CSR vs AKL

[Jfine]

For me, no question between the two resorts, but does anyone like CSR better than AKL? WE're going to the World with my best friend's (K) family this summer. It's their first trip and they are pretty much going just because our obsession with all things Disney wore off on their son. So I priced out the resorts and the values and CSR were in their budget. K didn't like the values and seemed reluctant about CSR, but picked it. I kept pricing resorts and found AKL for about the same price, so I presented that as an option. By that time period I guess she had grown fond of CSR. She debated, we went over some of the pros/cons and she picked CSR. She said she'd be fine with AKL if we preferred it but she really likes southwestern/Spanish architecture. She thought CSR would be better because we're spending one day AK and AK might not be as exciting after staying at AKL. We've stayed at CSR and it wasn't bad, but we weren't impressed. I love AKL though. So, I know this isn't a big deal, but I do want their first time to be great and they will be spending a lot of time at the hotel. so should we keep CSR or should I let her know it's not worth staying there?

 

[nilla]

CSR is BY FAR our favorite moderate. We haven't stayed at AKL, but have eaten there. I'd pick CSR over AKL any day, but you appear to have a different opinion. We absolutely love CSR, and have stayed there on 6 of our 11 trips.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I haven't stayed at either, but I can tell you that a friend of mine says she much prefers CSR over AKL. She said that the transportation with AKL is the biggest downside since it isn't really close to anything except Animal Kingdom and that they always picked up DVC first so that were always standing and it usually took a bus or two before they could fit on. Meanwhile, she said transportation was much better at CSR and that she loved how quiet it was. I guess different strokes for different folks.

 

[Steve11874]

I have stayed at both (granted CSR was MANY years ago) but I stayed at AKL recently. If I could stay at either property for the same price I would without a doubt choose AKL. We didn't have any problems at all with transportation and the lodge is fantastic. CSR is great (I will be staying there in December again) but without a doubt the AKL is my top choice. I would do that in a heartbeat.

 

[ArielSRL]

I've stayed at CSR a few times but not AKL. I'd choose AKL over CSR. CSR was just okay to me.

 

[georgina]

I really like CSR, especially if you are relying on Disney transportation. I have stayed in the Casitas section 3 times and really enjoy the architecture also. The lake is pretty and it is very nice at night. I love AKL as well, but we had a rental car when we stayed there. I'm sure they will be happy at either, but if she prefers CSR I think you should let her have it!

 

[Unyeah]

I have stayed at both and prefer AKL.

 

[ninafeliz]

I have stayed at both. I liked CSR well enough, but it is my least favorite moderate. AKL is not my favorite deluxe, but we still really enjoyed it and would stay there over CSR, particularly at the same price, in a heartbeat.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

I haven't stayed at either, but I can tell you that a friend of mine says she much prefers CSR over AKL. She said that the transportation with AKL is the biggest downside since it isn't really close to anything except Animal Kingdom and that they always picked up DVC first so that were always standing and it usually took a bus or two before they could fit on. Meanwhile, she said transportation was much better at CSR and that she loved how quiet it was. I guess different strokes for different folks.

As far as the buses are concerned, there's DVC in the Jambo house (main lodge) as well, even though Kidani is dedicated DVC. They don't always share buses with Kidani either. And when they do, they don't always pick up Kidani DVC first, I've had it both ways.
Last but not least, the ETA to Parks is a myth, these are the travel times via bus from AKL/AKV:

MK ETA 12 mins
EPCOT ETA 11-12mins
DHS ETA 12mins
AK ETA 5 mins

 

[Steve11874]

As far as the buses are concerned, there's DVC in the Jambo house (main lodge) as well, even though Kidani is dedicated DVC. They don't always share buses with Kidani either. And when they do, they don't always pick up Kidani DVC first, I've had it both ways.
Last but not least, the ETA to Parks is a myth, these are the travel times via bus from AKL/AKV:

MK ETA 12 mins
EPCOT ETA 11-12mins
DHS ETA 12mins
AK ETA 5 mins

Very much a myth in my experience as well. My first time staying there I was a bit concerned with the travel times but it was nothing. I didn't notice any difference in the time to get to the parks. And you have the benefit of having 2 stops at one resort, instead of having to go to a couple of resorts or having 4 stops in the same resort like at CSR

 

[Duckiedee]

We stayed at CSR last time and absolutely loved it. Due to a fairly last minute vacation timing change (thanks DH's boss - you're a "Doll"), we couldn't change our CSR Free Dining dates - we were looking at paying much more to go to POR or Caribbean Beach as all the lower priced rooms were taken and there were only high-end suites left at CSR. To my surprise there was a standard room available at AKL and it was a $1000 less than anything we could get at a moderate! It's still $1200 more than we would have originally paid, but considering we decided to bite the bullet and make it work, it was nice to feel like we paid for an upgrade vs paying for a downgrade to somewhere we didn't really want to be.

AKL is the Deluxe that appeals to me most with regards to theme - so after being really, really ticked and sad, knowing we are getting a chance to stay there has reignited my excitement.

 

[Steve11874]

We stayed at CSR last time and absolutely loved it. Due to a fairly last minute vacation timing change (thanks DH's boss - you're a "Doll"), we couldn't change our CSR Free Dining dates - we were looking at paying much more to go to POR or Caribbean Beach as all the lower priced rooms were taken and there were only high-end suites left at CSR. To my surprise there was a standard room available at AKL and it was a $1000 less than anything we could get at a moderate! It's still $1200 more than we would have originally paid, but considering we decided to bite the bullet and make it work, it was nice to feel like we paid for an upgrade vs paying for a downgrade to somewhere we didn't really want to be.

AKL is the Deluxe that appeals to me most with regards to theme - so after being really, really ticked and sad, knowing we are getting a chance to stay there has reignited my excitement.

I think you will love the resort. It is amazing. I love it there. I am a little sad that I am not staying there in December but I still love CSR and with FD....I couldnt say no.

 

[Starclassic]

I've never stayed at CSR (will be in Sept), but I've stayed at AKL and I honestly can't imagine myself loving any other resort the way I fell in love with AKL, so if I could stay there for the same price as CSR, I would hands down pick AKL. However, it's your friend's trip, and if she is really excited and really has her heart set on CSR then just let her have it.

 

[Gus V.]

To me, there really shouldn't be a question! AKL vs a Moderate resort, at a Moderate price?! Also, AKL is awesome, especially the animals in the Savannah. The theming is fantastic!

 

[Shellyb84]

I've stayed at CSR twice but never at AKL. We loved CSR and it would be our first choice for a moderate. However, I would ALWAYS choose a deluxe resort over a moderate it budget allowed, no matter what deluxe it is! Also, it's been a dream on mine to stay at AKL since it first opened.