WL or POR?

[pix13]

I have quotes for these two for a 5 day trip in October. WL comes with free dining and POR is the 30% room discount. When I factor in what I will spend on food (breakfast in room, a few snacks, 2 table service, and the rest quick service), WL comes out about $400 more expensive. We did not plan to be doing a lot of table service dining this trip, but if we did WL would be a better deal. And then again, if we had the credits we would do more table service dining.

We have a 3 year old and 6 year old with us so convenience is a factor. I worry about POR being a lot of walking with the little ones, but it also does not seem like it is that much longer to get to the parks than WL. We plan to do 2 days a 2 evenings at MK, a day at HS and a day at AK. But $400 could go to a lot of over expenses so I can't decide if WL is worth it.

Any thoughts?

 

[Disneyhenry]

WL gets my votes and with kids I think the transportation is better

 

[Bee2u]

I'd definitely choose WL if it were me.

 

[bluejasmine]

I agree WL!!

Sept 2013 Poly, 2012 Disney Fantasy, BC CL, GF CL, POR, 2011 Poly CL, CR, Poly CL, AKL, 2010 Poly CL, ASMu 2009, SSR 2008, Pop 2006, POR , Asmo 2005, Asmo 2003, offsite 2000, 1999,1989, Poly 1980, offsite 1979

 

[Disneylover99]

For a $400 savings I would choose POR.

 

[sonofanarchy]

If the money isn't a concern, no question, Wilderness Lodge.

 

[mickeynut1]

I have quotes for these two for a 5 day trip in October. WL comes with free dining and POR is the 30% room discount. When I factor in what I will spend on food (breakfast in room, a few snacks, 2 table service, and the rest quick service), WL comes out about $400 more expensive. We did not plan to be doing a lot of table service dining this trip, but if we did WL would be a better deal. And then again, if we had the credits we would do more table service dining.

We have a 3 year old and 6 year old with us so convenience is a factor. I worry about POR being a lot of walking with the little ones, but it also does not seem like it is that much longer to get to the parks than WL. We plan to do 2 days a 2 evenings at MK, a day at HS and a day at AK. But $400 could go to a lot of over expenses so I can't decide if WL is worth it.

Any thoughts?

We've never stayed at POR, but we love the WL and the extra $400 would be worth it to us.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Another vote for WL. It is worth it!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I have quotes for these two for a 5 day trip in October. WL comes with free dining and POR is the 30% room discount. When I factor in what I will spend on food (breakfast in room, a few snacks, 2 table service, and the rest quick service), WL comes out about $400 more expensive. We did not plan to be doing a lot of table service dining this trip, but if we did WL would be a better deal. And then again, if we had the credits we would do more table service dining.

We have a 3 year old and 6 year old with us so convenience is a factor. I worry about POR being a lot of walking with the little ones, but it also does not seem like it is that much longer to get to the parks than WL. We plan to do 2 days a 2 evenings at MK, a day at HS and a day at AK. But $400 could go to a lot of over expenses so I can't decide if WL is worth it.

Any thoughts?

We were at WL with our grandchildren, age 3 and 5, and it was perfect for them. The boat to MK was really nice. The bus to MK is direct and is a five minute ride. We found it very easy to hop over to MK whenever we wanted to.

There is also a boat that travels between WL, Contemporary and Fort Wilderness. We used it to go to the CR to get the monorail. And we went to FW for Hoop Dee Doo. They have a really nice playground there for kids, very close to the boat dock. There is also a free campfire sing a long with Chip and Dale at FW.

The main pool at the WL has a slide which the kids loved. There are swim vests available at the pool and the kids spent a lot of time on that slide. There is also a sandy beach and campfire. You can see the Electric Water Pagent at 9:35pm from the beach. The lobby is gorgeous and the 3 year old loved the little bridge over the creek running through the lobby.

