First time at deluxe resort, disappointed

[CAS]

Hi all,

We just returned from my surprise trip to the world for my wife during our 10 yr anniversary. We both loved it, but during the trip I was also comparing the hotel (AKL) to our normal moderate (CBR) and can't say that it's worth the difference in price, even with a really good balcony view.

True, all things were on a slightly higher class scale but not by too much (obviously a GF stay would be different). And to be honest, there are aspects of CBR that I think are done better. Now this could be that I've done CBR every year since it opened.

Does anyone think I'm crazy? Or was I just expecting too much? At more than double the price I really don't see myself going back to the deluxes. Please confirm or deny for me as I hate sounding unappreciative.

[BrerGnat]

Well, the AKL and the WL are not too much of a step up from the moderates. Room size is identical to the CBR, so you are paying mainly for the themeing, indoor corridors, room service availability, bell services, etc. Now, I will have to agree with you on AKL. It has its fans, but I am not one of them. Don't get the appeal at all, and I would never choose to stay there. That said, my favorite Deluxe is the Beach Club. THAT is a resort, and it is worth the price tag. Overall, though, my opinion of mod vs. deluxe is that the mods are too expensive for what they are, and I'd choose a value over a moderate if I was looking to save money. I feel like the mods are not much different than the values, but cost way more.

Everyone has an opinion on this matter. At least now you can say you've tried it and it wasn't for you. Once you find that resort that is "yours", it's tough to like others as much.

[Melanie]

Of course, everyone has a right to their feelings and opinions. Just curious, what about CBR did you find superior to AKL?

We've stayed at CBR numerous times and AKL once. I'd choose AKL every time if I could. We loved it! This could be also due to the fact that we really didn't pay that much more for AKL than we did for CBR (nowhere near double).

I'll also say that for years we thought we'd never want to stay at AKL and in fact passed it over many times. It just didn't seem to appeal to us. When we finally did (after getting a super rate), we all said 'what did we wait so long for?' We are looking forward to staying there again soon!

[DisneyBarb]

It just depends on what you are looking for! I have stayed at moderates with friends and hubby.. but we stay at a deluxe (Poly) when we are with the kids... we like it because of the theming and ease of transportation (monorail to the MK and Epcot).. also most moderates only have 2 double beds while deluxe have 2 queens and often a daybed.. 2 doubles would not work for us!

I do like the CBR for its tropical theming.. did not like WL because it reminded me of home.. (New England!). Hope you had fun in spite of the disappointment!

[CAS]

The cbr room layout actually has more usable space and so is essentially bigger than AKL. We both noticed that immediately upon entering the room.

Also, what's with the pool bar closing at 9:00? The only drinks left after 9 are at the stuffy lounge on the 2nd floor where everyone is dressed professionally, talks quietly and nobody is having fun. Bleh. The pool bar at CBR is always alive and everyone seems to know everyone else.

But in general, the atmosphere is very happy and communal at CBR while everyone keeps very much to themselves at AKL.

I think I'm with BrerGnat in that I don't really "get it." We have one of the biggest and best Zoo's in the world where I live so the whole couple animals from long distances and African theming just wasn't anything new to me.

If it costs the same as the CBR then I'd be back, otherwise it was a great learning experience. I will have to try the other deluxes for a more complete view.

[DizneyRox]

True, all things were on a slightly higher class scale but not by too much (obviously a GF stay would be different).

I would pick AKL over GF every day of the week and twice on Tuesday. IMHO, AKL is the best resort on property, which is partly why we own there. Location MAY be better elsewhere (depends on what you're doing I guess), but everything else I believe to be done better at AKL.

[Melanie]

I would pick AKL over GF every day of the week and twice on Tuesday. IMHO, AKL is the best resort on property, which is partly why we own there. Location MAY be better elsewhere (depends on what you're doing I guess), but everything else I believe to be done better at AKL.

And I agree with this as well. I have no desire to stay at GF, but will ultimately to complete our desire to stay at every WDW resort. And hey, who knows, we may love it after thinking we never could.

[Disney Hungarian]

But in general, the atmosphere is very happy and communal at CBR while everyone keeps very much to themselves at AKL.

I have noticed this too. Having stayed at all 3 levels; I have become aware to the level of sociability at the resorts. There are friendly and not so friendly people at all levels. The ratios of them seem to differ at different levels of resorts. It may have something to do with the fact that I am not pretentious and wear comfortable clothes rather than fashionable clothes. Or maybe because I am only 5'4". Who knows?

I will say that I choose between the 3 levels of resorts based on what kind of trip I want. If I want to be left alone and have a quiet trip with little to no fuss; I like to stay at a Deluxe. If I want to have fun and be sociable and be around strangers and have fun; I like to stay at the values. If I want access to a hot tub, then I choose the Mods.

[SBETigg]

Sorry for your disappointment. Our favorite thing about our deluxe stays is location and ease to parks, and AKL doesn't have that the same as our favorite deluxes, so we haven't tried it (but do like the look of it). The GF is my favorite resort. I love it there. But no guarantee you would love that one, either. It could be that you're just really happy and at home with what CBR has to offer, and that's cool. It will save you some money, too.

