CSR or Wilderness Lodge

[Mnemonic]

We are currently booked into CSR for end of August.
Is it worth the extra $700 to upgrade?

We are staying at WL next weekend (Memorial Day/ SWW) because of a special. We had previously paid for our Pirate Room at CBR, and then noticed a drop in prices - it was $20 total for the upgrade to WL... so we decided to do it.

Disney will let you upgrade your reservation at anytime, assuming there is a room available. I have always wanted to stay at CSR, and probably will in the coming years. Hold off upgrading to see if maybe a deal comes along.

You'll be happy either place... but $700 can add a lot of "extras" to the vacation that would make CSR a more memorable place than WL.

 

[mef78]

For one of the previous posters, FYI...the CSR now has Queen beds.

Oops! I think that was me! I'm such a doof...I was just talking about the CSR upgrades and queen beds on another thread, too. Thank you for the catch.

 

[srgibbs]

I have never stayed at CSR but have stayed at French Quarter 2x's and Riverside 1x and then WL the week before Christmas. I have to say that WL was the most wonderful place we have EVER stayed anywhere. We had courtyard view and were given a room that overlooked the pool and the lagoon and to the left we could see the MK fireworks at night from our balcony. Roaring Forks was great and we usually just brought whatever we got back to the room. Not having to leave the building to go there was a huge plus. It took about 2 minutes to check in and it was the best trip ever!! The atmosphere there is just wonderful. That being said it is really up to you about it being worth an extra $700. Next time we go we will probably try CBR just for something different as I just don't think it could ever be as wonderful for us at WL as it was this time. I will say if money was tight I would be happy to be at a value just to be at Disney. I will also add if you have the extra money it would be worth it to try it at least 1x.

 

[KatMark]

Oops! I think that was me! I'm such a doof...I was just talking about the CSR upgrades and queen beds on another thread, too. Thank you for the catch.

Nope...it wasn't you! I knew that you knew that CSR has the queen beds and it was just an oversight on your part.

 

[YolantasKids]

I have been debating this topic myself for days. This thread just made up my mind. We are going to try CSR our next trip, which God willing will be in July.

 

[MinnieNurse]

I have stayed at both and honestly prefer CSR to WL. They are both great and I dont think you would have a bad stay at either. We just enjoyed CSR more.

 

[frisco]

Obviously by my signature, I'd choose WL. Never stayed at CSR, and really don't have much desire to. Few reasons:

1.Very large. Without a car, it could be a pain to get from point A to point B.
2.The rooms, from every picture I've seen, seem like the dullest on property.
3.It's a Convention Resort. I can't stand seeing so many people in business suits while I'm on vacation.

I will say, the pool at CSR looks better than the pool at WL, but we're not really big pool people. If a waterslide is important to me, I'll go to one of the water parks.

I agree with what one of the posters above said. WL is the most amazing resort we've stayed at anywhere. Stayed there twice, and absolutely love it.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Obviously by my signature, I'd choose WL. Never stayed at CSR, and really don't have much desire to. Few reasons:

1.Very large. Without a car, it could be a pain to get from point A to point B.
2.The rooms, from every picture I've seen, seem like the dullest on property.
3.It's a Convention Resort. I can't stand seeing so many people in business suits while I'm on vacation.

I will say, the pool at CSR looks better than the pool at WL, but we're not really big pool people. If a waterslide is important to me, I'll go to one of the water parks.

I agree with what one of the posters above said. WL is the most amazing resort we've stayed at anywhere. Stayed there twice, and absolutely love it.

Obviously you love WL and my post is not meant to tell you not to stay there and try CSR but rather for people who are open to that possiblity.

First of all, CSR is large. However, you do not need a car and getting from point A to B is not a pain for most people. We stayed there with my elderly aunt. She had a hip injury she was recovering from and she did just fine. For that matter, I have stayed at SSR (even bigger than CSR) with that same aunt and my mom. My mom was recovering from surgery and chemo. She did fine. These large resorts have shortcuts and you see a varieity of ages and mobilities getting around them just fine. At CSR there is no section that is further than a 10 minute very leisurely walk to the main area. We were in Ranchos, I think the furthest section to the main area and it took us around five minutes. And all sections of CSR have a quiet pool and bus stop very nearby. Unlike resorts with only one bus stop, you never have a long trek to or from the busses and your room. Very convenient. There are definitely people who will find CSR too large. I think some of the walks to the main pool are around 1/4 mile. To me and I think most people, that isn't a big deal. If you look at the CSR thread, I believe there are some facts and statistics to show the exact distances we are talking about. But I do know that if my aunt could get around that resort on a cane when she was still hurting, most people will find it very navigable. As long as they know ahead of time that it is a multiple building layout (likes so many other WDW resorts).

