por after having stayed at wl

[dreaming]

ok guys I'm counting on you to make me smile! After an amazing trip to the wl last November we are all hooked on Disney. The lodge is incredible, especially with the Christmas decorations. I watched the special the other night and now we are all homesick for it all over again - if I win the powerball I swear I'm moving right in.
So, that said, we are extremely fortunate to be able to go back again this Christmas and are staying at POR. I have been reading very good things about this resort and am hoping despertely that it will be warm enough for my dd to swim.
Trouble is - I'm a little scared of going to Disney and not being able to wake up in the morning and go out my door and look at that amazing lobby and Christmas tree. In fact, I'm not sure we will even go there this trip to view it because I'm afraid we may chain ourselves to it and refuse to leave!
So - for all of you who have stayed at wl and then por on a later trip please tell me how much I am going to love por and not miss wl. I am excited to try a new resort, but just scared because the wl was the most amazing place we have ever seen or stayed(ok - well, we did visit the Biltmore estate and that might beat it but only slightly and you can't stay there so it doesn't count )
Come on POR fans show me your spirit!

 

[dwddad]

We have stayed off-site, CBR (3 visits), POFQ, and WL. We like to visit all of the other resorts as a part of our trips, frequently spending some time at the pools of the other resorts, or trying some of the eateries.

My favorite resort thus far is POFQ. I understand your feeling for WL, but each resort has its own distinctive feeling. In researching which resort to stay at each trip, I have found that everyone thinks the best resort ever is the one they just stayed at.

I loved the WL. But at POFQ, and POR, you have the feeling of stepping right outside your room and being in wonderful gardens. The WL has a wonderful hustle and bustle in the lobby. We loved using the nooks to play board games and such. At POFQ, it seemed as if we had a secluded quiet spot to relax in a garden at every corner.

POFQ pool is heated, so swimming shouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure about POR pool being heated.

Take heart. I expect that you will return believing that POR is the best resort. When you stay somewhere else, you'll probably think that is the best resort.

 

[dreaming]

dwddad - thanks!

 

[cinder1]

I am having a similar problem. We stayed at the Poly last fall and we are booked at the POR next March. I am so afraid we will be disappointed after staying at the Poly. What do you think about exterior entrances? We love the interior entrances at the deluxes, but since March is peak season, the deluxes are out of the question. By the way, I was told by a CM that all resort pools are heated.

 

[Martin S]

We've done this although stayed at WL followed by POFQ the next year. We didnt find it to be a let down at all, just different.

We got a river view room on the top floor of building 1 which was great, lovely veiws of the river and golf course opposite, not too much passing traffic as it was the furthest building plus the top floor. It was nice being in a more spread out resort make a change from the relatively small WL.

 

[LindaR]

You won't be disappointed at all!

We have done the opposite as you. We stayed at POR in early Dec 99 and visited (ate dinner at) WL.

ALL the resorts are different from each other and you just have to enjoy the special theming without comparing them against each other.

We have always stayed at either POR or POFQ. We had an opportunity to upgrade (friend who is CM) and stay at a deluxe, but my daughter refused. The other resorts are fine to tour and eat at, but she only wants to stay at PO.

Go with an open mind! I'm not saying that you will love it more than WL, (after all, we won't stay anywhere else but PO) but you will find many many special things.

 

[AspiringCindy]

I have stayed at WL then POR 10 months later. I have found the POR to be very disappointing and would choose to not go back again. Since then, we have returned to WL and other resorts. I found the rooms to be small with only full size beds rather than queen beds. I also don't like the idea of walking outside your door into the great outdoors. It reminds me of a motor lodge.

 

[dreaming]

cinder1 - i loved the interior entrances also - not so much because of weather etc. but because i think they really add to a resort vs a hotel feeling. i used to love walking into the lobby area with all the hustle and bustle of holiday activity - it made me almost want to leave my door open! But I look at it this way - there will still be alot of activity it will just all be outside - and Florida is all about being able to go outside in winter for us northerners', right! Wouldn't it be great if the wl made rooms with balconies over the lobby so you could sit on your balcony and people watch!

Martin S - glad to hear you had a positive experience! I'm sure I will too, I think I just need to stop reading all the posts about how great wl is at Christmas and stop thinking about that darn Christmas tree that was so incredible!

LindaR - that's cute about your daughter. Since we have gotten back my dd feels same way about wl. When we watched the special she said Mommy if we go back to Mickey's we will stay there right? I said we'd see but wouldn't it be nice to try another of Mickey's great resorts ( the trip is a suprise!), she said well, we'll talk about it right? (This is her way of telling me I'm nuts to consider it since I always tell her we'll talk about it when she wants something I have no intention of letting her have ) Of course you have to understand change is something she detests -she even hoards old boxes under her bed from presents she opened so I won't through them away!

In summary, I fully expect that come January I will be posting a trip report saying how great POR was!

 

[MinnieGi]

I think you will like POR also! It's still very themed and beautiful. We stayed at POR and then WL and actually preferred the decor of our mansion room at POR!! It was so pretty! And the lush gardens that we looked out on at POR were gorgeous! Now we also loved the lobby of WL and had an awesome courtyard view of the lake and geyser pool. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that different aspects of each resort may be appealing to you and still offer you an enjoyable stay at both places.

Enjoy!

 

[hallie]

I've stayed on all the levels of resorts and enjoyed myself everytime. For example we've stayed in recent years at the POFQ, ASSp, Poly, ASMu, Beach club, Sports again, WL and most recently the AKL. Next where staying at the PORiverside.

I've loved each and every resort I've stayed at. They're all just different and special in their own ways. Try not to worry and enjoy the POR for what it is, I'm sure you'll have a great trip!

 

[daannzzz]

When I took my parents we spent 4 nights at the WL in a Jr suite and then moved to POR for two nights in two rooms and we liked it just as much. The next year I spent 3 nights at GF fisrst then moved to WL for 3 nights and ended at CSR for 3 nights and we were just as excited arrving at the new resort as our first day iat WDW. It all depends on your attitude. Look at each new resort as an adventure to explore. They are all fun for different reasons. I enjoyed the All Star music as much as my stay at the Grand Floridian.