Changing my mind...

[Lizzybee]

We have loved everything about our two stays at POR. Our last stay was during Spring Break and we only had one time we had to wait for a bus more than 10 mins. I think that's pretty good for such a busy time of year. I should also say the bus we waited for was for early EMH at AK on a Saturday and I think everyone who stayed at POR and POFQ were at AK that day. It came a huge downpour that lasted quite awhile when we were there and all the bus lines were packed except POR/POFQ was CRAZY packed. I actually chalk that day up to a fluke. So I really wouldn't worry too much about the busses.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We just got back from PORS and I don't think you are going to find a better mod resort. We love PORS and I can't say enough good things about it. We are DVC and have stayed at every other mod too, in addtion we have been staying at Deluxe or DVC for the past 5 years, and we weren't dispaointed with it all.

All mod and value resorts have very full busses, that is just the way it is with such big resorts. They tend to fill up, but come quicky. They were faster then most deluxes I have stayed at and OKW. The ride to MK is rather short really. I only recomend taking your car to AK, DTD, other resorts and water parks. (espcailly since AK and BB are on one bus and DTD and TL are on one bus. This is true for EVERY resort, deluxe, mod or value.) Taking your car to Epcot and MGM isn't too bad, MK it is much easier to take the bus since you have to park at TCC anyway.

I recomend you call the resort a few days before and request a room in the area you want to stay. We were in AB building 14 and that was great. Ask for 1st floor if you have young kids. (also if you have young kids PORS has the best playground on property.)

All the rooms have been redone and are very nice. Really you can't go wrong here.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I can't say anything for the bus service since we drive and don't use it, but the boat ride to DTD is wonderful. Can be a problem at night though when a bunch of people are all trying to go back at once; just make sure you line up a good while before the last boat because otherwise you may get stuck taking a bus back (if that matters).

Personally, I say keep your reservation there. It's an absolutely gorgeous resort, and (both times I've been), very quiet and serene. Good food, nice gift shop, and some of the nicest CMs I've ever met. That place is just pure Disney magic, imo. Love it, and I'm pretty sure you will too.

 

[DMRick]

I'm hoping that lots of people chicken out from staying there...more room for us! We love it and will be there one week from today!

 

[tigerlilly]

I just wanted to add another vote for POR riverside. We actually want to stay there that same week but I had read that the Pop Warner group will be there. I had read in other posts they had stayed there last year. You had mentioned your sister is going for the event...are they not staying at POR?
We loved our stay at this resort the two times we have gone to WDW...the only two times

 

[shirleyb]

Definitely take the bus to MK. For Epcot, MGM, or AK, I figure it's a toss-up either bus or car. I like driving to Epcot, because you are literally there in minutes.

Definitely drive to the water parks. We made the mistake of taking the bus to TL, and it took us an HOUR. The next day we drove there in 6 minutes. I think that is what soured me on the transportation, but I realize our experience there was probably a fluke.

 

[Henlady]

We have stayed at POR many times. It is the only resort our kids (now 21 and 23) will stay at. The landscaping of the resort is beautiful, the rooms are comfortable, and the food court offers a nice variety of food choices. The transportation can be a problem at times, but that can happen at any resort. We have been there when wait times were minimal and at times we thought a bus would never get there. Likewise, I have used the bus system to get to many of the other resorts and service is no better or worse at them. We once went from Downtown Disney to the Beach Club for supper at Cape May Cafe. Once the Beach club bus picked us up, we went to the Pleasure Island and waited for about 15 minutes, then had a couple other stops at other resorts before we finally got to the Beach club. It took us 45 minutes to get from DTD to the beach club that night. And the driver was not very nice when we questioned her about the length of time it was taking. When we finally reached our destination, she stopped the bus I stood up and she took her foot off the brake causing the bus to "lurch" forward, then put on the brake again causing me to not so gently fall back into my seat. I didn't complain, but probably should have.

 

[GoN2WDW]

We love the POR resort! We have stayed there several times and have visited it when we've stayed elsewhere. As for the transportation, all of the resorts have transportation issues, you just need to go with the flow. In October 2003 we stayed at the Boardwalk and our bus stopped at the Dolphin and Swan most of the times! If you don't like the "scenic" bus rides, drive to the parks. But I highly recommend the POR!

 

[anut4disney]

Reasons why my family loves POR:

You can get a free life jacket for smaller children at the marina for the length of your stay (just need your room key)

Thanks for this information, the twins will want to be in the pool this year.

 

[ktink]

Wow, I'm really glad to hear all the replies on this thread, as I've just been thinking of changing to CSR. It seems like I should just keep the ressies that we have now.

 

[Buzz2001]

Hello all. I haven't posted here before but I found a lot of information here that helped us choose POR for our first onsite trip Dec. 4-11. My niece will be attending the Pop Warner Super Bowl, and we decided to join my sister's family, although we'll be staying separately from her group. We do not plan on doing any PW related events however, and would like to avoid the resorts where the PW crowd may be.