CSR is a convention resort however the chances of you seeing nothing but a bunch of "suits" is minimal. We stayed there during a huge convention, never saw a suit. This is not a typical convention atmospherwe. And BC and CR are also convention resorts. CSR is still at WDW, it doens't feel stuffy or all about work and not play. And the upside to those conventioners is that while they are at their meetings, they aren't at the pools or using the busses to the parks. Honestly, if it were not for being a disboard member, I'd have no idea this resort is a convention resort.

Again, my post is to merely point out some things out for the people who do have a desire to stay there. Its large but not overwhelming (and lets face it, you walk at any Disney resort even the one building set ups at WL and BW), it doesn't feel like a convention resort based on my stay and visits there (we are DVC and we pool hop to CSR most every trip and spend at least a whole day there enjoying its beauty, pool and Pepper Market).

CSR isn't really meant to compete with WL or the deluxe's. Just as WL can't compete with some of the other deluxe's since its not on the monorail or walking distance to a park and the rooms are smaller than say the rooms at the Poly, CR or YC. However, since its cheaper than those deluxe's it has a lot to offer for the price. Just as CSR does for its price.

I just think its so hard to compare these two resorts! Of course CSR will come out the loser since its not a deluxe if and you compare it point by point to WL. The issue is that for $700 less, can CSR offer a resort experiece that can hold its own. I think it can. But for loyal WL lovers, it won't!

I see a lot of "I wouldn't stay there over WL" but if you needed to save money, you might. If you just compare it and say "money's no object" that's different. But to me, $700 is clearly a lot of money and I think CSR can offer quite a bit besides the savings. JMHO.

 

[KatMark]

Obviously you love WL and my post is not meant to tell you not to stay there and try CSR but rather for people who are open to that possiblity.

First of all, CSR is large. However, you do not need a car and getting from point A to B is not a pain for most people. We stayed there with my elderly aunt. She had a hip injury she was recovering from and she did just fine. For that matter, I have stayed at SSR (even bigger than CSR) with that same aunt and my mom. My mom was recovering from surgery and chemo. She did fine. These large resorts have shortcuts and you see a varieity of ages and mobilities getting around them just fine. At CSR there is no section that is further than a 10 minute very leisurely walk to the main area. We were in Ranchos, I think the furthest section to the main area and it took us around five minutes. And all sections of CSR have a quiet pool and bus stop very nearby. Unlike resorts with only one bus stop, you never have a long trek to or from the busses and your room. Very convenient. There are definitely people who will find CSR too large. I think some of the walks to the main pool are around 1/4 mile. To me and I think most people, that isn't a big deal. If you look at the CSR thread, I believe there are some facts and statistics to show the exact distances we are talking about. But I do know that if my aunt could get around that resort on a cane when she was still hurting, most people will find it very navigable. As long as they know ahead of time that it is a multiple building layout (likes so many other WDW resorts).

CSR is a convention resort however the chances of you seeing nothing but a bunch of "suits" is minimal. We stayed there during a huge convention, never saw a suit. This is not a typical convention atmospherwe. And BC and CR are also convention resorts. CSR is still at WDW, it doens't feel stuffy or all about work and not play. And the upside to those conventioners is that while they are at their meetings, they aren't at the pools or using the busses to the parks. Honestly, if it were not for being a disboard member, I'd have no idea this resort is a convention resort.

Again, my post is to merely point out some things out for the people who do have a desire to stay there. Its large but not overwhelming (and lets face it, you walk at any Disney resort even the one building set ups at WL and BW), it doesn't feel like a convention resort based on my stay and visits there (we are DVC and we pool hop to CSR most every trip and spend at least a whole day there enjoying its beauty, pool and Pepper Market).

CSR isn't really meant to compete with WL or the deluxe's. Just as WL can't compete with some of the other deluxe's since its not on the monorail or walking distance to a park and the rooms are smaller than say the rooms at the Poly, CR or YC. However, since its cheaper than those deluxe's it has a lot to offer for the price. Just as CSR does for its price.

I just think its so hard to compare these two resorts! Of course CSR will come out the loser since its not a deluxe if and you compare it point by point to WL. The issue is that for $700 less, can CSR offer a resort experiece that can hold its own. I think it can. But for loyal WL lovers, it won't!

I see a lot of "I wouldn't stay there over WL" but if you needed to save money, you might. If you just compare it and say "money's no object" that's different. But to me, $700 is clearly a lot of money and I think CSR can offer quite a bit besides the savings. JMHO.

I agree with everything you said. I really get tired of everyone saying what a long walk it is at the CSR to get anywhere (and the CBR as well...although it is not our favorite resort, the walk is not that bad...we've visited and walked around the resort on a couple of occasions). My best friend stayed at the AKL and had a longer walk from his room to the pool and food area than he did when he came to visit his coworkers at the CSR and walked with them from the convention center to the furthest room in the Ranchos. You are at Disney...you are going to walk.

