Just back from 7 rainy days at POR

[GaDisneyDad]

We were there 6/15 thru 6/22. I hope to have a trip report up in a couple of days, but will be glad to answer any questions before then.

 

[Jillpie]

Welcome back! Did they fix the bridge at the main pool yet? Did you sit in the lounge to listen to Bob Jackson?

 

[GaDisneyDad]

I didn't notice any problems with any of the bridges. The only thing I noticed (and it took me a couple of days to notice that) was that the water wheel was not moving. It was going on Friday just as we were leaving. I also noticed the laticework under the bridge closing off the smaller section of the pool that I had read about on the boards here. I agree it looks tacky.

I stopped in the lounge each night just before we turned in to get my wife a pina colada (virgin; we don't drink) and I always stuck around and listened a while. I remembered him from our trip last summer. What a hoot! He seemed to have a good crowd in each night I was there.

Other than the rain, we had a perfect trip.

 

[hopskip]

What building were you in and how were the buses? Just got my ressies for November & requested Parterre Place. I'm so excited! Thanks!

 

[GaDisneyDad]

We were in Magnolia Terrace - the EXACT same room we had last summer (and I didn't even ask for it)! The East Depot was just a short walk behind our building and I thought the transportation was great. It's the last stop, so the good news is, once you're picked up, the next stop is the parks. The bad news is, you're the last off coming back, so we usually get off at the main (South) depot and take the short walk back to the room.

I've see comments on the boards here that the transportation service seems to be slipping, but we sure didn't see it. We rarely had to wait more than 10 minutes for a bus. We always take the boat ride to DD our first night in, but the first boat filled up and we had to wait for the next - total wait time about 30 minutes. It's a nice ride, but the bus will get you there quicker.

 

[ghidorah97]

I've just booked POR for our trip in October (for the Food & Wine Festival!), and I requested one of the mansions (Magnolia Terrace would be my first choice -- it's non-smoking, correct?).

Just wondering what the overall condition of the rooms were during your stay? I've heard some mixed reviews on POR over the past few weeks of reading the DIS, but I'd say they leaned toward the positive side. Your experience with the bus service is definitely encouraging!

Thanks for any information!

 

[GaDisneyDad]

Our room at least was in great shape. I know our room was non-smoking, but I don't recall if the entire building was or not. The grounds seemed to be in good shape - clean, etc.

Magnolia Terrace is where we always stay. I like the location - near the main pool and food court on one side, and near a bus depot on the other.

Make sure you take a walk on the trail that goes around the river and down to POFQ. Very peaceful, especially early in the morning, lots of ducks and rabbits out feeding, etc.

 

[wishesandreams]

I just returned from my trip to Por 6/18/02-6/22/02. I have not stayed at this resort in 7 years and I have noticed a big change in the resort and the people who work there. The last time we visited the resort (then called Dixie Landings) the grounds were pristine and very beautiful. This time the grounds were nice but alittle unkept in some areas. We also stayed Magnolia terrace rm 8707. I noticed weeds in the plant beds and poking out of the srubs. In all of my year of going to disney properties I don't think that I have ever seen a weed. I don't mean to sound snobbish but just describing some of the changes I've observed. The quiet pool next to the building had black scum on the tops of the wall of the pool. The main pool was okay but looks very tacky for Disney pool. Seems like they could redo the bridge and make it look somewhat better that what they have going on. My big complaint was the staff. The maid was not very friendly. Anytime that I was walking on the grounds and a staff member walked by they were very unfriendly. That is not like it used to be. In the past if you saw a staff member while you were walking they would go out of their way to say hello how is you stay or at least smile. This visit was different. The check in was okay but the girl was not used to working at Por and it went a little slow. The food court was somewhat the same. I think that the refillable mugs are really pricey. 10.00 for the mug alittle steep. We purchased one mug for 4 people and shared or bought our own pop at walmart. They took milk or chocolate milk off the bar which was a negative. If you wanted orange juice you had to purchase bottle for 2.89. All in all I have decided that I would rather stay somewhere else and I won't be going back to Por anytime soon.