1200 pics, 1100 miles, 15 deluxe dining meals, 1 great time at POR *Completed 9/5*

[KatMark]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I love breakfast at Ohana better than lunch or dinner. Did they offer to do anything to better your experience?

No; even the host was rude. We asked him to take a picture of us on our way out and he huffed and hastily took a blurry photo.

 

[alan_renfroe]

I am so late to the party! Wanted to check in and say I can't wait to read all about this trip!! Now to actually go back and read!!

Hi mblc14! Welcome to the party! Glad to have you here!

 

[alan_renfroe]

No; even the host was rude. We asked him to take a picture of us on our way out and he huffed and hastily took a blurry photo.

The folks at the check-in desk seemed a bit rude to us as well. When we told them we were early, they scoffed as if to say, "well, you're going to wait anyway." I was super nervous that we were going to have a bad experience. Lukus and the food saved the day for us.

That being said, you wouldn't believe the nerve of many of the people that came up to the check-in desk. No reservations...upset that they weren't going to be seated immediately, etc.

 

[Venomhatch]

No; even the host was rude. We asked him to take a picture of us on our way out and he huffed and hastily took a blurry photo.

The folks at the check-in desk seemed a bit rude to us as well. When we told them we were early, they scoffed as if to say, "well, you're going to wait anyway." I was super nervous that we were going to have a bad experience. Lukus and the food saved the day for us.

That being said, you wouldn't believe the nerve of many of the people that came up to the check-in desk. No reservations...upset that they weren't going to be seated immediately, etc.

This will get addressed, I promise! Did anyone grab their names of the CMs in question?

 

[alan_renfroe]

After having a great day at Epcot and a wonderful dinner at 'Ohana, we arrived back at our room at Port Orleans Riverside around 9pm on Saturday, May 31. I was tired and could have called it a night...but we were planning on sleeping in the next day so I wasn't about to give up just yet! One of my 'must-dos' on this trip was to try and catch a Yeehaw Bob performance. I've been a musician and entertainer myself since I was 14 years old, so I have the utmost admiration for someone who can entertain a crowd for such a long period of time. My DD made fun of me for this, but I had seen some of his videos on YouTube and thought he would be a treat.

Everyone else in my family went to bed but I struck out on my own to see what the night had in store. I crossed the bridge over to 'Ol Man Island and the main pool was a happening place! It was filled with laughter and people having a great time. And the temp was about a perfect 78-80 degrees or so...simply a beautiful evening.





As I approached the bridge to the main building, I was taken in by its majestic beauty. And the pictures do not reflect it, but I could see the fireworks from "Illuminations" going on above.







When I got to the main building I followed the sounds of the music to the River Roost and got to see Yeehaw Bob doing his thing! (sorry for the poor quality of the pictures):



The place was packed with men, women, and children. Definitely a family-friendly environment. I ordered a drink, then found a spot to stand and just enjoy this amazing entertainer doing his thing!



A note to those who are not staying at POR: want to have a fun evening? Take the boat from DTD to POR on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night and check out Yeehaw Bob....he's hilarious! And an absolute PRO at entertaining.

He was about to take a break, but before he did we all had to do the "YMCA"!







...and to think that I almost went to bed and missed this! I hope to have another Disney World trip in the near future, and I hope to stay at Port Orleans Riverside, and I hope to carve out an evening to just sit and enjoy this brilliant entertainer.

But alas, I was tired and ready for bed so I made my way back to my room and called it a night.

What a great day it had been! Now it was time to get some sleep and get ready for Day 3 which was going to be epic!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Ugh, the version you described of the lunch steak at Kona doesn't sound good at all. Apparently they have gone back to the teriyaki style and it was good. The pasta salad was pretty terrible, but the rice and steak were both good. I'll bet you weren't the only one outraged! And I'll bet they heard about too!

From what I see on the WDW website, Kona Café still has the teriyaki steak for lunch, but at dinner it's now the bacon molasses steak. Their new dinner menu in general doesn't appeal to me nearly as much as their old one, to the point where I'm thinking of not having dinner there on my next trip, after all, unless they improve the options before then. I'd still go there for breakfast and lunch, but could use that dinner slot to try a new place.

