New Villas at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

There's one benefit of staying at Saratoga Springs most people don't know about. On site, at the old theater, there is a model of the newest Disney Vacation Club resort. Starting in spring of 2009, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas will open at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The villas will be studio, one- and two-bedroom units, all with views of the savanna. Note: Anyone can rent these, not just DVC members.

The rooms have the same layout as all DVC villas, including the one-bedroom villa I'm staying in at Saratoga Springs, but the decor is much different. The one bedroom villas at Animal Kingdom are especially luxurious, with full kitchens (full-sized refrigerator, stove and microwave, even granite countertops), a huge bathroom with a sunken tub, separate shower and private "potty" room, and a rustic dining room table with seating for five. The sofa and chair both pull out for additional sleeping space, and you can also rent a connecting studio to turn it into a two-bedroom villa.

Keep your eye out for the details. I loved the Lion King-like tiles in the bathroom, and the ostrich-egg lamps next to the bed.

Take a photo tour of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas.

^{Image © Charlyn Keating Chisholm}