POFQ or WL with kids

[Bettonskyblue]

hello- I am so sorry to ask this because I know people must ask about resorts all the time. I feel like I have researched this out the wazoo and he more I research the more conflicted I get.

We are going end of September. We have never stayed on site before and when we went previously it was a short unplanned trip. I had WL booked and then changed it to POFQ to save some money. I thought my daughter (4) and nine month old son would love the pool and splash pad.
We are staying onsitel for four nights and then off site for four nights. I almost have the bill paid off including the deluxe dining. I could still change back to WL for almost $600 more. I just keep thinking the boat to MK will be worth it with the two kids. I thought if my son has a meltdown we could easily come back to the resort and chill then go back. (But then again we are driving so technically we could drive to the parks would that be easier?) Plus getting to see the water parade. I do have some scheduled pool time the first four days too. I could come up with the $600 before the end of August but that is money we could put toward souviners or gas money (we are driving).
I feel like I change my mind every day...

**another reason is we are considering buying dvc this fall and would love to buy at WL so I thought it would be nice to see it

 

[MaggieBags]

I can't help you decide if it's worth $600 to you but staying on Bay Lake with small kids is a wonderful convenience. The boat ride is quick and a fun ride by itself. I'd say taking the boat would be easier than driving. You don't have to collapse your stroller, just roll it in and the boat drops you off at the entrance.

Good luck with your decision. You will have a great time no matter which you choose.

 

[Bettonskyblue]

I can't help you decide if it's worth $600 to you but staying on Bay Lake with small kids is a wonderful convenience. The boat ride is quick and a fun ride by itself. I'd say taking the boat would be easier than driving. You don't have to collapse your stroller, just roll it in and the boat drops you off at the entrance.

Good luck with your decision. You will have a great time no matter which you choose.

Thank you. I keep telling myself that we will have a wonderful time no matter what...but it’s so tempting to upgrade.

 

[Sue M]

Regarding boat to MK from WL, there are 2 types of boats, the small boat you will still need to collapse the stroller.
Both resorts are good choices. And easy to get to MK. Pofq is pretty centrally located. And has a boat to Disney Springs.
I wouldn’t drive to MK. It’s the least convenient park to drive to as you can’t park there. You drive to the parking lot at TTC, then take a parking lot tram to TTC where you’ll either board the monorail or boat to get to MK. Taking the resort transportation is the easiest going to MK.

 

[epcotobsessed]

I do think it's worth it for the boat ride alone, and then when your kids are a little older I think it's worth it because WL is such an awesome hotel with kids. Your 4yo will appreciate it and your 9mo will when you go back some day Have a great time!

 

[MaggieBags]

Regarding boat to MK from WL, there are 2 types of boats, the small boat you will still need to collapse the stroller.

You are right - I am thinking of the big boats. But as I recall that is the ones we most often used - at least from Fort Wilderness. It's been many years since we've stayed WL.

 

[Sue M]

You are right - I am thinking of the big boats. But as I recall that is the ones we most often used - at least from Fort Wilderness. It's been many years since we've stayed WL.

It’s been awhile since we’ve stayed too, but I think they alternate. Looking forward to returning in August.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Either or but if you are an "inside door" to your room kind of vacationer I'd pick WL. The pool is awesome at both.

 

[Bettonskyblue]

Thank you everyone I really appreciate the opinions. I am going to sleep on it. I think I will probably end up upgrading.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you everyone I really appreciate the opinions. I am going to sleep on it. I think I will probably end up upgrading.

I don't think you'd regret it. We've never stayed at POFQ, but we LOVE everything about the WL! But as others have said, you will have a great time no matter which resort you choose. Good luck!

 

[VillainFavs]

I've stayed at both and LOVED them! Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one! My suggestion? Cut your dining plan back to the regular dining instead of deluxe. Deluxe is going to be WAY TOO much food--unless you want to spend all your time in restaurants. Unless you plan on doing 3 sit down meals every day, it's just not worth it. Maybe you're planning on signature places? But with little ones, I'm guessing probably not.

So if you cut dining back to regular instead of deluxe, that will make up some of the difference and you'll feel better about switching to WL!

 

[Kae]

I agree with pp, go regular dining and WL. A balcony is nice with little ones a little place to go when they are sleeping.

 

[Babsy]

We have stayed at both and enjoyed our stays. I love POFQ. However, it would easily be worth the extra $600 to stay at WL for us. Also, with little ones I really prefer to stay at a MK resort for the convenience. The WL isn't on the monorail, but it is a nice boat ride away to the MK or the CR. I would upgrade to WL and agree with others to cancel deluxe and cut back to the regular dining plan. We find dining plan food to be too much even on the regular plan, but that's another story...

