Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Disney's Riviera Resort
Photo: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Photo: Disney's Riviera Resort
At a Glance
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | Riviera | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Deluxe | Deluxe |
| Area | Animal Kingdom Resort Area | Epcot Resort Area |
| Transportation | Bus | Skyliner, Bus |
| Table-Service Dining | 3 restaurants | 1 restaurant |
| Quick-Service Dining | 8 locations | 1 location |
| Pool Amenities | Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide | Pool |
| Extended Evening Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Top Highlight | Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies | Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios |
Tier
Animal Kingdom Lodge
DeluxeRiviera
DeluxeArea
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Resort AreaRiviera
Epcot Resort AreaTransportation
Animal Kingdom Lodge
BusRiviera
Skyliner, BusTable-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
3 restaurantsRiviera
1 restaurantQuick-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
8 locationsRiviera
1 locationPool Amenities
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Pool, Hot Tub, Water SlideRiviera
PoolExtended Evening Hours
Animal Kingdom Lodge
YesRiviera
YesTop Highlight
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Savanna views with real African animals from room balconiesRiviera
Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood StudiosOverview
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
A deluxe safari-style resort where guest rooms and public spaces overlook savannas with African wildlife.
Disney's Riviera Resort
Enchantment awaits you at a Resort hotel that’s inspired by Europe and imagined by Disney. Here, you can delight in exhilarating activities, delectable dining and stylish accommodations—from cozy Tower Studios to spacious villas with up to 3 bedrooms.
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 Riviera Resort
Recreation
- Pool
- a soothing bubble-jet bathtub
- S'Il Vous Plait aquatic play area for kids 48 inches and under
- Jogging Trail
Wellness
- Spa
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 Riviera Resort
-
Skyliner
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 Riviera Resort
- Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
- Elegant European Riviera theming unlike any other Disney resort
- Topolino's Terrace character dining breakfast at the rooftop restaurant
- One of the newest Disney-owned resorts with modern room quality
- Skyliner connection to multiple resorts makes for easy park hopping
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 Riviera Resort
- DVC resale restrictions limit booking flexibility for non-DVC members
- Primarily a DVC property with limited cash room inventory
- No dedicated table service for non-character-dining other than rooftop
- Bus-only to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks
- Theming may feel generic compared to more strongly themed resorts
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
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 Riviera Resort
- Details! Disney's Riviera Resort : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Riviera resort : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Riviera Resort : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Riviera Resort or Switch it? : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
Videos
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Riviera Resort
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