Walt Disney World Resorts - Intro to Lodge Deluxe Resorts
If you're just joining us, welcome. You've caught us in the middle of a series that will deep dive into every resort at Walt Disney World. We've already discussed value and moderate resorts, starting with an introduction to how they work in general, and then providing cheat sheets the following week for each category. Now it's time to discuss deluxe resorts, which Disney has more of than any other category resort.
So we've decided to break things up a bit by area of the resort, or, when that fails, type of resort. This week, we'll be discussing the remaining two deluxe resorts we haven't yet talked about - the lodges. These two lodge-type resorts are strewn at far corners of the property from each other, but share a lot in their design and amenities.
As a reminder, everyone who stays at a Walt Disney World Resort gets the following:
Early theme park entry
Complimentary Walt Disney World transportation from your resort to the theme parks
If you have a Magic Band, keyless entry to your resort hotel room
Earlier ability to make dining reservations (at 60 days out from the FIRST day of your stay, you can make reservations for your entire length of stay up to 10 days)
Earlier ability to make Lightning Lane reservations each day if using Genie+ (at 7am rather than at park opening)
Staying inside the "Disney Bubble" and being served by Disney Cast Members for your entire vacation
In addition to that, EVERY Disney resort is going to have these amenities:
Pools
Quick service food on resort property
Laundry (you pay, but there are facilities)
A gift shop
Wifi
Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, Explained
Deluxe resorts are the most expensive and luxurious resorts Disney has to offer the typical guest (by typical, we mean those guests who are not Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members). These resorts can be easily recognized by a few features:
Proximity to theme parks (in many cases you can see, if not walk to, a theme park)
Transportation options other than bus (in most cases)
Multiple table-service dining locations
Rooms that are accessed by interior corridors, and that have private balconies in most cases
Larger rooms than moderate resorts
Suite options and club-level options
Larger buildings, in general, and grand lobbies
Evening magic hours - this is a 2-3 hour period of time where ONLY deluxe and DVC resort guests can be in the park, usually after park closing. Rides are open during this time.
In addition to those common perks, you generally find more amenities at deluxe resorts, such as the option to book a "club-level" room, marinas with boat rentals, a spa or fitness center, multiple lounges, and other amenities that are unique to each resort. Like moderate resorts, each deluxe resort has a very developed theme and landscaping to match that theme.
The price of staying at a deluxe resort, as you may already have guessed, is almost always more than that of staying at the most expensive moderate resort. And depending on the room type and perks you select, the sky seems like it's the limit. Moderate resorts, again, range from $250-$450 per night, depending on the time of year. So with deluxe resorts, you can typically expect to find rates of more than $450 a night. However, promotions can allow for excellent deals on deluxe resorts.
In total, there are eight deluxe resorts (we are not yet counting DVC-only resorts or resorts that are operated by those other than Disney):
Contemporary Resort
Polynesian Village Resort
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Beach Club
Yacht Club
Boardwalk
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and Grand Floridian resorts were the first resorts built on Disney property, and all share a monorail route with stops at the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. They are all nestled on the Seven Seas Lagoon, and you can see the Magic Kingdom from parts of these resorts.
The Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk resorts are located right outside of EPCOT's "back door", the International Gateway. You can walk to EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios from any of these resorts.
The Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge resorts are very similar in architecture, as you can probably guess by their names. Both feature multi-story lobbies with huge timber rafters and totem poles. However, the Wilderness Lodge is themed to the Pacific Northwest and is located nearer the Magic Kingdom than any other theme park. The Animal Kingdom Lodge, on the other hand, is themed to Africa, and is located a 5-minute bus ride away from the Animal Kingdom theme park, sharing a back savannah with that park's savannah.
These are the groupings we'll use to discuss each of these resorts, and this week, we will talk about the Lodge resorts.
A Brief Explanation of Club-Level:
Something you will find at most deluxe resorts if the option to upgrade to a club-level room. Sometimes this means the room is also nicer, but most times, it simply means you get access to certain amenities. Club-level rooms are typically kept to one wing, floor, or building of a resort.
One of the main perks of a club-level room is access to the club lounge. The club lounge is simply a room with tables and chairs that provides refreshments at designated times throughout the day. There is almost always cold water and soda available, and then throughout the day, snacks and small items are put out. We're not just talking some chips and cookies. Usually there are desserts made at the resort, and hot items, often unique to the resort. You may also find alcoholic beverages. The key here is you can go into the lounge and eat all you wish at no additional cost (aside from your club upgrade).
Often, club-level rooms also come with a more private check-in area so you don't have to wait in longer lines in the main lobby, and a concierge who can secure dining reservations and help with you vacation planning while there.
The grand timber lobby typical of lodge resorts. This one is at Wilderness Lodge Resort.
