Which one would be better for first trip?

[vacationgal]

Hello! These boards are wonderful. I am in the process of planning our first family trip to Disney World (I was there over 22 years ago!). We will be going over spring break. I have many questions but the main one is this:

I have made 2 reservations with substantial discounts. One is at the Wildnerness Lodge for 8 nights. The other is at POR for 4 nights and Beach Club for 4 nights. The total cost is about the same for either one. Keeping in mind the ages of my daughters, 11 and 9, and that it is a peak time, what would be the advantages/disadvantages of the 2 options.

[Some family members are bothered about switching hotels and others don't mind thinking a change is good. I'm concerned about transportation to/from the Wildnerness (we won't be renting a car) but adore the theme. Also, since my girls are older and aren't that interested in the characters per se, I'm not really sure which park we will spend more time at. The AK is something they are really looking forward to as well as a water park.]

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jennymouse]

Welcome to the DISboards, vacationgal!

If it were me, I'd probably stay at the WL and not switch around. Especially for your first trip, you'll want to be concentrating on the parks and not worrying about moving around midway.

 

[goofy4tink]

I agree!!! I was going to say go ahead and switch but if you haven't been for that long, your girls and you aren't going to want to waste time packing and un-packing multiple times!!! With the ages of your dd's, I would think you might spend a lot of time in MK, so the boat service would be the transportation from WL. And we have always found the boat trans. to be good.

But, and this is a big one....if your girls are going to be really into swimming, you might want to do Beach Club. Storm-a-long Bay is a terrific pool area. And POR has a pretty decent pool also.

We love all three of these resorts. I guess it all comes down to how you all feel about moving. The scenario would be....call bell services at POR, tell them when to pick up your bags (or you could probably drag them to bell services yourself). They will then move the baggage over to BC during the day. When we move from resort to resort we go to the closest park to wherever it is we are moving to. Then we tour that park for a bit, then go to the resort after lunch and check-in. Sometimes the room is ready, sometimes not. Disney makes it all very easy.

Guess I probably didn't help much did I??!!

 

[drogerstn]

After a few days in a row at the parks, we are ready for a day off. This would be a good day for switching hotels. (Don't know what kind of tickets you have for the parks; we have always used hoppers.) Even if you switch on a park day, it only takes up a little of your time.

Going to the two different levels of resorts will give you an opportunity to determine whether the deluxe resort will be worth it on your next visit. I have not stayed at the Beach Club, but I've stayed at Wilderness Lodge and POR; I prefer POR and it is less expensive.

Also, Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club looks like it would be a fun pool...

 

[precious pixie]

I would say to do the switch. The Beach Club would be such a gret resort for you and your family. You can walk to epcot or Disney studios, you could also take a boat to either one. The pool at that hotel is like a water park all in its own. Your girls as well as you and your dh will enjoy it for mid day breaks. They will also like walking over to the boardwalk at night. It has a great atmosphere and something for everyone.
Port Orleans is also one of my favorites. It is a beautiful resort! It is also a quick boat ride to downtown disney, which has so much to offer in itself. When I stayed there I never had to wait very long for a bus and found it it easy to get everywhere. I have heard from many other visitors that switching resorts really isn't hard at all.
Have a great time!

 

[Nolcrest]

I'm one for staying put. Since this is the first family trip don't make yourself crazy. The WL is awesome. Enjoy your trip and acquaint yourself with all WDW has to offer. You'd be surprised how quickly 8 days goes by. Enjoy!

 

[zipDdoodah]

I would stay put at WL. I agree that the 8 days goes by really quickly, and you will get more time to enjoy the resort if you stay at 1. With this being your first time you will love WL. I agree BC sounds like a great place to stay, but I think it will be a lot easier for you to stay at 1 resort than to switch. There is just so much to see and do and so little time. Plus, if you DO want to relax, switching resorts will eat up some of that relaxation time. Hope this helps. You'll have fun no matter what you decide.

 

[Bojangles]

Switch. The pools at POR and BC are a lot better than the one at WL. Plus you will have better transportation to the parks. WL transportation stinks!

 

[vacationgal]

While I really appreciate all the responses, I think the waters have muddied.

