No grander lodge ever existed on the African veldt, and the higher tariff returns to you in the form of a 24-hour safari and lots of themed activities. The main part of the hotel, Jambo House, is where the hotel rooms are (Kidani House is for Disney Vacation Club units). Hotel rooms are outfitted with a dark wooden look and hand-carved furniture; if you’ve got a Savannah view (they start around $500—careful that you don’t accidentally book a Standard one overlooking the parking lot or pool), when you look out of your window, you’ll hopefully see whatever genial African animal is loping by at that moment, be it a giraffe, an ostrich, a zebra, or a warthog. You’ll find a game-viewing guide beside your room-service menu. Because animals tend to be active in the early morning, when families are gearing up for their days, the idea works well.

Anyone can visit, even if they’re not staying here; there’s even a public animal viewing area straight out the back door of the awe-inspiring vaulted lobby. Its principal drawback is its distance from everything except for Animal Kingdom; all connections are by road. Standard room: 344 square feet.