POR vs WL

[HoustonMM]

Is it worth the extra money(about $100 total) to upgrade from POR to WL regular room? We have 2 kids (4 and 11) and are not into sit down restaurants, but love the idea of staying at a deluxe resort.
So, all of you Disnet pros, do you think this is worth the upgrade?
Also, how long is the wait for the boat to MK?

 

[josierac]

I say it's definitely worth it. My kids loved the WL when we stayed there. I like the fact that everything is in one building and the interior corridors vs the exterior walkways.

There are elevators, there is a counter service area if you don't want a sit down restaurant.

The boat runs every 20 minutes and takes about 5 minutes to get across the lagoon.

Here are some pictures to help you along WL pictures

 

[Eeyore1954]

I would spring for the extra if I had the money to spend. WL is wonderful and the resort has lots of activities, like the Hidden Mickey Hunt. The pool is great and I think the kids would love Whispering Canyon Cafe.

 

[jwfla422]

For $100 total-ABSOLUTELY!!

WL is a beautiful resort! And, deluxe for sure. It has Roaring Forks which is a large snack bar/food court type restaurant with various selections if you're not into sit down restaurants although WL's sit downs are good (WCC is a lot of fun, your non-sitting 4 & 11 yr olds may really enjoy it & they even get the opportunity to run around, AP is just plain excellent but $$$ & a little more adult oriented).

I've stayed at POR, as far as moderates are concerned it's nice, but IMHO I don't think it compares to any of the deluxes. I took my 4 yr old dd myself back in August and we stayed at WL and she loved it!

WL has so much to offer the kids too! Kids activities, FW (they have a great buffet that's VERY REASONABLE at Trail's End Buffeteria) which is just a boat ride away, a petting farm, bike rentals, water mice.... MK is also a boat ride away as josierac said. Check out the pictures!

You can even request bunk beds for the kids. The rooms are a bit smaller than POR but they have closets and balconies. I highly recommend it.

 

[mcm]

The WL is awesome when decorated for Christmas. (I don't know when you are going) And you can't beat MK being a boat ride away. If I could afford it and this was going to be your only trip for a long while, I would most def give it a try.
If you were staying at the POR bayou you'd be loosing the trundle bed. (don't know if that matters or not)

 

[dreaming]

we stayed at the wl last november and loved it! my dd - 6 couldn't get enough of the pool. we are staying at por this Christmas and I'm sure it will be great - but I can tell you after staying at the wl if we could do it for a $100 more I would be changing my ressies!!!

 

[Lou-Ann]

This is a question I have asked myself for a couple of years now. The rooms are the same size. We have not stayed at POR and it intrigues me to do so. Each time I go to book however I find a difference of approx. $40. Each time the beauty of the Lodge has drawn me back to it. Each time we have had terrible rain storms and i have been ever so glad to have the indoor coridors and restaurants we could get to in a lightning storm........ We also love going by boat to Fort Wilderness for their wonderful breakfast. It depends how often you get there. $100. over the course of the year is nothing. This year, we split our stay between WL and Courtyard by Marriott at DTD. The $$$ we saved at Courtyard paid for the time at WL. I was a happy camper. Do let us know what you did. Have awonderful trip.

 

[tnkrbell]

I just got back from POR after staying my last 4 visits at both WL and Yacht and I would say definetly go for WL!!! Its so nice and small!! the only think I like better at POR is the food court!!

 

[HoustonMM]

Thanks for all your help. I did change my reservation to WL. I was concerned about the food court at WL, compared to POR. But, overall, since we would be able to afford to go back for a couple of years, I made the switch. We are going at Thanksgiving, so I will give you an update.
Does anybody know if we can preregister to be a flag family???

 

[Lou-Ann]

I do not think this is a possibility. One way to save on food and have wonderful meals is to take the boat to the Fort Wilderness restaurant. Same chefs as cook for the Hooptee Do Review and very reasonable. Great atmosphere, good selection and very friendly staff. We wish we had eaten more meals there as it is so much better than many Disney restaurants today. We ate at Brown Derby for $75. for 4 for lunch and it was horrible.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Now that you have definitely chosen wisely, you may want to request bunkbeds. I have stayed at WL numerous times,but the last time we requested bunks. Not only were they a hit with the kids, but you will also have more space in the room. Also, during check-in ask to be a flag family. If it is available, you will be put on the list. In case your wondering what that is, every day a family is chosen to be the flag family and has the honor of raising the flags rooftop. You will never have a better view of the entire WDW prroperties!