CSR or AKL

[canofdice05]

My husband and I are celebrating our anniversary and I am debating staying at CSR or AKL(standard view). Which one do you all suggest and why? Thanks!!!

 

[MyNameIsSonnyEclipse]

I will admit complete bias here as I honeymooned at AKL.

That said, it entirely depends on what you want. If you want something simply resembling a high end resort and you consider yourself (and I don't mean this as an insult at all!) more conventional travelers, CSR is likely the move.

If you want something a bit quieter, a lot more unique, and very Disney (without Mickey outlines hitting you over the head), I couldn't recommend AKL enough.

Both have great dining (although AKL is again slightly more adventurous), Coronado is more central geographically, but both only have bus transportation.

You can't go wrong with either, but I would say that you could get something approximating the CSR experience elsewhere; I'm not sure you could with AKL. Whether or not that is a good thing is up to you.

 

[canofdice05]

You suggest AKL even without the savanna view room? Thanks!

 

[rangerxenos]

You suggest AKL even without the savanna view room? Thanks!

I would DEFINITELY suggest AKL, with or without a savannah view. If you don't have a view, there are plenty of places to sit outside and watch the animals anyway throughout the resort. BTW, you can request a Resort room with a partial view, there are a lot of them!

AKL is my favorite resort. They have 3 of the best sit down restaurants on property. You will not find a more unique resort anywhere. I love the vibe of the place, it feels like home to me.

 

[Robber Baron]

We've stayed CSR over a half dozen times and AKL 4 times, so we like both of them.

Personally, I would not stay at AKL without Savannah view, but, that's just me. I believe the upgrade to deluxe is worth it with the view, but, don't see the value in staying AKL without the view.

One time a few years ago we considered pool view, but never pulled the trigger on that.

 

[Miffy]

We've stayed CSR over a half dozen times and AKL 4 times, so we like both of them.

Personally, I would not stay at AKL without Savannah view, but, that's just me. I believe the upgrade to deluxe is worth it with the view, but, don't see the value in staying AKL without the view.

One time a few years ago we considered pool view, but never pulled the trigger on that.

The pool view (now called "water view") is really nice. We do that now and then. Every once in a while they give one a room with a view of the thatched roofs and a glimpse of the pool--then we ask to be moved and they always accommodate.

And, OP, I'd take AKL over CSR anytime.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Another vote for AKL over CSR. Another person with a bias towards AKL, though, as it's one of our favorites. And we'd recommend AKL even without savanna view - but we'd certainly prefer it! There are options around the resort for animal viewing - even tours you can take. But the peaceful feel of AKL, the tremendous dining options, access to 2 pools..... an awesome place to stay.

 

[loves to dive]

Two completely different resorts and vibes. I've stayed at both multiple times and it usually just depends on price and how long my trip is. I've never stayed at AKL for an entire trip, only during split stays. If I have the budget for a deluxe I'm at an Epcot resort. If I don't, I'm either at CSR (non-tower room) or at Swan/Dolphin, which can be less than CSR. It really depends on your budget and what you want out of the trip.

 

[RanDIZ]

I don’t even think it’s close. AKL is the better choice.

 

[Brian Noble]

I haven't been to AKL, but have stayed at AKV (in a 1BR SAV) and at CSR (in a preferred King). I'd pick based on the vibe you both are looking for.

AKL is a "safari fantasy"--even with the Standard view. As folks have mentioned, it is easy to find places to enjoy the savanna from a variety of vantage points. The food service, the atmosphere, and the theming all work together to create this experience.

CSR is among the most "adult/sophisticated" resorts in the portfolio. This partly due to the steady flow of convention business, so the resort's infrastructure caters a little more to that market. For many WDW visitors, that is a drawback, because it is less "kid-friendly" (I don't happen to believe that, but that's a common sentiment here at DIS.) For an adult couple on an anniversary trip, though, that can be a perfect fit.

 

[japanese maple]

We've stayed at Gran Destino and really enjoyed the Tower. We liked the room, lounges (two excellent ones) and restaurants in the Tower and also Three Bridges. The rest of CSR was not that appealing to us. Kind of bland.

We chose AKL and we booked a pool (water) view on purpose! We love a good pool view. We aren't in the room all that much to pay extra for a savannah view. Plus will enjoy the lobby, the lobby bar, all the restaurants, the pool, all the seating spots scattered throughout the resort (Jambo and Kidani). The smells, the music... you get it!

Bus service at both, but I will say the bus service at CSR takes longer just because the resort is so big!

 

[MyNameIsSonnyEclipse]

You suggest AKL even without the savanna view room? Thanks!

