If we DO decide on a Deluxe...

[pianoronni37]

Which one should we choose??

I'm torn between WL and AKL because they both are the lower-priced Deluxes, but they both have gorgeous themes. WL I would love because of the boat ride and proximity to MK, and AKL I would love... well... because of the animals, of course!

CR is a big one for us, because DH really loved it. However, I wouldn't be too keen on staying in the garden wing, it seems so far from everything... is that really the case?? Honestly, I don't want to shell out the extra $ to pay for a room in the tower.

Help us choose... all in all, we'll probably just stick with Pop since DH is cheap, but I really really really want to stay in a Deluxe!!

We might just have to compromise and stay at CSR, since that was the original plan anyway!!

As far as the deluxes go, please give us the pros and cons of each and why you would pick one over the other!!

 

[spiceycat]

let him have the CR - since that is his choice.

while there - have a couple of meals over at WL and AKL - next year he will probably be delighted with your choices.

otherwise just go with Pop.

 

[KatMark]

Well, you know where my heart lies so you know what I picked. If I had to pick one of the deluxes you listed, I would go with the AKL! We've stayed at the CR in a garden view and in a tower room (with castle view). It was nice and convenient when the kids were little but not something I would pay for. Personally, we don't care for the WL--not into the mountain/log cabin/outdoorsy thing at all.

I know you had to cancel your trip, but I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you decide.

 

[mef78]

I love them all. I'd choose CR, only if there was a tower room. Otherwise, WL, then AKL (just because you can usually stay at WL for cheaper than an AKL savanna room).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Contemporary and this is why. If you decide to stay in the Garden Wing it's less then a 5 minute walk to the Tower and it's a lot cheaper per night then either view in the Tower. Besides that you would be staying at the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom, which is better then the location of the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[brergnat]

In your situation, I'd choose WL-STANDARD room. Don't pay for an upgraded view there. Not worth it.

I think AKL is overrated where the "animals" are concerned. How long will you spend in your room looking at the animals? You can do that at Animal Kingdom park, and see a much better variety of animals. Comparing standard view rooms across the board, WL is the best in terms of proximity to parks and other hotels (you can boat to the Contemporary and then have monorail access to the Poly and GF for meals, and the TTC for Epcot, if you wish).

WL standard room is the cheapest deluxe. And, IMO, is the most "deluxe" feeling hotel of all those you listed, unless you were going to spring for a room in the Tower of the CR. I wouldn't recommend a wing room there. Not the same as staying in the tower (the rooms are the same, but the point of staying at the CR is convenience, and staying in the wing negates that, and makes you feel detached, IMO).

 

[frisco]

I'd choose WL. You're close to the MK, and you have the boat ride. Arguably, the best themed resort on Disney property, yet less expensive than other deluxes. I agree - Only way I'd stay at CR is in the Tower. I agree with above poster. The whole point of staying at CR is convenience.

Quick story - We stayed at WL in December of 2007 for the 1st time. Absolutely fell in love with it. We had reservations for the summer of 2008 at the Polynesian, which had been our dream resort. We thought about switching back to WL because we loved it so much. Decided, let's try the Poly, after all, it has better transportation. The morale of the story is, we missed the heck out of Wilderness Lodge, and our staying there this July. Transportation is a huge factor, but unless it's really bad (which WL is far from bad), you have to go with the theme you prefer. Nothing beats coming back to your favorite resort after a long day.

 

[pianoronni37]

Hrm... so it looks as though the WL is getting the best reviews here, although the CR is a close 2nd... AKL might be a bit far away from the "action," so to speak, and a Savannah view is really the only way I'd like to stay there, and it is sooo much more expensive...

I hate decisions! Haha... DH is incredibly content staying at Pop - and he is in this state of mind now where "If we're going to upgrade, why upgrade to a Moderate - just go Deluxe, Moderate won't cut it!"

However, I'd be content going to CSR, as originally planned - I was SOO looking forward to it! But that would again, be talking DH into it, and I'd like to stay somewhere he'd be interested in... sooo that leaves CR, I think, in a Garden Wing... or maybe I can talk him into WL... decisions decisions decisions!!!

 

[jb01]

Another for WL. DH loves the boat ride

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

pianoronni37,
If you decide on staying in the Tower at the Contemporary, the Bay Lake View is $40.00 cheaper then the Magic Kingdom View.

