Just back from POR and WL

[daannzzz]

I had a great stay at these two resorts. My first 4 days at POR were great. I had stayed there before in Aligator Bayou and put in a request for the mansion area,even though it is not high on my choice of favorite architectural styles. I had a water view room and received room 9744, in Parterre Place which was a corner room. I was expecting to be right next to the river but this room was part way down the wing facing the courtyard. The view of the river was a bit far but the view of the courtyard and fountain made up for it. I could sit in my chair and watch the courtyard and the boats going by on the river. I really ended up liking the mansion homes. It felt much more like I was in a specific place and time than at POFQ or AB. The walk over to the food court was not bad at all as a bridge was nearby. And indeed part of AB and all of Acadian House and most of Magnolia Bend were closed down. I only used the bus to go to the MK one day and the service was average, for Disney.
At the Wilderness Lodge I requested and received a room at the end of the wing facing the boat dock to the MK and FW. Room 2001 was next to a Jr. Suite. I had a woods view room and didn't know if they would give me one of these rooms as they do face the lake and just have some trees in the way. The balconey was one of the granite balconies and was very enclosed. You could not see much if you sat in the chair. As it happens, it was very hot and only in the late evening was it nice enough to spend time out there. The room was nice and clean and fairly quiet. I could see the geyser if I leaned way out. I saw parts of the electrical water pagent through the trees. I am very dissapointed that they did not build the WLV a little farther away though. It crowds that side of the resort and takes away from the ambiance. Bought a refillable mug the first day and left it in the lobby within a couple hours! Went back and it was gone. Asked lost and found a couple times but they never received it.
I am ready to go back to both places!!!!

 

[hockey mom]

Glad you had a good stay and I cannot believe that someone would take your mug. We have also stayed in AB of POR and liked it but I just made reservations in Dec. for WL. Which hotel did you prefer?

 

[LT Hambone]

Originally posted by daannzzz
I had a water view room and received room 9744, in Parterre Place which was a corner room. I was expecting to be right next to the river but this room was part way down the wing facing the courtyard. The view of the river was a bit far but the view of the courtyard and fountain made up for it. I could sit in my chair and watch the courtyard and the boats going by on the river. I really ended up liking the mansion homes.

When my wife and I went last month, we had a water view room in Magnolia Terrace, third floor, room 8917, smack dab in the middle. We couldn’t see the water through all of the tress and foliage, and we came close to moving. But it was in a very quiet spot, and we wound up enjoying the very quiet location. I agree with you – we really wanted an AB room, but we wound up loving the mansions. The theming was awesome – you really felt like you were in a different place and time.

Our only two comments were –

1) Who designed the room numbering system? How does 8917 translate to building 85, third floor, middle?
2) Why in the @#$% isn’t there a staircase that goes directly to the third floor?!?!?!?

Originally posted by daannzzz
Bought a refillable mug the first day and left it in the lobby within a couple hours! Went back and it was gone. Asked lost and found a couple times but they never received it.

Sorry to hear about your stolen mug – it definitely wasn’t a Mug Man! Mug Men have morals, and would never stoop so low as to steal someone else’s mug!


Glad you had a good trip!

 

[daannzzz]

Originally posted by hockey mom
Glad you had a good stay and I cannot believe that someone would take your mug. We have also stayed in AB of POR and liked it but I just made reservations in Dec. for WL. Which hotel did you prefer?

That is such a hard question to answer. Both were great. Even though POR is a "moderate" resort and has exterior corridors I was able to sit by my window in the air conditioning and look out at the scene. At WL you can do this in most rooms buy mine had that specific balconey which made it harder. I also beleive that the interior corridors of the deluxe resorts conduct much more noise down the hall ways than do the exterior corridors od the moderates. The themes of both are excellent though POR cover much more grounds and has more landscaping and ponds and walkways to explore. I finally got to do the Boatride to downtown Disney. It sure is long!!! I wasn't that impressed but then again I have been reading raves about it for years now.
WL is a great resort though and the boat ride to the MK is convenient and pleasent though this takes a while as well. There are more restaurant choices at the WL and it is pretty spectacular looking but then again so is the Parterre Place building.
If price is an issue you can't beat the moderates.

 

[daannzzz]

Originally posted by LT Hambone
When my wife and I went last month, we had a water view room in Magnolia Terrace, third floor, room 8917, smack dab in the middle. We couldn’t see the water through all of the tress and foliage, and we came close to moving. But it was in a very quiet spot, and we wound up enjoying the very quiet location. I agree with you – we really wanted an AB room, but we wound up loving the mansions. The theming was awesome – you really felt like you were in a different place and time.
Sorry to hear about your stolen mug – it definitely wasn’t a Mug Man! Mug Men have morals, and would never stoop so low as to steal someone else’s mug!


Glad you had a good trip!

I had the tree problem when we stayed in Alligator bayou in 1997 but I still enjoyed the room and location. Thats why I was pleasently surprised by my view. I can't wait to see what the new room decore will look like at POR.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We also have stayed at both resorts on different occasions. I disliked POR sooo much! The room was small, the foodcourt was unimpressive and we were attacked by nesting birds by the pool! If I ever go to WDW on a smaller budget, I would stay at ASMu again! We loovve WL and have been fortunate to have stayed there on 3 different trips comparable to the cost of the moderates.