CR vs Poly - help!

[BAST]

On our last two trips we stayed at the Poly (LV - Tahiti longhouse). Both times, we used AP discounts.

We absolutely loved this but are considering staying at the CR to try something new (and, maybe, to save some money). I have some questions though:

1) What are the differences between the Garden Wing views?

2) Is it a long walk from Tower view room to get to pool?

3) Do tower rooms have balconies?

4) What sorts of AP rates have you gotten at CR?

5) I think SOG guests will be 'out' of CR come August (and therefore CR should be less crowded) - is this true?

6) Is it a long walk to parking lot (we will be renting a car)?

Thanks!

 

[sotoalf]

Let me answer your questions:

1. The North Garden Wing is closest to the MK; the South is closest to the pools. Both are decorated the same and of fer the same views. Only first-floor rooms offer patios, so if you must stay in one of the wings I suggest requesting a first floor. If you get a first floor patio overlooking Bay Lake, you'll have an unparalleled tranquility. Imagine enjoying morning coffee listening to the loons and boat horns, or a nightcap with same!

2. It's not a long walk at all. The longest walking distance from the farthest Wing room to the Tower is three or four minutes. A roof connects the wings to the Tower, so you will not get wet.

3. ALL Tower rooms, whether Bay Lake or MK view, have balconies.

4. I've gotten the CR as low as $159.

5. I have read reports on this website that the North GArden Wing rooms need a rehab because of their heavy occupancy; it's where the SOG guests have been staying. It should be ok by the summer - when SOG reopens.

6. The parking lot isn't far at all. In fact, if you stay at a Wing, your car will be right in front of the building. The self-parking lot at the GF, a much classier resort, is actually much farther.

The CR is the resort which draws the most extreme responses. Some love it, some loathe it. I love it, but keep in mind: it lacks the tranquil air of the Poly, WL, or the Epcort Resorts. It feels like a bustling big-city hotel with a Disney ambience. You'll feel like you're in the middle of the action - and you are.

 

[BAST]

Thanks for the answers! Do you know what the difference is between Garden View and Garden Wing Standard View (these are shown on mousesavers)?

 

[sotoalf]

One of them is the Garden wing of which I spoke: the first-floor patio. It's a little more money than a Standard view, but well worth it - unless you're not spending too much time in your room. I find a balcony/patio essential, and in the Garden Wings you're sure to get stuck with a standing-room-only sliding door rather than the freedom a patio allows.

Either way the CR has the largest rooms on property, so you'll have plenty of space to stretch out.

 

[BAST]

Thanks for the answer! Now I will wait and see what the AP rated are for us in August.

 

[freediverdude]

The garden wing rate is the rate for the rooms in the wings facing bay lake, the marina, or foliage. The garden wing standard is the rate for the wing rooms that face west toward the parking lot. So with the standard rate, you will probably get a room where you will see some cars, but you can get a first floor patio with this rate, and the one I got was a distance from the cars with a tree and foliage in between, so it wasn't bad.

 

[Kimberle]

Hi,
Haven't stayed at the Poly, so I can't compare the 2. The wing rooms at CR are lovely! We stayed in the North wing abt 2.5 years ago. It was very quiet. We had a MK view & could see the fireworks from our window. We were on the 2nd floor, about 1/2 way down. The walk to the pool, bus stop, and lobby were not far at all.