Help me!

[Smbmoyers]

This is my families first trip. And, for me, the opportunity to stay deluxe if I want. Weve locked in the dates of November 27th through December the 4th. So far my mother in law and mom are coming, plus me, my husband, and my three year old, and finally my brother and his girlfriend.

Brother is active and qualifies for the military discount.

So, first things first I already did book wl. 3 rooms, standard, rack rate. Apparently they are out of military discounts there. But, it is my mom's lifelong dream to stay there.

This is the trip of a lifetime in that recently my grandmother passed away and left me north of $20 thousand dollars. This is my splurge. The one thing I want for me.

I've been looking around at all the options. With having a 3 yr and planning on going to the magic kingdom quite a bit on our trip would I be better to talk mom into booking a monorail resort? Does it make a huge difference? We also will have a vehicle there to drive to parks if that matters.

So I guess my question is this:

1. How likely am I to end up with a military discount at WL if they've all been already taken

2. Should I look at hopping to a monoral resort? Will the convienience blow my mind and make it well worth it.

3. How bad is the construction at wl right now?

 

[Shellyb84]

1. Really no way to guess this!

2. The convenience will blow your mind and makes it worth it Also WL has the smallest rooms of any deluxe.

3. We were there two weeks ago, and could see the construction from the monorail. It looked bad from there. Personally, I would avoid any resort under construction (other than just room renovations - they were taking place at BC last year when we were there but we didn't notice a thing). It would really ruin the magic in my opinion.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think you have to take the construction into account. There is a lot of clear-cutting of trees, the spa is closed, one pool is closed, and by then work to frame the new cabins and work on them should be rolling. Even as a "dream" resort, I don't know that anyone's dream includes the level of construction occurring at WL this year. You can see pictures on the WL resort threads; these are early stage yet.

If you're splurging, Poly or Grand Floridian are both gorgeous resorts NOT under construction.

 

[winterman]

To OP, I am going to be at WL the week after you. I also feel it will likely be my only opportunity to stay deluxe. The construction concerns me but I'm going to chance it. I had originally booked a bounce back at WL for a week later but it was for a bunkbed room, which I really didn't want. When I got home I started looking at other dates and found what I have now - a standard room for 10% less than the bounce back. I will be watching for any discounts, but if I can't get one then I can consider that my discount.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Pictures here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wilderness-lodge-dvc-expansion-details-thread.3410778/

Most of the construction permits go to 2018.

 

[rwdavis2]

The most convenient of the monorail resorts is the Contemporary. But is is much more expensive than WL. Ask mom if here dream includes a construction site.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You may also be able to find discounts through travel agencies.

 

[SharonZ]

Was there a military discount available for any of the monorail hotels?

 

[masylimed]

I am all about dream fulfillment whenever possible. But most of the appeal for me of WL is the overall ambiance of the place. I've not kept up on the construction updates but would be afraid that most of it's charm wouldn't be there because of the construction happening. Could another option be to stay at a cheaper hotel - maybe a moderate or Shades of Green - this trip then go back to WL after construction is done for her dream trip?

 

[Smbmoyers]

I think you have to take the construction into account. There is a lot of clear-cutting of trees, the spa is closed, one pool is closed, and by then work to frame the new cabins and work on them should be rolling. Even as a "dream" resort, I don't know that anyone's dream includes the level of construction occurring at WL this year. You can see pictures on the WL resort threads; these are early stage yet.

If you're splurging, Poly or Grand Floridian are both gorgeous resorts NOT under construction.

Wow. I had no idea the construction was at that level. I'm probably going to show this to mom and be like I just don't think it's worth it.

Was there a military discount available for any of the monorail hotels?

I have not checked yet. I probably should call today and tell them the situation and get them to check availability and such.

To OP, I am going to be at WL the week after you. I also feel it will likely be my only opportunity to stay deluxe. The construction concerns me but I'm going to chance it. I had originally booked a bounce back at WL for a week later but it was for a bunkbed room, which I really didn't want. When I got home I started looking at other dates and found what I have now - a standard room for 10% less than the bounce back. I will be watching for any discounts, but if I can't get one then I can consider that my discount.

I'm pretty sure they should release SOME sort of discount for our dates, right? The only thing that kept me from booking the week you're Going is pop Warner. Although maybe changing the week won't have a huge effect if we're staying deluxe.

1. Really no way to guess this!

2. The convenience will blow your mind and makes it worth it Also WL has the smallest rooms of any deluxe.

3. We were there two weeks ago, and could see the construction from the monorail. It looked bad from there. Personally, I would avoid any resort under construction (other than just room renovations - they were taking place at BC last year when we were there but we didn't notice a thing). It would really ruin the magic in my opinion.

That's my fear. I want magic. If I'm paying a premium price for this I expect a premium experience. I am going to share the wl photo thread with mom and see what she says.

 

[Indio]

I'd go with the Poly or Contemporary. We just got back this past weekend from WL. The whole west wing was closed with scaffolding up. Only 1 elevator in the whole resort was working and they have clear-cut some trees making way for the bungalow things. If this is your dream trip, go where there's no construction.

 

[Mainemama]

I just want to throw out there that I am a repeat Poly with baby or toddler visitor, but I found boat to MK from WL just as convenient as monorail. Fast, fun, it is really nice. The other points (construction, mainly) still should be considered, but don't sweat the monorail unless considering Epcot. I do think your mom' swishes are important. Her mom passed. Ultimately, do your research, watch some videos together (I love to watch the resort videos to get a feel for a resort before we stay), and let her pick!