Coronado vs. AKL pool

[dizneyfan]

Considering a May trip and would like to stay at Coronado or AKL. Have stayed at Coronado and loved it. My boys, 8 and 6, loved the Dig Site pool two years ago. While the AKL is obviously an upgrade as resorts go, can anyone tell me how the pool at AKL compares to the Dig Site?

Thanks for any input.

 

[icydog]

Don't know about the Coronado but the AK pool is lovely but small. Smaller than any WDW resorts feature pool I think. What is nice is that dyou walk in like at a beach and is therefore easily accessed. I think it has some slide or water attraction but since I have no young childr4en I can't remember.

 

[Quasi123]

We have stayed at both hotels. We all prefer Coronado's dig site pool. My DDs, 8 and 14, say the slide is much better too.

 

[TNMomof3]

I have to disagree with the AKL pool being small. According to WDWIG - The Uzima Springs pool is the largest on Disney property, over 11,000 square feet.

I'm not familiar with the Dig Site pool at CS, but we loved the AKL pool. It has a slide, two nice hot tubs and the pool water appears to be a pretty green color. It is supposed to resemble a watering hole. I guess it is just the bottom of the pool that makes it look that way. We fell in love with AKL!

 

[jdkdorn]

The pool at the AKL is the largest of all pools at WDW. The only problem is that is has the least amenities. It has one small waterslide, but we really liked the pool. You never feel like you are too crowded and you can have fun without disturbing others.
I have an 8yr DD and she would have stayed in the pool the entire trip, if we had let her. It stays open late and we were there every night until 10-11

I liked the hot tubs too, they are hidden behind areas so you hear less of the pool noise and can relax.

The primary source of recreation at Animal Kingdom Lodge is its 11,000 square foot pool. Located off the Uzima Savannah, the pool has many places to explore. There are two-eighteen person Jacuzzis located on either side of the pool. Between them is small playground, and a small alcove that overlooks the Flamingo area of the Uzima Savannah. Often times at night, you will find Thompson's Gazelles and/or Zebra in this area, drinking from the watering hole.

The pool area is expansive, with an abundance of lounges surrounding all areas of the pool. There is also a fairly good sized pool bar as well.

 

[dizneyfan]

Thanks for the input....anymore opinions out there?

 

[mrsltg]

I'd go with the Dig Site over the AKL pool for active kids. I think that the theming is better at the dig site. That's not to say, however, that they wouldn't have a good time at the pool at AKL! Good luck deciding... I've stayed at both and loved them!!!

Erin

 

[Demosthenes]

I'd go with CS over AKL if your main concern is the pool. While I like AKL, it is a sort of "Deluxe Light" resort with no boats, transportaion that is no better than a moderate, and only 1 pool-a real minus considering the fact that the slide is small (and kind of a bore for kids) and there is no quiet pool so it gets pretty crowded, add to that the murky appearance, and the whole pool is a big turn off to this resort. CS has a great pool, plus several quiet pools, more recreational activities (boating, biking, tennis?) and bus service that is as good or better than AKL. Of course, AKL has its charms; the view is great, if you get a savannah room, and the restaurants are good for the adventurous type.

 

[Robinette]

We stayed at Coronado and AKL this past May. My DD's (8 & 5), liked the Coronado pool best. But overall they liked the AKL more, mainly because of the animals. We were upgraded to savannah view and they had so much fun watching the animals from our balcony with the binoculars we had brought with us.

 

[dizneyfan]

Thanks guys for all the great opinions...sounds like the Dig Site pool wins over the AKL for kids. I'll have to consider that when choosing a resort. With the great bus service and pool and overall beautiful resort, I think CSR is the one for us.

Thanks again!

 

[The_Disney_God]

AKL pool was very shallow (don't think it was deeper than 4 feet) and wasn't very cooling.

I went in and came right back out.

 

[mirlow]

I'm one of those who factors in pools when deciding on a resort. I love the AKL pool My DS loved it too, but he is only 4. My dd who is 7 found it rather boring. Her favorite pool is OKW and the Polynesian

 

[Bob NC]

We've experienced both. The AKL pool is as big or bigger than the CSR pool.

The AKL has 2 hot tubs, one is kind of hidden so it remains mostly kidless a lot of the time.

One thing we found is there seem to be more shaded areas to lounge around at the AKL pool. Our fair-skinned family appreciates that.

The slide at CSR, I believe, is bigger, but as long as my kids have a slide they really don't worry about the particulars.

CSR is our favorite moderate and AKL is our favorite deluxe....You can't go wrong.

 

[DeeP]

My dd who is 7 found it rather boring. Her favorite pool is OKW and the Polynesian

Your DD found AKL pool boring but loves OKW pool????? That is different. IMHO the most boring pool anywhere at WDW is OKW's main pool, at least AKL has a pool slide, a small slide true but at least there is a slide and theming. I agree on the Poly's pool, it is a very nice pool.

 

[daannzzz]

The pool at the AKL is very beautiful and estheticy pleasing. The setting is wonderful and relaxing and like most pools everywhere is fun for kids. The Dig Site pool at CSR is just more fun for kids. The play area is much more imaginative than at AKL. The slide is longer and more fun looking and the temple makes the setting more advenurtous

 

[epcotfan]

The slide at the Digsite at CSR is great! It was so fast! You can see pictures on my website (in my signature link)

 

[hallie]

We stayed at the AKL and went over to the CSR to explore. The AKL pool is really big(the biggest resort pool) and my kids had a lot of fun, especially playing the pool games with the lifeguards and the zero entry was great for my little one. I thought the Dig site was really cool and I think that the AKL pool when compared to the CSR might be a disappointment for your kids.

 

[mirlow]

Major typo Thanks for pointing that out to me DeeP. I meant to say BWV'S We were thinking about staying at OKW this January but decided against it and one of the reasons was the pool. Oh that made me laugh pretty good!

 

[DeeP]

mirlow,
That sounds more like it! LOL! I could not imagine why a 7 yo would pick OKW pool as a favorite when there are so many other great pools at WDW compared to OKW's boring hole in the ground.
To the OP, I agree with everyone else CS pool is more exciting and has a much better slide and playground. They could use a little more shade there though, it has very little.

 

[KathyFP]

We have only stayed at AKL and POR. My 4 year old loved AKL. I liked the hot tubs. I thought that the themeing was very relxing for me while still fun for DD.

We thought is was absolutely wonderful. If we would have had the money, we would have stayed there this past trip.