Deluxe girl went moderate -- so how was it?

[graceesmom]

We are frequenters of the Disney Deluxe resorts, CR, Poly, GF, Beach Club and Yacht Club. On our trip last week my daughter and I went down a day early and tried out a Royal room at POR for 1 night. Could/Would I do it for a longer stay or go moderate again -- Yes.

Here is my comparison for any of those who are considering it.

What amenities did I miss?

VALET PARKING AND BELL SERVICES -- I particularly missed it since shortly after I arrived the heavens opened up. Upon arrival at POR, I drove up to the front and a nice CM asked if he could help me. I said, we are checking in as I started to get out of the car, ready to go in and register. Apparently, this is not the way it is done there. I was instructed where to park and then go in to register. So I did. As soon as I get checked in with our keys, etc. I hear the thunder boom and the pouring rain. Not a drizzle, but a typical summer downpour complete with driving rain, wind and lightning. It was just me and DD and boy was I wishing I was still parked under the awning and that a bellman was loading my luggage to bring to the room. Oh well, we ran in the rain to the car and drove over to our building where I grabbed a couple of bags and ran to the cover of the buildings as fast as possible.

How did the room compare?
BED and ROOM SET UP -- I could be totally comfortable in the Royal room at POR for an extended stay. The set up was nice and the bed was comfortable. I do prefer a down comforter and the pillows were harder and not as nice as the deluxe's, but I had a comfortable night's sleep. I'd probably bring my own pillow which I don't find necessary at the deluxe properties.

BATHROOM and BATH AMENITIES -- The deluxe's have a full size hair dryer, but our room at POR had the kind that stick in the wall. It was fine, but if I had known, I would have brought by own to use. The bathroom had plenty of space and the double sinks were nice. I liked the curtain for some added privacy to the sink/bathroom area.

THE DECOR -- My daughter loved the Royal Room. Everything was so lovely.

HOTEL GROUNDS -- What a lovely resort. This resort has beautiful scenery and a great ambiance. The POOL was wonderful.

FOOD CHOICES -- The quick service food court is far superior in choices to what you get at the Deluxe resorts. We didn't try the sit down restaurant, but I looked at the menu. It wasn't offensive, but I didn't see anything that I really wanted to try.

Transportation -- obviously they only have bus service and the boat to DTD. Because of the storms in the area, the boat was not running that night so we didn't get to try it, but I could see how that would be a nice way to get to DTD. We drove to the park in the morning since we were checking out and heading over to the Yacht Club so we didn't use the bus service.

The one night was enough for me to know that I could be comfortable here for a longer stay.

 

[ppony]

FOOD CHOICES -- The quick service food court is far superior in choices to what you get at the Deluxe resorts.

I'm not sure I would call it "superior" but I did think the QS at POFQ was GREAT. I say FQ because they are sister resorts and in my mind, related and the same (and yes, I have stayed at POR, but when it was DL though). So many choices. We don't often do QS at our resorts since we've gone DVC, but the few ones we've gone to, we really did love the one at POFQ so much more than the Poly, GF, AKL (where we own BTW) and CR. Beignets. Need I say more?

 

[scanne]

We just did a split stay between POR and WL. We usually stay deluxe as well and there were some things I missed while staying at POR - in particular, interior corridors. I don't know, but it just feels safer to me when the entrance to our room is inside a building.

Also, there was not ample storage for our luggage and we were stumbling over suitcases.

Other than that, we thought the food court was excellent, transportation was WAY better than at AKL, the room decor was magical and both the main pool and quiet pool were great.

If it came down to staying at a mod or not going to Disney, I'd definitely stay at POR.

It is a beautiful and well-themed resort with lots of great amenities.

 

[philsbride]

Interesting read! Thanks for the comparison. I stayed at Poly as a kid and we are going to POR with our kids in September.

 

[wendow]

This was nice to read. We are doing a split-stay at POR/BLT for our first trip to WDW in 20 days I am so excited for both but this got me even more excited for POR! We are there for 2 nights and BLT for 7 nights.

