Advice Please

[Michelle]

We are planning our next trip to WDW the first week in May. This is where I need advice, I want to stay at WL, we have stayed the last couple of years at All Star Sports. My boys 6 and 7, love this resort. They are upset that we will be staying some where else. And now the guilties are creeping in. As a parent would you over ride them and stay where you want, or would you go with the flow and stay value another year? I've shown them all the pictures of WL and they think it looks okay but they would rather stay in surf's up this year. Does anyone know when POFQ will reopen? As I might be able to talk them into staying there again. Any help or ideas would be great.

[cshore]

Hi Michelle. I can see why the boys would love All Star Sports. Have you ever split your stay between 2 resorts? This might be a way to have your sports and your wilderness too. A lot of people have suggested this, and have had very good things to say about doing it. I had never even thought this was an option, but we are going to try it for the first time in December, splitting our stay between AKL and WL. I figure, it's worth a try. I don't know when POFQ reopens. I hope soon, as this is MY favorite moderate. Have fun planning your trip!!

[Bookwood]

Great minds cshore- I was thinking of splitting the stay also. I'd do the WL first then switch to ASSp that way the boys will be looking forward and not back (also splitting saves money :D ). If they really fuss I'd fudge the truth and say ASSp was full until the date you switch too. I'm sure for adults transferring up would be the way to go, but I always like to leave the kids happy.

Bookwood

[MargaretJ]

Boy if I had the choice of WL over All Stars I would be at WL in a heart beat. I have stayed at All Stars many times but WL is so beautiful & I have to admit I would over ride my son's wishes. How about these things to help talk them into WL - the Boat to Magic Kingdom, The Electrical Water Parade, The Beach, Boats to rent, the Slide at the Pool, The Otter Pond, Bunk Beds, The Whispering Canyon Restaurant, The Boat to Contemporary then the Monorail, easy access to Fort Wilderness. I could go on but maybe this will convice them. The Slide was enough for my son when he was that age. Good luck.

[Sheryl]

Hi Michelle,

I agree with the others and suggest splitting your stay. My family loves to split our stay between resorts, and WL happens to be my family's favorite. My boys are 9 and 11 and they LOVE the WL. One of the things they look forward to is they get a bunk bed at the WL, and seeing how they each have a double bed at home, the bunk bed is a bonus for them. Another is the pool and hot tubs, which we spend alot of time at. I would also recommend renting the water sprites or a surrey bike at the WL. I'll admit I would overide their decision if it was somewhere I really wanted to go.

Sheryl :minnie:

[kathi]

If money is not an issue, I woudn't go back to the All Stars. Your kids love it because it's what they know. Once they see the great things that a deluxe resort has to offer, I bet they will not be in such a hurry to go back to a value.

If you definitely want to split your time (Which I do not like to do. Once I unpack, I'm not in the mood to haul everything back out again) I would suggest you think about one of the moderates that has a great pool (Port Orleans Riverside or Coronado Springs). At thier age, I would suspect that the pool is a big factor.

From what I have read on the boards, Beach and Yacht Club's shared pool "Stormalong Bay" is the most popular with older children; however the price of those two resorts can be prohibitive. The location of BC and YC is excellent with walking access to Epcot, MGM and the Boardwalk.

kathi

[AndyL]

Book the WL. It'll be a new experience for them. Just like the others have mentioned tell them there's more recreation available to them there than Sports.

[MissBianca]

I can sure understand your dilemma, Michelle. On the one hand, make the boys happy and spend less, on the other hand the luxury and atmosphere you dream of.

Here's what I'd do--I'd book the WL and check the availability of All Stars Sports. If, after staying there one night and checking out the boats, the pool, Whispering Canyon and everything, the boys still really want to switch, do. You can explain things to a cast member at the front desk and I'm sure they could arrange a transfer and refund. But I'm betting that your boys willl love WL! I also think the bunk bed is a great suggestion!

[SuzyQ]

I agree with what AndyL said: I would book WL. I bet they will really enjoy it so much better. What is it about the ASsports that they love so much? The pool? THen be sure to let them experience the pool at WL and the slide. Also, you could take them over to FW for the campfire with Chip & Dale - that would be fun!

~Suzy

[LuvmeDisney]

I'm with the majority. We have stayed at the WL and my 3 kids love it! In a lot of ways they even prefer it over the Beach Club! We have split our stays every time we have gone, but that is more so we feel as though we have had 2 different holidays. The kids also really like the experience of two different resorts and pools (they just love to compare things). I would go with the suggestion of booking WL first and finishing at the All Stars so they may experience something new, and go back to something comfortable. This also helps if in the future you have no choices and they need to know experiencing another resort is not a bad thing. It can be a lot of fun!

Linda
P.S. Whooo this is my 100th post (moving up in the world)

[sandar]

hi Michelle,

I really like the WL, too, and I think your boys would enjoy it if you all give it a try. My daughter was 6 1/2 when we stayed there and she especially liked the pool. They had organized pool games each afternoon at 3:00, which were a lot of fun. The young women who led the games were really good with the kids. So if you go, I suggest that you look over the activities list they give you at checkin time.

Also, your boys would probably enjoy the Hidden Mickey Hunt, which takes you all over the lodge and grounds. You can request the sheet of clues at the front desk.

I understand wanting your kids to feel like they have a say in your family vacation. On the other hand, they have no way of understanding what it's like at another resort until you try it. Hope you'll let us know what you decide. :)

Sandi

[VillianGirl]

Okay, I guess I must be a mean mother because I would say go ahead and book WL. When I get into tangles like the one you describe with my almost six year old son I calmly explain to him that he is not the only member of the family and sometime mommy gets to pick and do what she wants to do. Picking the resort has never been offered as an option to my son so I don't think it's occurred to him to debate me on this point. Mostly he's just happy to be going to Disney World. We have had an occasional dispute over attractions and where to eat meals. Again, I let him pick some of the time but not every time. If he starts getting obnoxious about not getting his way, I tell him I'm taking him back to the room until he can learn to be polite. So far this technique has always worked.

I think that once your boys get there, they'll just love it. Go on and book WL. Remember it's your vacation too.

[AliciaG]

Hi Michelle! I think that your boys would really enjoy Wilderness Lodge once they get there. You might try "selling" them on some of the neat things they'd experience there, that they wouldn't at ASSp. Here's just a few of the cool things for kids I can think of...

Whispering Canyon Cafe - what kid wouldn't love the rowdy atmosphere and the thought of a bottomless milkshake. 8)

The pool slide - I bet you wouldn't be able to keep them off of it, and it's really cool that the stream starts in the lobby and travels down till it's a waterfall in the pool. 8)

Bunkbeds - need I say more? :lol:

Bay Lake = water mice rental, electric water pagaent, boat to Ft. W and MK

Bike rental - my kids absolutely love to ride their bikes, and there is a trail that'll take you all the way to Ft. W

You might wanna tell them about the nearby campfire movies, petting zoo, and stables at Ft. W too.

I bet you'll make deluxe resort lovers out of them fast. :wink:

Good luck with your decision.

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Once your boys discover just how much there is to do at WL, you will have no problems getting them to stay here!

LindaClaus :sun: