SO hard to choose!!! PLEASE help!!!

[Carlyzmom]

I have narrowed it down to 3 choices for our family trip to WDW next June 2013. I won't say money isn't an object, but I don't mind paying more if I am GETTING more!!
It will be Me, DH, DD 12, and DS 9. DH loves WL but kids freaked when they saw Nemo rooms! I love POR and it is MUCH cheaper. Any input would be VERY much appreciated!!!!!

 

[I Run Long]

I chose POR - it is in a word BEAUTIFUL. I just can't wrap my head around those numbers for WL and AofA. It you really want to stay at WL I would rent points for the villas at WL. Otherwise, no way I would pony up those type of bucks - of course a good discount may come along but no guarantee. Honestly, POR is a wonderful resort.

 

[Carlyzmom]

I chose POR - it is in a word BEAUTIFUL. I just can't wrap my head around those numbers for WL and AofA. It you really want to stay at WL I would rent points for the villas at WL. Otherwise, no way I would pony up those type of bucks - of course a good discount may come along but no guarantee. Honestly, POR is a wonderful resort.

I appreciate your honesty. I do tend to agree. That's a HUGE difference! That's what I am looking for. Is it REALLY worth more than a grand more for the AoA or WL? I certainly can't see paying that much for a "value" when I can have a "deluxe". I just don't want my kids to be disappointed when we don't do the Nemo rooms.

 

[ginnygi]

I personally would try the Nemo suites. The new resort looks beautiful.

You get more space and a little privacy for the grown ups. And you make the little ones happy. I personally feel like the trip should really be about what the kids wants...

And everything is brand spanking new. And the food court menu looks delish. And bus service is dedicated. Doesnt POF share with POR?

 

[boscov]

I would go with POR without hesitation. It's a lovely resort, and while I would love to stay at WL, I just wouldn't spend over $1000 more to stay there. The values don't interest me, mainly because I am just not interested in the over the top theming that they offer. I like the more subtle theming of the moderates and deluxes.

 

[minnie mum]

Given the size of your family (you'll fit very comfortably in a standard room) I wouldn't pony up the whackin' big upcharge for a suite at AOA. I'd rather take that cash and spend it on other things. And maybe make a visit to AOA just to look at the public areas. POR is such a beautiful resort, and it's main pool area will probably delight your children. And, really, what child is going to pout and be disappointed with their resort when THEY'RE AT WDW! I'll take queen beds over a separate bedroom any day, but if you think you'll need the kitchen then that may be a deciding factor.

WL is undoubtedly a lovely resort, and is just a boat ride from MK, but again, (for us) I can't think of any of the amenities there that make it worth the extra cost.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

I know alot of people on here don't care for split-stays, but I think a split of 4 nights at AofA and 4 at WL (love the boat options) would be great.
DH and the kids would both get what they wanted. You could experience 2 new resorts.
We almost always drive-down so split-stays are not that bad to us, although I have done them when flying-down also.
I see you have already stayed at AKL. The rooms at WL are EXACTLY the same only the furniture is not as large so it seemed like more room to us.
Happy planning!

 

[gillenkl]

I would not think you'd need a suite at AOA.

I love Wilderness Lodge but would definately stay at POR considering the price difference. If your kids would consider the YES program and thus save you on ticket cost - perhaps the difference you'd save would makeup some of the cost difference between WL and POR - in that case I would do WL.

 

[disneymayz]

How much time do you spend in the room? I picked POR mainly for the price. I look at those numbers and think .... the difference in price good pay for the food for the trip. We only sleep in the room so decor is not that important. I would also stop by AoA and check it out and the kids would get the "Nemo Fix" just by walking around the resort.

 

[Carlyzmom]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the input. Yes, looks like POR may be the winner. $1200 would go a LONG way for food!

 

[LuvLDM]

I would choose POR, it's my favorite & it's significantly cheaper than your other choices.
AOA doesn't appeal to me at all & the price makes even less appealing.
WL is a lovely resort but I personally don't think it's worth paying that much more than POR.

 

[jerseygirl18]

Another option to add a little pixie dust to your stay at POR would be to book a royal room.

