An Invitation to Be Lazy During Your Stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Or Wherever)

As I write this, I am sitting around the outskirts of the pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s a private area with a few tables and chairs with umbrellas. I’ve had to reposition my chair a few times to keep the sun from shining directly in my eyes. But it’s no longer a worry because the sun has passed over the resort’s roof, and it will soon be dark. A couple has sat at the table and chairs beside me to enjoy an al fresco quick-service meal. I can’t blame them.

A part of me wishes the day wouldn’t end so quickly. Nevertheless, this place is magical. Now and then, guests dressed to the nines stroll through the area. It’s apparent they’re waiting on a text from Jiko notifying them their table is ready. You can tell they spent time preparing for the meal, picking the perfect outfit, styling their hair, and probably perusing the menu a thousand times only to order something recommended by their server when they finally sit down. I don’t blame them.

the different colors of the railings of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

As much as I would like to have dinner at Jiko, not tonight. I’m sitting here relaxing, not doing much of anything that feels like everything. This leaves me to ask: Do you take the time to rest and enjoy a resort day during your vacation? Or do you set an alarm for 6:00 a.m. every day with the hope of being among the first couple of thousand guests in the parks?

What if your day started with sleeping in, waking up at 9:00 a.m., and throwing on something decent enough to wear as you stumble downstairs to a 9:30 a.m. breakfast reservation at Boma?

Yes, that’s late for some of you. But you’re on vacation and have promised yourself not to have a care in the world for this one week. Real life can continue when you return home. We both know the time will come sooner than later.

Right now, your biggest plans for the day are to stuff yourself with carving board ham, a side of Boma mustard, and a chocolate-covered donut. You might even take a swig of that POG juice that everyone says is divine. After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time for a walk around the resort, followed by a rest day at the pool. You return to the room, change, and grab a book to take to the pool, preferably something light. (After my last vacation read that left me feeling depressed, I would suggest ensuring it was something upbeat beforehand. I felt guilty leaving it in the cruise ship library for someone else to pick up.)

Anyway, when you reach the pool, you have a decision to make. Will you find a place to relax near the pool or find a spot outside where it’s a little quieter? You can always move later if you change your mind. Either way, it’s time to get comfortable and spend the day being intentionally lazy.

a view of part of the area surrounding the outskirts of the pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Take a deep breath. You’re not standing in line. You’re being waited on instead of waiting. Every which way you look, you see the brown frame of the resort with blues, oranges, greens, and yellows. The landscaping surrounds the entire area in the most pleasant way. As you allow yourself to relax, you open your eyes and begin to see everything. Purple wildflowers, red blooms on the Bottlebrush tree, and dots of yellow buds are mixed in with the incredible variety of trees. It’s breathtaking, but only if you’re relaxed enough to see it.

After a while, you realize how much you need this break. It’s a simple day. A gentle breeze blows, and you notice the soft sound of the nearby Uzima Springs in the background. You read, doze, and relax. Before you know it, the day has turned to dusk. How did it go by so quickly? You gather with your family at one of those tables outside The Mara and pick up dinner. Those Disney chicken nuggets with fries never tasted so good. It feels good to be hungry after a day spent outdoors. You’re surprised by how you feel and realize your soul needed this break. It’s like a wake-up call to plan more rest days when you get home. But we both know you probably won’t.

table and chairs where I rested as the sun set

So, if you stumbled across this blog post, regardless of whether you’re staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, I invite you to plan a day of rest during your vacation. When I say rest, I mean rest. I’m not saying a day at the pool followed by an excursion to Disney Springs for dinner and shopping. That’s more like a half-day of rest. I’m talking about a day where you linger, whether it’s over coffee, a book, or whatever you fancy.

I know this might be a lot to ask of some of you. A Disney World vacation is expensive, and many want to maximize their time in the parks. That said, a day of proper rest will leave you feeling refreshed and looking forward to hitting the parks hard again the following day. You might even be surprised at how much you remember this day of rest over all the others and find yourself planning another one (or two) on your next vacation.

About This: I recently stayed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and after some rest, I found myself doodling a few notes to a loved one about how much I enjoyed doing nothing. (It’s a rare thing for me, too.) We don’t have much creative writing here on Resorts Gal, but I decided to turn part of my letter into this article. In today’s busy world, I think it’s important to be reminded from time to time that it’s okay to rest. So this is my second reminder to you: Please take some time to rest. I don’t blame you.

For more on this resort, try The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

In the Comments

Do you plan rest days on your vacation? Have you ever spent a day lounging at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Do you enjoy reading this kind of article on Resorts Gal? Please share your thoughts, opinions, or comments below.