POP, CBR or AKL

[hopelea]

We have stayed at POP three times, POR, once & WL. Our last trip we stayed at WL....we LOVED it. It was wonderful. We are spoiled....how do we go back to a moderate or value?

We are a family of 4. I have talked my DH into going to DW Mar 15 - 20!!!
I am afraid of a value because it is spring break time and I am afraid of the crowds and noise. I think it would be cool to stay at CBR in one of the new pirates rooms. Or is it worth the extra $ for AKL??

POP $2900.
CBR $3400.
AKL $4600. (savannah view) All three with dinning!

I want to get this figured out quickly, it is almost the 180 mark, need to make PS!!

 

[Samsma]

I'd probably go ahead and do AKL. I love this resort, although you may not like the location as well as you did the WL. When its me and the kids we do value, and when DH goes we do deluxe. We visited all the mods last time we went and decided that POFQ was probably the only one we'd like because of the size of the others.

 

[EnnEss]

Ive stayed at WKL, WL and CBR, so I think I can lend some insite from my pov that may coinside with yours. WL is my favorite for sure. I really like the locale and taking the boat to MK, I prefer the boats to the monorail and when at monorail resorts still take the boat. The monorail always has and always will be a skytrain, which is our form of subway here, its in the air though, so its not exciting for me. The new DL monorails are actually built here by the same company, anyways....

CBR was good. We had dining while there too actually. I enjoyed the relaxed feel of the resort, we asked for jamaica and got it. Its about 5 minutes to the food court and main pool from there, and you walk over a little island with bridges to get there. The island is jammed with vegetation, a nice touch. The rooms are the same size there as AKL and WL actually, but they are mostly devoid of theming. Only mod with that size rooms btw. The nice thing about it is there are a lot more seats because its a mod at the food court. This doesnt really matter in off season and thats the only time we go but I could see the WL filling up at times. The pool was nice, the hot tub is always full, even in off season, its small and there is only one. I still like having it though and made use of it. The buses were good, its really quick to DHS, i mean 3 or 4 minutes by bus. Epcot was pretty close and its kind of central to AK and MK I think. I'd do this resort again all and all. No huge lines for buses like the values, far bigger rooms, and a nice theme for the place. Jamaican music everywhere, very cool. Not as immersive as the deluxes, particularly in the rooms, but nice.

AKL was amazing, the lobby is so stunning, just like WL's is. Its even more intricate I think, but it is darker because of how its lit with natural light at the back. Great though for sure. The animal view is so cool. We had standard and got upgraded, amazing luck. We had giraffes, zebras, ostriches, african cattle and various birds. All of them got very close quite often. They go off at night to sleep out of view it seems most of the time, but once a giraffe slept in front of our place. I found the food court to be better at AKL than WL, not just marginally either, lots of different type of stuff that was great, like the gyro type things, name eludes me.

Boma is probably one of the best if not best, restaurant at its price point. Do not let the fact its a "buffet" fool you, if you go there, make ressies for it. If you dont stay there its still worth it. Wow. Lots of books rave about it, and I agree fulheartedly. Buses, AKl is a bit out of the way, this doesn't bother me, some it may. Its probalby a 15 minute bus ride to MK, 10 to epcot and DHS, minutes to AK. Pop is about the same to MK though, so im not sure that really matters. Ive heard some peolple say things like its 30 minutes to MK, and thats just nonsense. It isnt possible to take 30 minutes to get from AKL to MK, WDW simply isnt ALL THAT BIG.

So thats my quasi reviews. Comparison? I wouldnt do Pop for that savings, some people swear by it, its not my thing, it could be if it was cheap enough, but its usually not vs a mod in off season. CBR v AKL for you. Thats a lot of money for 5 nights to upgrade. 1200. Hmmm. I think for us it was only about 450 to upgrade for 9 nights, exact same situation in May. There may have been a discount or something, and it was a no brainer. For that amount of time, I would not spend the 1200, not because its not a beautiful resort, simply because of my fiscal situation. Im not sure what yours is. To me, AKL is a steal because of the price compared to other Deluxes, I like it a lot more than other deluxes. I just think because Ive been to CBR and also like it, though not as much, I could be happy there and keep the 1200. I also really like PoFQ, different feel though completely. Thats my 2 cents, but it would totally change if I was able to make that upgrade and not be pressed financially, I'd do it. Also, there is every chance there may be a code for that time that comes out later if its not smack dab spring break time, which it may be. Hopefully my wishy washy opinion is of some help.

