Wilderness Lodge v. Animal Kingdom Lodge
When comparing Deluxe Lodges at Walt Disney World, there are two hotel choices: Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge. One is a Magic Kingdom resort, the other an Animal Kingdom one. (Updated May 1, 2022.)
Our goal with this post is to offer a head-to-head smackdown between the two and settle once and for all the epic debate as to which WDW Lodge offers better…lodging. (Sorry, had to do it.) In so doing, we’ll compare theme, dining, pools, guest rooms, location & transportation, and a variety of other variables.
Aside from both having “lodge” in the name, there are actually a ton of differences between two Walt Disney World resorts. To be fair, there are also many similarities. While the lobbies look somewhat similar, the lodges are miles apart. Literally. One is a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom, and the other is on the opposite side of property near Animal Kingdom.
With these lodges, not only are there stylistic commonalities, but both are on the lowest end of the ‘Deluxe’ price spectrum, offer a similar level of thematic immersion, and are going to appeal to the same type of guests. At least, that’s what we think. These are two of our absolute favorite Walt Disney World resort hotels (evidenced by taking the #1 & #3 spots on our Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts Rankings), and even though they are on opposite ends of property, the comparison makes sense. (Again, we think.)
As with our last comparison, in this posts, we use 6 elements of two different Walt Disney World hotels to determine which is “the best.” Okay, with that, it’s time to compare and contrast…
Theme: Animal Kingdom Lodge – When you’re comparing the thematic creme de la creme, there really can be no loser. Actually, I feel guilty about not calling this one a push, because I really do find these to be the #1 and #2 themed resorts at Walt Disney World. With both, it’s not just about the grandeur of the cavernous lobbies, either. Both hotels have myriad quiet corners where you can escape the hustle of Walt Disney World and be transported to another time and place.
However, there are things that elevate Animal Kingdom Lodge. First and most obvious is the expansive savanna outside the lobby, where 30 species of animals roam in the view of guests. Now, I realize this doesn’t have the most legit animals, like mountain goats, pygmy goats, angora goats, condors, manatees, and ALF, but it’s still pretty amazing. I can’t think of any other hotel in the United States that offers an experience like this.
Granted, Wilderness Lodge has the geyser, a peaceful creek, and other brilliant little touches, but until Wilderness Lodge adds a herd of bison (the topiaries out front don’t count), the savanna is the ultimate trump card. Beyond that, Animal Kingdom Lodge has an exquisite art collection and detail-work that give it an aura of authenticity that place it a notch above Wilderness Lodge.
Rooms: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Both of these hotels have love ’em or hate ’em room styles. However, both have also been updated in the last few years to address the biggest complaints about them being overly dark and dreary. The rooms at each of the two lodges now better balance theme and modernity, with styles that meld form and function.
I love both, finding the rustic decor to be perfectly in keeping with the spirit of each resort. With that said, as someone who is a fan of both, I think there’s a bit more to like about Animal Kingdom Lodge’s new rooms. From a style perspective, I think they feature more and better details, and balance quality and theme very well.
On the other hand, I really like Wilderness Lodge’s new rooms. Their recent refurbishment lost the wood carvings and lost some other quirky details, while also toning down the volume on their previously-loud decor. I can’t help but feel that they were ever-so-slightly overcorrected.
In a near-tie, I’d give Animal Kingdom Lodge the edge, and this is before even accounting for the fact that you can see live animals from the balconies of some rooms. Not an inherent characteristic of the rooms, themselves, but something that could give a decisive advantage on balance.
Dining: Animal Kingdom Lodge – With The Mara, Victoria Falls Lounge, Boma, and Jiko, Animal Kingdom Lodge has a well-rounded dining lineup that offers a near best-in-class option at every level.
If you add Sanaa to the mix (which we think is appropriate given that it’s a short walk away in Kidani Village), it’s almost unfair. As a result, Animal Kingdom Lodge has the best dining lineup in all of Walt Disney World. Its only real competition is Grand Floridian, which has the superior fine dining scene.
