Upgrading from POR to WL, to do or not?

[Angiedk77]

It's been awhile since I've posted, we are getting ready to book our next Disney vacation. If it came down to 2 choices, which would you book, POR or WL? Our last trip we were originally booked at WL, but we ended up having to change our dates and in doing so WL prices were increased so we ended up downgrading and doing a split stay at Pop and CBR. While we loved POP, we loved what the Moderate offered more.

This trip we are wanting to stay somewhere we haven't stayed yet, our first choice was Beach Club but it isn't available, so we have narrowed it down to POR or WL. For those of you that have stayed at either of these resorts, which would you choose?

 

[happily single]

I would pick PO. The food court is so much better (WL is tiny). PO has the boat to Disney Springs and there is no construction going on.

We stayed at WL epseveral years ago and while the lobby and grounds are beautiful we did not care for the room and th food court was terrible. We use the food court a lot having two very picky kids

 

[Capang]

WL. Construction is nearing the end, new snack bar/qs, awesome location with easy access to MK and monorail resorts as well as a FW. After staying at WL we will probably never go back to POR. Rooms at WL were fantastic our last trip 2 years ago. Now that some of the trees are gone there are some good theme park views for fireworks.

 

[VACamm]

I would totally book Wilderness Lodge over POR. I have never stayed in a Deluxe, but if I was going to I would book WL. We love to go there to eat because the FEEL of the resort is so calming and beautiful!

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

I would choose Wilderness Lodge in a heartbeat. It is my favorite resort! After a hectic day in the parks, it's lovely to be in such a tranquil place. Magic Kingdom is just a short boat ride away or you can choose to use the bus. I enjoy the boat ride! Transportation to the other parks or Disney Springs is easy. At park close, the WL bus line is always half the size of the POR line. We've never had to wait for a second.

There are at least five places to eat right on property. The new Geyser Point Bar and Grill just opened. I especially love the skillet dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe. You can always ask to be seated in the quiet section if you don't like the hustle and bustle of the main dining area. It's also easy to get to other great resort dining options from WL. A boat will take you to the campgrounds where you can eat at Trails End or go to the Hoopdy Doo Review. A boat ride to the Contemporary makes it easy to take the monorail to the Polynesian or Grand Floridian.

I love the rooms and all the quiet nooks and crannies in the hotel to sit and relax. It's wonderful sitting in the rocking chairs in front of the huge fireplace in the lobby.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[CynBeth]

I would go with WL. We enjoyed it when we stayed there a few years ago. We love the theming especially the geyser. WCC is enjoyable for breakfast and it is an easy boat ride to FW or CR if you want a meal at a MK resort. The boat ride to the MK is nice as well. There is also the EWP.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Another vote for WL. My favorite resort, just love the theme. It's a fun resort to explore, beautiful lobby, the landscaping, geyser, Whispering Canyon Cafe and if you can swing it Artist Point restaurant. And you have the boat ride to MK. Can't go wrong with POR if you choose to go this route, our favorite moderate.

 

[Chrelaine]

I would WL based on location and it's smaller size.

 

[pacsunmama]

I wouldn't stay at POR again, we just came back from there and did not have a good experience. It's dated, and transportation to and from anywhere is a beast. The busses are supposed to come every 20 minutes, but it was more like every 45-60 usually, and they fill the seats during peak times. So all seats filled, plus people standing 2 by 2 down the entire aisle, packing you in like sardines.

We had dinner at Artist Point one night and saw how lovely WL is. I wish we had been able to stay there, it was so nice!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Wilderness Lodge no question - location, wow factor, ambiance, good dining options, and really love the theme-

 

[goopysolelady]

Another WL vote. I have NO problem with dining options. Roaring Forks will be closed temporary (I think until summer) but Geyser Point Bar and Grill is now open. Can't wait to try it! The only "problem" I had with the rooms is kicking my toe on the bedposts. The furniture is SO well made and bed posts are big...clumsy me not used to something that nice in a hotel room. Hands down, WL would be my choice. You can't beat the views, construction is really NOT an issue, love the geyser, the pool is awesome and walking through those massive front doors immediately puts you in "vacation mode". Besides...those massive masks on the walls at PO are little "disturbing" in my opinion.

 

[adisneyaunt]

POR used to be our second home. I'd only stay Preferred there otherwise room location becomes an issue. Food court and restaurant great. It is beautiful but bus seems to be an issue as well. Always packed and slowest from parks. Boat to DS is great tho, food court great as is use of POFQ, a short walk or bus away.
WL seems a bit dark for us, more a wintery feel, not as much Disney Summer Vacation ( we use it for a "cold" break, lol. and quick eating and Reno an issue. Restaurant good but Loud all the time! Transport better tho.
Just my thoughts on the two.

It's such a personal opinion, enjoy whichever you choose! In the Big Picture... it's Disney after all!

 

[WildernessMickey]

I love both resorts. POR is my favorite moderate, and Wilderness Lodge is my favorite deluxe.

I would choose the Wilderness Lodge in this case if you can afford to stay there. I love going into the lobby there. It is so amazing to me. Plus a deluxe resort always wins out over a moderate for me. If you have always wanted to try it, then go for it! The construction should be finished by July 2017, and then you will have a brand new pool to enjoy. The new Geyser Point restaurant is already open.

 

[ariane37]

Definitely WL, my favorite resort Fell in love with it when we stayed last Aug. Another place to eat I don't think has been mentioned is Territory Lounge, and while DH and I were there on a kid-free trip we saw quite a few families with kids eating in there. The boat to MK is awesome and transportation overall was great! Love the relaxing feel of the whole resort. Construction back in Aug. was SO not an issue; we'll be there again later this month and with it nearing completion I can't see it being an issue to worry about if you choose to stay there.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Although the theme of WL does nothing for me I would always book deluxe over moderate if given the choice.

 

[EMILAYLAY93]

Love the feel of WL and would choose it if money was not an object. Otherwise, we have stayed multiple times at POR and have had positive experiences. The main difference to me was that when dropped off by bus at WL you can easily duck under a covered walkway and enter the resort. At POR it was sometimes challenging to get to our room or even to access the food court when there was a big rainstorm. And there were always rainstorms in June when we went.

 

[gingerfeathers]

I have never stayed at POR, but I have stayed at POFQ. I have also stayed at WL.

Of those, I would choose WL in a heartbeat. I love that resort.

 

[DG25]

Another vote for WL, we have not stayed POR since 2008, probably never will, I didn't like it. POFQ we love. But if I had to choose, we love WL, going in May 2 days GF RPC, 12 days BRV and 2 days WL OFC. We just love the lodge.

 

[mickeynut1]

Another vote for WL. We've never stayed at POR, but we love everything about the WL.