 

[KatMark]

This will get addressed, I promise! Did anyone grab their names of the CMs in question?

I have no clue...it was back in August last year. But thank you for your concern

 

[alan_renfroe]

From what I see on the WDW website, Kona Café still has the teriyaki steak for lunch, but at dinner it's now the bacon molasses steak. Their new dinner menu in general doesn't appeal to me nearly as much as their old one, to the point where I'm thinking of not having dinner there on my next trip, after all, unless they improve the options before then. I'd still go there for breakfast and lunch, but could use that dinner slot to try a new place.

If you DO decide to keep your dinner plans at Kona, may I suggest the Kona Coffee-rubbed Pork Chop. OMG! Amazing! It is not offered at lunch, but it is a fabulous dinner.

I have no clue...it was back in August last year. But thank you for your concern

Expressing your opinions is actually helpful in the long run to Disney. If a lot of folks agree with you, they tend to listen to the feedback.

 

[andrewilley]

When I was there earlier in May they had just changed the menu and changed up the steak and got rid of the teriyaki version of the steak and made it a molasses bacon something or another AND got rid of the sticky rice. Boo!

Why on earth would they do that? The Teriyaki Steak was a signature item there, that's like taking Dole Whips away from Aloha Isle, or beignets from Port Orleans French Quarter.

We've got a meal booked there in August (we eat there every trip) but with that news, along with the general mess and chaos that's going on there at the moment, I think I might cancel and go somewhere else.

Andre

 

[anniebabymu]

Did it ever rain that afternoon? I can't remember. If it did it was after we left the park because it never rained on us that day.

I really sort of consider this day like our first real day. The day before was checking in, unpacking, a quick few hours at Animal Kingdom, then DTD. But this was our first real day! Ohana review coming right up!

We left Epcot around 3:00 and headed to Magic Kingdom for our last night. The sky was soooooo dark that it made us head to Cosmic Ray's for an early dinner. We just knew it was going to downpour and wanted to get inside! And then I thought our Dessert Party was going to be all rainy and gross. And it NEVER rained! I was shocked!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hi Allan, I made it. Thank you for the link.

Congratulations on your anniversary. No better place to celebrate. And what a lovely family too.

As nice as it is to be in Orlando (well Kissimmee), it sure is nice to finally get onto Disney property. Curious about the room...

Is the sink in the washroom? You don't see that much. Maybe because it was a handicap room?

Just for the record, the tram absolutely IS a ride.

OMG that just cracked me up about the Texans in Ohana. A lot of people would have been put off by that. Me? I'm thinking, what an awesome TR story!!!!

Aww Yeehaw Bob. That's awesome that you decided to go it alone. Definitely on my short list of things to see. I've heard nothing but amazing reviews.

All caught up and loving it so far!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What a fun afternoon & evening! I am with you on the schoolbread...just not my thing. And I find Mission Space to be horrifyingly claustrophobic!!

I have never tried O'Hana but it looks fun. How odd for that group to have a picnic!

Also never seen Yeehaw Bob. Love that about WDW. Even after so many visits, still new things to see & do!

 

[Mariep26]

Hiya!! I am joining. I really want to stay at POR. Hoping 2015 is the year for us to try it. Loving all the pictures and reviews!! I have my notebook out and adding lots of good info. Thanks!!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Why on earth would they do that? The Teriyaki Steak was a signature item there, that's like taking Dole Whips away from Aloha Isle, or beignets from Port Orleans French Quarter.

We've got a meal booked there in August (we eat there every trip) but with that news, along with the general mess and chaos that's going on there at the moment, I think I might cancel and go somewhere else.

Andre

They still have the teriyaki steak at lunchtime, but at dinnertime it's now molasses bacon steak instead. I agree that the teriyaki steak is one of their better offerings and a signature item, and overall I preferred their old dinner menu over the new one.

 

[colachdec]

Loving your trip report and pictures! We have been home a week and I miss WDW already!
We ran ourselves ragged for our 6 days and didn't get to enjoy POR as much as we should have. Thank you for capturing it's beauty through your pictures!

