AK vs CBR - My dilemma

[SkipperDave]

Thanks for everyone's responses! I am no longer soliciting opinions in this matter!
Much appreciated!

 

[Her Dotness]

And I'm wondering if I should make the switch. Animal Kingdom really does look like a special and unique place.

However, the fact is, I won't be spending much time at all in my hotel. I expect to stay in the parks as much as possible and spend the evenings dining or drinking with my friends at places like Trader Sam's and Disney Springs.

I don't even really have any available meals to take advantage of AK's dining, nor any real time to enjoy their other activities and amenities.

I'd really be going there just for the vibe and the style.

And then, of course, there's the massive inconvenience of AK's location, which is the polar opposite of the convenience of the Skyliner, which I'll be using for at least two days of my visit.

Awwww, come on.

Dream: AKL as "special and unique place," "going there just for the vibe and style."

Boring Practicality: "won't be spending much time at all in my hotel," won't "take advantage of AK's dining...activities and amenities," "inconvenience of AK's location."

Disney is all about dreams coming true and making that happen for yourself.

Give in to the dream stay over the practical one, sez me. Dreams are worth fulfilling when we can. Indulge yourself.

 

[CynBeth]

I would keep CBR. We stayed once at AKL and were out early and came back late so never got to see the animals from our room which is the main reason for staying there. We came back from the parks early one day for dinner at Boma and went to the animal viewing areas which we always do on our once a trip dinner at Boma no need to stay there when we can do the same thing when we visit. We found the hallways long and it felt so remote. We have stayed at moderates with only bus service or bus and Skyliner and did not feel this way. Also, except for at Boma did not care for the staff. One example is we were there in November around Thanksgiving and stayed at CBR. A few mornings we had breakfasts at other resorts and bell services were so wonderful about calling a taxi for us. There was a guy in front of us one day and the CM thought the taxi had not come quick enough so called to see what was going on. One night when we had dinner at Boma after a day at AK and needed a taxi back to our hotel since AK was closing soon and they refused to help us at AKL saying they do not do things like that. I could not believe a moderate has better service than a deluxe. We really enjoyed CBR. We were in a preferred room in Martinique. After making our Genie + selections at 7 am on the days we ate in the food court we did our mobile order and hit we are here. It was a short walk and either as we were on the way there or as soon as we arrived would get the alert our order was ready. We were surprised at how fast it was especially with a few allergy selections and being very crowded. We took the internal bus on our HS and Epcot days to the Skyliner. We loved that mode of transportation. One of the CMs told us you can see all 4 parks up there and we had fun trying to do that. The bus service to AK and MK was wonderful.

 

[Minnie1222]

And then, of course, there's the massive inconvenience of AK's location, which is the polar opposite of the convenience of the Skyliner, which I'll be using for at least two days of my visit.

There's a chance the Skyliner may close for a few hours to a few days while you're there. When the Skyliner first opened in 2019, we came down to Boardwalk for a week with the main purpose of "joyriding" the gondolas. Of course all the routes shut down the entire week we were there.

 

[Eastern]

I would keep the hopper for more flexibility. Still, if it's a difference of $100 at most, I would stay at AK. You are one person. If buses are a problem just Uber (it's usually ~$12/ride non peak times).

ps I like POFQ but it's due to logistics (good price, small layout, easy food court, boats to DS.)

 

[yensid's offspring]

Animal Kingdom is an experience in itself. Even without spending much time there. If you wake up and have a coffee as you get ready, you can at least walk out onto the veranda and take a look at the animals in the savannah. You can try to get a walk up in the Sanaa lounge and have a drink and the bread service. (totally worth it). The Jambo house and Kidani lobbies are both amazing. As for the remoteness, you don't have a monorail or the skyliner but the busues run very regularly and you are talking like a couple of extra minutes ride. I enjoy the remoteness and tranquility of AKL. The couple of extra minutes doesn't bother me. Obviously I'd recommend AKL.

 

[Marthasor]

I would stay at the resort that offers the most convenience for what you have planned for your trip. If you aren't going to spend any time at AKL, I don't see that it's worth switching.

 

[Princess Merida]

I am a fan of AKL! Coffee and animal watching on your balcony are awesome. The resort does feel removed, but in a good way. It's like a vacation within the vacation. I agree with the previous poster. I would find the time to go to Sanaa for drinks and bread service. That bread service is phenomenal and I highly recommend the African Mojito. I've not stayed at CBR. For moderates I've stayed at POR and CSR. Loved POR and CSR....well I won't ever be going back there.

 

[happily single]

I honestly dislike both resorts, but if given the choice I would stay at CBR. We've stayed at both AKL's for one night. Each stay our room was literally a 9-12 minute walk from the lobby, which may not seem like a huge deal, but when that is via interior hallways it was honestly a 3/4 mile walk. It was insane. We also didn't care for the food court offerings. My kids are pretty basic eaters and they never found anything at the food court in AK.

