Will I be dissapointed?

[cruising spud]

Last year for the first time in my entire life (and I am 51 years old), I asked my sister if she and her family would like to vacation with our immediate family at Disney. Our immediate family included my husband, myself, daughters-ages 33, 27, and 15, and a son-in-law. Now, understand, we are NOT a "we love to share our vacation with other people" kind of a family.

And, let me say, we had the best Disney vacation ever. And, I will also have to say that one of the reasons that this vacation was so wonderful was that we all stayed exactly where we wanted. My sister and her family were at the Polynesian, my husband, myself, and our fifteen year took our RV to Fort Wilderness, and our older girls and the husband stayed at a Fort Wilderness cabin.

Every morning we met at a central location and hit the parks, then we all went back to our rooms, chilled, napped, swam, and then met up again later in the day. We all had the best of both worlds-family and alone time.

 

[MHSweb79]

Here's another take: We were supposed to meet up with out-of-state family for an overlapping trip. They booked the WL and we were planning on the same. Then, our airfare became an issue and we decided to book the more expensive, direct flights and stay at the POFQ instead, which made the total trip cost about the same.
Well, we ate with them at the WL and we also visited their rooms and pool one afternoon, and my whole family decided we liked the POFQ much better. We were really surprised since I had read so many glowing reports of WL.
So a moderate could be a good compromise for all of you.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I agree w/staying where you want. I have gone to WDW w/family members & we haved stayed at different hotels on some trips. We also don't eat every meal together. Before going, we plan what park/parks we would go to each day. Every family can get up when they want & eat breakfast when they want. We use cell phones to find out where each family is & hook up along the way. Not everyone likes the same hotel, restaurant & park. One of my sisters & her family don't go to Animal Kingdom. That doesn't stop anyone else from going. Her family goes there own way that day & we are all still having a great time. Some of us like sit down dinners, others do not. We are all ok w/this. Each of you should stay where you want, it is afterall, a VACATION. Good luck & have a great trip!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Another thought here. Many people say that once you stay at a deluxe resort you just can't go back to a value. I personally haven't felt that way, BUT it might not be a bad idea to start with a value and then look forward to a future trip and a moderate or deluxe resort as a new experience without spoiling yourself for the money saving type of trip. It is sure easier to convince yourself to go from a value to a deluxe than vice-versa.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I would stay at the WL and let DSIS stay at the hotel of her choice. She and your BIL will probably want to go off on their own a lot anyway, as your two kids can't go on all the rides and will need naptime.

 

[CLR4321]

If you want WL and she wants a value...is it possible you could just settle for a moderate? The mods are great places too! If she isn't open to that idea, I'd just get a room at WL and then your sister can stay at a value if you really want to stay at WL. On the other hand maybe you could stay at a value this time around and do WL another time? I will say, WDW hotels are much better than your average hotels as far as the service you get and also the neat themes they have. I have read reports that people who are used to staying at high-end 5 star hotels actually have enjoyed Pop. Pop is newer and is nicer than the All Stars. As far as being disappointed, I do not think you will be at all, especially if you have never been. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[freshlybarked]

If you can afford to stay at WL DO IT. Even if you have to save a little extra. We stay at FW and love it. We have put all our disposable cash and then some in our RV. Having said that we spend a lot of time at WL and it is a fantasy of mine to stay there. I don't think you would regret staying there for a second, but if you stay at a value and then visit it you will kick yourself. It is a magical resort. We go to the Fort 4 to 5 times a year and love it. WL is even better.

 

[meriface11]

have you thought about renting points from a DVC member? it's 279 points for a week in a 2 bedroom villa at VWL in October 2010, and you could probably rent for about $10-12 per point. depending on how many rooms you needed at a Value, it could be a comparable cost (or possibly cheaper). The adults wouldn't all have their own bedrooms, but you would have the benefit of the living room and full kitchen too.

 

[SnackyStacky]

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.

Just want to say that it depends on your toddler.

Disney simplies the actual process of moving. But in switching resorts, you may find yourself "homeless" until late in the afternoon. Meaning you've had to check out of your first resort, and your room at the second resort isn't ready.

We can't switch resorts anymore for a few years. My daughter will NOT sleep in a stroller - so the day we switched was MISERABLE.

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

We did a trip back when our oldest kids were 1 and 2 1/2 with all of my husband's family so 4 familys total. We stayed "together" and spent most of everyday together. At the end of the trip of which we felt like tour guides both my husband and I said never again!!! I recommend you stay where you want and let them stay where they want, and everyone will be happy and not to much together time.

 

[Gary M]

If you belong to CAA there is a good chance you can get a discount at the WL for your dates. If they offer an AP discount it would probably pay for one of you to purchase an AP, for the room discount. As mentioned before, keep an eye on these boards and www.mousesavers.com for any discounts offered. I think staying at the WL will make your trip even better.

 

[portocall]

I agree that you can travel and stay at two different resorts. If your heart is set on WL and you can afford it, go for it. I have stayed at the values twice and enjoyed it both times (but I also hadn't looked up the pictures to all the different resorts I stayed at either). My older boys are kind of dissapointed we are staying in a moderate this time cause they really loved the oversized icons in the values. They were the same age as yours when we went last.

These are a few questions you might want to ask yourself before you commit either way.

