Port Orleans French Quarter or Wilderness Lodge

[Terk-1]

Am planning a solo birthday trip to WDW for next year and can't decide which resort to stay at. Have stayed at both and loved them. I love the fact that they are both small and compact. I have felt very safe staying at both of these resorts solo. I have also starting looking at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Never stayed there before and it's along the same lines, price wise, to the Wilderness Lodge.

Have stayed at POR & CBR and did not care for either of those. Way too spread out for me. Thought about trying CS, but after looking at the photos are this resort, it looks as if it is also pretty spread out.

Just trying to decide if staying at the Wilderness Lodge is worth the extra $1,000 compared to staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. The trip would be for 10 days (maybe 12). Would like to stay within a reasonable budget. Am hoping for free dining, but know that it's not guaranteed. Plan on attending MNSSHP at least once during the trip (never been before), as well as the Food & Wine festival at EPCOT.

Which resort would you stay at solo and why? What about splitting time between the 2 resorts? What about AKL?

 

[KnJ]

I love AKL, a savannah view is wonderful. There is nothing better than getting up in the morning and sitting on the balcony with a cup of coffee watching the animals. It is definately worth the extra money to stay at AKL.

 

[carrie1626]

I voted for the split stay WL and POFQ since you're going for at least 10 days

 

[ScrappinGran]

I can't help you with the solo part,but had to put my vote in for French Quarter.I have stayed at WL also. While WL has the grandeur, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there, I love the the grounds at FQ, the pool is just right (not a behemoth!) I love the intimacy that this resort offers. The boat ride to DTD is lovely, and not too long...and no matter what building you are in...its only 5 minutes (max) from anything~the pool, bus, food court, etc.
I did not get a chance to walk over to POR, but want to next Sept. when we go ,as I want to have breakfast at Boatwrights. I think the $$$ you save can buy a lot of other things, like a signature dining experience, souvies, Wishes from a boat, etc. Good luck in your decision.

 

[fla4fun]

I would probably go for WL, based on the fact that you are traveling during hurricane season (based on the Food & Wine and MNSSHP references). At WL, you are not as confined if a storm happens to come through. At any of the mods, you would be confined to your room for the duration of the storm, because of the exterior corridors. I've done solo trips to both, and I prefer POFQ trips in the spring when it's warm, but not hot and humid, and there's little risk of severe weather. AKL would be comparable to WL, so it would also be a good choice for that time of year. Keep in mind that WL does share some buses, as does POFQ, but AKL has their own buses. Sometimes that makes a difference.

 

[rcraw45425]

WL all the way. We absolutely hated FQ, found it dirty, disliked the outside corridors and lack of onsite dining.

 

[honeybee30]

If I could afford it, I'd stay at a Deluxe on the monorail. I've always wanted to stay at GF in particular.

Between POFQ & WL, I'd stay at WL. I've stayed at POFQ several times, and although I like that resort, I'm always so impressed with the beauty and ambience of WL whenever we visit there for dinner.

We've chosen AKL (savannah view) for our October trip for the same reasons we were impressed with WL - the overall attractiveness and ambience. I also love the restaurants there and am very excited to see Giraffes from my balcony!!!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I voted for WL. We stayed there once and fell in love with it. I am not a fan of split stays, but with 10-12 days and no little kids to tow, I might consider that.

To me, a lot depends on where you would like to spend most of your time. If you are going to give yourself time to relax and enjoy the resort, I say WL all the way. I hesitate to recommend POFQ simply because I have stayed at POR, and while POR is beautiful, the bus service was the pits (long waits, standing always on the way back from MK and this was during value time.. Nov/Dec). POFQ sometimes shares buses with POR. Ten/twelve days of buses might be a bit much.

I can see how you would be interested in staying at AKL also, so if you were going to split a stay, I would go with WL/AKL... using your time at WL to hang out at MK and your AKL stay to hang out and the nearby attractions. I realize the architecture is similar at those resorts, but if you like the way it looks, and it does look cool, you should really enjoy that.

If you can swing the price and would like to hang out at your resort, I'd go with WL. Not sure what effects the construction is having on AKL. If money really is a huge consideration and you spend most of your time at the parks, I would reluctantly go with POFQ. We recently stayed at CSR. It is spread out, but it is beautiful and for the money and the terrific bus service, I would stay there again. Have fun!

 

[simonkodousek]

We really liked the Wilderness Lodge. The theme is excellent, service was great, and overall we had a great stay. I personally don't think the rooms are large enough, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Elmo888]

I voted for a split stay at POFQ and AKL.

Since you are traveling solo and staying for 10-12 days, moving shouldn't be a big hassle. Since you are looking to save a little money, a split stay would help and you can still stay in a deluxe for part of the time. To save more money, you could split it unevenly, such as 6 nights POFQ and 4 AKL or 8 POFQ and 6 AKL. Just do the deluxe last!

Although I love WL, I voted AKL since you hadn't tried it before. I would love to try it (living vicariously through others!). Unless you spend most of your time at MK, why not try it?

So, you would have one known factor (POFQ) and one unknown (AKL) just to mix things up. I'm not a fan of POFQ, but since you said that you have stayed there before and liked it, why not stay there again and save a little $?

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Terk-1]

Thank you to all that have voted & commented. This is a tough decision and I appreciate your comments.

Anyone else?

 

[snowman]

We just got back from a fun week at WL. We have stayed at both POR (back when it was Dixie Landings) and PO-FQ. And honestly? Our next trip (tentatively planned for Dec, 2009) will see us returning to PO-FQ.

There was nothing wrong with Wilderness Lodge. It was very nice. We had a lovely room. The castmembers were very pleasant. But, for us, it wasn't worth the extra cost. I guess I expected more....well, just more. I would definately go to WL to dine at Whispering Canyon or Artist Point. I just wouldn't choose to stay there again.

I'm sure you will enjoy which ever resort you do finally choose. Disney has so many great ones, there is one for every taste.

 

[Terk-1]

I love both the Wilderness Lodge & Port Orleans French Quarter. Have never stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge before. Kinda like the idea of a split stay between POFQ and either the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge, but can't decide as to which one. But I also like the idea of checking in to one resort and not having to repack until my vacation is done.

 

[kimberh]

I voted for a split stay for WL and AKL. These are my two favorite resorts. Why not look for a discount code or a Annual pass discount. If you are staying 10 days, it will may be worth getting a AP, then hopefully a AP discount will come out. There is AAA too. You may know this, I never pay full price for anything. The beds are larger and just feel more comfortable to me, than the value and Mods. I have tried all three classes, just my opinion. We did a Mod last year for free dining, the bed was the pits. I like indoor corridors, you get this with WL and AKL. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Terk-1]

Thanks everyone for your votes & input. As this is a "birthday" gift to myself, have decided on staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I just love everything about this resort. The warm, welcoming feeling of the lobby, the Electrical Water Parade, the fireworks over the trees, the alternate boat ride instead of buses, etc. I will definitely book through AAA for their discount, then cross my fingers for either a lower discount through a code or the free dining offer. I'm guessing it will probably be offered next year if it is already being offered as part of the bounceback plan. Need to make sure to request room 5032 again for the view (see below). To wake up every morning and go to sleep every night with that view, made that vacation very memorable!!



I'm thinking of waiting to go to the AKL with my nephews, since they love animals.

Thanks again!!