Lodge Resorts
As we said earlier, Disney's two Lodge deluxe resorts are strewn across the property from each other, but are extremely similar in architecture, and they are also not that dissimilar in rates. In fact, these two resorts tend to show the cheapest rates for the deluxe resort category, likely due to their secluded nature.
The two lodges are Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Wilderness Lodge is in the Bay Lake area, but off the monorail loop, at the far side of Bay Lake from the Contemporary resort, on a quiet piece of property. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is located off the backside of Disney's Animal Kingdom, backing right up to the savannah, again, on a quiet piece of property.
The Lodges have in common architecture that includes lots of timber and a large, multi-story lobby with fireplaces and lots of cozy places to sit. Off this lobby are wings of rooms, usually forming a U-shape around a central courtyard that includes a pool and other features. There are few, if any, outbuildings in the Lodge resorts because everything is connected to the grand lobby through the long wings. This actually makes these resorts some of the most desirable resorts during a hurricane because guests are permitted to move around inside, which is quite a lot of space, and don't have to go outside to get to amenities like food or entertainment.
The Grand Canyon fireplace at Wilderness Lodge Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort was built in 1994 and is themed to America's national parks. Specifically, the lobby architecture and outside appearance is based on the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park, and having been to both of these places, we can say the resemblance is very recognizable. The 8-story grand lobby features lots of split timber, and a huge multi-story fireplace that resembles the strata of the Grand Canyon, and huge totem poles. The grounds include a lot of tall conifers and boulders that evoke a Pacific Northwest feel. There is also a re-creation of the Old Faithful geyser that really does faithfully erupt hourly in the courtyard. This is the kind of lobby where you can expect to find a wooden rocking chair by a fire to settle down and feel cozy in.
This resort is technically in the Magic Kingdom area, but is far-flung from the other area resorts. It is across Bay Lake from the Contemporary resort. The Magic Kingdom can be reached via bus or boat launch, which will go to the Contemporary resort first, then the Magic Kingdom. Other parks are served by bus.
The Lodge has 728 rooms. Standard rooms can sleep 4, are 340 square feet, and typically include 2 queen beds or 1 king bed. There are also bunk bed rooms, which are standard as well but sell out quickly during busy times. These include a bunk bed and a queen bed. Club-level rooms also include standard rooms as well as deluxe rooms (2 queen beds and a queen pullout), a Yosemite Vice Presidential Suite (1 king bed and 1 queen sofa sleeper), and a Yellowstone Presidential Suite (1 king bed and 1 queen sleeper sofa). There are also 4 honeymoon suites. The Old Faithful Club Lounge extends around the atrium on the sixth floor, offering unique views to only club level guests.
This resort is also home to the DVC properties Copper Creek Cabins and Boulder Ridge Villas, and amenities are shared.
There are 2 lounges, a quick service location, two table-service locations, and 24/7 room service.
Territory Lounge - An indoor lounge located between the two table-service restaurants off teh lobby. This has a full service bar, a selection of Northwest wines, and a variety of small plates and sweets available to order. Coffee can be found here in the morning.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill - This serves drinks and quick service food, mostly featuring small bites, and is located on the shore of Bay Lake.
Roaring Fork - This is the quick service location that features your typical breakfast foods, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and grab and go items.
Artist Point - This table-service restaurant is now the home of character dining at dinner which includes Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and the Evil Queen. Dinner is a prix fixe menu that includes shared started, a choice of plated entree, and a sweet spell dessert.
Whispering Canyon Cafe - This table-service restaurant is the place to go for some fun server interaction. Food consists of sandwiches and skillets. Service consists of jokes, antics, and sing-alongs. If you want a good ribbing, ask for ketchup. And if any of this scares you, be assured that Disney Cast Members are very good at interacting to your comfort level, and not beyond.
There are two pools. The main pool is Silver Creek Springs pool and is located in the courtyard just outside the lobby. Disney designed the lobby so that a spring originates in the lobby and flows via a creek all the way to this pool. The pool features a waterslide, a hot tub, a cold spa, and a children's water play area. There are the usual poolside activities here. The quiet pool is located in a different area nearer the Boulder Creek Villas.
There is also an arcade, a 2.5 mile jogging trail, volleyball courts, campfire and movies on select evenings on the beach, and a marina that has bike, surrey bike, and boat rentals. Sea Raycers, Boston Whaler Montauks, and pontoons can be rented to be taken out on Bay Lake. Guests can also arrange guided fishing excursions of Disney waters for an additional fee. This is also a launch point for a reserved fireworks cruise on Bay Lake (at an additional cost) to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
There are some special amenities at this resort as well, such as an hour-long tour of the art at the resort, which showcases the architecture and craftmanship of the lodge, as well as the art within. The Electrical Water Pageant makes a visit to this resort as well along the beach area at night. Sometimes, there is a Magic Cookie Hour where guests can purchase and decorate a cookie.
