First timer.. Decisions, decisions!!

[Christinaxo]

Hello all! So I am planning a first time WDW vacation for my family but cannot seem to stick with any plans on where to stay!! We are going August 5-August 13 and celebrating many things (10 yr anniversary, DD 4th birthday, 1st visit for the kids & myself). Because of this I want so badly to make the best choice for my family. Our choices are WL or PoFQ (faves while reviewing). With the summer savings we get a better deal at WL but overall PoFQ would be cheaper. However it is our first time and I want the best experience possible as it is such a special time! Money is not really an option but I do not like to be wasteful so is it really worth it to pay about $850 more? (I think so but never having been there kind of need the reassurance lol) My Ds is 8 & Dd will be 4 so what would the best choice be? We want convienent as we wont have a car and overall good vibe for the kids, plus a nice pool. Other than that we are happy campers! Any advice is gladly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

 

[NHKristy76]

Both resorts are great but I tend to prefer the Wilderness Lodge. I think the theming is just breathtaking and you can't beat the location!

 

[NHKristy76]

Both resorts are great but I tend to prefer the Wilderness Lodge. I think the theming is just breathtaking and you can't beat the location!

There is SO much to love about Wilderness Lodge! Your kids will love the pool (great waterside!), boat to MK, and the nightly water pageant!

If it were me, and I was embarking on my first trip (instead of 20th!!!), I would jump at the chance to stay at the Wilderness Lodge!

Wherever you end up, I hope you have a magical time!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

In my own personal opinion the deluxe resorts are always worth the money. This is your first time, I say GO FOR IT!

 

[mmmears]

We really like the deluxe resorts, with their choice of restaurants, great locations, private balconies, room-service, and other amenities that you wont find at a moderate or a value. And the WL is beautiful (the lobby is gorgeous IMO), and I think you will really appreciate the boat ride to the MK. Also, in August it's really a plus to be in a resort that is all one building -- those daily afternoon downpours can make getting to the lobby or restaurant of a "spread-out" resort more difficult.

 

[cmdg]

If you can swing the cost, I would not hesitate to stay at WL! You will love it!

 

[Sue M]

Love both resorts, POFQ is great, but there are many advantages to WL. I'd opt for a woods or courtyard view.
Benefits for you are it's in the MK resort area. Fun boat to MK. With kids that age, I'm thinking it would be a benefit to be close to MK.

WL is all under one roof, so if its rainy, and August has lots of afternoon showers ( they don't last long) you don't have to go outside to get snacks, drink refills, etc. just an elevator ride away.

You will also have a balcony, so after the kids go to bed, you have a place to go relax in and talk without disturbing the kids.

Fun to watch the electric water parade on the beach.

Easy transportation to the other MK resorts for dining. WL has a boat to MK, CR, and Ft.W.

 

[1971DBday]

Another vote for WL! For little one being as close to the MK is a benefit! It is a beautiful resort and has a character breakfast as well. Something you are not going to find at a moderate. Plus a much more manageable resort size wise!

 

[roydavid7771]

I'd go with WL. As soon as you step into the lobby, you'll know you've made the right choice!

 

[pepe of ohio]

I'd go with WL. As soon as you step into the lobby, you'll know you've made the right choice!

You'll never regret the choice.....WL is breathtaking.... Just a fabulous resort with a lesser price tag than the other deluxe resorts...by all means pick WL and never look back .....location, location and location... On the lakes and a pleasant boat ride to the MK, just icing on the cake !

