POFQ vs WL vs BC/YC

[Donald Duck888]

Ok here is my quandary. I currently have POFQ booked at rack rate for my daughter and myself in December (first Dec trip ever ).

Now I am thinking that if a room only discount comes out for our time period I may switch to either WL (never been there) or to BC/YC (stayed at YC once and loved being so close to EPCOT).

My top reason for wanting to switch is transportation related. BC/YC i know would be best for transport as its walking to EPCOT, boat DHS and only bus to AKL with bus or monorail from EPCOT to MK.

WL I have no idea on transport and I have read all kinds of opposing views. Some say long bus rides but I also think i read there is a boat to MK and Contemporary where you can get monorail to EPCOT?

I also have read that bus service from POFQ is best when it comes to busses and also I know about the boat to DTD.

So I am looking for input on if WL is worth the several hundred it will probably be to upgrade, or if i should go whole hog and go BC/YC or if POFQ will get me to parks as quick without lots of wasted time on transport.

Also curious on others thoughts on WL especially since I have never been there.

Thanks

 

[maryandtyson]

Hello:
I have stayed at POR twice; WL three times and BC twice. Here's the thing: people say all kinds of stuff about transportation and I've just never experienced some of the extremes you hear about. You are correct that at WL, there is a boat direct to MK and a boat to CR (sometimes stops at Fort Wilderness). We love the boats!! They are relaxing and a great way to get around. We often boat to MK and monorail to EPCOT. The busses have always been fine for us to/from WL. If I were going in December, I'd probably pick that resort because the Xmas decor is spectacular. I also love the warmth of that lobby!

BC/YC has a great location for, as you said, walking to EPCOT and DHS. I love the larger rooms for our family of 4 (with two bigger kids now). If you plan some late evenings at EPCOT, that would be nice.

I like POR, never stayed at POFQ, but if you can afford Deluxe, I'd do it! The resorts just have a feeling you can't get at a Mod. Just my 2 cents, but I'd go to WL in a heartbeat! You should check out the WL thread on this site for some beautiful pics of the lobby at Xmas time.

Warning: there may be some construction to the sides of WL starting in the Fall. I would NOT let that stop me. It should not impact the main WL building at all.

Good luck deciding!!!
Mary

 

[LisaCM614]

I voted for BC because the ability to walk to Epcot and DHS is the reason we love the Epcot area resorts. The BC does have beautiful Christmas decorations. I love being able to pop over to Epcot in the evening - it is a 5 minute walk to the International Gateway! Love that entrance and in the evening to have dinner or tour the countries all decorated for Christmas - just perfect.

You mentioned the monorail from Epcot to Magic Kingdom. Please note that you would need Epcot to be open, that you would need park hoppers and it is a mile walk or maybe even more to get all the way through Epcot to the monorail. Quite a hike! The bus service to the Magic Kingdom is fine.

If it is chilly SAB may be a tease for your daughter and you might want to stay at a resort where the pool is not so tempting!

 

[Donald Duck888]

I have another question about WL. Does the water transport to MK run all the way to park closing? Like say we stay for MVMCP will we be able to still get a boat back or will it have to be bus?

 

[mickeynut1]

Ok here is my quandary. I currently have POFQ booked at rack rate for my daughter and myself in December (first Dec trip ever ).

Now I am thinking that if a room only discount comes out for our time period I may switch to either WL (never been there) or to BC/YC (stayed at YC once and loved being so close to EPCOT).

My top reason for wanting to switch is transportation related. BC/YC i know would be best for transport as its walking to EPCOT, boat DHS and only bus to AKL with bus or monorail from EPCOT to MK.

WL I have no idea on transport and I have read all kinds of opposing views. Some say long bus rides but I also think i read there is a boat to MK and Contemporary where you can get monorail to EPCOT?

I also have read that bus service from POFQ is best when it comes to busses and also I know about the boat to DTD.

So I am looking for input on if WL is worth the several hundred it will probably be to upgrade, or if i should go whole hog and go BC/YC or if POFQ will get me to parks as quick without lots of wasted time on transport.

