CR CL or WL CL

[iambrink]

We will be staying at Disney for two nights after a Fantasy cruise Thanksgiving week. I have narrowed down the resort to WL or CR. CR atrium CL is $625/nt and WL CL is $404/nt. I know value is subjective, but i would like opinions on the two resorts. I have researched extensively, but i enjoy reading DISers opinions. We plan to enjoy the resort both days except for one night we will be at MVMCP and maybe the other night we may go to DTD. We will not be doing any character dinners or have any other big plans; just enjoying the pool if the weather cooperates...So if the weather is not good, is one resort better to enjoy from inside? What about room size and proximity of rooms to the club itself? I had decided on CR so we could walk to and from MK, but i really want to try CL. So the difference in price for WL s tempting...and i have read the decorations and atmosphere at WL during the holidays is very nice. I do like the decor at CR where many people find it too modern and cold, so i am not concerned about the decor at either resort.

Thoughts?

 

[kappyfamily]

For me it comes down to location and room decor. We love the modern clean lines of CR and don't care for the log cabin look of WL. We are also from the NW so that theming doesn't scream vacation to us... Bottom line I love the monorail access and being able to walk to MK.

Also being right there for Cali Grill is awesome.

Have a great time!

 

[Babsy]

It's a tough call, but the CR location with walking to the MK wins it for me!!

If you can afford the extra $$, I would go for the CR.

 

[mickeynut1]

We will be staying at Disney for two nights after a Fantasy cruise Thanksgiving week. I have narrowed down the resort to WL or CR. CR atrium CL is $625/nt and WL CL is $404/nt. I know value is subjective, but i would like opinions on the two resorts. I have researched extensively, but i enjoy reading DISers opinions. We plan to enjoy the resort both days except for one night we will be at MVMCP and maybe the other night we may go to DTD. We will not be doing any character dinners or have any other big plans; just enjoying the pool if the weather cooperates...So if the weather is not good, is one resort better to enjoy from inside? What about room size and proximity of rooms to the club itself? I had decided on CR so we could walk to and from MK, but i really want to try CL. So the difference in price for WL s tempting...and i have read the decorations and atmosphere at WL during the holidays is very nice. I do like the decor at CR where many people find it too modern and cold, so i am not concerned about the decor at either resort.

Thoughts?

We are trying CR Atrium CL for the first time in December so I can't comment on that, but we have stayed WL CL and it is amazing . The WL is a beautiful resort any time of year, but especially so during the holidays. WL CL is very nice as the food offerings are great, the lounge is spacious with plenty of seating that is arranged around the railing that overlooks the lobby, and the CL CMs are awesome . I am excited to try CR CL as I've read a lot of great things about it, but for the cost savings, I would choose WL CL as it really is amazing .

 

[momtobrynncess]

Here's a vote for CR for these reasons:

Proximity to MK - as you said, the ability to walk to MK is nice.
As someone else said, WL theming is lovely, but doesn't really float my boat.
The pool however, is really nice at WL.
If weather is not great however, the atmosphere inside CR is fantastic. Several restaurants which are fantastic, and of course, Cali Grill. All the shops are really fun to visit, and of course, the monorail.

We have stayed at both, and I far prefer CR. Either one you choose however, will be wonderful, I'm sure.

 

[iambrink]

I do love the idea of walking to and from MK, but we have never paid that much for a hotel room in our lives. Not that we can't do it, but my husband is one of those people that think hotels are the biggest waste of money. i was really sick last Christmas, almost died after a surgery, then had another two surgeries in the next days, and spent three weeks in hospital and six months recovering...so my point is, i tell him i deserve it. he doesn't say anything as he went through it with me. i think the kids may like WL more than CR. You wouldn't know but it was the biggest decision! we usually stay moderate, so this will be the first deluxe for us.

 

[partypa]

WL CL is wonderful. The Lodge is great, relaxing and beautiful especially at the Holidays. The Kids will love it, so will you. Use the money you save to book a Bounceback offer( well, that's what I would do )
So glad you are well enough now to be going on what I am sure will be a great vacation

 

[iambrink]

WL CL is wonderful. The Lodge is great, relaxing and beautiful especially at the Holidays. The Kids will love it, so will you. Use the money you save to book a Bounceback offer( well, that's what I would do )
So glad you are well enough now to be going on what I am sure will be a great vacation

Thanks. Although my decision is not set in stone, i went ahead and booked the WL CL. I am hoping for bounceback offer as we are planning another trip. I did have my heart set on CR; kind of goes back to that first Disney trip and seeing the moinrail going through the lobby! The price does not sit well with me, but WL i feel much more comfortable with spending that money. Does it sound like i am trying to talk myself into my decision? i guess i could have worse things to fret about!

 

[expeditioneverestgrl]

Here's another vote to CR:

1. Never stayed at WL
2. Magic Kingdom walking distance!
3. You can go to Epcot and MK by monorail
4. Chef Mickeys
5. If you can afford, go.
6. Nice waterslide and pool!

 

[iambrink]

Here's another vote to CR:

1. Never stayed at WL
2. Magic Kingdom walking distance!
3. You can go to Epcot and MK by monorail
4. Chef Mickeys
5. If you can afford, go.
6. Nice waterslide and pool!

#6 kind of makes me wonder...anyone been to both resorts and have a comment on the slides at both resorts? I know most people rave about BC/YC, but i am not interested in staying there for this trip. My kids love the pool and slides, so if the slide at CR was better than WL, it would be another thing to consider given that we are planning two pool days if weather cooperates!

 

[buckeyecinderella]

We have stayed both CR CL and WL CL and loved them both. Both offerings and service were great. What I liked best about CR is the spectacular views from the balcony. But we were there when it was warmer and quite nice to be outside. WL CL has a nice view overlooking the hotel atrium. I believe the CL lounge had outdoor seating areas as well. If Christmas decos are up I bet that would be really nice too, as i expect you could view the tree while in the CL lounge. I prefer the pools at WL and it is an easy boat ride to CR or MK. If you are slightly uncomfortable with the CR price, I'd go with WL. (And try out CR on another trip!)

 

[pixarmom]

Another vote for CR! We've stayed at both WL (non-CL) and CR (atrium CL) and enjoy both. We chose CR CL for the night of MNSSHP and were VERY happy with that decision. We walked to the party and my husband walked back (our boys wanted to take the monorail back, and I think my husband beat us to the room by at least 30 minutes.)

In any event, we were once concerned that CR was too sterile, and that might be the case if staying non-CL. But the entire CL experience there made the resort feel more warm and welcoming. The CL CMs were outstanding - very friendly but not intrusive - and we weren't expecting that based on reports we read. We were in the lounge for breakfast super early on check-in day, went to MK through lunchtime, and then returned to the resort for the afternoon to rest up before the party. It was great and very relaxed - the pool was uncrowded and the view of Bay Lake was really peaceful. We used the lounge for snacks and for extra space to hang out for the afternoon. We returned to the lounge for evening appetizers before the party, and then grabbed a to-go CS dinner at MK at the end of the party. Could have rented boats or used the marina, visited other monorail resorts, etc., but we didn't have enough time. In the end, it was the perfect place to stay before and after the party, and I'd highly recommend it under OP's circumstances!