I have always wanted to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was on my bucket list, and I was thrilled to be able to cross it off while on a media trip to the Walt Disney World Resort this spring. It was unlike any other Disney property we have stayed at, and I think it was a perfect fit for my family, especially for my daughter who is in middle school.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is great for tweens, teens, and older kids. Older kids really appreciate that it is fun, not fussy, and very cool without being too childish. Here are the top reasons my  tween loved the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

We could watch the amazing animals for hours

This one may be pretty obvious, but the animals really are amazing. Really, truly incredible. We knew that we had a room with a savanna view at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I understood that we would be able to see animals, but we were still shocked by a few things.

First, we had no idea just how many animals roamed the savanna. More than 200 hoofed animals and birds call the savanna home, and they mingle. At one time we saw a dozen animals. Thank goodness for the guide in the room to help identify them.

Second, we didn’t realize just how incredibly close the animals would be. When we checked in, the cast member asked us to not leave towels hanging over the balcony of our room on the second floor as the giraffes could get them. I didn’t realize that she was being absolutely, completely serious until we arrived at our room a few moments later and realized that the giraffes actually were, in fact, close enough to take our towels.

I woke up early one morning and slipped outside with some tea to sit on the balcony and see which other animals were awake. I loved the surprise of seeing who you would find. This time out, it was a few zebras and a grey crowned crane. It was very early and very quiet, so it felt like a private little hangout with my striped friends. Here was my view:

Then, one of the zebras started to wander and right as he passed by me on the balcony, he broke wind.

It cracked me up. I fear that I woke others up with my very loud laugh. People ask if the animals are really the close and I can honestly answer that I was close enough to hear a zebra fart. I can’t tell you how many tween boys have loved that story. (Fear not, it was just noise, no odor. In fact, we never noticed any offensive scents.)

Third, we knew the animals would be cool, but I was surprised when my tween said she could watch them for hours, and I absolutely agreed. Even when it was dark, we could see ankole cattle meander our direction and snuggle into the grass near our room for the night.

Fourth, it’s not just the room where you see the animals. They are typically within sight around most of the resort. They are never far. You can see the flamingos from the pool, and even tweens are impressed by that.

One thing we didn’t get to do that I’m prioritizing for our next visit: the Starlight Safari, which is a nighttime African Game Drive through the savannas using nightvision goggles for kids ages 8 and older.

Remarkable Cast Members

Disney cast members have always been kind and helpful, but I can say that those whom we encountered at the Animal Kingdom Lodge were some of the friendliest we have met at Disney and out time with them really made our stay something very special. They were particularly great with my tween (and kind to their mothers who laugh a little much in photos).

We asked many of them about their homelands and learned about what life is like in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, and Malawi. They were generous with their time, answered all of my tween’s questions, and taught her more than she would have ever learned in a textbook.

I loved that they made it fun for her to join in the organized activities, from animal trivia by the pool to doing a rubbing of one of the floor medallions in the lobby at Jambo House.  She may have hesitated a moment or two before diving in, but as soon as cast members saw her, they welcomed her in and put her at ease. They seemed to know just how to connect with tweens.

Dining

There are lots of dining options and we didn’t get to eat at all of them, but we enjoyed where we did dine a great deal. Breakfast at Boma under the thatched roof was a great way to start the day. While we were up early, families with older kids (who tend to sleep late) will be happy to know that the breakfast buffet at Boma is available until 11 a.m.

One thing I love about tweens and teens is that their palates are expanding and they are more open to trying new flavors. Disney has been a fun place for my tween to be more culinarily adventurous, and that was true at Boma. She tried out watermelon rind salad and pap knowing that she could enjoy them alongside Simba waffles. And we both adored the tropical juice, if that’s what you call enjoying four glasses a piece.

One other treat was that when Boma opens for dinner, there is a drum performance to welcome the first guests that is a fun surprise if you happen to be in the lobby at the time.

Two words: Zebra Domes. They were also on my bucket list and I was thrilled that we could get them at The Mara, the quick service dining area that we ate at twice and enjoyed both times.

Also, allow me to put in a plug for the pool bar. This was tasty, and a fun treat after some swimming and checking out the 67-foot water slide with my tween.

Tween fun

There was so much to see and do at Animal Kingdom Lodge and it is a sensory treat for everyone, but seemed especially so for tweens. It wasn’t all that odd that my daughter went from commenting on the architecture of the resort . . .

to happily challenging her bonus dad to a game of tic tac toe in the gift shop and relishing in her victory . . .

and then telling me all about the 16-foot tall Ijele mask from the Igbo people of Nigeria.Do you know what my tween didn’t miss at all?

