When evaluating Deluxe Lodges at Walt Disney World, there are two resort selections: Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge. One is a Magic Kingdom resort, the opposite an Animal Kingdom one. (Up to date Might 9, 2024.)
Our purpose with this put up is to supply a head-to-head smackdown between the 2 and settle as soon as and for all of the epic debate as to which WDW Lodge provides higher…lodging. (Sorry, needed to do it.) In so doing, we’ll examine theme, eating, swimming pools, visitor rooms, location & transportation, and quite a lot of different variables.
Apart from each having “lodge” within the title, there are literally a ton of variations between two Walt Disney World resorts. To be honest, there are additionally many similarities. Whereas the lobbies look considerably related, the lodges are miles aside. Actually. One is a brief boat trip from Magic Kingdom, and the opposite is on the alternative facet of property close to Animal Kingdom.
With these lodges, not solely are there stylistic commonalities, however each are on the bottom finish of the ‘Deluxe’ value spectrum, provide an identical stage of thematic immersion, and are going to attraction to the identical sort of friends. At the least, that’s what we expect. These are two of our absolute favourite Walt Disney World resort accommodations.
That a lot needs to be clear given how extremely they rank–taking the #3 and #4 spots on our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Lodges from Worst to Finest. These rankings really undersell the lodges, one in all which is our favourite place to remain at Walt Disney World and the opposite is probably the most distinctive and distinctly Disney resort, and in contrast to something you’ll find in the true world.
The checklist strives to be goal, bearing in mind price, transportation, and different key variables. If it have been merely our subjective opinions, the lodges would seemingly be #1 and #2. That’s how a lot we love them!
As with our different Walt Disney World resort comparisons, this makes use of 6 parts of two totally different Walt Disney World accommodations to find out which is “the very best.” With that, it’s time to check and distinction…
Theme: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Once you’re evaluating the thematic creme de la creme, there actually could be no loser. Really, I really feel responsible about not calling this one a push, as a result of I actually do discover these to be the #1 and #2 themed resorts at Walt Disney World. With each, it’s not simply concerning the grandeur of the cavernous lobbies, both. Each accommodations have myriad quiet corners the place you’ll be able to escape the hustle of Walt Disney World and be transported to a different time and place.
Nonetheless, there are issues that elevate Animal Kingdom Lodge. First and most evident is the expansive savanna outdoors the foyer, the place 30 species of animals roam within the view of friends. I notice this doesn’t have probably the most legit animals–mountain goats, pygmy goats, angora goats, condors, manatees, and ALF–but it surely’s nonetheless fairly wonderful. I can’t consider some other resort in america that gives an expertise like this.
Granted, Wilderness Lodge has the geyser, a peaceable creek, and different good little touches, however till Wilderness Lodge provides a herd of bison (the topiaries out entrance don’t depend), the savanna is the final word trump card. Past that, Animal Kingdom Lodge has an beautiful artwork assortment and detail-work that give it an aura of authenticity that place it a notch above Wilderness Lodge.
Rooms: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Each of those accommodations have love ’em or hate ’em room kinds. Nonetheless, each have additionally been up to date in the previous few years to deal with the most important complaints about them being overly darkish and dreary. The rooms at every of the 2 lodges now higher stability theme and modernity, with kinds that meld type and performance.
I really like each, discovering the country decor to be completely in line with the spirit of every resort. With that mentioned, as somebody who’s a fan of each, I believe there’s a bit extra to love about Animal Kingdom Lodge’s new rooms. From a mode perspective, I believe they characteristic extra and higher particulars, and stability high quality and theme very effectively.
Alternatively, I actually like Wilderness Lodge’s new rooms. Their latest refurbishment misplaced the wooden carvings and misplaced another quirky particulars, whereas additionally firming down the quantity on their previously-loud decor. I can’t assist however really feel that they have been ever-so-slightly overcorrected.
In a near-tie, I’d give Animal Kingdom Lodge the sting, and that is earlier than even accounting for the truth that you’ll be able to see reside animals from the balconies of some rooms. Not an inherent attribute of the rooms, themselves, however one thing that would give a decisive benefit on stability.
