Have you been to WL and POR? Where will you stay?

[pkondz]

If you've stayed at both WL and POR and money was no object (let's pretend they're both the same price... or you have an offer for free upgrade), which one would you stay at, and why? I've stayed at POR and loved it but want to try WL... but why should I trade in a good experience for an unknown one? I am leaning towards WL but doubt remains!

 

[MichaelsMickey]

I would stay at WL we stayed there in 2004 had a room near the pool which looks out at the bay it was quite with easy boat access to the MK and I loved the Whspering Canyon Rest It was a great time. I have stayed at the PO in the past but I like WL more.

 

[lkaanda]

We have stayed at both and as much as we enjoyed POR, we would definitly stay at WL again. The lobby is wonderful. The theming throughout the hotel is great. It it also nice to stay at a hotel where everything is inside, so you don't have to go all over for your room, restaurant etc.. Its also nice that you have the boat to Magic Kingdom if you are planning on heading over. We are going back next Feb., and if money was not an issue would stay their, but will stay at POR instead this year. You will love it if you decide to go!

 

[poptoone]

Last year was WL, year before was POFQ, year before was POR. I would stay at either WL or POR again. I would choose WL over POR simply due to the transportation to the MK via boat which was my DD (4) favorite thing. We're camping at Ft. Wilderness this Jan. but if we had just flown down we would have stayed at WL.

 

[AKLRULZ]

Been to both and it's a no brainer for me. While POR is quite nice, it's not the WL!

Have fun!

 

[ciera321]

We've stayed at both and while POR is a pretty resort, I just wouldn't choose it over WL. I love WL and the beauty of the resort, especially at Christmas time!!!

 

[lake queen]

We have also stayed at both. If $ was truly no object, I would pick WL. But, we will never stay there again. We are early AM to Late night touring people, so the extra cost just to sleep in a room just wasn't worth it.

We really loved both resorts!!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

It would have to be the Wilderness Lodge. We had a room overlooking the pool and the lake and it was just beautiful!!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

It it also nice to stay at a hotel where everything is inside, so you don't have to go all over for your room, restaurant etc..

Ditto! It sure was nice having everything contained on a cold, rainy January night when we did not want to leave our hotel. Granted, Whispering Canyon was booked solid until 8:45pm, but Roaring Forks was open and so was the gift shop.

 

[Merryweather]

We've stayed at both and enjoyed both enough to return multiple times to both. WL really is a stroller resort though.

It really depends on what you have planned. As a PP mentioned, if you are up and out early and out in the evening the moderate works just fine.

We pick our resort based on what our trip plans are. We go not only for the parks but other off-site places as well.

I guess I would also ask WHEN are you planning this trip because that factors in the equation of where to stay for us.

 

[Lizardbeth61]

. . . if money wasn't the issue at all, I'd definitely try WL. Most seem to be discussing the ambience of one over the other, but there are some basic differences that should be noted as well.

WL - In each room the AC/Heat is central so you don't have those nasty window units that sound like a 747 taking off every so often. Also, these rooms have private balconies . . . nobody walking past the windows looking in. Finally, it's hard to believe but WL is more compact in that there are more floors so shorter hallways . . but they still seem LONG at the end of a long day.

PO - Window AC units, no private balcony, more spread out.

However, the landscaping at both is amazing. If you want more peace and quiet, it's probably easier to find that at PO. Like the food court at PO better than the quick dining at WL.

So, that's my 2 cents worth!

Have fun!

 

[susieq76]

No doubt about it- 100% WL- I LOVE that place!

 

[Lilolvr]

WL hands down!

 

[boomhauer]

Won't vote because haven't stayed at WL yet (December will be 1st). I've been there several times to visit. I can't imagine I won't prefer it to POR. While parts of POR were nice, I wasn't nearly as fond of it as I thought I would be.

