Gran Destino or AKL

[aleh021]

Going for 5 nights in October, and cant decide between Gran Destino or AKL.

Gran Destino - Tower Standard Room
AKL - Standard Room

AKL is about $450 more.

We are 3 adults & plan on only visiting 3 parks, MK, EP, & AK with a resort day to relax, pool, hang out, etc.

I cant decide and I really need to book

Thoughts?

 

[DWillowBay]

Gran Destino is magnificent!! It's beautifully designed. Beautiful grounds. Amazing pool. Very friendly CMs. Great dining options. Centrally located to the parks. Many amenities....even a painting class and a Sangria University experience. You can see by my signature that I spend a lot of visits at CSR. I like to visit AKL, but my heart's at Coronado!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Both are really nice. I would say their pools are equal as well. AKL's pool does tend to be less crowded and buses are a bit better due to less people using them. CSR has more dining options currently open and the tower is beautiful with some great views. However, no balcony at CSR so I guess it really depends on how important is that to you. AKL is great for a resort day because there's so much to see, especially if you are into animals. Know that several of the standard view rooms will look out over the savannah, they are just call standard because directly under them are the people pens (where people would evacuate if there was a fire). So what is more important? More dining options, saving $150/night and possibly more expansive views or balcony and animal viewing?

 

[Ronaldo17]

If you want a real Disney experience, IMO you can't beat AKL, particularly the views from the balcony in the Savannah View rooms
Gran Destino is really nice but you could be in any Marriot/ Hilton hotel, just not Disney for me.

 

[Devil13]

I've said it a million times in here but I'm always happy to throw it out there again: Think the tower is the best value on property.

I go the other way with the theming. When I'm in the Tower, I'm taking a Disney bus, from a Disney park to a room overlooking other Disney parks. The Marriot down the street has none of that.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

Those are the only two resorts we stay at. If you are not going Savannah View, then I'd save the $450.00, grab an ADR at Sanaa around 2-2:30 and have a great meal and watch the animals on your resort day. Or go to Boma on one of your other nights for dinner. The rooms are set up virtually identical as we stayed in the newly remodeled AKL rooms right before Covid. Both resorts are great, but ultimately the savings keep us going back to GDT.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Grand Destino is really nice...but it doesn't have giraffes.

 

[DJFan88]

I’ve stayed at AKL and Loved it! I’ve also stayed at CSR in the regular section and that is nice as well. I’m not going to lie, the theming, beauty of AKL resort is probably only rivaling WL and Poly for best on property. I spent a lot of time just reading the information artifacts in the lobby, so cool.
On the other hand CSR is a beautiful resort too and I’m sure the tower is nice, but I feel like in no way will the tower itself be anything like hanging out at AKL, but the rest of the resort is beautiful.
Good food TS at both.
Decisions. Given there is no special transportation at either, I’m totally going to AKL.
Did I mention it’s a close walk over to Kidani, where in the Rec room my kid can take out a basketball or tennis racquets for the courts there??
We stayed CL at AKL which was amazing, but regular stay would be as well.
You could also consider if you stay at the tower getting a Club Level Room and that may enhance your experience there for not an outrageous amount as that is one of the more affordable CLs and I hear is very good.
I get up earlier than others in my room though, so sitting out in one of the little alcoves with chairs looking at the Savannah in the morning though……

 

[SharonZ]

Unless you splurge for a Savannah View, I would definitely stay at Gran Destino. If you do decide to stay at AKL, I would definitely upgrade to a pool view. You can always stay at Gran Destino and visit AKL.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

As with anything involving opinions out here, you're likely to get a 50-50 split! For us, the choice would easily be AKL, even with a standard room. There are so many places to view animals even if you cannot see them from your balcony. And the dining options at AKL are the best on property, in our opinion. That being said GD is also pretty amazing and would be an awesome place to stay - nice pool area and we also like the dining options there. Three Bridges is a must-do for us some trips.

You don't have a bad choice whichever you choose! Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

The tower is super nice. If money is an issue than go there. It is the best moderate on property. But in the words of Pete on ALK "it has a freaking savannah" So if you have cash to spare go for the AKL.

 

[aleh021]

The tower is super nice. If money is an issue than go there. It is the best moderate on property. But in the words of Pete on ALK "it has a freaking savannah" So if you have cash to spare go for the AKL.

This is such a tough choice. We are going with someone who's never been to WDW before ever, and they're a super huge animal lover, which is why I'm leaning more into AKL. But I also love the views and atmosphere of Coronado.

 

[gottalovepluto]

This is such a tough choice. We are going with someone who's never been to WDW before ever, and they're a super huge animal lover, which is why I'm leaning more into AKL. But I also love the views and atmosphere of Coronado.

That’s very hard then. A standard AKL room could have them close to animals but be heartbreaking that they have a parking lot instead of a giraffe outside their room. But there are many totally free viewing locations at the hotel where they can sit or go outside and see animals if they’d leave the room while taking a break from the parks.

But you have to give up the convenience. AKL to me was So. Much. Walking. And small rooms. The person I was traveling with would have to be in good shape for the walking- I am not even kidding, some of those rooms feel like they’re in another freaking town at the end of a long park day- and a total animal lover to get me to stay AKL again. It’s a beautiful hotel, but it’s terribly inconvenient.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I have stayed at both. GD stay was when we evacuated from the coast due to hurricane. Lobby is beautiful but I found it to be too bright! Hard on my eyes after being in the sun. Did not care for any meals except for Toledo...food was outstanding!
AKL is still my favorite of all the resorts. It's very relaxing and quiet. Boma and Jiko...great food! Mara QS is good as well. Pool bar also good. Can't beat having coffee on the balcony and seeing Giraffes, etc. We book Savannah view but you can also get partial Savannah views with standard room.