Is AKL or WL really worth $1000 more than say the Coranado Springs Resort?

[ssatterly]

We will be there for a week when we go

 

[pepe of ohio]

Well we have stayed at all three and from our experience, anywhere is better than CSR... We hated the resort, it's hugeness layout and food offerings .... Any resort that has multiple bus stops is not for us...

As for AKL and WL, again AKL is too huge internally, location is undesirable ( nothing in vicinity but the resort itself ) and for said animals on Savannah, very few.... We scratched that resort too....

WL, our resort of choice, why, based on location alone... In MK area, very compact and under one roof with a boat ride to the MK and FW pleasant alternative to busing...plus the closeness to the monorail resort loop of more shopping and dining options...

Worth an extra 1000.00... That's very subjective... On occasion it can be worth it but other moderate resorts interest us more at times... Preferably POFQ, a small compact resort with deluxe amenities ...when we go twice a year to WDW, one trip to WL and the other to POFQ... For us the best if both worlds and a money saver..

 

[robinb]

We will be there for a week when we go

Where else have you stayed?

 

[ssatterly]

Where else have you stayed?

I have not stayed anywhere yet

 

[Kae]

I have not stayed anywhere yet

Who all is in your party?

Kae

 

[ssatterly]

Who all is in your party?

Kae

me and my DH and my DD who will be 14 next year

 

[Mousemommy1]

We will be there for a week when we go

It all depends on what you place "value" on. Moving from a moderate to a deluxe means gaining interior hallways, better location (with the exception perhaps of AKL), more transportation options (again with the exception of AKL), more dining choices, larger rooms, etc...

WL is my family's absolute favorite resort. We love that it is compact, has the boat to MK, and boat to CR so we can hop the monorail from there. It is so quiet there, like a vacation within a vacation. The theming is incredible. We love watching the EWP from there and we could also see the Wishes fireworks and Cinderella Castle from our balcony.

AKL is gorgeous but doesn't offer the prime location or transportation options that I feel you are paying for in a deluxe.

I haven't stayed at CSR but wouldn't chose it because the layout appears to be too much like CBR, which was not our favorite.

Between the CSR and WL, I would pay more for WL, but you have to decide whether it's worth it to you.

I would also keep an eye out for discounts so that you don't have such a big price jump from one to the other.

 

[robinb]

I have not stayed anywhere yet

So this is your first visit staying onsite? Then no, it's not worth $1000 more for the week. I happen to really like CSR and I think your family of 3 will be very happy there!

 

[Ilivetogo]

We will be there for a week when we go

Been to both and loved them both!

"Worth the extra $1000" is up to you. Both are beautiful resorts - no doubt. I, personally, wouldn't hesitate to go back to either one!

.

 

[Renacuajo]

Like others have said, it depends on your priorities. Being first time visitors, I'd suggest you go with CSR. You'll probably spend a lot of time in the parks, so hotel amenities might not be that important for this trip. Since you'll be there a whole week, you should spend a few hours visiting the deluxe resorts to get a feel for them and maybe have breakfast or lunch.

For most people, the biggest draw to deluxe resorts is that everything is inside. At moderates you have to walk outdoors to the food courts, restaurants, and bus stops. This doesn't seem like a big deal, but at certain times of the year it rains daily in Florida.

 

[capegirl]

If it meant that much savings, I would choose CSR, especially considering that you do not have very young child. Our family loved CSR so much we will be returning this summer. The pool is great, and they have a HUGE hot tub...unlike the small ones found at other resorts. There are also a few quiet pools. They have a nice little CS at the small pool, where you can enjoy nachos, burgers, etc, along with a great bar.The grounds are gorgeous, and they have a number of bus stops are scattered about so you won't have to walk too far. By the way, CSR bus service is THE best on the property....they do not share with other resorts. Some complain that the resort is too spread out, but we actually enjoyed walking around the property which is gorgeous. When we were there, there were many young families having a great time enjoying the activities poolside, as well as the movies and campfire at night. Again, In my humble opinion, CSR is the best of both worlds; you will find the resort relaxing, and your child will have a great time. If you do not want to be too far away from the lobby (El Centro), you can always request a room in buildings that are not 'preferred', that are actually in great locations.