(Notice that it is a comparability of the resort facet and never the DVC lodging, but when it have been, we’d give the sting to Wilderness Lodge. The brand new Boulder Ridge Villas are our #1 rooms in all of Walt Disney World, marrying type and performance with considerate options, nice themed design, and many Easter eggs for Disney followers!)
Eating: Animal Kingdom Lodge – With The Mara, Victoria Falls Lounge, Boma, and Jiko, Animal Kingdom Lodge has a well-rounded eating lineup that gives a close to best-in-class possibility at each stage.
When you add Sanaa to the combo (which we expect is suitable on condition that it’s a brief stroll away in Kidani Village), it’s nearly unfair. In consequence, Animal Kingdom Lodge has the very best eating lineup in all of Walt Disney World. Its solely actual competitors is Grand Floridian, which has the superior wonderful eating scene.
Wilderness Lodge isn’t any slouch in its personal proper, with Artist Level, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Territory Lounge, Geyser Level Bar & Grill, and Roaring Fork all being formidable choices, however we expect every of them is arguably inferior to its respective counterpart at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
With that mentioned, Wilderness Lodge has made super strides lately. The addition of Story E book Eating at Artist Level offers it top-of-the-line and hottest character meals in all of Walt Disney World. Geyser Level Bar & Grill is house to top-of-the-line burgers anyplace, and its relaxed waterfront setting is one in all our favourite eating spots in all of Walt Disney World.
We’ve additionally turn out to be massive followers of Roaring Fork, which is a good counter service possibility whereas staying at Wilderness Lodge or taking a noon break from Magic Kingdom. So even when it’s “objectively inferior,” we discover ourselves consuming at Wilderness Lodge extra typically than Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Transportation/Location: Wilderness Lodge – This one was most likely a foregone conclusion, proper? In any case, location is usually the downfall of Animal Kingdom Lodge in any comparability like this. It might win each different head-to-head battle, however for thus many friends, that is the deal-breaker.
It thus would possibly come as a shock to study that Animal Kingdom Lodge is nearer to extra parks than Wilderness Lodge. In actual fact, when you get previous the boat transportation to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge is extra handy to every of the three different parks and Disney Springs. But, the parable about Animal Kingdom Lodge being inconvenient/remoted persists, most likely no less than partly on account of notion. (I didn’t imagine this till really operating the numbers.)
It’s a must to take a bus to each park from Animal Kingdom, and this will get…exhausting, even when it takes 2-3 minutes much less time per journey. So, whereas the placement of Animal Kingdom Lodge may not be almost as unhealthy as you assume, Wilderness Lodge’s proximity to Magic Kingdom and having the ability to take a serene boat trip there nonetheless offers it the sting.
Swimming pools: Animal Kingdom Lodge – On our checklist of the Prime 10 Swimming pools at Walt Disney World, the 2 lodges rank quite modestly, at numbers 5 and 9. We give the sting of Animal Kingdom Lodge in that put up, however that put up explicitly ranked Kidani Village’s pool #5, and left off Uzima Pool to keep away from redundancy.
It’s true that Animal Kingdom Lodge has the one superior pool over at Kidani Village, and likewise that the totality of the shared slate of pool areas at AKL is healthier than these at Wilderness Lodge. Nonetheless, the hole isn’t fairly as vast as these rankings counsel. Each lodges have a formidable pool lineup, with robust supporting gamers along with nice characteristic swimming pools. And in case you’re staying at Wilderness Lodge, you don’t need to stroll over to its DVC wing to make use of the very best pool, and there’s undoubtedly one thing to be mentioned for that.
Price: Push – These are the 2 least-expensive Deluxe Resorts in all of Walt Disney World, and whereas costs are by no means an identical between the 2, there appears to be a few 50/50 cut up by way of which has the decrease rack fee.
Predictably, Wilderness Lodge is costlier round Christmas season, however even then, it’s not by a lot. Different instances of the 12 months, Animal Kingdom Lodge is costlier. The vital takeaway right here needs to be that every provides distinctive worth for cash relative to different Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts.
