A great big pickle...sigh.

[LuvvsMickey]

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!

I'm so sorry you had to cancel your trip this year. May your splurge trip next year be all that more magical.

 

[quirty30]

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.

Not to make your decision any more difficult, but it sounds to me like the Poly would make you very happy too.

 

[Dawn68PA]

Don't do a split unless you love packing and unpacking more than once.

AKL - DH and I's favorite thing to do was go to the hot tub in the evenings and just sit together and talk. We did this almost every night. So relaxing and just enjoyable. We loved sitting on the balcony and watching the animals too. One night, we had 2 giraffes on our savannah who were in love. They would take their heads and rub them together and stroke the others neck. It was just beautiful. We also enjoyed strolling over the various bridges and rocking on the large rockers that are placed throughout the resort.

My DH isn't the most romantic thing ever, but boy did we enjoy our time at AKL

 

[LuvvsMickey]

katieandemismom:

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

So jealous!!!!!! Sigh...maybe some day...when we are rich and famous.

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Not to make your decision any more difficult, but it sounds to me like the Poly would make you very happy too.

ha! My best friend just got back from a week long trip at the Poly. She said that she is now a Poly snob and will never stay anywhere but there. I have priced it and it's WAY out of reach for us, price wise. Stinks.

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Don't do a split unless you love packing and unpacking more than once.

AKL - DH and I's favorite thing to do was go to the hot tub in the evenings and just sit together and talk. We did this almost every night. So relaxing and just enjoyable. We loved sitting on the balcony and watching the animals too. One night, we had 2 giraffes on our savannah who were in love. They would take their heads and rub them together and stroke the others neck. It was just beautiful. We also enjoyed strolling over the various bridges and rocking on the large rockers that are placed throughout the resort.

My DH isn't the most romantic thing ever, but boy did we enjoy our time at AKL

Awwwww. That made me smile. Now *that's* what I'm talking about! So romantic. My hubby is a romantic fool...so much so that one night I came home from a rotten day at work only to find a trail of Skittles (my fav candy) and Turtles (my fav chocolate) leading to these little notes that would send me on a treasure hunt. He even unrolled the toilet paper in the spare bathroom and wrote a note on it! After my little hunt, I ended up in the master bath to a big ol' garden tub filled with mile high bubbles, surrounded by candles and champagne and a wonderful had written card telling me how much he missed me. I lubs my hubby!

So this trip has to be just perfect for him.

 

[leighe]

DH and I think that AKL is one of the most romantic resorts we've even stayed in anywhere - not just Disney. We are taking an adult only trip this summer as well and had a really hard time deciding on the Beach Club because we love AKL so much!

 

[nativetexan]

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?

There is your answer. End of conversation.

 

[karibritt01]

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.

I want to change my answer... I think you should go to CBR. It's like shopping for a wedding dress. If you compare every dress you try on to 1 specific dress, then that was your dress. I hear you saying you are leaning towards AKL... but the comparrisons to CBR tell a different tale. Many people will pay extra to go to a certain resort because they love it. If CBR is YOUR resort, then pay the extra for the king-size bed and go for it! Do what makes you happiest!

 

[TinkOhio]

I would jump on the AKL. As a matter of fact, I did jump on the deal DH decided that we could spend our 20th anniversary at WDW, and we were looking into booking the CBR. We honeymooned there and love the place! When our AAA agent told us that they were offering some special for the AKL for a little less than the cost of the CBR, we couldn't resist! We just have to keep it under our hats, as it is DD's favorite resort and she has always wanted to stay there and swim in the pool.

 

[LuvvsMickey]

DH and I think that AKL is one of the most romantic resorts we've even stayed in anywhere - not just Disney. We are taking an adult only trip this summer as well and had a really hard time deciding on the Beach Club because we love AKL so much!

I considered BC and YC too. Gah! I see you have the dreaded 3 days left to decide too.

 

[mskayjay]

We were given an upgrade to CL at WL for our anny last September (long story and we def deserved it!) and all I can say is....oh my...... Service was amazing, food in lounge was great, adult beverages were quite a shock!!!! (cognac along with beer, wine, etc! ), fabulous hotel. We were in a honeymoon suite and the room was nice but typical Disney. Our housekeeper up there was *nothing* like the best keeper we have ever had (Eloisa) down in our original room.

I have done AKL as well. I seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE that resort but it is a pain to get to everything. If you are going to be doing a good amount of time at the resort or using your own car then yes, go for it. Otherwise, me personally, I would do WL.

The joy of riding the boats to MK and all is fantastic! We did a dinner at the Polynesian and boated home, did our fabulous anny dinner at Cali Grill during Wishes and it was sooooo fantastic (seriously.....book this if you can!!!! and ask for Walter as your waiter!!!) to ride there and back by boat, it was just fantastic. There is a smaller quieter pool and jacuzzi you can use over by the villas as well as the large general pool.

