Second thoughts about POR, thinking of switching to WL!

[jenniferma]

Still haven't made up my mind but I am grateful for all the help and input. There seems to be a consensus that WL is the best resort to be at especially around Christmas (thanks for the pictures Elaw). POR comes close second considering the price difference. I'll look into the room only discount and take a closer look at my budget. If I can find a way to rack up an extra $1000 in a month, I'll switch. If not I'll stick to POR and have a great vacation anyway.
One thing is for sure, I feel better about POR after reading all the positive reviews. Maybe can fax in resort and ask for AB river view room instead for same price?

My husband also made a good argument stating that since the kids are so young, they won't appreciate the Deluxe resort. And since we had discussed maybe coming back for our anniversary in a year and a half, he said we would use the money we save and pay ourselves a nice adult-only vacation in a deluxe resort (Poly) and get the deluxe DDP (to try the Signature restaurants). Tempting offer, he is a sneaky bugger!

I totally see your husband's point.. but being a complete devil's advocate.. when the kids are young, IMO it might be a reason for staying on that monorail. My husband's trip was not better when he had to fold a double stroller and ride the bus with it in his lap to and from POR? He still talks about that trip and says things like-- OMG, I will NEVER ride those busses again (we rent a car now)

When your kids are older, it will be easier to stay in a value or moderate because you won't have the bulky diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes sippy cups and snacks AND the double stroller! If you stay at WL, chances are you won't even have to fold the stroller up.

Sorry for my devil's advocate speech. Have a great day!

 

[mslhb]

We are staying at WL in early December so I am biased that yes I think it is worth the cost. This is my 1st time ever staying on-site so I really have no good experience with either resort but here are the reasons we chose WL over a moderate and felt it was worth the cost 1. Interior hallways and all in one building were appealing to me, 2. Balcony, we have a young DD and like the idea of being able to sit out on the balcony in the evenings while she sleeps, 3. Christmas decorations at WL look awesome 4. Kids Club, DD will go there one night while DH and I have dinner (I know we could have done this at a moderate but it is nice having it all in the place we are staying at 5. Boat to MK... DD will definitely get a quick out of this... plus I like that it gives us quick access to the monorail resorts so we can use their QS or TS locations. I am sure whatever you decide you will have a great time!

 

[bluejasmine]

For the first several trip staying on site we stayed in the values and rode the buses. After a few trips we tried a moderate and then later some deluxes. Now the deluxes are addicting BUT I would in a heart beat stay at a value! Especially ASMu!

Now we have stayed at POR before and the grounds are very nice, we really enjoyed our stay!

If you think you will spend more time at the resort and at MK I say go for WL, if you plan on being at the parks more and doing EP, HS, AK a good bit then maybe the extra money isnt worth it?

Regardless of where you stay youll have an amazing time!!

 

[mmmcl]

I have the same dilemma every trip. I really love the Deluxe resorts and would love to stay at each and every one (with the exception of AKL...just doens't appeal to us much) but I just can't ever seem to justify the extra expense. We always stayed value until our DS came along and we made the move to mods for the slightly larger room, the bigger beds and better pools for our DD since she is getting older and enjoys the slides more. I wouldn't hesitate to stay value again, especially in the winter months when we won't be using the pools as much, if they just had bigger beds.

I keep saying that one day I'll bite the bullet and stay deluxe, but I just don't know.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'll have a great time at either resort.

 

[Alexsandra]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate you all taking the time to help.

I am going to try to find a way to pull together some extra cash to switch to WL. Think I'll do some odd jobs here and there on weekends like clean homes, so I could upgrade without hurting our budget. I also have some items to sell on Craig's List (washing machine, and some baby accessories). I'll skip MVMCP and put that money towards the upgrade.

I know that POR is a great resort and that I would have still enjoyed my trip, but WL is an indulgence I am ready to work extra for. It is the whole Christmas feel at WL that is keeping me hooked and from the comments I have read, the resort seems amazing.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

One other thought about WL being special in December. How much time are you really going to spend in the lobby? The rest is just regular.

 

[KristiKat]

We love POR but if I had the chance to do WL I would go for it. I've tried to get DH to stay at WL but he doesn't like spending the extra money if we can have just as good of a stay somewhere else. He like the moderates and I can't seem to get him to budge. If you can do it I say do it and have a great time.

 

[Alexsandra]

One other thought about WL being special in December. How much time are you really going to spend in the lobby? The rest is just regular.

Ya I guess your right! Oh man, I just keep second guessing myself and my husband is not helping. He wants to stick with POR and says we can just visit WL one evening for dinner. Maybe I should just save the money and that way, I can have some extra spending money and won't have to work overtime for the upgrade???

 

[Alexsandra]

We love POR but if I had the chance to do WL I would go for it. I've tried to get DH to stay at WL but he doesn't like spending the extra money if we can have just as good of a stay somewhere else. He like the moderates and I can't seem to get him to budge. If you can do it I say do it and have a great time.

Our husbands seem to think along the same lines. I am pretty determined when I put my mind to something but I think deep down, they are right. That is why I keep changing my mind about WL. Giggle.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Ya I guess your right! Oh man, I just keep second guessing myself and my husband is not helping. He wants to stick with POR and says we can just visit WL one evening for dinner. Maybe I should just save the money and that way, I can have some extra spending money and won't have to work overtime for the upgrade???