PS. Totally agree about the school bread, too. I was so bummed because I wanted to love it so much!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mblc14]

That being said, you wouldn't believe the nerve of many of the people that came up to the check-in desk. No reservations...upset that they weren't going to be seated immediately, etc.

I've always been amazed by this on our trips. I am far from an expert on DW, but I at least learned that you gotta have some ADR's for places you want to eat. I always want to walk up and give them a DisBoards business card or something... But that would only make them more angry I'm sure.


Off to a great start. Resort looks amazing and could your desserts be any better so far? I mean, man, definitely setting the bar high for the rest of the desserts and dining in general. Hope the food/restaurants keep getting better!!

 

[hill6]

Great review so far. Can't wait for more.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Why on earth would they do that? The Teriyaki Steak was a signature item there, that's like taking Dole Whips away from Aloha Isle, or beignets from Port Orleans French Quarter.

We've got a meal booked there in August (we eat there every trip) but with that news, along with the general mess and chaos that's going on there at the moment, I think I might cancel and go somewhere else.

Andre

It really is...I mean isn't that their signature dish? I guess they're concentrating more on their sushi menu at dinner?

We left Epcot around 3:00 and headed to Magic Kingdom for our last night. The sky was soooooo dark that it made us head to Cosmic Ray's for an early dinner. We just knew it was going to downpour and wanted to get inside! And then I thought our Dessert Party was going to be all rainy and gross. And it NEVER rained! I was shocked!

Oh that's right! It never did rain! DW and I ended up going to the hot tub and having a couple of drinks from the pool bar. Glad your dessert party wasn't ruined!

Hi Allan, I made it. Thank you for the link.

Congratulations on your anniversary. No better place to celebrate. And what a lovely family too.

As nice as it is to be in Orlando (well Kissimmee), it sure is nice to finally get onto Disney property. Curious about the room...

Is the sink in the washroom? You don't see that much. Maybe because it was a handicap room?

Just for the record, the tram absolutely IS a ride.

OMG that just cracked me up about the Texans in Ohana. A lot of people would have been put off by that. Me? I'm thinking, what an awesome TR story!!!!

Aww Yeehaw Bob. That's awesome that you decided to go it alone. Definitely on my short list of things to see. I've heard nothing but amazing reviews.

All caught up and loving it so far!!!

Hi Rob! Great to see you here! You sir are the king of the trip reports and I'm honoured to have you along for the ride!

Thanks for the kind words. I'm proud of the family! DW and I celebrated in style at dinner on June 3rd. (more on that later.)

Yes, the room was a little bizarre because there was only one sink and it was in the washroom area, but it was because of being a handicapped room. Neither myself nor anyone in my family has a handicap so I have no idea how we ended up with that room...but hey I'm not complaining. We loved the location!

Hahahaha, you think like I do! When I witness behaviour that appears out of the ordinary at WDW, I think "there's a story for the trip report!"

I tell ya, Yeehaw Bob was awesome! It's neat when you find a unique entertainer who can stretch across ages and genres and still be entertaining. When he took a break people were lined up to get their picture made with him or get his autograph. I read somewhere that he was a recipient of one of Disney's highest awards for Cast Members. (Forgot what it was called.) Anyway, he's DEFINITELY worth putting on your 'must-do' list.

Thanks for reading along!

What a fun afternoon & evening! I am with you on the schoolbread...just not my thing. And I find Mission Space to be horrifyingly claustrophobic!!

I have never tried O'Hana but it looks fun. How odd for that group to have a picnic!

Also never seen Yeehaw Bob. Love that about WDW. Even after so many visits, still new things to see & do!

I always have to remind myself that Mission Space is going to be cramped before I get in the capsule so I don't freak out about it. And staring right at the screen the whole time is a must for me. I love that ride but I psych myself up a bit before getting on.

Wasn't that bizarre for that group of people to literally plop down on the floor in front of us to enjoy their sushi & wine picnic? Who does that? Ohana seems to get mixed reviews but we certainly had a fun evening.