As for the rooms, I think the new decor of the rooms at the CSR look great! I'm sorry we aren't going to be able to see them this year since we've had to cancel our trip (but going to Marco Island for a week--FREE). I love the new bedding and the sliding doors.

Now, I've never stayed at the WL so I can't really tell you what the rooms look like. The two times we asked if we could see the rooms we had a very rude CM. Truthfully, I could have cared less, but DH liked the look of the resort and thought of trying it. I've never had a desire to stay there. The lobby is stunning...but I find that it has an odor in it (could be from the awful WCC) and I just am not into log cabins/woodsy feel in Florida.

We've stayed seven times at the CSR and there has been a convention every single trip. We have seen people in a business suit perhaps two or three times and some of them could have actually been Disney employees for all I know.

The CSR is a great option if you are trying to save money. $700 is a lot of money in these times of ours (believe me I know as we've had to cancel our annual trek to Disney.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Nevermind.

 

[frisco]

I guess my comparison is between staying at a resort like CBR, CSR or Riverside, versus staying at WL.

Where the walking gets irritating is when you go down for breakfast and you've forgotten something in your room. You have to walk all the way back. That's a pain. When it's pouring rain outside and you need to get something to eat or to the laundry. That's a pain.

Granted, I've never stayed at CSR, but it's layout looks similar to Riverside and that was a big pain in the neck. Even worse was OKW. 15 minute walk to the food court from our room.

 

[KatMark]

I guess my comparison is between staying at a resort like CBR, CSR or Riverside, versus staying at WL.

Where the walking gets irritating is when you go down for breakfast and you've forgotten something in your room. You have to walk all the way back. That's a pain. When it's pouring rain outside and you need to get something to eat or to the laundry. That's a pain.

Granted, I've never stayed at CSR, but it's layout looks similar to Riverside and that was a big pain in the neck. Even worse was OKW. 15 minute walk to the food court from our room.

I think the point she was trying to make is that you can have a long walk at the deluxes as well. You can have just as long a walk from your room to the food at a deluxe as you do a moderate. The only difference is that one is outside and one is inside. And that comes down to a personal preference. I prefer walking outside and not in dark, cold hallways with food service trays laying all over the hallway. I enjoy the sunshine. I think the biggest beef is that people OVER talk the walking at the moderates when it can be just as bad at the deluxes. We had the same issue at the Poly and it is by far our favorite deluxe. But we had a long walk from our room to the food...but it didn't bother us because the resort is beautiful and we enjoy walking.

 

[toodycat]

because neither is my all-time favorite, but I enjoyed my stay at both resorts. I would say that the CSR is a good buy for the money. The rooms are nice, but not super fancy. The average size is about 314 sq. ft. Also, it is a self-parking resort. However, the WL has some of the smallest rooms of the deluxes (340 sq. ft on average) , so I would say for rooms, neither property dominates. Rooms in both are average, nothing spectacular. The food was pretty good at the Pepper Market at CSR, but it is overpriced.($10.50 for an omelet!) I think the prices are a little jacked up at the Pepper Market because CSR is a convention hotel and folks can put their meals on their expense accounts. Food at Roaring Forks was also fine, albeit not inexpensive for counter service either. We didn't eat at the Whispering Canyon or Artist Point because the WC seemed too loud and the prices at Artist Point are comparable to other upscale restaurants which we prefer. (So, we ate at Citrico's instead.) My DS LOVED the pool at CSR. However, I would say that the landscaping and theming around the pool at the WL is superior. The springs and geyser, for example, are fabulous features. While WL is more contained, CSR is a sprawling resort. I didn't mind the walking, but my MIL got caught in the rain while dressed up; she was waiting quite a while for a golf cart and wasn't too happy. My stay at CSR reminded a lot of my vacation in Arizona a few years back. The color palette, landscaping and decor are all evocative of the American Southwest, more so than Mexico. It actually reminded me a little of the Pointe Hilton at Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix. The WL definitely has a major WOW factor when you enter the lobby that is not present at the CSR. The extensive theming is the most "deluxe" aspect of the WL. While still attractive, CSR's lobby isn't nearly as majestic. As for transportation, the buses to CSR seemed to run pretty regularly.We never waited very long. The boat to and from the WL isn't exactly quick and is sometimes very noisy. CMs at both resorts were very pleasant. If creative theming and atmosphere are really important to you, stay at the WL. If a comfortable room at a reasonable price is your main priority, stay at the CSR and save the $700. DH's opinion is that because CSR is a conference center, the property's design downplays all the Disney magic and characters a bit whereas at the WL, you get a more comprehensive Disney atmosphere. If I were doing a quick weekend visit to WDW, I might stay at the CSR, but if it were my primary vacation of the year, I would spring for the extra $700 and get the full Disney feeling at the WL. Hope this helps.