All that aside, I was really excited about POR for a long time, but lately I just can't get excited about it. I have also read some negative transportation stories. I feel like I'm back at square one again, and I can't decide anything. The DVD didn't really help because it shows so little of the resorts. I've browsed the allears pics about a million times.

I'm wondering if I need a fresh view of the resort (or all of the resorts.) Are there any other good sites to look at pictures? Should I fight the urge to switch or should we stick with what we've got? Anyone have any suggestions? Should I listen to the little voice telling me to keep looking, or should I stick to my decision? (I'm the plan-maker in the crowd and everyone has given me full control to decide.)

I'm totally confused. We've been booked for months now. Maybe it is just that the excitement has faded?

Any thoughts?

Shelly

Welcome! My CSR website below has lot of pictures.

 

[2MuchOhana]

The reality of the situation is that you are going to find negative things about all the resorts. Everyone's experiences and expectations are different. We never had issues with the transportation until our stay last month at CSR. That was our experience; many have stayed there with no problems or complaints at all. For us it was the worst moderate Disney has to offer.
My point is don't let other people's views and opinions scare you into not staying some place that you want to stay. If you look for negative things you will find them; but there are also a lot of positive things out there too!

If you are concerned about the bus service being bad consider switching over to POR sister resort POFQ. The bus usually stops there first.

Good Luck deciding what is best for you! Keep us posted on whatever you decide.

Jodi

 

[lovethattink]

Hello all. I haven't posted here before but I found a lot of information here that helped us choose POR for our first onsite trip Dec. 4-11. My niece will be attending the Pop Warner Super Bowl, and we decided to join my sister's family, although we'll be staying separately from her group. We do not plan on doing any PW related events however, and would like to avoid the resorts where the PW crowd may be.

All that aside, I was really excited about POR for a long time, but lately I just can't get excited about it. I have also read some negative transportation stories. I feel like I'm back at square one again, and I can't decide anything. The DVD didn't really help because it shows so little of the resorts. I've browsed the allears pics about a million times.

I'm wondering if I need a fresh view of the resort (or all of the resorts.) Are there any other good sites to look at pictures? Should I fight the urge to switch or should we stick with what we've got? Anyone have any suggestions? Should I listen to the little voice telling me to keep looking, or should I stick to my decision? (I'm the plan-maker in the crowd and everyone has given me full control to decide.)

I'm totally confused. We've been booked for months now. Maybe it is just that the excitement has faded?

Any thoughts?

Shelly

Shelly, I have a whole bunch of pictures from POR. We just started staying there this past summer. We have spent weekends there in June, July, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, April. I'd be happy to e-mail you pictures if you want to PM your e-mail address to me. We've stayed both in Alligator Buyou and Magnolia Bend. We're hooked on POR and it is our resort of choice. We use our own car, so transportation isn't an issue for us.

Michelle

 

[BettyCv]

Shelly,

I'm going to guess that your screen name means that you have three kids and that maybe you are feeling like you have to "settle" for POR - or shell out the extra money for a Deluxe. That is the way I felt, anyway! But we are leaving for POR on Sunday and I have read just about every POR thread out there. The resort gets wonderful reviews!!!

As for the pictures - I don't know why, but all the POR pictures seem so "dark." Well, I finally ran across some that I think portay the resort the way it really looks - very, very pretty. Shaded, yes, but not "dark." I will try to find some links for you.

Another BIG plus in my book is that the resort was just renovated (soft furnishings, as they say). I have heard POR referred to "a deluxe resort at a moderate price." (Dreamflight???)

As for the transportation... I am hoping that the negative reports have mainly come from those that were visiting during Spring Break. If not, our worse-case scenario is to call a taxi. Even using a taxi every day, we'd still be paying less than staying at a deluxe! (We are not big on hopping...)

Have a great trip!

Betty

 

[yecats]

This is all I have to say about PORS - it is a great and fun resort to stay at.

I believe that your burned out. Stop second guessing yourself and move on to planning another part of your trip like say a few meals. Step away from looking at any other reviews or photographs of the resort for the next several months. It is now time to just go with the flow of life and stop fretting. Note that a few people will make a negative comment but every hotel on Disney property has someone making a negative comment about it. You will know exactly how you feel when you get there and spend some time there yourself.

I stayed at the resort Nov. 2003 for 8 days. I live in the South and it does remind me of buildings that I see. I really did love the place and enjoyed everyminute of it. Honestly, I experienced a late bus or two but realized that if I really needed to be somewhere I could go to the main bus stop in front and buses were there all the times (short waits - whereas the bus stops around the back side of the property did take a bit longer). Most of the resort is in a 3 to 7 minute distance to walk to the front building while passing beautiful serene scenery. You'll have a great time once. Everything should be experienced once.