Opinions needed, CSR or WL?

[iluvradcliffe]

Another vote for Coronado. The pool is much better than WL and I like the fact that it doesn't share buses with any other resorts.

 

[DizneyNutz]

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

Thanks!

I am not saying we would never go back again but here are some reasons we didn't prefer it.
1. We stayed in the Casitas section. We were staying about halfway between the parking lot and the lagoon. The buildings near the parking lot are only two floors so you either had to go up two floors then walk all the way back to the middle section and up the stairs another floor or walk all the way back to the lagoon elevator and go up to our floor then double back halfway back towards the parking lot to get to our room. Not convenient at all carrying a double handful of groceries or luggage.
2. This was the first time we did not use resort mugs due to the distance everything is from the Pepper Market. We just bought our own drinks at Wal Mart and kept them in a fridge.
3. We had such a long wait for the bus to the Animal Kingdom our first morning, that we drove ourselves everywhere the rest of the entire trip. There were families that had breakfast reservations with small children dressed in costumes that were at the bus stop long before us and they were fuming mad already when we got there. By the time a bus did come for AK, DW and I were also upset with the busses (it was rediculously overdue with no explanation). Several busses had come and left going to all of the other parks. I would dare say that I honestly do not believe that I have waited that long for any type of transportation at WDW before. Several times we started to walk back to our car, but a bus would start into view and we would wait only to see that it was not ours again. I am not sure that those families with the breakfast reservations made it in time. They were just finishing the rope drop ceremony upon our arrival just starting to allow everyone into the parks.

Anyway there were no catastrophies or anything like that, just not our preferences. We would not tell our friends they shouldn't stay there however. We would however recommend WL over CSR in our opinion.

 

[mom22boys]

I am not saying we would never go back again but here are some reasons we didn't prefer it.
1. We stayed in the Casitas section. We were staying about halfway between the parking lot and the lagoon. The buildings near the parking lot are only two floors so you either had to go up two floors then walk all the way back to the middle section and up the stairs another floor or walk all the way back to the lagoon elevator and go up to our floor then double back halfway back towards the parking lot to get to our room. Not convenient at all carrying a double handful of groceries or luggage.
2. This was the first time we did not use resort mugs due to the distance everything is from the Pepper Market. We just bought our own drinks at Wal Mart and kept them in a fridge.
3. We had such a long wait for the bus to the Animal Kingdom our first morning, that we drove ourselves everywhere the rest of the entire trip. There were families that had breakfast reservations with small children dressed in costumes that were at the bus stop long before us and they were fuming mad already when we got there. By the time a bus did come for AK, DW and I were also upset with the busses (it was rediculously overdue with no explanation). Several busses had come and left going to all of the other parks. I would dare say that I honestly do not believe that I have waited that long for any type of transportation at WDW before. Several times we started to walk back to our car, but a bus would start into view and we would wait only to see that it was not ours again. I am not sure that those families with the breakfast reservations made it in time. They were just finishing the rope drop ceremony upon our arrival just starting to allow everyone into the parks.

Anyway there were no catastrophies or anything like that, just not our preferences. We would not tell our friends they shouldn't stay there however. We would however recommend WL over CSR in our opinion.

Thanks for your answer. It is interesting that you had trouble with transportation at CSR. I more typically read complaints about WL transportation. I guess this is one more example of how all WDW transportation can be hit or miss at times.

Thanks again. As far as our family is concerned, CSR and WL are both on our list of resorts we hope to stay at some day. Of course the Poly and AKL are on that list too!

 

[DizneyNutz]

Thanks for your answer. It is interesting that you had trouble with transportation at CSR. I more typically read complaints about WL transportation. I guess this is one more example of how all WDW transportation can be hit or miss at times.

Thanks again. As far as our family is concerned, CSR and WL are both on our list of resorts we hope to stay at some day. Of course the Poly and AKL are on that list too!

Yeah I always read those posts about WL transportation and figure that it must just be the times we go (Sept/ early Dec) because we don't USUALLY have that experience with the buses at WL. I said usually because we did have some longer than average waits one particular year, but we have not found it to be the norm. As far as CSR it was our first stay and I believe our first morning bus and we honestly didn't care to try again. We kinda like having our own transportation there anyway. So I am not saying that is the norm at CSR either, but it sure started the day on a bad mood for a LOT of people. Anyway you mentioned family in your last post. I just wanted to mention that when we stayed there it was DW and I with no children and it was Dec. so the pool was not a factor for us, but I am sure children would find the pool at CSR a big hit.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We have stayed at both resorts.
I really like CSR. However, WL does have a better location, IMHO, and is a deluxe resort.
I think any of the deluxe resorts would beat out a moderate. Although I would happily stay at CSR too.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

So far CSR is our least favorite resort, & we've stayed in resorts in all categories. During our stay, all the common areas were crowded with tour groups. Going in the lobby or to Pepper Market was a nightmare. That wasn't the biggest reason we didn't like this resort though. Many times in the PM we felt like the only people speaking English. We didn't expect the tour groups to, but it would have been nice to be able to communicate with the CMs. This has been a few years, so things may have changed. I doubt we'll ever go back to see for ourself. On a positive note, the pool is great!

 

[piratecravingmom]

Hi. I've stayed at both. I absolutely love WL. The atmosphere is transporting. CSR is nice, but doors open to an outside walkway, as do windows. This is the walkway everyone uses so anyone passing can see into room if windoes are open. At WL all rooms are located on an indoor hallway. Each room has a private balcony. If this was my choice, I would have no trouble making decision. Even if it costs a little more, if you can stretch your budget, definately WL.

