WL vs. CSR???

[TravelinSouth]

So, we're starting to plan our 2nd trip to the World (my, DH, DS (6) and DS (4). We've narrowed down our resort list to WL and CSR. I would love to go to WL, but CSR is about $60/night less expensive. Is the money savings worth it? What would you do?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If it's a difference of $60.00 I would go with the Wilderness Lodge. I like their theme a lot better then CSR, their rooms are a lot bigger, I also think they have a better overall location, all their rooms are in one main building and at CSR you could have a room far away from their dining locations and the Wilderness Lodge also has more transportation options. For example besides transportation to the parks they also have a boat which runs from 6:45 AM - 11:30 PM which goes to the Contemporary and Fort Wilderness. So you can go and visit the Contemporary, then from there take the Monorail to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at CSR but we LOVE the WL . CSR isn't a resort that interests us so if it were us, we would choose the WL . The WL is an amazing resort with convenient bus transportation to/from the MK and the CR if you wanted to hop the monorail to dine at or visit the other monorail resorts. Plus there is a geyser that goes off every hour that kids love to watch and the pool is great, IMO . Some people don't care for the log cabin feel of the resort but we think it's a very beautiful resort with lots of appeal . Good luck deciding and have a magical trip .

 

[KatMark]

CSR is our favorite resort. We have never stayed at the WL. We're just not into the log cabin/outdoorsy feel of the resort (don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, just not us). I also found while walking around the WL after eating at WCC (that in itself was a disaster) that the WL's pool seemed very small compared to a lot of the other pools. The Dig Site at the CSR is a very large pool, with a kiddie pool, a great slide, children's playground and arcade...all right by the main pool. The transportatioin with the boat to the MK might be more beneficial for you with the kids rather than the bus at the CSR (we never use the bus as we always have a car, but I can supply you with the approximate time it takes to get to each park by bus if you wish). We like having the doors open up outside so we can step right outside into the Florida weather; we like walking around the resort and taking in everything...watching the critters romp past us, watching the alligator in the water, watching the turtles bask in the sun under the bridge, etc.

It really comes down to a matter of personal preference. Good luck deciding and I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you decide...you'll be at Disney after all!

 

[frisco]

WL. If money isn't a big factor, yes, it's WELL worth the extra money.

 

[redc]

WL is a wonderfully themed, grand, (yet cozy and warm) majestic, conveniently located, top-rated resort that is all under one roof. It is absolutely our favorite place to stay at WDW. We did a split stay last August at WL and CSR (5/3), and my entire family wished we had stayed at WL.

There are lots of CSR lovers on these boards, but for my family and money, WL has it over CSR in every category....1) Hotel rooms VS Motel rooms, 2) Under one roof VS spread-out over a very large area, 3) easy access to the Pool in the center of the courtyard VS up to a 1/2 mile walk to the main pool, 4) Signature restaurant VS cafeteria style eatery, 5) Gorgeous, towering Northwest US timber-based themeing VS Central American-based themeing, 6) Private boat to MK and an easily accessed single Bus stop for all other destinations VS Several spaced-out Bus stops many accessedby trapsing through the parking lots(CSR is SO big it needs 4-5 separate Bus stops (you lose count, after a while).

All the members of my family were unanimously disappointed with CSR after experiencing WL...that included four adults and four children (17, 14, 9, 8).

Our group summed it up by saying that when you step outside your room at WL you enter a hallway that brings you to the most beautiful 7-floor lobby in the world with comfortable sofas and chairs and a wonderful atmosphere, a wonderful topclass restaurant, a great fun-oriented restaurant, doorways to the bus stop the pools and a boat dock, a babbling inside brook, a geiser, a rec room, a snack bar, rocking chairs in private little nooks and crannies, and views of Wishes at night.

As for CSR, my 14 year old said that his favorite part of our stay at CSR, was when we got on a bus to go somewhere else.

It really comes down to a matter of preference, do you want to enjoy yourself at a world-class resort with Disney themeing extraordinaire or do you want to spend a little less money at CSR.

 

[LoraJ]

I've stayed at both and I definitely think that WL is worth the extra money. The location is great and it was great taking the boat over to the MK.

 

[dlyn88]

I love CSR but if I had the opportunity/means to stay at the WL, I most definitely would! We've visited before to dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe and absolutely loved it! I would pick WL in a heartbeat.

