Will I be dissapointed?

[MouseEarsMickey]

I have never been to WDW, none of my family has so I am relying on my fellow Diser's for info.

We are going to WDW October 10 - 17, 2010 and I REALLY want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge. However my sister finds it a bit pricey and would rather stay at a value (Movies or Pop.) If we stay at a value will I be dissapointed while I'm there? Or will I not even notice, where I 'm at Disney?

I should mention that our party will consist of Me, DH, DS4, DS2, my DMom, DDad, DSis, DBIL.

 

[sue1013]

If you really want to stay at WL stay there. Let your sister stay where she wants. We've been with family stayed at different resorts. Sometimes you need the break it's very hard to be with them constantly especially with kids.

 

[Aliceacc]

I think the "REALY" capitalized in your post says it all.

I agree with the previous poster. You can share a vacation without living in each other's pockets. Your family of 4, with 2 small kids, may need more room than your sister and her husband. You may prefer to be closer to the MK than the other adults.

So call your sister, confirm flights and ADRs, and agree to spend your vacation together in 2 different resorts.

 

[eliza61]

I've stayed at the values and while I didn't like them, I don't think I was disappointed. Every body has different styles of travel. so you really have to go with what suits your style.
My dh and my sons are all over 6ft tall and the values were just to small for us but this is you're first time so you might find you are so busy that when you get back to your room you simply collaspe. LOL
As every one said above, list the pros and cons without the price and then go with the one that will best fit.

 

[Tina]

Have you considered a split stay? You have 8 nights. Why not stay the first 4 at the value resort and then upgrade to WL for the last 4?

 

[kathiep]

If you've never been to Disney before, I honestly think just being there would be enough.

But, since you've never been before, why not do it how you want to. Stay at WL; let you sister stay somewhere else. There'll still be plenty of opportunites to do things together. You don't need to stay at the same resort.

 

[eliza61]

Have you considered a split stay? You have 8 nights. Why not stay the first 4 at the value resort and then upgrade to WL for the last 4?

With 2 toddlers ? How hard is it to move to a different resort?

 

[Tina]

Not hard at all. Disney will even move your bags for you. Just notify bell services of what you are going and give them your bags.

 

[Venus Falcor]

Mouseearsmickey, with that many people in your party, you can find many ways to economize and make WL affordable for your sister. Be sure and check out the mousesavers.com site for tips!

My first suggestion is to have a look at one of your group getting an annual pass and getting a passholder discount on your room. Depending on what you plan to do there, you could save a lot with the pass.

Barring that, the suggestion of splitting your stay is a good one. I like to slow down my pace and have a bit more comfort at the end of our WDW trips. Last time my honey and I stayed a few extra nights at the Swan to recover after the neice and nephews went home!

All the best!

V

 

[MouseEarsMickey]

Thanks everyone for the great & fast replies! I knew I would get some awesome answers here I will talk to my sister about staying at different resorts, and I think the poster who mentioned that this may be nice especially with kids was onto something

 

[greengeen]

It's not that easy to get passholder discounts at WL (speaking from experience). It's hard to get the room type and dates that you want unless you are very, very flexible, and even then, WL discounted rooms are often sold out a day after they are released.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Have you thought about staying at a moderate resort? Maybe you'd feel better since you weren't staying in a value.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Honestly, I think it is more about what you like, what your expectations for the vacation are, and what you are used to. Personally, I LOVE the deluxe resorts and I really enjoy the moderates, BUT because I would prefer to have more trips, spend more of my vacation dollars on "stuff" and eat nicer meals, we normally stay at the values. They are great. Not huge, not fancy, but fun. If you EXPECT a really nice resort with every aminity then go for the deluxe resorts, but expect to pay for those aminities. That is the fabulous thing about WDW, you can have choices and their are choices to fit every personality and budget. Kids LOVE the values because they have such fun, over the top theming. So decide what you and your family expect and want from your vacation and then choose based on that. It is easier if you plan to be together a lot with your extended family members to stay in the same place, but not necessary. You just have to be more organized and plan a little better. Have a great trip.

 

[MouseEarsMickey]

Have you thought about staying at a moderate resort? Maybe you'd feel better since you weren't staying in a value.

I wouldn't feel bad at all about staying at a value, I just really fell in love with the photos of the Wilderness Lodge

 

[copperbrick]

WL is wonderful and an experience you will remember for a lifetime.

Here's my take: If you stay at WL you will NOT regret giving up the idea of staying at a value.

However, if you stay at a value, there is definitely a chance you will regret not having stayed at WL.

Personally, I'd do WL all the way, but if you do split your stay, begin at the value and end at WL. That way, you'll have saved the best for last . . . and if for some reason you find that you're happy at a value, you can always see if you can extend your stay to the end and cancel WL.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

You should stay where you want to stay. WL is very nice. I like the suggestion of a WL/Value split.

 

[aristocat65]

It sounds like you've already decided, but just thought I'd pipe in on the side of WL. You should stay where you want and they can stay where they want. Its great that you are all going together, but the fact that you have little ones, I thinks makes WL a much more convenient choice. It has very easy access to MK making it easy to go back to the hotel for breaks. It is a beautiful hotel and I don't think you would regret your choice.

You could even have the rest of your family meet you at WL for dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe which is a lot of fun.

We love WL so much that after trying a different resort last time, we're headed back to WL

Have a great Trip

 

[cosmicrays]

If you really want to stay at WL stay there. Let your sister stay where she wants. We've been with family stayed at different resorts. Sometimes you need the break it's very hard to be with them constantly especially with kids.

Stay at the WL then. It is a stunning resort and close to the MK.
You dont have to stay where everyone else stays.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I agree that you should stay where you want and if you want to try the Wilderness Lodge then go for it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My $.02:

We stayed at a value our 1st trip just wanted to keep it slightly low budget. This was back in 2001 and was barely on a computer at all. Didn't think to research so much.
My kids were 1.5 and 4. The values have only 1 bus stop and what a long trek it was just to get to the bus stop. Our boys are 12 and 9 now and I still wouldn't want to. Picture carrying a sleeping 2 y.o at the end of a busy day and you'll be wishing you paid for WL or even a moderate.

I vote for meeting up with your family in the parks and each choosing a resort that works best for each family's situation.