That would be my choice, not worth saving and scrimping for. POR is lovely and newly refurbished and has lots of fun things to offer, plus the boat to DTD. You can go for the campfires too and roast some marshmallows..

 

[elaw]

Our husbands seem to think along the same lines. I am pretty determined when I put my mind to something but I think deep down, they are right. That is why I keep changing my mind about WL. Giggle.

Alexsandra ... Stop talking yourself out of it!!! WL is awesome and worth it.

POR Lobby last year .. it's nice but it will not take your breath away like the WL.

vs

WL lobby last year ... I wish I was going again this year


But at least we get the GCH as a consulation prize

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Alexsandra ... Stop talking yourself out of it!!! WL is awesome and worth it.


POR Lobby last year .. it's nice but it will not take your breath away like the WL.

vs





WL lobby last year ... I wish I was going again this year


But at least we get the GCH as a consulation prize

Time spent in lobby vs. all of your vacation time? $1000 can buy a lot of other things.

A new computer, or toys for kids, or meals out, or a get-away weekend, even a new stove or fridge, or any combination

 

[MMS1125]

Honestly I think if you play with your numbers the upgrade won't be $1000. Yes POR will be cheaper but it's the happiness and memories that matter at the end of the day.

 

[Alexsandra]

Honestly I think if you play with your numbers the upgrade won't be $1000. Yes POR will be cheaper but it's the happiness and memories that matter at the end of the day.

I looked at prices yesterday, in the room only discount there is only courtyard left for $2,250 add park tickets and it ends up at $3,122. Then there is still the expense for food. At least $600 if you calculate $100 a day of food (2 a., 1 c., 2 y.o. Eat for free). So I still can't figure out how to lower cost? It cost 2,700 for por with free dining and tickets.

 

[jenniferma]

Do you think you'd look back and say, "ohh, I wish we'd have tried WL since we had free dining"

Honestly-- WDW has been dishing out awesome deals with the economy being so terrible. I don't think they will last forever. To get free dining around the holidays doesn't usually happen.

The extra money, IMO isn't just for the lobby.. but also the convenience of staying near MK and having one great one credit and one two credit restaurant right there.... and just the overall feeling of "wow, I cannot believe I am staying here at this dream resort of mine"

I am pretty frugal and we've done the upgrades (with codes) and we did a downgrade to CBR from WL for the very same reasons. Sometimes I think it's okay to splurge on yourselves. If you are anything like me (and it sounds like you are because you are selling old baby stuff on CL ).. I feel like I scrimp and save and try to live within a budget all year long. To go to WDW every few years and take advantage of free dining (or the room only codes) and upgrade to a nicer hotel is OKAY. It really is! Would I pay rack rate, no-- probably not.. but since the upgrade is still within our budget-- I can justify it!

good luck to you! either way you will have a great trip

 

[macnodos]

If you can any way swing the change from a dollar perspective, do it! I've stayed there twice as well as several other deluxes before buying into DVC. I would highly recommend especially around the holidays from a decoration standpoint. Also have stayed at some moderates and was very happy as well. Good Luck and enjoy!

 

[Alexsandra]

Alexsandra ... Stop talking yourself out of it!!! WL is awesome and worth it.

POR Lobby last year .. it's nice but it will not take your breath away like the WL.

vs

WL lobby last year ... I wish I was going again this year


But at least we get the GCH as a consulation prize

Ok, you got me! I've made my decision. I am going to switch to WL. I can't take it when I see pics like these. I've told my husband today and it is final. I know it isn't a logical choice budget wise, but it is a once in a lifetime experience that I don't want to miss out on. I make sacrifices all year to save up for these trips and I am going to spoil myself. Merry Christmas to me I just got a couple of months to rack up the extra coin but it is doable, plus my Mom and Dad said they'll give me some cash for Christmas instead of buying gifts so I can put it towards the trip.
Wilderness Lodge here I come!

 

[jenniferma]

congrats! have a great trip! Let us know how it goes!

 

[MMS1125]

Ok, you got me! I've made my decision. I am going to switch to WL. I can't take it when I see pics like these. I've told my husband today and it is final. I know it isn't a logical choice budget wise, but it is a once in a lifetime experience that I don't want to miss out on. I make sacrifices all year to save up for these trips and I am going to spoil myself. Merry Christmas to me I just got a couple of months to rack up the extra coin but it is doable, plus my Mom and Dad said they'll give me some cash for Christmas instead of buying gifts so I can put it towards the trip.
Wilderness Lodge here I come!

I think you will totally see this is a fab decision once you are there. You won't regret it. At the end of the day you don't want to be a POR which is a fab resort wishing you were at WL and letting it ruin your trip.

Have a great Christmas in Disney!

 

[elaw]

I know it isn't a logical choice budget wise, but it is a once in a lifetime experience that I don't want to miss out on. I make sacrifices all year to save up for these trips and I am going to spoil myself. Merry Christmas to me

Yay for you

It isn't always the most logical choice budget wise .... but like the visa commercials used to say ... priceless.

We actually spent a lot of time in the lobby area just soaking it all in. We also had CL which overlooks the lobby (I'm not neccessarily suggesting you upgrade to CL). Have a great time ... I promise you'll enjoy it.