AKL or CSR - Please advise Guru's

[Anjelica]

We are looking at a trip in February (our 2 year old daughters first) and can't decide between AKL or CSR. We have stayed at AKL before and LOVED it even though we didn't have a savannah room (we had pool). This time, to save a little money, my husband only wants to pay for parking lot view if we go to AKL - which is fine by myself as well because we can still walk around and see the great animals.

I have heard that CSR is beautiful (although big and I'm not much for walking with a tired, cranky 2 year old). So that resort has peaked my interest for not only its price but also because it seems very beautiful.

So my dilemma, and am open to all honest opinoins/reviews - should I try CSR and if so would I be happy? or should I go with what I know and love - AKL. We will have a rental car (if that makes any difference on where we stay).

Please help all you Disneyworld guru's.....

 

[Anjelica]

 

[Selket]

We stayed at AKL 2 years ago when my kids were 5 and 20 months old and at CSR just last week - my sons are now 3.5 and 7.5 years old.

We loved AKL too - beautiful place. It can be a long walk to the pool and Mara depending on where your room is of course. CSR is also very nice - beautiful landscaping and the pool is neat. We liked Pepper Market well enough and all the CM"s were very nice. I just am VERY thankful that we ended up being put in a room close to the main building because it is a very long walk if you are on the other side. Actually our building was about directly opposite the main pool and it seemed like a long schelp over there in the evening once you are tired and just want to go for a quick swim. We didn't choose the quiet pool because we needed the baby pool for our 3.5 year old. At least at AKL you can do your walking inside in the A/C. At CSR you will be outside walking most of the time. There are golf carts used as shuttles around the resort but we found they were often full when they passed us!

Of course you are going in February so you shouldn't be dealing with the heat like that in July!

However CSR is a good value for the money. With little kids I still think I prefer POFQ - much smaller area to walk and the pool is better themed for younger kids overall. We stayed at CSR because we were attending a convention. The bus service at CSR was as good as what we had at AKL - both seem to have dedicated bus service.

I think I like AKL better. If money is an issue choose CSR (although I like POFQ better). If you can swing the $$$$ and get a discount perhaps try a standard view room at the CR? You can walk to the MK - we did that in May and it was the favorite of my kids - they were wishing we were going back there rather than CSR! LOL!

 

[10drum]

I have not stayed at AKL, but we stayed in CSR once because we couldn't get a good rate at a deuxe(Easter week). We liked it alot, the food court was good, the pool was nice, the grounds are great, and the bus service was tremendous. Other than a smaller room, I couldn't tell it from a deluxe. We like the larger rooms with a day bed at the deluxes, because our children are older, and do not like sharing a bed. Other forms of transportation to the parks is my reason for choosing deluxes. So if I compare CSR to AKL, I'd need a good rate to choose AKL over CSR.

 

[Buzz2001]

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below