Please help a DW newbie!

[melodymaker]

First time visit to DW, mom dad and 2 kids. We booked a bunk bed room at Wilderness lodge for Jan 2011 5 night stay. Is it worth it to spend an extra $1000 to stay there over the Port Orleans? Is it worth the extra $ to stay in the WD resort over a cheeper hotel somewhere else in Orlando? We are getting the free dining plan, but it seems to me that you are not really saving too much since you are paying standard room rate.

Also, is the transportation good from the resorts to the parks? Will there be long lines and long wait times? Would we be better off staying off-property and using their shuttle busses?

So many questions - just don't want to get there and wish I had done it all different. (We've saved up a long time to take this vacation!)

 

[texasbloke]

I feel staying on-site out weighs any money saved off-site.

1) Some off site hotels offer free shuttle service to WDW, but it is not as convenient as WDW transportation options. Plus it is nice to be able to return to your resort when you want. If your driving and staying at a WDW Resort you get free parking.

2) We have always found the Cast Members at the resorts to be helpful and friendly. They have always tried to grant our requests.

3) Extra Magic Hours are wonderful, it is great to stay 3 hours later after park closing to enjoy some of the rides, or to be able to get in an hour before the parks open, so you can beat the crowds.

4) Our family also loves the dining plan, it is nice to know your meals are already paid for, only available if staying at a WDW Resort.

5) Staying surrounded by the "Magic." Priceless.

These are just a few of the benefits my family enjoys from staying at WDW. There are a lot more benefits too, I am sure other posters will share them.

 

[SarahD]

Everyone has their own opinions...here is mine! I can do a week at Disney with free dining for four (three on adult plan), Pop hotel and park tickets for less than $2000. THAT is what's important to me! It's what allows us to come back almost every year. Yes, it's double beds, but we bring an air mattress for our 11 year old (fits in room no problem) so we're not squooshed. We love the dining plan and the extra magic hours - both benefits of staying onsite. The last two years we've used DME and buses to get around the resort - no car at all - and have loved it. SO convenient!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

First time visit to DW, mom dad and 2 kids. We booked a bunk bed room at Wilderness lodge for Jan 2011 5 night stay. Is it worth it to spend an extra $1000 to stay there over the Port Orleans? Is it worth the extra $ to stay in the WD resort over a cheeper hotel somewhere else in Orlando? We are getting the free dining plan, but it seems to me that you are not really saving too much since you are paying standard room rate.

Also, is the transportation good from the resorts to the parks? Will there be long lines and long wait times? Would we be better off staying off-property and using their shuttle busses?

So many questions - just don't want to get there and wish I had done it all different. (We've saved up a long time to take this vacation!)

We loved staying at WL in a bunk bed room. The kids adored the bunk beds. I liked WL and would stay there again. I'm thinking of staying there on my next solo trip if I can get a discount.

I don't like the dining plan so I'm not one to talk about that. It doesn't work for my family. We don't like TS everyday.

The transportation at WL was great. We rode the boat to MK and the buses every where else and had no problems.

I wouldn't rely on offsite hotel shuttles. They are iffy and often only pick up and drop off a few times a day. I wouldn't stay offsite unless I had a car. I do like the Holiday Inn Sunspree for an offsite hotel. It's not cheap though.

I've stayed at POR. I really liked it but they only have double beds which doesn't work for my family anymore.

I would keep your reservation at WL. And I would see if there was a better discount like a 40% off the room. If there is, you could do the numbers and see if it might be a better deal paying for your dining instead of getting it free. Then you would save money on the room itself.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[DISdreamin']

It depends on the room and the deal available, but I priced out the POR portion of our trip (five days with 8-day tix and free dining) versus the 40% off room rate plus same tix and dining plan, and for a woods view room it was only about $500 more than a POR preferred room. This was for 2 adults and 2 children so YMMV!

Good luck deciding, though. Personally, so far I've stuck with POR as we loved the boat to DTD and the carriage ride at the resort enough to forego WL. So far.

 

[soarinup]

The resort you have choaen at WDW is going to take your breath away, so yes, it will be worth it. If instead, you needed to save a smidge more money, then POR or other moderate would make you just as happy. All depends on your needs. If you need a place to sleep, not worried about the "ambiance" or perks, then a value is just great if you are used to that. My group likes vacation to feel like a luxury, I can't be uncomfortable anymore, I'm too old for camping!

