GF, CR or AKL?

[Mousemommy1]

In our quest to stay at every resort at WDW, our adventure continues next August as our next annual trip.

Well, we wanted to stay on the monorail, as we have not done that yet. The only monorail resort that we were eyeing was the Poly. However, we ruled it out due to the construction drama. Instead, we booked a garden wing room at CR, just to secure a room (a cheap room) on the monorail while I sort things out.

We have 40% off and it basically comes down to GF Sugarloaf, CR BLV Atrium CL, or.......AKL.

Obviously AKL is not on the monorail. Transportation isn't a huge deal to us, having stayed at all of the values and a mod, we are used to buses. We visited AKL and found it to be gorgeous, much like our favorite resort, the WL.

DH feels that the GF is well themed, but that the theme is "glorified nursing home". (Don't be mad GF lovers, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don't totally agree with him). He feels that CR is like a museum and says he expects Andy Warhol to be walking around creating something....but he likes that we can walk to MK.

In the heat of the summer, we will spend a good amount of time at the resort during our 9 day stay, so he is concerned that CR will become "boring" because there is nothing to look at. We want a fun pool too!

We also have two girls, who will be 10 and 7 at the time of the trip and their favorite resort is WL and they want to go there but we can't...because we are on a mission. This will be their 5th trip to WDW. (It will be DH's 10th and my 11th)

So, what would you suggest for these Disney veterans that have run into a roadblock on where to stay.....pros/cons on each one. I really can't figure out what to do!

 

[basketlacey]

I voted CR because of your list, that's where I want to stay next. But, I would have voted Poly if you would have listed it!


Of your choices, I have only stayed at AKL. We loved it. The resort is gorgeous, pool was amazing, food was great. But, it's far away. I don't mind the buses either like you mentioned. But if you want to take a midday break, it is definitely harder and you lose more time.

 

[Pakey]

I have stayed all 3.

I love GF but do not like Sugarloaf. RPC is much nicer and I will stay elsewhere before doing SL again.

CR has great location but pool is not a favorite.

AKV is a wonderful resort and you have 2 great themed pools. I don't think the bus service is bad .

So I would pick AKL.

 

[Disney38Girl]

I voted for AKL due to your love of WL and the fact that your girls are wanting to go back. AKL CL guarantees a savanna view and there's nothing quite like waking up and seeing animals strolling outside your balcony (you can request bunk beds in CL if your girls are into that sort of thing-though not 100% sure on that). Also AKL has the same-ish vibe (to me) as WL, just more exotic. Great pool, great TS and CS, great spots to just relax and explore and, like the WL, it feels secluded and removed from the "disney craziness" as my DBF says lol. The monorail resorts will always be there next time! (This same resorts goal is one of my to-do's on my bucket list; we've already got the mods and values except for AoA down!) Good luck on your quest!

 

[mum2four]

I voted AKL. It sounds like you really wanted to stay at the Poly, but because of the construction uncertainty, you would instead be "settling" for CR or GF so that you can be on the monorail. I think this would be a good opportunity for you to check out AKL instead and then head back to the Poly in a couple years when everything is finished there.

 

[Lehuaann]

In our quest to stay at every resort at WDW, our adventure continues next August as our next annual trip.

Well, we wanted to stay on the monorail, as we have not done that yet. The only monorail resort that we were eyeing was the Poly. However, we ruled it out due to the construction drama. Instead, we booked a garden wing room at CR, just to secure a room (a cheap room) on the monorail while I sort things out.

We have 40% off and it basically comes down to GF Sugarloaf, CR BLV Atrium CL, or.......AKL.

Obviously AKL is not on the monorail. Transportation isn't a huge deal to us, having stayed at all of the values and a mod, we are used to buses. We visited AKL and found it to be gorgeous, much like our favorite resort, the WL.

DH feels that the GF is well themed, but that the theme is "glorified nursing home". (Don't be mad GF lovers, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don't totally agree with him). He feels that CR is like a museum and says he expects Andy Warhol to be walking around creating something....but he likes that we can walk to MK.

