Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Disney's Contemporary Resort
Photo: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Photo: Disney's Contemporary Resort
At a Glance
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | Contemporary | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Deluxe | Deluxe |
| Area | Animal Kingdom Resort Area | Magic Kingdom Resort Area |
| Transportation | Bus | Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus |
| Table-Service Dining | 3 restaurants | 4 restaurants |
| Quick-Service Dining | 8 locations | 6 locations |
| Pool Amenities | Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide | Pool, Quiet Pool |
| Extended Evening Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Top Highlight | Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies | Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom |
Tier
Animal Kingdom Lodge
DeluxeContemporary
DeluxeArea
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Resort AreaContemporary
Magic Kingdom Resort AreaTransportation
Animal Kingdom Lodge
BusContemporary
Monorail, Walk, Boat, BusTable-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
3 restaurantsContemporary
4 restaurantsQuick-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
8 locationsContemporary
6 locationsPool Amenities
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Pool, Hot Tub, Water SlideContemporary
Pool, Quiet PoolExtended Evening Hours
Animal Kingdom Lodge
YesContemporary
YesTop Highlight
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Savanna views with real African animals from room balconiesContemporary
Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic KingdomOverview
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
A deluxe safari-style resort where guest rooms and public spaces overlook savannas with African wildlife.
Disney's Contemporary Resort
A flagship monorail resort next to Magic Kingdom, recognized for its A-frame tower and quick walk to the park gates.
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 Contemporary Resort
Recreation
- Pool
- Playground
- Quiet Pool
- seven seas lagoon — enjoy fishing, boating and more
- Marina
- Children's water play area
- Arcade
- Running Trail
- Tennis Courts
- Volleyball
Wellness
- Fitness Center
Rooms
- rooms and suites with club-level service
- Club Level
Other
- Laundry Facilities
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 Contemporary Resort
-
Monorail
Magic Kingdom Park
-
Walk
Magic Kingdom Park
-
Boat
Magic Kingdom Park
-
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 Contemporary Resort
- Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom
- Walking distance to Magic Kingdom, closest hotel to the park
- Top-tier dining including California Grill atop the resort
- Iconic A-frame architecture and clean modern design
- Bay Lake Tower offers direct walkway connection
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 Contemporary Resort
- One of the most expensive resorts at Walt Disney World
- Modern design lacks the immersive theming of other Deluxe resorts
- Standard rooms can feel dated compared to newer renovations
- Far from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, bus ride required
- Monorail loop congestion can cause delays during peak times
On-Site Dining
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
-
Boma - Flavors of Africa
Table ServiceAfrican, American
breakfast · dinner
View menu -
Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
Quick ServiceAfrican
snack
View menu -
Jiko - The Cooking Place
Table ServiceAfrican
dinner
View menu -
Kidani Village Breakfast at Sanaa
Quick ServiceAfrican, Indian
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Maji Pool Bar
Quick ServiceAfrican, American
snack
View menu -
Sanaa
Table ServiceAfrican, Indian
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Sanaa Lounge
Quick ServiceAfrican, Indian
snack
View menu -
Sanaa To Go
Quick ServiceAfrican, Indian
lunch · dinner
View menu -
The Mara
Quick ServiceAmerican, African
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Uzima Springs Pool Bar
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Victoria Falls Lounge
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu
Disney's Contemporary Resort
-
California Grill
Table ServiceAmerican, Seafood, Sushi
dinner
View menu -
Chef Mickey's
Table ServiceAmerican
breakfast · dinner
View menu -
Contempo Café
Quick ServiceAmerican
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Contemporary Grounds
Table ServiceAmerican, Quick Service - Coffee
dinner
View menu -
Cove Bar
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Outer Rim
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Steakhouse 71
Table ServiceAmerican, Steakhouse
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Steakhouse 71 Lounge
Quick ServiceSteakhouse, American
snack
View menu -
Steakhouse 71 To Go
Quick ServiceAmerican, Steakhouse
lunch · dinner
View menu -
The Sand Bar
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu
Community Discussions
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Animal Kingdom Lodge : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Tips : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Is Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort view worth it? r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Is the animal kingdom lodge worth it? : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Nothing beats the quietness of the animal Kingdom lodge ... r/WaltDisneyWorld
Disney's Contemporary Resort
- Contemporary Resort is the best resort on property r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Convince me to stay at the Contemporary... r/WaltDisneyWorld
- People often wonder why the Contemporary Resort is a ... r/WaltDisneyWorld
- The Contemporary Resort : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
Videos
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Ready to plan your trip?
Start building your Disney World itinerary with our step-by-step planner. Choose dates, parks, and dining — all in one place.
Get Me Started