 

[nonsmom]

Definitely WL! We stayed at POFQ last year, and although it was pretty, the two resorts (POR & POFQ) are massive. POFQ is managable with small children, and you get picked up first on the bus, however, you then go on to go all the way around POR and stop at every stop. WL on the other hand, has a very good layout. It is shaped like a boxy V and even the furthest rooms are not too far. We had a courtyard view last time and the door opened to the lobby. I fell in love with it, last year, to save money and stay longer, we booked POFQ. I spent the whole trip wishing I was at WL.

Like you said if money was no object, go with WL, it is a deluxe.

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

We loved both resorts. I voted for POR because it is just so peaceful & quiet. But then I started thinking about the beautiful lobby, the boat to MK & the one other thing that might be giving WL an edge-private balcony. OK, take back my vote. Try something new if you can!! If you liked POR, you will like WL as well.

 

[pkondz]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm still undecided ... for a couple of reasons.
1. The obvious one of course is that money is an object (when isn't it... sigh ... but I digress).
2. The other reason is that as was mentioned by a couple of pp's we are early risers (love the am emh and always had dinner ADRs), so weren't at the resort much... but we were there in the afternoons for some pool time and the kids (DD8/DD4 at the time) were in bed early too. I've yet to try whispering canyon (yes, want to and will) but you don't need to stay at WL to go there so that's (imho) not an issue. I'd guess that some of the most important aspects of the resorts for me would be...
a) WL pool vs POR
b) boat to MK vs boat to DTD
c) balcony vs sitting outside on the public walkway

So in a nutshell, I'm still debating. Guess I'll have to start another poll thread for best pool between the two resorts to help me out. Thanks again for everyone's input... I'll keep checking here for more posts!

 

[lilyv]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm still undecided ... for a couple of reasons.
1. The obvious one of course is that money is an object (when isn't it... sigh ... but I digress).
2. The other reason is that as was mentioned by a couple of pp's we are early risers (love the am emh and always had dinner ADRs), so weren't at the resort much... but we were there in the afternoons for some pool time and the kids (DD8/DD4 at the time) were in bed early too. I've yet to try whispering canyon (yes, want to and will) but you don't need to stay at WL to go there so that's (imho) not an issue. I'd guess that some of the most important aspects of the resorts for me would be...
a) WL pool vs POR
b) boat to MK vs boat to DTD
c) balcony vs sitting outside on the public walkway

So in a nutshell, I'm still debating. Guess I'll have to start another poll thread for best pool between the two resorts to help me out. Thanks again for everyone's input... I'll keep checking here for more posts!

I totally understand the back and forth. Want to plan a trip to Food and Wine in 08. Thought about POR-we loved that resort! Then considered Caribbean Beach, photos look great.....BUT, DH and I visited WL for a bit last trip. He looked so happy relaxing in their magnificent lobby. So, I've been pricing WL.
I think I'm leaning toward staying there. It's always a tough decision, isn't it?

PS-noticed your from Winnipeg...my favorite group-- Wailin' Jennys is from there. They always speak so fondly of Winnipeg!

 

[pkondz]

I totally understand the back and forth. Want to plan a trip to Food and Wine in 08. Thought about POR-we loved that resort! Then considered Caribbean Beach, photos look great.....BUT, DH and I visited WL for a bit last trip. He looked so happy relaxing in their magnificent lobby. So, I've been pricing WL.
I think I'm leaning toward staying there. It's always a tough decision, isn't it?

PS-noticed your from Winnipeg...my favorite group-- Wailin' Jennys is from there. They always speak so fondly of Winnipeg!

Yup... having trouble deciding... but that's half the fun!

Sheesh! I'm from Winnipeg and have never heard of Wailin' Jennys isn't that sad? Took a quick look at their website and will have to find some of their stuff to listen to. Good luck to you in your resort quest!

 

[jayhjay]

I have stayed at both and WL is my vote! It is so beautiful, really just breathtaking from the pool area. I loved being so close to MK - we took the boat there and it was a snap. It is also just a short boatride to Contemporary and monorail access.

POR is really nice (better than I was expecting) but it is not as dramatic as WL. But it is SO spread out. I felt like I spent so much time walking.

Of course, despite my vote for WL, if it were me, with money being an object, I would probably stay at POR just to save some cash. Good luck!