Enjoy your stay!!

 

[LindySpirit]

Totally agree with regular dining and Wilderness Lodge! You will literally spend five hours a day eating with the deluxe plan to make it worth it!

 

[MarBee]

WL and POFQ are two of my favorite resorts. I love them both! They both have a wonderfully relaxing feel to them.
If you plan on keeping the Deluxe Dining Plan, I’d stay at WL. POFQ has no sit down table service places (although the food court there is my favorite food court on property). Your dining credits would go to waste mostly at POFQ.
(Here’s a tip- you’ll prob have Dining Plan credits left over, spend them on your last day to buy snacks at the gift shop to take home as souvenirs.)

It’s hard no to overthink your trip- I do it every time. But you seriously cannot go wrong with either of these resorts! Have the best time!

 

[soccermom54]

I will throw in my 2 cents Both resorts are wonderful.....however, with the ages of your children, I would imagine you will spend a lot of time in the Magic Kingdom. The boat ride to MK is so pleasant, easy back to the resort and I always felt the boat ride was like an extra attraction. You will also have boat access to Fort Wilderness and to The Contemporary which will give you quick access, via the monorail, to the dining options and character meals along the loop. To me, the deluxe dining plan is a lot of food and a lot of time spent in restaurants that could be spent enjoying park attractions. When our children were young, we always stayed at a Magic Kingdom resort so it was easy to get back for an afternoon nap. This nap quickly became our best friend and made for happier and rested children ready to take on the magic in the evening. The end of September is still pretty warm and humid in Florida. On our summer trips, the entire family enjoyed the break, the AC, a shower, rest time and a change of clothes before heading out for the evening magic. Which ever resort you choose will be amazing because you are at Disney creating magical family memories. Have fun!

 

[Bettonskyblue]

I've stayed at both and LOVED them! Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one! My suggestion? Cut your dining plan back to the regular dining instead of deluxe. Deluxe is going to be WAY TOO much food--unless you want to spend all your time in restaurants. Unless you plan on doing 3 sit down meals every day, it's just not worth it. Maybe you're planning on signature places? But with little ones, I'm guessing probably not.

So if you cut dining back to regular instead of deluxe, that will make up some of the difference and you'll feel better about switching to WL!

I seriously considered that but we have BOG dinner and CRT booked so those two would take all of our credits by themselves I also have 1900 Park fair, non voyage and Hollywood and vine booked. We won’t have the dining plan the last four days so we don’t mind eating a lot the first four

 

[Bettonskyblue]

I will throw in my 2 cents Both resorts are wonderful.....however, with the ages of your children, I would imagine you will spend a lot of time in the Magic Kingdom. The boat ride to MK is so pleasant, easy back to the resort and I always felt the boat ride was like an extra attraction. You will also have boat access to Fort Wilderness and to The Contemporary which will give you quick access, via the monorail, to the dining options and character meals along the loop. To me, the deluxe dining plan is a lot of food and a lot of time spent in restaurants that could be spent enjoying park attractions. When our children were young, we always stayed at a Magic Kingdom resort so it was easy to get back for an afternoon nap. This nap quickly became our best friend and made for happier and rested children ready to take on the magic in the evening. The end of September is still pretty warm and humid in Florida. On our summer trips, the entire family enjoyed the break, the AC, a shower, rest time and a change of clothes before heading out for the evening magic. Which ever resort you choose will be amazing because you are at Disney creating magical family memories. Have fun!

Thank you - my hope is that we will be able to quickly go back to rest mid day should we need to. We have two 2 credit meals booked so most days we only have two reservations. I have
- arrival - bog dinner (2)
- second day - Kona Cafe breakfast(1), Epcot snack lunch,possible hotel break 1900 PF dinner (1)
- third day - bog breakfast(1), QS lunch(1), CRT (2)dinner then back to hotel
- fourth day- morning off - late lunch at H&V(1) - mamma Melrose dinner (1)and then fantasmic
- fifth day- checkout - bon voyage (1)- check into off site hotel- Lunch at Tusker (1) house and Snack dinner

 

[Bettonskyblue]

Now I am second guessing the dining plan...I’m really looking forward to some of the stuff I have booked so I’m not sure what I would cut out

 

[MarBee]

Now I am second guessing the dining plan...I’m really looking forward to some of the stuff I have booked so I’m not sure what I would cut out

The first time we went with our kids, we totally overdid it on the dining plan. Though I realize now how much I could have saved money wise, all of our interactions at the character meals we had were priceless. Try not to overthink it- you’re going to have a blast!