CSR Tower Water View or Kidani Studio Savanna View?? (Or possibly Poly Standard??)

[Dug720]

Trying to decide for Marathon Weekend (I'm going regardless of if the races happen).

I'm currently booked in a Tower Water View room at CSR.

There are Kidani Savanna View Studios available for a bit more, and I'm pondering changing to that, but am not 100% sure. It would be as a cash reservation - not renting points.

My plan is to spend most of my time at Animal Kingdom - particularly on Sunday, so being closer is DEFINITELY a good idea there as opposed to being across property at CBR or one of the other Epcot area resorts transportation-wise with the Marathon happening on Sunday - so that is why I am limiting to these two (plus availability - if Jambo was going to be open for non-DVC rooms there would be no question, but they are currently not booking and no one knows if/when they will be).

Pros to CSR:
More restaurants (especially if the Mara, Boma, and Jiko are still closed - and I'm not sure if Sanaa is even open? Some things say yes, others say no) to choose from.
The Tower rooms look gorgeous!
I'm right there close to the lobby and bus stop.
Less expensive.

Pros to Kidani:
Animals - both at the resort and it could be nice to hang out on my balcony. I'd know I'd have a savanna view - I could end up with a lower floor in the Tower and not have much of one.
A tub - I like to do an ice/cold water bath after a race, and while it can be done in the shower, but it's a little more miserable as all of me gets the cold not just hips and legs.
Seems a little closer to AK.

Ordinarily I would be looking at pretty much just rates, but I had to miss my birthday trip this year already (first it was Disney, then I made the decision to change to a cruise I knew would probably get cancelled - which it did but because the line did it, my TA still got her commission) and the longer things go on, the more I'm afraid that at least my February cruise will end up cancelled and possibly even my birthday back to backs in Europe if we're still banned from entering for 2021, so I'm willing to spend a little more.

And then I was looking today...
I could actually get a Standard room at the Poly for the same price as the Studio, and the Poly is my dream resort, but I suspect getting ANYWHERE but to MK on Sunday at least until late morning/early afternoon would be an utter nightmare from the Poly. (And I'm pretty sure they only have showers now too, right?) Anyone with experience on trying to get anywhere but MK on Marathon day from the Poly? Is it as bad as I fear?

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[Dug720]

Bump

 

[kaytieeldr]

No experience, but if you plan to spend any decent amount of time out on your balcony/patio, no to CSR.

 

[Dug720]

Decision made. The pull of the animals was too great. Savanna View Studio at Kidani it is!

 

[Dave006]

Pros to CSR:
More restaurants (especially if the Mara, Boma, and Jiko are still closed - and I'm not sure if Sanaa is even open? Some things say yes, others say no) to choose from.

Yes Sanaa is open. They currently have added a breakfast service in addition to their normal daily hours.

And then I was looking today...
I could actually get a Standard room at the Poly for the same price as the Studio, and the Poly is my dream resort, but I suspect getting ANYWHERE but to MK on Sunday at least until late morning/early afternoon would be an utter nightmare from the Poly. (And I'm pretty sure they only have showers now too, right?)

No the Poly resort rooms don't all have a shower only option. You may have been thinking about the Poly DVC Studios that have a separate shower room in addition the regular bathroom.

Dave

 

[stinkpickle]

Good choice. I would actually do a standard view at Kidani versus a CSR tower room again.

 

[kwdw]

I've stayed in both of those as a solo - and if money were no object - the Kidani savanna view studio would definitely win. I like CSR tower, too, but Kidani is like a vacation of its own. And it is sweet to get to AK from there. Not sure how long your stay is, but given you may want your favorites due to the marathon - buy some groceries. The studios have a microwave.

 

[Dug720]

I've stayed in both of those as a solo - and if money were no object - the Kidani savanna view studio would definitely win. I like CSR tower, too, but Kidani is like a vacation of its own. And it is sweet to get to AK from there. Not sure how long your stay is, but given you may want your favorites due to the marathon - buy some groceries. The studios have a microwave.

Thanks! It's 5 nights. I definitely bring my bars (usually Luna but can be Quest or Aloha as they're all gluten-free) for race morning. And I may bring extras and not have to worry about getting breakfast anywhere.

 

[oceanmarina]

Good call. We stayed at Kidani once with a savannah view. I would stay there again in a heartbeat. My favorite part of the day was having zebra domes (best snack ever) & tea on my balcony in the morning , watching the animals. So magical. Have a fantastic trip.

 

[Dug720]

Good call. We stayed at Kidani once with a savannah view. I would stay there again in a heartbeat. My favorite part of the day was having zebra domes (best snack ever) & tea on my balcony in the morning , watching the animals. So magical. Have a fantastic trip.

Thank you!!! Yeah, I'm hoping The Mara and/or Boma are open then so I can grab some gluten-free ones!!

 

[clayfolks]

QS breakfast at Sana’a is the best!

 

[Dug720]

QS breakfast at Sana’a is the best!

Good to know! I'd love to see their allergy offerings (I'm gluten-free), but I'm sure they can figure something out. Most places at Disney (unless they are not Disney owned and operated - those are trickier) can.