CSR business class worth it?

[saskdw]

Is the parking lot convenient for business class? We will have a rental car for resort meals and such. Having two kids and big stroller I think a rental car would be nice.

The parking lot is behind building 9A. If you have a room at the end closest to 9A you would be fine.

 

[rymahoney]

The parking lot is behind building 9A. If you have a room at the end closest to 9A you would be fine.

Is this a request I should make? Is that near the lounge? Or should I just be okay with what I get and not request anything?

 

[lylone]

It is worth it for the location. The snacks and drinks are ok, but the lounge is small and during prime times can be crowded and annoying. Last time we were there it was full of unruly children playing games on the computers for hours whIle the parents drank themselves silly.
Would book again, but only for location.
Choice I would make would be for an upper or lower floor. We go for an upper floor..

 

[GPC0321]

Well, I lucked out and discovered a discounted rate that allowed us to stay business class cheaper than our originally booked preferred room at the non-discounted rate. So, I'm not sure I would've paid $300 more for what essentially boiled down to getting continental breakfast and a good location between the Dig Site and El Centro. Don't get me wrong, we loved our stay and really liked having breakfast taken care of every morning and the short walks to the pool, bus stop, and Pepper Market. But had I not discovered the Spring discount (all I had to do was click, duh) that got us the upgrade for LESS money, I probably wouldn't have booked it. Our first time at CSR we were over in Casitas, and it was fine, so a preferred room would've suited us fine. In fact, the bus stop at Casitas is the best because it's the first to be picked up, and you're plenty close to El Centro/Pepper Market, etc. The only difference location-wise is you're further from the Dig Site, but it's not THAT much of a walk. And with free dining, you'd probably be fine without the lounge offerings. We were on the QSDP and had left-over credits because we never used any for breakfast.

 

[rymahoney]

Well, I lucked out and discovered a discounted rate that allowed us to stay business class cheaper than our originally booked preferred room at the non-discounted rate. So, I'm not sure I would've paid $300 more for what essentially boiled down to getting continental breakfast and a good location between the Dig Site and El Centro. Don't get me wrong, we loved our stay and really liked having breakfast taken care of every morning and the short walks to the pool, bus stop, and Pepper Market. But had I not discovered the Spring discount (all I had to do was click, duh) that got us the upgrade for LESS money, I probably wouldn't have booked it. Our first time at CSR we were over in Casitas, and it was fine, so a preferred room would've suited us fine. In fact, the bus stop at Casitas is the best because it's the first to be picked up, and you're plenty close to El Centro/Pepper Market, etc. The only difference location-wise is you're further from the Dig Site, but it's not THAT much of a walk. And with free dining, you'd probably be fine without the lounge offerings. We were on the QSDP and had left-over credits because we never used any for breakfast.

For me the 300 was the difference from 10 nights water view to BC not preferred. Not sure if that would change you opinion.

 

[GPC0321]

For me the 300 was the difference from 10 nights water view to BC not preferred. Not sure if that would change you opinion.

It's all subjective. If you think you'll get good use out of the lounge, then go for it. The location is good, but there are other non-BC rooms that have good locations too. Ranchos is the only section I'd try to avoid at CSR. It's the farthest from El Centro, though some of it is very close to the Dig Site.
And remember that the bus stop closest to the BC rooms is the LAST to be picked up before heading to the parks. This means the buses are usually pretty full when they reach that stop, and you're likely to be standing or even have to wait for another bus during peak times (especially MK buses). You can walk farther to another stop that gets picked up earlier, but then that kind of defeats the "location" perk of BC. We did this once though, after eating at Pepper Market we walked to the Casitas stop so we were sure to get seats on the MK bus when we were heading back for fireworks. I'm glad we did, because by the time it reached our usual bus stop, it was standing room only.

Of course, if you're going at a less crowded time (we were there over Easter break), this may not be a problem at all.

Another consideration is when you'd be utilizing the lounge. Breakfast is pretty nice, but they don't open until 7am, so if you're going to rope drop or do morning EMH, you might not be able to get breakfast in time to catch the bus and get to the park when you'd like. Also, the evening lounge hours (5-10pm) tend to be when a lot of people are out at dinner, doing nighttime stuff in the parks, etc. If you stay for fireworks at a park, by the time you get back to CSR the lounge is closed. If you have a dinner reservation, you'll likely leave before the lounge opens for the evening (and wouldn't want snacks before dinner anyway). Now, if you're not into fireworks or doing evenings in the parks, and you think you'll want a snack/drink/adult bev between 5-10pm, then it might work out well. We were always out eating and then doing nighttime stuff, so never went to the lounge then.

But, $300 over a 10-night stay is only $30 more per night. I think it's just a matter of if you think it's worth it or not.

 

[NicoleLarson]

We've stayed in BC several times and absolutely love it. The location is awesome, hands down the best. Someone asked about parking we actually found it's better to park right across from bus stop 1 at el Centro. The staff has always been wonderful. My son got sick and I went in to ask them something and they brought me out like 10 of the giant cookies all wrapped up with Mickey stickers. They are much more attentive then the CL staff that we have encountered at the deluxe resorts. Not sure who said the beer is whatever is leftover from a convention but I don't think that's true. We've always had bud light, yuengling and corona. Plus those are the same ones on buzz's site. You can get Apple juice in bottles and chocolate milk in bottles. Also soda, coke, diet coke, tea, fanta and sprite. As a bonus we had a dead on view on the HS fireworks every night from our room. So yes, it's worth it 10 times over!