Wilderness Lodge is no slouch in its own right, with Artist Point, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Territory Lounge, Geyser Point Bar & Grill, and Roaring Fork all being formidable options, but we think each of them is objectively inferior to its respective counterpart at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
With that said, Wilderness Lodge has made tremendous strides in recent years. The addition of Story Book Dining at Artist Point gives it one of the best and most popular character meals in all of Walt Disney World. Geyser Point Bar & Grill is home to one of the best burgers anywhere, and its relaxed waterfront setting is one of our favorite dining spots in all of Walt Disney World. Even if it’s “objectively inferior,” we find ourselves eating at Wilderness Lodge more often.
Transportation/Location: Wilderness Lodge – This one was probably a foregone conclusion, right? After all, location is commonly the downfall of Animal Kingdom Lodge in any comparison like this. It could win every other head-to-head battle, but for so many guests, this is the deal-breaker.
It thus might come as a surprise to learn that Animal Kingdom Lodge is closer to more parks than Wilderness Lodge. In fact, once you get past the boat transportation to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge is more convenient to each of the 3 other parks and Disney Springs. Yet, the myth about Animal Kingdom Lodge being inconvenient/isolated persists, probably at least in part due to perception. (I didn’t believe this until actually running the numbers.)
You have to take a bus to every park from Animal Kingdom, and this can get…exhausting, even if it takes 2-3 minutes less time per trip. So, while the location of Animal Kingdom Lodge might not be nearly as bad as you think, Wilderness Lodge’s proximity to Magic Kingdom and being able to take a serene boat ride there still gives it the edge.
Pools: Animal Kingdom Lodge – On our list of the Top 10 Pools at Walt Disney World, the two lodges rank rather modestly, at numbers 5 and 9. We give the edge of Animal Kingdom Lodge in that post, but that post explicitly ranked Kidani Village’s pool #5, and left off Uzima Pool to avoid redundancy.
It’s true that Animal Kingdom Lodge has the single superior pool over at Kidani Village, and also that the totality of the shared slate of pool areas at AKL is better than those at Wilderness Lodge. However, the gap isn’t quite as wide as those rankings suggest. Both lodges have a formidable pool lineup, with strong supporting players in addition to great feature pools. And if you’re staying at Wilderness Lodge, you don’t have to walk over to its DVC wing to use the best pool, and there’s definitely something to be said for that.
Cost: Animal Kingdom Lodge – These are the two least-expensive Deluxe Resorts in all of Walt Disney World, and while prices are never identical between the two, there seems to be about a 50/50 split in terms of which has the lower rack rate. Because of that, this category used to be “push.”
Predictably, Wilderness Lodge is more expensive around Christmas season, but even then, it’s not by much. Other times of the year, Animal Kingdom Lodge is more expensive. The important takeaway here should be that each offers exceptional value for money relative to other Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts.
In the last couple of years, the gap has grown due to discount disparities. We’re seeing an increase in discount availability and rate for Animal Kingdom Lodge, especially Jambo House. It’s frequently in the highest tier of discount levels, with rates 20% to 30% off, depending upon the deal. By contrast, Wilderness Lodge has been totally excluded from several recent special offers. We’ll revisit this category if that changes in the near future, but with much less room inventory, it’s possible that Wilderness Lodge prices are going up for good.
Verdict: Animal Kingdom Lodge – This is not nearly as easy as it looks if you’re just glancing at which lodge won each category. In fact, this is the most challenging face-off of any Walt Disney World resorts, and one where you should trust your gut more than any other criteria. (Aren’t you glad I made you read 1,500+ words before basically nullifying all of that with a single sentence?)
Even with these objective factors in mind, I have a tough time deciding. Today, I might tell you I want to book my next trip at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Tomorrow, my feelings might change and I’d rather do Wilderness Lodge. Just as likely, I might consider the nature of the visit: are we looking for a December trip that feels Christmasy? Wilderness Lodge is the easy pick.