 

[ssatterly]

So this is your first visit staying onsite? Then no, it's not worth $1000 more for the week. I happen to really like CSR and I think your family of 3 will be very happy there!

yes 1st time!

 

[hsmamato2]

I would say no...they are all lovely,and in my eyes equal- all are fairly far from any central activity,WL has a ferry to MK, but that is it, the buses at all 3 seem the same, with AKL being 3rd,as they tend to be slower and less predictable,IMHO. I'd save the money and eat nice meals while there

 

[OKW Lover]

We will be there for a week when we go

Only you can answer this question. What are you looking for in a Resort? What types of accommodations do you regularly book in hotels? Are you expecting to use the Resort facilities? Can you realistically afford it or would the money be better spent on other things?

 

[mckelvey72]

On our first trip last year we stayed at WL and LOVED it. We are going back there in December. We loved the theming, compactness, boat to MK.

So I would say it is definitely worth it ONLY IF, you are not going to be stressed or the budget to the max if you do it. You want to feel comfortable in your budget or you will be worrying all week long. If that is the case, go with the moderage. If 1K is no biggie, then spring for the Deluxe. But warning...you go deluxe once you probably won't want to go back HAHA!!! I wanted Port Orleans Riverside but I got voted out for WL again!!

And just so you know, the deciding factor on WL for us the first trip was the bunk beds which you don't have to worry about.

You will have fun no matter what you choose.....so dont' stress too much. If you want to go moderate then think of it this way...you have 1K you can spend on whatever you want!!!

 

[JamiLeigh]

The only way I would justify an extra $1000 is if young kids were on trip and we stayed at a MK resort. We just got back with our 2 and 5 yr old and it was husband who convinced me to upgrade to CR, with a 20% discount it was still quite a bit more than a moderate or deluxe, but the monorail was total worth it. I can't comment on CSR, but we love POR and it should be about the same price.

 

[JVig]

OP, if you're really tempted by AKL, you could stay there for maybe a night or two at the end of your trip?

I am also a first timer, and we are going in late August. I just switched our plans which had been POR for the whole trip. But I kept reading about this Stormalong Bay pool at the Beach Club that sounds fantastic. I called yesterday and changed our last night to Beach Club, its costing me $105 to do it, but I think it'll be worth it. It works out well because we'll be in Epcot that day, and then we can do a character breakfast at the Beach Club and check out the pool on our travel day (late flight out).

So maybe tack AKL on to the end of your trip and plan Animal Kingdom for that time?

My understanding is they'll even shuttle your luggage over to the next resort for you

 

[pamkat1820]

I think it is totally worth it. Either resort. Love AKL great waking up to the animals off your balcony in the am. It's a very relaxing resort. WL is wonderful like you are in a completely different world. So close to Mk just a boat ride away. You can't go wrong with either resort. Everything is all under one roof with both resorts.

With CSR my opinion it's just too big, walk around a lake to get to where you need to go? To refill a mug? Internal bus system? No too big for my liking. And the whole counter service seating and tipping -no thank you lol

 

[MissouriPrincess]

We rented points to stay at AKL for our first family trip last summer. it does make things more affordable. Next summer, we are planning a split stay of POR and AKL-Kidani. We just really liked Kidani, but we are shaving the cost a little by doing two nights at POR and five at Kidani.

We probably can't go without renting points, now. The washer/dryer in the room and full size fridge is hard to beat. Plus, at Kidani, a one-bedroom has two bathrooms. We got a two-bedroom last year because my parents came with us. Next year, we'll be just the four of us in a one-bedroom.

 

[ssatterly]

We rented points to stay at AKL for our first family trip last summer. it does make things more affordable. Next summer, we are planning a split stay of POR and AKL-Kidani. We just really liked Kidani, but we are shaving the cost a little by doing two nights at POR and five at Kidani.

We probably can't go without renting points, now. The washer/dryer in the room and full size fridge is hard to beat. Plus, at Kidani, a one-bedroom has two bathrooms. We got a two-bedroom last year because my parents came with us. Next year, we'll be just the four of us in a one-bedroom.

What do you mean renting points?