AKL or CSR

[married2mm]

Still can't decide...



For and against votes please.

 

[Micca]

There are a number of considerations here, starting with price. AKL is the nicer resort, but CSR has a lot going for it for a moderate. Will you have a car or use Disney transportation? Probably need a few more details to make a recommendation. If money or transportation is not a concern, AKL for the win.

 

[married2mm]

There are a number of considerations here, starting with price. AKL is the nicer resort, but CSR has a lot going for it for a moderate. Will you have a car or use Disney transportation? Probably need a few more details to make a recommendation. If money or transportation is not a concern, AKL for the win.

It would be around $500 more (planning a 5night stay)
Unless we upgrade dining-then would be around $150 difference in total.

We will have a car.
4 adults in the party.

We would use the gym in either csr or akl-
Therefore the location of health club may have a bearing..

I really like the look of both.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

I liked AKL but we didn't have a car. We stayed 4 nights and then moved over to the BWV. I love that area. I am glad I visited and got it out of my system. We are doing 1 night at CSR in Feb because we are not going to a park so proximity and busses don't concern me. Next time we go we will def be staying in an Epcot resort area.

If I were you and had a car then I think I would try AKL. It is beautiful. We had 2 kids and a room at the end of the earth so it was a pain. BUT we did have a savanna view and that was worth it. I say AKL IMO.

 

[Micca]

It would be around $500 more (planning a 5night stay)
Unless we upgrade dining-then would be around $150 difference in total.

We will have a car.
4 adults in the party.

We would use the gym in either csr or akl-
Therefore the location of health club may have a bearing..

I really like the look of both.

Thanks for the info. I can't comment on the gym facilities at either location, someone else can help with that. We've stayed at both resorts several times (always with a car.) CSR is really pretty, but it is a moderate, and probably technically is a motel because the parking lots are right next to the individual buildings. A common complaint about CSR is that it can be a trek to get to El Centro for food/shopping, any other hotel services you might require. That was never a concern for us because we didn't necessarily need to eat at the resort with all the other choices at WDW. Of course you can always drive to the main building.

AKL is really pretty spectacular from the aesthetic standpoint, and the restaurants are among some of the best on property. It can be a haul from your room to the lobby area, but you'll be indoors. A lot of folks enjoy the aspect of the animals which are visible from some room categories, and you can always go to the lobby and see them from there.

They are two very different experiences, both nice, just depends on your tastes. As I stated before, with a car, and minimal concern for the extra expense, AKL is a great choice.

 

[married2mm]

Thanks for the info. I can't comment on the gym facilities at either location, someone else can help with that. We've stayed at both resorts several times (always with a car.) CSR is really pretty, but it is a moderate, and probably technically is a motel because the parking lots are right next to the individual buildings. A common complaint about CSR is that it can be a trek to get to El Centro for food/shopping, any other hotel services you might require. That was never a concern for us because we didn't necessarily need to eat at the resort with all the other choices at WDW. Of course you can always drive to the main building.

AKL is really pretty spectacular from the aesthetic standpoint, and the restaurants are among some of the best on property. It can be a haul from your room to the lobby area, but you'll be indoors. A lot of folks enjoy the aspect of the animals which are visible from some room categories, and you can always go to the lobby and see them from there.

They are two very different experiences, both nice, just depends on your tastes. As I stated before, with a car, and minimal concern for the extra expense, AKL is a great choice.

Thanks very much for your added input.

I think we may simply make the decision by the dining preferences.
So, food becomes the decider....

 

[mickeynut1]

My choice would be AKL. We've never stayed at CSR, but we love AKL. The resort is beautiful, the pool is nice, dining options are great, and we found the buses to be fine. The resort is out away from everything, but in our experience, it didn't take more than maybe 5 extra minutes to get to any of the parks compared to other resorts (the buses only service AKL and Kidani, so there's no sharing with any other resort). Good luck.

