AKL or Gran Destino for Thanksgiving

[imnotsancho]

Hello,

We had the AKL booked for Thanksgiving, but switched it last night to gran Destino due to price and the fact that it's "new."

We have a 4 year old (almost 5 by that time) and we are worried about the lack of theme and bus system the most. Do these issues warrant spending an extra 100 bucks a night for akl? Are we going to regret the switch or be happy we switched?

Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'd do AKL just for convenient access to Boma for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[imnotsancho]

I'd do AKL just for convenient access to Boma for Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanks. Is that worth 500 dollars though? Like is dinner included if you stay there? We would be arriving Thanksgiving day at some point....

 

[Shellyred8]

For a $500 savings, I'd stay at Gran Destino. The theming might not be quite as appealing to your little one, but there is still a pool to enjoy.

 

[Farro]

They both rely on buses only, so don't let that be a deciding factor.

Would your little one like the animals? That might be worth it.

Otherwise for food options, looks, etc. - I would choose Gran Destino.

I think the pool area at CSR looks pretty neat too.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Thanks. Is that worth 500 dollars though? Like is dinner included if you stay there? We would be arriving Thanksgiving day at some point....

No it is not. No way would I pick a place just for dinner, when you can get to any resort with minimal effort and cost. I can say that AKL is definitely the most unique themed WDW resort and we really like it. Both resorts only have bus transportation, which we rarely have issues with, so there is not much of a difference there. Our DDs actually like riding the buses, or any WDW transportation, it's part of the fun We also like the pool better at CSR over AKL, but Kidani has a much better water play area for little ones. Just based on the uniqueness of AKL Jambo, I would pick there unless $$ is tight. Also, if you will be spending most of your time at the parks, then why pay more $ for a place you won't be at much.
BTW; we will be at WDW for the week of Thanksgiving also

 

[imnotsancho]

Thank you for the replies. Right now, money is sort of a factor, but if it was a big enough difference, we would pick akl. The animals and general Africa theme are definitely appealing, especially for my daughter. But the pool is a big factor too and the Coronado springs one looks real nice.

We stayed a couple of years ago at Wilderness Lodge during that same time and it was amazing. When akl was the only affordable hotel available this time around, we liked that it reminded us of wilderness lodge, but obviously the distance from the non-animal kingdom parks made us iffy about it. So now that gran Destino opened up some rooms, I think it makes sense to switch. My wife also really likes the newness of it. I'm really talking myself into it. Haha!

As far as busses go, it's more about being able to get on a bus at all since it seems like gdt is the last stop of 4 to get on and off at at csr? Is this correct and has it been a pain?

 

[ChanaC]

I think it depends on how much time you plan on staying at the hotel. If you are the rope drop-to-fireworks people who are barely in the room, stick with Coronado. I don't want to say there is no point in staying at AKL if you are barely in the room, but realistically if you aren't spending much time there then save the money. However, if you plan on starting later in the day, or coming back earlier in the evening, or doing a mid-day break, consider AKL. And especially if you are doing a resort day.

I don't know exactly how true this is, but you might get a better view than you think at Coronado, especially if you are on a higher floor. Depending on what side or wing of the tower you are in, you might be able to see fireworks from some of the parks. Plus you might get a view of some of the park icons like Everest or Spaceship Earth.

 

[imnotsancho]

It will likely be later to the parks and there will most likely be a resort day. Is there a reason why akl is better in this instance? I ask because I got the feeling the pool is better at Coronado?

I booked a water view room for an extra 10 dollars over a standard view. We usually have bad luck with views, so we didn't want to risk getting a view of a parking lot. Haha

 

[Farro]

It will likely be later to the parks and there will most likely be a resort day. Is there a reason why akl is better in this instance? I ask because I got the feeling the pool is better at Coronado?

I booked a water view room for an extra 10 dollars over a standard view. We usually have bad luck with views, so we didn't want to risk getting a view of a parking lot. Haha

AKL is more themed than Gran Destino. It's a one of a kind hotel, I think they have a lot of activities for kids (at least pre-covid) and of course the animals.

Gran Destino/CSR is definitely not as "Disney" as AKL is as far as a theme. It's just very pretty from everything I've read. The grounds look gorgeous. More places to eat, drink. And you can see fireworks from the bar at the top, outside!
We booked a water view in the Tower - but know there is no balcony.

