Port Orleans or Wilderness Lodge

[danceintherain]

I'm hoping to be able to book a January trip in the next few weeks, but I'm having the hardest time deciding between these two, so I thought I'd toss it out to the DISboards and see what y'all have to say.

For a little background, this trip will be for our 4th anniversary a few months after we get back from spending almost 2 years in South Korea (I tried my hardest to make it to Tokyo Disney while we were here, but it didn't work out). It will be 2 adults, a 2 1/2 year old little boy, and possibly a baby on the way. We want to get a trip in before our second baby arrives, because DS will be 3 in July, and while I'm not completely opposed to taking newborn babies to Disney (DS first trip was at 3 months) I like to avoid the summer months as much as possible. I'm not thrilled about going pregnant, but it doesn't make me not want to go at all, especially since the attractions I shouldn't go on will be the same as the ones DS can't go on.

We will likely be taking advantage of the Armed Forces Salute tickets, which means only 4 days in the main parks. I'm looking forward to experiencing some of things that Disney has available during our other days, and possible other parts of Orlando. Right now, I'm hoping for a 10 night trip, but that may get pared down. My tentative dates are Jan 2 (our anniversary) - Jan 12. I've considered a split stay, but I don't think DH would agree to it as he insists on a napping break EVERY day at Disney.

We'll likely have to rent a car for at least a portion of the time, since it doesn't make much sense for us to use parks as transfer points when we're not actually going to the parks, and we may be venturing off. Regardless, bus transportation doesn't bother me. Our strollers are both public transit friendly (Baby Jogger City Mini & Uppababy G-Luxe).

Anyways, for our honeymoon we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and for our only other on property trip we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We enjoyed both trips immensely, so we're not locked into Deluxe or Moderate. I want to try most of the resorts at some point; the Wilderness Lodge and Port Orleans are next on my list. I'm leaning more towards French Quarter over Riverside for the small size of the resort, and I'm not sure what view we'd book at the Wilderness Lodge. We had a Pool View at AKL and were perfectly satisfied, so we're not picky. We were in Barbados at CBR, and I enjoyed being away from the hustle and bustle of the main building.

With the Armed Forces Salute discount, there's around an $800 difference between a Standard View at the Wilderness Lodge and a Garden View at POFQ. I'm not quite sure of our budget yet, but both would likely be manageable.

I'm just not sure what I want to do. I think DH is set on the Wilderness Lodge, but I think we could be perfectly happy at Port Orleans, and it might be better to save a little bit of money on this trip. I like Port Orlean's proximity to Downtown Disney (for activity and dining options) and the Wilderness Lodge's proximity to Fort Wilderness and all the monorail resorts (again for activity and dining options)

Thoughts?

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at POR, but we LOVE the WL . We love that everything is under one roof, the boat to MK is convenient and the ride relaxing, it's convenient to boat over to the CR for shopping and dining as well as to hop on the monorail to visit the Poly and GF, and the grounds and lobby are gorgeous. If the extra cost is doable, I would definitely go with the WL. We've also stayed at CBR and loved it (and we were also in Barbados) and while we wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, the WL is one of our favorite resorts and is always in the running when we are planning our next trip . With all of that said, I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose. Good luck deciding and happy planning .

 

[Junebugwv]

We just took advantage of the military discount at POFQ and have stayed there about 8 times as well as 3 stays at WL. The refurbished rooms at POFQ are so nice! I love the location and the ease of walking around the resort. It was the first time that we stayed in faraway Bldg 7. Took me 2 1/2 minutes to walk to the food court. The boats to DTD are relaxing, the pool is a convenient walk from any room and the food court has better choices than WL. There is always a short walk to the parking lot.

WL is a beautiful resort and it has nice restaurants. The boat to MK is a nice idea, but we found the waits to be frustrating. It was never less than 45 minutes from the time we arrived at the marina until we made it to the MK gates. Maybe we had bad timing. I like the decor of the rooms at WL, but they are not much bigger than POFQ. We always had standard views and it was the loading/service area each time. Even so, the resort is so beautiful that we really enjoyed it. Last year we had a 2 bedroom villa at VWL and the location and layout of the room made that DH's favorite resort.

You'll be happy with either resort, but your wallet will definitely like POFQ.