[Janmac]

We too experienced resort disappointment but it was the other way around. Our first on-property stay was at the Poly where we thought we had huge amounts of room. Our next trip we were so looking forward to CBR, which had opened the year before. We were completely surprised by the small feeling of the room. There were some other surprises - this far from the trip I'm not remembering anything we liked about CBR over the Poly.

Since then we have stayed almost exclusively at Deluxe Resorts - mostly Yacht/Beach Club and WL- with the exception of when we bring our own trailer to FW. There are two reasons, which Disney is moving to change, that we opt for Deluxe Resorts: queen size beds and a food option alternative to a food court. (We apparently don't "get" food courts - all the commotion makes us lose our appetites.)

We too were on a mission to stay at each Deluxe Resort but WL changed that. As other posters have said, each individual's resort favorite is definintely based on ambiance and location. Or, one man's poison . . .

Thank goodness we have so many options.

Jan

[CAS]

It's neat to hear about everyone's differing opinion. I guess there are as many preferences as people. Any aspect could be both a preference and a detriment to two different people.

I forgot to mention that the CBR has a huge food court with more options than I've seen in the deluxes, however has only one table service.

You are right, whichever feels like home is where you'll return to.

[CAS]

There were some other surprises - this far from the trip I'm not remembering anything we liked about CBR over the Poly.
Jan

Jan,

Although I've never stayed there, the Poly is my favorite so I would likely agree with your statement. If my first was the Poly I doubt if I''d even try any others.

[cather74]

I have stayed at both cbr and the poly. Hands down I notice the upscale feel of the poly right away. Plus cbr had so many bus stops it was annoying. I don't notice much of a difference between the all stars and the moderates but I feel there is a huge difference between those hotels and the poly,Gf, and cr. Just my opinion though.

[AllDisney]

Of all the places we have stayed at AKL is our favorite. I felt at home there. The room decor was warm, cozy & relaxing.

I can't wait to go back

[wmdaddy]

did not like WL because it reminded me of home.. (New England!).

How does it remind you of New England? It's themed after lodges of the pacific northwest. I'm from New England, and I don't know of any place that looks like the Wilderness Lodge.

[Goofy4TheWorld]

After 2010 stays in CR, AKL, and Pop, I was disappointed too...

CR was a TOTAL disappointment, but it took my wife and I five minutes at AKL before we turned to each other and admitted what a HUGE waste of money CR was. AKL was cheaper than AKL, AKL has the CR beat on theming for sure, plus it was soooo very peaceful at AKL.

Despite our unexpected love for AKL, neither Deluxe was worth a week of my money so I am sticking to Pop Century unless I give CBR a try (but with multiple bus stops CBR is doubtful).

[BigRedDad]

Disney Deluxe does not equal Deluxe in the regards of most people that travel in deluxe accommodations. For me, WDW is about the parks and not the resort. The resort is a place to sleep, shower, swim, and unwind a little. Other than that, I am at the parks. Moderate is the highest I will go and not necessary most of the time. I could sleep in a tent and be happy.

[DisneyBarb]

How does it remind you of New England? It's themed after lodges of the pacific northwest. I'm from New England, and I don't know of any place that looks like the Wilderness Lodge.

I think it reminds me of New England because of the pine trees and general woods feel that reminds me of certain parts of N.E. (my backyard has too many pine trees!). I typically feel like I'm away when its tiki torches, palm trees and calypso/hawainan music, but that just me!

[wickedgin]

I don't think you're crazy. There are lots of reasons people prefer one resort over another. And maybe your expectations were too high. Like BigRedDad said, Disney Deluxe doesn't always align with "real world" deluxe. I love tropical, tiki kitsch theming. The Poly is an obvious choice for me, but I was actually a little disappointed when I saw the rooms. Don't get me wrong, I will never turn down an opportunity to stay there, but considering the price and the 'Deluxe' label, I expected more. (I know the price is about more than just the room, but I think you know what I mean.)

[Disney Doll]

My parents own at AKL so we've stayed there once with them. It was free so I'm certainly not complaining, but it's not something I would pay for unless we got a super good deal. There were things we loved and things we didn't like.

1. The dark wood and decor seem dreary to me. In fact the master bedroom didn't even have an actual light fixture. Just a couple of dim lamps and the light from the window.

2. I prefer outside walkways to get to my room as opposed to indoor hallways. To me one of the best features at the moderates is the lush landscaping. At AKL we were at the far end of the building and it was just one never ending hallway of animal print carpet.

3. We really missed the lack of a food court at Kidani. We have preschoolers so we don't do a lot of table service dining. We like the ability to grab something quick and trekking to Jambo house wasn't so convenient.

I did however, love the Kidani pool area, the fire pit at night, the animals, and the rooms were super nice (probably because everything was new). If I am paying I will chose a moderate every time (CSR is my favorite). I feel like there is a bigger difference between value and moderate than there is between moderate and deluxe.