Will your party be the type to wait for everyone to arrive prior to entering the parks or starting the rides. If so, it may be easier to get everyone together at the resort and then riding the bus. I know that I would get very grumpy if I was standing outside MK or even on Main Street waiting for others to arrive, and if I were the late one, I would be expecting to greet grumpy people. If not, then separate resorts will not be any issue.

How much time do you plan on spending together vs. doing your own thing. Our parties (3) are all staying at the same resort, however have a see ya when we see ya philosophy. By not spending a ton of time together, it will be nice on occasion to see that familiar face, however if we were commando parking it and dining together, I would so want a different resort so that I could a few moments where it is just my family.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would stay where you want to stay.

That being said. We are staying with our friends at the values or next trip. We are hoping for a quiet location. Value is what they can afford and we want to stay close.We will have separate rooms and we will break when we need to.

 

[clutter]

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

FWIW, I felt the same way the first time I stayed on-site. With all the hype WL gets, and a good deal, we stayed there our first on-site trip. We were doing MVMCP, I had a 3 1/2 yo dd. Perfect, right? Well, let me tell you I've never been back. 20 trips later, now a DVC owner, I 've never been back and doubt that I will. (Blasphemy on this board, I know!) It was dark, gloomy. I HATED the boat rides to MK.

Our next trip was ASMovies. Loved it. Great kid-oriented theming. Plenty of room. Inexpensive enough that we could stay longer. (That's a biggie in my book!)

I've stayed at most of the resorts. Haven't done GF or Poly, because I've never felt the $ was justified. (Some day, maybe.) Haven't stayed at CSR (given my non-love of WL, I'm not sure I'd like it given the hype here). Haven't stayed at Pop, but that's because I was SO SO SO impressed with the transportation at All Stars, where we're on a bus and Pop is lined up until tomorrow, that I doubt we'll go there.

Anyway, I do have a point or three. One being that WL is GREAT on the Dis, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. (This comes from a former skier who spent many years before Disney in just those types of hotels/condos.) Another being that the values are pretty darn good. The most important one being that you have to weigh your budget (or lack thereof) against your desire to be with your extended family to make a decision.

 

[Merryweather7]

Maybe I have a different take on this subject, but I really like the Values. First of all, with the ages of your kids, they would go nuts over the theming at POP. If you want to be a bit closer to the food court and bus stop, get the preferred room. I'm a bit on the thrifty side so that might account for my preferences and I also like the idea of "working my way up" through the resorts. I guess my concern would be the chance of "overexposure" to your family. Sometimes you need to get away and have some time without the extended group. I guess ultimately the best thing is to go with your heart...if you REALLY want WL then go for it. Good luck!

 

[disneymomjcs]

We've stayed at most place at WDW. Some out shine the others but each is special and has its own charm.

All Stars Movies - Great themeing kids will recognize many of the icons here.

All Stars Music - Music themeing large food court just like the All Star Movies,
Not many bells and whistles at these resorts. Clean plain rooms -no water slides or sit down restaurants. Can be very busy for buses and food.

Port Orleans French Quarter-Smaller food court than POR. No sit down restaurants.

Port Orleans Riverside -Love the food court here. Boatrights has some really good food. Nice tree lined areas with water and boats to Downtown Disney at both. You get the bonus of two main themed pools. Old Swimming Hole at POR and the Serpent Pool (I think) at POFQ. POR has quiet pools.

POFQ is much smaller and easier to navigate. POR Alligator Bayou is very rustic. Mansion rooms across the bridge are more like the south. We love these rooms.

Coronado Springs - One of the best Fast foods at the Pepper Market with one of the largest diverse types of foods. The pool and playground are the biggest hits with kids. This resort is very spreadout and seems hotter than others.

Wilderness Lodge. We love it here. The pool was a huge hit with DD12 who was 8 and 10 at the time we went. The lobby is spectacular. A great place to sit, relax and read a book. Whispering Canyon is good home style food. Roaring forks isn't huge but it has a regular selection of normal food. The boat can be slow but is convenient and a nice change from the buses. You can rent bikes and boats at the dock.

I could go on as we stayed at Animal Kingdom, Polynesian and Dolpin and Swan and Pop Century.

If you can afford it and it would make your day do it. Life is short. One you stay here staying at the values is tough. You do get spoiled.

Have a great trip no matter what you decide. It is nice to take a break even though your with family. Disney is great but sometimes people clash.

 

[MouseEarsMickey]

I am loving all of the replies! Still haven't decided what to do for sure though. I'm sure my boys would love ASMovies and everyone would be happy there......and we could save WL for a future trip. Maybe we will tour the WL Resort and see if it's all we think it is.

 

[USAswimmer626]

If you are willing to pay for the Wilderness Lodge and don't mind being separated from your sister, I absolutely recommend staying there. The resort is awesome!

If you choose to stay at a Value or possibly even a Moderate, you will feel as though you had to settle to accommodate your sister. Go for the Wilderness Lodge all the way!!!

 

[monorailsilver]

It is your vacation too. Stay at the WL if you want to & she can stay where she wants to.

 

[Tink415]

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.

I've stayed at almost all of the Disney resorts and now try to find the best value for my $$$. Where I stay depends on what I plan to do during a trip and what's available. If I'm going to spend a majority of time at parks a value is fine and I've never been disappointed. A meal and a walk at a deluxe can make me almost as happy as staying at one.

Its a little easier and can be more fun with a group if everyone stays at the same resort and has rooms close together, but staying different places works too. Cell phones make it really easy to meet up.

If I had no plans to go again I'd stay at the WL tho