All this negative talk about POR

[Ricola]

We stayed at POR at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb. If anything, the place was cleaner, friendlier, and more enjoyable than on any of our 4 or 5 prior visits. The bus service was faster, the landscaping was perfect, the CMs took that little bit of extra time to chat with us, a maintenance issue (slow running drain on one of the vanities) was fixed within an hour. Plenty of soap and extra towels when asked for, the bunnies were there and the ducks were hungry.

Yes, we missed the boats (which I'm sure will be back), and we'd probably have missed Bob if we'd had time to spend an evening in the lounge, but with all of the other stuff to do at WDW, these were small things to miss.

The magic is still there at POR, and it'll take more than a missing bar of soap to change my opinion on that! We bought DVC at VWL to accomodate our growing family, but just the same, I'm sure we'll be back to POR.

 

[mickey7861]

POR is our favorite WDW moderate and we've spent time at them all. The mansion section is wonderful. We love Magnolia Terrace, quiet pool by the building, a short hop over the bridge to the main pool and the food court. The walk along the canal is beautiful. The Alligator Bayou section is nice too, we just prefer the mansions. We've never had a lack of housekeeping during our stays there, plenty of soap and shampoo (although I always bring our own). It is a very relaxing resort. I like CBR too, CS is nice but due to the convention traffic there I won't return. Our last trip there we couldn't get a table at Pepper Market because of the huge amount of conventioneers. It's nice resort but I like the family feel. POR is beautiful, I doubt you'll be dissappointed.

 

[dreamflight99]

I cherish the memories we have of our summer days at the Old "Dixie Landings" Oak Manor (mansions) resort! It's a fabulous place to stay, with so much to do and see. The restaurants are top-rate, especially boatwrights with the Prime Rib, roasted or cajun blackened chicken and the premium Buffalo Hot wings! The young kids can fish for the first time in the old fishing hole, (catch and release area) and the staff will take a polaroid of them holding their catch, place it inside a POR card, for a treasured keepsake! The pool is beautifully designed with a fun waterslide and great staff of lifeguards. The arcade is where many of the older kids spend some free time, and the gift shop is the most endearing on property (like an old country store in Vermont). The food court is one of the best on WDW property as well, with a tremendous variety of delectible freshly prepared dishes. The pizza, delivered to your room by the little pizza-golf carts is amazingly hot and delicious! The boat ride on the sassagoula (sp?) express to the Marketplace is so relaxing and enjoyable. You can stop at the other "sister" resort on the way (once known as Port Orleans) and take a spin on the giant monster dragon slide and enjoy the pool. The evenings were so fun, like living in the traditional south, as we stolled along the river and viewed the mansions alight with familes enjoying their summer sojourns. Made us feel connected in a special way. We could see the Fireworks in the sky from the Magic Kingdom from the balcony in front of our room. We played frisbee on the lawns with other familes, and loved doing the laundry while enjoying the pool just outside. We took bike rides, and paddle boat excursions on the river. We loved coming into the East Depot late at night, and walking hand in hand to our corner room on the second floor. The accomodations are remarkable for a "value" resort, and very comfy. The staff always arranged our DD's new Disney Plush acquisitions in a special way, making each return to the room a special surprise in itself! We savor the days we were all nestled together in POR...and hope you will as well. Like Trekker stated...you will always find some persons who did not enjoy their time at a resort for one reason or another. Please, take the time to try it for yourself. It is spelndid. Having stayed at every WDW resort property w/exception of AKL.We rate the POR in the TOP 5! (* As a family, we have "normal" expectations while visiting WDW, and therefore are "always" pleasantly surprised! We "Bring the Magic with us", inside of our hearts and minds. Disney can not "make you happy", you must be Happy to begin with..and then Disney can "enhance" your sense of Happiness!)

 

[SuzyQue]

CS is nice but due to the convention traffic there I won't return. Our last trip there we couldn't get a table at Pepper Market because of the huge amount of conventioneers.

sneetch..... after reading this "opinion" are you now having second thoughts about changing your reservation?? See how easily someone's opinion can change things? Our first trip to WDW we stayed at my MIL's. Our second we stayed off site in Orlando because there was no way I was gonna pay what Disney wanted. But when my DH said we could go back for a third trip (and quite a bit of reading on these boards) I decided I really wanted to see what all the hub bub was about with staying on site, so I decided we'd like to try a Moderate and started my research. After much reading I decided on POR and made my ressie in March 2001 for Feb. 2002. After 9-11 everything started changing & there we soooo many negative posts on POFQ & POR. But with all the things they took away, we still LOVED it, we never experienced the Boat or Bob so we didn't miss them. And now we think it will be hard to move on to another resort because we were sooo happy with POR. ~~

 

[DMRick]

. We could see the Fireworks in the sky from the Magic Kingdom from the balcony in front of our room

Dream, can you remember what building and room it was that you cojuld see the fireworks from? Was it a non smoking room?

