraffe sounds like a marketing gimmick. It isn't. But honestly, if you walk into Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge expecting to do laps while a zebra watches from the gutter, you're going to be disappointed. The animals are close, sure, but they aren't in the pool.
You’ve got two distinct vibes here. Jambo House and Kidani Village.
Most people just book a room and head to whatever patch of blue water is closest to their elevator. That’s a mistake. The Animal Kingdom Lodge pool experience is actually split between two massive, zero-entry watering holes that cater to completely different types of travelers. Whether you want a quiet sanctuary or a chaotic splash pad determines where you should set up your lounge chair.
The Uzima Springs Reality Check
Uzima Springs is the big one. It’s located at Jambo House, the main building. 11,000 square feet. It’s huge. It feels like a tropical lagoon that just happened to sprout a waterslide.
The greenery is thick. It’s lush. You feel tucked away from the theme park madness. Because it's a zero-entry pool, you can just wander in like you're walking into the ocean, which is great for toddlers or anyone who hates that initial "cold shock" of jumping into deep water.
There is a slide. It’s 67 feet long. Is it the fastest in Disney World? No. Not even close. If you want high-speed thrills, go to Blizzard Beach or the slide at the BoardWalk. But for a resort slide, it’s reliable. It’s tucked behind some rockwork and lets out into a dedicated splash zone so you don't accidentally take out a grandmother wading nearby.
Where the animals actually are
Here is the thing. You cannot see the savanna from the water.
People expect to be floating on their backs looking at a gazelle. The topography doesn't work that way. Disney built the pool with high berms and dense foliage to keep the "pool noise" away from the animals and vice versa. However, the Flamingo Pond is right there. You can dry off, walk twenty feet, and see a cluster of pink Greater Flamingos doing their thing.
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The Uzima Savanna is also just steps away. You get out, grab your towel, and suddenly you’re staring at an eland. It’s a weird, beautiful transition. One minute you're hearing a kid scream because the water is "too cold," and the next you're in the silence of the African bush.
Samawati Springs: The Kidani Contender
If Uzima is the classic, Samawati Springs at Kidani Village is the modern, high-energy sibling. It’s smaller—about 4,700 square feet—but it feels busier. Why? Because of Uwanja Camp.
Uwanja Camp is arguably the best water play area in any Disney resort. It’s divided by age groups, which is a stroke of genius. You have the "Base Camp" for the little ones with a bubbling garden and gentle water crawlers. Then there’s the "Departure Zone" for older kids with a leaky water tower and "Squirting Gardens."
It’s loud. It’s wet. It’s chaotic in the best way possible for parents who just want their kids to burn off energy before bed.
The slide at Samawati is also objectively better than the one at Jambo House. It’s 128 feet long. It’s got more curve to it. If you have kids between the ages of 6 and 12, Kidani is your destination. Period.
The Pool Hopping Rule
You can use both.
If you are staying at Jambo House, you can take the internal shuttle or walk the path to Kidani to use their pool. If you’re at Kidani, you can head over to Jambo. This is a rare perk. Most Disney resorts are pretty stingy about pool hopping, but because Animal Kingdom Lodge is technically one giant resort split into two footprints, the "watering holes" are shared.
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The walk is about 10-15 minutes. It’s hot. Use the shuttle.
Survival Tips for the Florida Sun
The sun at Animal Kingdom Lodge hits differently. Because the resort is designed to feel like a dry savanna, there are pockets of the pool deck that get absolutely baked.
- Morning is King. The pools open at 10:00 AM usually (check the app, times shift seasonally). If you want a chair under an umbrella at Uzima, you need to be there at 9:55 AM. By 1:00 PM, the shade is a commodity more valuable than a Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage.
- The Hot Tubs. Jambo House has two whirlpool spas tucked away in the trees. They are much more private than the ones at Kidani. If you’re looking for a romantic spot to decompress after 20,000 steps in Epcot, the Uzima hot tubs are the winner.
- The Bar Situation. Uzima Springs Pool Bar and Maji Pool Bar (at Kidani) both serve the Safari Amber ale. Get it. It’s brewed specifically for Disney’s animal-themed areas. Maji also has some surprisingly good snacks, like the short rib chuck burger, which beats standard chicken tenders any day of the week.
Safety and Accessibility
Disney doesn't mess around with lifeguards. They are everywhere. They are focused. If your kid so much as looks like they're struggling, a lifeguard is likely already halfway into the water.
Both pools offer free life jackets in various sizes. Don't pack your own. Save the suitcase space.
For guests with mobility issues, both pools have হয়ে-entry points and ADA-compliant chair lifts. The staff is incredibly practiced at helping guests into the water with dignity and speed. It’s one of the things Disney actually does better than almost anyone else in the hospitality industry.
What Nobody Tells You About the Night Swim
Swimming at night at the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool is a top-tier experience. The lighting is low. The fire pits nearby are usually crackling with the smell of woodsmoke.
At Jambo House, the Uzima pool looks like something out of an old Hollywood safari movie. The shadows of the palm trees dance on the water. It’s quiet. Most families have cleared out to catch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom or are passed out in their rooms.
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If you go to the Uzima Savanna overlook right after a night swim, the cast members often have night-vision goggles available. Looking at a giraffe in the pitch black while you're still slightly damp from the pool is a core memory.
The Food Factor
Don't sleep on the food.
Most people think "pool food" is just soggy fries. At Maji Pool Bar, they serve "Spiced Pork Nachos" with beans, corn medley, and chili-lime crema. It’s legitimately flavorful. Over at Uzima, you’re closer to The Mara (the quick-service spot). You can grab a Zebra Dome—the famous chocolate and Amarula cream liqueur mousse—and eat it poolside.
Is it messy? Yes.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of these facilities, stop treating them as an afterthought.
- Check the Activity Calendar. Every day, the pool staff hosts "Poolside Activities." This ranges from Disney trivia to "Mickey Tie-Dye" (which costs extra). If you want peace and quiet, avoid the pool during the 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM window when the music is loudest and the games are in full swing.
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Even on cloudy days, the reflection off the water at Samawati Springs will burn you. The gift shops sell it, but it’s "Disney priced." Bring your own.
- The Towel Situation. You don't need to bring towels from your room. There are plenty of fresh, warm towels at the pool decks. Just leave the used ones in the bins when you're done.
- The "Secret" Viewing Spot. At Kidani Village, if you walk past the pool toward the fitness center, there’s a lesser-known viewing area for the Pembe Savanna. You might see okapi or red river hogs, which you won't find on the main Uzima savanna.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your group's "chaos threshold." If you want the sprawling, classic African lodge vibe with plenty of space to hide in a corner with a book, go to Uzima Springs at Jambo House. If you have kids who won't be happy unless they are being doused by a giant bucket of water every five minutes, make the trek to Samawati Springs at Kidani Village. Either way, you're at one of the most unique resorts in the world. Just don't expect the giraffes to join you for a swim.
Check the My Disney Experience app the morning of your visit to confirm pool hours, as maintenance or weather can occasionally close one of the locations, shifting the crowd to the other. If one is closed, the shuttle buses will be busier than usual, so plan an extra twenty minutes for travel time between the two sections of the lodge.