Help :-) Upgrade from PO Riverside to either Old Key West or Saratoga Springs ?

[wayneg]

When we checked in last August we were offered a studio(can't comment on 1 bed) near HH but it was ground floor, I wanted upper room so she appologised and said only ones they had were further away, fine by us as we have no reason to goto HH, I think we called 2 or 3 times the whole 16 nights.
We were about as far away as you can get, took us approx 10 mins walk to HH the once we walked it, it is a big resort but I was expecting bigger after reports on here.

 

[DisneyTardis]

Hey 2Tiggies and Wayneg

Thanks so much for both your input and helping with my decision making process . Both yourselves and everyone else have made things alot lot easier and i'm so much more well informed which is really great for my peace of mind

As for the mickey mouse ice cream 2Tiggies...it would be my pleasure to treat you to one ...and thankyou for the well done aswell. Oh and i would be more than happy to post pictures and my thoughts on our disney trip when i get back. Besides i think it only fair as i have picked everyones brains on the forum about my trip. Who know's i might be helpful to someone like myself who has never been to either Port Orleans Riverside or Old Key West

Actually quick question to Wayneg.. So you choose an upper room then wayneg...i knows its personal preference but is it something i should take into consideration?

Oh and being a bit cheeky could i ask.. can you remember where in Old Key West your apartment was when you visited last august? just trying to give myself a kinda rough time if walking from certain parts of the resort.

Anwyay..big big thanks again.

Have a great evening

Phil

 

[crabbie1]

we asked for a room near HH and got building 25.less than a 5 min walk and great view over the golf course. As wayne said I wouldnt worry too much about location.Bus stops all round. Congrats to you for the upgrade.

 

[wayneg]

We always get upper rooms anywere when possible (inside a hotel even better) we used to accept ground floor but had rooms with lizards in and another with roaches, still a chance upstairs but feel better higher up.

Link here to pics I took at OKW last year, posts 4&11. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2500405

Some pics of inside the room (only a studio)
We were in Block 55(botom right on map)
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.htm

 

[iluvtot]

we asked for a room near HH and got building 25.less than a 5 min walk and great view over the golf course. As wayne said I wouldnt worry too much about location.Bus stops all round. Congrats to you for the upgrade.

Same here. We had a lovely view, and even when it was raining, it wasn't cold and we could still sit on the balcony
Phil, the main reason people ask for a higher level is the dense vegitation at OKW. On the ground level, you are more likely to have visitors!! We have found there are loads of lizards. They are cute, but you wouldn't really want them in the room!
One year, my husband had an ear infection, and bought some drops. He lay back on the bed for me to put them in for him, and as I leant forward, I looked down, and there was a little lizard on his chest! Well I screamed and bolted; the lizard leapt for it's life, and DH and his sister spent the next hour trying to find it as I refused to go back into the room untill it was evicted!!Needless to say, we were on the ground level!!

Jules x

 

[DisneyTardis]

Ok is it bad that what you said about the lizard jules made me laugh out loud I'm so so sorry..i'm so bad...you can tell me off i deserve it.

On a serious note..although i am still laughing seems wise to ask for a upper room because i so know if what happened to jules happens to my girlfriend she will do exactly the same..bolt for the door and refuse to come back in. Then it will be me doing my version of a big brother eviction...mr lizard you have 10 seconds to pack your bags you have been evicted! (excuse the big brother impression for the record can't stand big brother )

Thanks for letting me know you got your room request crabbie that helps alot ..seems it is possible if you ask nicely. As for the upgrade offer itself myself and my girlfriend are very very lucky...never been offered a free upgrade ever. Like everyone on here..worked hard to save for the resort we choose and was quite happy with Port Orleans..but the offer is there and for someone like myself who's first trip was with his parents at age 10 back in 1984 staying in cocoa beach (jump in your tardis and go way way back i remember being in awe of things like the contempory with its monorail etc and i look at Old Key West the same. Once in a life time stuff and maybe an offer i shouldn't refuse

Actually quick question crabbie did you do it through your travel agent or did you do it direct with the resort..ie phoned OLD KEY WEST? I'm seeing the travel agent tommorrow to put in my request for OLD KEY west and a room near HH and was also thinking of phoning the resort direct about a week before i go just to see if they got my request. That a good or bad idea?

