Moderate or AKL standard view?

[Lesley]

I'm thinking about our September trip and planning on taking a couple of days before and after our DVC stay in another Disney resort. At this point I'm planning on a fairly tight budget (though its always possible that could change) so I'm not considering a savannah view at AKL. If I were considering a savannah view I would definitely prefer that over a moderate resort.

What I'd like to know, particularly from anyone who has stayed at AKL with a standard view and also stayed at a moderate resort, if you would still choose a standard view AKL room over the moderate room. I think most of the appeal of AKL for me is the savannah...though I love the resort itself, what was most amazing about staying there when we did it was having a savannah view. I'm wondering if the surroundings of the resort itself, plus the larger room with larger beds is worth the extra cost.

Anyway, I'd love opinions! Thanks!

 

[abminer]

I have stayed at AKL Standard and two Mods. I much preferred AKL (but I enjoyed the Mods too) for the overall look and ambiance of the hotel. It may be different for you, since I have never stayed in a savannah view room so I have no comparison there, but we liked the how close standard rooms are to the lobby/bus stops. Being at the end of one of the wings equals a long walk. The beautiful lobby, public animal viewing areas and restaurants make it feel more upscale than the Mods which are more motel-like.

 

[Kapp]

don't know if it would be same with just a standard view room instead of a savanna view.Something about waking up and looking out your balcony and seeing the animals out there. It is a great resort from top to bottom and you'll have a great time regardless!

 

[Buzz2001]

We love CSR!

CSR is a large resort that does not share services with other resorts and even offers some deluxe amenities because it is a convention resort.

CSR offers a salon, a spa, a gym that even other moderates do not offer. CSR offers an internal shuttle system provided by golf carts to assist in getting to and from the main building to the villages. Again, it is not a perfect system but it is something not offered at other resorts.

CSR has terrific transportation. It is not share with any other resort (like POR / POFQ) and it only has 4 bus stops within the resort (vs 8 at CBR).

And being a convention resort, the buses seem less crowded because guests are busy with their conventions.

CSR has the best pool of the mods and probably the second best on WDW property. Best mod pool. It offers a great slide (123 ft long), an arcade, a sand volleyball court, a playground and kiddie pool at the main pool area.

Photo by Ducky4Disney

It will come down to your tastes. Good luck deciding!

 

[dolphin01]

Tough call but if you are going to pick a moderate, we love CSR!! The dis site is great. Our kids love it!!

 

[nomie74]

I've stayed at PoFQ and POR and WL and AKL -standard view. For me I would pick AKL for the amenities, we especially liked the valet parking, room service and table service restaurents that the deluxe hotels offer. Even with a "view" of the parking lot, it was much nicer to stay at a deluxe and just enjoy the animals from viewing locations. And when we were in the room, we wouldn't have necessarily been sitting out on the balcony watching animals anyways.

 

[Lesley]

Thanks for all the input! We might actually try doing a weekend at each. We have stayed at CSR once before and loved it. Maya Grill is one of our favorite places for breakfast (yes, we've gone to CSR just for breakfast a couple of times!). My 5yo loves the photos.

While my youngest is under 3 we might just suck it up and bring a small air mattress for our 11yo to sleep on in a moderate. Judging by the room we had a CBR last week there should be plenty of room to slide it under the bed when not in use, like the trundle at POR. We know staying in only a deluxe or DVC 2br is in our future...but i think we have to try to hold off on that as long as we can just so we can keep coming to WDW!

I do worry that my one night in a savannah view at AKL has ruined me for all other possible rooms there....LOL....but I do love the resort as a whole too and would love to be around for the storytelling, etc...

Anyway, still not completely decided, but I have plenty of time before I'll be seeing an AP rate for either for September....

Thanks!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We would pick a standard room at AKL over a moderate. We like the extra room and it isn't too hard to watch the animals.

 

[JFrey4240]

We would pick AKL over a moderate any day. Moderates are nice but deluxes are nicer. Interior hallways with AC and balconies for starters...