Also, is there a cost for the fishing? I'm betting there is, since it's Disney <g>

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I read a post some months back that said it best - "Dixie Landings (POR) is a deluxe resort at a moderate price." I thought it was very true then and still do now. I know that some have posted poor experiences in the past , and I do regret any problems that they had, but I can say thay our experiences have been uniformly positive. So much so that between our first and second trip to WDW we purchased a contract at OKW, sight unseen, simply based on the reports on this board and our satisfaction with DxL.

By now you know about all the plusses the resort offers: surrey bikes, beautiful landscaping, an excellent food area with that amazing water-wheel cotton press (fully functional !), comfortable rooms, pleasant staff, relaxed atmosphere, etc. etc. etc... What I do remember most is as soon as I arrive I get this stupid happy grin on my face that won't go away and I relaxxxxxx........

We've had three trips to WDW in the last 9 months - 5 nights in a Wilderness Lodge 2-bedroom (very nice !), six nights in an OKW Grand Villa over new years with family (fantastic) and we just returned from 5 nights at the Hilton at Downtown Disney (highly forgettable ). The only time on that last trip that we truly felt at home was when we were in the parks, or when we drove over to Riverside or OKW. Enough so that our next trip 3 months from now is this : Riverside / BWV / Riverside / OKW.

We've done Disney and tried off-site. Off-site -- Never Again !
Disney is where the Magic is.

 

[BadgerBruce]

We stayed at POR in late October, just before POFQ was closed. We hadn't stayed at POR since '97, having been lucky enough to be able to stay at the Epcot area resorts. Having stayed at BC, BWV, Dolphin & Swan, all of which we really enjoyed, returning to POR felt like going home. We love to just walk around & between the resorts. When returning from the parks at night we usually got off the bus at POFQ, bought some chocolate chip cookies (no nuts at POFQ, nuts at POR), and strolled the streets of New Orleans & the beautiful walkway back to POR. Very romantic, as is the boat ride to DD at night. When we stay at the other resorts we always visit POR to eat at the food court & take the boat to DD. POR's food court has a great selection & housekeeping has always been very good during our stays. POR is a wonderful resort, have a great trip!

 

[TeresaNJ]

POFQ is the only moderate I ever stayed at, as we always needed a deluxe because of the size of my family, but in April 1999, my sister, DH and I decided to take a quick 3 day trip after visiting my aunt in Port Orange. We didn't want to spend alot of money, and got a good rate with an AP discount. I chose PO, site unseen, because another aunt, who lived in North Carolina until she was in her twenties, always stayed at PO and loved it. Her and her family couldn't say enough good things about it. I figured if a true southern loved it, then the theming had to be great.

Unfortunately, because of the short length of our trip, and trying to cram everything in as far as visiting the parks, as my DH and sister had never seen AK, and DH hadn't been to WDW in years, we barely spent time at PO. Imagine my disappointment when on our last morning there, I finally decide to go check out the landscaping and the river. It was so beautiful I was in awe, and so angry at myself for not taking the time to properly enjoy it, especially since I usually always spend time enjoying the resorts I stay at.

My southern aunt could well afford to stay at any resort she wanted to, but Port Orleans is always her choice.

 

[DCinNs]

We stayed at POR from Feb 3 throught 12th and enjoyed it very much. (AB #15). I brought home a dozen soaps & shampoos...they were added every day. Anything we asked for, ie extra towels, glases etc. were always provided in duplicate. There were towel creations every day that our daughter enjoyed very much. The room & resort was very clean & the CM's very helpful & friendly. I would recommend this resort very highly.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by DMRick


Dream, can you remember what building and room it was that you cojuld see the fireworks from? Was it a non smoking room?

Also, is there a cost for the fishing? I'm betting there is, since it's Disney <g>

Hi Rick! Yes, I remember the building. It was Oak Manor, and if you are facing the building from the River side--it is on the left side (wing) which faces north I believe. We could see the river and the bridge going over to old man island and the pool. It was a non-smoking room.

