Moderate or Deluxe ??

[JeffKK88]

Hello, I currently have a vacation booked May 15-22 at CSR but was thinking about upgrading to AKL. My wife has only been to Disney one time and we stayed at ASMo. My only concern is it worth the extra $700 over the length of the trip to go deluxe. We are planning on doing 4 days of parks during our trip and the rest is unplanned.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello, I currently have a vacation booked May 15-22 at CSR but was thinking about upgrading to AKL. My wife has only been to Disney one time and we stayed at ASMo. My only concern is it worth the extra $700 over the length of the trip to go deluxe. We are planning on doing 4 days of parks during our trip and the rest is unplanned.

We've never stayed at CSR, but we love AKL. Worth is subjective as it's different for everyone, but the extra cost for AKL would be worth it for us. AKL is a beautiful resort with great dining options. Also, since it's kind of isolated from everything, the resort is quiet and peaceful (IMO). Good luck deciding, but if the extra cost is doable, I'd give AKL a try.

 

[HopperFan]

You are already staying at what we call the "deluxe of the moderates" with amenities you will not get at the others. For $100 extra per night, I would stay at CSR then go to AKL and eat meals there, animal watch and appreciate the beauty of the lobby. Both offer cool lounges and good transportation. Whatever you choose will be amazing and a nice upgrade from ASMo.

In terms of rooms you will not find much difference at all in the rooms other than a balcony and unless you have a savanna room the balcony is useless. We've had pool view and would never bother again, we were out at all the public areas animal watching. The rooms have a few more feet that creates a foyer and more private wall between bathroom but not much else. And again unless you have a savanna room that is one resort you are not in your room but out exploring.

Dining - you can still dine at AKL no matter where you stay and the extra money would allow you to have more special dining on your trip.

Pools - yes you can only use pool at your hotel but while the AKL pool is pretty we have never stayed or visited when it wasn't very busy with loungers scarce. Two small hot tubs which are in very lush surroundings but usually busy. The pool is very geared for young kids in design with the zero entry at one end and the slide at the other ... there really is no adult area. With our kids now grown, that does not appeal to us if we have a lot of pool time planned. At CSR we have always been able to get loungers or tables. The AKL pool bar is much better all around in theme, size and atmosphere.

CSR: Beautiful resort day and night, walk around the lake at night = stunning. Yes convention but they stay in their area and the plus is the pools and buses are much less crowded. Top notch bus service. One of the best pool areas with counter service and bar right there with adult sized slide and biggest hot tub on property. Excellent "food court" better than AKL and all moderates. Found the resort quiet and relaxing and most times have pathways all to ourselves.

AKL: Stunning lobby, animals viewing, great eats (you don't have to stay to enjoy any of those). Indoor corridors which are nice is the weather goes bad. Balcony can be nice if you have savanna room. Something to consider is that there is no where to walk. You walk inside the hotel. No pathways, no lakeview ... the focus is on the animals being free and you are the one who is contained. May seem like no big deal to most, especially with young ones, but some adults enjoy that stroll or walk in the mornings or evenings ... it's not possible here. I would have to say if you think you can get $700 of enjoyment out of animal watching it might be the place to stay. We LOVE it there and would gladly go back but to lately I've not been able to embrace their rates as there is so many things I could do with that money......

.....Cirque (my DD & DS have been to many and say this is the best they've ever seen), dinner at California Grill with fireworks, Dining with Imagineering and so many other things that are above and beyond for my trip experience!

 

[skatalite]

The $700 upcharge isn't worth it, in my opinion. That's nearly a grand of amazing merchandise, or some great table service dining experiences.

Or, for two people, nearly another eight days in the parks.

 

[Lisann]

The $700 upcharge isn't worth it, in my opinion. That's nearly a grand of amazing merchandise, or some great table service dining experiences.

Or, for two people, nearly another eight days in the parks.

I agree, and especially with toddlers. They will love the least expensive option. You'll be fine with transportation, too.

 

[susanm]

i am a park junkie...every day at a park...so i would rather a longer stay (14 days coming up) at a value than less time at a deluxe

i am not the type to sit around a resort when i could be at the park... i have done moderates (tried all 3) but i stay at the all-star or pop all the time now...i usually visit several other resorts while i am there...for shopping and dining...not a pool person, so i guess it is just my opinion

 

[goofyintoronto]

You are already staying at what we call the "deluxe of the moderates" with amenities you will not get at the others. For $100 extra per night, I would stay at CSR then go to AKL and eat meals there, animal watch and appreciate the beauty of the lobby. Both offer cool lounges and good transportation. Whatever you choose will be amazing and a nice upgrade from ASMo.

In terms of rooms you will not find much difference at all in the rooms other than a balcony and unless you have a savanna room the balcony is useless. We've had pool view and would never bother again, we were out at all the public areas animal watching. The rooms have a few more feet that creates a foyer and more private wall between bathroom but not much else. And again unless you have a savanna room that is one resort you are not in your room but out exploring.

Dining - you can still dine at AKL no matter where you stay and the extra money would allow you to have more special dining on your trip.