I don't think you can go wrong with either and both are on my list (Gran Destino first), but if you are okay with spending money, I'm going to say with a kid, you'll be better off at AKL just for the animals alone.

Although at 4 - would your child really notice the lesser theme at CSR? Look at videos of the pool/play area. It's like ruins of a temple!

 

[imnotsancho]

AKL is more themed than Gran Destino. It's a one of a kind hotel, I think they have a lot of activities for kids (at least pre-covid) and of course the animals.

Gran Destino/CSR is definitely not as "Disney" as AKL is as far as a theme. It's just very pretty from everything I've read. The grounds look gorgeous. More places to eat, drink. And you can see fireworks from the bar at the top, outside!
We booked a water view in the Tower - but know there is no balcony.

I don't think you can go wrong with either and both are on my list (Gran Destino first), but if you are okay with spending money, I'm going to say with a kid, you'll be better off at AKL just for the animals alone.

Although at 4 - would your child really notice the lesser theme at CSR? Look at videos of the pool/play area. It's like ruins of a temple!

Thank you!

 

[Farro]

Thank you!

Oh and from what I've been reading about the buses - pick up at the Tower was not the greatest during Covid due to less people allowed on buses. From what I've read lately, back to normal and no trouble getting on the bus. You can always walk to the other bus stop (I don't think far) which is the first pick up if you are worried about rope drop or something.

And, the perk (I guess ) of being picked up last is it's a quick ride to all the parks! Obviously you are dropped off last, but end of day, just enjoy the ride.

 

[imnotsancho]

Oh and from what I've been reading about the buses - pick up at the Tower was not the greatest during Covid due to less people allowed on buses. From what I've read lately, back to normal and no trouble getting on the bus. You can always walk to the other bus stop (I don't think far) which is the first pick up if you are worried about rope drop or something.

And, the perk (I guess ) of being picked up last is it's a quick ride to all the parks! Obviously you are dropped off last, but end of day, just enjoy the ride.

Ah that's good to know...

 

[ChanaC]

It will likely be later to the parks and there will most likely be a resort day. Is there a reason why akl is better in this instance? I ask because I got the feeling the pool is better at Coronado?

I booked a water view room for an extra 10 dollars over a standard view. We usually have bad luck with views, so we didn't want to risk getting a view of a parking lot. Haha

I'm not super familiar with the Coronado pool, but if you like it better, go for it! I believe that Coronado also has several smaller pools around the property which might be a good option if you are looking for a quieter place to hang out. The AKL Jambo pool is nice, but honestly nothing to write home about. The DVC side also has a pool and I believe it's also nice but not fantastic.

I think AKL is better for a resort day just because of the animals. If you get a savannah view you'll definitely want to spend a lot of time on your balcony looking at the animals. There is also a lookout area that is great. The resort itself has a lot of details and activities for kids. But take a look yourself and decide. If you Google/Youtube it you can find examples of the activities at each resort. Generally they all have some kind of outdoor movie night as well as pool games and crafts.

Also re: the view. From higher up on the tower, the view down doesn't matter as much as the view around, if that makes sense. For example, this appears to be a standard parking lot view, but instead of looking down, look at the horizon and in this case you get the Tower of Terror. Depending on when the DHS come back, you might get good views of the Star Wars fireworks and some of the higher Fantasmic fireworks. Not saying that the lake wouldn't be gorgeous, but the standard view might not be as bad as you think, once again depending on your floor.


Photo Source: https://allears.net/2019/07/08/pre-opening-take-a-peek-inside-the-gran-destino-towers-hotel-rooms/

 

[Devil13]

GDT is my favorite resort on property at this point. I'm not one that needs wall to wall Disney theming or have spent 1 minute in a pool, to be honest about where I'm coming from.

The price for what you get is unbeatable, the food options are generally underrated (especially 3 Bridges) and, as mentioned, the views from the higher floors rival most deluxe hotels.

I've stayed here 3 times, before COVID (twice), 'during' COVID (once) and can say the the busses were awful every time. Just be prepared to deal with that or to take an occasional Lyft.

I'll be back in late August too.