Help me choose a resort PLEASE!!!

[BWgirl]

Hello, I am new around here...but these boards are GREAT!

I am planning a surprise trip for my husband over the summer. We're kind of on a tight budget right now so I'm looking at primarily moderates for our stay, but perhaps AKL if it is affordable.

The three resorts I'm debating over right now are CSR, POFQ, and AKL. Here's the deal with the resort choices:

CSR:
My husband saw a photo of CSR at night and he thought it was really neat. I've really wanted to try staying at CSR...looks like a nice resort and I'd really like to try out the Casitas. I think my husband would really enjoy this resort. Which location is best? I looked at photos and felt like we would most enjoy the Casitas probably. My concern with this resort is that there are reports all over that its too convention like and impersonal...I don't want this to happen! Opinions?

POFQ:
I've personally wanted to check this place out for awhile now! I've been to New Orleans and I loved it. However, my husband has not been there...perhaps he wouldn't find the surroundings as neat as I would because he'd have no comparison? Does this make sense? LOL I thought it would be a great opportunity though since the resort just had a fabulous renovation done. Since its just the two of us, it would be a very romantic resort to stay in. What locations are best here? Anyone have bad experiences or opinions on this resort?

AKL:
This resort looks awesome!! However, it is more expensive than the above two. I know both of us would love it here...my husband is an avid animal lover! Probably wouldn't fork over the money for a savannah view though...so is it worth it?

The codes came out for up through 7/4 I am looking to plan this for later than that so I'm really hoping that codes come out for later too!! If there are no codes, AKL is definitely out of the question.

OPINIONS?? HELP!!!

 

[crazy4dizney]

Make a ressie at one of the mods.CSR is a excellent choice,stayed there last April and its a beautiful resort and very romantic.Just keep in mind its a large resort but the walks are great.This resort has a very nice pool with a bar and snacks.At night was my favorite time to take in the sights at this resort.(lovely sunsets)Dont worry about what you have heard about impersonal,I didnt think so.So what if you see a few people in suits.I saw more families than suits.Now with all that said ,If codes do come out and you can stay at AKL within your budget,Do so!Its a grand hotal and very special.We stayed there for xmas 03 and have stayed at alot of Disney hotels before this and Its our favorite!We did have a savvannh view and its worth it.If DH is animal lover he will be blown away!Nothing bad to say about this hotel.But If its not in the cards now, theres always next trip.Have stayed at PORS but not POFQ Yet!Going soon! And looking forward to staying there.Look for reports soon!Just remember to have a great time at any resort you choose.

 

[BWgirl]

Hey thanks for the votes guys but I need reasons and opinions too!!

 

[candleonwater]

I've only stayed at one (POFQ), but will be at AKL in 3 weeks... and stopped by to visit at CSR last October...

Here are MY opinions:

POFQ: If, for budget reasons, a Mod is your choice - I would do POFQ... it's a nice "quaint" resort. Absolutely LOVED the water taxi to Downtown Disney. The bus transportation is great as well.

CSR: Felt the impersonal touch mentioned. And TOO big. I am curious about the pool - didn't take a look at it.

AKL: Visited here as well - fell in love with it as soon as I walked through the door. Just KNEW it had to be the next resort I tried. Didn't care what kind of room I had, just wanted to stay there... happened to get a great rate on a Savannah view, so we'll be there!

If it were me, I would book what I could afford (without straining the checkbook) and then look for better deals if you want to upgrade to AKL.

To further complicate my answer - my 7 year old daughter asked me "mommy, can't we stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge next time, and stay at French Quarter this time?"... she absolutely loved it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I voted AKL, this is a fabulous resort, our favorite!! The atmosphere here is indescribable, but I'll try. When you walk in, the lobby overwhelms you, both with it's beauty and the smell of fire, cardamom. Wonderful!! The savannas are great, you see many different types of animals, and the colors are exactly what you would expect in Africa. The rooms, though some describe them as dark, seem very exotic with their netting and African-carved furniture. And the restaurants - Jiko and Boma are both fantastic!!

We previously stayed in a savanna-view room, but have a pool-view booked for our April trip. I think that any view at this resort is worth it - I hope the codes come out so you can experience this resort!!

 

[tink2]

We've stayed at AKL and POFQ and my family has stayed at CSR.
Here are our opinions:

POFQ- our favorite by far!!! The smallness of it is very appealing to us b/c my mother has health problems and we have small children- not a lot of walking. The theming is great and the food court is great as well! LOVE this resort!

AKL: Great resort- we just don't stay in the hotel enough to fork out the extra bucks! We are in the parks from opening until after the night shows and just aren't in the room enough to pay for AKL. We got an upgrade b/c POFQ was closed last year. We had a savannah view and it was so neat. However, the rooms here were not much bigger- if any- than those at POFQ. I think they are slightly bigger, but they have queen beds which takes up the extra room. Again, if we planned to stay at the resort more, I might consider this one- but just not worth the money for us. It was nice to have inside corridors to get to the food court instead of walking outside. However, it was also very noisy- maybe it was just our room location, but we heard people all night.

