Night before on property - what would you do?

[GuardMusic]

I need your opinions! I was going to post this as a poll, but feel the background is important.

We're on the Jan 26 Magic. I was going to stay the night prior at MCO, as I have Hotwire dollars. But BFF wants to stay at WDW. Like I'm going to argue that!

We usually stay at a moderate for the cheapest rate while still getting the transfer bus for DCL. However, a month or so ago something happened.

We were at my house w/ nothing to do, so I scanned the TiVo. Noticed I had "Great Hotels - WL" on there & I'd never seen it - and neither had she. (She refuses to be forced to watch the Y&BC one for the millionth time! )

We were only a few minutes in and she proclaimed "Why have I never been to this resort?! (I've never stayed there either, but have visited & dined at WL.) So I got the genious idea to book WL and have it be a surprise Christmas present.

Then I check prices

So I have WL booked for $215. We could have had a moderate for $135. (AAA rates) The big question is: Will it be worth it? We land from MCO (weather permitting from Indianapolis) at 11:30am.

BFF will get surprise on Dec. 27, so I suppose there's time to change if it turns out it doesn't matter to her....

Thoughts?

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

ok, now I've never stayed at the WL, but we are cruising in 11 days and if DCL had not ask me to stay at the Hyatt MCO I would have booked WL because it is my DH dream to sleep there at least once!

But how much was the night at the Hyatt with your hotwire $$?????

If you really arrive at WDW that early I think it is worth it, but other wise, I think that just staying at the Hyatt is a really nice way to start your cruise

 

[3for Me]

Well if you think I'm going to talk you out of it - forget it! We have stayed at the WL twice. We LOVE this resort! I am thinking that especially for a winter trip it will be just lovely. Just think of how toasty and warm you'll feel sitting in a rocker in front of the huge fireplace.

If you are arriving mid-day as expected, you could make an ADR at WCC, or have a really special meal at AP for dinner. Take the boat ride to the MK or just ride around. Don't forget to watch the EWP at night.

Also, I think of it as starting my vacation a day early. Instead of biding your time until your cruise starts, you will already be feeling the Disney spirit. At least this is the rationale I used when I booked the Poly for the night before!

I say GO FOR IT!

 

[Tigger1221]

I need your opinions! I was going to post this as a poll, but feel the background is important.

We're on the Jan 26 Magic. I was going to stay the night prior at MCO, as I have Hotwire dollars. But BFF wants to stay at WDW. Like I'm going to argue that!

We usually stay at a moderate for the cheapest rate while still getting the transfer bus for DCL. However, a month or so ago something happened.

We were at my house w/ nothing to do, so I scanned the TiVo. Noticed I had "Great Hotels - WL" on there & I'd never seen it - and neither had she. (She refuses to be forced to watch the Y&BC one for the millionth time! )

We were only a few minutes in and she proclaimed "Why have I never been to this resort?! (I've never stayed there either, but have visited & dined at WL.) So I got the genious idea to book WL and have it be a surprise Christmas present.

Then I check prices

So I have WL booked for $215. We could have had a moderate for $135. (AAA rates) The big question is: Will it be worth it? We land from MCO (weather permitting from Indianapolis) at 11:30am.

BFF will get surprise on Dec. 27, so I suppose there's time to change if it turns out it doesn't matter to her....

Thoughts?

IMHO, If you plan on not going to the parks and hanging around the hotel, then it is very worth it. You can explore the resort, relax, swim, and reallt soak everything in. Also, keep checking for discounts, the resorts board is great!

However, if you are going to the parks than I have to say no, I would save it for when you have time to explore and hang out there. We stay at Pop Century, and go to the parks normally. However, next year we will be staying at the Dolphin for FREE!

Most of all, Have a blast. I would love to stay at WL!

 

[irwins0001]

I agree with the above posters. WL is great! It all depends on how much time you have. Can you get any discounts at WL (AAA, passholder,etc.)? Don't procrastinate on the AAA rate for the moderate because it can sell out!!!!

 

[rotary2808]

WL is one of my favorite resorts. If you're willing to swing the extra costs to stay there I'd say definately go for it. I don't think you'll regret it.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

The WL was absolutely wonderful when we stayed there. The theming is superb. It reallly makes you feel like your staying in a National Park in the west. Anyway, it should be beautiful at Christmas time. If you are not going to the park, I would spend the day at the resort and spend some time in the hot tub, look for hidden mickeys and explore. Make sure you have at least one meal at the Whispering Canyon Cafe before you leave for the cruise.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I would definitely stay at the WL...IF...if you are going to just hang out there for the afternoon/evening and soak up all the resort has to offer. If you plan to do parks or other activities I'd actually book a value since its just a place to sleep.

You could also book a Moderate or Value and then have a great dinner at Artist Point at the WL with the difference. You could still hang out at the resort for the afternoon/evening but stay elsewhere.

If it is your dream to stay there then do it. If you decide to go with WL I"d highly recommending bikes for an hour. You can bike over to Fort Wilderness and back along a really great wilderness path. You can also rent boats at WL and cruise around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Have a great trip, whatever you decide to do.

 

[crisi]

WL is a nice resort, one of our favorites, but the rooms themselves are "Deluxe Lite" - the are not much bigger (if any bigger) than the rooms at a moderate. You can enjoy the resort just as well having dinner there, if the $100 is a big deal to you, I think it would be better spent on dinner than on the room. And the pool may not be pleasant in January.

What I would do, since you seem to be two young women with somewhat limited finances but an interest in Disney hotels with one day on your hands:

Book the moderate (POR has the best theming - the Riverside area isn't unlike WL in feel). Check in (or at least check your luggage). Catch a bus over to the closest park and then catch buses all afternoon hopping from resort to resort. There is a resort launch from the Contemporary over to WL. Do the Epcot resorts, stroll through the lobbies, look at the public areas, check out the pools (you can't, of course, pool hop - you can look). Then head over to the MK resorts - take the resort monorail around, check them all out. Finish over at WL, have a nice dinner over at Artists Point (or a cheaper one and have drinks at the Artists Point bar). Maybe even take the long hop over to AKL and check that out (get there midafternoon to check out the animals).

 

[Regina]

It looks like you're asking for opinions about the WL so I'm moving this to the Resorts board.