airjay75
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2025
- Messages
- 1,576
Just returned from a fantastic 8-night trip - 7 nights in a CCV 1 BR, followed by an 8th night in a SSR Preferred 1 BR (Springs Section). I think rather than doing a day by day report, I'll break it up into categories. I'll focus mostly on CCV and WL since that was most of the stay.
CCV and WL: Overall, just a great resort. Everything is so convenient, especially when you're staying in CCV. We were on the 4th floor facing the Copper Creek pool at the very end of the wing (I think the GV is at the end of the hallway, and we were the last room before that). I could be down to Geyser Point for a mobile order in about 30 seconds. Or, over to Roaring Fork in just a few minutes. And, with the pool so close and able to see it from the balcony, was easy to leave the kids for just a couple minutes the one time I left my phone up in my room. The theming is just incredible - the grand lobby, the fireplaces, so many places to sit, the stream flowing into the pool and down like it looks like it's going into the lake, the geyser - just creates an incredible experience.
CCV 1 BR Villa: I know these are on the small side for WDW 1 BRs, but I have to say that I found the use of space quite masterful. We took the time to unpack and settle in, and there are so many nice little spots to store your things that, once you unpack, I did not miss the extra square footage. Kitchen is on the smaller side, but you still have absolutely everything you need. Bathroom was larger and had way more counter space and storage space underneath than I would have expected. For our family of 4 - mom, dad, 7 and 4 year old boys, the space was absolutely fine and worked great. Although I didn't get to enjoy as much balcony time as I would have liked given how chilly it was most of the week, the double balcony was also very nice - wish you got that in every 1 BR.
WL Dining: Tried everything out other than Artist Point - Whispering Canyon, Territory Loung, Roaring Fork, Geyser Point (both to-go and table service). Loved everything, and really encountered no issues whatsoever. The Bison Burger is really, really good. Kids loved Whispering Canyon.
WL Transportation: Well, definitely some misses here. Things started off pretty rough our first night - decided to take the boat over to MK. It was chilly with some wind, but I didn't think that would shut down the boats. We went to the dock, waited 10-15 minutes and saw no boat coming or going in all of Bay Lake. Determined they must have shut it down (which we later learned that they did) - problem is, there was no one or no board there to let you know that. Went to the buses - don't think we had to wait too long for a bus, but when it did, it took so long for them to load and unload ECVs, a second MK bus showed up just as it was leaving. Then we had to drive over the Ft. Wilderness, pick more folks up, and then head to MK. Not a great start. Day 2 was also rough - went to wait for an AK bus, but there was not time listed for a bus to show up. Waited about 15 minutes, and still no time listed. Went back to the room to get our car keys, came back, and finally a time was posted that was 20 minutes away - we just decided to drive at that point. So, everything started off pretty rough. But, happy to report, everything got better after that. Boats and busses for every other day operated pretty well - a few waits here and there, but also some great timing on both. They did tell us on Monday that when it gets too cool, they stop running the smaller boats, and only run the larger ones. So, on the whole, I'm willing to chalk most of the issues up to the weather. That said, I do think the boats can suffer from some of the same problems as the buses times - if one gets held up with a lot of ECVs and stroller, but the one behind it doesn't, and you miss that second boat (and they're not running the smaller boats), it's basically the same thing that happens with the buses. I have a feeling when the weather is better, boats aren't as much of an issue.
Parks: Hit all 4 and Typhoon Lagoon (on our last day before our flight). AK was day 1, and last day of Dinosaur - bit of a cluster there that day. Everest and FoP were closed most of the day, and Dinosaur had some issues in the morning too. But, we did get on Dinosaur in the afternoon and returned on Tuesday to right Everest and FoP, so things turned out just fine. Kids loved the new Zootopia show as well as the Nemo stage show (which we had not done before). Also hit up Tusker House, which was also a great experience. Did MK a few days, and about 1-day each at HS and Epcot. New Test Track was awesome - boys loved it. New 2D Remy was just fine - did not miss the 3D. Also, if you ever want to experience one of Disney's water parks and feel like you have almost the entire waterpark to yourself, go on a day when the high is in the low 70's - it was great! (if you can tolerate swimming in those temps).