Are we taking a relaxed, resort-centric week? Can’t beat sitting on a rocking chair watching animals pass at Animal Kingdom Lodge while recovering from a food coma from a glorious meal at Boma. So, while I can anoint Animal Kingdom Lodge the champion based on the criteria laid out, the “truth” of this one is that I think it’s a too-close-to-call judgment call. And really, you cannot go wrong either way.
I love both and think Animal Kingdom Lodge is objectively the better pick thanks in large part to the savanna, which no other hotel at Walt Disney World–or anywhere in the United States can match. However, Wilderness Lodge is still my sentimental favorite, and where I would personally choose to stay 8 times out of 10 if given the option to pick between the two. That doesn’t make it better–just my favorite of the two.
Ultimately, these are my two favorite resorts at Walt Disney World. It might seem like they’re very comparable–and almost interchangeable, like Yacht & Beach Club. After all, both are lodges and they share superficial similarities. That’s certainly true to an extent. Some guests will love the aesthetics and atmosphere at both because they have the same general vibe. Others will dislike both for the very same reasons.
However, once you dig a little deeper, there are actually a lot of differences. They’re on opposite ends of property at Walt Disney World, each nearer different ‘Kingdoms.’ The dining scenes are dramatically different. Same goes for pools, transportation, amenities. Notably, Wilderness Lodge does not have any wildlife, save for squirrels and the occasional armadillo or turkey. Hopefully this helped you determine which of Walt Disney World’s two lodges is right for you…and didn’t make an already difficult decision even tougher!
While we hope this post is helpful in offering a head-to-head comparison of the most crucial elements of each Walt Disney World resort experience, we know it’s not definitive or the final word for every guest. In addition to reading the comments before making your own decision, we suggest supplementing this with our full review of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and our Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Review. With that said, what do you think…did we choose the correct lodge?
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Now, I’m curious as to what everyone else thinks. My guess is that Wilderness Lodge will capture a slight victory (not nearly as decisive as the Poly’s over Grand Floridian) and that will at least be in part based upon Christmas and proximity to Magic Kingdom. If you prefer one or the other, I’m curious to hear your rationale, and I think others will be too, so please make your case in the comments. Or, if like me, it’s too close to call, share that. This is a really tough decision, and I think a variety of opinions might help others who are on the fence. Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I have to be honest. Our WORST Disneyworld vacation was the trip where we stayed at AKL. That trip was the reason we sold our DVC points there; it broke my heart. The hotel was gorgeous and the food unsurpassed, as you said, but the bus rides took HOURS. EVERY SINGLE TIME! Jambo House had been open almost a year (I think?), and I don’t believe Kidani Village was open yet (this was January 2009). Therefore, I don’t think it was growing pains, although I really wanted it to be so I could love it instead of hate it. All that said…your post actually makes me want to try again now that we live close enough to drive in and take our cars to the parks. The bus ride to MK is the only thing that has stopped me (because I’ve been enough times to know NEVER EVER drive to MK and park!!). I’d love to hear feedback on how long the bus rides have taken people in recent years…you might have just talked me into giving AKL another chance.
We relied on buses to all the parks, and Disney Spring, as we flew this time. I think the longest bus ride was about 20 minutes to Disney Springs; all the others were in the 10 to 15 minute range, I believe. We stayed a AKL (Jamba House) Nov 6-11, 2016. Did not have a savannah view room, but saw many animals from the overlooks off the lobby.
We usually visit at Christmas so there is no place better than Wilderness Lodge for us. Relaxing by the fire, Carolers in the lobby and the most beautiful tree make it perfect and really add to the season. AKL is great and the animals really make it unique but when it comes to activities for the kids and relaxation time for the adults WL comes out on top.
We have loved staying at ALL for two of our family trips, but we are really hoping to stay at the Wilderness on our next trip. We usually book our trips by renting DVC points, and so far, it has always been significantly cheaper to do that at AKL. I think we are just going to have to bite the bullet and pay the extra next time around.
