Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Walt Disney World Swan
Photo: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Photo: Walt Disney World Swan
At a Glance
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | Walt Disney World Swan | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Deluxe | Deluxe |
| Area | Animal Kingdom Resort Area | Epcot Resort Area |
| Transportation | Bus | Walk, Boat, Bus |
| Table-Service Dining | 3 restaurants | 5 restaurants |
| Quick-Service Dining | 8 locations | 3 locations |
| Pool Amenities | Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide | Pool, Water Slide |
| Extended Evening Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Top Highlight | Savanna views with real African animals from room balconies | Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin |
Tier
Animal Kingdom Lodge
DeluxeWalt Disney World Swan
DeluxeArea
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Resort AreaWalt Disney World Swan
Epcot Resort AreaTransportation
Animal Kingdom Lodge
BusWalt Disney World Swan
Walk, Boat, BusTable-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
3 restaurantsWalt Disney World Swan
5 restaurantsQuick-Service Dining
Animal Kingdom Lodge
8 locationsWalt Disney World Swan
3 locationsPool Amenities
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Pool, Hot Tub, Water SlideWalt Disney World Swan
Pool, Water SlideExtended Evening Hours
Animal Kingdom Lodge
YesWalt Disney World Swan
YesTop Highlight
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Savanna views with real African animals from room balconiesWalt Disney World Swan
Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the DolphinOverview
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
A deluxe safari-style resort where guest rooms and public spaces overlook savannas with African wildlife.
Walt Disney World Swan
A Marriott-operated on-property resort between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, with walking and boat access to both parks.
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
Walt Disney World Swan
Recreation
- Pool
- Water Slide
- Volleyball
- Tennis Courts
- Jogging Trail
- Arcade
- Playground
- Camp Dolphin for children ages 5-12 from 4PM to 11PM with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
- Swan watercraft rentals on the white sand beach; Boat Rental in Activities
Wellness
- Fitness Center
- Spa
Other
- Child Care
- Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin for Friendship launches
- Disney Cabanas store at Swan; Resort Essentials boutique at Dolphin
Transportation
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
-
Bus
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs
Walt Disney World Swan
-
Walk
EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios
-
Boat
EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios
-
Bus
Magic Kingdom Park, 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
Walt Disney World Swan
- Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin
- Marriott Bonvoy points eligible for stays and redemptions
- Access to Dolphin's extensive dining and amenities via shared complex
- Swan Reserve and Swan combined offer over 2,000 rooms in the complex
- Competitively priced relative to Disney-owned Deluxe resorts nearby
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
Walt Disney World Swan
- No Disney on-site Early Entry or advance Lightning Lane booking
- Resort fees and parking fees add significantly to the nightly rate
- Shared amenities with Dolphin mean crowded pools during peak times
- Design is less Disney-immersive than Disney-owned resorts
- Limited transportation compared to monorail or Skyliner 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
Walt Disney World Swan
-
Chill
Table ServiceAmerican
dinner
View menu -
Garden Grove
Table ServiceAmerican
breakfast
View menu -
Il Mulino
Table ServiceItalian
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Il Mulino Lounge
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Java
Quick ServiceQuick Service - Coffee
snack
View menu -
Kimonos
Table ServiceAsian, Japanese, Sushi
dinner · snack
View menu -
Kimonos Lounge
Quick ServiceAsian, Japanese, Sushi
snack
View menu -
Splash Pool Bar and Grill
Table 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
Walt Disney World Swan
- Anyone stay at the Walt Disney swan hotel? Thoughts or ... r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Some love for the Swan hotel - a great option for a Disney trip r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Walt Disney World Swan hotel review : r/DisneyWorld r/DisneyWorld
Videos
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
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