Wl v SoG - is there enough incentive to make the cost worthwhile?

[dimndgal1]

We are planning a trip for next September with our family of 4 (DH, me, DD 6, and DD new!) and a good family friend. I originally booked WL with a good discount but was back and forth about the need for our family friend to share a bed with oldest DD or have a rollaway/air mattress.

Then, I bopped over to the SoG site and they had a special rate for booking a room this far out, so now I am totally torn. I have no problem with SoG but was hoping to do WL for the ambiance and it being a Disney resort... but it's hard to justify the cost difference: almost $700 over the week.

I know the true benefits of magic bands are for resort guests only, but part of me wonders how much we will need them in mid-September? Also, do you think they will have phased regular FP out by next year?

AHHHH! It was so much easier when the cost difference for SoG was only $200 over the week... but $700 is just such a savings! That's MNSSHP tickets and some nice meals, but I don't want to forfeit any extra 'magic' that might make it worthwhile!

Ultimately, we are running the option by the family friend (she will end up saving almost $100 for the extra adult/room charge) and I know she'll be up for whatever DH and I choose... I just don't know what to choose!

P.S. we are flying and not driving, so the additional parking fee is negligible and I included the cost of transit to/from MCO in the total cost difference (the total savings is closer to $850 but I know it's about $50-75 each way to SoG)

 

[mickeynut1]

We are planning a trip for next September with our family of 4 (DH, me, DD 6, and DD new!) and a good family friend. I originally booked WL with a good discount but was back and forth about the need for our family friend to share a bed with oldest DD or have a rollaway/air mattress.

Then, I bopped over to the SoG site and they had a special rate for booking a room this far out, so now I am totally torn. I have no problem with SoG but was hoping to do WL for the ambiance and it being a Disney resort... but it's hard to justify the cost difference: almost $700 over the week.

I know the true benefits of magic bands are for resort guests only, but part of me wonders how much we will need them in mid-September? Also, do you think they will have phased regular FP out by next year?

AHHHH! It was so much easier when the cost difference for SoG was only $200 over the week... but $700 is just such a savings! That's MNSSHP tickets and some nice meals, but I don't want to forfeit any extra 'magic' that might make it worthwhile!

Ultimately, we are running the option by the family friend (she will end up saving almost $100 for the extra adult/room charge) and I know she'll be up for whatever DH and I choose... I just don't know what to choose!

P.S. we are flying and not driving, so the additional parking fee is negligible and I included the cost of transit to/from MCO in the total cost difference (the total savings is closer to $850 but I know it's about $50-75 each way to SoG)

We don't have any experience with SoG, but we love the WL. If the extra $700 is doable without being a stretch, I would stick with the WL. The WL is an amazing resort with a beautiful grounds, great pool, good CS, and is convenient to MK via boat. Only you can decide if the extra cost is worth it for your family, but if it were me, I'd go with the WL. Good luck.

 

[jcjen519]

i would go with wl but i would rather miss a visit then stay at sog. just my take based on one stay 10 or so years ago and a few stops to buy tickets since. it sounds like you dont mind sog though so i really think this is just a personal call. wl has a great pool, boat to mk and looks to be an amazing resort. sure it will be great either way but my vote is for wl!

 

[Momoftwins+1]

Honestly, I'd pay the extra 700 to stay at WL. I wasn't impressed with SOG any of the times I've been there for tickets or stayed there in 2012. A lot of people like having military people around them though, and like the atmosphere and are more comfortable at SOG. The food there is horrid (minus the coffee stand), service is so so, room that we had last had cobwebs on everything and looked like post lodging. The grounds are beautiful though.
With the new magic bands, and fast past +, plus being able to take magical express and being able to use the water taxi etc , plus other services such as sending packages back to the resort for purchases, charging to the room etc...it is just handier.
Now, if it meant not visiting, then yeah take SOG, but otherwise I'd vote for WL. It is a great option that allows military/ defense families who may not be able to afford other locations the ability to still go and enjoy themselves.

 

[Mousemommy1]

WL is our favorite resort and I would chose that over SOG any day.

We could get a rate for half of what it costs for onsite at a Disney deluxe, however, I have no interest whatsoever in staying at SOG.

 

[vettegirl]

We stayed at SOG before all the discounts for military. It's a nice resort, but I prefer the Disney resorts. However in Sept the run really good deals for like 80 bucks a night which is a bargain. I thought about staying there on our upcoming trip but could not find myself getting excited like I am about staying at the Beach Club.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I haven't stayed at WL, but I would definitely choose any Disney resort over SoG.

 

[dimndgal1]

Thanks to everyone for the input!

Ultimately, DH and family friend want to go ahead and grab the great rate at WL, DH figuring we can always stay at SoG later if the rates at Disney hotel won't work for us.

Appreciate the input!!!