 

[hopelea]

Thank you so much for your great reviews!!! My only concern is the double beds. My DH is 6'4 and it is terrible sleeping in a double room with him. But, since I am at WDW , I will let him have a bed to himself and I will sleep with one DD and bring an air mattress for the other.

I didn't realize the rooms were the same size?!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We always choose to go moderate because the deluxes are so pricey! I'm sure they are wonderful, but I just can't justify the extra cost. Especially when most of the moderates are so nice.

We love CBR! Beautiful grounds, white sand beaches, hammocks by the lake, Caribbean music playing quietly everywhere, a relaxing tropical feel, a beautiful bridge and island, great and huge food court, friendly CM's, double sinks in the bathroom with LOTS of storage space underneath, and the LARGEST rooms of all the moderates! All that, PLUS a new pool. It’s like a vacation within a vacation, a “leave your worries at the door” kind of place!

 

[KatMark]

AKL would be our choice of your three.

 

[DizzDoll]

We did a split stay between Pop and AKL this year. Here's my thoughts:

Pop is closer to the parks and their bus service, IMHO, is superior to all the others. The rooms are not large, but for us they're fine. We get the 2 queen size beds (I think they're queen size) and find them to be very comfortable. The food court is excellent and the lines move quickly, and we've never had a problem getting a table. Mousekeeping: this year, I had a shower curtain reeking of cigarette smoke which I asked to be changed, and it was taken care of immediately. I left the mousekeeper a $5 tip for such quick and gracious help. The next day I didn't leave anything because we were in a hurry to get out. I always straighten the room before we leave so the mousekeeper can at least move around. The little table had some of our stuff on it which I arranged so the room wouldn't look too messy. As I was the last one to leave the room I know what it looked like. That night when we got back, the mousekeeper rifled through the stuff on the table, and our things (mostly pins, receipts and loose change) were scattered all over. I'm assuming she was looking for a tip, but I won't swear to it because that would creep me out, but...Anyhoo, I left her $15 on the day we checked out because she was the same one we had all week.

AKL - drop dead gorgeous resort and we had a room to die for. Even with the construction of the DVC right there. We saw so many birds and animals at any given time of the day, it was wonderful. The pool is beautiful with a zero entry area. Little ones like to play there - they were so cute. Boma is in my opinion one of the best restaurants on property. We had breakfast there and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. The room was kept in tip-top condition and we had such a sweet mousekeeper!!! Even though I have 2 teens she left us a towel mickey and a bird of some sort, and she spoiled the dickens out of my daughter, leaving her some extra H2O items such as lotions, gels, toothbrushes, so many little extras. The Mara is an excellent food court as well with an abundance of tables and an outdoor seating area. The major negative and which is why we won't stay there again is the bus service. Horrible. At least it was when we were there. Others have had better experiences than us and that make me jealous!! We waited at a minimum of 30 minutes to 45 minutes for a bus on too many occasions. The parks are just that much too far away for us (obviously with the exception with the AK). But to each their own, and would I recommend the Lodge? Yes, because I think you should experience it at least once.

 

[MaryJPixie]

I just emailied my TA to let her know I would like to upgrade to a deluxe from a moderate...I started out at a value (POP) then decided to upgrade to POR, now I want a deluxe!!!!!!!!! I have only stayed in deluxes, so to go to a mod or value is hard!!!! Just to let you know also we stayed in AKL in May and it was AWESOME!!!!!! Great pool, great restaraunts, great mousekeeping, great views with the animals.....IMHO....I would go for AKL......have fun and good luck!!!!!

 

[hopelea]

Does it really take a lot longer to get a bus at AKL?? It is really far out, right?
I am still trying to decide. I will have to check finances......I am hoping for a deluxe, but will probably go to CBR.

btw, DizzDoll, the beds at POP are doubles and small doubles at that. My DH is 6'4 and he had one bed all to himself. We usually pack an air mattress. One dd sleeps on it and my oldest dd and I get the other double!

I'll will decide quickly!!!

 

[MaryJPixie]

Does it really take a lot longer to get a bus at AKL?? It is really far out, right?


We didn't have any issues with transportation.....bus to Animal Kingdom Park is fast.....like 5 minutes......the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and MGM seem to take alot longer though....

 

[hopelea]

Guess it doesn't matter how long it takes to get there...I'm at DISNEY, RELAX and enjoy!