Big thankyou wayneg for the links and the photo's of your studio at Old Key West...i really appreciate it alot i also really like the look of it. I wouldn't mind being there now to be honest I think thats the draw for me...it all ties in really great...i'm in florida...so what better place to stay than at a resort that looks and feels like the keys in florida.

Once again...just a big big thankyou to you all for all your help and advice. Who knows if we are out in florida the same time maybe we can meet up and i can literally treat you to that mickey mouse ice cream to say thankyou in person.

Many Thanks

Phil

 

[wayneg]

Shame you are not there in August Phil, a few of us meeting up http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37278880
Maybe next year

 

[iluvtot]

Hi Phil,
To be fair, I think I scared the lizard with my scream; but hey, I wasn't ready for small talk!!
I actually sent an email to Disney UK last week, requsting location and an upper level room. I received a lovely call back from them saying they had noted my request and it had been passed to the resort

Jules x

 

[iluvtot]

Hi Phil,

I've just read on the other upgrade thread that some have already received their upgrades.
Being nosy )), I was wondering what you have decided to do, and if you've heard anything back yet?!,

Jules x

 

[DisneyTardis]

Hey eveyone

Hope you are all having a great day

Definately if we are out in Disney next August...will have to meet up wayneg

Apologies for not posting till now...been major busy..work etc and some major chats with my girlfriend over a lovely little problem about what resort to choose between Port Orleans and Old Key West


Hey jules you aren't being nosey at all...here's where we are at the moment

We've kinda settled on Port Orleans which did surprise me somewhat. That was mostly down to my girlfriend going all practical on me and looking at menu's for our quick service dining plan at both old key west and port orleans.

It really is a tough call i'm still not sure we have made the right decision ????

We kinda based our thought process on what we did at pop centrury last tim around. We didn't spend hardly anytime at the resort apart from sleep and food. I think we popped back to the resort the odd day...say after universal or just to get back to change some clothes, maybe have a bite to eat, but other than that didnt stay in the room at all...just was on the move all the time. Also the use of the refillable mug came in...my girlfriend and i used them a lot and she was wondering what time we can still get our mugs refilled if we are coming back late from either the fireworks at epcot/disney. We checked the times of the little shacks at Old Key west that do stuff for the quick service dining plan and her worry is they won't be open by the time we get back if we fancy grabbing a drink...or even a snack.

It's such a tough tough call this....

Actually here's a crazy question...what did you do for breakfast food wise? we just really want to use the quick service dining plan best we can..so what do the things like the little shacks at Old Key West that do stuff for the plan do for breakfast? the way i've read it...nothing at all....but i might have read it wrong.

i guess it comes down to...it's a holiday and i don't really want to do grocery shopping so i can have stuff for breakfast or a snack if i want one late at night.

You know i just have to laugh at all this....you must think i'm an indecisive nightmare ... i'm normally very much i know what i would like and i will do my best to try and get it if i can... if not...at least i know i tried

Anyway big big thankyou to you jules and everyone else for all their help

Phil

 

[iluvtot]

Hey eveyone ..



We kinda based our thought process on what we did at pop centrury last tim around. We didn't spend hardly anytime at the resort apart from sleep and food. I think we popped back to the resort the odd day...say after universal or just to get back to change some clothes, maybe have a bite to eat, but other than that didnt stay in the room at all...just was on the move all the time. Also the use of the refillable mug came in...my girlfriend and i used them a lot and she was wondering what time we can still get our mugs refilled if we are coming back late from either the fireworks at epcot/disney. We checked the times of the little shacks at Old Key west that do stuff for the quick service dining plan and her worry is they won't be open by the time we get back if we fancy grabbing a drink...or even a snack.

It's such a tough tough call this....

