For those who have stayed in CSR and AKL...

[roxwithears]

For those of you who have stayed at both CSR and AKL, which resort did you like better? I can't make a decision - right now we are booked at CSR but we are considering AKL. I know the rooms at AKL are a bit more spacious but what else makes AKL "better" than CSR so that I can justify the extra cost.

Thanks !

 

[MinnieSummer]

We've stayed at both and love both for very different reasons. AKL is an amazingly themed resort. From the moment you enter the grounds you feel like you have entered a different world. The lobby is amazing and nothing beats eating breakfast on the balcony while a giraffe looks on. The pool is huge and there is always something going on somewhere in the resort. The two restaurants have some of the best food I've had at WDW. It's just one of those resorts where we feel comfortable, relaxed and happy.

CSR is also themed incredibly well but it's more of an outside resort. The beauty of it comes at night when you stroll the property and all the lights are on and the fountains are running. It's breathtaking. The pool is also very large and always seems more active if that makes sense. For some reason I always seem to have more energy when I'm at CSR -- it just seems to get me moving. The foodcourt is great as is the sit down restaurant but not on a par with those at AKL.

I could go on but that's the gist of why we like each resort. Our decision on which resort we will stay at usually comes down to $$$. But I'm never dissappointed with either.

 

[robinb]

I love CSR, but I love AKL even more! So much more that we bought into the new DVC resort there. The resort is amazing, the animals are all around you, Boma is right . The downside is the drive/bus ride to the parks is longer that from CSR. If you have the extra $$, I would go with AKL. If not, CSR is also a great choice.

Speaking of AKV, you may want to check when the contruction in the main building will be done. I have heard of many DISers changing hotels from AKL because of the noise.

 

[lillygator]

we've stayed at both and like both, but the atmosphere at AKL we love, not to mention the fantastic onsite restaurants and the children's activites throughout the day and fireside storytelling.

 

[jfeasel]

I've stayed in both and am going back to CSR in 10 days. I'm staying in CSR because of the price. For this trip, I'm concentrating on the parks and won't be at the resort much so I'm going with the less expensive resort. If I had more time to spend at a resort and wanted to spend the money, I'd pick AKL. When I stayed at AKL I had a savana room and we left the door open at night to hear the animals. It was like we were in Africa. My kids liked the pool at CSR better and the bunkbeds at AKL. We liked the food court at CSR.

 

[Selket]

I think I agree with everyone else - AKL is a deluxe and just nicer all around. But CSR is great too. I think with all I've read about the construction at AKL though - unless they are done by when you are going I wouldn't chance it. Too much $$$$ for putting up with the hassle. I'd pick WL (never stayed there) - just because it is the same price range as AKL and a very pretty resort from our dining experience there....IF you decide you want to go deluxe.