animal kingdom lodge or caribean beach?

[BIG SCRIBBY]

My family and I are planning a trip to disney world next october. We wanted to know wich resort would be better. Price isn't a big deal.

 

[Demosthenes]

If price isn't a big deal, then by all means, go with the AKL (savannah view).

 

[ducklite]

I agree. If price isn't a concern, always opt for the deluxe resort for the extra amenities.

And be sure to a savannah view room.

Anne

 

[PugLover]

Originally posted by BIG SCRIBBY
My family and I are planning a trip to disney world next october. We wanted to know wich resort would be better. Price isn't a big deal.

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What defines a "better" resort for you? Size? Location? Ammenitites? Theming? Food choices? What may be better to me may not be to you.

Will you be using your resort for merely a place to "hang your hat" or will you be spending a good amount of time there (i.e. using the pool, walking the grounds and generally just relaxing)?

"Better" is just way to subjective. Example.. my in-laws travel to Sandals each Easter. They have for many, many, many years and they simple adore it. Last year I went to a Sandals and was hardly impressed by any aspect of it (rooms, food, theming/decorations). My husband and I went to a fanstastic resort in Mexico and loved it. We raved so much my in-laws decided to try it out one year and they were less than impressed. They enjoyed it but not nearly as much as DH and I. Is one "better" than the other? That is impossible to answer, it is all about personal opinion and preferance.

Maybe if you tell us a bit more about your families traveling habbits, likes and dislikes it will generate more productive responses for your planning purposes.

 

[mep319]

Stayed at both...CBR was my least favorite of all the moderate resorts I've stayed (I know it is many people favorite). AKL, on the other hand, is my FAVORITE WDW resort. I'd say AKL Savannah view!!

 

[PugLover]

Originally posted by mep319
Stayed at both...CBR was my least favorite of all the moderate resorts I've stayed (I know it is many people favorite). AKL, on the other hand, is my FAVORITE WDW resort. I'd say AKL Savannah view!!

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Just for my own informational purposes would you mind sharing why you disliked the CBR? DH and I will be staying there is Sept. and we always like to hear all opinions... positive and negative.

The biggest complaint I seem to read/hear is the bus system. We will be renting a car so I dont even make that a consideration.

Thanks!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I've stayed at both and liked both resorts for different reasons... if money isn't an object for you, then I would go with AKL. I like AKL because it has indoor cooridoors and one bus stop for the whole resort and the buses aren't shared with another resort. Walking around and watching the animals is great too!

 

[mep319]

Puglover...

The reason for not liking CBR...there were quite a few...some which may now be invalid...but here ya go...

I found the resort to be too large which I thought lead to several problems. The walk to Port Royale was long and we were one of the "closer" islands. Also because of the size of the resort the wait to get on a bus at the parks was usually very long especially after a parade or fireworks etc...if you did get on you frequently could not get a seat (mind you we went in September when crowds were low and it was still a problem!) And the ride back could be soooo long with all the stops! Getting on in the morning proved to be a problem too b/c depending on how many stops there were before your's the bus would either buzz by or again you had to stand. I understand you have a car but I find it too bothersome to drive while at WDW. We had a car but even with the long bus waits I'd still rather use WDW transporation, I find it easier.

Now I know CBR has been recently remodeled so my complaints about the room/bldgs may not be correct but I found the decor of both to look old and worn without getting into too much detail.

It is the one and only place both my DH and I said we would never go back to at WDW. People seem to love it though and I do admit we seem to be in the minority here but I really have nothing good to say about it. We much preferred POR and DL at the moderate levels, and I still think they are the best "bang for the buck." We stayed after they were combined as well and still never had the issues with transporation and liked the theming better.... Just my 2 cents, hope it helps!

 

[PugLover]

Thanks for your input mep319.

It sounds like your biggest gripe was w/transportation and we have solved that right off the bat by renting a car!

All the information I have come across says all the rooms have been refurbished so perhaps you went before that overhaul took place.

Thanks Again!

 

[morrow4]

My family just returned from AKL stay last night. We absolutely loved it and would definitely stay there again. My opinion is slightly different from most because I feel fine about NOT staying in a savannah view room. In fact, my children (ages 5 and 9) actually loved the pool view. I had faxed a room request for a "centrally located" room as advised on this site and ended up with a great location. We were on the 3rd floor (which is actually the lobby level) just a few rooms down from the stairs and elevator (which we used to get to the pool). I love wildlife, but we were glad for the poolview rather than the savannah view. My children really enjoyed going to the different lookouts to see how the areas where different with plants and animals. Just our opinion...

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by BIG SCRIBBY
My family and I are planning a trip to disney world next october. We wanted to know wich resort would be better. Price isn't a big deal.

If price is not a big deal then go for a savanna view room at the AKL. You did not say how many in your family. If you have 5 you will need a deluxe savanna view room at the AKL.

 

[lacdriver]

I would just like to say I have stayed at Cbr with my Dh in June. We choose this moderate b/c there was so many ppl on these boards that recommeded it. We were in a corner room with a king bed which was nice but not what we expected there was a very long wait for transportation. We've stayed Cs and loved IT!!!! the transportion was great there the buses were hardly full and ran like every 10 mins the thing with CBR is there travel time to the magic kingdom is long it felt like 20 mins of standing on our ride back even though we had a car of our own we only used it to go onto I- drive and we used Disney's buses for everything else. If your looking for more activties stay at the Deluxe resort. we also found the main pool at CBR to full and I mean Full. Cbr is rather large we even requested rooms in the front near everthing and ended up in Aruba so I don't know how they decieded who is staying where since we made ressie 4 mths prior to check-in. The deluxes are beatiful but its all up to your family's needs. even the WL is a beautiful resort the deluxes seem to have a lot to offer. Were as the moderates are more laid back and unstructerd.