There is a spa and salon for manicures, pedicures, hair, and other salon services open from 9-5, and a health club open 24 hours where guests can also purchase massage and facial services.
The pros of the this resort are the gorgeous architecture (which we'll find is true of both Lodge style resorts), and the homey feeling. It truly can feel like you are worlds away, at summer camp, or a national park, or really anywhere other than Walt Disney World, which some guests will find as a nice retreat, while others won't care for it. The downsides are that the transportation options are somewhat limited compared to other deluxe resorts, and there is no theme park view or walkability to speak of.
Architecture and lighting at dusk at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is at the backside of the resort, near Sanaa
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
We're not going to be shy about it. We think Animal Kingdom Lodge is the most beautiful resort on property, and even though it's out of the way, we visit it pretty much every time we go to Walt Disney World. Because, zebra domes (more about that later).
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, as you might have guessed, is in the Animal Kingdom theme park area. In fact, it backs right up to the back of the savannah of the theme park. The resort itself has its own savannahs as well that back up to the theme park savannah. This means that from many places at the resort, you will see animals, which is pretty fantastic. Animals on each savannah rotate, so one day you might be seeing giraffes and the next day might be Ankole cattle.
The resort itself was built in 2001. It's themed to Africa, and actually consists of two very similar parts. Jambo House is the main resort for typical guests. Kidani Village is nearly a mirror of Jambo house, though the lobby is a bit smaller and more intimate, and is the home of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC). Both feature similar architecture to the Wilderness Lodge Resort, meaning there is a large, multi-story timber lobby, complete with fireplaces, though instead of green metal roofs, you'll find thatched roofs, and instead of Pacific Northwest details, you'll find African details. Rooms spread from the lobby in horseshoe-like long wings. Again, you'll not find many outbuildings, aside from the separation between Jambo House and Kidani Village, so it is possible to move about the resort without going outside, though because of the U-shape of both buildings, sometimes it is quicker to go outside. And it's desirable because outside is where the animal viewing platforms are.
One downside to the resort is that all transportation is via bus, and being the resort is tucked in a far corner of Disney property, transportation to the Magic Kingdom, in particular, can take a slightly longer time than other parks. On the other hand, the bus ride to Disney's Animal Kingdom is a painless 5 minutes. Although that seems that it should be walkable, it is not. You would have to walk all the way around the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and all the way around Animal Kingdom to the front to get there.
The resort has 1,293 rooms. Standard rooms are 344 square feet, and include 2 queen beds, or a king bed with a daybed. There are also bunk rooms here that have bunk beds and 1 queen bed. All rooms have balconies, and some rooms have a savannah view (this is a room category and must be requested). If you do not request a savannah view, do not expect to see the savannah from your room (you may get a view of parking, for example), but there are several viewing platforms throughout the resort and in the courtyard. At the club level, there are also the following suites: one-bedroom suites (2 queen beds in a bedroom, and a queen sofa sleeper), two-bedroom suites (similar to one bedroom, but with an additional bedroom with a king bed), a 1,169 square foot Royal Kuba Vice Presidential Suite, and a 2,115 square foot Royal Assante Presidential Suite. The Presidential Suite is sometimes referred to as Disney's best suite, has 2 bedrooms, 2 and a half bathrooms, sweeping panoramic views from the fifth floor of the savannah, and is served with fresh exotic floral arrangements.
The Club at Animal Kingdom Lodge is called the Kilimanjaro Club, and in addition to the typical club benefits, you get access to a sunrise safari tour. This experience does come at extra cost and must be reserved, but it allows you a private tour through Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro safari at sunrise, before other guests get to see it. The experience is an hour long, rather than the typical 15-minute safari ride guests get, and allows you to enter the park through the back gate to the safari (which is not an actual entrance for other guests).
Ok, back to reality (for most of us)! Let's talk dining at the resort! At the Animal Kingdom Lodge, it is easy to use amenities at both Jambo House and Kidani Village, and you truly get access to some of the most interesting table-service dining on Disney property here. A shuttle runs between both resorts, or you can take the 10-minute walk. In total there are five lounges, 1 quick-service location, and 3 table-service locations.
The Mara - This is your quick-service location, with an entrance located just outside of the main pool area. We have to speak highly of the food here because the Mara serves not only traditional fare, but also some interesting and tasty dishes. This is also where we get our zebra domes to go, which are a lovely dessert with a chocolate cake-like center, and a covering of white chocolate and drizzled dark chocolate. I don't know what makes these so good, but they are a must have.
Boma, Flavors of Africa - On the bottom floor of the Jambo House main lobby area, this is a buffet-style table-service restaurant with views of the savannah. Breakfast and dinner are served, and there are a wide selection of both typical fare, and African dishes.