Also curious on others thoughts on WL especially since I have never been there.

Thanks

Out of your choices, we've stayed at WL and BC and my choice would be the WL. The BC is nice and we had a great stay, but we prefer the MK area and while all of the resorts are beautifully decorated, the WL is just amazing during the holidays. As far as transportation, we have always had a great experience at the WL. The boat to MK is a good alternative to the buses, but the bus that goes to the MK is direct with no stops. We've never had any trouble with long waits or crowded buses going to any of the other parks, water parks, or DTD. I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter which resort you choose, but I would go with the WL for a December trip. Good luck.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Just had another thought. If i do decide to change my reservation when deal rates come out do I lose my ADR's that i have made using my current reservation?

 

[Hi Pluto]

I'd say go for WL. You seem really interested in it, especially since you already experienced YC. And it does feel very Christmas-y. Plus, pp was right in that you probably won't be able to do the pool at BC since it could be cold, so you'd be missing out on that perk anyway. WL is also cheaper than BC. The boat ride is awesome to MK! Love it! So relaxing, like a ride in itself. The buses were blah, but I am not a fan of the buses anyway. If I can avoid them, I do. But even at BC you'll have buses for two parks.

Just imagine sitting in front of the giant fireplace with a cabin feel during christmas-time. Love!

~Cari~

 

[Hi Pluto]

Just had another thought. If i do decide to change my reservation when deal rates come out do I lose my ADR's that i have made using my current reservation?

I don't think ADRs are linked to the hotel itself. You can make them at 180 days without a resort stay, so you should be fine.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I did receive a pin a few weeks ago for RO discounts up through Dec. 23. Usually the public rates seem to follow suit so you might have a good chance of getting a discount.

~Cari~

 

[Donald Duck888]

Just imagine sitting in front of the giant fireplace with a cabin feel during christmas-time. Love!

~Cari~

That does sound nice now that you mention it. Being from New Hampshire one of the things that will feel so odd to me is Christmas stuff without it being cold and snowy (those just go together for me at least). So perhaps WL and its cabin feel will be just the ticket if I am missing the real snowy Christmas feel from home lol.

 

[Donald Duck888]

I did receive a pin a few weeks ago for RO discounts up through Dec. 23. Usually the public rates seem to follow suit so you might have a good chance of getting a discount.

~Cari~

I keep waiting to perhaps someday receive one of these elusive pins. Don't know what i need to do to get one sent my way. lol.

 

[kmorlock]

Pins - call Disney and see if anyone on your reservation has a PIN code. Sometimes we have had one and didn't know until we called. PINS for December have been circulating for awhile now.

Every resort has good and not so good. We stayed at BCV last year, WL year before. BC is currently being refurbished, BCV is to start any day now. Consider the pool, it's amazing but only if you get to use it. Weather in December can be iffy at best. Quick service at all Epcot resorts is very lacking. Hurricane Hanna's closes when the pool is not busy, Marketplace has awful cold sandwiches and nothing very good IMHO.

WL is amazing at Christmas but as mentioned, construction is rumored to start Sept 29, 2015. QS is really good here, pool is newly refub'd, transport is typically good, Table Service options are great and boat access to Contemporary opens access to lots of Monorail dining options too. Check the WL thread and check the 1st page post for a link to thread discussing extent of proposed construction. This will help you decide if it's too much construction for your liking.

If time is limited and budget is there, check for Contemporary Garden Wing Standard, as it prices out similarly to WL Woods View. My coworker loved POFQ due to compact, easy to navigate resort. The food courts have nice options and the grounds look lush and beautiful. I would not hesitate to stay here if going on a girls trip. I travel with all boys so, not appealing to them. POR Royal Rooms would be lovely too, just a bigger resort.

 

[patty57]

I voted BC. The DVC Cabin expansion will probably start in September, and finish sometime in 2017. I was at WL last December 1-7 and caught the end of the pool construction. I wouldn't want to be there again for more construction. Even though BC is having room refurbs...it's much less intrusive than the heavy equipment and noise of what's going to probably be taking place at WL.