The excellent news as of 2024 is that there’s not a reduction disparity. For over a 12 months after its room reimagining, Wilderness Lodge was excluded from reductions or solely provided minimal financial savings. Now, each are steadily within the highest tier of low cost ranges, with charges as much as 30% off for most of the people and 35% off for choose friends, relying upon the deal and time of 12 months.
Against this, the Reasonable Resorts are often 20-25% off, so the superior financial savings helps bridge the hole between that tier and the lodges. It’s nonetheless pricier to remain at Wilderness Lodge than Caribbean Seashore most dates, however the distinction shouldn’t be that a lot. Typically lower than the unfold between the lodges and the Polynesian or Grand Floridian!
Verdict: Animal Kingdom Lodge – This isn’t almost as straightforward because it appears in case you’re simply glancing at which lodge gained every class. In actual fact, that is probably the most difficult face-off of any Walt Disney World resorts, and one the place it is best to belief your intestine greater than some other standards. (Aren’t you glad I made you learn 1,500+ phrases earlier than mainly nullifying all of that with a single sentence?)
Even with these goal components in thoughts, I’ve a tricky time deciding. Immediately, I would inform you I wish to ebook my subsequent journey at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Tomorrow, my emotions would possibly change and I’d quite do Wilderness Lodge. Simply as seemingly, I would think about the character of the go to: are we searching for a December journey that feels Christmasy? Wilderness Lodge is the simple decide.
Are we taking a relaxed, resort-centric week? Can’t beat sitting on a rocking chair watching animals cross at Animal Kingdom Lodge whereas recovering from a meals coma from an excellent meal at Boma. So, whereas I can anoint Animal Kingdom Lodge the champion primarily based on the standards laid out, the “fact” of this one is that I believe it’s a too-close-to-call judgment name. And actually, you can’t go fallacious both means.
I really like each and assume Animal Kingdom Lodge is objectively the higher decide thanks largely to the savanna, which no different resort at Walt Disney World–or anyplace in america can match. Nonetheless, Wilderness Lodge continues to be my sentimental favourite, and the place I’d personally select to remain 8 instances out of 10 if given the choice to select between the 2. That doesn’t make it higher–simply my favourite of the 2.
In the end, these are my two favourite resorts at Walt Disney World. It’d seem to be they’re very comparable–and nearly interchangeable, like Yacht & Seashore Membership. In any case, each are lodges they usually share superficial similarities. That’s definitely true to an extent. Some friends will love the aesthetics and environment at each as a result of they’ve the identical common vibe. Others will dislike each for the exact same causes.
Nonetheless, when you dig a little bit deeper, there are literally lots of variations. They’re on reverse ends of property at Walt Disney World, every nearer totally different ‘Kingdoms.’ The eating scenes are dramatically totally different. Similar goes for swimming pools, transportation, facilities. Notably, Wilderness Lodge doesn’t have any wildlife, save for squirrels and the occasional armadillo or turkey. Hopefully this helped you establish which of Walt Disney World’s two lodges is best for you…and didn’t make an already troublesome choice even harder!
Whereas we hope this put up is useful in providing a head-to-head comparability of probably the most essential parts of every Walt Disney World resort expertise, we all know it’s not definitive or the ultimate phrase for each visitor. Along with studying the feedback earlier than making your individual choice, we advise supplementing this with our full evaluate of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and our Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Evaluation. With that mentioned, what do you assume…did we select the right lodge?
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you must know!
Your Ideas
Now, I’m curious as to what everybody else thinks. My guess is that Wilderness Lodge will seize a slight victory (not almost as decisive because the Poly’s over Grand Floridian) and that can no less than be partly primarily based upon Christmas and proximity to Magic Kingdom. When you favor one or the opposite, I’m curious to listen to your rationale, and I believe others shall be too, so please make your case within the feedback. Or, if like me, it’s too near name, share that. It is a actually robust choice, and I believe quite a lot of opinions would possibly assist others who’re on the fence. Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even if you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