CSR: My family stayed here in 1999 and hated it b/c of its large size. They said they had to get in their car to get to the bus stop and food court- which defeats a lot of our purpose for staying on property.

I voted POFQ- it is newly refurbished and I don't think you can go wrong! Either way- you're at Disney!!!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I voted for AKL. No reason except for the fact that I want to stay there the most!

 

[4greatboys]

I voted AKL. I have stayed there and I loved it. To me I would get a savannah view room. Check the codes on Mousesavers.com that might make it a bit more affordable for your family. Its so neat to get up and go out on your balcony and see the animals. I wouldnt stay in a standard room, but thats just me, I enjoy seeing the animals from my room.
CSR--has a neat theme and a great pool area. It is kind of big and spread out which is a bit of a drawback but I think you could still have a great time there.
POFQ--I havent stayed there yet but I would like to. It is smaller than the other mods so it may be just the right size for you. Plus you get the benefit of 2 pools!

 

[ead79]

Here are my thoughts...

If a great code rate comes out, the Animal Kingdom Lodge really is a spectacular resort. The entire thing is themed perfectly, and I love the atmosphere. It wouldn't be good to get your hopes up because it's definitely not a sure thing, but the AKL frequently gives complimentary upgrades from standard view rooms to water or savannah view rooms. Just don't be disappointed if you don't get an upgrade. There are lots of places to watch the animals from even if you don't have a savannah view room.

If a great discount isn't available, then I voted fror POFQ. I think it looks like a really nice resort, and the picture I have seen on Disney's website of the newly renovated room looks great. Plus, it's a smaller moderate resort that I have heard has a more intimate feel to it. Also, you could take the carriage rides they offer in the evenings between POR and POFQ--it sounds romantic!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by BWgirl
AKL:
This resort looks awesome!! However, it is more expensive than the above two. I know both of us would love it here...my husband is an avid animal lover! Probably wouldn't fork over the money for a savannah view though...so is it worth it?
The codes came out for up through 7/4 I am looking to plan this for later than that so I'm really hoping that codes come out for later too!! If there are no codes, AKL is definitely out of the question. OPINIONS?? HELP!!!

The AKL is beautiful and standard room usually has a great discounted rate when they are offered. As low as $109.00 I would make two reservation for your two favorite then decide which when (if) rates are offered.

 

[HookdonWDW]

AKL is one of my favorite resorts, so I was going to vote for it... then I got to thinking ... one of the things I love about it is looking at the animals on the Savannah off the balcony. And if you know you're already stretching your budget trying to get a standard view, I'd ditch AKL.

We stayed at CSR once. I know that I'm in the minority, but we didn't like it at all. I was really looking forward to it, and was very disappointed. The resort is really spread out, but not in a well-themed good way (JMHO). We also ended up with two rooms that were full of mold. Not a good way to start a vacation! We ended up talking to the manager, who got our reservation switched to another on-site resort. To be fair, the manager was very apologetic about our problems, and we were fairly compensated for our troubles. It was during a rainy period, so the moisture was up in Central FL at the time. It just left a negative imprint in my mind.


I'd choose to stay at POFQ. Nice romantic feel to it, and perfect for a quick getaway! I'd take some of the money you saved on accomodations, and take dh out for a romantic dinner. Have fun!

 

[AppleSister1]

I have not stayed at AKL or PO - but visited both, and they seem nice.
But I HAVE stayed at CSR, and we really, really, really liked it! It IS beautiful, the pool is great, and it was not at all impersonal. In fact, many of the employees got to know us by name and went out of their way to help us have a great trip. I'm a little spoiled now and like the deluxes (for many reasons, but also because they are closer to the parks) but I do have to say that we loved CSR!

 

[niks81]

AKL is one of my favorite resorts, so I was going to vote for it... then I got to thinking ... one of the things I love about it is looking at the animals on the Savannah off the balcony. And if you know you're already stretching your budget trying to get a standard view, I'd ditch AKL.

This is pretty much my thought too. I'd love to try AKL, but I have my mind somewhat made up that without the savannah view I wouldn't book it. So I guess if there isn't a great discount on savannah view I won't be going with AKL for the next trip we take

 

[BWgirl]

This is a tough choice

I think I'm leaning towards POFQ, but if there are good codes and I can get a savannah view at AKL I'll snag it I'm not doing standard or pool view...my husband will want the balcony with the savannah view Spoiled

 

[jaysue]

My vote for CSR as it is adult oriented and has a great pool theme as well plus hubby likes the look of it