In regards to CBR, my only complaint is again the food court lol. As a mom of three young adults, quick, easy food is important to me. CBR is a big resort and depending on which section you are in you may not be close to the skyliner, which does go out of service in bad weather.

 

[SkipperDave]

Thanks for all your thoughts, everyone.

BTW, I have no plans to eat at either resort, except maybe a drink later in the day and the CBR bars sound fun.

But I wouldn't use a quick serve in either place nor eat breakfast there. I'd rather just go to the parks early and eat there.

Still thinking this one through! Keep the responses coming!

 

[KalamityJane]

You would get evening hours if you stay at AKL that you won’t at CBR.

What about a split stay?

 

[SkipperDave]

You would get evening hours if you stay at AKL that you won’t at CBR.

What about a split stay?

Split stay is too much of a hassle, bu thanks.

And there's only one night of extra hours, but I won't be able go with the rest of my group, we're going to try to go to Trader Sam's that night and, after all, it's only MK anyway. So...not a huge incentive.

But thanks for the reply!

 

[SwanVT2]

Split stay is too much of a hassle, bu thanks.

And there's only one night of extra hours, but I won't be able go with the rest of my group, we're going to try to go to Trader Sam's that night and, after all, it's only MK anyway. So...not a huge incentive.

But thanks for the reply!

It sounds like the focus of this trip is the parks and your friends. CBR ticks the boxes for practicality, and AKL is the experience. What is your gut instinct telling you? My gut would tell me- Quick hop onto skyliner to see friends and get to parks or long walk down AKL hallway and then a wait for a bus at a resort you aren’t going to get to spend time at? cBR wins.

 

[lockets]

Where are your friends staying?

 

[ShannyMcB]

AKL sounds amazing but if you are looking for convenience CBR is great. We stayed there in 2021 overall is was nice. The trek from the skyliner to our room was rough on the kids at the end of the night and the one time we had to get back from epcot on a bus wasn't so magical....but the hotel was clean and pretty. For a single adult with park heavy time I say save the $ and keep your hoppers. But request a room close to either the CBR liner or closest to Riveria so you can walk to their station. We got "upgraded" to a preferred room near the lobby and would have rather had a standard in one of the buildings we had actually requested. But it was 2021 and we were so happy to be there we were not picky!

 

[ktink]

I can't ever leave well enough alone either. I would go with AKL especially for that small of a price difference.

 

[Miffy]

OP--You didn't say what the room view would be at AKL. That would make a big difference to me. A standard-view room there can end up looking at nothing--or you could get lucky and get a partial savanna view.

I wouldn't want to stay in a standard-view room at AKL. That's just me. The reason I stay there is to sit on the balcony and watch the animals.

But . . . you're hardly going to be there. I don't really see the attraction in that case, and I'm so surprised that the price difference is minimal. Although . . . I'm a park-hopping fan. I wouldn't want to give that up.

One other reason to stay at AKL would be to take advantage of how close it is to DAK and how often the DAK buses come. If that's the park where you're going to be spending a great deal of time, then staying at AKL makes sense.

CBR doesn't appeal to me at all, so I can't help you there, and since I enjoy POFQ, I gather our tastes are quite different.

Good luck with your choice. Really, you can't go wrong. You'll be at WDW and with your friends. And having a great time!

 

[megs1313]

I hate CBR, BUT…

If you can’t enjoy the lodge, the convenience of the skyliner ESPECIALLY with hopper tickets is too good to pass up. Building 55 is my suggestion.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

However, because I can never leave well enough alone, I keep checking back on the website to see if any other more interesting spots have opened up within my relative price range.

LOL....I can relate to this as I'm the same way. Totally me----Books WDW trip, every day until said trip, checking website for other options

I've stayed at both and while I love AKL and the resort, it's not worth cutting your hoppers and spending more money if you'll not be at the resort very much. The only way I would choose AKL over CBR for your stay, is if you really really wanted extended eve hours which you'd get with lodging at AKL OR if you had a very AK park centered trip and would be at AK more than other parks. Also, is the AKL room a standard or savanna view? We've stayed savanna view and wouldn't see a perk of being there if we couldn't wake up that view. Granted you can see the animals from points all over the resort, but having your room on the savanna makes a big difference and the room rates for savanna view may be much higher than what you're currently comparing to CBR.

CBR has it's pros/cons for sure but IMO, it's a great resort if you'll be in the parks more than in your room. And on that vein, if you want to save money and get similar benefits of the skyliner, POP or AofA are also great options and line up great with park centered trips. Refreshed rooms, skyliner, buses to MK/AK (just like CBR). Unless you're going to use the pools or do any lobby/resort time at CBR, I would go with a value for a solo room selection. Plenty of space for one person.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I hate CBR, BUT…

If you can’t enjoy the lodge, the convenience of the skyliner ESPECIALLY with hopper tickets is too good to pass up. Building 55 is my suggestion.

Ditto, my least favorite mod.