My turn for some resort indecision - HELP!

[TxTiggerFan]

First a little background - For the last few years we have gone to the Food & Wine Festival. We love it. The first time it was just DH & I. Since then it's been me, DH, & DD(now 17). We are at a point now where it's possible for DH & I to go alone again. Three - yes, THREE - times I've had incredible deals come up for us to go this year. One time even an elusive pin code combined with an awesome SW airfare sale. All 3 times we have been on the verge of booking. I even have an ADR for Le Cellier next week that needs to be cancelled. And all 3 times we have decided not to go, to save the money instead - DVC purchase, motorycycle for him, college expenses for DD next year. All very valid reasons.

THEN - this weekend - my darling DH (note the sarcasm) decides its time to upgrade our pc's. They work just fine but no longer as good as they could be. As we are leaving the store after dropping even more money for these upgrades. My darling DH turns to me and says I know we didn't save as much as we planned but we didn't spend as much as would have to go to WDW, did we? Umm, actually, that's not true. We spent as much as I had budgeted for the trips. So no romantic weekend away enjoying food & adult beverages for us but we got really awesome computers

Forget greed, guilt is good.

So if you've made it this far here's where I need the help. Where should we stay for a 4 day weekend in January/February? It'll be just DH & I. Cooler weather so pools aren't a factor. I know the parks will have shorter hours so I'm wondering how much resort offerings should factor in to the consideration. I've managed to get it down to 3 resorts but having trouble deciding how to pare it down from here unless I go straight cost. But if that were the case we'd be at Pop and my husband finally admitted he's a resort snob and no Pop.

Here's the choices -
1. POFQ - cheapest choice. We've been here and love it. Love the size. Love the location. Like the bus routes. DH mentioned Riverside as well to change it up a bit.
2. WL - middle ground $$wise. My DH's favorite resort but he loves it because of the boat to MK and being able to rent SeaMice/Boats from the marina. Not happening in Jan/Feb.
3. Poly - Some place I've always wanted to stay. CR was in the running for the same reason but the conveince of the TTC put the Poly here. Part of me is thinking that it'd be better to do a week at Poly. A week long trip won't happen until for another year (if we don't do another cruise and the budget allows). Not that we couldn't do a long weekend now and a week next year at the same place but I almost feel 4 days isn't enough time to really enjoy Poly.

So what do my fellow Disney addicts think? Any suggestions for helping me narrow this down?

[vicki_c]

All good choices.

Poly is one of my favorites (with Beach Club about equal), and I think that might be good choice. Certainly would be more budget friendly to do it for 4 days than a week.

WL - hmm. I really like WL, but over the years, I've just decided that I like Poly/BC better. So I probably wouldn't pick that.

POFQ - my favorite moderate and I would pick that if I was trying to economize more.

So I think it's more about the budget.

[clanmcculloch]

I love both Poly and POFQ and haven't tried WL. I'd be choosing between Poly and POFQ and assuming money isn't a factor I'd look at how you want to spend the evenings. If you'll go to DTD a lot then POFQ is wonderful because of the boats. Can't beat that boat access to DTD from POFQ. It really is a nice, quiet, beautiful and romantic resort and you have evening entertainment in the lounge as well. If you won't go to DTD in the evening then Poly is really nice because you can take the monorail back from Epcot if you've been having a few drinks or even just hanging out around the WS and enjoying Illuminations or you can watch Wishes from the Poly beach or check out the other monorail resorts. When staying at Poly I really like staying CL for the lounge in the evening. Even if it's cold outside, you can sit in the lounge watching the fireworkds and electric water parade having a few drinks and desserts in comfort.

[Jay]

Last trip I spent 7 days at Poly and one at WL (just to try it out). We are back at the Poly this trip. I like the larger rooms, the smaller buildings, and the less crowded atmosphere. We have always rented a boat from the marina even in January, just dress warmly. I also like the boat to MK, but there is quick access to the ferry as well as the monorails. I enjoy Kona and was not too crazy about Whispering Canyon. Easy access to the GF or the CR if needed. I have done a few five day trips at the Poly (of course, a week is always better!).

[vatmark]

Stayed at Poly for our honeymoon in 91 and really didn't care for it. I know I am probably in the minority. The main lobby area always seemed so chaotic to me. We ate dinner at Kona in Dec. 06 and the whole area around it was crowded and loud.

