CR or WL, which would you choose?

[mom22boys]

One of my friends is planning her first on site trip to Disney. She has two children, ages 5 and 2. She is having difficulty choosing between CR and WL. What would you recommend and why? Much thanks!

Her family:

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Tough decision, but if cost were not a factor, I'd pick CR. The closeness to MK, the monorail, Chef Mickey's, a great arcade -- it's an ideal way to have a 1st trip to WDW.

 

[Kimberle]

I have stayed at both. They are both wonderful.

I would choose WL for little ones. WL has a nice kiddie pool. CR does not. WL is also a bit smaller and everything is under 1 roof. It's very easy to get to the MK via boat. You can just push your stroller right on.

 

[arubalisa]

We faced the same question.

DH and I chose the WL due to its size and proximity to the MK via boat. WL also best fit our budget otherwise we would have considered the Poly

 

[debloco]

The WL for the same reasons as cited by the other posters and b/c you can take the trail over to Fort Wilderness Campground. They have a hayride, a petting zoo/farm, and movie/campfire nights with Chip and Dale where you get to roast marshmallows and watch Disney movies!

 

[Lou-Ann]

I agree. The serenity of WL will help calm down the ds at days end. There is so much for kids to do there as well. In addition to the proximity to Fort Wilderness there is the lady bug release etc at the Lodge.

 

[mmeb144]

CR, because it's close to MK by monorail. (The monorail ride!)

Marie

 

[timandlesley]

I agree. The serenity of WL will help calm down the ds at days end. There is so much for kids to do there as well. In addition to the proximity to Fort Wilderness there is the lady bug release etc at the Lodge.

I've never heard of the ladybug release? Do they do this year round? We'll be there in June and my kids would LOVE this, can you offer any details. Thanks!
Lesley

 

[Blondie]

I'd recommend a room with bunkbeds at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[goodferry]

Definitely the WL, it's beautiful!

 

[ROBIN4NY]

I have been to both and although they are both wonderful, I would pick the WL due to its beauty, size (as mentioned above everything is under one roof) and its location.It really is a beautiful resort.

 

[Alice28]

I have stayed at both (Stayed at the CR with my 5 and almost 2 year old at the time)...

I would stay at the WL because of the theming- I just love it. Whispering Canyon is a great restaurant for little ones too- the pool is more fun as well.

HOWEVER- the room size at the CR is HUGE...that really helps with a family. And the monorail is excellent--we would walk to the MK in the morning and take the monorail back. (the monorail stops 3 times on the way to the MK; on the way back the CR is the first stop).

Staying at the WL will give them more money for other things on their trip, if money is a factor.

 

[swilphil]

We loved CR, especially if she had a view of the castle, but we loved our first-floor garden wing room. It is huge. I would say the pool at WL is nicer, more themed, but our kids had a blast at the CR pool. It is shaped like Mickey and has a slide and a fountain where the kids can run around a little bit.

 

[JJsmama]

I'd say CR. We just returned from WL and while the hotel was great, we had difficulties with the transportation. Getting to MK isn't so bad, but anywhere else is very time consuming. One night, my son got sick at dinner at Poly and it took me over an hour to get him back to WL, bless his heart!!

Another night we took the monorail back from Epcot to TTC. We went to the busses and found out there no longer was a bus from TTC to WL. We had to get back on a different monorail, go to MK and then take a bus from there. ANother long trip.

With the kids, I'd do CR eventhough the theme may not be as fabulous as WL. (WL's theme is more for adults anyway. The kids still think CR is the coolest.)

We're planning on CR for our next venture.

 

[Deborah_Mary]

I'd say CR! The monorail can not be beat even if you were to stay in a wing room. If your budget would allow though, I'd of course say go for a tower room all the way -the view of MK is spectacular, but I've read great reviews of the view of Bay Lake as well. The walkway to MK, being the first stop back from MK after a LONG day and the TTC being the first stop to hop a monorail over to Epcot is also wonderful! Chef Mickey's is awesome as is the Concourse Steakhouse.

Don't get me wrong though... we haven't stayed at WL... yet - but will sometime in the future. We took the boat over there to explore last trip and really liked what we saw. The pathway to FW is suppose to really neat too. We did get over there (FW) and ate at Trail Ends Buffet (it was an awesome value) as well as the petting zoo. We hope to catch the movie and campfire in the future as well.

Hope this helps! Good luck deciding... tough decision!

Deb*

 

[mom22boys]

Thank you so much! My friend has been reading the posts and was starting to lean towards the WL, but now the last couple have been very convincing for CR. I can't wait to call her and see what she is thinking now! Thanks again! I just love the DIS!

 

[plutospup]

We've stayed at both. When DD was 3 we stayed at CR. It was very convenient to MK, and we had no problems with transportation to the other parks(+ Blizzard Beach). DD enjoyed the pools, and the fountains. We all enjoyed the ducks that would visit our 1st floor garden wing room each morning. We also took a boat from CR to FW's petting zoo- very convenient. We've stayed twice at WL- DD was 4 & 5. She enjoyed the duck races in Silver Spring Creek, the afternoon activity at the Cub's Den (no fee), of course the pool & slide. We again took the boat to FW to visit the petting zoo. Easy transportation to MK. We used a car for all other park visits. The CR room is much larger, and has a daybed. Either resort is great with kids. You would enjoy both.

 

[Georgieut]

I am glad to hear good things about CR. I am going on my first WDW trip in 32 days and are staying at the CR with DD7 and DD9. They love looking at the pictures of the resort and are looking forward to staying there. Somewhere I found a website that had tons of pictures of the property. It was neat. Good luck!

 

[Jasminetigger]

We love the WL. I have two DD's (6 & 11) and they absolutely love it. The boat ride to MK is so relaxing. Fort wilderness is so close with so many activities. The pool is great. We have stayed in a garden wing room at CR and didn't quite care for it. We are heading back to WL in June and can't wait! Have fun choosing! I am sure a spectacular vacation will be had at either one. Afer all, you are at the most wonderful place in the world!