I just really fell in love with that place. For the record, we did CBR for our 15th and WL this time for our 25th. Hands down, WL was better in my humble opinion.

 

[LuvvsMickey]

I want to change my answer... I think you should go to CBR. It's like shopping for a wedding dress. If you compare every dress you try on to 1 specific dress, then that was your dress. I hear you saying you are leaning towards AKL... but the comparrisons to CBR tell a different tale. Many people will pay extra to go to a certain resort because they love it. If CBR is YOUR resort, then pay the extra for the king-size bed and go for it! Do what makes you happiest!

Aha...the devil's advocate! Love it. I really do want to try a different resort. I'm just so scared that it won't measure up to our CBR love. KWIM? This is such a special trip for us...it just has to be perfect. I used to be such a risk taker. Now? Notsomuch. Thanks for your input. It's gratefully appreciated.

 

[gailanncreates]

Ok, chocolate chunk macadamias for me!
I'll be the only person to say I'd stick with what I have at WL. I LOVE WL, and would enjoy the club level snacks and drinks vs. the dining plan. Also, really like the food at WL. DH and I would not do well at AKL for food; I have checked the menus.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary and birthday. I am so looking forward to a romantic Disney getaway myself which is ironically in 2 years when I'll be turning 40 and celebrating our 20th anniversary.

I can't imagine any decision you make could be wrong with such great options, but I would probably go with AKL. I've never stayed there but it looks so romantic.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Okay, we loved AKL too....BUT....we were bumped from std view to Savannah and would never return without a Savannah view.....which is big bucks.

Most of the std view AKL rooms have downright AWFUL views - nothing romantic about sitting on a balcony overlooking the loading docks or garbage.

I did see a post awhile back of a guest that got a decent std view - guess there are just a couple of rooms like that....might be on the AKL FAQ thread...

Soooo...you could hope for an upgrade at check-in...or go back to your beloved CBR and reserve a king. Rooms at AKL are essentially the same size as CBR: CBR 340 sq ft, AKL 344.

I'd be torn...very torn b/c half the vacation is the view for us. You could make your only request (other than a king)"nice view, please" and see what happens.

Good luck and keep us posted, please!!!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

I've received some awesome replies and lots of food for thought and I thank you all. I'm still right where I started, though. I just don't know what to do. Sigh. All three choices have positives and negatives. The best bang for my buck is AKL...that's a given. Maybe I should make hubby decide instead of driving myself stark raving mad.

Seriously. Ya'll are great for giving me your suggestions. Thank you!

Tracy

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Minnie&Nana

BINGO! I think you just nailed my fear. View is important to me as well, especially if I'm spending some serious bucks for a hotel room that I wouldn't normally book. (due to $$$) I have a 50/50 chance of seeing nothing but pine trees from the honeymoon suite balcony at WL. Hayull, I just need to look out in my backyard if I want to see pine trees! And maple trees. Yes, I could also see wishes at night too, (if I have the "MK" view) but who wants to sit on the balcony during the day with a beverage or two in hand only to see nothing but tree tops? I want to be able to take in the scenery. A palm tree or two would be nice.

I did not know that most of the standard rooms are craptastic at AKL. Wow. That would be very disappointing. Yeah. I'm torn.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Just to add to the already difficult decision - only so many king rooms at any resort, so wherever the std ones are located in your view...unless, of course you're dusted with some nice Savannah view upgrade magic.

When we lived in Boston, we decided we'd never stay at WL because who wants to see pine trees in FL??? We wanted palm trees and tropical magic, so our first several stays were at the Poly (and CR, but mostly Poly), the CBR opened and wow....tropical for less $$$. LOVED it...we don't love it as much with the Nemo or Pirate theme, b/c we absolutely loved the tropical curtains and shower curtain....news one do nothing for us, so no more CBR stays until it goes back to tropical flowers.

Maybe I'd go with AKL and ask at check-in for a std room with a king bed and nicest possible view - with your sweetest smile and wishful sigh???? You know.... "I know we have a std view, but is there possibly one with a king bed and nice view, please?"

 

[Greysword]

Ok, here is the math as I can see it.

We are maxed out $$ wise, so no splurging and we have to be careful where we eat.

No problem, you are on a specific budget and the WL option maxes this out.

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.

So with AKL, you are $500 under budget and it adds a dining plan!

My first love is CBR... 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.

So with double beds you will be $600 ($500 at AKL + $100 add'l CBR savings) under budget at CBR. However, with a KING sized bed, you will still be $350 under original budget ($600 mentioned above - $250 for King bed), have the rsort and bed you want, and this inlcudes a dining plan!

Seems to me that if you take CBR you will still be significantly under budget with a king sized bed, and you will be at the resort in which really want to stay! As for the dining plan, you could apply the saving to upgrade to the DDP with 1 TS, 1 CS, and snack. This may be advantageous, if you can use the TS certificates at a CS if you so choose and you retain the flexibility of a TS if you desire (or two for the signature options).

Someone please check my math Thanks and good luck!

- Chris