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

We also stayed for 10 nights with free dining. For our family this was a good value. We ate breakfast there almost every morning. There was enough food to keep us full until lunch, but by the 4th day the offerings were feeling stale and repetitive. I know the average guest doesn’t stay for 11 days, but it would be nice to mix it up a little. The evening food offerings weren’t doing much for me, but my H and I had several drinks each night before heading off to our 7pm ADRs (booked AFTER lounge hours on purpose). We never hung around for the "dessert" offerings because all of our TS meals were buffets. We certainly got our money’s worth in alcohol alone, the food was just a bonus. In addition to the lounge BC offered a great room location. There were other families in the lounge but it doesn’t feel kid friendly at all. We always kept our girls quiet and made sure they were sitting and eating and not disturbing anyone, but it felt very stuffy in there. They also “hid” the kids drinks (apple juice and chocolate milk) in the back, so be sure to ask for them if you don’t see them out. We didn’t find the lounge staff overly friendly. I thought maybe they were grumpy because we didn’t tip them after our first drink, but when we tried to tip as we left we were told they couldn’t accept tips, so I’m not sure what the issue was. I know it isn’t a true club lounge, but they weren’t going out of their way to get us drink refills. It was the same 3 or 4 people the whole time we were there and they never once acted like they “knew” us. It was just strange. I’d still pay extra for BC because it was worth it for us, but it wouldn’t be because of the magical staff.

 

[rymahoney]

We also stayed for 10 nights with free dining. For our family this was a good value. We ate breakfast there almost every morning. There was enough food to keep us full until lunch, but by the 4th day the offerings were feeling stale and repetitive. I know the average guest doesn’t stay for 11 days, but it would be nice to mix it up a little. The evening food offerings weren’t doing much for me, but my H and I had several drinks each night before heading off to our 7pm ADRs (booked AFTER lounge hours on purpose). We never hung around for the "dessert" offerings because all of our TS meals were buffets. We certainly got our money’s worth in alcohol alone, the food was just a bonus. In addition to the lounge BC offered a great room location. There were other families in the lounge but it doesn’t feel kid friendly at all. We always kept our girls quiet and made sure they were sitting and eating and not disturbing anyone, but it felt very stuffy in there. They also “hid” the kids drinks (apple juice and chocolate milk) in the back, so be sure to ask for them if you don’t see them out. We didn’t find the lounge staff overly friendly. I thought maybe they were grumpy because we didn’t tip them after our first drink, but when we tried to tip as we left we were told they couldn’t accept tips, so I’m not sure what the issue was. I know it isn’t a true club lounge, but they weren’t going out of their way to get us drink refills. It was the same 3 or 4 people the whole time we were there and they never once acted like they “knew” us. It was just strange. I’d still pay extra for BC because it was worth it for us, but it wouldn’t be because of the magical staff.

Thanks for the report. Hopefully if we keep it our CM's will be like some others have reported. I'm suprised they can't accept tip. Anyone else tried tipping? Always a good way to start of the trip with someone. You would be suprised what a 20 will do at the beginning of your stay for someone you know will be taking care of you for a week plus.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'm suprised they can't accept tip. Anyone else tried tipping?

It's against Disney policy to accept, and if they accept they can be fired.

 

[rymahoney]

Housekeeping is okay though?

 

[KBoopaloo]

It's against Disney policy to accept, and if they accept they can be fired.

When I was a CP (a million years ago, I admit) we were instructed to refuse a tip three times and then we could take it after that if the guest kept insisting. I worked in merchandise and never in a million years thought I'd ever have someone offering me a tip but it did happen from time to time. LOL

However, I have seen people just leave a couple of dollars on the table in the BC lounge at Coronado on their way out which I think is probably an acceptable way for the CMs to take it.

Also, my vote is to keep the BC. I did it for the first time in May and really enjoyed it more than I thought. The fruit in the mornings was really, really delicious.

 

[rymahoney]

Are the robes the Disney resort ones or just plain white robes? My plan was to get my wife one for her gift basket. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[saskdw]

Is this a request I should make? Is that near the lounge? Or should I just be okay with what I get and not request anything?

The lounge is on the main floor front side of the building slightly to the main building side of 9b. Parking lot is off the opposite end of 9b. Keep in mind we are talking a single building that only takes 1-2 mins to walk from one end to the other. I think there is an option on online checkin to request close to parking.

 

[saskdw]

Housekeeping is okay though?

Yes I always tip housekeeping. The BC building has very good housekeeping and they are very friendly. Our last stay we were there for 16 nights. At the end of the trip our housekeeper made a point of coming by and thanking us for the tips, she was a little emotional and you could tell how much she guenuinely appreciated it. It wasn't just a standard, thank you.

Housekeeping service can be a little hit and miss at WDW from the reviews on DIS, but the ones that work the BC building have been top notch in my experience.