Can't decide - POR or FW cabin

[MELSMICE]

Having a little dilema here. Have ressies for POR for a short trip in February. Just called to inquire about the cabins - they have availability with the BEX AP code.

--There are 5 of us
--We have stayed at FW numerous times & love it
--Have never stayed at POR
--Difference in price would be an additional $200 for FW (3 nights)

Was looking forwarding to staying at POR for the 1st time & figured with only 3 nights the comfort factor wouldn't be much of an issue, but now am 2nd guessing what we should do.

Was hoping this trip could be a "budget" one. What would you all do?

 

[lemondog]

To me, there are 2 big advantages to the cabins.

1. Full kitchen (save $$ by having some meals at home)
2. Separate bedroom/living room

Since you are only going for 3 days, I doubt you'll be cooking in much. So that kind of negates the kitchen advantage.

The main advantage, IMO, for the separate bedroom is that little kids can nap during the day or go to bed early, while the parents still stay up, talk, enjoy TV, etc. If this does not apply to your party, then #2 is negated.

Of course, there are other advantages as well to staying in the cabins, but none that really matter for a 3-day trip. I think you should stay in the POR and use the extra $200 elsewhere. Enjoy your trip!

 

[n2mm]

For $67 more a night, I would go with the cabins. By the time you save on breakfast and snacks by having a kitchen, I don't think it will be that much of a difference. While I've stayed at Dixie Landing many (many) times, I wouldn't pass up the extra space you'll get in the cabins. But what got me about your post was that you've stayed in the cabins and love it! You convince me then. Squeezing 5 into any one room can turn 3 days into a LONG vacation. I would go with 2 value rooms before doing that.

 

[Cinderelli]

Melsmice,

We have stayed at POR and at the cabins (we are also a family of 5). I think for a short trip, I would take POR, but it really depends on what type of vacation you are looking for. When we stayed at the cabins, we really enjoyed cooking dinner on the outside grill (Labor Day weekend - not sure how the weather will be in Feb for a cookout). We also enjoyed spending time at the pool (although there is no slide). We did notice that it seemed to take quite awhile to catch a bus to anywhere. You have to use the bus internally to take you up to the front, then catch another bus to whatever park, etc. you want to visit. So, it is pretty remote.

If you don't plan on cooking in, time is an issue, and you want a themed pool, you'd be better off at POR. We had no trouble with 5 in a room there (had the trundle bed), but our kids were only 4, 6 & 7 at the time. Not sure that we'd be as comfie now that they are 3 years older.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[MELSMICE]

Here are a few of the things DH & I have been talking about with this decision:

--We would probably eat out every night for dinner instead of buying items. We usually only eat 1 or 2 dinner meals in even when we stay in the cabins for a week or longer.

--We would still have to buy breakfast food at the grocery store, so not sure if the savings there would be all that much. You know - still 1/2 gal OJ, butter & cream cheese for bagels, etc.

--Regardless of where we stay we'll still get drinks & snack foods

--Our DD's are older now 15, 12 & 12. When they were younger obviously, we'd put them to bed & DH & I would be in the "main" living area. Now that they are older, we sometimes go to bed before them!!! - well, at the same time anyway!

--We do like the extra room the cabins give & for the 1st 5 days of our trip we will be with family at their homes so we may be looking forward to the extra space.

Thanks for all your input on this. Still not sure what we're going to do - still deciding whether we should spend the extra $ or not. DH says he doesn't care & he'll let me decide. I've always wanted to try POR - even when it was DL, but our DD's just LOVE FW - maybe we'll ask them!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Have you thought about a DVC?

 

[MELSMICE]

Have you thought about a DVC?

We own DVC, (OKW) banked the remainder of our points this year after we took our November trip because we didn't plan on going before March again. This was a very spur of the moment, unplanned trip.

 

[n2mm]

Just curious, who is sleeping on the trundle, you or your husband? This bed is barely "youth" size and was just enough room for my 6 year old grandson when we used it. With the girls being older, I still think 2 value rooms would still be your best bet or the cabin, but no way to POR--4 women and one bathroom, good luck on that one.

 

[Gillian]

Since it's such a short trip it seems like the perfect time to try someplace new! If you own DVC, you might not have another good opportunity to stay at a different resort.

The extra space might be nice, but POR has lots of places where you can escape if you need to. We've never stayed there but it looks great and has so many loyal fans.

 

[Nolcrest]

I have stayed at both the cabins and POR. I loved both of them too. I understand your dilemma.

Since you want to try POR and this is a short stay I would go for POR. The girls may find that they absolutely love POR too. The boat transportation to DTD for some shopping is a big plus to my 15 year old DD.

The grounds to POR are gorgeous and you have the option of also using the facilities at their sister resort POFQ.

I have found that when we stayed at the cabins we spent more time in the cabin (which was nice) but when we stayed at POR we spent more time exploring and walking the grounds.

With the girls being a little older now they may enjoy exploring the resort more. Grabbing food at the food court is convenient and you can always buy drinks and other items for the room fridges which "should" be in each room now.

Try something different, POR is our favorite (so far).

 

[MELSMICE]

UGH - you guys are no help (just kidding) - I'm still torn about what to do! You all bring up so many good points about both resorts.

I'd love to try something new & keep leaning towards that, then I think about how much we have loved FW in the past & have really missed staying there since joining DVC. Now I think about that trundle thing - YIKES!

What a dilemma to be in, huh!??!

Well, so far, one DD said FW - we'll see what the other 2 say when I ask them.

 

[MELSMICE]

Well, all 3 DD's (without hesitation) said FW cabins instead of POR, so I just got off the phone with CRO & changed my ressie to FW. Thanks for all your opinions - I appreciate them!