WWYD? CBR or AKL with 3.5 yo?

[Mom2Dash]

I have my ressies booked for Nov. 25-29 at the CBR. I just on a whim looked into the same dates at AKL and it's $400 more. Not too excited about that part, but my DS who will be 3.5 at time of travel absolutely LOVES animals and already tells me he wants to be Jeff Corwin

I don't know if and when we'll get back to the World....at least till i go back to work. I will gladly give up all sorts of things to make the change if it's worth it.

We would essentially be going from a preferred room at CBR to a standard at AKL. The bus service from CBR is what's making me wonder about the accessibility of it all. But hey, what do I know?! DH & I have only been one previous time and we stayed at the YC, kinda hard not to compare to that ease of everything, kwim?

Anyway, sorry to babble, but can you help? DH will say whatever is cheaper, but he won't object if he doesn't know

TIA!

Jenn

 

[Keith]

If you're worried about the money, I'd just stick with CBR. Maybe spend a little extra time at Animal Kingdom and buy him a few souveniers from there. Also, the only transportation to/from AKL is buses, same as CBR. No matter which resort you pick, he'll still have a wonderful time. It's Disney!

 

[racheltyler]

We like AKL over CBR for these reasons - first, we have a then 4 year old and 2 year old who both love animals. We also spend more time at resort than most seem too, so pool and amenities are important to us over transportation and location. Here are some points to consider:

Pros/Cons - AKL:

1. Great pool area! - zero entry, nice slide for little ones. Lots of tables and seating. Good proximity to food court, viewing animals, playground.
2. Nice food court (most deluxes lacking this feature)
3. ANIMALS!!! Some activities are scheduled around this resort centered around animals and cookie decorating at Boma. We spent every moment going to search for animals in the many viewing areas around resort. Kids loved this!!
4. No recreational activities - biking, boating, trails. We got all our walking in at parks anyhow and fitness center is right there for free use to all guests anyhow. Didn't miss this at all. You can go over to BW and rent surrey bike also.
5. Boma is sooo good and my DH is picky eater. Zebra domes are wonderful!
6. Queen beds in room (vs. full beds at CBR). Interior corridors so nice in inclement weather. Nice having private balcony, whatever view you get!

Pros/Cons -

1. Beautiful theming
2. Nice having beach areas with playgrounds and quiet pools
3. Good food court
4. We did not like main pool area at all at CBR - way too small, crammed seating with no umbrella tables, just not set up very well. 5 person capacity hot tub for possibly thousands of guests.
5. Very spread out resort. Walks are long unless you have a preferred room.

Didn't find much difference in transportation. CBR buses stopped throughout the resort, AKL was one bus stop and straight to parks. Both were good.

Hope this helps! Have fun whatever you decide!