Actually here's a crazy question...what did you do for breakfast food wise? we just really want to use the quick service dining plan best we can..so what do the things like the little shacks at Old Key West that do stuff for the plan do for breakfast? the way i've read it...nothing at all....but i might have read it wrong.

i guess it comes down to...it's a holiday and i don't really want to do grocery shopping so i can have stuff for breakfast or a snack if i want one late at night.

You know i just have to laugh at all this....you must think i'm an indecisive nightmare ... i'm normally very much i know what i would like and i will do my best to try and get it if i can... if not...at least i know i tried

Anyway big big thankyou to you jules and everyone else for all their help

Phil

Morning!

Enjoying the beautiful weather?!

I don't know if I am the best person to answer your Q's....We are a family of 5(3 teens) so we have different requirements. We like the villas because we can spread out. The rooms at POP and POR were too restricting for us and we were falling over each other, even when we had adjoining rooms. For that reason alone, we didn't spend much time in them; but as I said before, if you had the space, would you use it,or would you still just be in and out? Do you and DGF like the idea of that option?
DS and DD's like to get up, grab a bowl of cereal or some toast some mornings, (or evenings when they get in!!). We usually keep drinks in the fridge, and some snacks/dips, so we can sit on the balcony and enjoy a wine/beer. Is that an option for you, or do you prefer to be busy, busy?

Last year, I would get up and walk over to the CS and get a couple of mugs of coffee. The drinks dispenser is outside the Food Hatch, so I think it's available all the time, but don't quote me! Maybe someone else knows?
I would get there about 7, and the food hatch would just be opening. Breakfast options were pastries, muffins, cinammon buns,a platter (scrambled eggs, bacon,pots) decent size, and cooked fresh, which you don't get at the bigger food courts. The menu says a breakfast croissant, cereals, and fruit aswell.
I think it's open untill about 10 at night. Again, don't quote me!! I don't know the time the POR food court closes.
One other thing, have you thought about paying the extra (I think I've read on here that it's not too much) and upgrading to the DDP, or would that just send you into decision melt down??!

Jules x

 

[crabbie1]

To be honest as we had no car,we either went to DTD and ate at earl of sandwich/or similar and also popped to walmart not far away(got a taxi from dtd )cost $6 and bought some muffins,bread milk etc and ate in the room. At least you have more or less decided to stay at POR. It does have one of the best counter service dining options.Dont forget to try POFQ food court as well.We discovered it on our last day and loved it.Great tortilla wraps.

 

[diddldonna]

To be honest as we had no car,we either went to DTD and ate at earl of sandwich/or similar and also popped to walmart not far away(got a taxi from dtd )cost $6 and bought some muffins,bread milk etc and ate in the room. At least you have more or less decided to stay at POR. It does have one of the best counter service dining options.Dont forget to try POFQ food court as well.We discovered it on our last day and loved it.Great tortilla wraps.

We are thinking of doing a taxi ride to and from Walmart Is it easy to get a Taxi back?

 

[2Tiggies]

We are thinking of doing a taxi ride to and from Walmart Is it easy to get a Taxi back?

When taking a taxi I always ask where to go to get a taxi back and also ask the driver for his card. The taxis tend to lurk at the popular places waiting for business and you should have no problem finding one. I am curious to know when Crabbie went and which Walmart she went to . $6 is a darn bargain if it was in the last few years!

 

[DisneyTardis]

Hey everyone hope you all had a great weekend

Definately was great weather jules..love british summertime and those days when it's not dark till 10pm

First off..major apologies for not posting till now...had a rather hectic weekend but a fun one. Mums birthday and for her present from me took her to Hampton Court flower show yesterday. Flowers etc not exactly my thing but i do totally recommend it as a day out...it's a brilliant show..espcially if you are into gardening.

Anyway..thats a bit off topic...back to mickey mouse and Disney World

Well Jules you certainly love to give me food for thought (pardon the pun) talkabout decision meltdown. I would imagine by now your thinking...is there actually a question he hasn't asked???? Not sure...but i'm sure i can think of one. Thanks for all your help by the way...and answering all of my questions no matter how wacky they are. I know i have said it alot but i really do appreciate it.... You are a star

Ok so where am i at after a somewhat hectic weekend and not much Disney.

