Finally decided on POR -- now I need some help!

[Hunnybee]

We have finally decided on POR for our trip in May. We are traveling with a group (me, DH, DS(6), DD(2), my mom, my dad, my sister and her infant son (7mos.), DH's sister). Now I have some questions.

1. Which building should we request? I'm thinking mansions would be best for our group. I'd love AB, but we will be traveling with 2 children in strollers and one member of our group will have an EMV. So, we really need the elevator if we end up on the 2nd floor. Which Mansion is the most convenient? (We also need non-smoking.)

2. Will we regret this decision because of bussing? I hear lots of stories about how hard it is to get a seat on the bus. Nov. of 2002 we stayed at POFQ and had no problems, but we got picked up first. Anyone have any experience with POR in May (9 to 14)?

3. How long is it to walk from the mansions to the food court and pool? I see there is a bus stop behind one of the mansions.

4. Anyone know what order the bus stops at which stop?

Thanks for any and all help!

Have a great day!

 

[LiteBrite]

I agree that in your situation the mansions really would be better - not only do the AB buildings not have elevators for those on the second floor, but even on the first floor you have to go up a small (3-4 step) staircase, as they are slightly raised off the ground.

We were there last week, staying in AB Building 18. We never had a problem with the buses. We got on at the South Depot, which is the one by the lobby/food court building, which was usually the first stop. Sometimes we went on to other stops in the resort, but often we did not, which caused me to believe that perhaps some buses go to the other stops first. I've heard others say that the buses in POR seemed to have no rhyme or reason to the order they use.

Sorry I can't help you much with mansions info, but I'm sure others will. Have a great stay - POR is really lovely, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

Maybe you could request a room on your reservation at AB on the first floor for medical reasons. They are usually very accomodating when there is a legitimate need. Also request a trundle for extra sleeping (N/A @ the mansions). Asking for connecting rooms can also keep you all close together. Since there are kids involved they are accomodating in that repect as well.

Busing-Starts at the south depot (the front of the resort) and goes clockwise ending at the east depot.

Have fun planing!

 

[kizmac]

You would be best trying to get on the bus at the South Depot or even the West. After those it can be quite full. I do think there were times that the West Depot maybe was first stop. We used it often and it seemed the bus was usually pretty empty when it arrived. Either one of those stops are a good bet for getting a seat.

There were some parts of certain buildings that didn't have steps in AB. I don't know if all are like that. I bet if you make note of the EMV the will put you in an easily acessable room. We had first floor in AB and didn't have trouble with the strollers. The second floor would of been a pain in the rear.

Have a great trip!

.

 

[magicaldisney]

If you request a mansion, here is some info.

Oak Manor #90, is closest to the main building, dining, and the 1st pick up for the bus.

Magnolia Terrace #85, is farther from the main building, but has the East Depot right behing it.

POR is a much bigger resort than POFQ (we have stayed at both). You will definately walk farther than you did at POFQ.

 

[Luv4Disney]

We stayed at POR in May of '05 and never had any bussing problems. In fact, we almost always had a seat. We always went to the main bus stop by the general store. That's the first pick up place.

 

[Hunnybee]

Thanks for all the great info! One other question -- which Mansion is the smoking building? We definitely don't want that one!

Also, are water views worth the extra money?

Thanks, again!

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

I have not personally seen the water views at POR but I have had rooms at other resorts with water views and was not impressed. A courtyard view would have done just fine for me (and I generally LOVE water views) . I think disney resort grounds are more beautiful than a piddly little canal anyway. Now Poly/GF water views-thats a different story!
One thing you might want to consider is that you dont have a "direct" view of anything since the corridors are on the outside of the buildings (motel like) so you will have a walkway with a rail in front of your window.

I booked a standard room at POR Nov/Dec and requested anything BUT a parking lot view.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Thanks for all the great info! One other question -- which Mansion is the smoking building? We definitely don't want that one!

Also, are water views worth the extra money?

Thanks, again!

We never requested a water view, but never paid for it (something with the type of package we had at the time) and got one facing the river. It was beautiful to walk out to every morning and beautiful to see at night with the lights on it.

We requested a non-smoking room and had a room in Parterre Place.