 

[POOHsie]

I mostly stay at POR and POFQ. I have dropped off my luggage to a Bellman at the arrival area. Then I moved the car to the check-in parking area and walked to the check-in lobby. The Bellman would deliver my bags when I called for them from my room. So there is luggage service, if needed. However, there's no Valet parking. It's unfortunate that you got caught by a Florida downpour at the wrong time.

POR and POFQ are lovely, as you mentioned. But it is worth noting that you are outdoors a lot at Moderates, compared to more enclosed at Deluxe.

 

[graceesmom]

We just did a split stay between POR and WL. We usually stay deluxe as well and there were some things I missed while staying at POR - in particular, interior corridors. I don't know, but it just feels safer to me when the entrance to our room is inside a building.

Also, there was not ample storage for our luggage and we were stumbling over suitcases.

Other than that, we thought the food court was excellent, transportation was WAY better than at AKL, the room decor was magical and both the main pool and quiet pool were great.

If it came down to staying at a mod or not going to Disney, I'd definitely stay at POR.

It is a beautiful and well-themed resort with lots of great amenities.

One thing I noticed about the exterior corridors is that you have less privacy in your room. In the deluxe's we generally open the curtains in the mornings and evening to enjoy our view. However, having an exterior corridor at POR opening the window coverings eliminated all room privacy. They had nice wooden blinds, but when I opened them I realized just how much people could see into our room as they walked by. We had a corner room which was nice, but with 2 big windows, keeping the blinds open allowed complete view into the room from every angle.

I mostly stay at POR and POFQ. I have dropped off my luggage to a Bellman at the arrival area. Then I moved the car to the check-in parking area and walked to the check-in lobby. The Bellman would deliver my bags when I called for them from my room. So there is luggage service, if needed. However, there's no Valet parking. It's unfortunate that you got caught by a Florida downpour at the wrong time.

POR and POFQ are lovely, as you mentioned. But it is worth noting that you are outdoors a lot at Moderates, compared to more enclosed at Deluxe.

Ooh, wish I had known about the bell service or that the guy that greeted us as we arrived had mentioned it as an option. I will keep this in mind for next time.

 

[POOHsie]

Ooh, wish I had known about the bell service or that the guy that greeted us as we arrived had mentioned it as an option. I will keep this in mind for next time.

Think of people arriving on ME buses from MCO. Some bring their luggage with them on the bus. On arrival at a Moderate Resort, these folks need bell service to deliver their bags, or else carry them themselves. And you know how far it is to the Royal Rooms! But believe me, I have seen plenty of people who use ME lugging their stuff at check-in/check-out (to save that tip?). Not me. I use bell service because I am physically impaired.

One time I arrived at POR mid-afternoon and there wasn't anyone around. I waited a number of minutes. Nothing (maybe it was lunchtime?). I walked outside to the luggage service area, just right of the lobby doors, and "fetched" someone to give me assistance, which they politely did. (Moderate guest's version of Deluxe Service)

 

[becs1980]

I mostly stay at POR and POFQ. I have dropped off my luggage to a Bellman at the arrival area. Then I moved the car to the check-in parking area and walked to the check-in lobby. The Bellman would deliver my bags when I called for them from my room. So there is luggage service, if needed. However, there's no Valet parking. It's unfortunate that you got caught by a Florida downpour at the wrong time.

POR and POFQ are lovely, as you mentioned. But it is worth noting that you are outdoors a lot at Moderates, compared to more enclosed at Deluxe.

Is there a fee for using the bell services like this? Is it just a tip is expected or is there a standing fee? We didn't do this last time but it would make things so much easier for when we go back next year.

 

[POOHsie]

Is there a fee for using the bell services like this? Is it just a tip is expected or is there a standing fee? We didn't do this last time but it would make things so much easier for when we go back next year.

All I have ever paid is $1/bag tip for Bell Service, once for delivery to room at check-in, once for pick-up from room at check-out. If you are coming off the ME, and the driver loaded and unloaded your luggage from under the bus, this is usually tipped at $1/bag. Otherwise, the ME driver does not customarily receive a tip. In either case, this is not a fee. You may choose to tip more or less. If you have something special or heavy coming in, or something that needs to be locked up (electronic equipment, etc.), I would tip more for these items.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Thanks for the review

My sister stayed there before the renovation and liked the pool and food court as well.