Is WL worth the $$$? Help me decide....

[bedillamouse]

We are going to WDW May 28 - June 4th...right now we have reservations at POFQ but was considering changing to WL because of a few reasons....we will have our 3 and 1 year old DD with us which means more time spent in the hotel room and WL is closer to MK where we will be spending the bulk of our time, more eating choices at the hotel and more activities to choose from. Is upgrading to WL worth the additional $$ to do this or are we just as okay at POFQ??? Opinions please!!!

 

[Brer Bear]

I'll have to say that staying at WL when our kids were younger was PRICELESS! Especially in the hotter months. Of course MK was the park we went to the most, so the boat directly to the park was very convienent as well. We would go to MK on the first boat of the morning and come back in the afternoon for a nap/dip in the pool until things cooled down and we would venture back out. The ambience at the WL is my favorite especially at Christmas.

Now that our kids are older (9/15) we have stayed at POP and camped offsite since we have an RV. We are staying at Fort Wilderness this March.
I highly recommend the WL with small kids!!! But that's just my opinion.
Hope you have a good time wherever you stay!

 

[roselark]

Personally, I hated WL. I did not think it was worth the extra cost over Coronado Springs. In fact, we would have been far happier at CSR...

What I did not like: crowded feeling (think it was the inside hallways), incredibly small counter service with limited choices, noisy (could hear things in my room from hallway and courtyard), bus system was lacking (always standing room only). I also did not care for the boat to/from MK. We also had poor mousekeeping, but that can be hit or miss wherever you stay.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Personally, I hated WL. I did not think it was worth the extra cost over Coronado Springs. In fact, we would have been far happier at CSR...

What I did not like: crowded feeling (think it was the inside hallways), incredibly small counter service with limited choices, noisy (could hear things in my room from hallway and courtyard), bus system was lacking (always standing room only). I also did not care for the boat to/from MK. We also had poor mousekeeping, but that can be hit or miss wherever you stay.

Our last 5 or so stays have been at WL, we like the price and location for convenience, close to the MK, love being on the lakes. We never felt crowded, huge layout resort, enclosed halls, morning paper and once in our room, never heard any outside sounds. The short walk to the boat dock makes getting to the MK fast and easy, never had to wait for second boat because of too many guests. We boat to CR to gain access to monorail and other dining choices and we also boat to FW for a pleasant evening at Croxckett's Tavern and see the horse barn. Our mousekeeping was adequate, it can be hit ot miss at all the resorts but we had no complaints, we even got a few towel animals, extra coffee and towels when asked.

We payed last trip 200.00 a night, got up graded upon arrival to courtyard pool view and enjoyed some perfect evenings around the pool and sitting on our balcony and the walk down to the boat rental dock each evening to see the EWP, was worth the few extra bucks. We really do not like mods with non enclosed hallways, too much like a motel feeling. Part of our vacation is the ambience of the resort and the WL provides all the extra we need. The food court is small, choices are good, breakfasts excellent and depending on the time frame can be packed but so can other resorts, you just have to retime your dining options while at Disney, we always dine an hour earlier than normal to breeze in and out.

 

[s&k'smom]

We always travel off season so we never had an issue with crowds at WL. We loved the direct boat to MK as well as another boat going to CR and FW. DH especially loved coming back by boat at night, the ambiance is wonderful. I guess you could say mine is a yes vote!

 

[boomhauer]

Good lord YES. I can't imagine ever choosing Port Orleans over Wilderness Lodge. Stayed at both and absolutely no contest - Wilderness wins hands down.

 

[boomhauer]

Personally, I hated WL. I did not think it was worth the extra cost over Coronado Springs. In fact, we would have been far happier at CSR...

What I did not like: crowded feeling (think it was the inside hallways), incredibly small counter service with limited choices, noisy (could hear things in my room from hallway and courtyard), bus system was lacking (always standing room only). I also did not care for the boat to/from MK. We also had poor mousekeeping, but that can be hit or miss wherever you stay.

