Opinions needed-POR or WL

[Daisymeo]

If anyone has stayed at both POR and WL (standard view), I really need your help to make up my mind where to stay this year. I've never been to POR but I know a lot of people on these boards like it. I have seen WL lobby and pool area. I have a price for 7 nights on POR on the Fairytale package for $1429.09 (2 adults, 1 junior). I also priced WL standard which would be $1674.37. So is the WL worth $245 more a week($35 more a night). I picked POR originally because of the food court, boat to Downtown Disney which we want to go to for the first time, and for the price because we are thinking of taking a trip sometime in December to see the Christmas decorations. I am now worried about the renovations that are possibly going on at POR and WL seems like a good price. We will be going at the end of July. I usually don't have trouble making up my mind but this package has really got my mind working overtime. I even cut off one day of our stay at Royal Pacific at Universal to get the extra night free.(You got me on this one Disney )

 

[Sandiebean]

We have stayed at both. We much preferred WL... hands down. Of course.. someone else may have a different opinion... but WL was incredible, and POR was nice. Is incredibly worth the upgrade?

 

[Daisymeo]

Thanks, just bumping up for more opinions. I hope to decide by today.

 

[jadedNYer]

Daisymeo-
I was also trying to decide between POR and WL. Went with WL for the convenience as it is just me and my two sons. I replied to you on anoher thread. We will be there July 17-26. If you are there during that time, I apologize in advance for my grumpy five year old.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We have stayed at both and love both for different reasons. I would pick WL for the boat ride to MK, the balcony in your room(great escape when kids are in bed), and the water parade each night. Plus the option of bunkbeds for our children makes it a big plus. The resort is truly breathtaking. POR wins for food court though, IMHO. And I love the theming of POR too. Both have nice pools with slides, quicker to get to the one at WL(if you don't get lost in the resort like I did one time !), and if it rains you can go all over the resort and do things without getting wet! Just depends on how much you will be at the resort and what is important to you. We have our car, so transportation is not a big factor.

 

[Daisymeo]

How would you compare Roaring Forks to the food court at POR? Is there more selection at the food court or are they about the same? We won't be doing as many character meals or buffets now that my child is 12 and has to pay the adult price. Was the transportation, other than the boat to MK, similar or did any of you experience longer waits at one or the other resort?
jadedNYer-we will be arriving on 7/26 so will probably miss you

 

[Sandiebean]

I don't know how anyone else feels, but I think the food court at POR is better. But many don't feel that way. There's not a ton of selection at the cheaper place in WL. They do have two sit down restaurants. We plan on eating at different resorts this year, since our schedule doesn't usually allow us that much time. Normally we take the parks by storm, and go go go go go. This year, since we have more time, and it's Christmas.. we're doing things differently. We may just hop over to another resort and use their food court when we feel like it. This Christmas we'll be at Pop Century and the Magic, not WL.. so maybe we'll change our minds when we get there.

 

[melomouse]

I'd STILL choose WL over POR, tho have stayed at both and just returned from a second stay at WL ...

this, in spite of the fact that the food court at POR is habds-down much superior to RF! To me, Disney food is pretty much the same everywhere - it's the number of selections available, and in this area RF is sorely lacking. It would never, at this point, stop me from going to WL, tho.

$245???? Go for it! You will not regret it for a minute!

Enjoy. And just maybe... I'll see you there!

melomouse

 

[bkw86]

PO is very nice but I'm not sure how many rooms are available with the renovations going on. I booked WL for DW and DS+DD for 7 night stay for 1833.05. My children are both under 10 so their favorite park is MK. Looking forward to being close to that park.

 

[Sandiebean]

To me, Disney food is pretty much the same everywhere - it's the number of selections available,

This is exactly how I feel about this!!!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Yep, Food court is the only thing that wins hands down! POR's is much bigger and more selections. We actually drove over to eat there one night while staying at WL! For old times sake too !

BTW, we had a woodsview room which was perfect IMHO. We like "quiet" and got it! You may want to research where the standard rooms are and decide where you would like to be. Plus, you could get an upgrade if lucky.

 

[drogerstn]

In case you haven't decided yet:

We stayed at WL during our last visit because the price difference between POR and WL wasn't too great with the discount offered at the time. I don't remember exactly but it seems the difference was about what you are looking at. We had paid almost the WL price to stay at POR on a previous trip and it looked like a good opportunity to give WL a try.

We like POR better and I don't think its worth the extra money to stay at WL. If you have a car, its worth the trip to visit WL and maybe eat dinner there and view the lobby and Old Faithful.

As already mentioned, the food court is much better at POR compared to Roaring Forks at WL. WL was noisier (plumbing and people in hallways). The slide at the main POR pool is much better than the one at WL.

WL has a nice beach on the lake and a nice trail from WL to Ft. Wilderness for bike/surrey riding and walking. Its a shorter walk to the bus stop at WL than at POR, but probably not to the boat. Trail's End Buffet at Ft. Wilderness is very good and is cheap compared to other WDW buffets and its easy to get to from WL.

 

[Daisymeo]

Thanks for the great info everyone. Right now I am holding a reservation at POR. I think my car breaking down yesterday and the $900 repair bill has made the decision for me. It will be POR this year but who knows there is always next year for WL.

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

We love POR. Because of the FT we upgraded to ALK; this is the only way I will ever be able to afford to stay there.

I just read on Mousesavers this morning the following:

Additionally, it appears that portions of Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside are being shut down temporarily for renovation.

If you already have reservations at Port Orleans, don't panic! Disney's special relocation team (or your travel agent) will contact you and offer you various options, including a move to another Moderate resort at the same price, or a deeply discounted "upsell" to a Deluxe resort.

Some people have been offered the Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Wilderness Lodge for only about $10 more per night, or the Polynesian, Yacht Club and Beach Club for only about $30 per night more than the code-discounted rates they had booked at Port Orleans - French Quarter (i.e., they'll be paying $124 plus tax in Regular season for Yacht Club). That's a really fabulous deal and a unique opportunity to sample some of the top Deluxe resorts at a fraction of their normal rates.

If you are anxious and don't want to wait for Disney to call you, you can call Disney's Reservation Center at (407) W-DISNEY and ask for the Relocation Team for Port Orleans guests -- BUT you'll pay for the phone call, you may have to wait on hold for a long time.

The Disney Reservations Center is not accepting new reservations for Port Orleans - French Quarter and it's very difficult to get reservations at Port Orleans - Riverside for the near future.

I would call to make sure the construction will not interrupt your vacation.

We have also stayed at WL two times and loved it. The only down side is the pool is small for the amount of guests. The food court is very small also. Maybe the food court has been changed since we have been there last.

Kathy