Just back from POR (8/12-8/18)Loved It!

[Princessbaby]

Well, we really enjoyed our first stay at POR! We had requested a water view, which could mean river or pool. We arrived at 845 am and we checked in, but our room wasn't ready yet. Actually, we called twice and didn't get it until 3pm. We were placed in AB building 16. At first I was dissappointed because I request14or 18, but once we got there it was in a perfect location! We had the quiet pool right outside our room (we were on the second floor) and the parking lot was right behind us. We did get a corner room-which I was excited about because it meant 2 windows! Mousekeeping was wonderful-very clean room and the kids animals were always arranged in cute things everyday, and we had a lot of towel animals! It was only a short 5-7 minute walk to the food court. What I likedwas it was very private and there was never a lot of people around. The pools were not too refreshing because they were too warm, so we counted on showers back in the room for that! We still swam just about everyday though! We drove our own car, but my oldest DS and I did use the bus once to go to EMH at MGM. We left at about 9pm and stayed until modnight or so. The lines to go back per the bus were long and horrible. People were complaining. The busses were packed and since POR and POFQ share it was standing room only (now picture this- 100+ degree weather, very humid, no rain, people crammed on top of each other in the busses-didn't smell very nice ) POFQ was the first stop and then on to POR where we got off at the South depot which is near the entrance of the lobby and it was a short walk to our room from there. We really enjoyed our stay and would stay there again in a hearbeat! Any questions, just ask!!

 

[klwdisney]

Thanks for the review! glad you enjoyed your stay! We are staying there in 33 days and are planning a couple of EMH nights. I think we may look for a cab though instead of waiting in that crowd at the end!

 

[Lilolvr]

We drove our own car, but my oldest DS and I did use the bus once to go to EMH at MGM. We left at about 9pm and stayed until modnight or so. The lines to go back per the bus were long and horrible. People were complaining. The busses were packed and since POR and POFQ share it was standing room only (now picture this- 100+ degree weather, very humid, no rain, people crammed on top of each other in the busses-didn't smell very nice ) POFQ was the first stop and then on to POR where we got off at the South depot which is near the entrance of the lobby and it was a short walk to our room from there. We really enjoyed our stay and would stay there again in a hearbeat! Any questions, just ask!!

Thanks for sharing! I know first hand what you mean regarding the buses. Add to your picture strollers and 2 little ones. Driving is a good way to go.

 

[Siouxstone]

Oooh, it sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for the positive post! We're going to be at POR in 22 days so I'm haunting all the POR threads.
I was wondering if you had any comments about the resort food. I know we'll end up eating something there, most likely at the food court. Any thoughts?
Glad you had a great trip! Hang on to that Disney glow as long as you can!

 

[7nqb00]

Welcome back!

 

[Artemus]

This may be the only drawback to POR. We always have the same crowded bus experience even in the so called "slower seasons". But I am happy to stand for someone who needs a seat more. It drives me nuts to see guys sitting while a mom and her kids have to hang on a pole. Glad you liked POR. Aren't the grounds great?

Artemus

 

[momtothree3]

Thanks for the great report. We are leaving in 13 days and have never stayed there before so we are excited. Were the parks crowded? And was all the dining crowded? Thanks for any info. Chris

 

[Princessbaby]

Oooh, it sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for the positive post! We're going to be at POR in 22 days so I'm haunting all the POR threads.
I was wondering if you had any comments about the resort food. I know we'll end up eating something there, most likely at the food court. Any thoughts?
Glad you had a great trip! Hang on to that Disney glow as long as you can!

We actually did eat in the food court 2 or 3 times and it was quite good! I was surprised. We had the pasta a couple of times and it is made to order so you can pick your sauce and whatever extras you wanted like chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, etc. It was plentiful- my DH and I ended up splitting a dish of it one night!

 

[Princessbaby]

Thanks for the great report. We are leaving in 13 days and have never stayed there before so we are excited. Were the parks crowded? And was all the dining crowded? Thanks for any info. Chris

The parks were very manageable! I was so happy because we have always gone at crowded times- with the last time being spring break. We went to Epcot on Friday afternoon and the World Showcase was DEAD!! I was so happy to see that. We walked right up to Princess Aurora, there was no one around for Chip and Dale, and there were only 5 or 6 people ahead of us to see Snow White and Dopey. The shops were great! We actually were early for a couple of our ADRs. I think it was Whispering Canyon that we were 1/2 early and they called us not even 5 minutes later. We had to wait the longest at Le Cellier for our late lunch and that was probably just undera 15 minute wait. The lobby was not too crowded during our wait- we got to sit on a bench. The hardest part of the whole trip was the heat and humidty-we went to MGM on Saturday for a few hours and when we got back in our van the temp reading in there was 108! Just lots of water and the mister fans-they were all lifesavers! Plus, we went into shops for a bit to cool off. Have fun on your trip! If you need any other questions answered, I will happy to do so!

 

[Princessbaby]

This may be the only drawback to POR. We always have the same crowded bus experience even in the so called "slower seasons". But I am happy to stand for someone who needs a seat more. It drives me nuts to see guys sitting while a mom and her kids have to hang on a pole. Glad you liked POR. Aren't the grounds great?

Artemus

The grounds are so beautiful! With the heat and humidity added in to all the lush landscaping, I joked to my DH that we were staing in a rainforest! I loved how the resort was full, but we did not see a lot people around. It was wonderful!

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi Princessbaby! Thanks for the report. Could you tell me a little about the grounds at night? I am an "ambience" girl and love to walk around at night and soak in the scenery. How are the paths lit? Is it pretty at night to walk around?

 

[Princessbaby]

Hi Princessbaby! Thanks for the report. Could you tell me a little about the grounds at night? I am an "ambience" girl and love to walk around at night and soak in the scenery. How are the paths lit? Is it pretty at night to walk around?

The paths are lit up at night and then you had the lights from the quiet pools that gave it a nice feel. I loved walking around at night and did it several times. It was very peaceful-you just wanted to take a deep breath and sigh. You hardly saw anyone at all. The paths are all winding so if you came up on people it was only for a few seconds. I loved it and would do it again. Peaceful and beautiful are the 2 words I would use to describe this resort. Absolutely loved it!!

 

[KimWDW]

I'm worried about the bus situation. I hope it's better in late October.

 

[Harvest02]

I'm worried about the bus situation. I hope it's better in late October.

Me too! We are going the 22nd-28th of October and hope the bus waits aren't too bad!!! That is the only thing that is worrying me! Sounds like we will love the resort otherwise!!!

 

[BarleyJack]

So glad to hear you had a good time! We're staying there in Jan 08 for the first time and *think* we chose the right mod resort, most people seem to love it

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks, Princessbaby! That's exactly what I wanted to hear

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

We will be there from 19/22-10/29. I hope the buses are better also. Thanks for the report.

 

[villiansRus]

Thanks for posting!

 

[eliza61]

I'm worried about the bus situation. I hope it's better in late October.

I wouldn't stress about it. I think this is to expected on all resort buses at the end of the night. Remember especially with the parks with late EMH everyone is leaving at the same time. There is bound to be congestion. You may want to consider leaving 30 mins before park closing.

 

[lookingforward]

We will be there starting 9/14 and I can't wait. Some of the recent reports have me a little concerned, glad to hear your stay was great.