There is a counter service restaurant, Roaring Forks, that is very convenient. The resort is very compact and nothing is very far away. It is also all under one roof. It is a great resort.

 

[Mousemommy1]

WL!!

 

[AntFarm]

I vote WL too! When your kids are older then I would try out POR.

 

[starousse]

Hands down WL

 

[Vaughn4380]

It looks like WL is winning the vote.

I think you will be fine at both and suggest you decide where to stay based on your desires and not the $400 difference.

POR does have the better food court in my opinion, so if that is a factor, it might change your mind.

WL has better table service restaurants and is closer to MK.

Both are great and can easily allow you to have a great trip.

 

[sweetnjmom]

We were planning on staying at POR but there were no rooms available with free dining during our stay. We'd have stayed there if POR had been included in the room only discount, but it wasn't.

Our non-discounted package price at POR with a river view room was @$3330. Our TA found a room at WL (woods view) with free dining and the cost for the package is @$3440. So we're paying around $110 more for the week and feel we got a good deal with the upgrade--especially for the proximity to the Magic Kingdom.

But if the cost difference had been a savings of $400, I'd probably have stayed at POR.

 

[wiigirl]

I'd definitely choose WL if it were me.

 

[pix13]

Thanks everyone for the input! It is very helpful. Money is not entirely "not an issue" but matters some. We won't starve if we spend $400 extra but it will make it a bit more of a stretch. For us with the little ones and it being a quick trip, I think convenience is the big factor. Sounds like most of you think the convenience is better at WL and worth the extra money. So I am leaning towards that right now, but still not entirely given up on POR. I just don't want to be trudging through the grounds of POR with two tired little ones in tow wishing I had just spent the extra $400! How much increased is the walking, waiting, and transportation time at POR really? Is it a big noticeable difference in your opinion?"
?

 

[poohnpigletCA]

We have only stayed at WL but are booked at POR this trip.

WL has the boat ride to MK which the kids loved! Also, at Disneyland we do mainly counter service restaurants and was having a hard time booking all of the table service meals at Disney World.

However, after our trip we all commented on how relaxing and what a nice break the table service meals provided.

I vote WL and table service with free dinning.

 

[mrsp1030]

WL. We did a quick trip with little ones last October and if we did anything else it wouldn't have been as easy IMO. We love AKL also but only like to stay there if off season or if we have a car.

 

[Headed4Fun]

We were booked for POFQ in October but when the specials were released, we upgraded to WL and are now staying there with a 30% room only discount. Our dates are blacked out for free dining and POFQ was only working out to 5% for the room discount. We're spending about $500-600 more than originally booked but my husband and I are both excited about trying WL.

We stayed at POR last year and honestly, too much walking with the little ones. My kids are also 3 and 6 and it felt like we pushed my daughter around in the stroller forever before we were back to our room. We stayed in the Royal Rooms and the bus stops weren't too convenient. So, if walking and proximity are your main concerns, I'd definitely save POR for a future trip when your kids can handle the walks a little more. Still a beautiful resort, but the walking combined with sitting on the bus for a while when it makes a stop at each of their 4 but stops, not fun! It's more time you could be at the parks!

 

[Dis703]

I think we are going to have this choice to make in the Spring but I haven't started planning that trip. We did our first Deluxe stay this May with plans to downgrade for savings for another family trip next April/May. The plan was POR but noticing WL is often not much more once discounts are applied I'm considering it. If the difference turned out to be $400 we'd definitely go with WL.

As for transportation, we haven't done POR but did stay at POFQ and shared buses with POR. Bus transportation was not great that trip (2010) but it seems that varies throughout the year and just about every resort has some horrible transportation stories. The boat at WL sounds like it would be a lot quicker route to MK though. Of course the convenience is only to MK so the days you go to the other 3 parks you still have to take a bus.

ETA: My 500th post, I'm a Disboard Veteran now! Shhhhh, don't tell my husband. He doesn't need to know how much time I've spent here, lol.