Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Disney's Beach Club Resort

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Photo: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Deluxe Animal Kingdom Resort Area
Disney's Beach Club Resort

Photo: Disney's Beach Club Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Deluxe

Beach Club

Deluxe

Area

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Beach Club

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Bus

Beach Club

Boat, Walk, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Animal Kingdom Lodge

3 restaurants

Beach Club

2 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Animal Kingdom Lodge

8 locations

Beach Club

2 locations

Pool Amenities

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide

Beach Club

Water Slide, Pool, Quiet Pool, Hot Tub, ShipWreck slide on pirate ship (Stormalong Bay)

Extended Evening Hours

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Yes

Beach Club

Yes

Top Highlight

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies

Beach Club

Stormalong Bay is widely considered the best resort pool at Disney World

Overview

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

A deluxe safari-style resort where guest rooms and public spaces overlook savannas with African wildlife.

Disney's Beach Club Resort

A New England beach-themed deluxe resort beside Crescent Lake with direct access to the shared Stormalong Bay pool complex.

Amenities

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • Kid's Club
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Hot Tub
  • Water Slide
  • Campfire Program

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service
  • Club Level

Other

  • Gift Shop

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Recreation

  • stormalong bay—a 3-acre water wonderland
  • Water Slide
  • catch currents on an inner tube in the lazy river
  • Pool
  • Quiet Pool
  • Marina
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Hot Tub
  • ShipWreck slide on pirate ship (Stormalong Bay)
  • Volleyball

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Ship Shape Health Club (steam room, sauna, massage therapy, Nautilus/Hammer Strength/aerobics)
  • Spa

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service

Transportation

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies
  • Unrivaled cultural and thematic authenticity among Disney resorts
  • Outstanding dining lineup including Jiko, Boma, and Sanaa
  • Largest African art collection in the United States on display
  • Priced below most other Deluxe resorts for the quality offered

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Stormalong Bay is widely considered the best resort pool at Disney World
  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios via International Gateway
  • Strong table service dining options on site and nearby at BoardWalk
  • Charming New England seaside theming
  • Easy access to multiple resorts in the Crescent Lake area

Cons

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Bus-only transportation to all parks, no monorail or boat options
  • Feeling of isolation from other parks besides Animal Kingdom
  • Hallways are extremely long, far walks from room to lobby
  • Animals are not always visible from savanna view rooms
  • Room construction noise may be ongoing during renovation periods

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • One of the more expensive Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World
  • Smaller rooms compared to other Deluxe resorts at similar prices
  • No monorail access, requires walking, boat, or bus to Magic Kingdom
  • Standard rooms can feel dated relative to recently renovated resorts
  • Pool area can get very crowded during peak season

On-Site Dining

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Boma - Flavors of Africa

    Table Service

    African, American

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar

    Quick Service

    African

    snack

    View menu

  • Jiko - The Cooking Place

    Table Service

    African

    dinner

    View menu

  • Kidani Village Breakfast at Sanaa

    Quick Service

    African, Indian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Maji Pool Bar

    Quick Service

    African, American

    snack

    View menu

  • Sanaa

    Table Service

    African, Indian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Sanaa Lounge

    Quick Service

    African, Indian

    snack

    View menu

  • Sanaa To Go

    Quick Service

    African, Indian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • The Mara

    Quick Service

    American, African

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Uzima Springs Pool Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Victoria Falls Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Beach Club Marketplace

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Cape May Cafe

    Table Service

    American, Seafood

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar and Grill

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch

    View menu

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