redbirdgrad
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2001
- Messages
- 253
Returned from my 5 night stay at AKL (1st time) and 6 night stay at the CR (3rd time).
AKL - checked in at 11:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning - got upgraded from standard to a Savannah room - on the Ostrich Trail - 5th floor. I had booked a standard room with the August rate through Dreams Unlimited (who by the way did a great job for me), figuring a good chance at an upgrade and if not no big deal. From our room we saw throughout the 5 days - giraffes, ostrich, cattle, vultures, and a variety of other animals. However, would I pay for a savannah room next time - nope, it was nice but my kids (age 10 and 7) spent maybe 10 minutes on the balcony all week - they enjoyed it but I wouldn't pay an extra $70+ a night for a few minutes of seeing the animals. Especially when there are so many other places in the hotel that you can view the animals from. We enjoyed the pool, the slide and the arcade (we're spoiled with the CR arcade). Got a chance to use the laundry facilities, eat breakfast at BOMA, and a few meals at the Mara. We found no problems with the bus service - the longest ride to the MK was about 12 minutes, and I planned this part of the trip around AK and MGM so most rides were short. The hotel was very nice, clean, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it or to stay there again. I know the big comparison usually on the board is AKL vs. WL - I've done both, my opinion is - it depends on you - if your going to be spending alot of time at the MK and can't stay on a monorail resort - the WL is a great option. If you are going to be doing all parks - the AKL is a great option.
The CR - checked in on the 12th with a standard wing room - I've been upgraded to the tower before but they had no tower rooms available due to some water damage. My family loves the convenience of the monorail and we've stayed at the CR twice before. We had room 7375 in the North wing looking at the castle, monorail and north wing parking lot. We were able to see Wishes from our room. Always enjoy the CR pool, did the mice boat, Chef Mickeys breakfast and walked to the park three times. Any monorail resort is great if your focusing on the MK and for getting over to EPCOT. Had some very nice conversations with CR employees on dealing with Hurricane Charley. The fun center is still great for the kids and the food center is probably too small for the resort but does the job it needs to do. Kids want to try the Polynesian next so I think that will be the next Disney Resort.
AKL - checked in at 11:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning - got upgraded from standard to a Savannah room - on the Ostrich Trail - 5th floor. I had booked a standard room with the August rate through Dreams Unlimited (who by the way did a great job for me), figuring a good chance at an upgrade and if not no big deal. From our room we saw throughout the 5 days - giraffes, ostrich, cattle, vultures, and a variety of other animals. However, would I pay for a savannah room next time - nope, it was nice but my kids (age 10 and 7) spent maybe 10 minutes on the balcony all week - they enjoyed it but I wouldn't pay an extra $70+ a night for a few minutes of seeing the animals. Especially when there are so many other places in the hotel that you can view the animals from. We enjoyed the pool, the slide and the arcade (we're spoiled with the CR arcade). Got a chance to use the laundry facilities, eat breakfast at BOMA, and a few meals at the Mara. We found no problems with the bus service - the longest ride to the MK was about 12 minutes, and I planned this part of the trip around AK and MGM so most rides were short. The hotel was very nice, clean, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it or to stay there again. I know the big comparison usually on the board is AKL vs. WL - I've done both, my opinion is - it depends on you - if your going to be spending alot of time at the MK and can't stay on a monorail resort - the WL is a great option. If you are going to be doing all parks - the AKL is a great option.
The CR - checked in on the 12th with a standard wing room - I've been upgraded to the tower before but they had no tower rooms available due to some water damage. My family loves the convenience of the monorail and we've stayed at the CR twice before. We had room 7375 in the North wing looking at the castle, monorail and north wing parking lot. We were able to see Wishes from our room. Always enjoy the CR pool, did the mice boat, Chef Mickeys breakfast and walked to the park three times. Any monorail resort is great if your focusing on the MK and for getting over to EPCOT. Had some very nice conversations with CR employees on dealing with Hurricane Charley. The fun center is still great for the kids and the food center is probably too small for the resort but does the job it needs to do. Kids want to try the Polynesian next so I think that will be the next Disney Resort.