MK Dessert Party and Extended Deluxe Resort Evening Hours: Did both of these on the same night. I had read the reviews of the dessert party and how to not get your hopes up for anything special other treats, drinks, and a reserved viewing area for fireworks. And that was absolutely true. Long line just to check in and get seated - so many strollers parked along the sidewalk, could not find where to park ours, then you had to go get in a long line to get your treats. No real line for drinks, so that was fine. When you're spending over $300 for a party of 4, it is a bit of a let down. My 7-year old also happened to have a bit of a meltdown (leg was hurting from too much walking, I think), so it just ended up being me and my 4 year old who stayed for the fireworks. This may be a one and done. The reserved area for fireworks is nice, but is it $350 nice? Probably not. But, me and my younger boy followed this up by taking advantage of the extended evening hours and rode Pooh, Little Mermaid, and Pirates with little to no waits. As we walked over to Pirates, the park really started to feel like it was emptying out. Not often you get to walk through MK and see it so empty.
Other Dining: DW and I hired https://www.onceuponananny.com/ for two date nights (and also for check-out morning at WL because we also had a DVC tour that morning). Highly recommend their services. We did Steakhouse 71 one night and Toledo another night. Thoroughly enjoyed both restaurants.
SSR 1 BR, 1 Night: I'm just going to give a quick special mention to SSR and the 1 BR we stayed in. We were in the Springs section, and hit up both the Paddock and the main feature pool. We really liked SSR. No, things aren't anywhere near as convenient as staying at someplace like RIV or CCV, but it was still pretty great. 1 BR had a lot of room (not as much efficient storage space as the CCV 1 BR), and staying in the Springs sections, we were very close to both pools with waterslides, which both had nice pool bars, and the QS was also good. Didn't use the bus transportation here, so I'm sure that can quickly make the stay feel much different if your'e doing a heavy parks trip, but if you're not, I totally get the appeal of staying here. I've gotta say, for a back-up at the last minute or if a waitlist doesn't come through, I do not think I would be disappointed to stay here at all. That said, the weather on the 2 days of our stay here was absolutely perfect - dry, sunny, lows in the 40s and highs around 70. Reminded me of Southern California weather. Might have a different view in 90 degrees and high humidity.
Best moment of the trip: Toss-up between riding Dinosaur for the last time and the night me and my 2 boys swam in the Boulder Ridge Pool and had the entire pool and hot tub to ourselves for several hours. Temps were probably in the mid-40s, but the hot tub felt great, and the pool was very warm once you got in. Special mention to showing up to Typhoon Lagoon at 11 am on a Sunday, and there were maybe 10 cars parked.
CCV and WL: Overall, just a great resort. Everything is so convenient, especially when you're staying in CCV. We were on the 4th floor facing the Copper Creek pool at the very end of the wing (I think the GV is at the end of the hallway, and we were the last room before that). I could be down to Geyser Point for a mobile order in about 30 seconds. Or, over to Roaring Fork in just a few minutes. And, with the pool so close and able to see it from the balcony, was easy to leave the kids for just a couple minutes the one time I left my phone up in my room. The theming is just incredible - the grand lobby, the fireplaces, so many places to sit, the stream flowing into the pool and down like it looks like it's going into the lake, the geyser - just creates an incredible experience.
CCV 1 BR Villa: I know these are on the small side for WDW 1 BRs, but I have to say that I found the use of space quite masterful. We took the time to unpack and settle in, and there are so many nice little spots to store your things that, once you unpack, I did not miss the extra square footage. Kitchen is on the smaller side, but you still have absolutely everything you need. Bathroom was larger and had way more counter space and storage space underneath than I would have expected. For our family of 4 - mom, dad, 7 and 4 year old boys, the space was absolutely fine and worked great. Although I didn't get to enjoy as much balcony time as I would have liked given how chilly it was most of the week, the double balcony was also very nice - wish you got that in every 1 BR.
WL Dining: Tried everything out other than Artist Point - Whispering Canyon, Territory Loung, Roaring Fork, Geyser Point (both to-go and table service). Loved everything, and really encountered no issues whatsoever. The Bison Burger is really, really good. Kids loved Whispering Canyon.
