AKL, CSR or somewhere else? suggestions pls.

[BitsnBearsMom]

We want to extend our vacation an extra 2 nights but we're out of DVC points . We will be at VWL from Aug 26-31 and want to try somewhere we've never been for the last 2 nights before we fly home. Past trips we've stayed at WL, BWV, SSR, OKW - there will be myself, my dh, and 2 boys 13yo and 7yo. I have an AP so am hoping to score an AP rate for that time - the last 2 nights will be mostly relaxing time with perhaps a little bit of the parks thrown in for our last day on the Saturday.

Are the rooms at CSR much smaller then the delux resorts? Are AKL Sav. views really 'worth' the extra $$?? We've never even visited AKL on our past visits - has always been somewhere we've tried to get to without success but perhaps I should wait for AKLV and try it out that way?

Decisions decisions!!

 

[MessyJ]

We've never stayed at CSR or AKL, but have walked around both. AKL is one of our favorite hotels, and we would be staying there if we could afford it. If you decide to stay here, definitely get the Sav. view. We were able to walk out the back of the hotel to view the Sav., and it is amazing! There really were giraffes and zebras grazing right up next to the hotel balconies. Even with a pool view, you would be able to see animals in the distance (past the pool) from most balconies. Not NEARLY as close, though. If you don't get the Sav. view or the pool view, you'll likely be looking out over the parking lot. If it were me, I'd stay in a Sav. room or stay at a different resort. We haven't been to Jiko yet, but we had my favorite restaurant experience at WDW to date at Boma. Wonderful African-inspired cuisine!

As for CSR, I have to admit it is my least favorite of the moderate resorts. It is the only moderate that doesn't have a table service restaurant, and it is the least elaborately themed. There is a convention center inside, and the casitas and ranchos definitely seem geared toward visiting business travelers. The ranchos especially seem very blah, not much theming at all. I would request to stay at the cabanas. However, the rooms in the cabanas and casitas are identical, and the casitas are much closer to the lobby/food court, so it depends on what you're looking for.

In comparing room sizes, the rooms at AKL are 344 sq. ft. on floors 1-4, and 381 sq. ft. on floors 5-6. The average room size at CSR is 314 sq. ft., a difference of 30-70 sq. ft.

If you decide on a moderate resort, and don't have your heart set on CSR, my DW and I highly recommend POR. It has all the advantages of CSR, plus a nice table service restaurant (Boatwright's), and TONS more atmosphere. Request an Alligator Bayou room with a river or garden view. I would also recommend POFQ and CBR before CSR, unless you have a special place in your heart for Hispanic heritage, of course. And no matter where you stay, have fun!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Ummmmmmm...I am pretty sure CSR has a TS restaurant....Hispanic Heritage?????????????????????????????

 

[disneydance]

i reccomend akl nicer rooms with bunk beds 4 the kids

 

[Buzz2001]

I love CSR!! I wouldn't try to compare it to a deluxe but it is a great resort. Check out these threads and visit my CSR website below for some info on the resort to help you make your decision.

CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT QUICK INFO

PEPPER MARKET FOOD PHOTOS

JUST BACK THREADS

Best Food Court – Voted by DIS’ers
Pepper Market. Huge portions, great choices and tasty food. Lunch/Dinner Menu

Best Pool – Voted by Dis’ers
Best mod pool. It offers a great slide (123 ft long), an arcade, a sand volleyball court, and a playground at the main pool area.

Photo by Ducky4Disney

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Thanks all - the pool at CSR looks cool - dh is thinking of buying more DVC points perhaps at AKL but wants to visit there first - not sure if visit meant stay there or what - still unsure of what we are going to do.

Buzz2001 - great CSR website - thanks for the info!!

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR looks even better in person. Maybe you can do a split stay. CSR is right around the corner from AKL. Have a great trip!!

 

[bgdiznee]

We have stayed at AKL with a savanah view room. The resort is beautiful. All the restaurants have very exotic and unusual foods to try along with the basics. The resort is like no other on property. All WDW resorts are "themed" but AKL just seems more elaborate in carrying out that their theme. Just remember because of the animals the resort is isolated from the rest of WDW and you will feel that (and know it with commute times) I'm not being negative. If you like being in the middle of things, you won't feel that here. Also you may be happier to have a car to use for your transportation. We relied on the buses and just had some less than good experiences at AKL compared with other resorts. But there are other posters that I'm sure had no problems. Having said all this we are staying at CSR in Oct. This will be our first time not staying deluxe and we are looking forward to CSR. The resort looks great and since we know its also isolated compared with most other resorts and we will have a car this time so transportation will be a non issue. By the way the CSR does have a TS its called Maya Grill.

 

[KodakFigment]

If you are looking for a place to unwind and enjoy then I recommend AKL. You do NOT need a savannah view to enjoy the animals. Everywhere you walk you can see them. If you get a Pool view on Zebra trail then the savannah lookouts are directly across from your room. The same is true for standard view rooms on the Ostrich trail. Just a note, we have stayed in 2 pool view rooms - you cannot see the savannah even in the distance. The trees have grown too large. there is a lot to do in the hotel and you really can spend a day or two here and not miss the parks. Don't miss the culinary tour! Just to be honest though, we have not stayed at CSR yet - it's our August destination!