In the heat of the summer, we will spend a good amount of time at the resort during our 9 day stay, so he is concerned that CR will become "boring" because there is nothing to look at. We want a fun pool too!

We also have two girls, who will be 10 and 7 at the time of the trip and their favorite resort is WL and they want to go there but we can't...because we are on a mission. This will be their 5th trip to WDW. (It will be DH's 10th and my 11th)

So, what would you suggest for these Disney veterans that have run into a roadblock on where to stay.....pros/cons on each one. I really can't figure out what to do!

I think you'll love AKL...which by the way was designed by the same architect (Peter Dominick) that designed WL and GC.

AKL pros - absolutely gorgeous resort. Great restaurants, packed with activities, and has the fun pool you are looking for. The pool at night is amazing.

AKL cons - room size. Wish the rooms were just a tad bit larger.

Transportation is probably the biggest issue for most, but not for us. Other than the smaller rooms, there is not much we don't like about staying at AKL.

CR pros - location, monorail, large rooms, and view of the MK. The view alone is the only reason we decided to stay there.

CR cons - not a fan of the resort itself. The modern design is not my style and makes me feel like I'm in an airport/downtown high rise/concrete-jungle. Loud lobby.

We've never stayed at GF as it just doesn't appeal to us.

If I were going to choose any resort to stay on the monorail it would be Poly. The Poly is (currently) our family's #2 resort, after AKL. However, knowing that you won't be staying Poly, I think you should go with AKL.



Edited to add - I just re-read you are staying CL...

CR CL is wonderful. We connected well with the lounge staff and that made our trip there fantastic. It was also nice having the rooms so close to the lounge.

But AKL CL 'feels' like home every time and it's nice to see familiar faces. The only thing is having to take an elevator or stairs to get to the lounge (CL rooms are on 4th floor/lounge on 6th)...

 

[kappyfamily]

AKL is fantastic!

 

[karenklo]

I love the Poly too, but I agree with DVC stuff going on to skip it. I have stayed at the CR and AKL. I would prefer the AKL anytime! It is so beautiful and the resort has a lot to do for kids during the day and evening! I have never been interested in GF either!!

 

[mirage0306]

If I were you, I'd stay AKL CL this coming trip and Poly when construction is complete. AKL, and the CL portion, is just stunning. The pools are great, there's so much do there, and it's beautiful! And if you stay CL you can do the Sunrise Safari.

I bet you would *love * AKL.

 

[Mousemommy1]

This is awesome feedback guys! I really appreciate it! I think we would really enjoy AKL as well....and it's only about $500 more than the CR garden wing room I have reserved now....isn't it great that there are so many wonderful options??

My only other "problem" is that I am at the CR for only $201/night....when is that ever going to happen again?????? I have a hard time letting that go...

 

[bluejasmine]

We've stayed at all 3 here are my thoughts..


GF- flag ship resort and it lives up to its name! Gorgeous, good food, excellent customer service and rooms are beautiful!!! Plus when going to MK your inside gates in 5 min or less!

CR- location is great, walking distance to MK, rooms are large and just refurbed but the rest of the resort feels like an airport to me.. Some of the garden wings can be a bit of a hike but if you have a great rate, it may be worth it if you've haven't stayed here yet.

AKL- also beautiful resort, the savannah rooms are great but long walks to lobby and floor plan us a bit confusing, we got list going to Mara, lol! I truly love the lobby and gift shop, the rooms not so much they just felt less themed than other deluxes. Also your a good ways away from everything and the buses are a bit slow..

Sept 2013 Poly, 2012 Disney Fantasy, BC CL, GF CL, POR, 2011 Poly CL, CR, Poly CL, AKL, 2010 Poly CL, ASMu 2009, SSR 2008, Pop 2006, POR , Asmo 2005, Asmo 2003, offsite 2000, 1999,1989, Poly 1980, offsite 1979