Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Disney's Contemporary Resort

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Photo: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Deluxe Animal Kingdom Resort Area
Disney's Contemporary Resort

Photo: Disney's Contemporary Resort

Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Deluxe

Contemporary

Deluxe

Area

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Contemporary

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Transportation

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Bus

Contemporary

Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Animal Kingdom Lodge

3 restaurants

Contemporary

4 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Animal Kingdom Lodge

8 locations

Contemporary

6 locations

Pool Amenities

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide

Contemporary

Pool, Quiet Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Yes

Contemporary

Yes

Top Highlight

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies

Contemporary

Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom

Overview

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 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 Contemporary Resort

  • California Grill

    Table Service

    American, Seafood, Sushi

    dinner

    View menu
  • Chef Mickey's

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu
  • Contempo Café

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu
  • Contemporary Grounds

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    dinner

    View menu
  • Cove Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • Outer Rim

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • Steakhouse 71

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu
  • Steakhouse 71 Lounge

    Quick Service

    Steakhouse, American

    snack

    View menu
  • Steakhouse 71 To Go

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    lunch · dinner

    View menu
  • The Sand Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

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