AKL vs CBR - help!

[prettymom]

Because of a group rate, my family has a chance to stay at either Animal Kingdom Lodge or Caribbean Beach Resort at a good discount for six nights. Both have the same rate. This is our first family trip to Disney World. We're a family of five - kids ages 9, 6, and 1. The one-year-old prefers a spot in a bed over a pack n' play. I am drawn to AKL for the cool factor, but the new CBR rooms with the murphy bed are probably more comfortable for our family. We could make do in the room at AKL if it's worth it. We won't have a car, and they both seem pretty far from MK with the little one that will need a mid-day nap, but those are the choices. Our trip is in February so I don't know how much the pools play into the decision.

Please help! Any insights you have to guide me with this decision are most welcome. I want to stay at all the resorts!!!

 

[kerri0616]

AKL. It's an experience in itself. If I could buy DVC, I'd buy points there. And don't let people tell you it's too far from the parks. Everything is relatively close together.

Enjoy!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Both are big resorts with a bunch of walking. Transport is about equal for most parks.

AKL has giraffes.
AKL wins. Put the littlest in a pack and play or co sleep.

 

[magicaldisney]

A deluxe vs. a moderate. The deluxe would win out for me. We love AKL and I don't think you should pass up the opportunity to stay there at a good rate. My guess would be that your discount is for a standard view, not a savanna view?

 

[TinkerShellyBell]

Can you do a split stay? Maybe start with two days at CBR and then move to AKL for the last 4? That way you could experience both resorts and the differences in mod vs deluxe.
We have stayed at both when the kids were younger - and loved them both. If you can't split, I would agree with everyone else so far and also recommend the AKL - especially since it sounds like a great discount.

 

[mickeynut1]

Because of a group rate, my family has a chance to stay at either Animal Kingdom Lodge or Caribbean Beach Resort at a good discount for six nights. Both have the same rate. This is our first family trip to Disney World. We're a family of five - kids ages 9, 6, and 1. The one-year-old prefers a spot in a bed over a pack n' play. I am drawn to AKL for the cool factor, but the new CBR rooms with the murphy bed are probably more comfortable for our family. We could make do in the room at AKL if it's worth it. We won't have a car, and they both seem pretty far from MK with the little one that will need a mid-day nap, but those are the choices. Our trip is in February so I don't know how much the pools play into the decision.

Please help! Any insights you have to guide me with this decision are most welcome. I want to stay at all the resorts!!!

We've stayed at both and you really can't go wrong with either one (IMO) as they are both great, but like everyone else, my choice would be AKL (especially if you can get it for the same price as CBR). AKL is kind of isolated, but in our experience, it never took more than maybe 5 extra minutes to get to MK (or any other park) compared to other resorts. Since the buses only service AKL and Kidani, there's no sharing with any other resort(s). With that said, CBR will be an option in the future (for 1 room) once your youngest turns 3, but AKL would require you to get 2 rooms as standard rooms only accommodate 4 + 1 under the age of 3. Good luck.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Deluxe vs Mod. I would be staying at AKL because it's my fave resort. But you said you want to stay at all of the resorts, so do you have the option to do a split stay and is that something you would want to do with 3 kids under the age of 10? Just giving you options, but again, my choice would be AKL hands down.

 

[loves to dive]

Another vote for AKL. The resort is a destination in itself. I didn't find any of the buses to be any longer than the buses anywhere else on site.

 

[mmmears]

I would choose AKL. They have great theming, lovely savannas with animals (there are nice places to sit and watch them), unique kids activities, great dining choices, etc.

 

[Kae]

Hands down AKL

 

[married2mm]

I'm just curious -how are they the same price?!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

AKL hands down.

 

[prettymom]

Married2mm - I have no idea how they are offered at the same price. Supply and demand, I suppose.

Thank you for the very clear voting! We'll try AKL!

 

[brinkley07]

AKL hands down! We love this resort.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

AKL 100%

 

[dreamit]

Another vote for AKL.

 

[rcraw45425]

For the record, current passholder rate for CBR for our trip in December is $211 for Pirate room, AKL standard is $238. As a rule deluxe resorts usually have a larger % off

 

[Baklava]

For the record, current passholder rate for CBR for our trip in December is $211 for Pirate room, AKL standard is $238. As a rule deluxe resorts usually have a larger % off

Wow! Almost makes me wonder what it would cost to upgrade to an AP to get that sort of rate for AKL.

 

[rcraw45425]

Wow! Almost makes me wonder what it would cost to upgrade to an AP to get that sort of rate for AKL.

I went ahead and bought two APs (one for me and one for our younger daughter). This year we were at the CR in May for four nights (3 day hopers) and we were at the Poly in September for the Halloween Party (1 day hoppers). I had booked a college spring break trip for she and I for next March, that's when I started considering APs again (it's been 10 years since we've had them). After I ordered them I was able to get a passholder rate at the CR for a wing room, then was able to get it changed to a standard room at the Poly for like $12 more per night. Then the little imp on my shoulder said "why not go next month to see the Osborne Lights one more time....." so I booked passholder at Pop for like $150 with tax per night. Then found the AKL room for $228 +tax....... it's an addiction!

ETA two platinum APs (the only ones we can buy since we're GA residents) were right at $1600 with tax

 

[cassie58]

AKL without a doubt. We love CSR , but were able to buy DVC pts cheaply through a friend, and got to try AKL last trip for 2 days- so amazing! Lodge is beautiful and animals right outside all the time. DD doesn't want to stay anywhere else(if she was wealthy!). We had to move our FD trip for Nov. this time to week before Christmas so did not get CSR, could only get POP, but I was able to buy one nt from our friend again, so will wake up at AKL Christmas Eve morning to savannah view( surprise for DD)! If you can get savannah view it is awesome - like your backyard with giraffes and zebras! If not, lots of viewing areas to see them, even night vision goggles to check them out in the evening. Also great activities for kids - making feeders with treats they put out for giraffes, African drumming, animal tracking, etc. DD(then 10) did several of them.