Pools - yes you can only use pool at your hotel but while the AKL pool is pretty we have never stayed or visited when it wasn't very busy with loungers scarce. Two small hot tubs which are in very lush surroundings but usually busy. The pool is very geared for young kids in design with the zero entry at one end and the slide at the other ... there really is no adult area. With our kids now grown, that does not appeal to us if we have a lot of pool time planned. At CSR we have always been able to get loungers or tables. The AKL pool bar is much better all around in theme, size and atmosphere.

CSR: Beautiful resort day and night, walk around the lake at night = stunning. Yes convention but they stay in their area and the plus is the pools and buses are much less crowded. Top notch bus service. One of the best pool areas with counter service and bar right there with adult sized slide and biggest hot tub on property. Excellent "food court" better than AKL and all moderates. Found the resort quiet and relaxing and most times have pathways all to ourselves.

AKL: Stunning lobby, animals viewing, great eats (you don't have to stay to enjoy any of those). Indoor corridors which are nice is the weather goes bad. Balcony can be nice if you have savanna room. Something to consider is that there is no where to walk. You walk inside the hotel. No pathways, no lakeview ... the focus is on the animals being free and you are the one who is contained. May seem like no big deal to most, especially with young ones, but some adults enjoy that stroll or walk in the mornings or evenings ... it's not possible here. I would have to say if you think you can get $700 of enjoyment out of animal watching it might be the place to stay. We LOVE it there and would gladly go back but to lately I've not been able to embrace their rates as there is so many things I could do with that money......

.....Cirque (my DD & DS have been to many and say this is the best they've ever seen), dinner at California Grill with fireworks, Dining with Imagineering and so many other things that are above and beyond for my trip experience!

I think you nailed it with the bolded above. My vote goes to CSR. So gorgeous, best bus service i've ever experience, nice quiet resort, love the QS at the pool (with mug refills), best hot tub ever...so spacious, pool has a sand volley ball court, decent food court etc etc. Love the place.

 

[OKW Lover]

I voted for AKL. Its a unique experience that you won't get anywhere else.

 

[wiigirl]

The $700 upcharge isn't worth it, in my opinion. That's nearly a grand of amazing merchandise, or some great table service dining experiences.

Or, for two people, nearly another eight days in the parks.

 

[jperrot1]

The up charge is worth it. CSR is really nice, and you will see a big difference from a value to the CSR. But, the AKL is truly magical. If you can't afford to book a Savannah View, I suggest asking for an up grade at check in and hope to get lucky. That Savannah View is amazing.

I know you can get some great sit down meals for that $700. But, the AKL will give you a magical experience that you'll have not just at meal times, but all the times you spend at your resort.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

IMO AKL is worth it - a totally unique, themed Disney resort experience.

 

[disneybliss2]

We love AKL. It truly is like having a vacation to WDW and a mini vacation to Africa at the same time. However....in your situation, I think I'd stay at the moderate. If your wife has only stayed at ASM, then upgrading to the moderate will be a treat. We saw a huge difference when we upgraded from POP to POFQ. We loved it, and we'd happily stay there again if discount wasn't available to upgrade to AKL. If you're budget easily allows you to switch to AKL, I'd say go for it. Otherwise, I think your wife will be happy with the additional perks you get from the moderate you didn't have while staying at the values.

 

[2Tiggies]

I wouldn't upgrade for that price. $700 can buy you a lot of extras. Of course the reason I would not upgrade is that we don't spend that much time at our resort except for stopping at the food court, walking around a bit maybe and time at the pool. Factors that would influence me otherwise would be if I wanted to spend a bit more time at the resort, if a room view was important to me and if there was something special about the deluxe pool. Those aren't factors that would make me jump to plump $700 though. If those things are important to you, then you've already closed the gap of the price difference for yourselves

 

[Ilivetogo]

IMO AKL is worth it - a totally unique, themed Disney resort experience.

This.

.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I wouldn't upgrade for that price. $700 can buy you a lot of extras. Of course the reason I would not upgrade is that we don't spend that much time at our resort except for stopping at the food court, walking around a bit maybe and time at the pool. Factors that would influence me otherwise would be if I wanted to spend a bit more time at the resort, if a room view was important to me and if there was something special about the deluxe pool. Those aren't factors that would make me jump to plump $700 though. If those things are important to you, then you've already closed the gap of the price difference for yourselves

I agree with this. I cant justify spending that much $$$ when im not at the resort that much to begin with. We're at the parks most of the time. We take a short afternoon break, but its not long enough to justify spending more $$$. All depends on the family thou. Some ppl like to splurge. Me, id rather put that extra $$$ towards other things.

 

[Micca]

We're DVC members at AKL, but I'd probably select CSR. CSR is a beautiful resort, and the rooms are comfortable. Unless you're going to make use of the additional facilities at AKL, save your money(or spend it elsewhere).

You're likely going to AK, you'll see plenty of beasts there. You can dine and shop and hangout at AKL all you want.

I'm guessing $700 is a couple of plane tickets to Orlando for the next trip?