robertpien
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2005
- Messages
- 64
Just returned from a visit to POR from 10/7 through 10/15. I see another recent post that POR was good, not great. Those are my feelings as well. There is not one thing that I can point to saying it was not good. On the flip side, nothing really stood out for me either.
Check-in - I thought this was very poorly arranged. Town car dropped us off and luggage service had to be summoned 2 or 3 times to come over to assist. Bags were checked and I went to check-in. There were 4 poeple ahead of me and I got in line right before a Magical Express drop-off so there was probably 10-15 behind me. It was annoying to see 4-5 concierge stations open with employees standing there doing nothing and then seeing only 3-4 check-in people working frantically to keep the line moving. Due to this fact, everythign was business-like once it was my turn. No, "How are you today?", rather "I need to see your hotel voucher and one form of ID." Not pleasant. Alogn with all the information, I was given a map leading me to my hotel. I requested AB, first floor, bldgs ( in order of preference) 14, 17, 16, 16. I received AB, second floor, building 25. Luggage service woman was very rude when we inquired when our luggage would be available. She told us it could be a few hours. So we took off on our trek to our room and by the time we got there, our message light was on indicating our luggage was ready.
IMO, I think they should have a greeter telling you where to go, what to do and where to go with any questions, issues, etc. I saw many people, either looking or walking around wondering where they needed to go next.
Proximity - I was annoyed none of my 4 preferences for AB were provided, at it proved to be good and bad. Good: Next to the West Depot bus stop, which was usually empty. Bad: Walk to food court/main pool was long and prevented nay quick trips for something to eat
Buses - this topic maybe more than any other regarding POR has been discussed on these boards. I was seriously concerned prior to my stay. I go on the record as saying there is no issue with the busses that I saw. Longest I waited for a bus was probably 10 minutes, and that was only 2-3 times. Sometimes busses split with POFQ, sometimes not. I think it depended on the time of day. I had to stand twice - once after MNSSHP (although wife and kids were able to sit) and once during EMH for MK. Yes the busses wree crowded, but I also think the resort was more crowded than maybe all ofthe the other resorts. When you saw the wait lines for the resorts, most resorts would have a few families waiting. POR always had 5-10 waiting.
Boat to DTD - Many people have said how relaxing this is. I think the complete opposite. I hated this boat ride. The engines were so loud I had a throbbing headache by the time we arrived (we took this 2 times). You can not hear the person next to you talking. Even my kids were begging to take the bus back rather than the boat. I can't find any plusses from this.
Food Court - standard run of the mill foodcourt. Was busy at times, but I never had to wait in line for very long. Create your own pasta ia a decent touch.
Boatwright's - one word, FANTASTIC. My wife has numerous food allergies and our ched ("Chappy") was excellent and made her meals on the spot. We ate dinner here twice and bfast on our check-out date. The banana stuffed french toast is as good as advertised.
Room - again, just OK. Tipped everyday, but towel animals were few and far between. Remote needs a timer on it to shut off if you fall asleep with the TV on.
Carriage Ride - relaxing and quite scenic. Only cash or room charge taken.
Remote pools need to be cleaned better as there was always debris in there. I know that may be part of it with all the landscaping, but a few additional touch-ups couldn't hurt. Main pool was good, nothing spectacular.
Any questions feel free to ask!
Check-in - I thought this was very poorly arranged. Town car dropped us off and luggage service had to be summoned 2 or 3 times to come over to assist. Bags were checked and I went to check-in. There were 4 poeple ahead of me and I got in line right before a Magical Express drop-off so there was probably 10-15 behind me. It was annoying to see 4-5 concierge stations open with employees standing there doing nothing and then seeing only 3-4 check-in people working frantically to keep the line moving. Due to this fact, everythign was business-like once it was my turn. No, "How are you today?", rather "I need to see your hotel voucher and one form of ID." Not pleasant. Alogn with all the information, I was given a map leading me to my hotel. I requested AB, first floor, bldgs ( in order of preference) 14, 17, 16, 16. I received AB, second floor, building 25. Luggage service woman was very rude when we inquired when our luggage would be available. She told us it could be a few hours. So we took off on our trek to our room and by the time we got there, our message light was on indicating our luggage was ready.
IMO, I think they should have a greeter telling you where to go, what to do and where to go with any questions, issues, etc. I saw many people, either looking or walking around wondering where they needed to go next.
Proximity - I was annoyed none of my 4 preferences for AB were provided, at it proved to be good and bad. Good: Next to the West Depot bus stop, which was usually empty. Bad: Walk to food court/main pool was long and prevented nay quick trips for something to eat
Buses - this topic maybe more than any other regarding POR has been discussed on these boards. I was seriously concerned prior to my stay. I go on the record as saying there is no issue with the busses that I saw. Longest I waited for a bus was probably 10 minutes, and that was only 2-3 times. Sometimes busses split with POFQ, sometimes not. I think it depended on the time of day. I had to stand twice - once after MNSSHP (although wife and kids were able to sit) and once during EMH for MK. Yes the busses wree crowded, but I also think the resort was more crowded than maybe all ofthe the other resorts. When you saw the wait lines for the resorts, most resorts would have a few families waiting. POR always had 5-10 waiting.
Boat to DTD - Many people have said how relaxing this is. I think the complete opposite. I hated this boat ride. The engines were so loud I had a throbbing headache by the time we arrived (we took this 2 times). You can not hear the person next to you talking. Even my kids were begging to take the bus back rather than the boat. I can't find any plusses from this.
Food Court - standard run of the mill foodcourt. Was busy at times, but I never had to wait in line for very long. Create your own pasta ia a decent touch.
Boatwright's - one word, FANTASTIC. My wife has numerous food allergies and our ched ("Chappy") was excellent and made her meals on the spot. We ate dinner here twice and bfast on our check-out date. The banana stuffed french toast is as good as advertised.
Room - again, just OK. Tipped everyday, but towel animals were few and far between. Remote needs a timer on it to shut off if you fall asleep with the TV on.
Carriage Ride - relaxing and quite scenic. Only cash or room charge taken.
Remote pools need to be cleaned better as there was always debris in there. I know that may be part of it with all the landscaping, but a few additional touch-ups couldn't hurt. Main pool was good, nothing spectacular.
Any questions feel free to ask!
