CSR vs WL in December

[disneylove16]

Hi all! Our next WDW vacation is Dec 2-10 2017. We have stayed at CSR on our last 2 trips, and love it. I've always wanted to stay at WL though, b/c I love that theming. It looks like WL is amazing during Christmastime, and the construction (I hope) should be done by the time we go. I've done the pros/cons of each

CSR:
We know what to expect, and know we love it
Cheaper
Doesn't share a bus, we know what to expect from bus service

WL:
It'll be nice to try something new
Way more Christmas-y (but I'm thinking this may cause WL to be more crowded at that time?)
Will force us to finally try WCC

I think my biggest concern is the bus service, I've read really mixed things about WL's bus service. I know every bus service has waits. We had to wait quite a bit at CSR for buses on multiple occasions. If it's comparable, I'm fine with that.

Has anyone stayed at both that can give me some comparisons? Any big differences? I know one is a deluxe, and one is a mod, but as far as amenities, they seem pretty similar. Thanks for any help!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We've stayed at CSR quite a few times, and WL once. The time that we stayed at WL, it was because it was just before Thanksgiving and I wanted to stay there with it all decorated for Christmas. I will say that walking into the lobby with that massive tree and all the decorations.... it did not disappoint. I loved it. I have seen pictures of CSR decorated for Christmas and it looks lovely, also, but it doesn't have that huge tree like WL.

I will fully admit that our stay at WL was several years ago -- in 2009, I believe. (Check my signature, lol.) While I loved the boat ride to MK, I will say that we were less than thrilled with the bus service to the other parks. We took the bus to Epcot our first whole day there, and the route took us from WL to FW, then to Epcot. It was about a 40-minute trip. Coming back wasn't as bad because WL was the first stop. After that long trip, we opted to use our car to go to the other parks.

When we've stayed at CSR, there have been times that we've waited 25 minutes or more for a bus, but I'd say that in all our stays there, that has happened less than once per stay - maybe 5 times in all?

We do like WCC and have eaten there other times, even though we're not stayed at WL, so I'd encourage you to try it. The food court at WL is very small (unless expanding it is part of the current renovation, which I've not kept up with) so if you like to grab a quick bite for breakfast, that would be a consideration.

Distance-wise, we did just as much walking inside the WL building as we do at CSR. There's just the one bus stop (or boat dock) so you have to walk through the lobby to the elevators, then down the hall to your room. We had a standard view room that looked over the loading dock but we were high up so the noise didn't bother us. We were able to see Wishes through the trees every night, though, so that was nice. The rooms were not much larger than CSR's but did have 2 sinks (although rumor has it that the refurb planned for CSR will add the second sink).

While staying at WL during the holidays was definitely on my "Disney bucket list," I probably would not do it again if the cost was significantly more. In our case, we were able to get a standard room with the military 40% off discount, it was still considered "value season" at the time because it was the week before Thanksgiving, and so it was probably the most reasonable it ever would be, so we sprung for it.

Hope this helps!

 

[saskdw]

Hi there. I read your last trip report, it was fantastic!!

We love CSR as well and have spent about 60 nights there in the month of December and are heading back there this Dec for 12 nights.

Here's my 2 cents.

Rooms are basically the same size. WL gives you the balcony and indoor hallways. Lot's of people like the indoor hallways, I actually don't mind being right in the sunshine and fresh air when I open the room door.

Transportation at WL is convenient to MK with the boat, but bus service everywhere else will be slower than CSR. I know some will dispute this, but CSR has the best bus service at WDW and is pretty good to all parks.

Amenites are pretty much the same even though WL is deluxe. Both have 2 TS restaurants, fitness center, etc.

Pool is much bigger at CSR. Bigger hot tub at CSR. Better waterslide at CSR.

CSR IMO does have the nicest Christmas decor of the Mod resorts.

Where WL blows CSR away is the lobby. There is obviously no way for CSR to compete with a 7 floor indoor lobby with enormous Christmas tree and fantasic Christmas decor.

So the question is are you willing to pay more and give up the better transportation to gain the decor for the whole trip?

We are usually there for actual Christmas and what we do is stay at CSR, but have Christmas dinner at Artiste Pointe at WL. We spend a few hours there soaking up the atmosphere and AP is an outstanding restaurant.

