I want to tell you about a fun, free activity at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Night Vision Goggle Safari. It is available to guests and non-guests alike. Your kids will love this!
I recently stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jambo House. It was a fantastic stay at a great Disney resort. The room was fabulous, the food was fabulous and I got it for a sweet 40% off regular rates with the  Disney Armed Forces Salute military room discount.
They have lots of fun activities available, but one of the coolest is the animal viewing using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). The animal viewing takes place nightly starting shortly after sundown and running until 9:30 pm. Just ask at the concierge desk for the day’s start time. Note: times vary based on daylight savings time, when it is light very late in the summer this experience isn’t offered.
Updated Mar 2023 – Please note, this free activity has not yet returned to the AKL after the 2020 shutdown. Hopefully it will in the future. The paid Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is however running.
How To Get There
Head to the lower level on the right side of the lobby (facing the rear). Follow the signs for the pool. Walk past the pool and keep continuing to the left as far as you can go to the Uzima Overlook.
The outside lights are off in that area but you’ll be able to find your way well enough. As you near the overlook you’ll see a line of people, just join the line it moves fairly quickly.
At the front of the line there’ll be some Disney cast members running the viewing. They have several sets of NVGs which they pass from guest to guest. As each guest finishes with the goggles the cast member cleans them with a wipe and passes them to the next guest.
There were quite a few animals for us to look at, some close and some further away. we saw giraffes, zebras, and some antelope. The giraffes were our favorites. The animals were quite clear and bright through the goggles.
We weren’t rushed and took our time. It was a fun, quite atmosphere, people whispering and enjoying the new experience in the cool evening air.
Check It Out!
If you have the chance I recommend trying this neat experience!
Check out our post on more fun free or low cost things to do at Disney World.
Make your Disney resort reservation through our Recommended, Military Owned, Disney Specializing Travel Agent –Â Ears of Experience
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
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