Just can't get excited for upcoming POR stay!

[Patience]

We stayed at POR in the nineties when it was called Dixie Landings. Since the late nineties, we have stayed at WL, Poly, GF, and POFQ.

When we stayed at POR in the nineties, the resort was fine. The bus service was excellent and the food service was good. We returned in September and we stayed at AB. Now, I must say that the décor in AB is definitely better than it was in the nineties, but the rest has gone downhill. The resort was full the second week of September and I don't really think Disney supplied the resort with enough resources to take care of their guest. The housekeeping was adequate, but lacking, the bus service was horrible, and the food court was horrendous. I don't think that it was the fault of the employees, but the employer. I think that they cut back on staff way too much. We waited for a MK bus one day for 45 minutes. After that, we took our car. You pay too much to stay on site, and when you cut back on customer service-----you cheat your customer. Hopefully, when you visit, Disney will supply the resort with enough resources. If that happens, your visit should be great.

We were also at POR the second week of September and really enjoyed our stay. We found the bus service to be fine and used it exclusively. We had to stand a couple of times but we also had to stand a couple of times when we stayed at Pop Century in 2011. One night after fireworks at MK, the bus lines for POR were very long so we hopped on a POFQ bus and walked back to our room at POR. We thought it was nice strolling along the river in the moonlight. We also liked the food court and ate there twice. We just tried to avoid it at peak times but we would have done that at any Disney resort.

We stayed in a royal room and liked the section of the resort we were in because it was so pretty and we were close to the food court and south depot bus stop. We plan to take our next trip to Disney in 2015 and my husband wants to try a room in in the AB section so we will probably book a preferred room.

 

[drdisneygirl]

We stayed at POR in September in the AB section. When planning the trip, I really thought I would like the mansions side of the resort better than the rustic feel of AB. Actually, we wound up loving the AB section of the resort! It is very lush and beautiful! The rooms are themed well with touches from the movie, "The Princess and the Frog".
The resort is quiet and peaceful and a nice change of pace after a day in the parks. The food court can get crowded in the morning, and we went to use the hot tub one night, but it was too crowded. Other than those minor issues, we loved the resort and would go back again!

 

[ttcl516]

We stayed in the AB section this past March. Absolutely loved everything about this resort. The grounds are very lush and serene. It was an awesome way to spend some down time from the crazy parks. A couple mornings the food court was a little busier than normal but you can always take your meal over to Boatwrights their restaurant and eat in there. As for the busses we only had to wait a couple of times but not more than 15 minutes. Unfortunately your in Disney with a million other people so you are bound to wait somewhere. We are planning a 2015 trip and everyone agreed that we had to stay there again. It seriously felt like home!!

 

[peainapod]

Thanks!!

Honestly, I was going to choose CSR instead of POR as I like the theme, but I choose POR due to the boat to DTD and food court option.

The last few times we have went we stayed at the AKL savannah. We even did concierge once. Guess I was a little spoiled. Now that we have a little one, I would rather use that money towards multiple character meals and experiences. I am sure POR will be fine.

Does anyone have any pics of the mansion area they would like to share with me? Hopefully we will get that as a family of 3!

Thanks

 

[MandersZ]

I am so excited for you! POR is a wonderful resort. I stayed there with a friend of mine a couple years ago for an event at Christmastime. I was so thrilled with it. The rooms are clean, cute, and comfortable. The grounds are breathtaking!

We stayed in the Magnolia side. I don't see why you can't simply request Magnolia.

My family and I always stay at the Wilderness Lodge, so this was a completely different experience for me. I would go back there in a heartbeat! The quick service restaurant is huge with lots of options, the lobby area, general store, and the little bar/restaurant are great! The entertainment that others have written about is delightful. Really, don't be discouraged. How lucky you are to be going!

I have a friend who returned from Argentina where he had business. His co worker there had been saving for 10 years to go to WDW, and figured she only had to save for 3 more years to be able to come for a week. My friend mentioned he was a DVC member, and this woman was simply amazed that he goes to WDW regularly. It just put it in perspective for me how wonderful it is to be able to create magical memories regularly!

http://allears.net/acc/g_dxl.htm has some pictures of the area.

I think you are making a good decision, especially to have extra money for character meals and the like. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[DisneyFave]

This fall I stayed at BLT. Very nice. Walked to MK. Monorail. Upscale. But I was actually a little homesick for POR.

That's totally how I felt after my stay at the Poly! The POR is so serene and sweet. It has just enough Disney magic to keep you in the vacation mood, while also relaxing you after a long day at the parks. I loved both the mansions (which oddly reminded me of a Caribbean resort I stayed at once--I think it's the bright white paint) and AB, which is so lush with tropical vegetation and adorable "Disney-fied" pathways and bridges. Not rustic at all.

But that said--it's a bummer to not feel excited about your resort! For me, 80% of the fun is in the planning and anticipation. And staying offsite is not the end of the world by any means. I have never regretted staying at the WDW Hilton. But I like taking a break from the magic, since I am so commando in the parks.

 

[leshunlenese]

Just got home today from our first stay at POR! I loved it there. I am so no outdoor girl. Like the only thing i like to do outside is disney world. we were in Alligator Bayou building 17 and it was beautiful and peaceful. The only reason I did not book it for next year is because it will only me me and my DS and we are park people and do not stay much in the resort.

 

[siskaren]

Does anyone have any pics of the mansion area they would like to share with me? Hopefully we will get that as a family of 3!

Thanks

http://portorleans.org/

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1730158

Also I would suggest checking out the POR thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3173085