Trying to Decide

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm trying to decide between staying at Wilderness Lodge or Pop Century in February. I guess I'm really trying to decide whether or not to splurge or not. I have not stayed at either one, and I am slightly turned off by the big icons at Pop but the price is better. I am a little concerned about price because I am planning a trip to Maui in June, so a little part of me thinks that I should save $$, I'm just really torn.

Has anyone stayed at either or could provide any insight on either or advice?

Thanks!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

You have a couple of options. First off, Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful, quiet setting with some very nice restaurants and recreational facilities. Boat ride to MK too. Depending on when you are going, you can get discounts from things like AAA and Disney Visa.

One thing many people do is resort hopping. You could do a couple of days at WL then spend the rest of your time at another resort. Disney will even move your bags for you. It also depends on how long and when your stay is.

Give Kingdom Konsultants a call, they can work some number options to see what might be available. The are very Disney knowledgable and don't charge for making reservations.

 

[H20Babie]

Is there any way that you could give a moderate resort a try? IMHO, a mod is better than a value, but not as much $$$ as a deluxe, and you still get that Disney feel. POR/POFQ has some great ambience, plus the quiet pools, hot tubs and boat transporation to DTD.

 

[crazydaveh]

You might want to know that there are several sports tournaments going on at once at WWoS during that time of year, meaning tons of kids running around the resorts. I know they usually stay at the Value and Moderates, so this might help your decision.

Not all of the kids are loud and annoying, but they're kids, they're having fun, and they have a lot more energy than adults do! Get the picture!

Good luck.

 

[Eyekimore]

Descisions, descisions............

Well- I think the first order is the following.......
What kind of vacation do you want to have? If you are going to spend all day/every day in the park- I say go for the POP. (Which is my favorite value...)

If you're going for mood/relaxing by the pool/luxury of a deluxe resort- go WL.

I've stayed at both. I loved the POP when we spent all day in the parks. Who cares- you only sleep there. However- when it comes to relaxing by the pool and the ability to use recreation facilities- I want deluxe! I also love the quiet places at the WL. You can always find a quiet nook/chair/couch to sit and read. I LOVE to read on vacation. (We've even stayed at the WL concierge floor! Wow!)

We've also done the split with a few days here and there. Always start at the value first or you'll be disappointed. There is something to be said about checking in and staying until you leave. The splits are so annoying to me.

Whatever you choose- I'm sure you'll have a terrific time.

 

[marine1]

wilderness is the only way to go plus its closer to all the parks.

 

[phenom1307]

def go wilderness...i stayed there for a couple nights before i became a CM in jan. and it was amazing

 

[marine1]

ok if your a cm

where is the coral reef restraunt and whats the telephone number for it.

 

[ThinkTink721]

I'm trying to decide between staying at Wilderness Lodge or Pop Century in February. I guess I'm really trying to decide whether or not to splurge or not. I have not stayed at either one, and I am slightly turned off by the big icons at Pop but the price is better. I am a little concerned about price because I am planning a trip to Maui in June, so a little part of me thinks that I should save $$, I'm just really torn.

Has anyone stayed at either or could provide any insight on either or advice?

Thanks!

I have stayed at Pop & I like it, but if I had that choice, it would be WL (because it is a deluxe).
I guess it all depends on how much $ you want to spend & how much time you spend in your room.
Pop was fine for us because we only use our room for sleeping & showering.

Some nice things about Pop (I have never stayed at WL):
-no long waits for buses
-has own buses (do not share w/ any other resorts)
-close to DTD & MGM
-nice themes (50's, 60's, 70's, 80's & 90's sections - we stayed in the 50's near the bowling pin pool)
-nice pools (there are 3)
-quick check in
-nice souvenir shop
-food court crowded, but not unbearable
-friendly staff
-prompt service (for ex., towels & bath products brought w/i 30 min. of phoning)
-you can see ducks, rabbits & squirrels on the grounds (the ducks will come right up to you)
-mousekeeping did set-ups for us almost every day
-rooms are kept clean

We enjoyed it so much, we are planning to return to Pop next year!

 

[ThinkTink721]

where is the coral reef restraunt and whats the telephone number for it.

It is at Epcot.
I think you can call WDW reservations.

