Is the WL Worth $1,215 More?

[Terk-1]

I got a price from AAA for the following solo trip:

Wilderness Lodge - Standard view w/DDDP = $3,407.55

Port Orleans French Quarter - Standard view w/DDDP = $1,903.99

The difference between the two resorts is $1,215.56. As much as I would love to stay at the Wilderness Lodge, this seems like a big difference in costs. Should I just bite the bullet & keep the Wilderness Lodge? Should I downgrade to a moderate?

HELP!!!

 

[eliza61]

There are pretty much two veins of thought on these boards. Folks who love the deluxes for one reason or the other and folks who think they are not worth the money. Unfortunately you have to decide for yourself.
For me, I love the deluxes and the WL is one of my absolute favorites. I love having a balcony, king size bed and quick access to MK so my answer would be a big YES.
Would the $1200 price stick in your head? If you think it would, give Port Orleans a try (I also like that one). Nothing is worse than being on vacation and regretting your choice.

 

[Terk-1]

Thanks Eliza. 90% of me wants to just pay the extra $$ and stay at the Wilderness Lodge. Have not been there since 2003 and this is going to be a belated birthday gift to myself. Just closing my eyes, I can see the spectacular lobby, with the totem poles and roaring fire and hear the soft music playing in the background.

 

[boomhauer]

In 2007, I stayed at 2 resorts - Port Orleans Riverside and Wilderness Lodge, and I say YES - WL is worth the difference.

Seems awfully expensive though. How much is the Dining Plan?

 

[alldiz]

Thanks Eliza. 90% of me wants to just pay the extra $$ and stay at the Wilderness Lodge. Have not been there since 2003 and this is going to be a belated birthday gift to myself. Just closing my eyes, I can see the spectacular lobby, with the totem poles and roaring fire and hear the soft music playing in the background.

If you can afford it.....go for it....WL is special....
Happy belated birthday
Kerri

 

[Terk-1]

l

 

[Terk-1]

I think AAA is quoting me at a Courtyard view though I asked for a quote with a standard view. I need to check with a different AAA office to see if they are quoting me wrong.

The difference between the regular dining plan & deluxe dining plan is $288.

My birthday is in August (which is just too hot to go to WDW) and is one of those "milestone" birthdays, so I thought "what the heck, I'm going to treat myself to a trip to Disney World". I like going late November to early December for all the decorations, the Candlelight Processional and the cooler weather.

 

[fakereadhed]

It depends what's important to you. I would much rather spend time enjoying the other resorts(sit in the lobby, soak up the atmosphere while waiting for my ADR there, explore, shop in the giftshops)then return to my less expensive room. After staying in a Deluxe, the room IMO is much less impressive than the lobby. I can enjoy the lobby without staying there. In fact, if you spend a lot of time in the parks you are just breezing through the lobby to crash in your room anyway. That's just my take on it. My DH does not feel relaxed unless he is at a deluxe resort, but then he would rather spend time in the room or anywhere else than the parks. So for our next family trip it will probably be deluxe, since he's paying. But on my own or just with the kids, I will be at a value resort. I would rather spend the extra money on special experiences, like tours or dinner shows, than on a place I won't even be awake for.

 

[fla4fun]

If you are going in August, another benefit to WL is that it is all self contained in one building. No dodging the summer thunderstorms just to get a bite to eat or go to the gift shop. No wilting in the summer heat to do that either. I love WL for solo trips. Sometimes I'll book a long weekend there and not even go to the parks.

 

[Terk-1]

For 10 days, 9 nights (courtyard view) with 10 day park hopper pass & deluxe dining plan:

$3871.77 without AAA discount
$3468.16 with AAA discount

Savings of $403.61.

Was quoted by AAA for a "standard" view, same package $3407.55, which is $60 difference from a "courtyard" view. When I contacted my local AAA agent, I was told that AAA only got a discount at the WL for courtyard view rooms only and no discounts on standard or woods view rooms. When I called another office, was told that AAA receives discounts on all room classes and gave me the 2 quotes for a courtyard & standard view. I did question her on the difference only being $60, as on Disney's website, it's more like $500 difference in these class of rooms.

Going to give another office a call to see what they have to say.

 

[TAKitty]

It depends what's important to you. I would much rather spend time enjoying the other resorts(sit in the lobby, soak up the atmosphere while waiting for my ADR there, explore, shop in the giftshops)then return to my less expensive room. After staying in a Deluxe, the room IMO is much less impressive than the lobby. I can enjoy the lobby without staying there. .

I agree that the old rooms were not that impressive, but the new decor is much nicer. The big screen tv is nice and we don't even watch that much tv.

 

[DisneyDad61]

As a WL advocate and one who stayed at the POR last year, let me give you my opinion.

I tried to continue my streak of staying at the WL last year but I was dumb and tried to get the standard view at WL and was too late. I love staying at the WL BUT the price difference between the Courtyard View and Standard View is somewhat substantial, at least for me. I believe it is $50.00 a night, if not more.
If you are staying for 10 nights, like me, then with tax your looking at $550.00 - $600.00 difference between the 2 rooms.
I went and stayed at the POR and thought it was very nice. I bit of a difference from a deluxe but very nice, nonetheless.

