Trying to pick a resort

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mets7

Active Member
Ok let me start by saying we have been twice in the last year and half and both times have stayed at Coronado Springs. We love this resort and have never had a bad thing happen there as far as room, dining or transportation.

Now my delima......

We are planning a trip for the week after Thanksgiving next year with another family. We have decided that it is between returning to Coronado(which the other family has never stayed) and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. As far as rooms go you get a couple dozen extra square feet, but other than that they are about the same. We don't spend much time at the resort as we are out in the parks the entire trip usually. So give me some reasons why we should spend the extra money on AKL, and yes I know they have the savanah view, but that is not that big of a deal to us.
 
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cinderellafan6

cinderellafan6

Well-Known Member
Well truthfully it is nice to try another resort for the different view but sometimes its not worth the extra cash. I personally dont care about the savanna view either so im with you. I stay at the same resort as well. I have stayed at almost resort in Disney but I tend to go back as I feel most at home. You could use the extra money for a nice dinner or something. I say stay with your gut and your never really in the room that much anyways.
 
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Glasgow

Glasgow

Well-Known Member
@AKL
1) If it's cool you can sit by the fire inside or outside
2) Zero entry pool, nice surroundings (CSR has a great pool area as well, probably better)
3) Night time animal viewing behind the resort (not sure if they still offer night vision goggs)
4) The restaurants - this is the biggest plus of the resort I think. Two of the best meals on property IMO
5) Smaller resort with all rooms inside the main bldg - easier to get around and meet up with large groups

To be honest, I really liked both AKL and CSR - I prefer the ambiance and dining at AKL and really like the grounds and pool area at CSR. Each offers it's own charms and both will be part of my ongoing rotation :)
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Based on what you described I would stick with Coronado. At most maybe try another moderate resort like Port Orleans French Quarter. AKL is my favorite resort on property but if you are not going to use the amenities that it offers it will be a waste of money.
 
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lbrad

lbrad

Well-Known Member
CSR was just too big for us!!!
AKL was AWESOME esp. for our kids ...they loved seeing the animals morning, noon & night.

My favorite resort is POFQ!!! or POP
 
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P

Plowboy

Well-Known Member
POFQ is a great option if you wish to broaden your horizons accomodation-wise. Much smaller than Coronado, great theming, boat transportation to Downtown, etc. We've stayed at many different resorts at WDW and one of our fav's is POFQ. We also loved Wilderness Lodge and OKW, but the cost difference thing kicks in and we often opt for the more budget-minded resort. As many have pointed out, if you're only in the room to shower and sleep, why spend the extra $$$s?
 
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captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
Plowboy said:
As many have pointed out, if you're only in the room to shower and sleep, why spend the extra $$$s?
Click to expand...

We don't use much of the amenities offered at the Poly, but it's always our first choice of resort. Other factors come into consideration (for us anyways):

Room size
Theme and atmosphere
Location
Transportation
 
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M

mets7

Active Member
Original Poster
Plowboy said:
POFQ is a great option if you wish to broaden your horizons accomodation-wise. Much smaller than Coronado, great theming, boat transportation to Downtown, etc. We've stayed at many different resorts at WDW and one of our fav's is POFQ. We also loved Wilderness Lodge and OKW, but the cost difference thing kicks in and we often opt for the more budget-minded resort. As many have pointed out, if you're only in the room to shower and sleep, why spend the extra $$$s?
Click to expand...

The other family traveling with us has already stayed at Port Orleans and didn't like it that much. Also, We really like the queen beds they offer as I am not a small person.
 
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M

mets7

Active Member
Original Poster
captainkidd said:
We don't use much of the amenities offered at the Poly, but it's always our first choice of resort. Other factors come into consideration (for us anyways):

Room size
Theme and atmosphere
Location
Transportation
Click to expand...

I would stay at Poly in a heartbeat just because of the location, but that is way out of our price range. If we were going to upgrade to a deluxe it would be AKL or WL.
 
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mickeysshoes

mickeysshoes

Well-Known Member
Personal I would not spend the money at AKL if you did not want a Savana room. IMHO the reason to stay there. Wake up and see who is outside. We could tell time by the aniamals!!! Kind of neat but if not your thing then not worth the money. We love the WL...so I would suggest that. Very nice to have the boat to hop over the MK or the Contempory. Its an awesome place to stay. If WL is not for you then I would stick with what you know and love!!!!! Good Luck...this part is always the hardest part of planning a vacation. :wave:
 
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harryk

harryk

Well-Known Member
AKL does offer tours of the animal areas which are only availble to guest of AKL. If this may be a consideration. The tours are very early in the day.
 
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slappy magoo

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
I would stay at AKL no doubt about it. But I'd also probably spend more time at the resort than you plan to, so it wouldn't make as much sense to you. There's no unique transportation, like monorails to MK or boat/walkways to Epcot and the Studios. My experience with the buses, AKL was the best, but not so great that it would justify the increase in cost...

If you're planning on staying in one room, and one person gets an annual pass, you may get a good discount that would justify the price difference.
 
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