 

[disneylove16]

We've stayed at CSR quite a few times, and WL once. The time that we stayed at WL, it was because it was just before Thanksgiving and I wanted to stay there with it all decorated for Christmas. I will say that walking into the lobby with that massive tree and all the decorations.... it did not disappoint. I loved it. I have seen pictures of CSR decorated for Christmas and it looks lovely, also, but it doesn't have that huge tree like WL.

I will fully admit that our stay at WL was several years ago -- in 2009, I believe. (Check my signature, lol.) While I loved the boat ride to MK, I will say that we were less than thrilled with the bus service to the other parks. We took the bus to Epcot our first whole day there, and the route took us from WL to FW, then to Epcot. It was about a 40-minute trip. Coming back wasn't as bad because WL was the first stop. After that long trip, we opted to use our car to go to the other parks.

When we've stayed at CSR, there have been times that we've waited 25 minutes or more for a bus, but I'd say that in all our stays there, that has happened less than once per stay - maybe 5 times in all?

We do like WCC and have eaten there other times, even though we're not stayed at WL, so I'd encourage you to try it. The food court at WL is very small (unless expanding it is part of the current renovation, which I've not kept up with) so if you like to grab a quick bite for breakfast, that would be a consideration.

Distance-wise, we did just as much walking inside the WL building as we do at CSR. There's just the one bus stop (or boat dock) so you have to walk through the lobby to the elevators, then down the hall to your room. We had a standard view room that looked over the loading dock but we were high up so the noise didn't bother us. We were able to see Wishes through the trees every night, though, so that was nice. The rooms were not much larger than CSR's but did have 2 sinks (although rumor has it that the refurb planned for CSR will add the second sink).

While staying at WL during the holidays was definitely on my "Disney bucket list," I probably would not do it again if the cost was significantly more. In our case, we were able to get a standard room with the military 40% off discount, it was still considered "value season" at the time because it was the week before Thanksgiving, and so it was probably the most reasonable it ever would be, so we sprung for it.

Hope this helps!

Thank you! You actually answered one of my unasked questions, about the walking distances. I automatically assumed WL would be less walking b/c CSR seems so spread out. Watching Wishes from the balcony/patio does sound nice!

You confirmed my fears about the buses! I have not heard good things about the buses at WL, and I think I've been spoiled by CSR. We solely rely on buses there since we don't rent a car, so that is a big factor.

I'm hoping discounts will come out as my trip date gets closer, and I can see exactly what the price difference is. If I were to splurge on WL, it would definitely be at Christmastime though! Thank you so much for the info, I appreciate it!

Hi there. I read your last trip report, it was fantastic!!

We love CSR as well and have spent about 60 nights there in the month of December and are heading back there this Dec for 12 nights.

Here's my 2 cents.

Rooms are basically the same size. WL gives you the balcony and indoor hallways. Lot's of people like the indoor hallways, I actually don't mind being right in the sunshine and fresh air when I open the room door.

Transportation at WL is convenient to MK with the boat, but bus service everywhere else will be slower than CSR. I know some will dispute this, but CSR has the best bus service at WDW and is pretty good to all parks.

Amenites are pretty much the same even though WL is deluxe. Both have 2 TS restaurants, fitness center, etc.

Pool is much bigger at CSR. Bigger hot tub at CSR. Better waterslide at CSR.

CSR IMO does have the nicest Christmas decor of the Mod resorts.

Where WL blows CSR away is the lobby. There is obviously no way for CSR to compete with a 7 floor indoor lobby with enormous Christmas tree and fantasic Christmas decor.

So the question is are you willing to pay more and give up the better transportation to gain the decor for the whole trip?

We are usually there for actual Christmas and what we do is stay at CSR, but have Christmas dinner at Artiste Pointe at WL. We spend a few hours there soaking up the atmosphere and AP is an outstanding restaurant.

Thank you so much!

I get what you mean about opening your door to FL sunshine rather than a hallway. Good point!
I do feel like the bus service at CSR is great, I haven't stayed at any other Mods, so can't compare, but I love the bus service, and not sharing with another resort.

And that's a very good idea, about just going to WL to soak up the atmosphere. I suppose we can still just go to WCC for a dinner and soak it in, and if I really do fall in love with it, it'll just give us an excuse to go back the following December! Thank you again, I really appreciate it!