Just back from POR... both sides! (a little long)

jerseydizdreamer

Mouseketeer
Joined
Aug 6, 2003
Messages
302
Hey, kids! Just back from an extended (literally) vacation, thanks to the snowstorm. Was supposed to spend a week at POR in the Bayou. At the end of that, I wound up stranded thanks to mother nature, and had to (see my arm being twisted out of the socket?) stay another two nights. But as they'd already assigned my room, I wound up having to switch from the Bayou to the Mansions. So here's what I can tell you, having seen this particular corner of the world from both sides now:

First off, a word of warning: I'm used to staying at the Wilderness Lodge. This was my first time at POR and, while I loved it to death, there was one thing I never anticipated. It might be hard to explain, but let me try. In resorts such as the WL, you have a carpeted hallway outside your door. At POR (both the Bayou and the Mansions), it's a cement walkway, as all the rooms lead directly to the outside, not into a hallway. The only problem with this is that the sound of suitcases being pulled, kids running, etc can be kind of loud, especially early in the mornings if you want to sleep in.

Other than that, I loved this resort.

I'd intended to fax a request for building 14, but completely forgot. But when I arrived, a helpful cast member named Chris asked if Building 14 would be OK (you bet!), and I wound up in a corner room (two windows!). Building 14 is incredibly convenient, I've got to tell you. I was close to the bus stop, the food court, etc.

The food court... let's talk about that for a moment! That place is fantastic. I ate there several times, but fell in love with the cajun primerib sandwich. Served with fries, about $7 bucks and worth every penny. The pizzas were great too. And, of course, the refillable mug (I think it was $11.99, if I'm not mistaken. Used it every day, well worth the price).

As reported previously, they are now doing the campfire thing - similar to what's done over at Fort Wilderness - in a location just behind Old Man Island (which is an amazing pool!). It's only held on certain nights, so check at the front desk and they'll give you a sheet saying when, during your stay, it's happening. They also are doing nightly carriage rides around the resort, as at the Wilderness Lodge. $30 for 30 minutes. Hey, that's a cheap date if you ask me!

For the last two nights I moved over to the Mansions, Paterre Place, I believe it was called. Not quite as convenient, but not at all what I'd call "out of the way." I was in room 9508 (back of the first floor, near the parking lot). This room seemed quieter than the other, but that may have been because it was, as I said, more toward the back, and didn't seem to get as much traffic.

Another thing I noticed several cast members doing at the front desk which I thought was really cool was that they encourage people, rather strongly, not to use the phones to dial long distance if at all possible, making sure everyone knows that there's a 55 percent surcharge on any off-property calls. I've stayed in a lot of places that are more than happy to let you discover that little fact when checking out.

Anyway, if anyone has questions about the resort I might be able to try and answer, feel free to PM me!

Richard
 
we'll be at POR in two weeks -
thanks for the info regarding food court and campfire!

so sorry about your 'extension'... hope your arm has healed!
glad you got home ok!

d
 
Glad you enjoyed the resort and finally arrived home safe.

I actually find it nosier in the deluxe resorts. Kids yelling and running up and down the halls and parents shouting at them to be quiet! In the moderates we sleep with the a/c and fan on high and that drowns out any other noises. My best nights sleep while away from home was at POR. And you're right about the food court. My favorite is the Philly Steak sandwich! YUM!

If you don't mind a nosey question, did they discount the added nights or charge you rack rate?
 
We also just arrived home from POR yesterday. We stayed at Pattiere Place in the back in room 9708. It was nice. In the back by the parking lot and very quiet but close enough to the noise. We were very close to a quiet pool with laundry facilities that really came in handy.

Everyone was very nice at this resort. We did a surrey bike to see all of the grounds which were beautiful but boy is it hard to do one of these things with 3 kids...lol. The food court was great and we ate there several times with our refillable mugs but we didn't get a chance to do the campfire. We wanted to but it just didn't fit into our schedule.

If anyone has any questions, just let me know but room was very clean and the maid was wonderful. She made little animals with cups, rags and our brushes and things. THe kids loved that. She also left the kids a goody bag at the end with a bunch of Mickey toothbrushes, shampoos, soaps, and things. I thought that was very nice. I would definately stay there again.
 

Robinette -
Truth be told, I didn't even check to see what the going rack rate was. I just knew I was stuck and needed a place to stay! In the end, I wound up paying $99 a night for the two additional nights, which was about $30 cheaper than what I'd been paying for the rest of my stay.

Richard
 
Hi Richard,

It was nice meeting you at Pooh's Corner! I was the one with the 3 yo who never stopped bouncing.

My trip was extended two extra days due to the storm also (returning to Boston). The extra time was great, we did MVMCP again Sunday night. Too bad the actual trip home took 12 hours from arriving at MCO to walking through my front door! DS and I finally got home at 3:30 AM this Tuesday morn. But the extra magic was worth it.

I stayed in the Mansions at POR last year and loved it. This year we did the Swan and then CBR. I am now a Swan convert :)

Sundie
aka PlutosMyFav
 
Thanks for the great report!! I am going with my 5 yr old dd in about 9 days and I have been a little nervous. We stayed at the GF last time but it is just us this round and no way could I swing it that close to Christmas:-) Could you please tell me what I should request to be near the bus stop that is NON-SMOKING. DD has major allergies. I am getting really excited reading all these great reports. For a while I kept seeing negative things on the boards about POR....sure am glad to see the opposite!!

CatOne

p.s. Do you think a 5 year old would enjoy a carriage ride or is it much more couple oriented?
 
Building 14 was non-smoking (at least my room was), near the bus stop, near the main buildings (including the lobby and restaurants)... I couldn't have been more pleased with it. And for the record, my room, 1441, which was a corner on the second floor with a river view, had a trundle bed as well as two very comfy regular beds.

Richard
 
great report, we will be staying at POR on the 30th till the 2nd, have been reading tons of stuff about it and sounds great. i was intending on faxing in our room request but have lost the # to send that sort of a fax to , does anyone have that # and how should i go about asking for a certain romm or building. also do yous leave tips for the cleaning staff in the rooms or at the end of the stay thanks. seven days12 hours remaing till we head south
fred
 












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