I'll catch up with everyone in a bit, but wanted to reply to
Ginny.
We stayed at CR, Atrium club level in Dec and non-CL in Feb. I paid a lot for upgrade to CL (I think it was about an extra $150/nt), but it was regular season and prices were high, so hopefully you can get it at a better rate. We had a BLV room and used the CL for watching Wishes and just looking out at the MK. The CL was never really crowded and we always found a table or room on one of the three balconies. The view from the CL is honestly worth every penny!
I have not stayed CL at any other resort on property but from what I have read the CL offerings do seem to be less than some of the other resorts. But we were happy with everything that was offered. Whenever we needed or wanted something that was not out there was always a CM ready to help. We loved walking off the elevator and walking right into the CL and being able to grab a snack, soda or juice. We even brought dinner up from Contempo Cafe one night and it was so nice!
Because the CR is so compact, no matter where you stay in the tower you are just steps away from the CL. The CL sits in the middle of the tower on the MK side and we stayed BLV second to last room from the end so just about as far from the CL you can be and it was still soooo close.
KOOK has mentioned before that booking a BLV when staying CL at CR is really the best of both worlds, and it really is! I loved the serenity of Bay Lake in the morning and sitting and watching the EWP at night.
Now with all that said, we stayed TPV in Feb (because CL was closed it was not an option). Becuase we drive, we brought our own waters, juices, sodas, and snacks and did not miss CL too much. I missed being able to grab a quick breakfast for snack, but now the DS being gluten free he would not have been able to have any of it anyway, so I was glad it was not there to tempt him. I am glad we stayed on the TPV side becuase the kids really loved it! And even though I missed the serenity of Bay Lake, sitting on the balcony at night and looking at the MK was truly magical
Even DH (who doesnt care about that stuff) said to me that we really could not be more submersed in Disney than we were sitting on that balcony. If I had to choose I would probably do TPV again and if I could get GF breakfast and treats for DS, I would book CL again in a heartbeat!
If you have any specific question that I didn't cover, just ask! I am sure
KOOK will chime in too
Melissa