5 nights in WL or 7 nights in a moderate?

[imwithgoofy]

this is our first trip to Disney and I want some of the extras a Deluxe offers. I want the balcony, so DH and I can sit outside after the kids go to bed. I want the bunkbeds (keeping my fingers crossed) so that each kid has their own bed. I want the queen bed so I have a better shot at getting a good night's rest. I want the interior hallways, so if it is hot or raining our walk is more pleasant. I want a nice swimming pool, and I want the activities for the kids at the resort. I know I "want" a lot, but it is our first trip to Disney!


Hey, I'd love to stay longer at Disney too, but there is something special about the Deluxe Resorts...especially with the young children, you'll be in the room more (than if the kiddies were older) and you WILL appreciate all of the other stuff that you said that you wanted.

We are actually staying in two resorts...Pop Century (because the boys want to try it ) and the Wilderness Lodge ( because the grownups want to try it).

Our kiddies are "tweens" so we can hang out in the parks longer and skip
nap time. Either way you'll love your time spend in WDW. Enjoy!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Here's something that may enter into your decision-making process. The rooms at the deluxe resorts are larger than those in moderate resorts. For example, most rooms at Wilderness Lodge are 340 sq. ft., while the average guest room at Coronado Springs is 314 sq. ft. (Caribbean Beach rooms, however, are approximately 340 sq. ft.).

If this doesn't bother you, then I would opt for the longer stay.

 

[yecats]

My .02 cents, better to go for the longer vacation. Pick a moderate and as CSR isn't available, go for either POFQ or RS. Both are very nice and you get to share the amentities between the two resorts so if you are staying at FQ, you get to use the pools at RS as well as restaurant (have breakfast one morning at Boatwrights - French Toast is excellent). You have a wonderful vacation and your boys should love the Fort type playground next to Ol'Man Island.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Another FYI about the bunkbeds...children under age 6 aren't supposed to be on the top bunk, they have a sign right on the bed that says so, although there is a railing. As much as I love the WL (we're headed back for our 3rd stay there in 12 months in Dec.) I would go with the mod also.

 

[aubriee]

I would go for 7 nights at a moderate. When I was planning to take my GD last January, I booked All Star Movies because I knew she would love it. However, when we decided to take her dad with us, I wanted the trip to be a special GM-GD-son trip, so upgraded to a split stay for a courtyard view at WL and a savanna view at AKL. We were so busy, we were never at the resorts to enjoy them. We used the pool at WL only two nights and never even got in the one at AKL. Despite planning to take midday breaks, it just didn't happen, so we only saw the rooms early in the morning and just before collapsing in them at night. I'm taking my other son and D-I-L back in Sept and surprisingly they chose a value (POP) over POFQ. They also tour commando type. I really wanted to try POFQ, so when I go back in Dec I'm doing a split stay between two mods (POFQ and CS). Hopefuly my mom will come with me (she can't make her mind up) and I know she would like the atmosphere at POFQ. I think your kids would like the pool (serpent slide) at POFQ better than the pool at WL.

 

[BuzzAndWoodyBoy]

We are going for the moderate for 7 nights. The big draw to the WL was the bunkbeds and since they aren't guaranteed, I'm not sure it's worth it. Especially after reading the post that they are only available in the Courtyard view and we had a standard. The serpent slide is very cool, my sons saw it and immediately asked if they could use it - they are very excited.

Now I just have to decide which moderate, pick a date, get plane reservations, make ADRs - where is that overplanners thread?

 

[Amyg]

Yup, 7 nights at a moderate would be my choice, actually that's what we are doing next May. You don't have to rush around as much! Have fun!

 

[southjerseymom]

I had a reply all typed before you came back with your decision - and a huge thunderstorm came thru and I shut down quick. So this is my 2cents..better late than never! I think the mod for longer is a great choice. We usually get a deluxe becuase we like the balcony to enjoy after the kids go to bed. But..I have had the bunk room at WL and we thought it was small compared to the Poly or BC. You have give and take with the Deluxes. You pay for location and transportation but I think you trade things like food court selection. Because my DD became ill during our last trip we had to stay another night and switched from the BC to the AS Sports. Which resort do you think the kids want to go back to? I love everywhere I have stayed in WDW for different reasons...but if I got to have 7 days instead of 5....I'm going for whatever place that can put me. Have a Great Time!!

 

[KayakDaddy]

I sounds like you made your choice already, but I thought I throw one important variable into the discussion. How often do you plan on going back? If this is a once every three or four years type of thing, I would definitely go with the longer trip. That will give you more time to see everything while still relaxing and taking your time.

If you plan on returning often, a shorter stay would be a viable option. I personally prefer making shorter stays, but returning a couple times a year. It's nice to experience the different seasons and stay at different resorts for basically the same investment as a 10-day marathon stay.

After staying exclusively in moderates in the past, we did AKL Savannah last May and WL woods view in July. We had bunk beds and a distant castle view at WL. We loved it so much that I feared I might become a deluxe snob. We just returned Sunday from our first trip to POR, and the place was so nice that I'm converted back to mods. The POR Mansions section might as well be a deluxe. They have a rich feel, are beautifully landscaped, and have a fridge in the room. There is a good onsite sit-down restuarant and there is even boat transportating (to DD, not one of the parks), but it's still boat transportation and an enjoyable ride at that. That waterslide at the ol' man island pool at POR is better than the slides at AKL or WL, and you also have free use of the cool pool at POFQ. The room didn't really feel any smaller than at WL, and the bathroom/grooming area is actually larger. I'd almost say that the only big difference between the POR Magnolia Bend and a deluxe is that the rooms open onto outside balconies instead of inner hallways. That is not a big deal to me, and really it gives you more privacy (you don't have to watch anyone crossing the lobby in a dripping wet bathing suit). I personally don't find the AB section as appealing, but it suits some people just fine.

Bottom line: if you will not be back for a while, definitely stay at the mod for longer. You kids are really too young to really notice the difference and the mods are really nice anyway.