 

[frisco]

I think the point she was trying to make is that you can have a long walk at the deluxes as well. You can have just as long a walk from your room to the food at a deluxe as you do a moderate.

In talking about these 2 resorts, you won't have a longer walk at the deluxe. You're literally no more than a 2-3 minute walk to the food court from any room at WL.

I used to prefer the outside hallways too, until we stayed at Riverside. They were absolutely filthy. I'm not a fan of the indoor corridors, but at WL they've always been immaculate and cozy.

I enjoy walking too. And the resorts are beautiful, so no quams there. But like I said, it's not so great when you forget something in your room or it's pouring buckets outside.

 

[KatMark]

In talking about these 2 resorts, you won't have a longer walk at the deluxe. You're literally no more than a 2-3 minute walk to the food court from any room at WL.

I used to prefer the outside hallways too, until we stayed at Riverside. They were absolutely filthy. I'm not a fan of the indoor corridors, but at WL they've always been immaculate and cozy.

I enjoy walking too. And the resorts are beautiful, so no quams there. But like I said, it's not so great when you forget something in your room or it's pouring buckets outside.

Guess I've been lucky...I've never got caught in the rain at the CSR while staying there...just at the parks.

 

[frisco]

Guess I've been lucky...I've never got caught in the rain at the CSR while staying there...just at the parks.

It only happened to us at Old Key West, but it was pretty miserable. We were literally, 15 minutes away from the restaurant and food court. We were about half way there when it started downpouring. Another time, we were bringing our laundry back. That was a lot of fun.

I've thought about staying at CSR. It looks really nice. I've just gotten stubborn and can't drag myself away from the Magic Kingdom Resort area.

 

[KatMark]

It only happened to us at Old Key West, but it was pretty miserable. We were literally, 15 minutes away from the restaurant and food court. We were about half way there when it started downpouring. Another time, we were bringing our laundry back. That was a lot of fun.

I've thought about staying at CSR. It looks really nice. I've just gotten stubborn and can't drag myself away from the Magic Kingdom Resort area.

Now I feel extra lucky!!!

I understand what you are saying. Everyone keeps telling me we should try a different resort, but we can't tear ourselves away from CSR after seven near perfect stays. But now that we've had to cancel our trip this year, we'll probably give in and do three days at the AKL and then five or six at the CSR next year.

 

[c&m]

Thank you for all your replies. It seems that both WL and CSR have some very loyal fans. Obviously, I picked two really great resorts to choose from.

We have no problems with walking distances. Our family, kids included, are fine with it. We enjoy walking along the pathways and taking in the scenery, as it is vacation time. We love being able to be outside walking around, as DH and I are usually chained to our desks. Plus, with the free dining, we SHOULD walk to work off those Disney calories. As for walking in the rain...well...we live in the Pacific Northwest...rain is a way of life for us...

What concerns me most are the recent reviews of CSR about the poor mousekeeping. I read a recent review where a guest had to wipe down the bathrooms with Lysol spray and wipes to clean it up. And the room was not vacuumed properly. How can a Disney hotel charging those kind of rates have such an underperforming cleaning crew?

Is poor mousekeeping prevalent at CSR or is at every Disney resort from Values to Deluxes? Is there poor mousekeeping at WL as well? I seem to only be hearing it from CSR guests. I think the deciding point will now be the mousekeeping, not the $700. I don't want to clean a room on my vacation.

 

[frisco]

Is poor mousekeeping prevalent at CSR or is at every Disney resort from Values to Deluxes? Is there poor mousekeeping at WL as well? I seem to only be hearing it from CSR guests. I think the deciding point will now be the mousekeeping, not the $700. I don't want to clean a room on my vacation.

Disney's housekeeping leaves something to be desired in general. That being said, I never had problems at WL.

 

[avahoneybee]

It's weird this question was asked because I just switched my reservation from CSR to WL yesterday. What's interesting about my particular switch is that the rooms at WL don't appeal to me at all but the cast members that work there are fabulous! I'm not sure if it was just the time we went, but we really did have the best experience there. That and my family also outvoted me.

We also wanted a more compact resort where the rooms were inside vs. a long hike to breakfast in the morning. I particularly like the water parade and the boat to MK. In addition, some of the dining reservations we plan on making are at Poly, CR, and GF, so it only made sense to be a bit closer.

Don't get me wrong, CSR looks beautiful and we'll probably try it some day. We're getting in a night early and might just book there to start off our trip.

I also need because this post sounds illiterate.