Food at CL CR vs. CL GF vs. CL WL for a Christmas trip

[Raya]

Every year we say we're going to skip MNSSHP and go over Christmas but every year I can't resist my favorite holiday in my favorite place... until this year, when a new job means I might not be able to take any vacation time until Christmas. Since this is likely a once in a lifetime Disney Christmas trip, we're going to try CL. DH's favorite resort is CR. I like YC for the pool, but we won't be swimming in December. That narrows it down to CR (for him), GF (my dream trip), or WL (one of our favorite spots).

The deciding factor will be the food. Now I know breakfast is the same in the most CL places - cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice. But aren't the evening nibbles sent up from the hotels signature restaurant? Is that true every night? Can anyone compare the three places for the types of food you'd get? Or heck, just compare them in general?

 

[madalex]

Of the resorts you mentioned, I've stayed CL at both WL and GF (Sugarloaf). (Of the other deluxe resorts, I've also stayed CL at YC, BC, AKL and BWI.)

As you correctly point out, breakfast is generally the same at most CL lounges, as are the snacks put out through the middle of the day. It's the evening offerings (generally 5:00 - 7:00) and dessert offerings (generally 8:00 - 10:00) where there is some differentiation among the resorts.

That being said, I can't really recall thinking that any one resort was that much better or that much worse than any other in this respect. For me, the food offerings are a nice perk for staying CL, but they would not be a deciding factor for me in deciding what resort to stay at.

 

[chasgoose]

The food is different at each resort, but with the exception of the poly where the food has a decidedly more pan-Asian vibe and the AKL where the food comes partially from Boma (I think?). It's all the same basic finger food appetizers that you would get at a cocktail party. Also the menus change from time to time so picking a resort now because you like one thing they are serving in the CL at the moment isn't the best idea.

 

[Raya]

Also the menus change from time to time so picking a resort now because you like one thing they are serving in the CL at the moment isn't the best idea.

Well drat! Now I'll have to come up with a new way to pick.

 

[mickeynut1]

Every year we say we're going to skip MNSSHP and go over Christmas but every year I can't resist my favorite holiday in my favorite place... until this year, when a new job means I might not be able to take any vacation time until Christmas. Since this is likely a once in a lifetime Disney Christmas trip, we're going to try CL. DH's favorite resort is CR. I like YC for the pool, but we won't be swimming in December. That narrows it down to CR (for him), GF (my dream trip), or WL (one of our favorite spots).

The deciding factor will be the food. Now I know breakfast is the same in the most CL places - cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice. But aren't the evening nibbles sent up from the hotels signature restaurant? Is that true every night? Can anyone compare the three places for the types of food you'd get? Or heck, just compare them in general?

We haven't stayed at the CR, but have stayed CL at the WL and GF (both RPC & SL). Our favorite is GF RPC, followed closely by WL CL (didn't care for GF SL). The food offerings are great at both resorts, with GF having a slight edge with a little more variety throughout the day. But as far as the lounge, atmosphere, and quality, WL CL ranks right up there with GF RPC for me and I think either one would make for a great Christmas trip.