Just goes to show how one person's experience can be the exact opposite from another's. I stayed at WL same time as you and I LOVED the boat service, had fantastic mousekeeping, never heard a peep from our room, never found it too crowded. I agree, the counter service was small, but I never waited for more than 3 minutes.

 

[kapoof]

if you want to be close to mk, wl bus ride is just 5 minutes. at fq you have to share with por and who knows how long that can take? wl is a very nice resort, i'm sure you and your kids will love it!

 

[bedillamouse]

thank you everyone for your responses!! This helps a lot and now I can show my DH 'real peoples' opinion and not some guide book that he thinks can be misleading. Thank you again!!!

 

[G8r4evr]

Too make an informed decision, I would have to see the numbers =)

 

[eliza61]

You felt crowded in WL The place is huge!! Worth is subjective so I can only say what we like.
We like inside hallways. I don't like walking from my bedroom into the elements immediately. We love the Balcony, sitting on the balcony at night w/ the gorgeous DH while the kids are sleeping is the best ways to end a long day at the parks. We love the themeing, it is so soothing, relaxing and cool. Since the only time we really do CS is for snacks, we thought the cs was great and I love having 2 TS restaurants on site. When our kids where little we spent most of our time at the MK. The boat ride was great, simply because it was different from getting on another bus and my kids love the water. We never had to wait more than 20 minutes for one.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Oh my gosh YES - YES - YES !!!

It's one of THE BEST resorts at WDW - extremely well run, always has been. Their staff stays there vs. jumping to other resorts.....a very good sign of a well-run hotel....happy staff.

It's drop dead beautiful - quiet during the day - you really feel like you are away from the hustle and bustle of a crowded park.

Don't miss dining at Whispering Canyon and ask for catsup - bring your sense of humor and a camera!

If you want to spend a little time together.....put the little ones in the "camp"....which they will love.....and dine at Artist Point....one of the best restaurants on property.

This resort is so special, it even has TOURS - don't miss it...the history that went into the building of this beautiful place is very interesting.

Afternoons on the quiet beach, boat rides to the Magic Kingdom.....watching the silly ducks swimming in the pool in the early AM.....this resort is overloaded with charm.

Switch - it's a fabulous place to stay if you think you will not spend all day at the parks!

Enjoy!

 

[srgibbs]

I'll add my opinion here as well. We have been the past 3 years in Mid sept. with 2 stays at POFQ and 1 at Riverside. This past fall I really wanted to stay at WL but decided to save the extra money and stay at FQ again which was a huge mistake that I still regret to this day. I might add our children are now 6 and 3 but were 4 and 14months when we went for the 1st time. This past year was so crowded in mid-sept at FQ and appeared at POR as well. The bus service was slow the food court packed in the mornings early or mid morning. Housekeeping was not as good as years past and overall experience lacking. We took the boat one evening from MK to Wilderness Lodge for dinner and then back to MK and that was enough for me to realize WL will most def. be the next visit. It was so quick and easy to get there and back by boat. The evening buses at POR/FQ were a nightmare and we ended up taking a lot of taxi's at night b/c of this. I would think summer would be much worse. All that being said in my opinion with the ages of your children if your budget allows hands down stay at WL! You would probably spend the majority of your time in MK so why not make it easy on yourself which equals a more enjoyable trip.

 

[jimmymac]

Another 2 thumbs up vote for WL. I love POFQ but there is no comparison to WL, which is the best themed of all the WDW resorts IMHO. Just sitting on the balcony watching the ducks in the pond is very relaxing. Definitely give WL a shot - you won't be sorry

 

[dennisnlisab96]

Yes...yes...yes

 

[time4Mickey]

Absolutely LOVE WL!!! We have stayed there at a very busy time and never felt crowed. It might be my favorite resort. We love the boat ride to MK. A great way to relax and our children loved it. Only took the bus to AKL and it wasn't that crowded. We have not stayed at POFQ but have stayed at POR and it was very nice but VERY crowded/loud at the dining area. I would stay there again also just eat more meals away from resort.