You might consider upgrading to the business class if you decide on CSR. I ended up with it kind of by default; free dining plan packages were nearly all sold out for the week we wanted in Oct.
Found it very hard to get any "official" details on what business class meant from the Disney site itself - which seemed sort of odd to me. Not even a room picture on the reservation page. I had talked to a CM in reservations and he didn't seem to know much either. Got the most info from Buzz' site listed above - and some here as well. From experience now, can offer this....
You won't be getting anything extra special in terms of the room itself, it's more location, location, location. As noted, it's a good sized resort, but you're in the cabanas right next door to the main building. You're also a short walk to bus stop #1 - the last of four to be picked up - and of course, also the last of four to be dropped off. We found the location very convenient; especially for multiple mug refilling journeys.
The actual added perk is access to the lounge; converted from a couple rooms. According to a CM we got to know, the initial intent of the space was to be rental space for smaller, more intimate, social gatherings from the convention crowd. That idea was met with VERY limited success - not too many takers - and the space was being under-utilized. So they floated the business class idea - to more or less "rent" the lounge to leisure guests instead by charging them a premium.
The lounge is open each morning from 7-10 serving a continental breakfast; nice coffee selection, fresh juice, cereals, bagels, yogurt, pastry and fruit. It reopens at night from 5-10 for that "social hour" concept. There are a couple TVs, tables & chair areas and lounge chairs about. There's a nice selection of snacks - premium chips, dips, nuts and chocolate covered pretzels. A couple of CMs are there to serve you beverages and keep the snacks stocked. Soda is there for the taking; the CMs will serve you beer, wine & sangria.
Mornings were kind of busy, evenings less so, which made for a very nice relaxing break from the normal crowd chaos. Can mingle a little with other guests, or just kick back and let them bring you another bottle of Yuengling! CMs working the lounge were all very friendly and accommodating; we had several very interesting "Disney" conversations.
Everyone's experience would be different, but I would say we got our money's worth out of the deal. If we stay there again, pretty sure we'd go business. Sunsets are awesome looking across the lake toward the main building from the cabanas.
Side note on the Pepper Market. Seemed to us that maybe the quality had slipped a little since our last visit there. We had previously stayed at CSR and ate there, but we liked the PM enough that we would go there to eat even if we were staying elsewhere. This time - - I don't know - - we just were disappointed with the food, and we are not picky eaters by a long shot. Wasn't as busy either - so maybe it wasn't our imagination - - but would be interested in what others might be thinking.