 

[Christinaxo]

Thank you all!! It definitely is unanimous WL it is!! And I must say I felt like for the 1st time and with the big year we have been having we deserve it so why not?? Better to make that first trip unforgettable to set the tone for future trips we definitely plan on having! But you only get your first time at WDW once right? And at 26 I still cant wait to experience that magic! Plus the cost is not so drastic as to not do it, I am just so over analytical I tend to question decisions too much! But l Just finished booking WL 8 nights, woods view, northside, upper level floor! (got all those tips from research lol) *fingers crossed* I love DisBoards, thanks again so much!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you all!! It definitely is unanimous WL it is!! And I must say I felt like for the 1st time and with the big year we have been having we deserve it so why not?? Better to make that first trip unforgettable to set the tone for future trips we definitely plan on having! But you only get your first time at WDW once right? And at 26 I still cant wait to experience that magic! Plus the cost is not so drastic as to not do it, I am just so over analytical I tend to question decisions too much! But l Just finished booking WL 8 nights, woods view, northside, upper level floor! (got all those tips from research lol) *fingers crossed* I love DisBoards, thanks again so much!

I think you made a great choice . We've never stayed at POFQ and I'm sure it's a great resort, but the WL is amazing. I don't think you will regret upgrading. Have a great trip .

 

[Cshel85]

WL all the way. The boat to MK for your kids would be great. We stayed their last summer with our DS's 14 and 11 and they LOVED WL. I have also stayed at POFQ when my DS was 4 and I didn't realize then the advantages of having multple forms of transport to the resorts. We often took the boat to CR and then hopped the monorail to epcot while we were there..WL is well worth the money just from the convenience

 

[Christinaxo]

I think you made a great choice . We've never stayed at POFQ and I'm sure it's a great resort, but the WL is amazing. I don't think you will regret upgrading. Have a great trip .

I already feel so much better now that it is booked! August cant come soon enough!! Thank you

 

[Christinaxo]

WL all the way. The boat to MK for your kids would be great. We stayed their last summer with our DS's 14 and 11 and they LOVED WL. I have also stayed at POFQ when my DS was 4 and I didn't realize then the advantages of having multple forms of transport to the resorts. We often took the boat to CR and then hopped the monorail to epcot while we were there..WL is well worth the money just from the convenience

I definitely feel like convenience is always worth the extra money! So thanks for the info! I must admit my kids were a little creeped out by the POFQ food court & preferred POR but I will always choose convenience any day!

 

[danceintherain]

If you can swing the cost, I would not hesitate to stay at WL! You will love it!

This. We had the same decision to make a few months ago (it's a common dilemma around here) and ended up going with POFQ, which will perfectly lovely (we leave on Saturday). It was DH's decision, and he wanted to save the money. I'm sure we'll make it to the Wilderness Lodge eventually, and that trip will be perfectly lovely too.
For my first on property Disney stay, we did splurge a little and stayed at AKL, and LOVED it, but it's been moderates for us since. The WL probably would have ended up being worth it this time too, but DH was concerned about some of our circumstances lately, so saving the money was probably the better decision. I have everything planned around staying at POFQ now, so even though things have settled down a bit, I don't want to change.

Thank you all!! It definitely is unanimous WL it is!! And I must say I felt like for the 1st time and with the big year we have been having we deserve it so why not?? Better to make that first trip unforgettable to set the tone for future trips we definitely plan on having! But you only get your first time at WDW once right? And at 26 I still cant wait to experience that magic! Plus the cost is not so drastic as to not do it, I am just so over analytical I tend to question decisions too much! But l Just finished booking WL 8 nights, woods view, northside, upper level floor! (got all those tips from research lol) *fingers crossed* I love DisBoards, thanks again so much!

That's right, you only get your first time once, and it can really make or break it for people. Make sure to research all the activities in that area, including at Fort Wilderness.

The one thing I kind of regret about staying at AKL is that we didn't make the time to really explore the resort. The parks are definitely a huge draw, and we did explore a little, but not as much as I would have liked.

I definitely feel like convenience is always worth the extra money! So thanks for the info! I must admit my kids were a little creeped out by the POFQ food court & preferred POR but I will always choose convenience any day!

I'm thinking that DH might end up regretting his decision a bit once we get there, since he "hates" clowns, but maybe that will be more ammunition to convince him to stay Deluxe again next time?

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Great choice. With so many good choices its so hard to pick. Enjoin.

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