Friends coming with us...

[Crisgw]

We have friends coming with us that want to stay at the POP Century resort. We have booked a trip to the WL. We want to stay in the same hotel...they said they didn't think the WL was worth the extra $ over the POP. I thought it may be. Please give advice. It's about 150 difference per night, but IMO, worth it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Honestly, in your position, I would stay at Wilderness Lodge, let them stay at Pop Century, and make definite/unbreakable plans for spending your park and social time together.

You won't be able to convince them to spend the extra money (and do NOT let yourself get drawn into subsidizing them!), and while I think Pop is great, if you love WL you probably won't be happy at a Value resort.

 

[Crisgw]

We've never been to the WL but from what I've read here, it's great They want us to stay at the POP instead of WL....the thing is, they think it looks better overall than the WL. I don't know what to do. Our boys are the same age (5 and 3-we each have 2) and are SO looking forward to "adjoining" rooms.

 

[cwt580]

DITTO..........

we can never go back to a value but do enjoy a nice moderate. that is an option. we are doing our first WL stay in 74 days.walked thru it the last trip and fell in love. normally always Poly but that is wearing off now. Your friends will love to spend time with you but probably are on a little tighter budget. Also alot of the resorts are sold out for advanced bookings. so make a decision and get to it. Lots of planning ahead with 2 families going!!!!

And yes its worth the $150 a night more!!!!! make it magical!!!

also the values are further away from things. Magic kingdom is right across the lake from the WL!! dont forget the cabins at FT wilderness and maybe a suite or villa... the values would be fun for kids but buses only and dining is usually a food court!!! can be a issue for some people.

ps mods are dbl beds also!!! deluxes are all queens. WL has bunk bed rooms also...1 queen and 1 bunk bed or 2 queens. might be be fun..

did you order your planning DVD and check everything out......? i still say picking your resort is the toughest part of the planning. I changed mine 2x this trip. first POFQ... then CSR.. now WL6 nights w/ 1 night POFQ(1st night late arrival...add-on)


WOW i just noticed i am now an official Mouseketeer. Well at least i earned my ears!!!!

 

[Figment2]

WL = queen beds
Pop = double beds

Love my queen bed!

Cyn

 

[thunderbird1]

It looks like you're going for a week--would they consider a split stay? 4 nights at POP/3 at WL? The sticker shock isn't so bad then, and you get to enjoy and explore 2 different resorts. Disney will happily transfer your luggage for you, if that's a concern. Just make sure you do WL second--POP is great (especially for your kids' ages), but it's tough (for me) to go from deluxe to value in the same trip (the little differences are much more noticeable).

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We love Pop and will be staying there again in June, but the WL is definitely worth the extra money. The theming is out of this world. As soon as you walk in the lobby, your jaw will drop to the floor. Everything is convenient and the pool is sooooo nice.

We stay where we can afford to for each trip, sometimes Deluxe, sometimes Value. If your friends can't aford to stay at WL with you, then let them stay at Pop and then just meet up each day.

Suzanne

 

[dizneykid]

We've never been to the WL but from what I've read here, it's great They want us to stay at the POP instead of WL....the thing is, they think it looks better overall than the WL. I don't know what to do. Our boys are the same age (5 and 3-we each have 2) and are SO looking forward to "adjoining" rooms.

My husband and I pretty much always stay at WL. Last year, my brother, his wife and little girl wanted to vacation with us. But, he refused to pay the big bucks for the Lodge. He booked at Coronado Springs, so we decided it was worth a try and also booked there. We requested "adjoining" rooms and received them.

I have to tell you, just seeing his little girl's face when we both went into our separate rooms and then opened the door between them was priceless!! She just loved going from room to room. Especially in the morning, she would call us to make sure it was "OK" to open the door.

We had the best time with them. jI do love staying at WL, but it was well worth the stay at Coronado Springs to be with them.

Hope this helps!!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Personally, I would pick WL over Pop. The boat transportation to MK and Contemporary with easy access to TTC makes it so much nicer. The themeing is great as well. I do have to say the rooms seem a bit too dark for my taste, but it's a much nicer resort than Pop. You will always kick yourself in the behind if you switch to Pop.

Let your friends stay at Pop, but make plans on when to meet up. Having separate time is always a good thing when traveling with friends.

 

[disnut8]

Well, your friends obviously don't want to spend the extra money. That being said, I can't help but wonder if you did convince them to join you at Wilderness Lodge that they wouldn't spend their week thinking "I paid how much extra for this?" It may turn out that they love it but what would you do if they didn't? And the only reason that they moved was because of you?

Why not comprise and look at moderates?

The split stay would work but they might not want to do that. If it comes down to a flat money issue, I wouldn't push it at all. I'd stay where I'd want to stay and let them stay where they want to stay. It'll make both of you happy.

 

[Crisgw]

Well, it worked itself out! Our one set of friends (we've asked 2 families) is no longer going and I think the other family (a VERY fun family with two boys my boys' age) are going and doing WL! Problem solved! Thanks to everyone for their insight!! I am really getting excited!

 

[LilGMom]

You will love the WL!! We have two kids (ages 2 & 6) and whenever we don't stay at WL the oldest asks why we aren't at the 'log cabin' place. The boat to the MK is wonderful to have and the resort is absolutely beautiful. And you'll be close enough to either take a short boat ride, walk or bike ride to FWC to ride a pony, petting area, bigger playgrounds, etc. I don't think you'll be disappointed with WL!!

 

[roselark]

Even though I can afford to stay wherever I want, I would stay at a value over a deluxe. There just aren't any benefits to me personally to justify the extra cost. I will never stay at WL again. I hated it, but I am certainly not in the majority with my opinion...

I agree with other posters. Compromise and stay at a moderate. I recommend CSR. It has many of the features of deluxes without the extra cost!

EDIT: oops, I didn't read down far enough. Glad it worked out!

 

[monorailsilver]

I would stay at the WL this way you aren't stuck with your friends the entire time.

You can meet them at the parks & for meals but at least as a family you will have down time from the friends.

 

[danielmorgan03]

Even though the issue is resolved...You could get your friends a pup-tent and the can camp out on the lawn at the WL. After all it is a nice rustic setting. You may even be able to make smores with them.