 

[KatMark]

It really comes down to a matter of preference, do you want to enjoy yourself at a world-class resort with Disney themeing extraordinaire or do you want to spend a little less money at CSR.

People who stay at a value or moderate can enjoy themselves without being at a "world-class resort!" It is what you, as an individual, makes of your vacation.

 

[gr8tdame]

Wilderness Lodge.
Would never stay at CSR again.

 

[connie1042]

We are having the same discussion,but with CBR instead of CSR. I am thinking we will stay with CBR. Bigger pool. Love the theme of CBR. We are from Minnesota, so the woodsy feel we have all the time.I am still torn. I guess we won't know until I unpack at one of the two!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

With a 4 and 6 year old, I'd go with the WL. The boat to the MK is worth the extra $60/night.

 

[S0nic01]

"As for CSR, my 14 year old said that his favorite part of our stay at CSR, was when we got on a bus to go somewhere else"

 

[TravelinSouth]

Does the pool there get really crowded? It is a much smaller pool than CSR and I like that CSR has the quiet pools too. We're planning on taking a couple days to just enjoy the resort this time (something we didn't do at AKL), and I want to make sure that the kids will have their space.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does the pool there get really crowded? It is a much smaller pool than CSR and I like that CSR has the quiet pools too. We're planning on taking a couple days to just enjoy the resort this time (something we didn't do at AKL), and I want to make sure that the kids will have their space.

If the Wilderness Lodge pool is crowded you can always use the pool in their DVC Villas section.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Well, don't think you'll find the WL called a "World Class Resort" anywhere else. WDW no longer has a World Class resort and when it did, it was the Grand Floridian, not WL.

Both resorts have a dedicated following, but we did not like WL rooms at all. Lobby was fabulous, grounds very pretty... but the rooms are barely larger than CSR and now in need of some refurbishment. CSR 315 sq ft, WL 340 sq ft (same as CBR). Becuase it is so popular with families, it gets a lot of wear and tear.

If WL theme appeals to you more, the definitely go with that resort. If you want to be closer to the MK, with a lovely boat ride away then go with WL. You can also take the boat to CR and take the monorail to TTC then transfer to an EPCOT monorail. WL also shares buses, so there will be many stops.

If you are torn only due to cost, then I would say you will get more for less money at CSR. The rooms are in the midst of being refurbished, have queen beds and a more deluxe feel.

CSR has also won awards for design. It is a large, spread out resort without a doubt, but it is beautiful.

It does not share buses with another resort, so every bus goes directly to a park once it leaves the resort.

Both resorts have their charm, we happen to prefer the palm trees, beach and hammocks at CSR.

Check out photos of both resorts, and go with what appeals most.

Whichever you choose, have a delightful stay!!

 

[jess20k]

I would go with WL! It is a beautiful resort! We stayed there in 2008 and fell in love with the resort. The grounds and resort itself is gorgeous. It is in a great location, near the MK. We enjoyed taking the resort launch over to the MK, it was a nice relaxing ride. The CM's were terrific and we loved the pool! I can't wait to stay here again.

The pool may be smaller than others, but it suited us just fine. Keep in mind we were there in Jan, so the pool crowd was low...I can imagine if you go during the hotter months, the pool may get crowded. But, it was actually one of our favorite resort pools. The area was so relaxing and I loved the design of the pool. The two hot tubs they have were also wonderful.

We haven't stayed at CSR yet, so I can't compare the two...however, I did want to give my input for the WL.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

We stayed at CSR last trip, and we didn't care for it at all. However, the pool is really nice, and all the CMs were extremely friendly.

To us, it just didn't have that "Disney" feel. Maybe it would have been different if there weren't so many conventions going on there. The worst were the Elks (aren't they the ones with the little hats that have the tassels hanging off the side?) - I've seen better behavior from teenagers during Spring Break than these people (and there wasn't a single one under 60)!

We're giving the WL a try this year.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

]
The worst were the Elks (aren't they the ones with the little hats that have the tassels hanging off the side?)

Think the tassles go with the Shriners.

 

[Marquis de Disney]

Wilderness Lodge all the way! Even though I am staying there for the first time this December, I have enjoyed their restaurants immensely (Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Pointe). As pointed out earlier, it has a convenient location to the Magic Kingdom and other Monorail resorts.