WL or POR?

[TinkPirateMom]

The other convenience that WL offers in addition to the boat to MK and boat to CR and FW is the fact that everything is under one roof. The elevators are extremely quick and you can get down to your room to refill your mug in Roaring Fork really quickly. Roaring Fork is a lot smaller than the QS at POR with less choices but what they did offer was good and the seating out by the pool area was nice if you didn't want to sit inside which gets a little cramped. Taking in the grand lobby on your way in and out of the hotel is just an unbelievably great feeling. My son was 3 at the time of our WL stay and he absolutely loved the pool, the bridge in the lobby, and the arcade. They also offer child care at the Cubs Den which we took advantage of one evening.

 

[pepe of ohio]

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?"
?

I posted already but the big difference in POR ( which we are not fans of ) is its enormous layout... It's huge, when a resort has 4 bus stops, what's that tell you... Too big for my taste and hoping for a room close to food court main lobby, or paying for it.... I can just book POFQ, compact resort like WL, but not under one roof and put that savings in my pocket...

We are big fans of WL, like the boat to MK, but money talks, we've stayed at WL over 10 times but a 1000.00 difference for 10 nights isn't anything to sneeze about....

 

[Shaden]

The walks around POR aren't bad at all, and the bussing was fantastic when we were last there, in May 2013.

People largely blow the "hugeness" of the resort way out of proportion.

The distances between all the spots are listed at portorleans.org.

Really, we didn't even notice the "walking" we generally left our room, in the mansions section, and were at the park we wanted to be at in about 20 mins. From door to drop off.

I can totally see the appeal of WL. But for us, we prefer to save the cash and go again to Disney sooner, or just stay longer

 

[sweetnjmom]

Apparently I was wrong in that there are room only discounts available the week I'm going, but the cost difference between POR and WL is under $200, so I'm happy to be staying at WL.

Not sure why the resort isn't listed on the main page on Disney's website. That's so odd.

Though it looks like the RO discount is a mere 5%.

 

[fowler619]

Wilderness Lodge.

 

[fowler619]

Time is money at DW. You will be happy if you pick WL.

 

[pix13]

Thanks everyone! The input was so helpful. And congrats to Dis703 on your 500th post!

 

[juliebug1997]

DH really likes POR due to the cost. However, after having to cancel our summer trip twice due to his work, I leveraged my way into WL for this year. POR is really beautiful and the food court is great too due to all the options they have there.

 

[maltdizzy]

There are multiple ways of looking at this.

WL is the probably the better resort (it is, but I say "probably" to allow for tastes). It's a Deluxe (ok, Deluxe Light), nicer pool, more dining, great theme, you'll probably be treated better, etc. If you have your heart set on the WL, then you might regret not booking it.But if you take the dining, you're going to feel pressured to get the most out of it....some people love it...others find they turn down so much food, they feel guilty.

But $400 is $400...that's a ton of money...a ton of money any way you cut it and I don't have to know your finances. And it's not just $400 more...but that's $400 extra on top of what you figured for you entire trip if you went to POR. Most of that the WL offers, POR offers as well. And the walking really isn't a big deal.

Either way, you could end up spending more for the trip (hidden expenses always creep in)...if your POR trip is more expense than estimated...you might kick yourself for not splurging on WL; if your WL trip is more an estimated...it may hurt the wallet.

So...would you regret not staying at WL?...or will you regret not putting $200 in each of your kids college fund to start earning interest? (or at least toward the next vacation)

I won't think less of you for choosing WL, no one here will. I debated the EXACT same hotels (amongst others) for later this month (went with POR). But don't let someone else spend your money for you. Your kids are going to WDW...they'll love either.

 

[pix13]

So I went to go book WL yesterday morning and no rooms with the promotion were left! I was so sad. So now it is down to POR or AKL, and the price is about the same when I factor in free dining vs. room discount. I guess I will have to start a new thread!

 

[Shaden]

Hey guys, just so you know, Free Dining is now avail at POR for those dates !!!!