A great big pickle...sigh.

[LuvvsMickey]

Howdy folks! I am in the midst of a big pickle and am needing some feedback from all you Disney pros. First off, this trip is a dream trip for us. We've been through some pretty tough times the past 18 months, and our last trip to WDW in March was spent in bed sick - the whole family. Yup! Soooo...this one has to be perfect in every way as it is just hubby and I going. Lord knows when we'll have the opportunity to visit WDW again. *sniff*

We are currently booked for a honeymoon suite with a king bed at WL for 10 days the first week of August - ack! No meal plan, but we do have CL munchies available. (we already have tickets to the parks so that is not a factor in this pickle) The idea of a whirlpool is ahhhhh, so relaxing and heavenly to me. We are maxed out $$ wise, so no splurging and we have to be careful where we eat.

I can get a standard room with queens or king at AKL, 1 day park tix and QS dining for almost $500 LESS than what I'm paying at WL with no dining plan. From what I've read, there is little available for quick service meals at AKL though. I don't want to do table service dining. (too time consuming)

My first love is CBR. We stayed there over the March break this year and absolutely fell in love with entire resort. LOVED IT. I want to live there. Unless I want to spend over $250 extra to get a king bed, we would be looking at a standard room with double beds, 1 day tix and QS dining for $100 less than the AKL deal.

My brain is telling me, take the AKL deal you dork, but my heart is at CBR...but I don't want to pay for a king. Grrrrrrr.

So, what say you? Oh...if you've read through this whole mess you get a cookie!

 

[Dawn68PA]

I would go for the AKL deal! OMG just you and DH with the zero entry pool, huge hot tubs, wild animals all over and IMO the most beautiful Deluxe on property. We stayed here in November and it was just perfect. The staff is so friendly, the lobby is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, the animals are amazing and we found plenty to eat at Mara, the QS restaurant and also some great food just in the hotel shop. If you've never visited AKL, it will really make an impact. It's truly lovely.

If you do decide on a TS, Boma is a buffet and really great!

 

[exwdwcm]

i would go for the AKL deal too. There is a QS location at AKL with some great selections that would probably suit you fine for a few meals. you will have great selection of QS meals in the parks too.

As for the whole king bed thing- i wouldn't make that a priority for me, given that huge cost. Even when I travel on busines alone, i often get 2 double beds- i just use one to setup my bags on. It's not a big deal. I understand the romantic- want a king bed and more room idea, but it really isn't a big deal for me- definitely not a deal breaker.

While i like CBR, I would take WL or AKL over it ANYDAY. I LOVED AKL. The bathroom is nice and we had a balcony which was just heavenly. We really loved the resort and walking into the huge lobby everyday. I think you will be surpised how much you would enjoy it. Plus given your choices, you get more bang for your buck with that package!

 

[5boyz]

I like DAD's Oatmeal Choc Chip....

AKL deal all the way!!!!

Sorry you spent your last trip in bed sick!!!

 

[KatMark]

I like Mrs. Field's chocolate chip cookies. And I definitely say the AKL (it is our dream resort and we hope to stay there next year for a split stay with our moderate).

 

[karibritt01]

Go for AKL. I love CSR (my favorite in the World!) but would give it up in a minute to get a deal at a deluxe. As for lack of QS in AKL... eat at other resorts. You can easily do WL, CR, GF and Poly when you are at MK and Epcot. You can also eat in the parks.

 

[karentan]

another vote for AKL, we ate at mara (the counter service) and its got the usual range of CS stuff, the resort is GORGEOUS.
you will not regret staying there.

 

[LuvvsMickey]

I would go for the AKL deal! OMG just you and DH with the zero entry pool, huge hot tubs, wild animals all over and IMO the most beautiful Deluxe on property. We stayed here in November and it was just perfect. The staff is so friendly, the lobby is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, the animals are amazing and we found plenty to eat at Mara, the QS restaurant and also some great food just in the hotel shop. If you've never visited AKL, it will really make an impact. It's truly lovely.

If you do decide on a TS, Boma is a buffet and really great!

LOL, yes, just hubby and I. I cannot wait!! The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that AKL is the way to go...even though my heart is still at CBR...

 

[Dawn68PA]

I have yet to stay at CBR but I read tons of positive reviews. I'm glad to see you're leaning the AKL way. I truly think it's an awesome choice and a great time!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

i would go for the AKL deal too. There is a QS location at AKL with some great selections that would probably suit you fine for a few meals. you will have great selection of QS meals in the parks too.

As for the whole king bed thing- i wouldn't make that a priority for me, given that huge cost. Even when I travel on busines alone, i often get 2 double beds- i just use one to setup my bags on. It's not a big deal. I understand the romantic- want a king bed and more room idea, but it really isn't a big deal for me- definitely not a deal breaker.