 

[DizzDoll]

Does it really take a lot longer to get a bus at AKL?? It is really far out, right?
I am still trying to decide. I will have to check finances......I am hoping for a deluxe, but will probably go to CBR.

btw, DizzDoll, the beds at POP are doubles and small doubles at that. My DH is 6'4 and he had one bed all to himself. We usually pack an air mattress. One dd sleeps on it and my oldest dd and I get the other double!

I'll will decide quickly!!!

Thanks for the confirmatin on the bed sizes at Pop. My daughter the octopus and I get one of the beds and my 6' 15 year old son gets the other. No wonder his feet stuck out!!!!! You'll be happy to note that Pop is in the process of changing all their mattresses and man, are they comfy!!!

As for the AKL my kids and I found that it takes longer to get a bus. For example, on Sunday (8/24) my daughter and I were waiting - ad nauseum - for a bus to take us back to the AKL. We waited 40 minutes. Every other resort had 4 or 5 busses arrive in that period of time, and I'm not exaggerating in the least because we counted (hey, we were bored ). With that said, I still think the AKL should be experienced at least once in your lifetime. It really is magnificent, the amenities are great, and Boma can't be beat. The only complaint I had, and others have had the same complaint, is the bus service. My kids and I were saying yesterday that if we ever go back to the AKL it should be just for one night so we could relax by the pool. Think about it, go on Deb's website and look at some pictures, and decide. And if you decide to go for it, budget your time for the busses. The positive side is, like Pop, the bus only serves the AKL so you won't be "resort hopping".

 

[hopelea]

Glad to hear they are changing the mattresses at POP. The last time we stayed there they were pretty bad.

If we can swing it we will try AKL. If not, we will stay at CBR. I will be happy with either. As long as I am at Disney, I will be happy.

I have never been to DW during spring break. I hope the crowds are too bad.

I can't wait until I can go to DW in February when there are no crowds!

 

[soccerchick]

We stayed at AKL 8/10 - 8/18. The bus ride to or from MK was 17 minutes. I timed it a couple of times b/c I know people say how long it takes. 17 minutes.

The longer bus rides are the ones where you get a bus that does DHS AND BLizzard Beach. OUR longest bus ride was to DTD on a Friday night. Combination of traffic and route made it seem long, though I didn't time it at the onset.

I'm trying to remember long waits FOR buses. At MK one night we waited a bit - maybe 15- 20 minutes. We also had a 10-15 wait (again, I didn't time it, they just felt longer) for TL one morning.

I've been at Pop and AKL; was a big Pop fan until this past trip. I'd choose AKL again in a heartbeat.

 

[Buzz2001]

Akl!!

 

[hopelea]

Question about AKL.....if you do not book a Savannah room, is there a place where you can go view. We are thinking about booking a standard room.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Question about AKL.....if you do not book a Savannah room, is there a place where you can go view. We are thinking about booking a standard room.

Yes, there is a savannah viewing area, just off the lobby. We have gone out there several times when we have eaten at Boma, anyone can enjoy that area.

 

[EnnEss]

I didn't realize the rooms were the same size?!

CBR has big rooms for whatever reason, bigger than the other mods. AKL and WL are the smallest among deluxe for room size, but thats ok with me as it makes them a lot cheaper. 340sq feet for both.

 

[EnnEss]

Question about AKL.....if you do not book a Savannah room, is there a place where you can go view. We are thinking about booking a standard room.

We did a standard room too, cost was an issue for us. We'd been there before so we knew what to expect, as in visited, but not stayed. The standard rooms overlook the parking lot, usually, a very few exceptions I think. I wouldnt have cared. There are plenty of viewing areas, you can still do the night vision goggle viewing of the animals at night, and the resort itself is beautiful. We were actually incredibly lucky and got a free upgrade, didnt ask or anything, just happened. After staying there in an animal room, I'd still do it standard room if money was an issue, and it always seems to be for me.

As for Pop being closer, we're talking maybe what, two or three minutes on the bus difference? They're actually quite close to each other. Pop is by the mcdonalds, AKL is down the road from that. They're both some of the "further" away resorts. Didnt have a problem with the bus service, it was off season. They're hit and miss everywhere though and the hotel has nothing to do with it.

 

[nikki'smom]

If money is no object, definitely AKL!! Otherwise I'd choose Pop. CBR has more of a "value" feel with all the Nemo stuff.