coronado springs or animal kingdom lodge?

[bearyouknow]

Trip for one week in Novemner. The price difference is about $900 more to stay at animal kingdom lodge. Is it worth the extra money to stay at the deluxe or do other extras like the Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, etc. Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

love the AKL - but $900 is a lot of money - besides for a moderate it has some deluxe stuff - salon, gym, that is because it is also a convention center. besides CSR is closer to the action than AKL.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

We really liked both resorts. We would stay at AKL again if we planned on more resort time. DH & I went without our kids. We loved talking to the cast members about their countries and seeing the animals from our balcony. We plan on eating at Jiko this summer so the kids( college age) can spend some time enjoying the resort and seeing the animals. CSR is beautifully landscaped and we were very comfortable there. Had planned on staying this year in Dec, but got a magical deal for our favorite BC. We had no bus issues there, were satisfied with the food court and had friendly cast members. It worked well for the budget for our week between Christmas and New Years last year.

You wont go wrong with either resort. I guess it really depends on the time you plan on spending at the resort. For more resort time-AKL. More park time and extras-CSR.

 

[Babsy]

It is difficult to recommend one resort over the other without knowing more about the situation. Which is the better choice depends upon many factors. The blanket answer is yes, AKL is worth the price difference. It is a deluxe hotel and the CSR is a moderate. In WDW you very much get what you pay for.

My opinion:
If the budget allows, I would stay at AKL. I prefer the deluxe resorts over the moderates
However, I am usually fine without doing 'extras'. For example, I have found the MVMCP to be a huge disappointment. (Just my opinion, of course, others will disagree I am sure. It seems like paying a premium for a few extra hours in the MK.)

We spend a lot of time enjoying the resort and its facilities. Also, it is important to me to have a balcony to relax on with a coffee or a drink before bed.

However, I have stayed at the moderates as well as the values many times and enjoyed the trips tremendously. It all comes down to budget, how you plan to spend your vacation and who you are travelling with. We tended to do more value and moderate trips when the kids were young. Now we are older and slower so we never try to see a rope drop and are satisfied with much fewer hours a day in the theme parks. I have spent days in Epcot without getting on a single ride. My priorities are quite possibly very different from yours.

You have to decide on what you want. Do you want a more luxurious resort with slightly larger rooms, a balcony, and interior hallways or do you want to spend the $$$ on a late night party in the MK or perhaps a special tour? Will you even be at the resort enough to enjoy the slight differences? CSR does offer a lot for a moderate resort. There is a spa/salon and a fitness centre. There is the option to book a business class room. Dining options are great at CSR. (But better at the AKL) The pool is awesome at both resorts. The rooms are 314 sq ft compared to the 344 sq ft at the AKL, I believe. Not a huge difference. There are beautiful grounds to walk around at CSR. The animal viewing areas are great at AKL, but we liked walking around CSR more.

Both are great resorts. I am sure that you will enjoy whichever you choose.

Good luck!

 

[HopperFan]

We had stayed at CSR a few times and AKL already. Loved both. I thought when I booked AKL again my family would be happy since we loved it. As we are floating in the pool my DH says "What happened to the pyramid? I thought our hotel had a pyramid." Uh that is CSR and had I known that I could have saved some money.

For $900 I would much rather stay at CSR and include parties and special fun or eats. I don't think it's worth $900 extra when all the best parts - the lobby, the restaurants, the animal viewing .... are all possible to non-AKL guests.

 

[JennyDrake]

Having stayed at AKL 3x and CSR once, I can easily say to save your money and stay at CSR. Go visit AKL one evening for a meal and animal watching!

 

[bearyouknow]

very fine replies. thanks

 

[goofy friend]

CSR for sure

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I am staying at AKL next month. I have a pool view, which at the AP rate is about the same price as a preferred room at CSR. I like both resorts. AKL's pool and restaurants are amazing. I don't need a savanna room because I can easily walk outside to see the animals. But $900 is quite a difference. For that much, if budget is a concern, I'd stay at CSR.
FYI - pool view rooms at AKL (Jambo House) are the best locations for accessing the pool and dining options. AKL (like CSR) is huge. Most other room categories will have you walking a LOT.

 

[Lucius Best]

We've stayed at both, personally for $900 difference, I'm fine with CSR, since we're usually at the park all day anyway. I second the idea of previous poster, make a dinner ADR at Boma/Jiko/Sanaa, get there early to walk around and check out the animals and resort.

 

[720L]

AKL is my favorite resort, but not enough to spend $900 more for it. CSR is a beautiful resort.

 

[Ruminater]

Three years ago we did a split stay with 5 days at CSR and 2 at AKL Savanna View. We loved both resorts and I'm glad we stayed at AKL but for $900 I'd stay at CSR. Of course this year we're staying at the Beach Club and the difference between BC and CSR was more than $900. We really liked the idea of being able to walk to Epcot though I would guess a future trip will take us back to CSR. So I guess you're the only one that can answer if AKL has $900 more value for you, but I would bet either would be a wonderful trip.

 

[bibba410]

Trip for one week in Novemner. The price difference is about $900 more to stay at animal kingdom lodge. Is it worth the extra money to stay at the deluxe or do other extras like the Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, etc. Thanks

We love AKL - but I know we sure could do a lot with $900! I'd say if you're on a tighter budget spend that money elsewhere - like on special activities or fun places to eat. You're not in your room that often anyway. My DH stayed at Coronado Springs before and he liked it. Only issue he said was that it was pretty big. But, hey, most of the Disney resorts are large.

 

[pixarmom]

I am staying at AKL next month. I have a pool view, which at the AP rate is about the same price as a preferred room at CSR. I like both resorts. AKL's pool and restaurants are amazing. I don't need a savanna room because I can easily walk outside to see the animals. But $900 is quite a difference. For that much, if budget is a concern, I'd stay at CSR.
FYI - pool view rooms at AKL (Jambo House) are the best locations for accessing the pool and dining options. AKL (like CSR) is huge. Most other room categories will have you walking a LOT.

I love the pool view rooms at AKL and believe they are one of the best values on property. I actually prefer the view of the pool over the view of the animals (although my kids would disagree!)

I'd generally choose AKL (we've stayed there twice) over CSR (we've stayed there three times.) But I agree with babsy - depends on your vacation plans. Some of us use our room and the resort extensively. Some do not. Some - like our family - vary our use of the resort and alternate between deluxe, mod and value.

 

[Tonyz]

If I didn't get the big late summer discount for AKL, I'd probably be back at Coronado. I loved Coronado and if you don't want to spent the cash on the deluxe, it's fantastic.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

IMO,

The answer is ALWAYS Animal Kingdom Lodge. Always.

 

[Ceryssa]

Normally I'd say deluxe is worth it, always. But if it means giving up MVMCP...I don't know if I could do that.

 

[HopperFan]

Just an FYI -
Our first AKL was Savanna view. Amazing.
Last trip this was my AKL Pool View room view, which was also noisy .............. not always a value.