Is WL worth the extra money if Bounceback dates for POR don't work for us?

[DD Dreamer]

We have always stayed at moderates or values (with the exception of one time at Saratoga when we had a good deal. It seems like the bounceback for Sept 2013 may only include that last half of the month if you do WL or AKL. Do you think WL is worth the extra money? Or should we wait to see if there is a public FD offer next spring?

WL just seems a little out of the way to me although some say it is really nice. With FD we need to get to epcot area a lot.
Thanks for any advice. We go in 26 days to WDW and will need to decide what to do regarding our 2013 trip.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Most people seem to really like the WL. It was our 1st experience at a deluxe and we were very underwhelmed and didn't really care for it. It was the 2nd part of a split stay with POR and we wound up regretting leaving POR behind. It's a lovely resort and I think maybe we would appreciate it more if we stayed there during colder months (we go in August.) But otherwise, for us, the only thing that the WL really had going for it as a deluxe was the boat to MK. Like I said, we appear to be in the minority, but we just didn't really care for the WL all that much. JMO!

 

[elaw]

Is WL worth the extra money if Bounceback dates for POR don't work for us?

IMHO ... YES
But if you need to get to epcot a lot ... BC/YC/BWI is probably a better choice. CR, POLY and GF also give more options to Epcot (Monorail Resorts)

 

[GrandCalifornian]

This year our choice was to do WL, but part of our plan is to go explore other resorts. POR is on our "must visit" list due to its rural theme and nice QS food court, which beats WL's snack bar. If you get a chance to hang out at WL some this trip, you might have a better idea if the benefits of it are worth the extra cost for you. Highlights for us are the boat transportation, the location on the lake, walking to Fort Wilderness, and the beauty of the resort itself.

 

[Karabee]

I think it totally depends on the amount of money you're talking about. If it's $200 - I'd probably try WL again, if it was over that, there is no way I would switch from POR. Personally, I don't think WL is worth much more than POR other than having the boat access to MK. I was extremely underwhelmed by this resort (although the new rooms might make a difference).

 

[mickeynut1]

For us, WL is definitely worth it. We love having the boat to MK, but we also love it for going to the CR for shopping and dining. If you didn't want to take a bus to Epcot, you could always take the boat to the CR and then hop on the monorail to head to Epcot (although that may take a little longer than just taking the bus). We love everything about the WL and have had two great stays there. Keep in mind that you could always book the WL under the BB and then if a general public offer comes out later that includes POR, you can always cancel the BB and book the other offer (or keep checking to see if POR becomes available under the BB and change resorts). Good luck.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

I think it totally depends on the amount of money you're talking about. If it's $200 - I'd probably try WL again, if it was over that, there is no way I would switch from POR. Personally, I don't think WL is worth much more than POR other than having the boat access to MK. I was extremely underwhelmed by this resort (although the new rooms might make a difference).

I thought we were alone in being underwhelmed by WL - I'm glad it's not just us! I was starting to get a complex!

 

[Anniefrances]

I love WL--the relaxed feel really grabs me--and I love WL even more at the end of a long day at MK when everyone is pushing to get to resort transportation and all I have to do is wheel the double stroller over to the boat launch.

But, if I were going to spend lots of time at EP and didn't have the stroller to deal with, I would book at a resort in the Boardwalk area.

 

[kddisney502]

I would stay on WL. But that's because I've always wanted to stay there. The only thing that is holding us back is the lackluster discounts. If the bounceback was good enough, I would definately go for WL. For us, we think we would love it for the proximity to MK, without the price of the monorail resorts. We spend the most time in MK. I don't think WL is that far from EP, I mean it is near to the TCC. (maybe someone else knows for sure)

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I don't think WL is that far from EP, I mean it is near to the TCC. (maybe someone else knows for sure)

Yeah, from WL the Epcot transportation options are the Bus (which the monorail resorts don't have, and would probably be the fastest) or a combination of boat and monorail. We take the boat to the Contemporary, then the resort monorail to TTC, then the Epcot monorail. You could also take the boat to MK, then either monorail to TTC, and finally the Epcot monorail from there. It isn't that bad, but not super fast or close. That is part of the price you pay for the secluded feel.

Either way you'll have a great trip.

 

[Karabee]

I thought we were alone in being underwhelmed by WL - I'm glad it's not just us! I was starting to get a complex!

Not just you - but we were in Disney so we sucked it up

 

[danceintherain]

Everyone has their own preferences. I've never stayed at the WL, but I've visited, and I know the extra money will be worth it for us, if it's in the budget.
If it's not in the budget, then we'd be perfectly happy at POR.

 

[Mousemommy1]

IMHO, it is absolutely worth it! We have not stayed at POR, but we have stayed at all values (except AoA) and CBR. WL was amazing!!!! The rooms (recently redone) were beautiful! Our girls loved the bunk beds. It is incredibly relaxing...I mean, just walking in there made my stress levels drop several degrees!

I love that everything is all under one roof. My kids loved the pool area! Artist Point is great if you decide to eat there.

We loved having the option to take buses to all parks (we don't mind buses) but also the boat to MK was a great alternative, and especially when leaving MK to just walk down to the dock was great! The boat also goes right to CR so you have easy access to the monorail which is awesome!!!

We love, love, LOVED the WL and would even be willing to pay rack rates to stay there. (though we didn't, we had 40% off)

 

[DD Dreamer]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I think we will take a trek over there during our september trip and see if it feels good to us. I think I can't go wrong by booking it and at least then we have the option in case nothing better comes along. After all, that's how POR became our favorite. We had a special offer and ventured out of our comfort zone and loved it.

Thanks again.