WL or CR, which would fit us best?

[amsafko]

We are planning a trip in Aug. of 08. We have 2 adults and 3 kids (ages 6, 4, and one who will turn 2 during the time of the trip). We figure our youngest will still be in a crib. Which resort would you recommend? Our last trip was in '06 when I was pregnant. We stayed at ASMo (had two connecting rooms) - I loved the rooms, hated riding buses with the stroller. I swore I wouldn't do the buses again until we no longer needed strollers. So give me your opinions please. I am so excited to be planning another trip!!!

 

[mandy200587]

I would say CR would be the better fit. CR have the largest rooms on property followed by the Polynesian. Your also 10 minute walking distance from MK, which can help when the lines are long for the bus. With the WL your limited to boat or bus. CR you have monorail or bus.

 

[Kimberle]

I have stayed at both. They are both wonderful. CR the rooms are bigger, however, the pool is not zero entry nor is there a kiddie pool. WL does have a kiddie pool. The rooms are smaller, but the outside area is much nicer.

 

[boomhauer]

I never had any interest in staying at CR to begin with. After just getting back from WL, I have even less so. CR just seems so cold and impersonal to me. In terms of convenience, yes, you can walk to the MK, but the boats from WL to MK are excellent and take less than 10 minutes.

Plus, you can always just take the boat from WL to CR and walk from there. It's only a 5 minujte boat ride.

As for room size, we just stayed 9 nights at WL with 2 adults, 1 child and 2 infants and found we had more than enough room.

To answer, WL without a doubt.

 

[star2500]

We just got back from 10 days at the CR bay view tower room. There was 6 of us 3 Adults DS13, DD10, DS2 (porta crib). And we really had room believe it or not. Yes we were a little tight but it was manageable. We really were only there to sleep...so it wasn't that big of a deal.

I had 2nd guesses with staying there before our trip. I always wanted to stay there and so did my kids. After reading opinions, I was getting scared. But we absolutely loved it. I would definitely go with the tower room with kids. In a matter of minutes we were out of our room and on the monorail. I will never do a non-monorail while I still have to deal with a stroller. When we did the bus to MGM...it's a pain to break everything down, carrying bags...and if you don't get a seat ahhh (especially at night). I know people think the Contemporary is far from the Disney theme...but my family highly disagrees; however, everyone has different tastes...that's why Disney made so many different kinds of places.

My suggestion...go with what your gut says and what is most important for you and your family. Bigger rooms? monorail access? beautiful grounds? more themed? I think I would of been highly disappointed if I hadn't gone with my gut and our initial wants on our trip.

Again...just one of many opinions...just remember it's your trip and yours alone...take suggestions into consideration, but if you had an original resort in mind, go with your initial feeling. Switching back and forth can make a great planning experience feel like a bummer.

Pixie dust to all...

 

[GinnyFavers]

I would recommend the Contemporary for you IF you will be going after the construction there is finished.

My vacation dollars are too precious to me to spend staying at resorts with major construction underway, I'd rather stay in a resort that's at the top of its game, especially paying Deluxe resort prices. I'll make an exception if I get an awesome discount not available anywhere else, sometimes, and maybe the ease of the monorail transportation at the Contemporary will mean so much to your family that you're willing to put up with the construction.

But I'd say if you're going in the next year, then choose the Wilderness Lodge. Transportation will be less quick but the only time it's truly poor is when you have to ride the boats to and from the Magic Kingdom right before/during/after the evening fireworks shows.

Plus, the Wilderness Lodge is SO much cheaper, think of all the money you'll have to spend on extras!

 

[TJA]

Will MK be your main park or will you hop around to all 4 parks? If you plan to focus on MK, then you can roll your stroller(s) right on the boat to MK from WL without having to fold it. We are going to try this next spring (we have twins/double jogger). We figure we can also hop on the monorail at MK if we want to go over to Epcot. We stayed at WL pre-kids, so about 5 years ago, and loved it. The theme is wonderful, grounds are beautiful, restaurants good from what I recall. And the price is good too when you are considering a deluxe hotel.

The monorail resorts are definitely easy with a stroller. We've stayed at Poly 2x and CR 2x. Poly has a relaxing, hawaiian theme and we really enjoy it there. CR has a more modern theme, not a "pretty" resort but it has a magical feel being right next to MK.

I agree and understand why you don't want to stay at a bus-only resort with 3 young kids and stroller(s). I totally get it! As far as which resort to choose, I'd focus on the themes and prices. You'll get convenient transportation to MK at both WL and CR, so I don't think that's a huge issue. At least I'm hoping WL will be convenient being that we're going to try it next spring!

 

[boomhauer]

Also, maybe look into renting a car. You can get some really good deals. It makes getting around much easier.

 

[spiceycat]

you can only get to MK and Epcot using the monrail.

Studios, AK or DTD - it is only buses.

so is your main park MK - or Epcot.

if Epcot would go with BC. you can walk to Epcot and Studios (or take the boat)