Upgrade from CSR to AKL?

[mykidsrock76]

We are currently booked at CSR for 4 nights in September. For a little less than $300 we can upgrade to AKL. But is it worth it?

We've never stayed at a deluxe and I'm not sure what exactly AKL is like. We ate at Boma on our last trip, but didn't really get to explore the hotel much.

How is the pool area? Does it only have the one pool? What else is there to do at the resort? How is the transportation to and from the parks?

I've glanced through the AKL thread but I'm still having a hard time deciding. This is just a short trip for us before a cruise. But it's also a trip we are taking for our 10th anniversary. So, part of me would like to splurge and go the deluxe route.

I'd lilke to hear why everyone love AKL. Sell me on this upgrade!!!

 

[serene56]

we were booked into CSR for Labor day weekend.. then we found a 35% off so we upgraded to contempory for us the ease of not taking buses was worth it for us.



for you you would have to figure out how much time will be spent at the resort itself if you are going to be in the parks most of the days what would the purpose be to spend a grat deal more for the room

 

[kat3668]

I've stayed at both and honestly stick with CSR and save the money.... AKL is nice but not $300 more nice.
CSR is my fave mod and is so centrally located to all the parks.. seems to take forever to get anywhere (excepy AK) from Akl. Bus transportation is sketchy from AKL sometimes good some times bad. I've always had great luck at CSR with the buses as it is a convention hotel as well and you usually can always get a seat. I prefer the pool at CSR too the pool slide at AK is rather small and a little boring. They do have a nice water splash area over at Kidani but you have to take a shuttle over from Jambo house.
I'm sure whatever you decide you'll have a great time!

 

[Traceylee]

I switched from CSR today to a pool view room at AKL for our 12 day trip in November.
It's a beautiful resort. We never had a problem with the busses.
Love walking around to see the animals.
The pool is very nice.

 

[Tanyabeth8]

I've stayed at both and loved both. CSR has the better pool and also a pretty good food court. I also liked Maya Grill a lot even though it gets some bad reviews. I was lucky enough to have a savannah view at AKL. I love the atmosphere of AKL, although i found the rooms s little too dark. Jiko is also my all time fav disney restaurant. Tough decision, but I would go with AKL especially if the 300 included a savannah view.

 

[mykidsrock76]

The $300 is for a standard room. If it was savannah room, there'd be no question.

We are going to have 3 days to enjoy ourselves. Two days at parks and one day to do whatever. So we would be able to enjoy the resort some.

How is it for kids? Do they really get into the decor or do they get bored easily? Mine are 7 and 9.

 

[sarab]

The $300 is for a standard room. If it was savannah room, there'd be no question.

We are going to have 3 days to enjoy ourselves. Two days at parks and one day to do whatever. So we would be able to enjoy the resort some.

How is it for kids? Do they really get into the decor or do they get bored easily? Mine are 7 and 9.

We went to AKL in Feb. I booked a standard room and hoped for the best. The room was on the sunset savanna. Every night the giraffes, zebras and a few other animals passed by our balcony. We really enjoyed seeing them. My kids are 7 and 11. My youngest got into the activities more than the other. She insisted on being back everyday at 3:00 for the pool party. She also got to help make food for some of the animals on the savanna. My son liked the arcade and night viewing of the animals. Our family really enjoyed our trip. Going again Feb 2013. AKL is not in the budget this go around. Trying to decide between CSR and POFQ.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

The $300 is for a standard room. If it was savannah room, there'd be no question.

We are going to have 3 days to enjoy ourselves. Two days at parks and one day to do whatever. So we would be able to enjoy the resort some.

How is it for kids? Do they really get into the decor or do they get bored easily? Mine are 7 and 9.

We stayed at Jambo House in December 2008 and Kidani in August 2011, and when we booked for this coming August, AKL is the only resort my 8 year old daughter wanted to stay at. She loves it.

She also loves the jaguar slide at CSR, so she would be happy at either resort. But the Animal Kingdom Lodge has been her favorite resort out of the ones she has visited so far (WL, BLT, CSR, and AKL).

The pool (and slide) at CSR is better.

But at the AKL, you can use BOTH the pool at Jambo House AND the pool at Kidani (short walk). And those pools are both VERY nice. I love the slide at Kidani.

Kidani has an ultra cool water playground, too. There were lots of activities at both Jambo and Kidani. Last time, Eve helped make a beautiful wreath with honey and leaves for the giraffes to eat. The resort had things like that set up for guests to do every single afternoon. I'll post a picture! The cast member even let us know when to watch for them to deliver the beautiful wreaths to the giraffes (so we could see them enjoy it).