 

[Junebugwv]

We just took advantage of the military discount at POFQ and have stayed there about 8 times as well as 3 stays at WL. The refurbished rooms at POFQ are so nice! I love the location and the ease of walking around the resort. It was the first time that we stayed in faraway Bldg 7. Took me 2 1/2 minutes to walk to the food court. The boats to DTD are relaxing, the pool is a convenient walk from any room and the food court has better choices than WL. There is always a short walk to the parking lot.

WL is a beautiful resort and it has nice restaurants. The boat to MK is a nice idea, but we found the waits to be frustrating. It was never less than 45 minutes from the time we arrived at the marina until we made it to the MK gates. Maybe we had bad timing. I like the decor of the rooms at WL, but they are not much bigger than POFQ. We always had standard views and it was the loading/service area each time. Even so, the resort is so beautiful that we really enjoyed it. Last year we had a 2 bedroom villa at VWL and the location and layout of the room made that DH's favorite resort.

You'll be happy with either resort, but your wallet will definitely like POFQ.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

You're choosing between our two favorite resorts! Honestly, I'd be happy with either one! As OP mentioned, your wallet will be happier at POFQ. The resort is also quieter and more mellow, IMO, that WL. We love the ease of getting around the resort. Everything in closer than at other resorts, and we love the boat ride to DTD. WL is great for a splurge though! We stayed there when DH came home from Iraq because the prices with the Armed Forces Salute was unreal! It's definitely a lot more hustle and bustle, but we loved being a short boat ride away from MK! I really don't think you can go wrong with either one!

 

[Mousemommy1]

My vote would be for the WL!! We had 10 nights there last month and it was absolutely wonderful! The WL is so relaxing and beautiful, and wonderfully located. You have the boat to MK, and the boat to CR for easy access to the monorail.

We used the military discount for that trip, and even stayed club level. The way I see it is that we are blessed to have that discount, and though I struggled to make the decision to spend the extra to stay deluxe, the fact was that the discount brought the rates into a range I would pay without feeling

We are using the military discount for next years trip as well, and because we don't know how long we'll have that wonderful discount, we have again chosen a resort that we would NEVER pay rack rate for -- POLY, CL!!!
Though the prices are still pretty high with the discount, I know that I would never pay the $700/night that the room actually costs, so this may be our only chance. Would we be just as happy staying at a different resort??? I mean, even a WL BB room is $1300 cheaper than our Poly CL room, but when are we going to have 40% off again? And we would be willing to pay the rack rate on a WL BB room, so we are putting the 40% to use in having an experience we might not have tried otherwise. Hope I'm not rambling, and hope that helps!

 

[danceintherain]

You're choosing between our two favorite resorts! Honestly, I'd be happy with either one! As OP mentioned, your wallet will be happier at POFQ. The resort is also quieter and more mellow, IMO, that WL. We love the ease of getting around the resort. Everything in closer than at other resorts, and we love the boat ride to DTD. WL is great for a splurge though! We stayed there when DH came home from Iraq because the prices with the Armed Forces Salute was unreal! It's definitely a lot more hustle and bustle, but we loved being a short boat ride away from MK! I really don't think you can go wrong with either one!

My vote would be for the WL!! We had 10 nights there last month and it was absolutely wonderful! The WL is so relaxing and beautiful, and wonderfully located. You have the boat to MK, and the boat to CR for easy access to the monorail.

We used the military discount for that trip, and even stayed club level. The way I see it is that we are blessed to have that discount, and though I struggled to make the decision to spend the extra to stay deluxe, the fact was that the discount brought the rates into a range I would pay without feeling

We are using the military discount for next years trip as well, and because we don't know how long we'll have that wonderful discount, we have again chosen a resort that we would NEVER pay rack rate for -- POLY, CL!!!
Though the prices are still pretty high with the discount, I know that I would never pay the $700/night that the room actually costs, so this may be our only chance. Would we be just as happy staying at a different resort??? I mean, even a WL BB room is $1300 cheaper than our Poly CL room, but when are we going to have 40% off again? And we would be willing to pay the rack rate on a WL BB room, so we are putting the 40% to use in having an experience we might not have tried otherwise. Hope I'm not rambling, and hope that helps!

This is exactly what I'm thinking. The Armed Forces Salute discount might go away in the next few years, and then we'll be back to competing with the rest of the general public. Even the AP discounts haven't been all that great lately (which is how we stayed at AKL on our honeymoon). I'm sure we'll be able to stay at Port Orleans at some point without a discount, but the Wilderness Lodge might not work out.