 

[tj2002]

I'm jumping in because I am also debating between AKL (standard-view) or CSR (business class). We will have a car. 2 adults and 1 toddler. I've already stayed at AKL and loved it, but it's been a few years. Never stayed at CSR before. It's a $200 price difference. Thoughts?

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We have stayed at both and prefer AKL hands down. At the price differences I am seeing here, and if it was not going to kill the budget, I would definitely go with AKL. Its all one contained building and the atmosphere there is really special. having the animals there 24/7 is amazing. There are also a lot of at the resort activities for both kids and adults you won't find at CSR. If pools are a consideration, we vastly prefer the ones at AKL. You would also have access to a very nice pool at Kidani Villas and there is a shuttle van with constant service between the 2 buildings. Dining at AKL also wins hands down. The food is amazing in all 3 restaurants, and the food court is probably one of the best. The only one I have had that was better was Art of Animation for sheer variety.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

AKL 100%. The resort is breathtaking! The Mara is wonderful, as are the full service dining options. Plus, Giraffes! AKL takes my breath away. CSR to me was poorly laid out and I got lost a lot even being there just one day. The AKL pool is also much nicer and larger.

 

[marchingstar]

this is making me excited for our AKL stay next month! we visited the resort last trip for a lunch at Sanaa and i totally fell for the place.

that trip (it was May of this year) we were staying at CSR. If you're considering business class, the layout of the resort is much less of a concern. the business class rooms are all in building 9B. if you find a map of the resort you'll see it's a prime location--maybe 2 minutes from el centro and a short walk to the pool. CSR is central, and all it seemed quick to get anywhere on Disney property. as for the business class lounge, I would say it was okay but not amazing. we definitely enjoyed an afternoon beer/sangria if we were around in the afternoon, and we usually grabbed a banana and filled our water bottles too. for the most part the food is so so. deli meats, cold cereal, nothing to write home about really.

to me, CBR was beautiful and really enjoyable, but when we visit in November we're staying at AKL, so that might tell you something! it's just stunning, and worth the extra money to try to me. I think in your shoes I would consider what else I could do with the 500 dollar difference. fancier/more unique meals? a direct flight or upgraded rental? if there somewhere else that money could go, it's just a matter of which option will feel like the best way to add something special to your trip. and I'm sure you'll have a great stay at either resort

 

[LJSquishy]

I'm here at AKL Jambo House right now (yay!) and stayed at CSR in 2012 so I have experience with both resorts. AKL is seriously 1000% better in all ways. Restaurants are great, including The Mara, the staff is amazing throughout the resort...everyone from front desk, door greeters, food service, housekeeping, etc are all very friendly and pleasant to be around. Unfortunately our 7 night stay at CSR was the complete opposite... Everyone was grumpy when we were there it was terrible. AKL has indoor hallways where your room door is where CSR has exterior doors like a motel. Room quality is nicer at AKL. We happen to have a savanna view but even if you book standard, there are lots of places to view the animals and they even have staff outside all day that will tell you about the animals you're seeing. AKL is very dark in the lobby and the rooms are a little dark as well but I find it extremely relaxing after a long day. It's a large resort but is very quiet (CSR was also quiet except when people rolled their suitcases along the concrete across your doorway). Victoria Falls Lounge is relaxing and peaceful if you like to have a drink. There's a small indoor firepit with chairs around near the lobby, and a firepit outside with rocking chairs. I can't say enough positive things about AKL, really. It's that great. CSR is fine, but if it's really only $500 more to stay at AKL you won't be sorry...well worth it.

 

[LJSquishy]

I'm jumping in because I am also debating between AKL (standard-view) or CSR (business class). We will have a car. 2 adults and 1 toddler. I've already stayed at AKL and loved it, but it's been a few years. Never stayed at CSR before. It's a $200 price difference. Thoughts?

AKL no question. If you've stayed at AKL before you know how great it is and CSR will definitely disappoint you if you're expecting something even remotely similar.