Are the Deluxe Reosrts worth the extra $$$?

[idoeyes1]

We currently have plans to stay at Pop Century for 9 nights in September. I have always wanted to stay at the Wilderness Lodge but it is almost $1600 more to stay there compared to Pop. Is it worth the extra money? I don't think I want to switch half way through, seems like a hassle.

 

[Sue M]

Well, it is a different experience Pop vs WL. If it's worth it is very subjective. To me, yes. Have a look at the resort photos - I like the ones on allears.net they have extensive photos of all the WDW resorts, just click on Accomodations, and on the left you'll see links to all the resorts.

What about something middle of the road, like a Moderate? POR is our fav moderate.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[rie'smom]

Switching is actually very easy.

That said, what is it that appeals to you about the WL? If it's that:
Beautiful themeing
all of the rooms are in one building
2 table service restaurants
1 counter service restaurant
room service-a biggie for us
easy access to the Magic Kingdom
Then yes, I think it's worth it. A few times on the Dis, someone upgraded because of other's posts only to find they wish they had not spent the money and the amenities either weren't used or were not that appealing.
Here are a couple of links to pictures of the resort:
http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/image
http://allears.net/acc/wlss.htm
We pretty much stay deluxe unless we stay at our other favorite, CSR so we do think that it is worth it.

 

[WsPrincess]

I think it is a personal choice. For our family, yes the money is worth it. There is no way DH and I could have a room with full sized beds in it. It just would not work so from there we knew we had to do a Mod or a Deluxe. I wanted the convenience of being close to the parks (we chose the Epcot area so we can walk into Epcot and DHS). My best friend on the other hand would say no. She loves the values, doesn't mind the beds and for her she would rather spend more to eat different meals or upgrade her flights or like her last trip, go twice! It is all what your family wants.

 

[KELLY]

We were at pop we just upgrade to CBR last night. We also go for 10 days. I have a hard time getting myself to pay the deluxe prices. In all honesty for us to upgrade from pop to AKL would have been 1400.00 more for 9 nights that was way more than I wanted to spend. So for 500.00 more we are going with a moderate. Sort of middle of the road. But I wouldn't hesitate to stay at pop again. It really is a fun resort. Have you thought about a moderate?

 

[DisneyFairy19]

For my husband and I its worth paying the extra $$. I havent had the greatest experience at the Value. I think the accomadations to and from the park, plus dining is big for both of us. But it just depends per family.GL

 

[ElizabethB]

Are the deluxes worth all of the extra money? No
Do we pay the price anyway? Yes

 

[idoeyes1]

We stayed at POR last visit 5 years ago and really liked it. When I first planned the trip we decided it would be better to go longer and stay at a value. We hardly spent any time in our room last visit, but this year we are not going to the parks two days of our trip to relax and enjoy the resort. I love the beauty of the WL and the theme seems much more romantic than the pop. It's just my husband and me so room size isn't such a big deal. I am torn between spending the money on the room or having more spending money for fun stuff while we are there like a tour or an awsome souvineer! Our trip has been paid for for two months now and I'm thinking maybe I could squeeze some more money into the budget, just don't know where to spend it. Such a hard decision! we could go Mod again but I feel like if I'm going to do it, do it all the way!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well when comparing the Wilderness Lodge to Pop Century they have bigger rooms, more restaurant options, transportation options, GYM to work out at, valet parking and all their rooms are located in one main building. So the question is are you willing to pay for more services and etc then what Pop Century has to offer?

 

[iloveftwilderness]

I would check two things first-- check the price with the free meal plan
if you are staying at pop it will include a quick service dining plan--

Then check about renting points for deluxe resorts. We are staying at AKL for 3 nights studio savannah view for 44 points (about $440)

Decide what fits your budget. For us- I could only stay in the pop for 3 nights or less. The rooms are really small. I love the pop.

Wilderness Lodge is beautiful and just a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom and the Fort Wilderness. They have the Villas that you can rent points through dvc members. Its the cheapest way to stay deluxe at disney! You can also add the meal plan if you are interested in doing that.H

I would also look into getting Halloween party tickets.

Have a great trip.

 

[Sue M]

We love WL. And it's nice having a balcony. Love the beach, walking trails, marina. SeaRaycers are so much fun. Go for it!

 

[iloveftwilderness]

points for a week at the villas at wilderness lodge would be 107 (about $1070 at $10 a point) you would have to check the points required for your other two days--fri and sat cost the most
Studios are nice they have a kitchenette, queen size bed and a pull out sofa. Maid service every 4 days. You have all the same perks as any other guest.

 

[kapoof]

also deluxes have first bus stops at the parks...which can make a difference at the end of a long day. we always go deluxe, its just our treat. yes it is pricey but worth it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

also deluxes have first bus stops at the parks...which can make a difference at the end of a long day.

That's not always true. For example in the mornings when taking the Contemporary bus to Hollywood Studios it would always drop us off at the closest empty spot to their main entrance. However in the afternoon we would need to get on the bus at it's specifc location and it's usually one of the farthest ones away.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Pop is one of our favorite resorts since our kids were born. We stayed at a few deluxe before we had kiddies. We don't spend a ton of time in the room, so it isn't a big deal to us. We have everything we need there, and we save the money for other fun things.

Having said that, we are staying at The Wilderness Lodge on our upcoming trip. We are really in love with the theme and always eat a meal there at Whispering Canyon or Artist Point. We always say that we want to stay there when we go, so we finally are. We have a standard room, so other than the handiness of having two of our favorite restaurants in the same hotel as us, I don't think it will be too much different than Pop. I could be wrong though! I guess we will see!

 

[idoeyes1]

i just got off the phone with disney and it is $1257 to upgrade to a courtyard view at WL, which is $400 less than I thought. So, I'm going to do it!!! So excited. I think I wont tell my husband until we are getting on ME.

 

[Dziactor]

Ive stayed at all 3 levels. I liked the All Star Movies & Music. I wasn't as into going from value to moderate as while the theme was more defined, I didn't find much better in the quality of the accommodations. Now the Deluxe I love and don't know if I could go back. Its almost worth it for the proximity to the parks to me, but between the restaurants (so nice being in the same hotel as Chef Mickey's and not having to try to rush there to make an early breakfast), being able to walk to MK, and killer pools - I dont think I could go back.

 

[Dziactor]

Heck, taking the monorail to dinner and returning is also a big plus to me. Not as much waiting for a bus.

 

[idoeyes1]

so first she told me it was $1257 to change to the WL and so I told her to go ahead. So then she comes back and tells me my balance is $2065. Since my orignial trip is paid in full, I couldnt figure it out. So then she checked again and the $2065 is the right price so now its a no go for the WL. I'm sure we will love the POP but for one second I had my hopes high!

 

[Collette]

but this year we are not going to the parks two days of our trip to relax and enjoy the resort.

As my family will attest, it is always about where I stay! But that doesn't mean just deluxe. I can be perfectly happy at any of the places I've stayed - Pop, POFQ, WL or Kidani. The choice always depends on funds available and whether I have planned an on the go or a more restful trip.

When you mentioned that you were going to spend two days to relax and enjoy the resort, I'm really thinking WL over Pop. Pop has a very fun feel to it, but relaxing not so much.