Calling all POR experts

[Disneyof3]

Okay I think were switching resorts. I found out it is cheaper for 5 to stay at POR than ALLstars. So I need help.
1. Which is the best building to stay in,closet to the food area but near the mano'land the main pool? If can't get one for both the main building would be better.
2. This resort does it have the big dragon pool slide or is it POFQ?
3. Any tips on this resort that I should know?

The people involved are me, DH, son 8, daughter 5, and son 3.


Any help would be much appreciated



I hope I'm making a good decision on switching?

 

[RubySlippers]

Disneyof3,

This is our all time fav resort!! The Dragon Pool is at POFQ but the main pool at POR is GREAT!!! Our son is 5 and he loves the pool and the playground!

We have always found this resort to be clean and wonderfully staffed! The food court is very good and Boatwrights has always been a good option for us.

As far as buiding location , I am not sure which buiding would best suit your needs. POR is a large resort so you may want to look at the resort map on Deb Willis site. She has some great info as well as pics. We have always stayed in the Mansion Buildings and have some times had a 10 min walk to the food court. Of course my five year old has to stop and look at everything so a 2 min walk can turn into and hour adventure!!!

Good Luck
Ruby

 

[Disney Spaz]

We stayed in building 17 last Nov and felt that was a happy medium between the main pools and the food court. Just the food court building 14 is the closest. POFQ is the one with the dragon but my sons 12 & 13 loved the pool on Ole Man Island.
Since on of the kids will be using the trundle bed I suggest bringing their own blanket or pillow if possible because my DS said it was cold that close to the floor. I would definatly try the bost ride to DTD. It is very relaxing and romantic even with kids in tow. Also you can have a nice walk around the resort to unwind. Hope this helps.

 

[RubySlippers]

here the link

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dxl.htm

Ruby

 

[ruttie]

okay let me see if i can help
1. If i rememebr right buikding 14 and 15 are he preferred spots we had building 34 and it was very close to teh buses but a bit aof ahike to the main builind.. We love beng away from it all so for us building 34 was perfect.
2. This resort does not have the big dragon.. It does however have a very nice water slide not too large not too small... and an awesome playground!!!
3. Have fun and enjoy!!! oh yeah and the playground is right near the pool make sure they go to the playground first (before they swim) other wise you will be all wet and when you leave the playground you will be a walking sand sculpture (well that was my hint from experience having my 4 year old coverd in sand was a great pic though.....)
hope this helpd if you need an thing else just ask away

 

[disgoer]

We recently stayed in AB Building 14 with a trundle bed and this location was about 3 minute walk to food court and 5 minutes to ol' man island pool and 5 minutes to the south depot bus stop. POR has a nice slide that has a bridge overtop for some great pictures of the kids. Our 8 year old loved the slide but our 6 year old did not like sliding into water over his head, but they do supply life jackets that he refused to wear. He loved the shallow end and made friends with kids in the baby pool and enjoyed himself. POFQ has the dragon slide but we had a great time at POR and I thought my kids would want to visit POFQ but they never once mentioned going to any other pool. This is a great centrally located resort. Our bus rides were all relatively short. The rooms have double sinks with really comfortable beds which makes it nice when you have 5 in one room. The food court had decent food that was priced reasonable for Disney. However, we never ate at the sit down restaruant but I heard it was better than the food court.

 

[Disneyof3]

Thank you everyone who replied it really helps. I have been on allears and thanks for the help. So I figured out that 14/15 are the preferred rooms and the rest for AB are standard! I hope that is right? I was going over the resort map for about 1hour and figured that building 27,38,17,or 18 would be good! If anyone has been at these and there not good with a 3 year old please let me know? They all look good for the food court and the bus stops. The pool looks not that far away and considering we only went in the pool last year once while at the allstars, just to say we went swimming in the winter. Thanks again everyone.

 

[tigger53]

bldg. #85 in the mansion section is also a good location to everything. we have stayed there a number of times and love it.

 

[yecats]

Your family should love POR. Everything there is so nice. Glad you got to see a map, most of the AB #'s mentioned should work for you as they will be closest to main building area (walkway will bring you to back of food court area (and bridge directly to your left leads directly to the main pool). Mansions are pretty close to everything as well but don't have the trundle bed in them. You may want to call PORS as the mansions have finished rehab and the resort is supposed to begin rehabing the AB rooms so various buildings will be going down in sections and maybe they'll tell you which ones will be rehabed first.

Your kids will probably love the ole man island section. There is a playground built like a small fort and the slide to the main pool is fun. Nice hot tub as well which helps on those really tiring days of walking around the parks.

I have also read some recent post that refrigerators have been put in the rooms there so you'll be able to store things (may want to check with POR if you call on this as well).

