POR or WL

[ranokid]

Not that I will going anytime soon (maybe 2006) but I'm leaning to WL while DW prefers POR. wich one will we like more? our boys are 11 and 9. We prefer food courts to sit downs. The difference in price is that much? what I see in picture looks like the POR pool is more fun, Is that right?

 

[sjw4870]

I definitely prefer WL to POR (I've stayed at both). There will be a fairly significant rate difference in prices as WL is a deluxe and POR is a moderate.

Location:

WL is more compact; less of a walk to pools, restaurants, bus stop. Has a direct boat to MK.


Pools:

WL has a nice pool, big with a small slide. I don't remember what the main POR pool looked like as I only went to the small pool near my room.

Food:

You mentioned preferring food courts to sit down - POR has a food court, WL does not. WL has a fast food restaurant, but it has less options than you'd find at POR's food court.

 

[asaj]

I was torn between CSR and WL, and finally decided on WL. Just seems like the location, ambiance, etc, is better at WL. Also, you will have larger beds (queens vs doubles). WL is actually the cheapest of the deluxes, I believe. It is almost priced between a moderate and a deluxe. For our 7 night stay in Oct, I found it to be just about $600 more total, where as other deluxes (BC) were $1400 more. So for us, it was worth the extra money.

 

[nkkilala]

I have also stayed at both WL and POR.
It is a tough decision.
Going on the food court topic WL always seems packed and with food I don't like (picky eater). POR has a food court I love!! There is always something great to choose from at every meal.

WL is more compact but I also find it busier. I like POR for its more relaxed atmosphere. It is a great place to calm down at after a buys day at the park. WL does offer the rocking chairs in various places but the best ones by the fire place are so close to Whispering canyon it can get loud.

Wl pool is neat becase the water comes from a waterfall/river. It is fun to try to swim up against it. POR pool has a neat slide and what I think is a bigger pool in general.

The choice is hard but for the money, and my college budget, I would choose POR. It is more sprawled out but I like that. (go for Alligator loges 14 or 16 I think are the closest).

Happy choosing. Let me know if you have any more questions about these resorts

 

[TXARISTOCAT]

We've stayed at both several times & our budget usually determines which one we choose. WL is lovely, especially during the holidays & if you plan to spend lots of time @ MK, or lounging @ the resort, going over to FW, renting water mice, etc... POR has a great food court, & is ideal if you want to spend time @ DD, DQ, or you want to save $ on your room. The AB section is rustic in theme, so we find it to be as similar to WL as we can get for much less money. It all depends on how much time you'll spend at the resort & what type of food & transportation options you prefer. We've never been disappointed at either, & my DD (now 13) has always loved the pools at both. We just split a stay between the 2 in Dec., if I can answer any specific questions.

 

[Keara'sMom]

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. We just got back from WL and loved it, but it doesn't have a food court, so if that's your preference, you're probably better off with POR. The WL does have a snack bar (salads, grilled stuff, etc...), if that works for you. Have a fun trip!

 

[Buzz's_girl]

I too have staed at both POR and WL. I guess you would have to decide what factor is the most important to you. We found POR to be very spread out. Our buidling AB 14(i think) was fairly close to the food court, but was kind of a hike to the big pool (w/ the water slide) We were closer to a smaller pool with no slide, but the kids didn't want to go to the small pool.
Also, depending on the time of year you go, the pool might not make a difference...we were there i AUG. and the pool was closed due to lightning every night (for a few hours). The food at the food court at POR was okay, but offered more choices than the Roaring forks at WL. (if you dont want a sit down meal).

We loved the boat ride from WL to MK (we have three kids who loved MK). WE also found the bus rides to be around the same from both resorts.

ONe last point. Dh especially like WL since it had elevators. He was always irritated at the end of the day when we had to walk from the bus stop to our building and then hike the strollers up the stairs to our room. (No elevators at POR unless in a wheelchair...I think?) He loved it when we got to WL and didn't have to lug the strollers up the stairs!

Either way, I think you'll love it!

GOod luck!

 

[ranokid]

Than you all very useful as always

 

[PratersloveDW]

It is a tough choice. I, like some of the other posters, have stayed at both. Each has it's own unique qualities that make it wonderful. If you are looking for a really nice place to stay but money is a factor, than I would say POR. It is a good bit cheaper and still very beautiful. However, if money is no matter, than I would way out each.
At POR, you will have more walking to do. Depending on which building you end up in, you may either have a hike to the food court or the large pool - this is the one with a slide that kids love. You could even end up with a bit of a walk to the buses. The good thing...they keep the grounds very well kept up and the walk is always beautiful. A huge plus with staying at POR is that the kids can even go play at the large POFQ pool. Also, the food court is very nice with a sit down restaurant as well. The rooms are very pretty with plenty of space for a family of four. Lots of activities to do here!
At WL, there is no food court but plenty of places to sit and eat or even grab something and go - we love to take stuff out by the pool. The pool is very picturesque and has a very nice slide for the kids (and adults)! Getting around WL is a little easier since things are all contained more in one place. The rooms are very gorgeous and quite large. To give yourself a little more space, you can even ask for a bunk bed, plus, the kids usually love this! We always enjoyed getting a bike and riding over to Fort Wilderness and the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom is wonderful.
I really couldn't help you on which resort to choose. Each have their own special qualities that make them magical. You just have to write out the pros and cons to each as far as how they fit your families needs and decide from there. Either one you choose, you can't go wrong with! They both help make you time at Disney very magical!