RESORT HELP for newbie!

[maidmarion]

Here's the situation. We're a couple, both in our twenties. He is a first-timer to WDW. My parents took me when I was a kid and I have been obsessed with going back ever since!

We are going the 13th-19th of December and we are both super-excited. The problem is this:

I want to stay at the CBR because it looks beautiful and we can save some money for eating and souvenirs and such.

He wants to stay at WL because it seems amazing. (I agree, it does seem amazing.)

As far as we can tell, we'd be saving about $70/night staying at CBR. he thinks it will be worth it. I'm skeptical.

Any opinions?

 

[disneycuban]

If you can afford it I would suggest the WL, the themeing IMO is better, you don't have to walk as much, there is a hot tub( a need in december) and the best christmas decorations in any Disney resort are at the Wilderness Lodge, it gets cold in Orlando during the winter months and wilderness lodge gives you a feeling of warmth, stay there, you won't regret it. Also, what about splitting your stay, and what about using codes to lessen the cost(AAA, AP, etc.).

 

[zurgswife]

If you can afford the difference then do WL...the Christmas decorations are amazing...and it would definately have a wonderful feel to it that you don't get at CBR.....

 

[diathoney]

The WL is amazing. It's is truly a magnificent building. I would recommend eating there (Artist Pointe maybe?), then wander around and check the place out. Save your money and stay at CBR. Also a beautiful resort. The landscaping is great. The rooms are large, bright and airy. The food court is really cool (like a carribean street). Very small hot tub. At night you can walk along the beach and watch the Epcot fireworks.

OR Spend your money and stay at WL, enjoy the building and discovering all the little details. Sit in front of the fire in the quiet nooks off the lobby (go up the stairs). The landscaping is great - watching the geyser go off is fun. The rooms are smaller and kind of dark. I found the rooms to be noisy also (toilet flush and feet traffic - like the walls are thin). Nice hot tub! The boat ride to MK is slow, but it's a nice ride. At night you can walk along the beach and watch the Electric boat parade. You can also take the boat to CR and hop on the monorail.

Not much help eh? Maybe you could try "rock, paper, scissors"?

 

[Mortlives]

I quite enjoyed CBR myself. They have a nice little hot tob at the main pool, which is lovely. However, I have never stayed at WL, but I have been to WDW in February, and I know it can get quite nippy. I think the advantages to staying at a nice, everything-is-close-and-frequently-indoors deluxe would outweigh the extra $70 a night. Although, YMMV.

Kungaloosh!
Mort.

 

[loubelou]

I haven't stayed at CBR so I really can't comment on it. However, I've stayed at the WL and it is amazing!!!! We loved it there so much we are staying there again in Sept. We just couldn't imagine staying anywhere else.

 

[maidmarion]

What about the Swan and Dolphin? Those would be another option in our budget. I feel like a snob because those hotels seem gorgeous but, I don't know, kind of boring. Am I wrong? I have read posts on the boards here expressing that S/D lacking Disney magic is entirely a myth, and read posts stating the opposite.

 

[jordanyosh]

Choice of resort depends on many variables that can change day-by-day.

If you want easy access to MGM and EPCOT, the Swan/Dolphin would be a nice choice. Don't worry about theming of your rooms. Proximity to the 2 parks and to both the Boardwalk and Y and B Club will more than make up for any shortcomings that the S/D may(or may not) have. We love staying at the Boardwalk because of its proximity to the 2 parks. ESPN Club and Jellyrolls are also great places to hangout and have a few.

WL is, IMHO, the resort with the best theming. The time of year you are going will only add to your experience there. You can experience the feel of being in the mountains. Then you can go the parks and experience the magic of Disney. We've stayed here and are likely to return here again. I think the only downside for me was the fact that there were mostly families there. So at night when I was ready to party, I would have to go to the Boardwalk or DTD. When I was staying at the Boardwalk, I would just walk downstairs....

CBR has a distinctly tropical feel to it. If the weather is warmer and the pool bar is open, sitting out there with the caribbean music playing makes you feel like you are somewhere like the bahamas.....The walk to the food court is always nice and the hammocks on the beach...well, need I say more. We've stayed here as well. I may be staying here next year with some friends who have never been before.....More young folks here and it seemed a little more lively later in the evening at Old Port Royale. OPR is where the food court is as well as the arcade,shops and main themed pool.

Since I don't know you or your tastes, I tried to give you as much info about the resorts as possible...hope it helps.

