Torn between resorts! First timer

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

Member
Original Poster
This will be our first trip EVER to Disney myself, husband, 8 yr old, 4 yr old. We're looking at April-May 2016

Which resort?! We're deciding between AOA suite, port Orleans riverside and Wilderness lodge (looks like we could get them all for around the same price)? AOA seems a little out of the way?
Also, does DW often offer springtime deals?? Just want to know if I should anticipate full price for the resort or if we'd get an off season discount end of April-beginning of May.

Any additional input or tips appreciated! I'm trying to learn by doing as much research as possible :)
 
epcotisbest

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
We have been to all three and for us WL is our favorite. Actually, we are working on staying at all Disney World resorts and have stayed at many already. WL is the only repeat so far and it is simply spectacular. Can't beat the theming, location or fun factor. The quiet pool at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge is our favorite spot in all of WDW. We also like AOA and POR. Can't go wrong with any of them. If you can get WL for close to the price of the other two, it becomes a no brainer. If prices vary greatly and budget matters, POR is a great choice. While the theming is wonderful at AoA, with a really great pool, the room itself left us a bit underwhelmed.
Still, and I know this does not help much, you can't really go wrong with any of your three choices. For us the WL just seems....oh, more right.
 
Scott10

Scott10

Active Member
My family has stayed at all 3 and while you can't go wrong, we would definitely choose the Wilderness Lodge in a landslide! Beautiful and breathtaking building and lobby along with a very relaxing and enjoyable boat ride to the Magic Kingdom! We loved everything about this resort. Best wishes for a magical first trip!!!
 
RSD Part Deux

RSD Part Deux

Well-Known Member
Wilderness lodge. Aoa suites will be bigger but WL has so much more going for it. Since you have little ones most off your time will be at Magic Kingdom. At WL you just have to take a nice boat ride. No busses. Plus there are so many other little magical nuggets you will discover at WL. Enjoy.
 
mousehockey37

mousehockey37

Well-Known Member
Laura Kelly said:
With it's being our first trip, I don't want the added stress of switching. However, I do plan on us coming back A LOT, and would love to try all of the resorts eventually!
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Fair enough. I did my first split stay (DVC rental) in September and there was nothing to it. We had bell services come to our room the morning we left, we told them where it was going and went about our day. We checked in at our 2nd resort later that afternoon and bell services brought our stuff to the room. It was super easy. We went from Saratoga Springs to AKL Kidani. I couldn't imagine that it would be any different anywhere else, so if someone has experience with that, please weigh in.

I really liked the split cause it did save me money as well as we got to experience 2 completely different resorts. Next time we go, we want to try something else in combination with AKL.
 
DisneyDaver

DisneyDaver

Well-Known Member
With an 8 year old and a 4 year old, you will likely want to spend a lot of time at MK so I would go with WL (the easiest trip to MK of the resorts you mentioned). Time is precious in a WDW vacation so the less time you spend on (and waiting for) buses, the better. How many days is your trip?
 
Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

Member
Original Poster
DisneyDaver said:
With an 8 year old and a 4 year old, you will likely want to spend a lot of time at MK so I would go with WL (the easiest trip to MK of the resorts you mentioned). Time is precious in a WDW vacation so the less time you spend on (and waiting for) buses, the better. How many days is your trip?
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We're thinking 5 nights, 6 days. I'm pushing for 6 nights but it's hard for us to coordinate our days off.

Do they often offer spring deals? (particularly after Easter) I know there's one right now, but we're trying to decide between late April or early October to hopefully save a little money!
 
TinkerbellKate

TinkerbellKate

Active Member
I love the Wilderness Lodge. We have stayed at most of the resorts at Disney over the course of the last 25 years and Wilderness Lodge is our favorite by far. We stayed there the month that it opened back in 1994 and since then, we rarely stay anywhere else. I love Roaring Forks and the pool is great for kiddos. Having the boat to MK is a great added bonus! Have a wonderful trip!
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
If you can get Wilderness Lodge for around the same price as Port Orleans Riverside, then it gets my vote! It's beautiful and lushly themed with decor that appeals to all ages (AoA is very "loud" and kid-oriented and PORS is elegant and subtle), located very close to the Magic Kingdom (where I suspect first-timers with small children will want to spend more time than anywhere else), and has a small footprint (whereas AoA and PORS are very spread-out and can require lots of extra walking). We've stayed at FW Campground, PORS, Coronado Springs, and Wilderness Lodge (and my sister, who has stayed at AoA, shared her photos and thoughts with me), and although we loved them all, Wilderness Lodge won our hearts.
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
Laura Kelly said:
We're thinking 5 nights, 6 days. I'm pushing for 6 nights but it's hard for us to coordinate our days off.

Do they often offer spring deals? (particularly after Easter) I know there's one right now, but we're trying to decide between late April or early October to hopefully save a little money!
Click to expand...

Here's a calendar of historical, seasonal deals to give you an idea of when you might expect a room discount to be available. Remember, if you've already booked, watch for discounts and when one comes up that applies to your dates/room, call and have it retroactively applied to your package... http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/
 
ninjaprincesst

ninjaprincesst

Well-Known Member
Wilderness Lodge. While you will have a great stay at any of them, the boat to the MK is a plus, and we have stayed at WL several times at various times of the year and have found the WL buses to be less crowded than even the other deluxe hotels (the only exception being leaving from Epcot because you share a bus with Fort Wilderness)
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Wilderness Lodge, of course. Where are you getting the same price at WL as Riverside, though? It's usually at least $100 more per night. Though I would argue it's worth it. The boat ride to the MK would be wonderful w/ kids the age of yours'.
 
DisneyDaver

DisneyDaver

Well-Known Member
Laura Kelly said:
We're thinking 5 nights, 6 days. I'm pushing for 6 nights but it's hard for us to coordinate our days off.

Do they often offer spring deals? (particularly after Easter) I know there's one right now, but we're trying to decide between late April or early October to hopefully save a little money!
Click to expand...

There are often deals in the Spring and October so you should take a look at what dates had deals in the past. That said, the room discounts are usually limited to a certain number of rooms at certain resorts (and often only on some types of rooms at the applicable resorts). In addition, the best rooms offered in the discounts often go very quickly after the discount is announced.

You didn't ask, but it terms of time of year ... I prefer October over April. I love Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
 

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