For your 9 night trip, did you get the AFS tickets? If so how did you handle only 4 days in the main parks?

 

[Mousemommy1]

This is exactly what I'm thinking. The Armed Forces Salute discount might go away in the next few years, and then we'll be back to competing with the rest of the general public. Even the AP discounts haven't been all that great lately (which is how we stayed at AKL on our honeymoon). I'm sure we'll be able to stay at Port Orleans at some point without a discount, but the Wilderness Lodge might not work out.

For your 9 night trip, did you get the AFS tickets? If so how did you handle only 4 days in the main parks?

We actually didn't use the AFS tickets because they don't work for our family of four for as long as we go. Instead, we got AP's for the family (2A, 2C) at the military rate of $1928!! We had 11 days last night and we have another 11 coming up in April...I think over 3 weeks in Disney on AP's is definitely worth it.

 

[danceintherain]

We actually didn't use the AFS tickets because they don't work for our family of four for as long as we go. Instead, we got AP's for the family (2A, 2C) at the military rate of $1928!! We had 11 days last night and we have another 11 coming up in April...I think over 3 weeks in Disney on AP's is definitely worth it.

I've done an AP before, but I don't think it would work for us this year, since we're hoping to have another baby on the way, and DS will require a ticket halfway through.
I think we'll be fine with just 4 days in the parks, and a lot of time spent out, but it's a hard commitment to make, especially since there's no guarantee the weather will cooperate for the water parks in January.

I'm also worried about scheduling too much. I want this to be a low key trip, when we spend a lot of time in our resort rather than in the parks. I want options for our downtime, but I don't want to feel tied down to one activity simply because we've already paid for it.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I've done an AP before, but I don't think it would work for us this year, since we're hoping to have another baby on the way, and DS will require a ticket halfway through.
I think we'll be fine with just 4 days in the parks, and a lot of time spent out, but it's a hard commitment to make, especially since there's no guarantee the weather will cooperate for the water parks in January.

I'm also worried about scheduling too much. I want this to be a low key trip, when we spend a lot of time in our resort rather than in the parks. I want options for our downtime, but I don't want to feel tied down to one activity simply because we've already paid for it.

Well then, there's another reason why WL would be perfect for you. We were commando style in our touring...until we stayed at WL....and that place slowed us right down. . We had 2 of our 11 days where we didn't leave the resort at all, and even our little ones were fine with that!

 

[rcraw45425]

I've done an AP before, but I don't think it would work for us this year, since we're hoping to have another baby on the way, and DS will require a ticket halfway through.
I think we'll be fine with just 4 days in the parks, and a lot of time spent out, but it's a hard commitment to make, especially since there's no guarantee the weather will cooperate for the water parks in January.

I'm also worried about scheduling too much. I want this to be a low key trip, when we spend a lot of time in our resort rather than in the parks. I want options for our downtime, but I don't want to feel tied down to one activity simply because we've already paid for it.

We have stayed at both WL and POFQ and I'd recommend the WL for a young family. The location close to MK cannot be beaten and the pool is extremely "small child friendly". We found POFQ noisy and dirty and the option of bus transportation to all the parks was miserable. WL has the Singalong campfires with s'mores at Ft Wilderness, and if I'm not mistaken they still have a petting zoo type attraction over there for the little ones. You will have a balcony/patio to go out onto and enjoy along with inside corridors for those chilly mornings and evenings.

 

[polly p]

We have stayed at both, and both were geat. But....we LOVE WL!!!!

 

[JJsmama]

First of all, good luck on your move back to the USA. I hope it all goes well. (We are in our 6th year in China and I did get to Tokyo Disney I am also looking at 'right after we move back' trips.)

In January, the atmosphere of WL would be nice - -the 'inside-ness' of it would be nicer if it happens to be really cold. There is a big fireplace, etc. POR would have more outdoor walking. POR food court, etc does tend to get crowded, but that probably would not be much of an issue in January. I have stayed at both and if those were the only two in the choice, I would save the money and stay at POR because for some reason I just did not love WL. (The rooms seemed very small and dark to me. )

However, WL is usually the same price as AKL (Animal Kingdom Lodge.) If it were the same money and I was planning a special, celebratory trip, THAT is what I would choose. There is still the same Main Lodge interior for warmth, etc but I think it is more interesting and the restaurant choices are better. Plus, if DS is napping, it seems like a more interesting place to have down time.

P.S. Going while pregnant is not big deal. Been there, done that too.

 

[tgropp]

As has been mentioned, the weather at WDW in Jan can make or break a vacation. If a cold front comes in, I would stay at the WL as you have a lot of indoor lobby room and just a much better atmosphere. I have never stayed at PO but from all accounts it sounds amazing. I know that this wont help but if it was me going at that time of year. WL would be my choice.

 

[danceintherain]

First of all, good luck on your move back to the USA. I hope it all goes well. (We are in our 6th year in China and I did get to Tokyo Disney I am also looking at 'right after we move back' trips.)

In January, the atmosphere of WL would be nice - -the 'inside-ness' of it would be nicer if it happens to be really cold. There is a big fireplace, etc. POR would have more outdoor walking. POR food court, etc does tend to get crowded, but that probably would not be much of an issue in January. I have stayed at both and if those were the only two in the choice, I would save the money and stay at POR because for some reason I just did not love WL. (The rooms seemed very small and dark to me. )

However, WL is usually the same price as AKL (Animal Kingdom Lodge.) If it were the same money and I was planning a special, celebratory trip, THAT is what I would choose. There is still the same Main Lodge interior for warmth, etc but I think it is more interesting and the restaurant choices are better. Plus, if DS is napping, it seems like a more interesting place to have down time.

P.S. Going while pregnant is not big deal. Been there, done that too.

Every time I tried to plan a trip to Tokyo Disney, something happened - grandfather died, military wouldn't give us leave, another grandfather on his death bed... I'm really frustrated that we didn't make it, but at least there's a little extra money for a WDW trip!

We stayed at AKL on our honeymoon, and while we loved it, I don't want to stay there again unless we can book savanna view, preferably club level (we stayed in a pool view the last time). I'm trying to make all my rounds to everywhere else first.
One of my qualms about booking the WL this time is that I really want to stay there at some point during December for all the Christmas decor. I expect some of it will still be up when we arrive on January 2nd, but it's not really the same thing. We were considering doing this trip in December for DH's birthday, but I don't think we'll be able to go so soon, and I couldn't get a BoG ADR for December...

I guess it will all be decided when we get back to the states and have a better grasp on our budget. We have a lot of expenses we're going to have to deal with. Hopefully, the money's there with extra to spare for a Disney trip, but it might not be.

 

[elaw]

What about a split stay ... that way you can do both

 

[JJsmama]

Every time I tried to plan a trip to Tokyo Disney, something happened - grandfather died, military wouldn't give us leave, another grandfather on his death bed... I'm really frustrated that we didn't make it, but at least there's a little extra money for a WDW trip!

Totally understand. We loved Tokyo Disney, but nothing beats WDW, so don't regret it too much. I am sure you saw things in Korea that you will always remember.

One of my qualms about booking the WL this time is that I really want to stay there at some point during December for all the Christmas decor. I expect some of it will still be up when we arrive on January 2nd, but it's not really the same thing.

There is another thread right now comparing WL and Poly for a December vacation. Most people say that WL IS fabulous during December when the decor is up, but other times, they would choose Poly. So, if you CAN get there during December, that might be a deciding factor.

Otherwise, if you are there in January, there might be great deals at CR for the garden wing and nothing beats CR in the opinion of this family -- especially with a little one. (Just to add more confusion - Sorry!) Just keep playing with the dates on the website. Make sure you are logged in when you do it, so they will email you the special offers.

 

[JJsmama]

Every time I tried to plan a trip to Tokyo Disney, something happened - grandfather died, military wouldn't give us leave, another grandfather on his death bed... I'm really frustrated that we didn't make it, but at least there's a little extra money for a WDW trip!

Totally understand. We loved Tokyo Disney, but nothing beats WDW, so don't regret it too much. I am sure you saw things in Korea that you will always remember.

One of my qualms about booking the WL this time is that I really want to stay there at some point during December for all the Christmas decor. I expect some of it will still be up when we arrive on January 2nd, but it's not really the same thing.

There is another thread right now comparing WL and Poly for a December vacation. Most people say that WL IS fabulous during December when the decor is up, but other times, they would choose Poly. So, if you CAN get there during December, that might be a deciding factor.

Otherwise, if you are there in January, there might be great deals at CR for the garden wing and nothing beats CR in the opinion of this family -- especially with a little one. (Just to add more confusion - Sorry!) Just keep playing with the dates on the website. Make sure you are logged in when you do it, so they will email you the special offers.