WL vs. CSR???

[pepe of ohio]

We've logged 42 trips to WDW and here's the total: CSR 1, WL 10 plus. CSR is too spread out and long walks if you're staying on the wrong end. didn't care much for the Pepper Market as a food court either. Expensive. Long walks across the parking lots to the bus stations too. just being over there it didn't have the Disney appeal we've come to enjoy from the MK resorts. WL, one roof, deluxe, boat to the MK, best bang for the buck in our case, what we look for in a Disney resort.

 

[toodycat]

I would go with the WL. CSR is less expensive per night, but you will feel more Disney magic with the atmosphere at the WL. The rooms are bigger and the pool is spectacular. The lobby decor and the landscaping really execute the theme beautifully. Also, CSR struck me as aimed at conventions. The prices at the Pepper Market made me think it was designed with expense accounts in mind. It is very spread out and somewhat difficult to navigate. To CSR's credit, we found the CMs very nice, but WL is definitely the more special of the two.

 

[TravelinSouth]

Well, I guess I should start saving a little more each week! It looks like WL is winning hands down. We were supposed to stay there for our trip last year, but took a deal and switched to AKL. My heart would love to stay there as well.

But, CSR does somehow appeal to me to. I was an event manager before I became a stay-at-home-mom. I like the convention feel of places...I can relate well! Interesting about the prices at the Pepper Market. I can totally see how Disney could get away with that.

Thanks everyone for helping me today.

 

[KatMark]

Well, I guess I should start saving a little more each week! It looks like WL is winning hands down. We were supposed to stay there for our trip last year, but took a deal and switched to AKL. My heart would love to stay there as well.

But, CSR does somehow appeal to me to. I was an event manager before I became a stay-at-home-mom. I like the convention feel of places...I can relate well! Interesting about the prices at the Pepper Market. I can totally see how Disney could get away with that.

Thanks everyone for helping me today.

I'm sure you'll be happy at the WL--you'll be at Disney after all. Maybe you can take a ride over to CSR while you are there for a future trip and check it out.

 

[TravelinSouth]

KatMark -

Thank you for all your input. I definately see CSR in our future! I'm sure we would love it. I'm thinking in a few years when the kids are just a bit older and we can explore grounds easier with them and they are better swimmers to enjoy the large slide it will be a perfect place for us.

The pictures of CSR are just beautiful!

 

[DizneyNutz]

Well, I guess I should start saving a little more each week! It looks like WL is winning hands down. We were supposed to stay there for our trip last year, but took a deal and switched to AKL. My heart would love to stay there as well.

But, CSR does somehow appeal to me to. I was an event manager before I became a stay-at-home-mom. I like the convention feel of places...I can relate well! Interesting about the prices at the Pepper Market. I can totally see how Disney could get away with that.

Thanks everyone for helping me today.

We recommend the WL for the BEST experience. Wishing you and yours a Magical trip wherever you choose!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Maybe this will help - it was just posted on the CSR thread:

We just returned from CSR today. It was a wonderful experience. We faxed a room request 4 days prior to travel and got a refurbished room in the Cabanas (8A) The beds were very comfortable, the refrigerator had to be turned up, since it was actually too cold for some items, and being so close to the bus stop and the dig site was perfect for us with 2 teenagers along. I actually prefer this resort because it isn't as heavily themed as the others in Disney motife. This suits our teenage boys much better than the rest. After this stay, I wouldn't consider spending more for the other resorts.

 

[Vickie46]

We love WL... but we also love CSR... the room size is about the same.. WL rooms are not that big to be a deluxe resort.

 

[disneymath]

I definately see CSR in our future! I'm sure we would love it. I'm thinking in a few years when the kids are just a bit older and we can explore grounds easier with them and they are better swimmers to enjoy the large slide it will be a perfect place for us.

We've considered CSR the last few trips, but have chosen other resorts because we were travelling with kids. This August it's just me and my parents so we're finally going to give CSR a try. If it's even half as great as the photos and reviews here on the DIS make it out to be, I know we'll love it.

That said, we loved the WL when we stayed in 2006. Lobby was amazing, beatutiful outside themeing, super CMs, WCC was a hoot (we've been back twice since), and the rooms were newly renovated. (This is probably why we liked our rooms so much ... to be honest, in terms of inroom theming we prefered AKL.) If you take away the landscaping, slide, and hottubs (which CSR also has), the pool itself was just okay ... we actually liked the pools at ASMu and ASMo better - they were bigger! (And when we were at those resorts, not so crowded.)

I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter which resort you choose.

 

[jlcd]

We love the WL but are trying CSR next month. The price difference adds up when you are staying for 8 nights. Can not justify the price difference this year. During busy times, the pool at WL is very crowded. Last April we had trouble finding 1 chair for the 4 of us to share. Looking forward to a great stay at CSR!

 

[aristocat65]

We stayed at WL in 2006 and loved it. We then decided to try CSR over new years 2008 wanting to spend a little less money, and also due to the very strong following it has on these boards. We spent the whole time wishing we had paid more and just stayed at WL again. We even had dinner at Whispering Canyon 2 times just because we couldn't stay away! CSR is pretty , the front desk CM's are very professional, but we just didn't feel at home like we did at WL. We hated Pepper Market. Really just an over priced food court with rude CM's. (run by an outside company). Rix was fine but many of the items were very expensive compared to the very same things available at Roaring Forks at WL. I also think for a 4 and 6 year old CSR has an awful lot of walking for tired kids at the end of the day. WL is nice and compact and its so easy to just run downstairs for a coffee or to the gift shop. Your kids will also love the bunnies outside and the ducks that swim in the pool in the morning!
We are going to WDW again in August and are staying at WL again! If you can afford it, go with WL.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

There's a reason why WL was voted one of the top 500 hotels in the world along with GF and AKL... something has to be good about it.

That and there's a reason why WL costs more than CSR and is in a "deluxe" category compared to "moderate"... all in all, it's supposed to be better.