POFQ or WL???

[mcever4]

I am booked for 8 nights next May at POFQ without a DP. I picked this resort because of the size, queen beds, and the boat to DTD. I really wanted to stay at a monorail resort, but can't justify the difference in price! I was looking at WL and priced it out. The price is about $1200 more than POFQ, which is about the amount I have budgeted for food. If I were to get lucky and get a FREE DINING offer, I may consider switching to WL since it really wouldn't cost me any more than POFQ including my budget for food. I like the bunk beds at WL, if I could get a room with them. DD would LOVE that! Also the boat to MK would be nice. So a couple of questions:

1. How long is the boat trip to MK from WL?

2. Is the pool slide as good or better than POFQ?

3. Is the bus transportation good?

4. Would you switch from POFQ to WL if you could swing it and WHY?

Thanks for any input!

Robin

 

[Rychelle924]

I personally LOVE WL and would switch in a heart beat if it worked out even or even close. POFQ is really nice too though so if you can't I wouldn't be too disappointed but I just love WL so much

 

[sorahl1]

ok.
1) ride to MK from WL is 10 minutes max, once the boat arrives at WL.
it's for me my favourite part. I love that ride

2) I haven't done the slide at FQ but have at RS. It's a decent slide, the pool is great tho. Not huge, but has this great stream running in to the pool. I love that. If you go swimming in the morning the ducks often go swimming with you.
here is a link to my album with pool pictures (sorry there are a lot of the ducks )
https://plus.google.com/photos/108056779228983186858/albums/5514015718823164193?authkey=CL2Y9sHh66nHpQE

3) bus transpo is better at WL than any other place ive stayed at (all stars, PORS). the bus to MK is 5 minutes. Rarely waited more than 10 min for a bus.
keep this in mind too. Leaving Epcot after Illuminations can be problematic We took the monorail to MK, then the boat to WL, we were in our room 35 minutes after we started moving from watching the fireworks.

4) we love WL. the price point is great. we have gotten upgraded to bunk beds which the boys love. we love the balcony to eat breakfast on. Trails End is ..ok..

We are not staying at WL this time, wanted a change (and part of me is hoping that folks will miss the WL as much as I 'm going to and will insist we stay there next time..

Hope this helps..

John

 

[ols386]

I wouldn't switch from POFQ because I wasn't that impressed with WL, and I love POFQ. Just a personal opinion.

Didn't care for the counter food service. Didn't care for the darkness of it. Just a couple of things.

We didn't take the boat to MK, so have no idea how long that takes.

Where ever you decide to stay though, I'm sure you'll have a fun trip!!

 

[Karabee]

For that much more money I would not switch. I wasn't impressed enough with WL to pay that much more for it. If I could move to the Boardwalk for that much more, or a resort on the monorail line, I would, but not WL. WL felt great on the outside, not so great on the inside. I had horrible service and a number of other things I didn't care for. Even the pool area seemed small and cramped (slide wasn't that great).
The boat over to MK is nice, but so is the boat from POFQ to DTD.
Keep in mind that even with Free Dining you will still be paying OOP for a meal a day or other additions, so you cant forget about your food money completely.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I sometimes feel like a spokesperson for POFQ as I'm always commenting on it so much, but we just LOVED it.

The pool was FABULOUS...the dragon slide was a big hit with DD.

Bus service, I would say we never waited more than 15 minutes for one...if even that long.

The food was really good. The rooms were close the front desk/bus stop/food court so not alot of walking -- which is a bonus when tired after a long day of running through the parks.

You can take the boat to POR if you want for dinner there as well -- although I wasn't a big fan of their restaurant and also to DTD.

I usuallly have trouble sleeping in hotel beds, but they were VERY comfortable.

And the staff there, went over and above the call of duty with park tips and answering my 1,000+ questions.

 

[RachelCheyenne]

My family and I have stayed at the WL three times now. Two were the hotel side, one was a villa. Honestly, I like the rustic yet comfortable atmosphere it provides. It's been awhile since I've stayed at POFQ, but seeing as others have given you those benefits I'll weigh in on WL.

1. How long is the boat trip to MK from WL?
The boat trip, I would say is around 10 minutes. However, you will have to factor in the waiting for the boat. That could be a decent 10 minute wait too.

2. Is the pool slide as good or better than POFQ?
I would say it's about equal in my opinion.

3. Is the bus transportation good?
Bus transportation is great. Better than other resorts I've stayed at. Never have had a problem with it.

4. Would you switch from POFQ to WL if you could swing it and WHY?
If it were a great deal, I would swing it. I love the atmosphere, the trails, geyser, and the mini-beach option it provides. The boat is a great addition as well. However, if there's too great of a price difference, I would suggest staying.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Stayed at em both, love them both. I don't think there is anywhere's close to a $1200 difference though. If I had a trip planned like you and the difference was less than $500, I would move up to WL. If more than $500 than stay at POFQ. Free dining would also be a decision maker. As these two properties are my most favorite, I can tell you a few things.

1. These two are the quietest properties we have encountered. All the other mods and AK just seem louder to us and the values are always blaring.
2. The boat rides that both these properties have are another quiet, leisurely way to commute. Love the availability to boat to Portabello or Raglan Road from the FQ. Also love taking boat from WL to MK and then monorail to epcot and friendship boat from there to DHS.
3. Pool is definitely better at WL but I enjoy both Mardi Grogs and Trout pass with equal abandon
4. One very unique and romantic thing that WL has over FQ is the water pageant. At the back of the Lobby, there is a porch on like the second floor where there is a bench ....and.....speakers. As the pageant goes by, the piped in sound is great. My wife and I were all alone there one late november evening. It was a suggestion from the bartender at Territorial Lounge. We took our drinks up there and had a great time. Wonderful way to cap off a great Disney day.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I haven't stayed at Wilderness Lodge, but we did do a little resort hopping in September and payed it a quick visit. There is a boat that runs from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness to The Contemporary. That gives you easy access to any of the restaruants there. You can also catch the monorail at the Contemporary to get to the TTC, the Polynesian, or Grand Floridian. We really enjoyed the boat ride across Bay Lake. The cast members we encountered inside Wilderness Lodge were super nice, but this is hit or miss at any resort. I think that Wilderness Lodge has a really cozy feel that would be wonderful during the winter, but I don't think it would be my pick for a spring or summer trip. I haven't been to Port Orleans, but my in-laws stayed at POR a couple of years ago and liked it. They did have to wait a long time for buses, but they were there during Christmas and it was very crowded. They loved the boat to DTD.