 

[minijeanie]

I have stayed at WL 3x and loved it. Hotel gorgeous, lobby breathtaking and inside
Stayed at CSR this year and really loved it.

I would save the $$$ and go to CSR..Grounds beautiful and bus transportation good as well. Plus think the rooms are bigger and laid out better. You have the food court and a great pool. The WL pool is a tad small for the size of the hotel.

However whatever you choose, both are great choices

 

[OKW Mom]

The Boats are relaxing-
The Pools are nice-
Lots of Wildlife to be seen-
The Restaurants have a broader range of food-

CSR is a no because:
If I crack my shin one more time in the Pepper Mkt trying to get to my table I will scream.
Maya Grill has the lackluster servers of Disney, something I would rather not do again.
The resort is S P R E A D out and takes eons to get around.

 

[KingTriton77]

I would choose CSR! Much better pool, transportation and atmosphere.

 

[MDZKS]

We have stayed at both the CSR and the WL and our favorite is by far the WL. The lobby alone is amazing and the stream coming out of the hotel and down to the pool is "too cool".

 

[vicki845]

It's a beautiful resort but I wouldn't go back because of the food. We didn't like the food court or wcc. Artist point was okay but didn't think it was worth two credits on the ddp. The restaurants are a big part of our vacation. We love going out to eat. Since we didn't like the restaurants there. It's not worth going back for us. However, you might feel differently. I have to say the WL is a beautiful resort, nice pool, hot tubs and being on Bay Lake can't be beat. The boat ride to mk was nice but it's much faster by bus. The beds and pillows are great! One more thing if you decide stay there you might want to get a room as far away from WCC. We were in room # 4083 on the fourth floor. You could hear all the noise coming from WCC up until 11pm. I actually had to turn up the volume on the tv so we could hear.

 

[05MM08MM]

It's a beautiful resort but I wouldn't go back because of the food. We didn't like the food court or wcc. Artist point was okay but didn't think it was worth two credits on the ddp. The restaurants are a big part of our vacation. We love going out to eat. Since we didn't like the restaurants there. It's not worth going back for us. However, you might feel differently. I have to say the WL is a beautiful resort, nice pool, hot tubs and being on Bay Lake can't be beat. The boat ride to mk was nice but it's much faster by bus. The beds and pillows are great! One more thing if you decide stay there you might want to get a room as far away from WCC. We were in room # 4083 on the fourth floor. You could hear all the noise coming from WCC up until 11pm. I actually had to turn up the volume on the tv so we could hear.

I'm not too worried about the restaurants there, we can eat in the parks if need be, since we will be there during dinner time anyways.

As far as room location, the area closest to the lobby is what I plan to avoid. It may be a shorter walk to everything, but I didn't plan to go to WDW and do little walking

 

[islandmum]

we've just got back from the WL .... it was AWESOME!

we had no problems with transport, even to the AK it was about 15 minutes travel I guess but you hardly even notice. It certainly was no issue for us at all.

the boat was great going to MK also.

I couldnt fault the WL although we'd have liked a bigger room but infact its all you need as all you do is sleep there.

The thing I really liked - because of the tall pines and lak outlook you feel very secluded even though you're spitting distance from the MK. Many people may feel differently and want to see more action like parks, other hotels, the mono etc etc but I loved the fact it was so serene.

WCC is fab, the lobby makes the place feel just so friendly.

we went and saw 3 other hotels and knew we had the right place for us and our 2 young boys, it was a delight to stay there.

 

[05MM08MM]

WL it is! Made my reservations last night

 

[lpandorf]

I've stayed in both. WL in Nov 06 and CSR 2 time, most recently, June 07. The only time I'd pay the extra money to stay at WL again would be at the holidays. There is something really special about the way the lodge is decorated and the holiday atmosphere there. I loved CSR for less money. I actaully like that things are spread out at CSR - does not feel as crowded to me and hotel like. Others prefer everything under one building, though. CSR is beautifully landscaped. So relaxing. I feel like I'm someplace entirely different then WDW when returning from the parks. The best is the dig site and pool area. Much better playground then the one climber at WL. It has several nice jungle gyms with slides. Swings and a great sand pit. My DS 3 loved that area and would take breaks from the pool to go play. I did not think the pool was as nice at WL and did not seem quite as big, either. El Centro at CSR is really pretty, nice restaurants, friendly CMs and even liked the gift shop. The transportation at CSR was very good, we never waited more then 10 minutes for any bus (except DD which seemed to be a problem for others, too) Thought it better then that at WL which always stopped at GF first when we were there.

 

[05MM08MM]

It was a hard decision, but I had to make it, so it came down to queen vs double beds, seeing as how the most time spent in the room itself will be sleeping, and so WL won.

 

[dmja716]

I vote for the WL b/c of the theming and the awesome boat transportation to the MK!!
I loved staying there. I stayed at CSR and the theming is great but for some reason I LOVED staying at WL. Roaring Forks has yummy food and the rooms were definitely nicer than CSR.
Whichever you choose you will be happy with.
Being in Disney is just perfect.

 

[klinlin]

I have stayed at both, and I really liked CSR. It was a very beautiful resort. If I didn't have the kids, I would say there again in a minute. Pepper Market has more to offer than Roaring Forks, but we used most of our CS in the parks,so it didn't really make a difference to us. However, I don't know if CRO will guarantee connecting rooms for your parents, and CSR is quite spread out. Plus if you are spending a lot of time at MK, WL is so close and the boat is so convenient. We loved WL. Right now, it is my favorite resort.

I got a code and upgraded to Beach Club this year. We'll see if my opinion changes.

 

[DizneyNutz]

WL it is! Made my reservations last night

Not trying to turn this into a picture thread, but since you have made your decision a little something to look forward to!