Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge vs JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Photo: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Deluxe Animal Kingdom Resort Area
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

Deluxe Disney Springs Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Deluxe

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

Deluxe

Area

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Resort Area

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

Disney Springs Resort Area

Transportation

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Bus

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

None listed

Table-Service Dining

Animal Kingdom Lodge

3 restaurants

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

None

Quick-Service Dining

Animal Kingdom Lodge

8 locations

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

None

Pool Amenities

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Yes

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

No

Top Highlight

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek

Luxurious rooms and suites at competitive prices vs Disney Deluxes

Overview

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

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

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

A newer luxury Marriott property just outside Disney-owned hotels, positioned in the Bonnet Creek cluster near Disney Springs and Epcot-area access roads.

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

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

Amenity details coming soon.

Transportation

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Bus

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

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

Transportation details coming soon.

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

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

  • Luxurious rooms and suites at competitive prices vs Disney Deluxes
  • Impressive pool complex with lazy river and waterslides
  • Full-service spa and multiple restaurants on property
  • Located within Disney property boundaries with shuttle to parks
  • Often significantly cheaper than comparable Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

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

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

  • Shuttle to Disney parks is slower and less frequent than Disney buses
  • No Early Entry or on-site Disney booking advantages
  • Not as Disney-immersive as staying in a Disney-owned resort
  • Far from all theme parks, requiring a car or shuttle every time
  • Parking fees apply on top of already high nightly rates

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

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

No on-site dining information available.

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