Characters.

Tweens are typically a bit more reserved when it comes to character interactions, and seeing them at the parks is plenty for my middle schooler, so this was a nice place for her to embrace being an older kid.

I also thought that we would miss the alternate transportation options, as the bus is your only option to and from the parks from the Animal Kingdom Lodge, but it worked out fine for us.

What more info on the rooms?  You can see a tour of our room here:

If Animal Kingdom Lodge isn’t quite calling your name for your next Disney trip, we also love the Beach Club and think it’s great for families with older kids. You can why here.

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Minneapolis and the surrounding area made for a great vacation destination when we visited last summer. In our short time, we learned that there’s something for everyone in the Twin Cities, from art to history to sports to nature. Here are six fun family activities in the Twin Cities.

Minnehaha Park
4801 S. Minnehaha Park Dr., Minneapolis

“Where the Falls of Minnehaha
Flash and gleam among the oak-trees
Laugh and leap into the valley”
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Song of Hiawatha”

The falls immortalized in the famous poem are absolutely worth a visit and they’re easily accessible for families. “Easily accessible” is a relative term, I realize. There is a set of stairs that I wouldn’t want to take a stroller up and down, but it’s also not like it’s a half day hike over rough terrain, either.  It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to get to the bottom of the ravine either by the stairs or a beautiful path from the other direction. No matter how you get there, the view of the 53-feet tall falls is breathtaking.

If you get hungry, check out Sea Salt Eatery which is located in the park. When it is open from April through October, it draws a large crowd and the wait can get long. It’s worth it, though. I usually say that I only like to get seafood when on the shore, but I decided that the shores of a tributary of the Mississippi were sufficient. I’m glad I did. The patio was beautiful and the fried bay scallop tacos were scrumptious. It’s very close to the playground at the park, which is a fun one that feels very old school.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
726 Vineland Place, Minneapolis

The “Spoon and Cherry” sculpture is a pretty iconic piece of American art.  It’s also part of the outdoor portion of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and a great photo op. There are several different exhibits throughout the garden, each of them very different, and nicely spread out. Kids get a chance to run and dance and play and parents can enjoy a lovely view of the skyline and a break from using the phrase “inside voices.”

There are special events throughout the summer and we got lucky enough to hit one of those. It was lots of fun and had a very festive atmosphere, and was a lovely way to spend a morning.

Glam Doll Donuts
2605 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis

You know what makes for a fun morning? Donuts. Really, really good donuts, and a fun and funky place to enjoy them is just icing on the, well, donut.  My friend Galit Breen recommended Glam Doll Donuts and we loved it. Check out the outdoor seating in the back on nice days. It’s also conveniently located not far from Target Field. Speaking of…

Target Field
353 N 5th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403

If you’re a baseball fan, it’s worth the trip to the stadium that StadiumJourney.com calls a “home run.” The stadium was lovely, with lots going on to hold the attention of those in our group who aren’t die hard fans, and plenty of food and beverage options. We had a great time catching a Minnesota Twins game there.  Be sure to get a family photo sitting in the giant baseball glove!

Mall of America
60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425This may not be everyone, but my tween daughter was excited to check out the Mall of America (MOA as the locals call it) and it did seem that there was something here for everyone,  from the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park complete with roller coaster in the middle of the mall to the hot sauce store that my husband enjoyed (you have to be over age 18 to taste test the hot sauce, that’s how hot they are) to American Girl to the Peep Store. There’s also the aquarium and 50 restaurants.  It’s no wonder  more than 40 million annual visitors trek here, making it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, according to Minneapolis.org.

We were also happy to take full advantage of the fact that there is no sales tax on clothing and shoes in Minnesota. Vacation isn’t about things, it’s about memories, and we still talk about some of the things we saw and did at MOA so it’s safe to say we made memories. (And yes, came home with a stuffed peep that has been sadly though unsurprisingly neglected).

Mill City Museum
704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

This museum is built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, and it has lots of hands-on activities that will teach kids (and their grown-ups) about the city’s history. The movie “Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat” covers all the highlights, and runs every half an hour. Carb lovers like me and my daughter appreciate the Baking Lab, where you can see demonstrations and taste yummy fresh bread.

Added bonuses: it is on the Mississippi Riverfront and the views from the 9th story rooftop/observation deck of the Stone Arch bridge and the surrounding area are great.

For more suggestions for families, check out “10 things to do with kids in the Twin Cities” on Scary Mommy by Galit Breen and Tracy Morrison. For a more adult spin, the Wall Street Journal offers its suggestions for “The Ultimate Weekend in Minneapolis.”

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