If I knew we were going back again in the near future this wouldn't be such hard decision, if you catch my drift.

 

[rcraw45425]

check yor PM's (private messages) I sent you one.

 

[vacationgal]

As for transportation beyond MK from Wilderness Lodge, is it possible to take the boat over to MK and then hop on the monorail to Epcot? I guess the transportation issue is the thing I need to get straight in my mind when making the final decision.

 

[ChristyJ]

I was in your shoes back in Jan. as I planned for our upcoming and first trip. I had been to WDW back in 1981 when MK was the only open park-but my DH has never been (as well as my DDs 5 & 8). I flipped back and forth from 4 days ASmo/4 days POLY GVC, split stay between CBR/WL-then went to WL/Poly GVC.

In July, I finally switched to 8 nights at the WL-woods view. Since I made the decision, I haven't looked back and am sooo excited to surprise my girls with this trip!!

There are pros and cons to any decision-I'm glad we're staying put and figure that maybe in another 3 years or so we'll be able to try another hotel (unless we fall so in love with the WL that we have to go back there!! )

Good luck!! You'll have a fantastic time regardless!

 

[rcraw45425]

You'll love WL!

 

[sjw4870]

Since you are staying a rather long time - I'd say give the switch a try. I've done the switch a few times and it's not that big of a hassle. It is a great way to sample multiple resorts.

 

[Bracho]

All 3 resorts you have are so different from eachother... The pool at the Beach Club is one of the best on the WDW property, but the Wilderness Lodge is a really great place to stay and there is something to be said for not having to pack up the family and move them, unpack just to repack 4 days later, remember the kids are not the only ones on vacation.

All 3 properties are great choices but if I had to choose, I'd go with the Wilderness Lodge...

Good Luck!

 

[Gary M]

DW and I have stayed at the WL 18 times and the transportation has been fine. We have also stayed at the GF, Poly, BWI, DL and AKL so I can compare the WL to other WDW resorts.

The boat trip to the MK from WL takes about 10 minutes and the boats run every 20 minutes or so. Before 3:00 pm the boat goes from the WL to MK to FW to WL after 3:00 pm just the opposite WL to FW to MK to WL.

The WL also has a boat that goes to the CR where you can catch the monorail to the TTC, Poly, GF and MK. At the TTC you can get the monorail to Epcot.

The WL and FW are the only two WDW resorts that have bus service to TTC. As mentioned above you can catch monorails to Epcot or MK, Poly, CR and GF.

You can take buses from the WL to MGM, Epcot, AK, the water parks and DTD. The buses run about every 20 minutes. The bus system is no better or worse than the other WDW resorts that I have stayed at. We never rent a car.

The WL also has bunkbeds which your daughters may like. FW has a petting zoo which may be of interest.

You'll enjoy whichever option you pick.

You may want to go to www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm for detailed information about the WDW resorts. This may help your decision.

 

[vacationgal]

Thanks Gary,

You've helped a lot. I've spent some time scouring past posts and think we will have a great time no matter what. Since we won't have anything to compare it to, being it's our first time, it will all be an adventure.

The petting zoo does sound appealing and the girls want to do the horse trail.

Thanks to everyone who has responded. You are a great bunch of folks!!!

 

[wdwobsessed]

I have stayed at WL and the Yacht Club. WL is nice but the rooms are kind of smallish compared to the Yacht and Beach Club.

It's a hard one! LOL. I think if you stay at WL you will be perfectly happy. It's close to MK and if you plan on visiting the MK alot ... it would be a perfect choice.

BC is very close to MGM and EPCOT. I love the central location of this area.

Guess I am not much help. I have split my stay before but this time I'm just going with WL ...

WDWO

 

[goofy4tink]

While we have never stayed at WL, we have visited there many times. We never found the transportation to be an issue. You want issues, try the Epcot resorts!!! At WL you can grab the boat to either CR or MK and then the monorail to Epcot.

Since you won't be going back for awhile I think I would stay put. The WL is a beautiful resort and you will love it.

 

[vacationgal]

I have decided we will stay put at the WL. Thanks everyone!!!