Hi, Stephen!
With options like that, there is no way to go wrong! Both
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) and Disney's Yacht Club (YC) offer the world-class services and amenities that one would associate with a Deluxe Resort.
The differences lie in theming and atmosphere. AKL is modeled after a beautiful African lodge, located on the very edge of a savanna. The flavor is decidedly exotic, with the decor rich in regional art, textiles, and music. Family activities focus on animals, and you'll find lots of opportunities to see the residents of the savanna throughout your journey. The pool, while boasting a slide, is reasonably simple in its design, mostly due to maintaining the safety of the animals.
And because the animals are of such paramount importance, the Resort ensures that they are comfortable and well-maintained. This means that AKL tends to be a little quieter than most of the other Resorts.
The YC is much more bustling and definitely has pride of proximity to both
Disney's Hollywood Studios and
Epcot, while AKL is situated reasonably far away from the other Parks. The YC, grand and elegant, offers Guests access to Stormalong Bay, an unbelievable water park that is, in and of itself, days of entertainment.
If your family appreciates the quiet peace of the savanna atmosphere, you'll be well-suited to stay at AKL; if your party likes a bit more excitement, I'd recommend the YC.
Either way, you are sure to have a marvelous time -- and happy birthday to your bride!
See you later, celebrator,
-Deborah B.