 

[Monty]

where is the coral reef restraunt and whats the telephone number for it.

I'm not sure why you asked this question in a thread about choosing resorts, but...

The Coral Reef restaurant is located in The Living Seas pavilion in Epcot. To get the direct number to the restaurant, you can call 407-WDW-DINE and ask the reservations CM for the direct number [unless you need specific information relating to food allergies though, I don't know why you would need the number].

 

[coltow]

I'm trying to decide between staying at Wilderness Lodge or Pop Century in February. I guess I'm really trying to decide whether or not to splurge or not. I have not stayed at either one, and I am slightly turned off by the big icons at Pop but the price is better. I am a little concerned about price because I am planning a trip to Maui in June, so a little part of me thinks that I should save $$, I'm just really torn.

Has anyone stayed at either or could provide any insight on either or advice?

Thanks!

We've stayed at both. For us it's always about money. We set a hotel budget before we pick. For example we say no more than $120 a night. We then figure which resort fits our price best. But I would stay at WL every time if it were possible. We were lucky enough in 2006 to score WL for $135 a night through discount. We were originally supposed to be at POR for almost the same price.

We had stayed at Pop in 2005 and it worked out good for us. The rooms obviously are smaller than at WL. At Pop though it is a littler harder to go back in the afternoons if you need a break. WL was very easy to come and go, especially as we spent most of our time at MK.

If you have any specific questions about either, make sure to ask. Lots of people can give you anyswers/opinions to just about anything.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Is there any way that you could give a moderate resort a try? IMHO, a mod is better than a value, but not as much $$$ as a deluxe, and you still get that Disney feel. POR/POFQ has some great ambience, plus the quiet pools, hot tubs and boat transporation to DTD.

Yeah yeah, What she said!!!! Belle

 

[LivinWitTheLand]

We stayed at POP for 3 years in a row, and stayed the Poly and the Contemp before that. This year we chose POFQ.

After staying at a moderate I will never stay at a Value again. For 30% more, the moderates are definitely worth it. POFQ was so much more quiet than POP, no long lines for buses, has a hot tub which was always quiet, smaller in size so less walking, nice arcade, fridge and coffee in each room and just more relaxing all in all.

At POP we always had gruesome waits for the buses in the morning, the pools were always noisy and crowded, as was the resort in general. The check in line was always a 45 min wait, were at POFQ we had no wait to check in. We always go down in September, so we are comparing apples to apples crowd level wise.

I would say if money is an issue, go for POFQ, you are still getting the great Disney service and relaxation of a deluxe resort with just a few less amenities such as room service. If you are looking for a relaxing slow paced resort POP is not for you.

We have also stayed at Coronado and ASMo, and POFQ wins hands down, even over the Poly. We liked it so much we already booked there again for next year.

 

[marine1]

it was 4 parks and i wasnt sure which one

then after last night i posted it i reliazed their was only one aquarium and i went there once but not to the restraunt you can chalk that one up to the funniest thread on here at disney.

 

[emmersandjack]

We have stayed at both and have done the resort hopping thing. Actually doing the same thing on this trip (AKL than BCV).

If your looking to save some cash don't do WL. However, it is my favorite resort and have nothing but fantabulous things to say about it. Whispering Canyon Cafe alone as a resort restaurant is enough for me to want to stay there every trip. It's beautiful,quiet, and like someone else said has easy access to MK.

Pop is alright, but I think that I have gotten a little spoiled (I just hope not snooty :lookaroun). Either way you will have a great time. I do suggest the resort hopping thing though. It gives you a little bit of wiggle room with cash. My only suggestion would be to stay at Pop first than WL. Not to disparage the Pop, but I think it would be disappointing to go from a deluxe to a value. Go value to deluxe.


Like I said whatever you decide, you'll be in WDW so it's "good times indeed"! (That's just a little Luke from HCOE DVD:hurl.

 

[Nemo14]

then after last night i posted it i reliazed their was only one aquarium and i went there once but not to the restraunt you can chalk that one up to the funniest thread on here at disney.

:brick::brick::brick:

 

[normdisney]

I would stay at the WL. We are DVC members and have been since 92 but the best thing abouty Disney is to have a magic place after the parks close. WL is all that book a fireworks cruise that leaves from there its a great time

Have fun!:ROFLOL: