WL, AKL or CSR

[kruggel2004]

My husband and I have finally done it..After realizing that there is no earthly way we can afford the GF we have narroewed it down to AKL, WL or CSR..Now I've seen all the fact sheets but want personal opinions on which is the best and why..As soon as we make this decision we will book our trip..It's only taken almost a month to decide..LOL..Hakuna Matata

 

[Buzz2001]

You can't really compare WL & AK (deluxe resorts) to CSR (moderate Resort) but CSR does have some deluxe amentities, a great main pool area, terrific transportation and an awesome food area. Check out pics at my CSR website below.

 

[hockey mom]

We have done all 3 and my vote would be for WL.

 

[Densgirl]

We've done AKL, WL and only visited and eaten at CSR. I second the WL. I like the themeing here, the boat launch to MK and to Cont. where we then used the monorail, the restaurants here are great and we just liked the feeling the Lodge gave us after a long day in the parks. Even when it is hot out the grounds of WL feel cool. You don't even feel like you are in FL at all. All three are great resorts, have fun deciding.

 

[rt2dz]

Never stayed at CSR. Between AKL and WL, it is all about theming; otherwise, they are basically the same. My vote would go to AKL if you have a savannah view. Otherwise, I'd go with WL where, imo, view really isn't important at all.

 

[estnh]

A vote for AKL--we like the theming much better than WL..we're from the North, and see enough pine trees right here at home. The AKL has more of an exotic feel, and we like the rooms better. We also like the restaurants better, particularly Boma and Mara. (The food court at WL is tiny, and we don't happen to care for Whispering Canyon). Also, the ability to sit on your balcony and watch the animals is a one of a kind experience.

However, if budget is an issue, CSR is also very nice.

 

[denman007]

I don't want to confuse you more on where to stay, but have you considered a split stay? Maybe the 1st 5 nights at AKL,WL, or CSR and the last 4 nights at GF.

Just a thought for you.

 

[Waggy182]

I prefer the décor of WL to the other two. They are nice to visit and try the restaurants, but for the overall stay I like WL. Especially at Christmas, but even the rest of the years it’s great.

 

[kruggel2004]

I've thought about the split stay also but I'm not so sure I'm to unpacking and than packing up again. what do other people think about the split stays?

 

[dizkidz2]

We have split stay twice. The way we work it is we don't fully unpack. We unpack just enough for the days we will be at the one resort.

 

[picantel]

We have stayed at AKL and WL and I prefer WL although you cannot go wrong with both.

 

[ktink]

kruggel2004, your on a dangerous path. When I first started planning our trip for this year, thanks to Buzz, I booked CSR then enter the WL threads so I changed to WL, then enter the Poly threads and a mention of split stay. So I booked WL and POly split stay and called to add dining plan but with the split stay I could only use the WL stay or that's what my TA told me, I didn't confirm that with our resident experts. Then my TA tells me about POR and I remembered all the lovely POR threads. so I finally booked POR with dining and saved $$$.

I'm sending pixie dust your way because this is a tough decision. But remember the DIS is a goldmine with information but it makes the decisions even harder. Good luck.

 

[DizMomofRJF]

I did a split stay with my 3 kids last Aug. between the AKL an WL.I have to saythat the AkL won hands down! The WL was beautiful too,it had an awsome atmosphere just like the AKL,but me and te kids agreed that the transportation was sooo much better than the WL.You didnt have to share the bus with any other resort.The WL stopped at the Poly and the GF.Took too long!Also we thought the pools and the restaurants were the best.Boma's was great oh and more activities for the kids there to. Have fun where ever you decide!

 

[Bob NC]

I've stayed at all 3 and you can't go wrong with any of them. Just pick which theme you think you'd like best and go with it. One suggestion: Once you decide, don't even THINK about changing....lol

 

[pouncingpluto]

We've really enjoyed both CSR and AKL. We'll be trying out WL in 5 weeks!

AKL is definitely our favorite hotel... you just can't beat watching giraffes from your balcony. When we don't want to spend that much money, though, CSR is definititely our favorite moderate. The landscaping and architecture are very pretty... the Pepper Market is great... the pool is nice.