POR or WL? Please help

[sarha]

My 17 yo DD and I are going to WDW for a "girls only" trip and I'm having trouble deciding where to stay.
We haven't been to WDW in years, in fact POR was Dixie Landings the last time we stayed there.
So, WL is available for $340 and POR is $189. Not much else is available. Is WL worth almost $150/night more?
I want us to have a nice, relaxing time, spending some time lounging poolside and also having easy access to the parks.
I've read kind of mixed reviews of POR bus service and also of cleanliness in the rooms. When we stayed there about 10 years ago, we loved Dixie Landings but I guess the mixed reviews are scaring me.
Sorry about my kind of stream of conciousness post I guess my question is really, should I spend the extra money for WL since we will be spending time relaxing at our hotel or would we be equally happy and relaxed at POR.
Thanks for any help.

 

[baseballmom3]

I have not stayed at WL but just got back from POR. No problems with the buses at all. Did have to stand one time leaveing MK after the fireworks. But didn't bother me. We got on the first bus!

It was so realxing there at that Resort. You can stroll the grounds, rent the bikes, take a boat to Downtown Disney or to POFQ. You can even rent a boat. There are alot of quiet pools if you don't want to go to the main one.

We almost booked while there to go back just to enjoy the Resort and not go to any parks! But decided that we need to go to the West Coast first.

 

[heatherlynn444]

i woud do with WL. it is so beautiful! good pool area, and very close proximity to the MK. good luck!

 

[teacup317]

For a girls only time, I would choose POR. We simply love it there and if you request (not guaranteed that you'll get it) a room in Oak Manor you would be near one of the quiet pools, laundry and close to the front desk, Boatwrights and the lounge with Piano Bob. Definately POR!!!

 

[maryliz]

while I do like POR (but I like POFQ more - ), the busses there are often busier than some of the values that many complain about. If it's just the 2 of you, and since your DD is older, it probably won't bother you whatsoever if you have to wait for a few busses at the end of the day. Atmosphere is great ... it's still as beautiful as it used to be.

Having said that, I absolutely adore WL ... and if $$$ were never an issue for me, I'd rotate all of my stays between WL and Beach Club! The boat access to MK is so wonderful, atmosphere is awesome!

So if you don't care about the $$$, spend it and go to WL!

 

[sarha]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond.
I'm leaning toward POR because I'm feeling guilty about the extra money.
I'm glad to hear it's as beautiful as ever. I think we'll try and request Magnolia Bend and we'll just hope that reports of bad housekeepers have been exaggerated.

Does the boat still run to DTD?

 

[tejasranger]

We just got back Feb 2nd from POR. We loved POR. The boat ride to downtown was my favorite thing to do. It was so nice and relaxing. There are pictures of ducks and other resorts you can take on the way. The boatride takes about 10 minutes. We were in the alligator bayou section which is near the food court and the south depot bus stop.It is also near the old man river swimming hole. My husband enjoyed watching the ducks in the morning by the river. Boat wrights has a very good breakfast. You will not be dissapointed. It is beautiful. Our room was nice and clean.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

We have stayed at both and you will not go wrong with either one. They both are themed very well, great pools, nice rooms and the places to eat at both are very good. Have fun!