Help - Deciding between POR, CBR & AKL!!!

[x5x5x5x5x5]

My husband and I cannot decide which resort to book - HELP!! I've looked into all of them and they seem to have equal pros and cons. POR seems romantic and I like the fact that there is a water ferry to Downtown Disney. CBR looks fun and airy with Calypso music and a lake and sand. AKL is new and gorgeous with lovely restaurants. All of them require bus service to the parks. Good heavens - what to do? We like to spend time at the pool and hot tub - does anyone know if perhaps these features are nicer at one of the resorts than the others. Or maybe one of the resorts have rooms in better condition than the others. I know that AKL is a "deluxe" and the other two are "moderate" but is there really a huge difference there? We're DVC members so we usually stay at BWV or BCV - we love the pool at BCV, all the restaurants and bars at the Boardwalk, and being able to walk to Epcot and MGM - but wanted a change of pace. Anyone have any ideas keeping in mind what we like to do? Thanks for being my sounding board!

PS - We are in our 30's with no children.

 

[brerbearcreek]

I've never stayed at CBR so I'm no help there, but POR & AKL are two of my absolute favorites. I'm usually in the same boat as you so I end up splitting resorts. The few times I haven't been there long enough to split we've stayed at POR and at least visited AKL extensively to eat at Boma, wander around and just relax. Sometimes if we know we're going to have a lot of time at night around the resort we'll stay at POR specifically to sit in the lounge at night and watch Bob Jackson play. (http://www.yehaabob.com/)

I guess I'm really no help since I love both resorts equally, sorry. I do suggest that whatever you pick spend some time visiting the others since they all have a lot to offer atmosphere wise. Good luck & have fun!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I would choose AKL. A big difference between AKL and the mods is that at AKL you have a balcony. To us that is very important. That said, we have stayed at POR and the boat ride to DTD is fabulous (just make sure the boats will be running - on one trip of ours they weren't and it was very disappointing). And we have visited CBR and it is beautiful. The pool area there looked like a lot of fun and I loved the setup of the foodcourt. Have fun deciding!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I haven't stayed at CBR, but have stayed at POR and AKL, and I would choose AKL every time!!!! Can't say enough good things about this resort - it's absolutely beautiful, has lots of activities (we even find ourselves leaving the parks to be able to participate in resort activities!) and great restaurants. The animal watching is fun, you can even see them from the pool!! Even though you bus to every park, the buses are dedicated to AKL, no stops at other resorts to or from the parks, which makes it great in my book!!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[leighe]

What a great choice! We love CBR and are getting ready for our first stay at AKL. If you plan to spend lots of time at the resort and pool, I would choose AKL. That's how we usually decide on moderate or deluxe. If we're going to be up at 7 every morning and in a park all day then we stay moderate. If we want to relax and enjoy our surroundings we choose a deluxe. You can't go wrong either way. I have heard the pool at AKL is beautiful and huge and the pool bar serves yummy drinks!

 

[Patio]

I've stayed at all 3 and would definitely choose AKL. It is so beautiful there. I love having a balcony, the rooms are very nice and I love how everything is in 1 building. ( esp. if it rains ). The gift shop is awesome and you can have dinner on your balcony or spend some time in the lounge. It's fun just walking around here too. The pool area is very large and the hot tubs are so relaxing. Have fun!!

 

[BambiTamby]

AKL...hands down!

Or do a split, starting with POR, then ending at AKL.

A wonderful place to relax and unwind.