 

[DrTomorrow]

For a young couple, first time to WDW together, December; that's easy - WL. It sounds like you two are looking for a more Magical trip, and WL - for all the reasons above, and more - wins hands down. Go for the atmosphere and the romance - you won't regret it!

Two more thoughts:

Consider yourself lucky that you've got one of us guys who appreciates Disney Magic - you'll see a lot of women who's DH isn't into Disney.

If CBR isn't what you'd hoped, do you want to hear "well, if we'd stayed at the WL" all trip?

 

[snoopy5386]

i think you should split your stay. it is possible to do this at disney with very little trouble. they even move your luggage for you!! you check out of resort A in the morning before you go to the parks, and you check in to resort B at night. Of course you would want to upgrade - Stay at CBR first then WL

 

[erikthewise]

I agree with those who say WL at Christmastime. But you should know that room size is not a benefit of WL. Normal rooms at WL are almost exactly the same size as those at CBR.

 

[disneycuban]

Yes, they are the same size, but IMO they have nicer furnishings.

 

[hulabird]

I like WL, but I LOVE CBR! It is a romantic resort and perfect for a couple, I should know, my husband and I always go there without kids. I would say the village of Jamaica or Aruba would be nice as it is quiet and has a bit more privacy than those right near OPR/main pool. Plus it has the added advantage of taking romantic walks to OPR by having to cross the bridge. CBR is more resort like to me than WL, even though WL has good theming, it is more like a hotel to me. Either way you will have fun, but saving the money by going to CBR will allow you to spend more at DTD! You won't be sorry if you choose either resort. Here is a link to some CBR photos I took last summer.
Have fun planning!

My CBR Photos 2002

 

[QJ411]

I vote WL!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had our honeymoon there last Dec. and it was magnificent! W/ all the X'mas decor, it was just breathtaking. And plus, we'll be there again this year (12/17-12/21) so we can meet another fellow Dis'er (We met another Honeymooning Dis'er at WL last year!)

So my vote is definetyl WL...either way...ENJOY!!!!!

 

[maidmarion]

I am so overwhelmed but because there's so much advice! I think we're leaning toward WL right now, as you say Dr. Tomorrow, I don't want to hear about it all trip! (and QJ411, we might see you!)

Gosh, this is hard. Maybe splitting the stay would be the best idea. But now that we've added the Swan and Dolphin into our considerations, splitting the stay amongst 4 hotels- AGH!

As far as our interests are concerned, we will probably go to all of the 4 main parks, PI a couple of times, maybe Dquest or waterpark, depending on time and temperature. So, our interests are very spread out!

If we do split the stay between WL and CBR, which first?

BTW, you are all awesome. Thanks a million!

 

[disneycuban]

Go to the CBR first, then WL. Trust me, end with the nicer one.

 

[DrTomorrow]

If you're going to split, the rule of thumb is to do the nicest last; that way, you're always moving up in class.

And remember, maidmarion, every resort you decide not to stay at is a reason to make another trip (and another, and another...).

Glad we can help - we were all newbies once!

 

[QJ411]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

We hope to see you guys there!!!

We stayed at the Dolphin towards the end of our honeymoon but we didn't enjoy it as much as the WL...it's a very nice hotel, but it just wasn't....DISNEY!!!!

Either way, you guys will enjoy yourselves..you'll be in DISNEY!!!

Hope to see you guys there!!!!

ENJOY!!!

 

[Barb32]

i have stayed at both resorts. i stayed at the cbr with girfriends during senior week after high shool. dh & i stayed at the wl for our one year anniversay. both reosrts were nice, but the wl was awesome. the cbr was a bit too spread out for me. & i love the "theme" of the wl & the closeness to the parks.
two years ago Dh 7 iwent back & split our stay between 2 resorts (po and ploy). this was a great choice for us, as we could not afford to say at the poly for 8 nights. we stayed at the poly the second part of our trip so that we would have something to look forward to.
have fun!!!

 

[hulabird]

It is all going to depend on what YOU like and What YOU consider nice, I personally would choose CBR over WL because I like the caribbean/island type of resorts, and WL, while it is nice, is not one of my top choices. I stay between CBR, BC, BWI, Poly because they are more of the islandish/beachy themes and that is what I like. I don;t feel that CBR is any less nicer than WL, they are just two different types of themes. I stayed at AKL for part of our stay last year and preferred CBR over that as well. I felt that it had a "hotel" feel to it, the animals outside are nice, but I can see the same ones and more at AK! So it all really all boils down to personal taste.