Have a great trip.

 

[cjsmom5]

We like this resort and have staye there many times. Last year DS was 5 and enjoyed it. Liked the slide very much and thought the playground was lots of fun.

The bldgs you mentioned were all great. You will have to stay in the AB section as the mansions don't have trundles. We stayed in bldg. 15 and really liked the location. As of last year, they had not assigned any rooms as "preferred" and were not charging more for those. This may be new, though.

You can use the facilities at the POFQ and your younger one will really like the pool area there are it is much more festive than POR ... however your older ones will prefer slide and playground at POR.

You can also fish at POR. You pay for the pole and worms but it isn't much. Our DS had a lot of fun. Can't remember if we caught anything. You throw it back so it isn't bad.

Be sure to take the boat to Downtown Disney. It is a nice trip and the kids tend to enjoy it. At night, depending on the time of year, though, it can get cool on the boat.

Also, the lounge at Riverside has a great entertainer and it is truly family fun. Great for everyone, all ages. You should try to catch this if you have time.

Keep in mind, there is a path that runs between Riverside and FQ. There are lots of ducks, etc. along the way. If your kids don't mind walking, it is a nice little outing. And, you can also rent scurry bikes that you can aride along the path...adults can peddle and kids can ride. Might work.

We typically caught the bus at the bus stop just outside the gift shop in the main building/lobby area. It stops at POFQ first, and then there. Sometimes by the time it got around to the other stops it was full and riders had to stand. Might be something good to know if it is busy when you are there.

Food court, at POR is very nice. Lots of selection. A little bigger than FQ but again, you can walk down to FQ and use their foodcourt. The refillable mugs are good at both POR and POFQ which is a nice perk.

 

[dizneykid]

Hi, just a quick note. We just returned from POR yesterday.

Buildings 18 and 38 are smoking buildings, so if you need non-smoking that's good to know.

Also, when we were there they were in the middle of renovating building 38.

We were in building 36, it was a very nice quiet location. But if you are looking to be close to the main pool and the food court this one is quite a walk from there. We liked it because it was quiet and out of the way.

We had a newly renovated building. We had new beds (wonderful pillow beds), there was a fridge in the room, new carpet, new airconditioning, etc. It was just beautiful, we didn't expect the fridge so that was a great surprise.

 

[sunkissed212]

We just returned from POR in September. We were in 1839 bldg 18. I was unaware that this was a smoking building. I don't remember seeing ashtrays in the room. I did ask for a non-smoking room but when I checked in, the CM asked if I had a building preference. I had never been there before so I just asked for something close to the main building. She put us in bldg 18. The resort was VERY empty so that may have something to do with why I didn't even notice it was a smoking building but even though, apparently, the room was a smoking room, I would never have known if I hadn't read it on this board. And, after living with a smoker for 7 years and now not for almost 2, I would guess I'd have noticed if it had a musty smell.

I guess what I'm saying is that even though bldg 18 is a smoking building, I'd still recommend it. Have I totally confused anyone yet?

 

[Disney Spaz]

I am not positive about this but I tought I read somewhere that the Mansions do not accomadate 5 people so those might not be an option for you.

 

[Disneyof3]

Thanks everyone who replied it makes a world of difference.
So I got this right there are no preferred rooms at POR? So if I ask for 14 or 15 I won't be charged extra. Thanks for the smoking buildings. I'm allergic to smoke and start coughing and my throat closes so that won't work for me with #18or 38. I liked the location of #38 too. Does anyone know if #17,14,15 or 27 have been renovated? It would be nice to have a room renovated. But if not are the rooms really bad and smell?



thanks again

 

[cjsmom5]

You can call the resort and simply ask ... I'm sure they would tell you. Also, if you are as allergic to smoke as you say, you can get a guaranteed non-smoking room due to medical conditions. They can note this on your ressie. Might be worth the asking.

We were in Bldg 15 last year and the room didn't smell, at all. Bldg 14 is the building that is typically reserved for those that are physically challenged and it is much harder to get in but bldg. 15 is not. Again, just call the resort and ask. I've not heard that they have started the "preferred" building policy at POR but again, just ask. I'm always under the impression that the cost of the phone call is very much worth the information I would receive.

I'm sure you will like the resort...have fun ... we will be at POFQ for a few days in November and then on to AKL. Can't wait!

 

[Disneyof3]

thanks for the reply and info. cjsmom5 I appreciate it. I didn't think you could just call the resort and ask questions. I figured I would have to call walt disney reservation line and talk to them.

Thanks I'll call them tonight

 

[cjsmom5]

Many may discourage you from doing so, but I figure if I'm paying for it, I can call whoever I want. And, typically the CMs have been great about talking with me. Let us know what you find out.