Should I spend the extra money?

[minnieandmickey]

I am starting to plan our trip for next year and I am wondering if we should go ahead and spend the extra money for the Wilderness Lodge or save it and stay at PO-R? We will be going off season during Christmas time(Dec 13-21), so the parks maybe on a shorter schedule, which means maybe more time in the room. Our kids will be DS14, and DD 10. I will be purchasing a AP for the trip, and we also have the DC discount, if its available.
I guess the big question is if the Wilderness Lodge is worth the extra
$86 per night. My husband and I visited the Lodge and loved it , but we also stayed at the Dixie (when it was called that) and loved it there too, the difference now is the kids. I thought about splitting the stay but am not sure if I want to go through the hassle of doing that. Any advice please!

 

[Disneyluver4Life]

I defiantly say if you can afford it go for it. Especially since the parks close earlier. Theres so many more activities to take part in if your in a deluxe resort. The wilderness lodge is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. I have never done two resorts in one vacation but if thats the only way you can afford wilderness lodge do it. You will get the best of both worlds. Have a great time and let us know what you decide!!

 

[Redmic]

I second the WL! We have stayed in both, and they are great. However, you are staying at Christmas time and the WL is the "coziest" of all the Disney resorts. They have great decorations, and the massive fireplace in the lobby, as well as smaller fireplaces in the alcoves, will be wonderful to come home to. Also, the weather can turn cold that time of year, and it is great to be in a single building to go get coffee, food, gifts, etc. You can also do the hay ride and take the boat to Fort Wilderness. The WL is my personal favorite of the 6 resorts we have stayed in so far!

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Definately go WL. To give you an example from 2002. The cheapest rate during that time for WL was 109. The cheapest rate for POR-R was $79. Suddenly your $89 a night is $30 a night with the deepest discounts. To me thats a no-brainer.

 

[Jon99]

We spent the extra money to stay at WL over POR and it was money well spent... If you can get a discount, it makes the decision even easier...

 

[Disneydenise]

When our kids got older we found that the extra space and the balconey were well worth the additional cost. The amenities are a nice addition when traveling with a family because when you are the mom you are the mom all the time no time off even for vacation so any thing that can make you have some additional enjoyment is worth it. If you think you would be okay with moving I found that it was not as awlful living out of a suitcase as I imagined it would be. Each of us had our own and they had lots of pockets. They stayed organized and I packed a mesh laundry bag for the dirty clothes and then I just left that in the car when we changed resorts. I then packed the dirty clothes in one suit case (large) for the trip home and it really was very easy.

 

[melomouse]

We have stayed at POFQ and just stayed at WL this past summer. My kids are now 6 and 10. I echo the other posters about cost differential being very slight if you shop for the codes and/or AP rate - that's how we ended up "springing" for WL - the difference was about $30 a night. Only you can decide where your limits are - I decided to "go for it" - after some support from the DIS'ers out there.

I was comfortable at WL letting my kids go down to the arcade, the pool or the snack bar by themselves and from the balcont, I could check out sometimes. The Cubs Den is right on sight. Boat transport to MK is so nice. You can see the Water Pageant from the balcony. They can rent bikes or watermice if you want. Lobby is a destination in itself at WL.....

AAHH - just talking about it makes me want to go back there. For our "unplanned" trip in October, we are staying at POR because the rate is great and I can't get into a standard or woodsview room at WL for that time - if that "limit" was less than $30 a night, I would take it.

Good luck to you and let us know what you decide!

 

[SamanthaL]

As you can see from the list below I also think it is worth it

 

[milmore104]

I would have to go with PO. If you could get a code and make it less, then I might go for it.But just think of it this way would you rather spend the money on a room your only going to be in for 7 days or would you rather give the extra money to your kids to buy some really great gifts to bring home that they could keep forever? I really love the deluxe & Home away from home resorts and we used to stay in them all the time but once we had our DD I stay at All Stars or a Mod. if the code is right! I feel I get more out of my money because we can stay longer or go more often or even get our DD the collection of $100 Disney characters she has to have every time we go! Just one moms opinion!

 

[ead79]

I would go ahead and try the WL. I think it's gorgeous at Christmas, and very cozy. Enjoy it!