 

[pepe of ohio]

In your situation, I'd choose WL-STANDARD room. Don't pay for an upgraded view there. Not worth it.

I think AKL is overrated where the "animals" are concerned. How long will you spend in your room looking at the animals? You can do that at Animal Kingdom park, and see a much better variety of animals. Comparing standard view rooms across the board, WL is the best in terms of proximity to parks and other hotels (you can boat to the Contemporary and then have monorail access to the Poly and GF for meals, and the TTC for Epcot, if you wish).

WL standard room is the cheapest deluxe. And, IMO, is the most "deluxe" feeling hotel of all those you listed, unless you were going to spring for a room in the Tower of the CR. I wouldn't recommend a wing room there. Not the same as staying in the tower (the rooms are the same, but the point of staying at the CR is convenience, and staying in the wing negates that, and makes you feel detached, IMO).

Akl, been there won't be going back. to us it was alot of hype, we saw a hand ful of animals over a 3 night stay, not worth the money and getting anywhere is by bus.

Wilderness Lodge is our resort of choice, price, location modes of transportation it's the best. Cheapest of the deluxes, theming galore and so much to do inside and out, walking trails to FW, surry, bike and boat rentals. Nope, for my money, even if I was offered another resort for the same price, we'd still stay at WL, last 10 or so stays have been there and zero regrets.

 

[kimysbug]

WL love it

 

[Tinkerbell2B]

I vote for AKL. We had our first stay there in March and loved it. We had a pool view room and it was wonderful. We didn't go there just for the animal aspect and weren't disappointed at all. In fact, I cannot see myself staying at a moderate or a value resort again! I am completely spoiled! We visited WL and had dinner there one evening. It was nice too. We visited all of the parks. I guess if you were planning on spending more time at MK than the other parks WL may be a better choice for you. Boma at AKL was great, but we enjoyed the Whispering Canyon at WL too. I probably wasn't a lot of help! All I can say is that once you get a taste of the deluxe resorts, you won't want to stay at the mods or values anymore if you have a choice!

 

[exit30]

The one thing that has kept us from AKL is it's lack of transportation aside from bus service. If I am paying deluxe rates I don't want to be limited to a car rental or bus service. We've stayed at WL numerous times and find it the best bang for the buck in a deluxe. We love the theming and location can't be beat, a simple boat ride to MK or CR and you are set.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

My vote is for AKV, but I wouldn't pay the extra for the Savahana view. There are lots of places to view the animals, but the resort is beautiful and romantic.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We were in heaven at AKL in November. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat! We saw animals all the time. The lodge is breath-taking! I would get up early in the morning and just site-see the lodge. So much beauty and then to go outside and see the birds and animals roaming around was just awesome.

The ride from AKL to the parks is no further than most others we found. Wonderful bus service although we only used it once. I have a scooter, so we drove most of the time. But distance and traffic - no issues.

I know how it is deciding between levels of hotels. I'm picking up a 2nd job to pay for our next trip because we really want to do a deluxe for our romantic trip. Good luck with whatever you decide. You'll be at Disney - there is no bad choice!

 

[dairyqueenmom]

The one thing that has kept us from AKL is it's lack of transportation aside from bus service. If I am paying deluxe rates I don't want to be limited to a car rental or bus service. We've stayed at WL numerous times and find it the best bang for the buck in a deluxe. We love the theming and location can't be beat, a simple boat ride to MK or CR and you are set.

I wouldn't be scared off about the transportation to and from AKV, I have waited longer for the boat at BWV then most buses at AKV, and have been on the buses longer at BWV due to sharing buses with other resorts then I have ever been at AKV.

 

[Coconuts]

I say WL. You are getting a deluxe to make you happy, but cheaper than most other deluxes, to make DH happy.

 

[chimo2u]

AKL ALL THE WAY!! It is a beautiful, breathtaking resort. Relaxing with so much to do, you could spend a whole day at your resort alone. I have 2 teen boys, and out of all the resorts to choose from (Poly, Beach Club, etc...) they ONLY wanted to stay at AKL again...which says a lot for the resort. The transportation was reliable and quick. I had no problems with waits, or long rides, and the resort bus system seemed to be very efficient. I loved leaving the transportation to disney! You can't go wrong at AKL... you'll fall in love with it, I am sure if you were to stay there.
Have fun choosing your resort.

 

[ptdealer]

Contemporary for location