 

[melodymaker]

Thanks so much to everyone who replied to my post! It' wonderful to get so much great advice!

After doing a little more investigating I found that getting 2 rooms at Pop Century with an adjoining door cost a lot less than staying at WL with a bunk bed room. I think having the extra bathroom and TV, as well as being able to close the door and still have the light on after the kids go to sleep will outweigh the luxury at WL (although Pop century looks pretty nice to me, not as posh, but still really cute).

My only concern now is that during the time we are there, there will be a national cheerleading competition. Being at a value resort, are we going to be over-run with screaming teenagers? Anyone else been at Pop during the January cheerleading convention? Please, Please, Please let me know because this could be a deal breaker for us, and may send us back to the deluxe resort.

Thanks so much to everyone for their help!

 

[SarahD]

I'm not sure where the cheerleaders stay - I think the Pop Warner groups stay at the All Star Resorts. Someone will know.
I will tell you that adjoining rooms is a request and is not guaranteed unless you have three or more kids (and couldn't all fit in one room, making two rooms a must). I don't think it's usually a problem - they're pretty good at accomodating requests, just wanted you to be aware so you're not thrown for a loop. If you've requested a king and two doubles and they tell you they don't have adjoining when you check in, ask if they have two doubles adjoining two doubles, because there are a lot more two doubles than one king rooms.

 

[dskib]

Be sure you ask for CONNECTING room and not adjoining. An adjoining room is a room next to, but not necessarily connecting to another room. I learned this when I called to book connecting rooms at POFQ.

Deb

 

[SarahD]

Be sure you ask for CONNECTING room and not adjoining. An adjoining room is a room next to, but not necessarily connecting to another room. I learned this when I called to book connecting rooms at POFQ.

Deb

She's right...I knew there was specific verbage and I thought it was adjoining - but it is connecting.

 

[Cin]

Whatever you do, stay ON Disney property. I've stayed offsite in Kissimmee, onsite at Port Orleans, and just returned from a week at All Star Music. I was as happy with my value room and budget trip for <$2000 as I was in my room at the moderate costing double. The moderate and deluxe resorts have fancier pools with slides and elaborate theming, but the value resort had really nice pools too with lush landscaping and of course Disney theme as well and attention to the smallest detail. And, because I did so well budgeting, we can go back and I am currently planning our next trip! Check special offers too as a room only discount may be a better value than a rack rate room with free dining. For me, I'm planning on a value resort again, maybe Pop Century this time. We loved ASMu though and I'd stay there again but POP looks like fun too and I adore Baloo the bear from Jungle Book and Lady and the Tramp. But yeah, stay on Disney property.

 

[Tiggerella]

I would just add that if this is your first time to WDW, you will likely spend most of your time at the parks and not as much at the resort and so not worth the extra cost for the deluxe, but definately worth the extra to stay at a resort on Disney property for the reasons already listed above.
This will be our third visit coming up and we anticipate enjoying the resort offerings more so investing in the extra cost for The Wilderness Lodge

 

[mrsz06]

I would stay on Disney Property hands down!!! Also since this is your first time at WDW I don't think you should spend all the extra money to stay at the WL. I think a vaule resort is your best bet! As far as the Cheerleaders, I am almost 90% sure they all stay at Allstar Sports. I stayed at POP 2 years ago and enjoyed it and loved loved loved the food court they had!

Like other people have mentioned I would look into the room discount since you are going in Jan you can take advantage of the room discounts that are being offered. I personally don't care for the Free Dining. It's not really much of saving for my hubby and I. To cut down on your food costs there bring non perishable food items. We always do this and it saves us tons. Also be sure to bring your own water if your family is water drinkers. I learned this the hard way.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I love POP. I also love POR. It is worth some extra $ to stay on property I think. However, if you are like us you will mostly be in the parks & big $ for lodging just isn't worth it to us.


POP is so cute, cheery & disney feeling & the bus system is awesome.
The reason we now choose POR is because there are 2 of us & we want a king room & love the boat to DTD from there.

I love to dream & drool about staying at the Poly or AK lodge but most likely never will...it is too expensive for us. However, our first 2 trips we stayed off property & I hope to never stay off property again. I love the transportation, the free dining, magic hours & all the perks of being at the disney resorts.