The cost for the fishing is so minimal, something like $5-7for your child, this includes the pole, bait, weighing the fish, and time on the pond until you catch something. Our DD ALWAYS caught something, as did all the kids standing with her. The photos are SO adorable, (I cherish them), and say the weight of the fish...PLUS--the supposed (made-up) weight of "the one that got away"!! It's funny, and DD has the BEST memories of these times. Hope this helps you. Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

 

[DMRick]

It was Oak Manor, and if you are facing the building from the River side--it is on the left side (wing) which faces north

Thanks..we have to stay at AB because there are 5 of us, and it sounds like Oak Manor is one of the manors. Does anyone know if any of the buildings in AB can see the fireworks from their room?

 

[skyhog]

anny_c_99, Thanks very much for your questions and concerns regarding POR... in the absence of positive comments, the negatives can take on a distorted life of their own... I'm glad to hear your excitement is again 'on track' for this wonderful resort... you will enjoy it!!!!!

 

[jaret]

We stayed at POR feb3-17th and yes I did post about problems,which were related to staffing issues.It seems that the resort is staying open now as reservations are up so I would not worry about anything.The resort is beautiful and I would stay there again if I could(we would need another family with us to take one of our kids into their room or need two rooms for our family)Nothing was more relaxing than getting up 1st and making the run to the food court.The walking paths are so beautiful and there are birds singing and bunnies hopping.Plus the ducks swimming in the main pool every morning were quite the site!It was a great start to the day.(The food court starts serving at 7am,but the coffee is ready by 6-6:30)We did eat at Boatwrights and the service was quick and the food was good.The food court has plenty of variety and the staff is very friendly.Enjoy your stay and let the disney magic take over.(I too have thought maybe next time we should stay off sight with EE gone but seeing the line-up off cars to get into the parks and knowing there would be no mid -day breaks has me wondering if it would be a wise decision.Plus security was always visible on this last trip,and I felt safe,I don't know how safe I would have felt somewhere else)

 

[anny_c_99]

For all of the "POSITIVE" comments....You have restored my family

and I's confidence in choosing this resort for our vacation.

At the time of the "original" post, it had started off a very bad

day, someone close had just passed away, and then after reading

the post about the shampoo and soap, not to mention all of the

other nagative posts, well, even "I" can have a bad day.

Thank you again, I know we are going to have a good time, we

are after all, going to be together as a family.

This resort sounds absolutely beautiful, and we can't wait.

Excited once again,

Anny

 

[jaguar9748]

A few additions...

Riverside is too far from any of the parks to see or hear fireworks.

Riverside is a wonderful, magical place. It is a place where all cares and concerns melt away. Yes, the boats are gone, but the buses work well. Yes, Bob is not there, but folks will still have a good time. Heck, you're on vacation and any day on vacation is better than any day at work!

As to why to stay on-site...I found this out this weekend. The traffic in the Disney area is a nightmare! It can take a long time to drive from your hotel - depending on where your hotel is. Crowded, crazy drivers, just a real headache. I prefer to spend more dollars to have the peace and quiet of a magical Disney resort and to leave the driving to Disney!

 

[SuzyQue]

We were at POR 3 weeks ago sitting at the pool one night and very clearly "heard" fireworks (and I know the resort wasn't setting them off!). ~ ~

 

[Ricola]

I know we've seen/heard fireworks from PI at POR.

I can certainly believe that you could see MK fireworks given the right location and weather.

 

[Bellina]

I'll be staying with my husband and it's our first trip to Disney since we're adults.

What negative talk are you referring to? I didn't notice much. Your post has me scared. I really want my husband to love it so we can go back with my nephew.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

quote: dreamflight99

"As a family, we have "normal" expectations while visiting WDW, and therefore are "always" pleasantly surprised! We "Bring the Magic with us", inside of our hearts and minds. Disney can not "make you happy", you must be Happy to begin with..and then Disney can "enhance" your sense of Happiness!)"

Amen, this is why we still go to the most Magical Place on Earth. It truly enhances what is already in our hearts.

Just got back 2/2002 and going back 5/2/2002 & 10/11/2002.

 

[SuzyQue]

I see this was your first post . You have a very good question, maybe anny_c_99 could let us know what "negative posts" she has read. ~~