Have you checked out this website? http://www.aklresort.com/

Other activites included:

1. Flamingo Activity (interact with animal experts to learn more about the feeding strategies of pelicans and flamingos)
   
2. Animal Tracking (help track Donald using scientific research equipment)
   
3. Make your own Beaded Jewelry (necklace or bracelet) at Simba’s Clubhouse
   
4. Medallion Rubbing (create your own piece of African artwork)
   
5. Cookie Decorating (join Boma staff to decorate your own cookie)
   
6. Garden Safari (explore the interactions between the plants and animals that live around the Uzima Springs Pool)
   
7. Pin Trading with King Pin
   
8. Culinary Tour of Boma and Jiko
   
9. Music of the Savanna (learn to play an African instrument and play your part in the circle of life)
   
10. Wildlife Games (test your animal knowledge with our animal experts)
    
11. African Folktales around the Arusha Rock Fire Pit (love the comfy rocking chairs)
    
12. Primal Parade (shake, beat, or rattle African instruments as you follow our parade through the lobby)
    
13. Cultural Safari (join our cultural reprensentatives as they take you on a 30 minute tour of their native homeland)
    
14. Wii tournament and Arts & Crafts at Community Hall
    
15. Ostrich Egg Toss, Holey Bucket Relay, African Face Painting
    
16. Animal Viewing with Night Vision Goggles

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Honestly IMO nothing quite like AKL!!! I think it would totally be worth it. I too booked a standard room at AKL and was upgraded to a savannah view - but just being at the resort in any room is extra magical. I was sitting on my bed looking out at the zebra laughing to myself saying again and again "worth every penny!" Of any of the deluxe resorts, I think AKL is definitely worth it - very unique - other resorts I might not pay the extra for but I would for AKL.

 

[monorailmom]

We will be at AKV two weeks from today, and this thread has really got me excited now! Can't wait to experience everything this resort has to offer!

 

[animalfairy]

AKL is our most favorite resort. There is so much to do from activities all day to nightvision goggles and relaxing in the hot tubs at night. Story time at the firepit in the early evenings is so cool. If you need to chill out during the day there is an indoor firepit. A bottle of wine with zebra domes is very relaxing while the kids view the animals.

 

[CanadianPaco]

A bottle of wine with zebra domes is very relaxing while the kids view the animals.

Oh, you gave me goosebumps!! Great idea!

 

[ben1993]

AKL is incredible, the only reason that Disney prices it as the cheapest deluxe is surely the location, which isn't that big of a deal anyway. The pool is huge and gorgeous, the dining options are brilliant, the lobby is stunning, the rooms are beautiful and the decor is very unique, and of course the surrounding savannah's are the real selling point. I don't even think a savannah view room is essential, we had a standard view but sat on one of the balcony viewing areas watching the sun go down as the animals roamed on many nights.

 

[mykidsrock76]

I think we're going to stick with CSR. We only have 3 full days and we will not have an abundance of time to spend at the resort. After we worked out our park plans, we decided its something to save for when we do a longer trip and will have more down time to spend at the resort. Thanks for all the input and I hope everyone enjoys their upcoming stays at AKL!

 

[KatMark]

I think we're going to stick with CSR. We only have 3 full days and we will not have an abundance of time to spend at the resort. After we worked out our park plans, we decided its something to save for when we do a longer trip and will have more down time to spend at the resort. Thanks for all the input and I hope everyone enjoys their upcoming stays at AKL!

I think this is a great idea. We LOVE CSR and it has always been our "home away from home." And then last year, through the generosity of friends, we stayed for two nights at AKL/Kidani and then four nights at Old Key West. The two nights we were at AKL we did not do the parks...we just enjoyed the resort and it was perfect in every way.

We do plan to go back to AKL/Kidani in 2013 for our 30th wedding anniversary and will do the parks that time, but also plan on quality time at the resort.

And I can't wait to be back "home" in December. I have a surprise 60th birthday trip planned for my DH and we are going to CSR for four nights. It's a great resort.

 

[jujube]

OP, I would only switch from CSR to AKL only if we had a savanna view. The lobby is gorgeous but the rooms are only ok, IMO.

 

[cjsm&d]

The $300 is for a standard room. If it was savannah room, there'd be no question.

We are going to have 3 days to enjoy ourselves. Two days at parks and one day to do whatever. So we would be able to enjoy the resort some.

How is it for kids? Do they really get into the decor or do they get bored easily? Mine are 7 and 9.

You aren't there too long so it shouldn't be an issue. My DS was bored with the place after about 3 days. I certainly wouldn't do a long stay there again, but for 3 days it's pretty nice.

If I hadn't ever been there before, i'd try it for $300. But I have stayed at both, and prefer CSR really.

 

[CoolPool]

My kids impression was CSR has a nice pool but a bland theme. It sort of like a nicer La Quinta.

AKL they could talk with the cultural CMs, do interesting projects, and watch/learn about animals. AKL takes you someplace else.