I’m going to firstly disclaim that I have NEVER been to Disney 🙁 We are booked for next October (Yay!!). But I looked into both of these resorts very very carefully and I feel like you left something out….When making our decision, we had to compare what we’d get dollar for dollar, and while you can get the cheapest rooms at a close number, you have to spend a LOT more money at AKL to get the Savannah view, which really kind of makes/breaks it for us. We ended up not wanting to spend the same amount of money, not be closer to MK and also not be able to see a giraffe when we first woke up. So then we ended up having to up our budget and decided to just bite the bullet and do the Polynesian (we have two kids…). If we had the amazing view for the same cost as WL, we would have gone in a heartbeat, but rates really go up and that’s the whole draw of the resort. I found a few people who suggested that it was still an amazing resort even with a parking lot view, or others who mentioned that they spent the extra money on a Savannah view and never saw an animal, but it just didn’t seem like it would be really worth going without that view. Just my thoughts, correct me if I’m wrong!
I think this is a valid point to some extent, but my response would be that every resort has different room tiers, so I think the price comparison holds up. Moreover, if you aren’t willing to pay more for the view, there are a ton of common areas with views into the savanna, including balconies off the lobby with rocking chairs. It’s not like the savanna is for the exclusive “use” of those willing to pay extra for the nicer view tier. 🙂
I personally agree with this sentiment. I’m happy in a Woods View at Wilderness Lodge, and would do Standard View in a pinch. I would never stay Standard View at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Pool View is acceptable, but Savanna View makes the experience for me. Kind of like the Polynesian, how prices jump up for the views, except I’d be happy there in a lower view. AKL gets you with that Savanna View price.
I agree completely. We stayed when it first opened. We had a Savanna view & it was awesome.
Who would go to Animal Kibgdom to see a parking lot?
I really think Disney could design their resorts better so more, if not all, rooms gave decent views.
We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge this summer and paid for a Standard View. I had read that you can request an Arusha View while completing online check-in. I did, and we were fortunate enough to have been given a room facing that section of the Savannah while still only paying for the Standard View. It was a gamble, but we lucked out! We did agree, though, that had our room been facing the parking lot, even the cost of the Standard Room would not have been worth it to us.
Thanks so much for this comparison! We are planning our next trip to WDW and have been having a really tough time choosing between these 2 resorts. We stayed at Art of Animation (we have a 3y/o princess) and Beach Club last year. We LOVE Beach Club, but wanted to try something different this year.
Well…these are both about as ‘different’ from Beach Club as you can get! 🙂
â¤AKL! We are headed to the Poly for the first time in two weeks and will be spending our off day at AKL because we love it so much. It could easily be a stand alone vacation spot. Wilderness Lodge is amazing but AKL is unlike an other resort out there. My kids love it too and they really enjoy Boma.
I refuse to pick one!!! We’ve stayed at WL three times and spent 9 days in a Savannah view at AKL this summer. All have been amazing stays. We were not bothered by the bit of extra distance in travel at AKL. One big thing WL has is Territory Lounge- what a great place to unwind at the end of the day. No little nook at AKL had the same feel for me, but unwinding on the Savannah view balcony sure was nice. I also prefer Roaring Fork to the Mara, even though all other AKL restaurants win.
In summary, I refuse to declare a winner. In fact, my family prefers to stay at these two resorts over any others ( we are DVC) because their relaxing atmosphere is just what we need to contrast the hustle and bustle of the parks!
YOU MUST CHOOSE. ARBITRARY BATTLES LIKE THIS MUST HAVE AN ULTIMATE VICTOR!!!!11!!! 😉
FINE!! I’ll get back to you once I resolve my internal debate. Or go and stay at both of them again…..
