Just back with a mini review (Long!)

[littleprincessmom]

Just back from an awesome split trip at CR and BC.....Sigh... So tough to return to "real life!"

Here's a brief "mini" resort review of 2 resorts we'd never tried before (well, at least not in many years in the case of the CR )

IMHO...

A big thumbs up to:

Almost everything about the BC - what a wonderful resort! We actually may have a new favorite!

BC cast members - everyone from check-in to mousekeeping to valets were invariably friendly and helpful...

BC decor - beautiful hotel, nicely appointed rooms - loved the Mickey lifeguard lamps...

BC room assignor who actually read my corny faxed request and gave us a room with a full balcony, great view of the BoardWalk and awesome location (4541, i think???)...

BC sundry and gift shop with drinkable coffee, glasses of wine and yummy pastries and sandwiches...

StormAlong Bay...

Beaches & Cream...

BC Quiet rooms (didn't hear neighbors once) and perfect curtains to shut out light for naps and sleeping in...

5 minute walk from our BC room to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot! Wow!

CR Tower convenience, fast elevators, large rooms & the monorail

CR bus stop location (the closest we've seen in a resort)

Awesome CR room assignor who actually read my other corny request and gave us room 4731 - most incredible view of MK and Wishes!!! Leading to my next thumbs up - watching Wishes from your balcony or bed!!!

California Grill and Chef Mickey's

Attentiveness of lifeguards at BOTH resorts - as a former guard, I was impressed!

Great gift shop at the CR - especially for little girls who love princesses

My few "could be improved but not necessarily thumbs down" comments

Hands down, the BC staff was friendlier. The CR cast members were fine, just didn't feel the magic that the BC cast members conveyed.

Disney, it is time to redecorate the CR rooms. Love the size but the decor needs updating BADLY! While you are at it, can you please add a little brighter lighting in the bathrooms.

CR resort room often wasn't visited by mousekeeping until late in the afternoon. BC, they always seemed to hit us before lunch!

I know the coffee in the room is not supposed to taste good, but can we at least make it drinkable! yuck!

Let me preface this one with the fact that we stayed one night at Universal and 6 at Disney (we are Disney, not Universal "people"), but Disney bellmen could take lessons from Universal on one matter. Every time we've stayed at a Universal hotel, when we are shown to our room they ask if they can fill the ice bucket for us, if we need assistance with dinner reservations, etc. Upon check-in at both Disney resorts, we asked where the ice makers were and the bellman told us and then left as quickly as possible. HRH was booked solid the weekend we were there so it wasn't as it the bellman was less busy than the Disney bellmen!

Overall, a FABULOUS trip. My little complaints are just that - trivial. There is simply no place like Disney! Happy to answer any questions!

 

[valeriekc]

Were they still working on the monorail gates at any of the monorail resorts??

 

[peter11435]

The CR is alread scheduled to recieve new rooms. The photos can be viewed at www.wdwig.com

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Amen to the coffee! Just another way to make you go out and get some of their stuff...though I cant complain the coffee at Kona Cafe is deeelicious!

 

[missypie]

Great to hear your reviews...we are leaving tomorrow for a YC/CR split.

 

[Grumpy92]

I love your comment on the bellman. You should send that to Guest communications.
Love the new decor of the CR rooms that are on their way. So crisp and clean. Reminded me of the S/D.

 

[littleprincessmom]

Were they still working on the monorail gates at any of the monorail resorts??

We didn't notice any work on the monorail gates - if they were, it did not seem to slow anything down! Monorails ran great during our stay!

 

[Michelle2]

I loved hearing about your stay. Makes me think of maybe splitting our stay while we are there. I have always wanted the kids to try Storm along bay... How long was the walk to MGM from your room?? And did you get a good rate (AP or otherwise) on it? Was it considered a lake view room, or standard?

 

[littleprincessmom]

I loved hearing about your stay. Makes me think of maybe splitting our stay while we are there. I have always wanted the kids to try Storm along bay... How long was the walk to MGM from your room?? And did you get a good rate (AP or otherwise) on it? Was it considered a lake view room, or standard?

It was the first time we've ever tried a split and we really enjoyed it - would definitely do it again! Stormalong Bay was fantastic. Walk to MGM was about 15 minutes. I heard someone say it is a mile from the hotel but I have no idea if that is accurate. We drive and actually find it faster to drive to most of the parks than to use Disney transportation with the exception of the monorail. The walk to Epcot was literally 3-5 minutes - that was GREAT!

We had an AP rate - I don't remember the exact rate but it was $100.00 off rack rate. We did book a water view room because we had the discount. As a side note, I don't think we would have enjoyed the CR nearly as much had we not stayed in the Tower. We also had an AP rate for a Tower room!