first time to WDW - staying at POR

[Minsmom]

We're really looking forward to our first Disney trip and will be staying at the POR for 7 nights in november right after Thanskgiving.
Any advice, tips, etc? All are appreciated.
The pictures of the Alligator Bayou section look like they've carried the "rustic" look a bit too far for me. Is that just the pictures?
we'ver requested a non smoking room (I'm asthmatic). I don't want a room that was recently converted from smoking because it will still affect me. Is that something that they should be able to accommodate?
Thanks.

 

[msteddom]

Hi Minsmom!
You will be staying at my first, and still one of my favorite, Disney resorts! I agree with you that Alligator Bayou looks a little too rustic, but I have never stayed in that section. I can tell you that the grounds are beautiful. Also, and I don't know why this is, but pictures of any of the resorts never seem to live up to the real thing.

Having said that I have stayed in the mansion section twice now and loved it both times. I don't think getting a former smoking room should be too much of a problem, as there weren't a huge number of smoking rooms to begin with.

Make sure you take the time to really explore the resort! Spend some time by the pool, listen to the great music that plays on the grounds, take the ferry to Downtown Disney. You will have a blast!

Melissa

 

[tiggerman]

You will love POR. It is our new favorite resort. We stayed in AB building# 38.That is the one closest to the mansions. The grounds are beautiful and the whole resort was very quiet and peaceful after a day in the parks. My DW is looking forward to our stay there in 08 more than our trip at the Poly this Sept. We used the quiet pool in the mansions more than the main pool. We also rented a boat and did the carriage ride. Have a great trip.

 

[Minsmom]

Thanks for replying. We are looking forward to some of the neat things offered at the resort, like renting a cane pole for our 6 year old to fish with, and the campfire one evening. Taking the boat to DTD will be fun too.
110 days to go!

 

[PoohsFan1]

You are going to love POR. We stayed there in June and stayed in AB #14 right next to the foodcourt, marina, and main building. We had the most prettiest view of the river too. I could not believe for the size and amount of people staying there that it was still so quiet and serene. I too was like you about the rusticness of AB, but since we stayed in it, I think that it was very pretty and I would really consider staying in it again, however I would love to stay in the mansions. We did rent the surrey bikes one day and that was fun because our kids got to ring the bell for oncoming walkers and wave to everyone. We used both the main pool and quiet pools, however we did more of the main pool because that is where the slide is. If I were you, I would take a nice quiet walk from POR to POFQ, that was such a pretty walk, walking along side the river. Have fun.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Did not expect to like POR at all and had avoided it for years, but in 2006 it was the only resort available for a long weekend with a pin code - LOVED it! It was serene and lovely. We were in a 2nd floor corner room in building AB 14 - right next to the food court & bus stop - other than smelling fresh cooking bacon every morning, we did not smell other food cooking (Someone had asked if we could smell the food court all the time).

We did not like the Mansions at all - had a choice of a room there or AB and when we went over to check out the Mansions room location it was like trying to find our way through a maze! My friend told me it has been like that every time she stayed in the Mansions, so we were very happy with AB 14.

If I stay there again, would request AB 14 or 15 as both are very handy and pretty location - we would not mind a real parking lot view, but for some that could make a difference. 14 had river view, courtyard views and parking lot views, 15 does not have a water view option.

I really hate camping or anything close to it, but was pleasantly surprised by how much I preferred AB section to the Mansions.

Whichever section, have a wonderful trip!

 

[msteddom]

I have a questions about the AB rooms. Just how "rustic" are they? I know the beds look like split tree trunks and the curtains are patchwork, but does it feel like sleeping in a backwoods cabin? I just can't get me head around it! Thanks!

Melissa

 

[Minsmom]

I have a questions about the AB rooms. Just how "rustic" are they? I know the beds look like split tree trunks and the curtains are patchwork, but does it feel like sleeping in a backwoods cabin? I just can't get me head around it! Thanks!

Melissa

I guess that's kind of my feeling too. Is it Disneyfied rustic, or just rustic?

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

I've stayed in both the mansions and the AB sections of POR and have loved both sides. So much so that for our upcoming trip in November, I didn't request a "side" but decided to be surprised at whichever section we were placed. Each has it's charm and beauty. As for the rustic, backwoods part of AB, I don't think it really has that feel, other than having to head outside to the outhouse it wasn't too bad. It's not as rustic as it looks in pictures. The whole resort is charming.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

In all honesty, although I loved our stay in AB, I was not (never will be) crazy about those bed posts! But the curtains behind the bed (kind of like AKL) soften it and the denim window curtains and plaid shower curtain are cute. Yes, it is Disneyfied Rustic or I could never have stayed there for even one night! LOL

Here is a DIS link to some nice photos of the rooms - our room was on the opposite corner of this one: Post # 9
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1114611

 

[disneydancer11]

hey! you'll love disney =)

i know i'm only a teenager but i've gone to disney enough to be an adult!! i've stayed in AB twice. It's very quiet where it is. Not much commotion at all. The only disadvantage is being so far from everything!