Hey Tom
Great article and I had the pleasure to meet you and Sarah at the D23 Magic and Merriment in 2010 at WDW. My family and I have stayed at both resorts and many of your points are noted and correct, in my opinion. I would like to mention a couple other points as well. When considering the atmosphere, I would also note the music played in the resorts. The music at AKL does take some getting used to if you are not used to African inspired music. The music at WL is much more soothing to our family, especially if you end up staying for an extended period of time.
Next, child-friendly options……
This becomes hugely aware when you are bringing your kids or grand-kids. At NO cost is the hidden mickey scavenger hunt and the flag family event (it is temporarily discontinued with the construction right now) but both of these are great free options at WL. For dining, Whispering Canyon Cafe has great food and typically is a blast for kids at a reasonable price. Typically, the running path along the lake or the paved path to Fort Wilderness along with the boating and biking options are also free or a small cost, at least for the bikes.
I would say that for adults only, you might be able to make a case for AKL but if you were to bring in the “kid” factor, I would have to give WL the nod for best Deluxe Resort hotel, including the holiday season. Always enjoy your articles Tom.
Take care
Tim
Wow, talk about a blast from the past! When I saw your name, I thought it sounded really familiar, and that’s why. Have you been to any D23 events since Magic & Merriment?
(Great additional suggestions for WL, by the way.)
Wilderness Lodge wins for me. I have a lot of princesses in my party and the proximity to the MK is key. I’m also a big Fort Wilderness fan. Christmas is the very best at the WL, and the music is really relaxing. I would give AKL the nod on food, but my kids are not adventurous eaters, so the WL suits us fine.
As the kids would say, the Wilderness Lodge Christmas BGM “is everything.”
In fact, I think I’ll list to that loop right now. I don’t even care that Christmas is over. 🙂
Great article, I agree with all of your points and I have had the pleasure of staying at both resorts. I love the food at AKL, I had one of the best meals I’ve ever had in WDW was at Sanaa and the animals are great. However, I like the WL better. With the AKL I don’t like having to take a bus everywhere and plus the resort is split into two “houses”. Which means twice the bus stops and if you want to experience both of the AKL houses and their amenities it means lots of walking or waiting for a shuttle. Plus, I feel a little closer to the magic at the WL.
Fair point about Animal Kingdom Lodge, although I’d say that with all of the Boulder Creek expansion at Wilderness Lodge, it’ll soon feel the same way. Personally, I don’t mind this style. There’s enough to satisfy me in the main building (of both), making everything in the satellite areas icing on the cake if I want to go exploring.
We’ ve had dinner twice and walked around Animal Kingdom Lodge – It’s beautiful! Had opportunity to stay there and would have if a short 3-4 day trip. With our trip being 10 days we went back to Wilderness Lodge. (have also stayed at yacht club). The ease of using a boat 3 days to go to Magic Kingdom in between bus days to Epcot was worth it. Wilderness lodge also had quiet areas with rocking chairs on the upper floor where I could read in the early morning . Thanks again for the great pictures Tom.
Thanks for this! I would love to see similar comparisons down at the lower rungs, too if you can manage it. The ones where every little bit counts
Those are coming! 🙂
Your thoughts were so well laid out.
I found myself nodding in agreement through the entire article.
If you want to hear the argument for Wilderness Lodge in the food category, here it is: kids. My husband and I love Sanaa, but wouldn’t even consider taking our kids there until they are older with more adventurous palettes. We are planning our first trip to Wilderness Lodge now, and from looking at the menus online, we’ll have no problem finding plenty of child-friendly options there.
IMO, both Boma and The Mara are pretty kid-friendly while also offering adventurous cuisine. You’re right about Sanaa (and Jiko), so let’s leave those out, and do likewise with Artist Point and the bars at both resorts, since those are all more ‘adult’ options…
In a head-to-head comparison of Boma & The Mara v. Whispering Canyon Cafe & Roaring Fork, I’d still give the edge to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I’ll concede that it’s a lot closer of a call for families with kids, but I still think AKL comes out on top.
