CSR or BC or AKL

[kyanmama]

Okay, one more question... which would you choose? It will be me, husband, and two sons (8 and 3). Christmas trip, Dec22-29. All prices are BEFORE flights. Standard room/view at each resort.

Animal Kingdom Lodge- $6053US

Beach Club- $7085US

Saratoga Springs- $5880US

Coronado Springs- $4483US

We are from Canada so the exchange rate is not in our favor but may improve! Have to add $3000CAD flight price to each of the above. Yikes.
The more expensive options are at the VERY top of our price range, but we could make it work if it was really worth it. We will spend time at our resort in the afternoons to let kids have a break and possibly a nap (3 year old).

Please help!!

 

[allsaintsatx]

Of all those choices I've only stayed at animal Kingdom Lodge, but I will say that when we were walking to Kidani for a dinner at sanaa we looked up at the standard view rooms that overlooked the parking lot and we thought that even though it's not looking at the giraffes, it would still be a great more affordable option just to be able to stay at that amazing resort! And, many people have said they were able to get a partial Savanna standard view room! None of the pictures of the animal Kingdom Lodge online do it any justice. You have to see it in person. Amazing!

 

[izzylovesmickey]

We've done all 4 and really enjoyed all of them for different reasons.

BC is home for us and tops our list! Love the scent as soon as we walk into the resort. We've had good CM experiences overall. LOVE the quick walk into EP and the walk or boat to HS. It is hard to beat the access to the 2 parks. Biggest drawback for us it the potential for one of the standing balconies. We've been lucky enough to get a full balcony each stay. We've had LG, GV and SV rooms and have liked them all (of course, the LV is our favorite!). We've been able to see the high fireworks from HS each time. SAB is a fantastic pool complex and we have also enjoyed the quiet pools there.

We are just back from a SSR & AKL stay. It was a first stay for SSR and we really liked it. It is a large, spread out resort with multiple bus stops but we were in Grandstand so were the first stop. Our room was in good shape and we found we slowed down and relaxed here more.There are pools in each of the sections so it makes pool access easy. It feels less of a destination and more of a relaxed vacation (at least to us). Draw back is you are not close to any parks but if you like DS it is great to wander into. We will definitely stay here again.

AKL is a destination! It is beautiful and you need to spend time there to truly appreciate the resort. If you do SV there are still plenty of places to view the savannas. CMs were friendly and food options are terrific. Quick trip to AK but longer to other parks. We didn't feel that it was any worse than bus options from some of the other resorts.

We stayed at CSR the week between Christmas & New Years one year. Again, multiple bus stops but didn't feel that was that bad. Rooms are being renovated now and there is construction also so weigh in your aversion to that for your decision. It is our only moderate stay and we would stay there again if we were looking to save some money. We loved the landscaping in the different areas. DS really liked the Pepper Market. We were in Casitas and liked the location.

So, after my long winded ramble-BC at Christmas is the easiest for transportation during a busy week. CSR I can verify wasn't bad for the bus at that time of year. But weigh in your costs and what is most important to you. Good luck choosing and have a great trip!

 

[PlainJane]

I've stayed at all of your choices, except that my stays at BC were in the BCV.

I'm not a fan of AKL. Long hallways, no real scenic places to walk, small rooms, and you have to bus everywhere. The Kidani pool is very nice with a great splash pad area. The main pool isn't that exciting to me. I do like Jiko and the Mara. I like visiting AKL for dinner, but I'd rather stay elsewhere.

I like both CSR and SSR. I would choose CSR simply because it's less and has two beds instead of having to put your kids on a pull-out. CSR has a really nice main pool and a great playground for kids. I'm not a fan of the Pepper Market, I always eat my QS meals at Rix.

There are some reasons to choose SSR. You would get a kitchenette with a microwave and toaster on top of the fridge you would receive in CSR rooms. You also would get a balcony/patio. There is also the boat to Disney Springs or the option of walking. The pools are great and we like the restaurants.

