Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Photo: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Photo: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
At a Glance
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | Polynesian Village | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Deluxe | Deluxe |
| Area | Animal Kingdom Resort Area | Magic Kingdom Resort Area |
| Transportation | Bus | Monorail, Boat, Bus |
| Table-Service Dining | 3 restaurants | 5 restaurants |
| Quick-Service Dining | 8 locations | 11 locations |
| Pool Amenities | Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide | Pool, Quiet Pool, Tubular slide at 40-foot high volcano, Hot Tub, Kiki Tikis Splash Area (children's interactive water play area) |
| Extended Evening Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Top Highlight | Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies | Monorail access directly to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT |
Tier
Animal Kingdom Lodge
DeluxePolynesian Village
DeluxeArea
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Resort AreaPolynesian Village
Magic Kingdom Resort AreaTransportation
Animal Kingdom Lodge
BusPolynesian Village
Monorail, Boat, BusTable-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
3 restaurantsPolynesian Village
5 restaurantsQuick-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
8 locationsPolynesian Village
11 locationsPool Amenities
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Pool, Hot Tub, Water SlidePolynesian Village
Pool, Quiet Pool, Tubular slide at 40-foot high volcano, Hot Tub, Kiki Tikis Splash Area (children's interactive water play area)Extended Evening Hours
Animal Kingdom Lodge
YesPolynesian Village
YesTop Highlight
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Savanna views with real African animals from room balconiesPolynesian Village
Monorail access directly to Magic Kingdom and EPCOTOverview
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
A deluxe safari-style resort where guest rooms and public spaces overlook savannas with African wildlife.
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
A deluxe South Seas resort on Seven Seas Lagoon with monorail access, beach views, and a mix of standard rooms, villas, and bungalows.
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 Polynesian Village Resort
Recreation
- Pool
- Marina
- Jogging Trail
- Quiet Pool
- Tubular slide at 40-foot high volcano
- Hot Tub
- Kiki Tikis Splash Area (children's interactive water play area)
- Arcade
Wellness
- Fitness Center
Rooms
- Club Level
Other
- Laundry Facilities
- Gift Shop
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 Polynesian Village Resort
-
Monorail
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT
-
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 Polynesian Village Resort
- Monorail access directly to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
- Stunning South Pacific tropical theming throughout
- Iconic Trader Sam's Grog Grotto tiki bar on property
- Beach and marina on the Seven Seas Lagoon
- Great Ceremonial House with Captain Cook's quick service dining
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 Polynesian Village Resort
- Among the most expensive Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World
- Island Tower DVC addition is polarizing and breaks original theming
- Long Great Ceremonial House corridors can make navigation confusing
- Far from EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom by bus
- Lava Pool waterslide removed in recent renovation, not replaced
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 Polynesian Village Resort
-
'Ohana
Table ServiceAmerican, Polynesian
breakfast · dinner
View menu -
Barefoot Pool Bar
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Breakfast at Wailulu Bar & Grill
Quick ServicePolynesian
breakfast
View menu -
Capt. Cook's
Quick ServiceAmerican, Seafood
breakfast
View menu -
Chip 'n' Dale's Deli
Quick ServiceAmerican, Quick Service Kiosk
lunch
View menu -
Chip 'n' Dale’s Deli at Disney's Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail Golf Courses
Quick ServiceAmerican
lunch
View menu -
Kona Cafe
Table ServiceAmerican, Seafood
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Kona Café To Go
Quick ServiceAmerican, Seafood
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Kona Island
Table ServiceAmerican, Sushi, Quick Service - Coffee
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Oasis Bar & Grill
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Pineapple Lanai
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Tambu Lounge
Quick ServiceAmerican, Polynesian
snack
View menu -
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto
Quick ServicePolynesian
snack
View menu -
Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace
Table ServiceAmerican, Polynesian
dinner
View menu -
Wailulu Bar & Grill
Table ServicePolynesian
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Wailulu Bar & Grill To Go
Quick ServicePolynesian
lunch · dinner
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 Polynesian Village Resort
- First time stay at the Polynesian! Tips? : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Late Night Vibes at The Polynesian Resort - Reddit r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Looking for crowd opinions on the Polynesian r/WaltDisneyWorld
- New Polynesian Resort : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Polynesian vs WL? : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
Videos
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
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