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?