While i like CBR, I would take WL or AKL over it ANYDAY. I LOVED AKL. The bathroom is nice and we had a balcony which was just heavenly. We really loved the resort and walking into the huge lobby everyday. I think you will be surpised how much you would enjoy it. Plus given your choices, you get more bang for your buck with that package!

Yeah, the king bed issue is actually hubby's one and only request. He gave me free reign on this trip EXCEPT - NO double beds!!!!!! I suppose I should let him have his one and only wish, huh?

 

[LuvvsMickey]

I like DAD's Oatmeal Choc Chip....

AKL deal all the way!!!!

Sorry you spent your last trip in bed sick!!!

Hey, those are our favourite cookies too! Yup, I think AKL is the smart thing to do. I'm pumped. Our last trip was truly a bust from the get go. There is a lot of pressure to make sure that this one is perfect. I really don't want to be second guessing my reservation choices. So far, it looks like everyone thinks AKL is the best choice...and that is exactly what my gut was telling me. I R schmart!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

I like Mrs. Field's chocolate chip cookies. And I definitely say the AKL (it is our dream resort and we hope to stay there next year for a split stay with our moderate).

Ack! Why oh why did you mention a split stay!? Now THERE'S an idea that I hadn't thought of...

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Go for AKL. I love CSR (my favorite in the World!) but would give it up in a minute to get a deal at a deluxe. As for lack of QS in AKL... eat at other resorts. You can easily do WL, CR, GF and Poly when you are at MK and Epcot. You can also eat in the parks.

Good points. I'm actually toying with selecting TSDP now... Somebody stop meeeeeeeeee!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

another vote for AKL, we ate at mara (the counter service) and its got the usual range of CS stuff, the resort is GORGEOUS.
you will not regret staying there.

The resort does look gorgeous and I am sure the pictures online don't even do it justice. Thank you for taking the time to tell me your thoughts. Truly appreciated!

 

[allboyzz]

I would definately go with the AKL. There are tons of places to eat QS in the park. We are on the QS dining plan too. I'm sure we will have some meals at POR but most will be in the parks.

 

[5boyz]

LuvvsMickey.....

I love this website for all the ideas here!!!! Split stay could be somthing to work out....my dh always wants a King Bed too....I could care less......But I would tell him sorry honey, it is an extra XX amount, just to have a King. When are you going....I see 1 month 4 weeks, look like you may be there when we are there...but we are staying at POP, we WILL have 2 of our kids with us....

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Okay peoples, why no CBR love?! LOL Is it because it's a moderate and I am getting more bang for my buck at AKL as a deluxe or did I post on a "hate CBR day"? Bwahahahaha. (I'm kidding.) See, I'm looking at the romantic factor. CBR is breathtaking to me. There are lovely walking trails, the hammocks on the beaches, the fireworks from Epcot, the lake, the flowers and the palm trees and on and on...It's just so tropical to me. I've never been to any other disney resort so have nothing to compare it to and it's all I know. AKL is well, animals, no? But it's a deluxe! Tell me what is romantic about it.

 

[KatMark]

Ack! Why oh why did you mention a split stay!? Now THERE'S an idea that I hadn't thought of...

We've never done one. But I've been dying to try AKL for years, but we haven't been willings to leave our CSR. So since we had to cancel our trip this year, we're splurging next year--hence, split stay!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

5boyz - wow! Looking at your sig...we've got FOUR girls and one boy. OMG. The hormones in this house once upon a time!! We're down to one girl, aged 8 1/2. Phew!

Yes, we are going from July 31-Aug 9. I actually considered POP. Everything I read about it seems so fun and carefree. That's me! Hubby wants something romantic, thus the honeymoon suite with jacuzzi that I booked at WL. I don't care about a king bed either. Heck, I'll sleep in a lounge chair.

Off to figure out a split stay...Lordy, what am I getting myself into now!

 

[katieandemismom]

We've stayed at AKL, WL, Poly and Pop. My favorite resort for the decor is AKL. You walk in and are transported away. The lobby is breathtaking. The smell is undescribable. The furnishings are dark, rich wood. There are balconies overlooking the savannahs with rocking chairs to sit on. There is a firepit to enjoy at night. The animals are amazing. I was blown away by the detail there. It would be completely romantic to wander around the resort at night (can't wait to do it either - lol!).

We really liked Mara for food - lots of options and the cms were great. The buses were actually the best we'd had (even slightly better than Pop). They blew out WL and Poly (although the monorail and bus were fun, they weren't necessarily any faster than AKL's buses). The pool and hot tubs were pretty good, too.

Did I say we bought AKV b/c I loved it so much?