WL is our favorite. Have been with kids and without kids. Love Artist Point. WL always feels tranquil to me. Love the theming. There's so many nice little nooks with couches and chairs to relax in. The size of the rooms don't bother me being that they are smaller then the Poly.

I can't comment about the others on your list because I have never stayed there.

Ann

[blyday]

Trying out a new resort on a shorter trip is always a good idea. If you find you don't like it....you aren't stuck there for a long time but if you find that you love it.....well....you know to save up for it for a future trip!!!! So......since you have stayed at the other two and as long as it isn't a financial issue.....I'd go with Poly!!!!

[TxTiggerFan]

Trying out a new resort on a shorter trip is always a good idea. If you find you don't like it....you aren't stuck there for a long time but if you find that you love it.....well....you know to save up for it for a future trip!!!! So......since you have stayed at the other two and as long as it isn't a financial issue.....I'd go with Poly!!!!

I like how you think! LOL

I think I'm leaning toward Poly for the convenience of the monorail and the ferry and Wishes from the beach. But I'm nervous about it for the reasons you said Ann. We love WL for all the reasons you posted. I really want this to be a nice, relaxing, romantic weekend. To throw another twist into things I check availabilty for Free Dining or the Room Only discounts for the weekends I'm looking at and there's no availability online for French Quarter. So that means Riverside if we want to go budget.

I know Florida weather can vary a lot in January. My dad talks about wearing shorts then (in Tampa) but then there are years when they actually have freezes. Would Poly lose some of its charms walking around the grounds bundled up? I know CL is out of the question. I don't think I can justify it. Although a shorter trip would be the time to check it out.

This would be so much easier if he was willing to stay at AKL. We love Boma and Victoria Falls lounge is one of my favorites but DH has no desire to stay there. And to be honest my daughter and I stayed there on a girls only weekend - we didn't care for it. Not sure why. But that dinner and lounge type of evening is what I'd like to do. And I think I just talked myself into Poly with that, LOL. For now.

With that in mind, if we decided to do budget would Riverside be the best one or is there another mod we should consider? Anything else I should think about with where we stay?

[graceesmom]

If you choose Port Orleans for budget, don't forget that POFQ was just renovated with Queen beds, so even though you've stayed there, the rooms will be freshly updated this time.

I'm booked for GF in February, but POFQ is very tempting with it's fresh re-do and the amount of $$ we'd save.

[Penny8765]

I know Florida weather can vary a lot in January. My dad talks about wearing shorts then (in Tampa) but then there are years when they actually have freezes. Would Poly lose some of its charms walking around the grounds bundled up? I know CL is out of the question. I don't think I can justify it. Although a shorter trip would be the time to check it out.

Stayed at the Poly in Feb 2010, and it was FREEZING, literally. No flowers, just a sign that said "we had a visit from Jack Frost." Lifeguards were wearing actual parkas and scarves. Rooms are large, but not really necessary for only two if there are budget concerns. I am also in the minority, but would suggest that it may not be the best time of year to see the Poly.

[TxTiggerFan]

Thanks for all the input so far

We're still running the budget - but I did buy the plane tickets. Airfare is normally the last thing I purchase but roundtrip DFW-MCO for under $200 per person was too hard to pass up. So we're definately going just not sure where we're staying yet. We keep going back and forth - budget or some place nicer. Budget = Riverside unless French Quarter is available with the room only discount via phone because it's not online. Nicer = WL, maybe Contemporary. I think I've ruled out Poly. I just think I'd enjoy it more in the summer.

[Husker Mouse]

We loved Riverside. We stayed in Magnolia Bend and it was so quiet and relaxing. I love the meandering walkways with benches scattered here and there. It was a very tranquil setting. Yeehaw Bob is great in the lounge! Of course you know about the boat to DTD. You could boat over to the lounge at POFQ, too. A carriage ride through the grounds would be romantic also. We love POR!! I would save the money and spluge elsewhere-but that is just me! Thet are refurbing POR. Ask for a refurbed room.

Josh, I am laughing so hard at my tag!!!! You have that about right!! Thanks for a great start this morning-ugh it's Monday already!

[TxTiggerFan]

Well, we decided... we're staying at Wilderness Lodge. Every time we talked about where to stay I kept thinking back to WL - especially the lobby. It just has the feel I want for the trip if that makes sense.

Thank you for the input everyone. :)