The downside with CSR and SSR is of course that they are large, have outdoor room entry, and you have to bus to the theme parks. Which brings us to BC. Very nice resort. Easy access to DHS and Epcot. The pool is great. You might find that you have to divide and conquer with your husband as the pool is set up in a way that your kids probably won't be playing in the same areas. There are also quiet pool options. It has nice large rooms, but you may not receive a balcony, some (not all) of the standard views are also epically bad. The QS options are OK. The TS options in and around the BW are some of the best on property. I don't know if it's worth the budget stretch, but I really do enjoy this resort.

For me it would be between CSR and BC.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I would vote AKL, especially at Christmas. Your going at the busiest time and therefore the highest prices, so no getting around that. Have a great holiday trip with your family!

 

[gillep]

Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club and Coronado are three of my favorite resorts. We go to WDW at least three times per year and I am happy staying at any of these three resorts, depending on the type of trip that I am going for., although both DH and I insist on at least one trip per year at AKL, no exceptions.

Personally I would throw out SSR, it is a lovely resort and I have enjoyed staying there, but the price isn't much less than AKL, and I much prefer the feel and amenities of the lodge.

Coronado is our go to when we want to save money. The rooms feel nice and open, and I personally love the multiple bus stops, because I can choose to get off at the front if I want to go to the restaurants, or have to go to the front desk/concierge, or I can get off closer to my room and relax. I also love the pool bar, they have some good food options there if you don't want to go to the pepper market. The resort is beautiful to walk around, especially at night.

Beach Club is where we like to stay when we are going to either the F&W or F&G festivals, as there is nothing like being able to walk right to Epcot to pop into a few booths. We both really like SAB and make sure that we carve out some time to visit. The trips where we stay at BC tend to be really Epcot and SAB focused and we don't tend to visit the other parks too much when we stay here, as we really like to take advantage of the location and amenities.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is my favorite resort. I love all the dining options and the pool is beautiful, I also like that you can use the AKL pool or the AKV pool. I really enjoy just relaxing around the resort with a cup of coffee in the am or wine in the evening. The main lobby is beautiful and the gift shop is my favorite on property. I don't mind the buses to all the parks, and don't find the rides too long (I actually found that it took us longer to get places from CBR just due to all of the internal stops).

Good luck with your decision!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Over Christmas week, BC, hands down. We've gone over Christmas week and the traffic is really, really bad, making bus transportation to the parks really bad as well. We stayed at BWV that trip (in the same EP area as BC) and I'm so glad we did, being able to walk to 2 parks and a ton of restaurants and amenities really saved that trip for us.

AKL is gorgeous (I"m not a fan of the other 2 on your list), but Christmas week is not the time to stay there, IMHO.

 

[Imamom2]

We've done AKL and BC and both are stunning. If $$ isn't an issue go BC. Walking to Epcot and HS is great and that's less time waiting for buses. Have fun!

 

[robl45]

I would do CSR because you can't really swim over christmas so while beach club is convenient to two of the parks, you are losing a huge perk of the pool.

 

[Babsy]

Okay, one more question... which would you choose? It will be me, husband, and two sons (8 and 3). Christmas trip, Dec22-29. All prices are BEFORE flights. Standard room/view at each resort.

Animal Kingdom Lodge- $6053US

Beach Club- $7085US

Saratoga Springs- $5880US

Coronado Springs- $4483US

We are from Canada so the exchange rate is not in our favor but may improve! Have to add $3000CAD flight price to each of the above. Yikes.
The more expensive options are at the VERY top of our price range, but we could make it work if it was really worth it. We will spend time at our resort in the afternoons to let kids have a break and possibly a nap (3 year old).

Please help!!

Hi there! We are also from Canada. Is this your first visit to WDW? (If so, I might switch options one and two below. Convenience to two theme parks is really important on a first visit, IMO)

First choice - AKL

Then BC, CSR ad SS in that order.

AKL is my favourite due to theming and dining. If you book AKL standard view then request a partial savannah view, if possible. If you don't get one, it isn't a big deal as there are lots of really nice animal viewing areas around the resort!

BC is my second choice for proximity to Epcot and an easy walk or boat ride to DHS. It has a nice pool area as well, which may or may not be important at Christmas. It can be too cool/cold for swimming at that time of year. The down side of the BC is the potential to get a tiny balcony plus the theming is not compelling, IMO. Also, you are paying some of those $$$ for that pool which you may or may not use.

CSR has great theming ad is gorgeous, but currently has construction. I wouldn't choose to stay there until construction is complete.

SSR is close to DS, but we are not fans of DS, so staying here is not a location that we prefer. Also, the theming is weak at best.

Enjoy whichever you choose!

 

[kyanmama]

Hi there! We are also from Canada. Is this your first visit to WDW? (If so, I might switch options one and two below. Convenience to two theme parks is really important on a first visit, IMO)

First choice - AKL

Then BC, CSR ad SS in that order.

AKL is my favourite due to theming and dining. If you book AKL standard view then request a partial savannah view, if possible. If you don't get one, it isn't a big deal as there are lots of really nice animal viewing areas around the resort!

BC is my second choice for proximity to Epcot and an easy walk or boat ride to DHS. It has a nice pool area as well, which may or may not be important at Christmas. It can be too cool/cold for swimming at that time of year. The down side of the BC is the potential to get a tiny balcony plus the theming is not compelling, IMO. Also, you are paying some of those $$$ for that pool which you may or may not use.

CSR has great theming ad is gorgeous, but currently has construction. I wouldn't choose to stay there until construction is complete.

SSR is close to DS, but we are not fans of DS, so staying here is not a location that we prefer. Also, the theming is weak at best.

Enjoy whichever you choose!

Sorry I missed your comment. Thanks for the advice!
It is our first visit (well, I've been but not for years). We booked AKL and now I'm second-guessing our decision because of transportation to parks. The draw of course is that I think my boys (8&2) will be AMAZED by the animals. Im wondering if I should switch to BC though because of the location/convenience. Ugh! I thought I had made up my mind lol!!

 

[TeresaNJ]

I've stayed at all the resorts except for CSR, of which I have a short stay coming up in a few weeks before we switch over to Kidani, and I'm second guessing the CSR part of my stay. It's the fear of the unknown, lol. So, given the other three choices, I think I would choose AKL, which is my very favorite resort! In my opinion, it is absolutely amazing, and you really feel like you are in a world of your own. I do love the BC, a lot, and if it were just you & your husband going, I'd probably/maybe choose that resort because of the ability to walk to Epcot, but since you have two little ones, I think they would love AKL! They have many activities for kids, the quick service, the Mara, is great, I love the pool area (believe it or not, I prefer it over Stormalong Bay), for it's seclusion & beauty, plus it's much easier to keep an eye on the kids. The fact that you can walk or shuttle between Jambo House & Kidani is even better. If you do choose to stay at AKL, try to do some of the free resort tours. They are fun & informative. In the evening you can view the animals with night vision goggles, & sit around the outdoor fire pit in the rocking chairs just relaxing & listening to the storyteller if he is there. There are multiple viewing areas at both Jambo House & Kidani, both resorts have amazing gift shops, and wonderful restaurants! We're taking our two little grandsons to Kidani in December, and I can't wait to see their reactions! Good luck with your choice!

Edited to add, we've stayed at AKL many times, & I've never had an issue with the buses that I haven't had at other resorts. They are usually very prompt, with the occasional late bus, but I love that it is one bus stop, with a covered walkway, unlike CSR or SSR. I haven't noticed that it takes any longer to get anywhere, that people are always stating as a negative to staying at AKL. Maybe a few minutes, but not much more. What is an extra five minutes in the grand scheme of things, when there are so many other positives?

 

[disneygolfer1985]

We will be at the same time as you and I would highly recommend staying at the BC just for the transportation issues. It will be very crowded and it would be nice to be able to walk to 2 parks. Also the bus transportation to MK and AK would be good as you only share with YC. Over the holidays, Epcot has holidays around the world, which I would think you boys would love. One thing to consider. If you were to watch illuminations at Epcot at 9:30, then you could realistically be back in the room by 10 if you stayed at the BC. If you stayed at the other options, you would get back to the buses by 10 and probably not back to your room until 10:30-11.

 

[mickeynut1]

First choice - AKL

Then BC, CSR ad SS in that order.

AKL is my favourite due to theming and dining. If you book AKL standard view then request a partial savannah view, if possible. If you don't get one, it isn't a big deal as there are lots of really nice animal viewing areas around the resort!

BC is my second choice for proximity to Epcot and an easy walk or boat ride to DHS. It has a nice pool area as well, which may or may not be important at Christmas. It can be too cool/cold for swimming at that time of year. The down side of the BC is the potential to get a tiny balcony plus the theming is not compelling, IMO. Also, you are paying some of those $$$ for that pool which you may or may not use.

I agree with Babsy. We've stayed at both AKL & BC and while BC is a nice resort, I like the theme/decor/atmosphere better at AKL (especially during Christmas time). I can't comment on CSR or SSR as we've never stayed at either one. With that said, Disney at Christmas is amazing, I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter which resort you choose .

We booked AKL and now I'm second-guessing our decision because of transportation to parks. The draw of course is that I think my boys (8&2) will be AMAZED by the animals. Im wondering if I should switch to BC though because of the location/convenience. Ugh! I thought I had made up my mind lol!!

Everyone's experience/opinion is different, but we've stayed at AKL twice and visit every trip to eat at Boma and we have never had a problem with the buses. AKL is out away from everything, but we have always found the buses to be quick and efficient. In our experience, it has taken maybe 5 extra minutes to get around compared to other resorts. I wouldn't let the location deter you from staying there (just my opinion ).

I think I would choose AKL, which is my very favorite resort! In my opinion, it is absolutely amazing, and you really feel like you are in a world of your own. I do love the BC, a lot, and if it were just you & your husband going, I'd probably/maybe choose that resort because of the ability to walk to Epcot, but since you have two little ones, I think they would love AKL! They have many activities for kids, the quick service, the Mara, is great, I love the pool area (believe it or not, I prefer it over Stormalong Bay), for it's seclusion & beauty, plus it's much easier to keep an eye on the kids. The fact that you can walk or shuttle between Jambo House & Kidani is even better. If you do choose to stay at AKL, try to do some of the free resort tours. They are fun & informative. In the evening you can view the animals with night vision goggles, & sit around the outdoor fire pit in the rocking chairs just relaxing & listening to the storyteller if he is there. There are multiple viewing areas at both Jambo House & Kidani, both resorts have amazing gift shops, and wonderful restaurants!

I agree, AKL is amazing in so many ways! I think your kids would love it as there's so much to see & do. I am also one who prefers the pool at AKL over SAB .

Edited to add, we've stayed at AKL many times, & I've never had an issue with the buses that I haven't had at other resorts. They are usually very prompt, with the occasional late bus, but I love that it is one bus stop, with a covered walkway, unlike CSR or SSR. I haven't noticed that it takes any longer to get anywhere, that people are always stating as a negative to staying at AKL. Maybe a few minutes, but not much more. What is an extra five minutes in the grand scheme of things, when there are so many other positives?

 

[Shellyb84]

I've stayed at all of those except Saratoga.

There are things I've liked about all those resorts, but BC is our favorite and "home" to us. I love the theme of the resort, it's so relaxing and I love the decor of the rooms. It is decorated very beautifully at Christmas, especially the carousel in the lobby. Don't know if you could swim that time of year but the pool is amazing. The location can't be beat, we love being able to walk to 2 parks, and the bus service has always been excellent getting anywhere else.

CSR is also a beautiful resort and my first choice for a moderate. It is spread out and some people don't like that, but that doesn't bother us too much. The bus service is the best I've had anywhere.