If $$ does play into your considerations, like as myself, if you cannot get into the WL Standard, you might consider a bulk of your time at POFQ and maybe spend the last 2 nights at WL - Courtyard, if thats all they have.
You honestly don't.... typically......spend that much time in your room - honestly and the Courtyard View - for the price difference may not be worth it.
Good luck

 

[Sleeping Becca]

If spending the $1200 does not change your vacation, go for it. If you will have to take money from elsewhere in your budget, like for souvieners, food, pictures or travel expenses then you might want to reconsider. When deciding if a resort is worth extra money, the big question is.... Do you have the extra money to spend?

 

[Josh125]

This past year I stayed at 3 different resorts. The WL, GF, and CBR. To your question on how does the WL stack up against a moderate I personally would take WL. CBR was fine and nothing was wrong, but it didn't wasn't the same. The deluxe resort are IMO just that much better. It is all about what you most feel comfortable in. To me it is worth every penny more. Don't get me started on the GF, simply amazing.

I like the nice TV, the larger room, and most importantly the balcony. Not trying to break your bank, but price out the GF just for fun and see what that does to you. I couldn't afford to stay there all the time, but it really blew me away.

 

[Turtlegirl]

I always struggle with this dilemma. The deluxes are soooo much better than the moderates but cost soooo much more. Only you know your budget and if the extra cost is going to bug you. I look at it this way, if you go more than once (as we all do on these boards), there are times that are more "special" than others-like your milestone b-day, so on this trip you could splurge and next time make up for it by staying at a moderate.
If you're willing, you could check on the dvc rent/trade forum and rent points from an owner for a studio at WLV. This will cost substantially less then booking a room through either AAA or Disney. Then you'll have the best of both worlds, The WL around the PO price! Have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Just wanted to share as well. I too booked last week through my AAA Disney Specialist for a room at WL. I asked her to compare several rooms at moderate resorts as well just for grins. We are going to WDW to celebrate a milestone birthday for my DH - the big 4-0. We were quoted about the same as you were, although we're not doing the DDP. We are currently a family of 3 and not staying as long as you are. Our trip is only 7 days and for all 3 of us including airfare, lodging (woods view) & park hopper tickets was $3450. The moderates would've been about $1000 less as we were quoted about $1900 not including airfare. However the only moderates with rooms available were POR, POFQ and CBR. We've stayed at POR and visited POFQ. The CBR pool is undergoing renovation and so I thought it would be a waste of money if we wouldn't be able to use the big pool. WL was the cheapest of the deluxe resorts. When I looked into the price through Disney.com I found that I was saving about $250 booking through AAA. I know some people might not think of it as a big deal but that's money I can spend on souvenirs or meals.

I have been told I will absolutely love WL since we've never been there before. We will only be taking 1 other trip this year to Michigan to stay at my parents place on the lake (cheap and very relaxing summer vacation).

So my reasoning was this:

1. We can afford to take 1 nice vacation a year.

2. My DH will only turn 40 once in his lifetime and I want all of us to remember it and have a good time.

Not sure if this is going to help you make your decision but since you said it's a milestone birthday you are celebrating I would go for it. You don't have that many in a lifetime. Make it special.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I did question her on the difference only being $60, as on Disney's website, it's more like $500 difference in these class of rooms.

It could be that there are standard rooms available, but not at the AAA discount. There are only a certain number of rooms in each category that are available with the AAA discount. So your quotes could be for courtyard view with discount vs. standard view at rack rate.

Don't forget that now that the view of the DVC pool is considered "courtyard" there are a lot more "courtyard" view rooms at the WL than any other category.

 

[rotlex]

It depends what's important to you. I would much rather spend time enjoying the other resorts(sit in the lobby, soak up the atmosphere while waiting for my ADR there, explore, shop in the giftshops)then return to my less expensive room. After staying in a Deluxe, the room IMO is much less impressive than the lobby. I can enjoy the lobby without staying there. In fact, if you spend a lot of time in the parks you are just breezing through the lobby to crash in your room anyway. That's just my take on it. My DH does not feel relaxed unless he is at a deluxe resort, but then he would rather spend time in the room or anywhere else than the parks. So for our next family trip it will probably be deluxe, since he's paying. But on my own or just with the kids, I will be at a value resort. I would rather spend the extra money on special experiences, like tours or dinner shows, than on a place I won't even be awake for.

Wow, could not really have stated our feelings much better than that. I don't deny anyone the joy of staying where they want, but I'm really paying for a place to sleep, and can enjoy the amenities of the hotels, lobbies and restaurants without staying there. I'll even take it as far, for us at least, as to say we enjoyed the value's more than mods! Yeah, yeah, I know, but really, the money we saved staying at Movies last year, allowed us to do a TON more stuff.

I love the look of the Disney Deluxe resorts, but they are WAY over priced for what they offer in the actual room. Just my opinion of course, but if you ever looked at what you could stay in OFF property for those prices, it's pretty amazing actually.

 

[Gary M]

Why don't you phone CRO and have them quote you a price with The AAA Discount. 1-877-939-3732. I get my AAA discounts and never go through a AAA agent, but only CRO.

 

[MommyBuzz909]

I didn't know that Disney would give you a AAA discount..........that's good news, I'm gonna call back and see about booking through them directly