Just my two cents…as someone who doesn’t have kids. 🙂
Thank you- we’ve never been to Boma or The Mara, so that’s good to know! Great article!
My kids are NOT adventurous eaters – but they BEG to return to Sanaa each trip! Between the bread service (they even try the milder dips!) and the cookies and milk dessert (more interesting than the menu reads – google “sanaa cookies and milk” to see what I mean – so cute), they don’t care if they eat a cheeseburger/pizza/mac and cheese in the middle. However, I love the butter chicken and rice – they continue to nibble on mine, so we’re progressing in the entrée area as well. We always make an ADR right at opening at 5:00, and arrive 15-20 minutes early to ensure we get a window table. The draw of the animals far outweighs their (now) slight aversion to the food. I was so apprehensive our first trip, but was pleasantly surprised. You might not regret giving it a try!
We stayed at AKL for the first time last year, and it was undoubtedly our favorite Disney trip to date! (We try to go once a year). Usually we try to power through and maximize park time each day, but this year, because of AKL, we made an effort to spend more time at the hotel, and those times ended up being some of our favorite memories.
As Tom said, just sitting in a rocking chair on a quiet savanna overlook, watching the animals is an amazing and unique experience. There are so many spots around the resort that are extremely peaceful, and at night, even thought its fairly dark, we had great luck seeing animals right off the balcony as well. I feel like you could plan a weekend around just exploring AKL, and you’d have an amazing time.
Wilderness Lodge looks beautiful too, and I do love the ferry to MK idea, but we still love AKL as the more unique resort!
Great article, thank you!
Both are incredible resorts, and we have tremendous affection for Wilderness Lodge (the lobby area of the villas is probably one of the most mellow places to hang out on property), but it really is hard to beat Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s transportive and epic in ways no other resort can quite match.
This post speaks so directly to me! I’ve never stayed at a deluxe resort, but when choosing a resort to eat at or explore/enjoy on a non-park day, I’m always drawn to one of these two. I think both offer great oases of relaxation in the midst of the typical WDW bustle. For me, AKL wins out only slightly because it’s an environment that I don’t feel like I can experience anywhere else. Wilderness Lodge so effectively captures the heart of the great National Park lodges that when I’m visiting there, I find myself reliving fond memories of National Park trips. If that’s the case, I lean toward experiencing the “real thing” and visiting those National Parks again. Nowhere else (in this country) can I sit in a rocking chair and spend a couple of hours watching zebras and giraffes wander lazily through the savanna.
I agree with the Christmas season going right to Wilderness Lodge. I love the atmosphere in the lobby year around in Wilderness, but AKL has freaking ZEBRAS RIGHT THERE. It takes Christmas for Wilderness Lodge to punch in this weight class.
This is what I’d consider the most logical head-to-head, not even just due to naming conventions. The two resorts also share the same primary architect, Peter Dominick, whose work can also be seen at Grand Californian. Both sleep 4 instead of 5 (unusual for deluxe resorts), offer slightly less square footage in the rooms than other deluxes, but spacious, welcoming lobbies for gathering and relaxing. I think both of these resorts offer truly special “wow” factors, beginning with the role of landscaping on the approach to both resorts when driving. Wilderness takes the edge for me, as the role of forced compression in the lobby, boat transportation, and a view of the Electrical Water Pageant give it the “intangible” advantage, but these really are two fantastic resorts. I am enjoying this series! I know you already compared Polynesian Village and Grand Floridian, but Polynesian/Contemporary would be an interesting read, too, as both resorts’ rooms share layout elements related to how much earlier than other WDW resorts they were built. Thanks for a fun series!
I think that the Animal Kingdom Lodge has the biggest wow factor when it comes to feeling as though you’ve been transported into another “world.” I also believe that AKL could serve as a stand-alone destination more than any other WDW resort. Some people don’t like how “dark” the resort & its accommodations are, but that’s exactly what appeals to me. I make it a point to resort-hop on each of my visits, & AKL is the only resort that I visit EVERY single time I come to WDW.