Jiko, the Cooking Place - Also located in Jambo House, Jiko is a signature table-service dining location serving delicious steaks as well as more exotic meats like boar and duck. There is also seafood and flatbreads for non-meat eaters.
Sanaa - This table-service location is at Kidani village, with views of the savannah. It serves a mix of African, Middle-Eastern, and Asian dishes. A few draws here include the butter chicken, and the bread service with accompaniments (several flavors of naan bread and several dipping sauces). We personally often include Sanaa in our dining rotation.
Cape Town Lounge - A full service bar near Jiko with an extensive wine list. You can also get appetizers.
Victoria Falls Lounge - A full service bar near Boma. There are also some light bites available. This bar specializes in some fun cocktails.
Sanaa Lounge - This is Sanaa's bar, located in Kidani village. You can order from a small selection of appetizers (including the bread service), and enjoy wine and cocktails.
Uzima Springs Pool Bar - This is your typical pool bar location at the Jambo House, though unlike other pool bars, food is not served. Mara is very nearby for food options.
Maji Pool Bar - This is your pool bar at Kidani Village. Because this one is not near the Mara, food is served in addition to drinks.
There are a total of two pools, though given the distance between them, it's unlikely guests will use both. The largest pool is located at Jambo House, and another pool is on the opposite side of the property at Kidani Vollage. The large pool is called Uzima Springs and is an 11,000 square foot zero entry pool set amongst the savannah. There is also a children's wading pool, waterslide, hot tub, and playground nearby. Sticking with amenities at Jambo House, near the pool are also several wildlife viewing platforms, and an arcade. Zahanati massage and fitness center features fitness equipment available to guests of Jambo House, including sauna and steam rooms. You can also get massage services at extra cost. In the evening, there is a firepit directly outside the back of the lobby, and when we've visited, there is sometimes an African storyteller telling stories, or smores.
Over at Kidani village is Samawati Springs pool, which has a water slide, two hot tubs, and children's water play area. There is also a small health club near the pool here, an arcade, and the multiple savannah overlooks this resort is known for.
One thing that distinguishes this resort from other deluxe resorts is that it is not on the water. Therefore, there is no marina and no access to boat rentals. There are also not bike rentals here. Because of the savannah, most of the resort property you can see isn't walkable because it's reserved for the animals. Bikes are simply unnecessary.
We adore this resort, as probably comes out in our tone. We think it's gorgeous and the opportunity to see animals while drinking your coffee on your private balcony (if you reserve a savannah view room), makes this a unique experience. Add to that the unique foods and drinks available, and the coziness of an African storyteller near the fire, and it's just perfect if unique and memorable experiences are your thing. It's less perfect if you're looking for standardized, typical, deluxe resort amenities. It's just a different kind of resort. Likely due to that, you can often book Animal Kingdom Lodge for far less than other deluxe resorts. There are times it is even less expensive than the most expensive moderate resort.
A typical lounge/indoor viewing area situation at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Our Take on the Lodges
We have to be real here. We might give Wilderness Lodge Resort the short end of the stick simply because the theme is not something we've respected much in the past. When we are in Florida, we want to feel like we are somewhere warm, and the Pacific Northwest feel of this resort just isn't Florida/exotic enough for us Midwesterners. However, if you are traveling to the United States from another country, this will be a unique experience in its own regard. And we do agree the resort is beautiful, and we are genuinely impressed with how it is faithful (get it) to the Old Faithful Inn it was based on. We have an entire post about that here.
In fact, the main draw of the lodges, in my opinion, is their absolute beauty and their "all in one" feel, meaning you don't have to go all over resort property to get to your amenities.... everything is in one (large) building. If we were to visit Walt Disney World with the intention of hanging around our resort more often, we would select a lodge (probably Animal Kingdom Lodge, given our preferences for unique food and animal viewing).
But that's just not why we go right now. We go to be in the theme parks. And that is the drawback of the lodges. The transportation from them is just not the same as the convenient transportation you can expect from other deluxe resorts, and their seclusion puts them at far corners of the property.
That said, if someone put is in the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge right now, we would not decline! They are fantastic resorts.
Oh my. Only two resorts covered this time and yet so much information! This series is certainly more than we even expected it to be. However, this concludes our overview of all the deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World. So, what's left? Well, A LOT. We have your oddballs on Disney property that aren't owned by Disney (the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin), we have your DVC only properties (Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and the Riviera Resort), we have your camping and cabins at Fort Wilderness, and we have your military only resort at Shades of Green. And we do plan to discuss these as well, but we might insert more regular articles in between because resort fatigue is real! What do you want us to do? Let us know over on our Facebook page by commenting on this week's post. You can also follow us over there where you can see when new articles are posted each week. Until next time...
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