I would. Lots of ability to see animals without it. Also (and I could be wrong about this; someone fact check me!) at least some standard rooms have partial savanna views (with pool/roofs/zookeeper areas obstructing). Not something to bank on, but it's not like you'll be miles away from animals.

 

[Miffy]

I would. Lots of ability to see animals without it. Also (and I could be wrong about this; someone fact check me!) at least some standard rooms have partial savanna views (with pool/roofs/zookeeper areas obstructing). Not something to bank on, but it's not like you'll be miles away from animals.

Yes, some standard view rooms have a partial savanna view.

 

[Dug720]

I love CSR, but I'm currently in a "Deluxe or Value only" mode since Moderates give you nothing park-wise above Values (only Deluxe get Extra Evening Hours). So AKL. Even if you don't have a savanna or partial savanna there are plenty of viewing points around the resort.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

AKL. It's beautiful. We remarked it felt like being on two different vacations.

We booked a standard room and requested a partial savanna, we got it but even without there are so many nice places to sit around the resort and watch the animals.

 

[BlueGreen5]

There is CSR and then there is the Gran Destino Tower at CSR. It's a BIG difference.

If your choice is between CSR proper and AKL, I'm sorry to be so blunt about it, but that's not really a tough call unless you can't justify the price difference (in which case, no judgment; I just assume you're asking this question because both are in budget). I cannot think of one single thing CSR proper does as good or better than AKL -- maybe the bus ride to HS and EPCOT is 5 minutes shorter... If the price is really the defining factor, I'd still look at CBR or POFQ before CSR.

The Gran Destino Tower at CSR is nice. It's going to feel newer and more sterile than AKL. Being non-DVC rooms, the rooms can be rather large at relatively accessible price points. And, like AKL, there are some top quality restaurants on site. It's a tougher call.

Still, the edge has to go to AKL here, as many others have mentioned. It has higher quality theming, better pools and common areas, and you aren't going to potentially spend 15 minutes on a bus circling the property. We stayed two nights in the Gran Destino Tower and those were the only two nights I will ever spend at that resort unless my company schedules a convention there.

 

[Babsy]

Another vote for AKL! I would definitely book AKL standard view before CSR! And I LOVE CSR, even the regular rooms in the cabanas or Casitas areas. We have stayed there many times and loved our stays there. I think that it is both a tranquil and beautiful resort. The four bus stops never bothered me and we don't mind using bus transportation. However, the AKL is a deluxe resort. This means interior corridors, a balcony on your room, luxurious theming and some perks that are currently deluxe guest only, such as the LLPP. some of the AKL standard rooms do indeed have partial savannah views, so definitely make that request if you decide to go this route. These rooms are a real bargain so definitely mention your anniversary when making the request. Hopefully a little magic can happen! AKL has the some of the best restaurants in WDW and a gorgeous pool. We highly recommend Jiko for a special dinner. The food, service and atmosphere are excellent. The AKL is our first thought for a place to stay when going on a trip to WDW.

 

[dina7]

Another vote for AKL! I would definitely book AKL standard view before CSR! And I LOVE CSR, even the regular rooms in the cabanas or Casitas areas. We have stayed there many times and loved our stays there. I think that it is both a tranquil and beautiful resort. The four bus stops never bothered me and we don't mind using bus transportation. However, the AKL is a deluxe resort. This means interior corridors, a balcony on your room, luxurious theming and some perks that are currently deluxe guest only, such as the LLPP. some of the AKL standard rooms do indeed have partial savannah views, so definitely make that request if you decide to go this route. These rooms are a real bargain so definitely mention your anniversary when making the request. Hopefully a little magic can happen! AKL has the some of the best restaurants in WDW and a gorgeous pool. We highly recommend Jiko for a special dinner. The food, service and atmosphere are excellent. The AKL is our first thought for a place to stay when going on a trip to WDW.

I feel stupid, but what is LLPP stand for? We haven’t been back in 6 yrs & just planned a trip for AKL in January. So need to brush up & learn new abbreviations

 

[Babsy]

I feel stupid, but what is LLPP stand for? We haven’t been back in 6 yrs & just planned a trip for AKL in January. So need to brush up & learn new abbreviations

LLPP = Lightning Lane Premier Pass. It is a new version of Lightning Lane that allows you access to the Fast pass lane for one time each for every LL attraction in that theme park, for one day. Currently it is only available to deluxe resort guests. Expensive!!!
(And, no worries, I've had to ask about abbreviations often. We all do, sometimes.)

Have fun at AKL! It is a gorgeous resort.