You are SO right about always having something at Disney you've never done before! There's always things new to do. A fun thing to do one evening would be to have dinner at DTD then take the boat to POR and check out Yeehaw Bob. Awesome views on the boat ride and great entertainment....and it's all FREE!

Hiya!! I am joining. I really want to stay at POR. Hoping 2015 is the year for us to try it. Loving all the pictures and reviews!! I have my notebook out and adding lots of good info. Thanks!!

Hello Mariep26! So glad to have you along for the trip! Hope I can help you fill out that notebook with more information!

They still have the teriyaki steak at lunchtime, but at dinnertime it's now molasses bacon steak instead. I agree that the teriyaki steak is one of their better offerings and a signature item, and overall I preferred their old dinner menu over the new one.

Surely if enough customers show outrage they would bring the teriyaki steak back. I just don't see the tie-in with the Polynesian theme to have a molasses bacon steak vs. a teriyaki steak.

Loving your trip report and pictures! We have been home a week and I miss WDW already!
We ran ourselves ragged for our 6 days and didn't get to enjoy POR as much as we should have. Thank you for capturing it's beauty through your pictures!

PS. Totally agree about the school bread, too. I was so bummed because I wanted to love it so much!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Hope you all had a wonderful trip! Yes there were several times I wish we would've stayed a few more days to just hang around POR and take it easy. Wasn't it beautiful? I can't wait to go back again.

Glad to know I'm not the only one about the school bread. I wanted to like it, but I think I was expecting too much.

I've always been amazed by this on our trips. I am far from an expert on DW, but I at least learned that you gotta have some ADR's for places you want to eat. I always want to walk up and give them a DisBoards business card or something... But that would only make them more angry I'm sure.

Off to a great start. Resort looks amazing and could your desserts be any better so far? I mean, man, definitely setting the bar high for the rest of the desserts and dining in general. Hope the food/restaurants keep getting better!!

Thanks very much! Yes POR was just so relaxing and delightful...I was expecting to like it but from the first moment I pulled up I was just wowed by the place. How could a place so BIG be so peaceful?

More excellent meals and desserts to come! We ate ourselves silly!

Great review so far. Can't wait for more.

Thanks very much hill6! Glad to have you reading along!

 

[alan_renfroe]

It was Sunday morning, June 1, 2014 and we had planned to sleep in. This was going to be our epic Disney day! The Magic Kingdom was open until 1am and then EMH until 3am! Unfortunately, my body didn't get the memo and I was up by 8am. I heard a text on my phone, checked it, and it was DD from the next bed over: "I'm bored!" She is SO my daughter! DW and DS were still asleep. I texted back, "Wanna go swim?" to which she replied, "Sure!"

So DD and I quietly got into our swimwear and headed out to the main pool.







We practically had the pool to ourselves. We slid down the slide several times!



After a good 30 minutes or so in the pool, we jumped in the hot tub. (I tried to get a pic, but I put my iPhone in a ziplock bag so it wouldn't get wet.)



After about 10-12 minutes, we headed back to the room. DW was up but not DS. We were a bit hungry so DW and I decided to drive over to POFQ's food court for some beignets!







The Sassagoula Floatworks Factory:





Since we were on the Deluxe Dining Plan, each member of our family (4) got 2 snack credits per night (6 nights). That's 4 of us x 2 each is 8 x 6 nights = a total of 48 snack credits for the trip. That's a LOT of snacks! Anyway, it was already Day 3 and we had only used 2 snack credits total. (I got the Apple Caramel Crumb at Sunshine Seasons yesterday and DW got the School Bread in the Norway pavilion.) Anyway, we used five snack credits this morning and got biscuits and gravy, a croissant, and three orders of 3 beignets!









A couple of photos at POFQ then we were on our way back to our room at POR to take beignets to DS and DD.





The beignets were SOOOO good! They make them fresh and when you pick them up they are hot and just dusted with powdered sugar. Three orders = 9 large beignets. It was too much to eat!

Coming up next: We catch the bus to Magic Kingdom for the first time on this trip!

 

[Elandon]

Just subscribed. Love the trip so far! Can't wait to hear more.