Can't Decide WL or CR

[JennaTX]

Hi we are going in June for 7 days and 6 nights and I cannot decide whether to stay at the WL or CR. I have two children, DD who is 5 and DS who is 2 1/2. Right now I have reservations for WL Concierge, but I am thinking of changing to a tower room at the CR. The monorail seems like it would be so convienent with the little ones, since most of our time will be at the MK. Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks!!

 

[KristaTX]

Personally I love the theming much better at WL, but you may be right in that with your little ones the Contemporary might be a better choice because of the monorail and the proximity to the MK.

I just wanted to welcome you to the DIS, fellow Texan! It's a good place. I know you will get some good advice here .

Krista

 

[Kimberle]

Welcome to the DIS!

I have stayed at both. Personally, especially for kids your age, I'd recommend WL. We find the boat over to MK much more convenient than the monorail. You can just roll your stroller right on, and you're at MK in 10-15 minutes.

The CR does not have a kiddie pool or zero entry. Your youngest would have to be held (unless s/he's a early swimmer) in the pool. WL has a really nice kiddie pool.

Which ever you choose, it's very easy to get inbetween these resorts. The blue launch goes WL/CR/FW (any order). WL to CR is less than 5 minutes.

 

[dmaz]

Our DD 4 (almost 5) loved the WL. After spending 2 nights at ASMO she exclaimed "Wow!" when we pulled up to WL.
We loved the boat to MK. We took the monorail from Chef Mickey's one morning and it felt like it took the same amount of time as the boat, since the CR monorail goes to the poly and GF before it goes back to MK.

 

[swilphil]

I have kids the same age, and we are staying at the Contemporary. We will probably walk to MK most of the time, except when we want to take the monorail as my kids see it as a ride. On the way back from MK we might monorail it more since CR is the first stop. I found the WL boat to be very slow and the wait long, especially on the way back. The rooms at CR are huge.

 

[Dana49]

Your choice is basically a matter of "theme." You can always take the boat from the WL to the CR, and then monorail from there. Personally, and I love the WL, I would choose the CR. Having little ones, and seeing that it's summer, transporting the family to the MK will be much easier than going by boat. Plus the CR's tower view is fantastic. Enjoy!

 

[JennaTX]

Thanks for everyone's help.

Does anyone have any advice for getting an MK view with the tower room, since they won't guarantee it?

 

[ciera321]

There are definately pluses to each resort. CR has large rooms and the monorail is always a plus.......WL is beautiful, smaller rooms but great themeing with a nice pool and fun boat ride to MK. Having just returned from WL I'd have to stick with it. It was just so homey and beautiful!!! You'll have a great time whichever one you choose...

 

[40-Something Kid]

I have stayed at both for extended trips. I think it's no contest--WL has better theming, freshness, lobby, pool, outdoor surroundings, and so on. Its only disadvantage is that the rooms are slightly smaller---but the decor is 100% better!

 

[DemonLlama]

As you can tell from my sig, we've stayed at WL twice out of three trips, and are planning on CR for the next one. The WL rooms are considerably smaller. Our stay at the Boardwalk gave us a taste of how much bigger the rooms can be, and going back to WL this past year really reminded me how much we enjoyed having that extra space. Our favorite park is the MK and the idea of walking there really thrills me, as well as the possibility of watching the castle change colors (and Wishes) from our window.

 

[ktink]

We are also staying at WL this year. It's our 2nd trip to WDW and we stayed at Pop last year. The DD's are sooo excited about taking the boat over to MK. And just the resort in itself is beautiful. Waiting on Sept to come!

 

[swilphil]

Thanks for everyone's help.

Does anyone have any advice for getting an MK view with the tower room, since they won't guarantee it?

Definitely request an MK view when you make your ressie and again when you confirm. I haven't heard about people having a difficult time getting the view if they request it. I imagine a lot of people reserve a tower room without requesting a specific view.

 

[pennyplanner]

We have only stayed at the WL with our family but did use the boat to get to the Contemporary and the monorail and also had breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We walked by the pool area and through the lobby.

That said, we decided that we prefer the WL, despite the size of the rooms, because everything is so much closer together. Since we spent the day logging miles through the parks, it is really nice to return to our resort and not have to walk more miles.

It is something to consider with your small children but rest assured, that which ever you choose, you will have a wonderful vacation. Enjoy all the planning!!!

--penny

 

[markm0926]

I am staying at WL this trip. Last trip we went with the Contemporary.

The Contemporary rooms are much bigger, lots of room to spread out. And the location to MK can't be beat.

If I was spending most of my time at MK I'd go with the Contemporary.
The pool arear at the Contem isn't bad either.

 

[minniestheone]

W have stayed at every hotel and here is my experience-

My son is 16 and when we first started going to WDW(before there was a WL) we stayed at the CR and her loved it! Everytime that monorail passed through he would scream "LOOK, IT'S THE MONORAIL!" We stayed in a tower room facing the MK and it was magical! He was 3-8 at the time.

Since then he doesn't want to stay anywhere else but the WL-the same goes for us too. We love the theming and the boat to MK and the closeness of the hotel. When he was younger, I would sit by the fireplace and let him run around the lobby, to the game room, gift shop, snack bar, etc. I would never have let him do this at 8 at the CR.

Bottom line-if it is not your last trip to WDW stay where you think your family would like best and book the other hotel for a follow-up trip!! Either place you will have a wonderful time!

 

[jehma]

Definitely request an MK view when you make your ressie and again when you confirm.

How many days in advance should we confirm?

 

[RavenRob]

I have been to WDW about 10 times in the past 25 years and have stayed at the CR approximately 5 times. Each time I didn't, I always say, "There is nothing like staying in the CR!"

The rooms are large. Character dining right downstairs. Excellent game room and the kids loved riding the monorail right at the hotel.

Go for the CR!