One night only- where would YOU stay?

[lmnholds]

we're going on a Disney cruise next Nov.2nd with another family. We decided to use the 40% discount I got to stay in WDW the night before the cruise. We are not going to do any parks at all and will only have about a half of a day at the resorts. The children's ages at the time will be 9,8,6 and 5. We need to stay somewhere that wil be fun for an afternoon and evening for both the kids and adults. We can get a 2 bedroom villa at OKW for $425 ($212 per family) Or we can stay at a moderate in 2 seperate rooms for about 1/2 the price. I thought a villa would be fun so we can put the kids to bed and be able to hang out together. Also we'll be able to have breakfast in the room. I thought POR would be good because of the price and the boat to DTD. However, I've always wanted to stay at CSR so that's an option too. We usually stay at deluxes. So far we've stayed at Poly,WL,Contempo,BWI and YC. We loved tham all But we don't want to spend that much money when we don't have a lot of time to enjoy it.
So I guess our choices are OKW, POR, or CSR. Opinions please. Which would you choose??

 

[dandave]

I think it is the PERFECT excuse to stay at AKL Club level, which we love. If you get 2 standard CL rooms, then the price would be about the same per family as the 2 bedroom villa split- $224 plus tax per room a night. It sounds like you will be hanging out and relaxing at your resort, so you would get full benefit of the lounge offerings. I would think that just doing breakfast in the lounge would be a wonderfully relaxing start to a cruise. Plus the savannah view would be great entertainment for the kids.

 

[lmnholds]

Okay, what exactly is club level? There's food in the lounge? How do I get info on this? Do you think there's enough to do at AKL without leaving the resort?

 

[dandave]

I could glue myself to the lobby wall and be quite content...

That said, yes. The resort is gorgeous, with many museum quality pieces to view. There are many animal viewing areas, a gorgeous pool with a pool bar for the adults, there used to be crafts and fireside stories for the kids, etc.
The standard CL rooms all have a savannah view, so you will see the animals from your balcony.
The CL used to be called Concierge Level. You are given a key to access the Kilamanjaro (sp?) Club on the 6th floor. The staff is very nice and welcoming. They have a very nice continental type breakfast till 10ish, midday snacks, aftrenoon teas if I remember correctly, evening snacks and appetizers (hot and cold) from 5-7, desserts and wine/cordials from 8-10. There is always coffee and soda/waters available. Boma and Jiko restaurants are there, as well.
Anyway, I have the 40% rate for Regular Season in April, so I'm sure of the 40% rate for Nov 2. We stayed there the year it opened and fell in love. You will never find a better deal. For more info, check out the "Sticky" posts on the front page of this board.

**Editted because apparently I was "sure" but wrong. Upon examining my reservation paperwork, it will be $234 plus tax a night. Still the biggest bargain at WDW.