Opinions needed, CSR or WL?

[05MM08MM]

We are planning a trip at the end of May. Every time I think I am ready to make my reservations something comes up that changes everything.

We orginally wanted to "resort hop" and stay at a few different ones during our stay but when I realized we had to make single reservations and all those deposits up front I had to make a decision on one resort we would stay at our whole trip. I am pretty much set on the WL, but now thinking we could save some money and stay at CSR instead.

There are 5 of us going; me, hubby, daughter (7), and my parents. We will have 2 separate rooms and my parents want a king bed. That pretty much canceled out the value resorts since there was no gaurantee that they could get one. At the Deluxe resorts you have a choice of king or queen and that is better than double beds so it was Contemporary vs. WL and I picked WL. But I noticed that CSR has a price for king bed rooms so that would pretty much gauranteed us getting one i think.

Pros for WL: queen or king beds, atmosphere, decor, short boat or bus ride to MK, short boat ride to Contemporary to eat breakfast at CM's and monorail to Epcot, Electrial Water Pageant, not so spread out, dual sinks in bath area

Pros for CSR: location, location, location! Right in the middle of AK, DS, & EP and not as far away as Value resorts to MK, good chance of getting king bed for parents, less expensive, dig site

Anyone who has stayed at both for a good comparison? I have read good things about both resorts but want to know which you would pick in my position, money aside.

TIA

 

[Aurora63]

I know, you asked for people who had stayed at both to reply. But I couldn't resist.

I've stayed at the WL, and it is well worth it, IMHO. For all the reasons you've mentioned. There's just something very special about it.

Not being spread out was a big plus. My DSis and I bought the refillable mugs at WL. It was nice to only have to walk a short distance to get them refilled. When we stayed at POR (similar in size to CSR) we were far enough away from the food court for it to be torture, after a day in the parks.

At the WL, you will have a balcony.

And, depending on the view, you might get a "through the trees" view of the MK. At night, on this side of the resort, you can see the fireworks.

Have a great trip whatever you decide!

 

[05MM08MM]

Oh, it doesn't matter if you have been to both or not, I aprpeciate any input from anyone.

Thanks!

 

[Buzz2001]

Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[KatMark]

I voted for the CSR. We've not stayed at the Wilderness Lodge...although we have visited it and it is beautiful. We have stayed at the Contemporary and Polynesian so we have experienced a deluxe. The Polynesian is our second favorite resort (it reminds of Hawaii where we spent our honeymoon). However, even though it is just the two of us now (the kids are in college...one set to graduate in 8 months and don't travel with us anymore), we just can't justify the difference in money for a deluxe when we spend so little time in the room. We love the pool (Dig Site and Quiet) at the Coronado, the food court, the spa and the quietness of the resort. Hope this helps.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted for the Wilderness Lodge because of the following reasons. It's a Deluxe Resort where as CSR is a Moderate Resort. A major plus to the Wilderness Lodge is how everything is in one building and how CSR is to spread out and because there is a lot more around the Wilderness Lodge, where as the area around CSR seems to boring and is away from everything else.

 

[saffymom]

I just had to make this decision for our upcoming Jan trip. We ultimately decided we would be just as happy at CSR and we would save about $400 (that is 4 days worth of food for my family!).

CSR has everything we need in a resort - great pool, terrific playground for the kids, food court with lots of choices and excellent bus transportation. I wasn't crazy about the food court options at Wilderness Lodge. I also didn't like the idea of sharing busses with other resorts.

Both are great resorts though and I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR has a great pool, transportation (not shared) and awesome food options.

 

[mom22boys]

My great debate has been CSR, WL, or the Poly. I have never stayed at WL or CSR, but from everything I have read I am leaning towards CSR. What concerns me the most about staying at WL is the transportation. I have read too many accounts of guests being frustrated with the shared transportation at WL. It looks like a beautiful resort, but I think my family will save it for a time when we have a rental car. Another thought to share, even though the beds at CSR are only doubles, I have read that they are pillow-top, new, and very comfy!

Hope this helps a little. Sorry it is not first hand information. Hopefully I will have that by next May!

 

[SpaceGirl]

I have stayed at both resorts, while I know many love CSR the Wilderness Lodge is worth the added expense.

 

[05MM08MM]

Who does the WL share transportation with besides the villas? That is the first I have heard of that. Guess I need to do more research.

 

[Lilolvr]

Who does the WL share transportation with besides the villas? That is the first I have heard of that. Guess I need to do more research.

Fort Wilderness Cabins

 

[mayesq]

As of last month when we stayed at WL, all mattresses were being replaced. So, factor in the brand new mattresses as another reason to choose WL. Plus, I've stayed at both resorts and would not recommend CSR to anybody. We had a terrible stay. We had no complaints about WL.

 

[05MM08MM]

WL: As far as the transportation goes, for getting to the MK; the boats only run 30 min prior to MK opening? Does the bus only take you to the TTC or directly to the entrance to the park? We plan to do a character breakfast that morning. If meal is anytime between 7:00 - 8:15 a.m. (park opens @ 9 a.m.??) what is the best way to get there in plenty of time without having to wake everyone up @ 5:30?

 

[05MM08MM]

Ttt

 

[EPCOTDUDE]

Im dying to try both. Ive researched both and figure its a toss up, so this time I would go for the less expensive. CSR

 

[05MM08MM]

I keep trying to find a way to swing a split stay between the two. I would save about $600 over all if I did that, but I would also have at least that much extra due up front for 4 different reservations (2 rooms at each resort). The resorts at Disney are like an attraction in themselves, whether you spend lots of time their or not and since this is our first time as a family going, and we probably won't be able to go again for a while, I want to make it as special as possible.

I'm not that interested in who has the better food court necesisarily, as I am in the all-around resort itself. We do have a 7-year old with us, but she is out-numbered by the adults this time so we want something we can all enjoy.

I showed my daughter the pictures of the WL and she thought is was "awesome" but she also likes the dig site pool at CSR. I know she would like the value resort theming but not being gauranteed of my parents getting a king throws that out of the picture all together, and I personally would prefer a queen vs. a double bed myself.

 

[DizneyNutz]

And we have stayed at both. We did not find the CSR very much to our liking for several reasons (and it was not the ambiance), but you will have to exerience them both to make YOUR decision. We would DEFINATELY say WL for having everything more compact and less inconvenient. Hope you have a magical stay wherever you choose.

 

[mom22boys]

And we have stayed at both. We did not find the CSR very much to our liking for several reasons (and it was not the ambiance), but you will have to exerience them both to make YOUR decision.

I am curious. What were your reasons for not liking CSR?

Thanks!

 

[nurse.darcy]

My son keeps asking to stay at WL. We went there for a snack and to check out the resort. Its BEAUTIFUL and very compact for a deluxe resort. Not so spread out as Poly and not as stuffy as CR. He loved the fireplace in the lobby and the small foodcourt was definitely a plus. I wanted to stay at AKL but he overrode and said WL is his first choice. So summer of 08 it is WL for us.