12 days @ POR, Another Amazing Visit to Disney!

[a1tinkfans]

Used Hyatt Hotel in MCO first night for a later night arrival (hotwire at $79, a Bargain for sure). Would definitely do that again. Loved leaving in afternoon for our vacation, so Non rushed and then off to POR next morning at leisure. ME was within 15 minutes at about 8am. (Upon returning, there was an ME breakdown and some people had tight calls to catch their flights. Our driver said the dispatcher was not very good and that made it worse.)
BY the way, saw several people overcome from heat or dehydration this trip.....DRINK water and slow down everyone, that was scary to watch, poor things.....Something to keep in mind if traveling in the heat with your family....
We were a Grand Gathering, 6 adults two teens, one middle schooler and one elementary schooler, most stayed at POR, some chose off site.
(the off site couple missed the EMH and paid so much $$ to eat at decent restaurants that they realized too late that they would have been better on site, a lesson learned for them, I suppose...some people have to learn on their own though.......If they had chosen to eat at fast food places they prob would have been okay....anyhoo,
We were given (requested) Bldg 14, PERFECT location as it is so convenient. Yes, we were next to one another too.
The Mousekeeper was Marta (SWEET and SO WONDERFUL with towel animals EACH night) We got flowers and many animals and even some wearing sunglasses! Room was spotless upon arrival (literally smelled like clorox) and thruout the stay as well. THANK YOU Marta! We left envelopes each day for her. She even told us what her days off were and checked upon returning to make sure it all went well.... It did!
Used Garden Grocer for first time, water and snacks. Missing 1 item and totally crushed chips, which they took care of after I called them. Free next day delivery.
Used Disney Florist for Balloon delivery, Tink and Mickey and Minnie. They delivered inside the room on date asked, they gave us one wrong balloon, but it was no biggie. Pretty presentation, ribbons and curlies!!
Used Disney Florist for the Snack Tote....it came with some fruit (which honestly was not fresh, mealy apples) but the snacks were cute and the tote was quite nice as well, ribbons and all.
Used the Cake delivery Service for the MICKEY cake (to WC) , Much bigger than I thought and feeds way more than ten, Delicious and we gave the cake to the staff at W Canyon to enjoy (like almost the whole cake as we were all so stuffed from dinner). FUN time! Lots of NE'ers that night!!
We ate at T Rex, Rainforest Cafe, Whispering Canyon, Trails End, Teppan Edo, Market place at Coronado Springs, Liberty Tree, Ohana's, POR food court. We gave up LeCellier dinner twice (crazy, but it worked out for us and believe me they were shocked we canceled, LOL) also gave up ADR @ Kona this year as well.
It was impossible for any of us (either groups of two or three and once for 5 to walk into ANY place and get served). Not even Boatwrights! We were always told they were booked. Even upon arrival at MK the sign was posted that there was no TS available on more than one day. (our reservations were set, we tried for some changes anyway) It was all good! PLANNING pays off when dining is involved.
Piano Bob is "the same" as always.........CUTE, but please change it up, LOL!!
We got the invite to the Mickey Moms Party at Epcot but our invitation arrived too late, so disappointed!!
Tried for Fantasmic at HS and the wait was more than two hours for 2 nights. Then finally one of our group decided to use their GAC (which was for up to 6) and the CM made everyone in the designated Handicapped area show their passes or leave. Needless to say, people were moved and part of the group saw the show. At first they felt bad for moved people but handicapped had been turned away for "no room" until one CM spoke up and checked. So, more wheelchairs actually got in!! We skipped it though, maybe next time....
We did the Dessert party, TONS of desserts upon arrival when it first opened, but they need to work out some kinks.....like replenishing cups and glasses and desserts 1/2 ...3/4 thru.....We arrived on time and there was everything and plenty of it....but other late arrivers were not so lucky...Its something I would not do again because it seemed so wasteful for us. We each picked like 2 things.....OBSERVED: most people were Serious eaters though with plates of desserts stacked high. It seemed like they they thought they had to eat everything to get their moneys worth (??) whatever the reason, many of the kids (and there were not too many) I saw had piled plates too and most of it was just left there with a small bite missing, just so wasteful...Personally I think it is more for adult enjoyment. I guess to each his own... What I ate was good though, can't even recall what....it looked fabulous too! Very pretty presentation....BUT, the view of the fireworks and the fact that Tinkerbell literally flies right overhead was Amazing!!! THAT was worth it alone IMHO!!
Saw the Princess Diana Exhibit at DTD, enjoyed that! Gee was she petite but tall!! Sad!
The Balloon at DTD was down twice for wind, so we missed that.
Used the Spa at Saratoga, (massage) very good service!!
Decorated the windows (clings and picture and a sign about our group), no issues!
Resort was busy and very clean!
Food Court was really good, but late breakfast eaters be aware that the signs and the food changes exactly at 11 am from breakfast to lunch.

One of our kids got to Ring the Bell and Put Tinkerbell to Sleep at MK Park Closing, that was Priceless!!
We noticed that POR always seemed to have a line for a bus, and all the bus pick ups are the furthest ones, so lots of walking indeed! No real bus issues though, except one night at MK, THAT was a crazy night, maybe it was EMH. We also had a GAC which was utilized , when needed (sensory integration issues) and was VERY helpful! THANK YOU disney!!
OH, and we noticed that the boats seemed so much louder than in the past. Found out that they have now changed to the US Coast Guard Recommended "toots" as far as decibals and length of time, etc...so hold your ears on the boats to DTD and back
Saw a woman and teen at Epcot one day with lime green shirts and DIS writing on it, but despite trying to shout out a hello, they did not see us. My dh was mortified anyway Crazy wife calling out to others was not on his list of vacations musts, Yes, I had a lime green mickey head on my bag!.......Met someone from NJ at AK and we chatted and discussed the GREAT stuff we know from the DIS, too funny!! Hello NJ!!
Bought mugs for our family (actually ahead of time) and saw only 1 family with the old ones. No mug Police at POR, seemed like they could care less.
Used laundry room, simple and easy.
Well, lots more, so if you have any questions or anything, just ask, be happy to share what I saw, did and experienced this latest trip!

I miss it already and I arrived home last night!!
Oh, used SW (and just got my next free flight), what could be better than that. Great service as always, LOVE that airline, always professional!

[momminnie]

Hi, glad you had a great trip. I will be at the POR in 3 weeks. Just wondering, is there a curtain between the vanity and the bed and is there a fridge in the room? Oh how big is the coffee maker? Thanks and glad you had a great trip.

[webstah]

Originally Posted by momminnie

Hi, glad you had a great trip. I will be at the POR in 3 weeks. Just wondering, is there a curtain between the vanity and the bed and is there a fridge in the room? Oh how big is the coffee maker? Thanks and glad you had a great trip.

Yes, there is a curtain between the bathroom / vanity area and the sleeping area.
Seperate light, which when the curtain is closed doesn't seem to bother anyone.
The coffee pot is a 2 cup pot I believe, but I always just run to the food court first thing anyhway.

[momminnie]

Thanks! Is there a fridge in the room? Or will I just need to use my cooler?

[a1tinkfans]

Fridge in room, hidden in a cabinet with the coffee maker, coffee, cups and ice bucket atop it.

Have a GREAT trip!