Port Orleans Riverside Vs Wilderness Lodge.. (Poll)

[LAKid53]

Well we were going to stay at POR no matter what,due to it being cheaper, but my brother started the Disney College Program and we learned we could receive a pretty nice discount..so we decided we might try something different..

If the CP discount puts a room at WL the same or cheaper than POR, go with WL. It's a smaller resort (ignore the big square box comment). Everything @21stamps said is correct. The lobby is stunning - no other resort has as stunning a lobby, and I'm including GF.

Here's a picture of the lobby at Christmas.

Ignore the curve of the picture...

 

[21stamps]

If the CP discount puts a room at WL the same or cheaper than POR, go with WL. It's a smaller resort (ignore the big square box comment). Everything @21stamps said is correct. The lobby is stunning - no other resort has as stunning a lobby, and I'm including GF.

Here's a picture of the lobby at Christmas.

View attachment 188580
Ignore the curve of the picture...

I agree completely. The lobby is much prettier than GF or Poly..and the best part- not even 1/4th as crowded! My main complaint of the monorail resorts are the overstuffed with people lobbies. WL doesn't have that problem.

Here's 2 of the fireplace settings that I was talking about, and there's a big gorgeous one in the main lobby.

 

[Chaset24]

The lobby is pretty nice.. Now y'all gave me some ammo to persuade her on this resort haha...

 

[LAKid53]

The lobby is pretty nice.. Now y'all gave me some ammo to persuade her on this resort haha...

The fireplace Stamps posted a picture of looks like the one over at Boulder Creek.

Here are a few more pictures if she needs additional convincing.....

 

[Chaset24]

Wow the resort is very nice.. Did Wilderness lodge get refurbished recently? I know they are constructing new DVC buildings, but I thought I read something saying that most of the rooms have been refurbished?

 

[LAKid53]

Wow the resort is very nice.. Did Wilderness lodge get refurbished recently? I know they are constructing new DVC buildings, but I thought I read something saying that most of the rooms have been refurbished?

The rooms at Boulder Creek (original DVC building) were renovated a few years ago. I know the furnishings in the cash rooms have been changed - no more western style bedspreads like the ones in the picture I posted. I believe Disney has gone to the all white duvets in most , if not all, their resort rooms. To be honest, I've not stayed in a cash room since I bought DVC in 2014 - Boulder Creek is one of my home resorts. @21stamps, do the cash rooms look significantly different than the picture I posted?

You may also be thinking of the conversion of the entire south wing (or is it the east wing - I get my directions confused at Disney...it's the wing nearest the original DVC building) to DVC. That work is supposed to be completed sometime this summer.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay there, and I'm not just saying that because it's one of my home resorts. Other than the horn from the boats going over to the MK, you wouldn't know you're at Disney. Don't let the construction frighten you from staying. Yeah, most of the trees around the Lake are gone, it's a construction mess near Boulder Creek, but it's still a stunning resort. And if you like Pacific NW cuisine, Artist's Point is an excellent restaurant. And that lobby, with that roaring fireplace... Imagine after a long day at the park, parking your behind in one of the rocking chairs in front of the fireplace, drinking your favorite brew or other adult beverage....

 

[righttrack]

As you can see from the pictures Wilderness Lodge is one of the most beautiful resorts at WDW and possibly anywhere. It also isn't a long walk to your room as it's taller and less spread out than POR would be. There's not much comparison. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge are by far the most beautiful resorts WDW has to offer.

 

[LAKid53]

As you can see from the pictures Wilderness Lodge is one of the most beautiful resorts at WDW and possibly anywhere. It also isn't a long walk to your room as it's taller and less spread out than POR would be. There's not much comparison. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge are by far the most beautiful resorts WDW has to offer.

Absolutely. Sorry, GF, even the gingerbread house in the lobby during the holidays can't beat an undecorated WL lobby.... *drops mike*

 

[Chaset24]

Does POR have bigger rooms than Wilderness Lodge? Or are the Wilderness Lodge rooms bigger? Or are they practically the same size? (For a standard room)

 

[righttrack]

Does POR have bigger rooms than Wilderness Lodge? Or are the Wilderness Lodge rooms bigger? Or are they practically the same size? (For a standard room)

Wilderness Lodge rooms are definitely a bit bigger.

Also,

You can take a boat to and from Magic Kingdom
More sit-down restaurants, one a fine dining pacific northwest theme, the other more casual with a fun western theme not to be missed.
You're not walking outside corridors to get to your room. You have hallways, like a real hotel.
It's just nicer

 

[Chaset24]

The ferry to the Magic Kingdom is a big plus for sure......

 

[LAKid53]

Does POR have bigger rooms than Wilderness Lodge? Or are the Wilderness Lodge rooms bigger? Or are they practically the same size? (For a standard room)

According to several sites on Google, the square footage for all Moderates is 314. Deluxes vary, but Wilderness is reported to be 344. You walk into a little hallway when entering your room at WL. On one side is the bathroom and the other, a dresser type cabinet that hold the frig and a coffee maker sitting on top, so you don't take up space on top of the dresser with a coffee maker. The closet is on the same side. The dual vanity sink opens to the entry hallway. To one side is the toilet and shower/tub room.

There are three views - standard (the dreaded parking lot), courtyard (think pool) and woods (many facing the lake, MK). Go with a woods view on the two highest floors. Depending where your room is along the corridor, you might have a view of both Wishes and the water parade.

Here's a floor plan:

Visit the Allears.net channel on YouTube. The ladies have videos of just about every resort room at Disney.

 

[LAKid53]

Wilderness Lodge rooms are definitely a bit bigger.

Also,

You can take a boat to and from Magic Kingdom
More sit-down restaurants, one a fine dining pacific northwest theme, the other more casual with a fun western theme not to be missed.
You're not walking outside corridors to get to your room. You have hallways, like a real hotel.
It's just nicer

Don't tell him about the ketchup....

 

[LAKid53]

The ferry to the Magic Kingdom is a big plus for sure......

Not a ferry, a real boat... And if you want to go over to Ft. Wilderness, there's a boat that goes to there too.

 

[Chaset24]

Haha I saw the thing about the Ketchup, haha I am not going to tell my fiance about it though .. Again thanks everybody for all the help y'all answered all of my questions and more.

 

[LAKid53]

Just make sure you let us know which resort you chose and we want a trip report with pictures, please.

Have a great trip!

 

[Chaset24]

Just make sure you let us know which resort you chose and we want a trip report with pictures, please.

Have a great trip!

Will do.. I am also looking forward to a trip to Disneyland next year for our second time so I can't wait.

 

[LAKid53]

Will do.. I am also looking forward to a trip to Disneyland next year for our second time so I can't wait.

I'm planning a tip to DLR in January to run in the SW Light Side Half.

 

[Chaset24]

That is awesome LAkid53.. We are definatley going, I just need to decide whether we will be staying with our friends, which would save us a lot of money, or get a couple of nights on property..

 

[BigRedDad]

You can't compare a Mod to a Deluxe resort. It simply is not fair.