I wish I had picked POR

[sbm123]

We will be staying at FQ in less than four weeks. I just found out that the pool will be closed. It actually opens up the day we leave for home. If I had known this back when I had made my reservation, I would have chosen Riverside. I know I can go over to POR to swim, but it will not be convenient as having the pool right there. We will be there from March 8 - 14. All the moderates are booked. How do overs that have ressies during this time feel about this? Did you know about the pool closure when making your reservations?

I would really like to hear from those that have stayed at FQ already during the time that the pool has been closed. How inconvenient was it to go to Riverside? I really down about this.

 

[Shmily1]

I don't know about staying there with the pool closed but just wanted to tell you to not give up on getting a room at POR. There are people cancelling all the time.

 

[WickedWench]

I've never stayed either place, but I wouldn't admit defeat just yet. Cancellations happen, so keep checking and you may be able to switch.

 

[richsilver]

Certainly will make a quick dip and back to the room a little difficult.
We don't do that much though.With 9 and 4yr olds they usually want to spend some time there.We have both walked and taken the boat to POR to use the pool there.Even once when the FQ pool was closed for the day for some reason.

Depending on how much stuff you will need to bring,it really is a pleasent walk over there.Otherwise we enjoy a little boat ride.

About the only thing I could think of that might happen is the POR pool being crowded at times.

My family like both pools and we use both,so I think don't let it get you down.Just have to budget a little more travel time.

Hope you enjoy your stay.
rich

 

[sbm123]

Thanks for replying. I have called several times asking about POR hoping that someone has cancelled. No luck yet.

 

[Aliceacc]

Would you consider trying another moderate?

Just for the sake of arugment I just tried Coronado springs for the week of March 12-18. They're showing vacancies.

 

[alldiz]

I would be upset.....and I would keep trying to get another
mod....I bet you get one. You'll be surprised how many
cancellations there are.
Remember room only ressies have until 6 days before to cancel.
good luck
Kerri

 

[Buzz2001]

Sometimes these things open early than expected. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

[sbm123]

I talked to someone on Sunday and I was told that none of the mods have any vacancies. We will be at Disney March 8-14. My second choice after FQ is POR. I have been calling several times since Sunday to request a room there. They told me that they would give me $100 in Disney dollars to spend once we arrive. However, it does not make up for not having a pool or hot tub. I will keep trying back.

 

[sbm123]

I did ask if there was any possibility of opening earlier than stated. They said no. The pool is scheduled to open on March 15. That is the day we leave.

 

[Aliceacc]

According to the reservations website, both Coronado Springs and Carribean Beach are showing vacancies for those dates. Maybe things have changed since Sunday, or maybe the computer has a different block of rooms than the person on the phone.

I would switch.

 

[allaboard]

Are you booking through an agent? According to the WDW website, POR is available during the time you will be there. If you are booking through an agent or AAA, they have limits on how many reservations they can book with their rates.

If you indeed booked through an agent, you could try calling WDW directly and seeing if you can change your reservations yourself. It may cost you more to make the change, but if you are really serious about wanting to make the change, it probably can be done.

 

[tejasranger]

We just got back Feb 2nd and stayed at POR. The people borrowing our pool from french quarter hopped on the boat because it stops there first and took the boat ride back. Also from what I understand it is a short walk.

 

[skipperkim]

The hot tub is not closed at POFQ, only the pool and the kiddie pool since they are next to each other. The hot tub at POFQ is not next to the pool. In fact you can't see the pool from the hot tub, it sits off by itself. One reason to keep your ressie at POFQ is that it is picked up and dropped off first before POR for the parks. You could have problems getting a seat at POR. It's also a smaller resort making everything close, except the pool right now.

 

[sbm123]

I booked directly through WDW not an agent. I have not checked POR in the last few days. Maybe things have changed.

Skipperkim, I feel the way you do. FQ is smaller and easier to get around. Then there's the bus issue.

I would love to hear from others who have stayed at POR or FQ during the pool closure. How long does it take to walk from FQ to the pool at POR? Also, how long by boat? I know that the boat drops you off right in front of the pool.

 

[sassyat30]

I booked directly through WDW not an agent. I have not checked POR in the last few days. Maybe things have changed.

Skipperkim, I feel the way you do. FQ is smaller and easier to get around. Then there's the bus issue.

I would love to hear from others who have stayed at POR or FQ during the pool closure. How long does it take to walk from FQ to the pool at POR? Also, how long by boat? I know that the boat drops you off right in front of the pool.

No, you don't get dropped off right in front of the pool. You get dropped off in the marina behind the main building, then you have to walk a bit to get to the pool...over a bridge.

THe only time you have to worry about the bus issue is at peak times...Easter, summer and holidays. We stayed at POR and I was all stressed out about the bus situation and frankly, I worried for no reason. We never had a hard time finding a seat or waiting for a bus.

It just isn't a big deal.

If you're set on POR, keep calling and ask. But to be fair, Disney does a very good job of getting out to the public when pools are going to be down for re-furb.

 

[Lureen]

I feel your pain, OP.

We're going next week and had a reservation at PO-FQ. As soon as I heard the pool would be down, I changed my reservation to Riverside. A pool nearby may not be important to everyone, but it is a big deal to my family. I swear my kids are part fish, they like the water so much.

After changing my original reservation to Riverside, I discovered I could get the Dolphin for close to the same rate, so I wound up switching to there. I suggest you check and see whether you can get a discount there and consider it instead.

Being able to walk to either Epcot or MGM and having a 3-acre pool complex on-site sounds better to us than anything POR offers.

 

[KLL]

We just returned Feb.9 from an eight day stay at POFQ. A seperate boat is used to ferry swimmers from the POFQ dock to the Riverside pool area. If you choose to walk, the time from POFQ foodcourt to Riverside foodcourt is 9 mins. (I timed it Thursday evening 2/7/08).

 

[sbm123]

Lurleen, When did you find out that the pool was going to be closed? I found out this past Saturday.

Also, thanks for the timing information. That is good to know. How far from the food court at POR to the pool at POR?

I did call again this morning to Disney to see if POR was available. I was told no. Then the CM told me that FQ had two other pools that they have put temporary slides. They also said that the hot tub is open. I did now know that FQ had other pools. Is this correct? If it is, then I feel a little better about the situation. I thought that there would be no pool to go swim in. I hope this info is correct.

 

[sassyat30]

Lurleen, When did you find out that the pool was going to be closed? I found out this past Saturday.

Also, thanks for the timing information. That is good to know. How far from the food court at POR to the pool at POR?

I did call again this morning to Disney to see if POR was available. I was told no. Then the CM told me that FQ had two other pools that they have put temporary slides. They also said that the hot tub is open. I did now know that FQ had other pools. Is this correct? If it is, then I feel a little better about the situation. I thought that there would be no pool to go swim in. I hope this info is correct.

Food court at POR to the pool at POR is about two mins.