Well having discussed it more with my girlfriend i think we are going to stick with Port Orleans Riverside. Yes an upgrade is great but stick is what we have decided. Just think it fits the needs of what we want. Although i will say my travel agent when i told her took 10 mins to get it into her head that i was turning down an upgrade. Think i lost count of the times i said politely...i want to stick with what i have i don't want the upgrade. It was almost like i wasn't there...i almost felt like waving and saying i'm over here...She was just stunned???? and couldnt believe it. So there we have it...after all the indecision...we have made one

STICK

I can see the visable sighs of relief...thank god at last he has made a decision

I did do one thing when telling my travel agent face to face to put a request on my booking for a mansion house with a preference for Oak Manor or Parterre Place and close to the bridge. I'll probably back that up with a either a phone call or letter to the resort close to going. Not a gaurantee i'll get either of those but least it's on the booking and no harm in asking.

You know it's interesting everyone talking about going to Walmart, which is a really good idea. For me i just thought...i've chosen/paid to really go all inclusive...well a macdonalds version of all inclusive if you can call the quick service dining plan that...with that in mind would i really want to go to Walmart? Sure i would only have to do it once and I've done self catering numerous times and i'm quite happy to do it but i've paid up front for my meals and i want to spend as much time in parks and not one bit at a Wallmart.

I guess that kinda answers your question jules....do i like to be busy busy????

Yeah i do...and the more time i spend in the parks the better

Wow...I can't wait to get on Test Track and the highspeed bit at the end...i love it.

You have all made me really excited about going back...it's going to be GREAT

Anyway...i'm sure i have a few more questions hidden away and i will pick your brains later.

Have a fantastic day everyone

Phil

 

[iluvtot]

Hey Phil!

Good to hear you've made a decision!......
Let the planning begin........!

Jules x

 

[DisneyTardis]

Hey Jules

Yep made my decision to stick with Port Orleans...love the cheeky ...by the way.."At last he makes a decision" made me smile alot I know it was meant completely sincere but it made me smile all the same.

Now to planning the holiday itself

Actually seeing as you stayed at Port Orleans jules..can't remember if i asked you where your room was in respect to the Lobby, Food Hall etc? I read you had a fair walk..so can you remember where you were? And what was your take on Port Orleans itself?

Have a great day

Phil

 

[wayneg]

Phil, don't know if you have seen Andre's site http://www.portorleans.org/
We almost stayed there 2 years ago but changed to Animal Kingdom Lodge, we were offered same rate as we were paying for POFQ. His site had some good info on, not read it since.

 

[iluvtot]

Hey Jules

Yep made my decision to stick with Port Orleans...love the cheeky ...by the way.."At last he makes a decision" made me smile alot I know it was meant completely sincere but it made me smile all the same.

Now to planning the holiday itself

Actually seeing as you stayed at Port Orleans jules..can't remember if i asked you where your room was in respect to the Lobby, Food Hall etc? I read you had a fair walk..so can you remember where you were? And what was your take on Port Orleans itself?

Have a great day

Phil

Hi Phil,

I just love these little icons I try to use them whenever I can!
Right, Port Orleans...sorry, can't remember the name of the building we stayed in, but it was over the bridge, round the swimming pool, and about another 5 mins from there (if that helps!! )
I really liked POR. (even though it was over-run with cheer leaders! It was Pop Warner week, so they were everywhere!!) The only thing was because we were a good distance fron the food court, we didn't use it! We didn't actually try it untill last year when we were staying at OKW, and we drove there one night. It was completely manic, but it was tipping it down outside, so probably that had something to do with it!
We did actually prefer the pool at POFQ though. I'm not sure if you can go there if you are staying at POR. I think it's maybe OK. We were with DSIL and she is a DVC member, so when we go with her we get to 'pool hop' The food court there was good though.
When are you going?

Jules x

 

[Boo :)]

We've been offered the same deal, but are concerned about the beds. There are 3 adults going and we've been offered the studio at SS and OKW. It's my understanding that there is a pull out couch in the studio. Do all of them have pull out couches?

Are they comfortable?