Should I go w/ a moderate?

[puddleduck]

If money is an issue, I would go with a moderate. The moderates are extremely well-themed. AKL is our very favorite WDW resort, but we did not enjoy the one night we spent in a standard view room prior to moving to a savanna view room for our May trip. (However, we might have felt differently if we hadn't stayed in savanna view rooms in the past.) We spent the last two days of our 10-day trip at CSR, and everyone in the family LOVED it -- just in a different way. I'll also add that we had our 2.5 dd, 4 yo ds, and 13 yo ds with us. At CSR, I slept with the 2 little ones with no problem. (We fell asleep together while older ds and dh were at DQ.) At AKL, the little ones slept in the top bunk, while our older ds slept in the bottom. Both worked fine with little ones.

We have definitely decided to stay at CSR. Thanks for the info. I think we will enjoy it. We are planning a longer stay at AKL a year after this first one. Thanks to everyone for all the useful info.

 

[Avalanche]

I think you'll really enjoy CSR for your first trip. We thought the buses were great, we love the Pepper Market (it's my DS's favorite place to eat) and the grounds are beautiful.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[Dislifer]

Just my opinion.....On-site I have stayed at the Polynesian and the Contemporary. I am going again in December and after reading many posts and books and also trying to save some money, we are going to stay at our first moderate...CBR. We are going to pay the little extra for a Preferred Location Room.
Here is where my personal opinion is just that...my opinion. Last time we went to WDW, I wanted to see AKL to see if possibly I would want to stay there on my next visit. I am sooooo happy that I went to see it. I did not like it!!!! Very dark. Also, the savannah was not the impressive to me...at all. My advice: stay at a moderate this time (it probably won't be your last trip, right????), go visit AKL and see what you think!
Enjoy wherever you stay. If money was no object, next time I would like to either try Wilderness Lodge or Beach Club.