WL Transportation: Well, definitely some misses here. Things started off pretty rough our first night - decided to take the boat over to MK. It was chilly with some wind, but I didn't think that would shut down the boats. We went to the dock, waited 10-15 minutes and saw no boat coming or going in all of Bay Lake. Determined they must have shut it down (which we later learned that they did) - problem is, there was no one or no board there to let you know that. Went to the buses - don't think we had to wait too long for a bus, but when it did, it took so long for them to load and unload ECVs, a second MK bus showed up just as it was leaving. Then we had to drive over the Ft. Wilderness, pick more folks up, and then head to MK. Not a great start. Day 2 was also rough - went to wait for an AK bus, but there was not time listed for a bus to show up. Waited about 15 minutes, and still no time listed. Went back to the room to get our car keys, came back, and finally a time was posted that was 20 minutes away - we just decided to drive at that point. So, everything started off pretty rough. But, happy to report, everything got better after that. Boats and busses for every other day operated pretty well - a few waits here and there, but also some great timing on both. They did tell us on Monday that when it gets too cool, they stop running the smaller boats, and only run the larger ones. So, on the whole, I'm willing to chalk most of the issues up to the weather. That said, I do think the boats can suffer from some of the same problems as the buses times - if one gets held up with a lot of ECVs and stroller, but the one behind it doesn't, and you miss that second boat (and they're not running the smaller boats), it's basically the same thing that happens with the buses. I have a feeling when the weather is better, boats aren't as much of an issue.
Parks: Hit all 4 and Typhoon Lagoon (on our last day before our flight). AK was day 1, and last day of Dinosaur - bit of a cluster there that day. Everest and FoP were closed most of the day, and Dinosaur had some issues in the morning too. But, we did get on Dinosaur in the afternoon and returned on Tuesday to right Everest and FoP, so things turned out just fine. Kids loved the new Zootopia show as well as the Nemo stage show (which we had not done before). Also hit up Tusker House, which was also a great experience. Did MK a few days, and about 1-day each at HS and Epcot. New Test Track was awesome - boys loved it. New 2D Remy was just fine - did not miss the 3D. Also, if you ever want to experience one of Disney's water parks and feel like you have almost the entire waterpark to yourself, go on a day when the high is in the low 70's - it was great! (if you can tolerate swimming in those temps).
MK Dessert Party and Extended Deluxe Resort Evening Hours: Did both of these on the same night. I had read the reviews of the dessert party and how to not get your hopes up for anything special other treats, drinks, and a reserved viewing area for fireworks. And that was absolutely true. Long line just to check in and get seated - so many strollers parked along the sidewalk, could not find where to park ours, then you had to go get in a long line to get your treats. No real line for drinks, so that was fine. When you're spending over $300 for a party of 4, it is a bit of a let down. My 7-year old also happened to have a bit of a meltdown (leg was hurting from too much walking, I think), so it just ended up being me and my 4 year old who stayed for the fireworks. This may be a one and done. The reserved area for fireworks is nice, but is it $350 nice? Probably not. But, me and my younger boy followed this up by taking advantage of the extended evening hours and rode Pooh, Little Mermaid, and Pirates with little to no waits. As we walked over to Pirates, the park really started to feel like it was emptying out. Not often you get to walk through MK and see it so empty.
Other Dining: DW and I hired https://www.onceuponananny.com/ for two date nights (and also for check-out morning at WL because we also had a DVC tour that morning). Highly recommend their services. We did Steakhouse 71 one night and Toledo another night. Thoroughly enjoyed both restaurants.
SSR 1 BR, 1 Night: I'm just going to give a quick special mention to SSR and the 1 BR we stayed in. We were in the Springs section, and hit up both the Paddock and the main feature pool. We really liked SSR. No, things aren't anywhere near as convenient as staying at someplace like RIV or CCV, but it was still pretty great. 1 BR had a lot of room (not as much efficient storage space as the CCV 1 BR), and staying in the Springs sections, we were very close to both pools with waterslides, which both had nice pool bars, and the QS was also good. Didn't use the bus transportation here, so I'm sure that can quickly make the stay feel much different if your'e doing a heavy parks trip, but if you're not, I totally get the appeal of staying here. I've gotta say, for a back-up at the last minute or if a waitlist doesn't come through, I do not think I would be disappointed to stay here at all. That said, the weather on the 2 days of our stay here was absolutely perfect - dry, sunny, lows in the 40s and highs around 70. Reminded me of Southern California weather. Might have a different view in 90 degrees and high humidity.
Best moment of the trip: Toss-up between riding Dinosaur for the last time and the night me and my 2 boys swam in the Boulder Ridge Pool and had the entire pool and hot tub to ourselves for several hours. Temps were probably in the mid-40s, but the hot tub felt great, and the pool was very warm once you got in. Special mention to showing up to Typhoon Lagoon at 11 am on a Sunday, and there were maybe 10 cars parked.