I'm in the same boat...completely torn about where to stay (between AoA, POR and WL too!) Love that AoA will be new and seems exciting enough but not sure it's for me and think I've pretty much crossed it off my list. I also am hoping for FD and I'm not sure it will be offered at this resort since it's so new.

Love that WL offers the ferry to MK. Don't mean to sound like a resort snob but we've only stayed Deluxe before and I love, love, love the transportation options at Deluxe resorts. But POR fits best with what I want to spend now that I'm a single parent and the money saved staying deluxe will pay for lots of taxis if the bus is running slow. We are going for 10-12 days in January so I do plan on spending some downtime at the resort. The OP suggested renting points so maybe I'll look into that. I'm also considering a split stay since I'm there for more than a week.

With rumors flying that packages being released in the near future and getting closer to my 180 window, I am feeling the pressure! I know, it's WDW and anywhere we stay will be great but I want to make this trip extra special...it's been a tough year. Plus, since it will be just me with 2 kids, I'm looking for convenience.

Good luck! Hopefully you aren't as much of an OCD planner like me.

 

[saskdw]

My personal opinion has always been that the Moderate resorts offer the best value for family's of 4 or less.

I love the WL, but not really all that appealing to young kids versus other choices available. AoA suite will give you more room, mini kitchen, and 2 TV's. Really depends on your kids whether this is the place to stay. Some neat theme's for kids, cool looking pool, but no slide like the Mods/Deluxes. Will most likely be crowded and noisy like the other values so be prepared to deal with that.

We go through this planning every trip and always settle on a Mod resort because it is the best value for you dollar, but this really is a personal decision based on your family's preferences.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I also chose POR.. after seeing the numbers, that would be my choice without even thinking about it. POR is one of my favorite resorts I've stayed at so far and you cannot go wrong there. It is truly a charming and peaceful resort with lots of amenities and fun, just like a deluxe would offer. The rooms are recently renovated and they look great. They may not be as big as AoA or WL, but the room is really for sleeping/getting ready. That extra money could be spent on something else like souveniers or a good meal.

 

[KatMark]

We have not stayed at any of them, but we have visited two of them -- POR and WL.

I voted for POR as I like the theme, the food court is awesome and you have the boat to Downtown Disney. AoA was eliminated because we don't like the values and won't do them (been there once and that was it for us) and WL holds no appeal to me for various reasons.

 

[danceintherain]

Unless your kids will not sleep in the same room as you, then I recommend saving the money while you can. If you want to splurge a bit then stay at the Wilderness Lodge, because you'll outgrow a standard room there before you do so at Port Orleans - Riverside, but Art of Animation will be there to accommodate you in the future.

 

[Carlyzmom]

Unless your kids will not sleep in the same room as you, then I recommend saving the money while you can. If you want to splurge a bit then stay at the Wilderness Lodge, because you'll outgrow a standard room there before you do so at Port Orleans - Riverside, but Art of Animation will be there to accommodate you in the future.

Actually, I wasn't sure if they would LIKE the idea of staying in a separate room from us - in a hotel that they aren't familiar with. Looks like I am going with POR! They we can use the extra $ for eating out!

 

[Mrs D]

What about one of the Little Mermaid non-suites at AoA? That way you get to experience the new resort, you can still sim in the Big Blue and it's not a budget buster!

 

[pigletto]

Hands down POR in my opinion. I don't think WL or AoA are worth over a thousand more. Don't get me wrong, they both have their pluses, but not enough to justify such a large gap in price.

ETA) and the fact that AoA is the highest of those three is astonishing to me. Sure it's new, sure it's fun, sure it's bright and shiny. But over 1200 more than POR? Robbery.

 

[Carlyzmom]

What about one of the Little Mermaid non-suites at AoA? That way you get to experience the new resort, you can still sim in the Big Blue and it's not a budget buster!

That's an idea. I might check on that. But the LM rooms are kind of far out there - from the main building. Worth checking though!

Hands down POR in my opinion. I don't think WL or AoA are worth over a thousand more. Don't get me wrong, they both have their pluses, but not enough to justify such a large gap in price.

ETA) and the fact that AoA is the highest of those three is astonishing to me. Sure it's new, sure it's fun, sure it's bright and shiny. But over 1200 more than POR? Robbery.

I agree! I don't see paying MORE for a value than a deluxe!! That is silly when you think about it!