AKL was probably a one and done for me. I was soooo looking forward to it (I've dreamed of staying there since it opened), but it was a bit of a let down. The resort is lovely and the lobby is very impressive. The pool was nice but the slide was pretty lame (as DD put it). We did get a great room - we paid for standard and got a partial savannah view (2nd Floor), and we saw a ton of animals very close. The main thing we didn't like were the CMs. They were just not very friendly at all. They would pass us in the hallways and avert their eyes and not even say hello. I even got an eye roll from a lady at the food court when I asked for her to make our waffles to go. Definitely not what I expect for Disney, especially at a deluxe resort. Also, the bus service was horrible, just like a lot of people say.

 

[Shellyred8]

I would agree with staying at BC, for transportation purposes. It's a nice resort too! I also love being able to walk around the Boardwalk area at night, grab some ice cream from Ample Hills or a chocolate chip cookie from the Boardwalk Bakery. Yum!! Being able to walk back the your room from two parks for nap time could be very beneficial when the parks are really busy.

My second vote would be for CSR. While there is construction there right now, it's not really obnoxious (like CBR is). It's mostly isolated to one end of the resort and pretty much everything else is open for use. I really liked CSR when we were there in May. While you do have to take a bus everywhere, it wasn't a long bus ride to most places because of it's central location.

We have also stayed at AKL and SSR. We enjoyed both, but for AKL, we probably would only stay there for a couple of nights at a time in the future. It's a nice resort and I love the animal watching opportunities, but the longer bus rides everywhere every day gets old fast. SSR is also a nice resort and I love being able to walk to Disney Springs. But again, the longer bus rides everywhere every day gets old. I know the bus service can be hit or miss at all of the resorts, but the most "misses" I've experienced have been at SSR.

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!!

 

[TJA]

Sorry I missed your comment. Thanks for the advice!
It is our first visit (well, I've been but not for years). We booked AKL and now I'm second-guessing our decision because of transportation to parks. The draw of course is that I think my boys (8&2) will be AMAZED by the animals. Im wondering if I should switch to BC though because of the location/convenience. Ugh! I thought I had made up my mind lol!!

What caught my eye is that you have a 2 year old with you. Personally, we loved the BC when our kids were that age. As others have noted, it was very easy (and nonstressful ) walking to 2 parks, especially with a stroller. Also, when we weren't in a hurry, we'd walk through Epcot to take the monorail over to MK. Again, that's not a route to take when you're in a hurry! But we thoroughly enjoyed it. Sometimes we'd take the bus to MK and then the monorail back to Epcot, walk through Epcot and enjoy a ride/snack, and walk back to BC. It was GREAT!! I miss those days.

As far as AK, I agree it's amazing/unique to have animals right at the resort. I assume you'll have a stroller? Taking a bus requires unloading and folding the stroller every. single. time. We stayed at AK when our kids were stroller-age. We didn't think the stroller-on-bus was convenient at all and somewhat struggled our whole trip dealing with that. We found by mid-trip that we'd get to a park and stay there all day (not ideal) because we didn't want to deal with the hassles of back and forth. However, we loved the resort! So we finally stayed there again just recently now that my kids are older. We absolutely loved it. Our room was savanna view and we loved opening the curtains first thing in the morning to see what animals were roaming around! Still, even though we love AKL and can't wait to stay there again someday, I don't think we could stay for more than a couple nights at a time because we're just not fond of taking a bus everywhere, stroller or no stroller.

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

The order you posted is the order I would take.

AKL - BC -SS - CSR

 

[shellyj]

AKL is our absolute favorite and if it's in the budget, that's my suggestion. It's a beautiful resort with so much to see and do. However, if the budget is tight, Coronado is nice. I like the food court over most deluxe QS and the pool is wonderful.

If you don't stay at AKL, definitely make plans to have breakfast or dinner at Boma. Well worth it for the meal and you will still be able to explore the resort. There is NOTHING like walking into Jambo House for the first time!

SSR would be my very last choice. We stayed there last fall and it's just not Disney enough for us. The Disney touches are very subtle - no magic or excitement. It's a beautiful resort and they have the best resort QS, in our opinions, but we actually liked ASMu WAY better than SSR.