Just back from POR - very disappointed

[Lizzybee]

Wow we were at POR at the same time, checked in with ease, got all of our requests, had wonderful service and a great Mousekeeper who arranged the toy/animals in the cutest ways every day. This was our second stay there and I don't know if I could ever consider staying anywhere else. We love POR. I'm sorry it was such a bad experience for you.

 

[momof2inPA]

Paying more for more reliable, more professional staff would ultimately raise prices from tickets to rooms to meals. We would all be complaining about that too!

A lot of people would complain, but I wouldn't be one of them. I would gladly pay more for tickets, rooms, and meals for better service, and if the resorts have been as full as the boards seem to indicate, it's only a matter of time before prices increase, anyway. I just hope some of that trickles down to the CM's.

 

[momof2inPA]

I wasn't the OP but I will say we really enjoyed CSR. Even thought it is pretty spread out, we found the service to be very good and the grounds were really nice. I don't think you'll be dissapointed. We also really enjoyed French Quarter, but the kids were smaller and liked the pool. I think at the age they are now, they would rather have the pool at CSR., but we've already decided next trip will be BC or AKL again!

Oh thanks. The room at CSR will be free, so you can't go wrong there, but we'll try to add a couple of days at an AP rate, probably, so I was thinking about either staying at CSR or trying AKL or WL.

 

[klb5]

We stayed 5 N in Dec @ POR and 3@ AKL DEl Sav. POR was much better( I feel AKL is a one time thing), POR was much more enjoyable, Early morning walks ( 5:30-6:00) were great, large grounds were nice for bike ride, bus service was great,,,, GLAD we ALL had a great time ( AKL wasn't worth three times the price)

 

[Luv2Roam]

I REALLY can sympathize with the OP. Of all our WDW resort stays POR was the worse and most disappointing, on various levels for many reasons. And we are not that picky or hard to please. (POR was our ONLY bad WDW resort experiences.)
Part of the problem I know is that we had read so much good about POR. Our expectations were high, and the service and cleanliness was low.
That was three years ago. I would hope things were better.
Riverside is a resort many just love. And I agree the grounds are the best part. But after that....
We learned from that trip. It was a live and learn experience.
Luckily not everyone wants to stay in the SAME resort.

 

[Peter Pirate]

AKL wasn't worth three times the price

LOL! Different strokes, I guess. I think AKL is worth whatever it takes!

 

[dizkidz2]

OP,

How would you compare POR to CSR? Your stay reminded me of mine from a few years ago. Although I didn't make any room requests, I found the customer service at the front desk and bell service lacking (and that's being generous). I've been reluctant to try another moderate, but my husband has a meeting at CSR this summer, and I thought someone with the same tastes might have some insight in comparing the two resorts.

We love the CSR and have stayed there several times since their opening. (We chose POR this time to try something different). It is so beautiful with all the gardens and fountains, especially at night.
There have been poster that have said that this if more of a deluxe resort rather then a moderate, and I agree.

Momof2inPA, PM me for more info.

 

[mom23guys2]

We stayed at AKL over Easter and had a wonderful experience but I expect nothing less in a Deluxe. We originally had reserved POR but decided to upgrade to AKL. I'm glad we did. WDW charges quite a lot more to stay during Easter. They should be prepared for large crowds with extra staff and supplies. The crowds were not a surprise to Disney, they knew how many reservations they had. If I was paying the same rates as off season, I might understand the comments abour staying at a busy time but not when I'm paying more to stay at a prime time. People can't always go when it is less crowded. The kids have school (I never took mine out of school for vacations. Education is just too important) People who work in education can't take off at other time, etc.
Bottom line, crowds are no excuse for poor service.

 

[Skroops]

IMO, we are in a strange time of service back-lash. For awhile, the customer was always right and compensated as such. Then, a rash of an attitude occured where customers expected compensation from any complaint. Now, a lot of people (service industry or not) think that if you have a complaint, you are aiming for compensation of some type and are far less sensitive...assuming that this is just another customer wanting something for nothing. These complaints of the OP are valid, but even the DIS posters are less sensitive.
WDW will have to improve to survive in the long run. With the cost of gas rising, less people will be able to afford the rising air fare prices or the cost of driving to WDW from long distances. They will lose business in the upcoming economy. In order to keep business, they will need to provide the top notch product we love. Excuses such as language barriers with housekeeping, or tired CM's, or lack of bellhops won't bring the customer back. They'll spend their hard working earned vacations elsewhere.

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

Just wanted to take a minute to thank the OP for the review. I always enjoy reading reviews ( the good and the bad ). It seems that every little bit of info helps to prepare. I have found that many times what bothers someone about a certain resort or park does not bother me at all. The luggage issue would never be a problem for me because we always just carry our own luggage up. Many ( not all ) of the issues the OP had would not bother me and I would happily book at POR. However I am still glad that the Op took the time to post. I have read many negative reviews of CBR, but my family really enoyed our stay there and I would not hesitate to go back. My point is take reviews for what they are, someone elses opinion ( which they are entitled to ). There will always be someone who does not like your/my favorite resort, there will always someone who has a bad experience, no company is perfect - not even Disney - why get all crazy about it?

Let's all just be happy! Or should I say hakuna matata!

 

[BostonRob]

BostonRob,

What I meant was that the rooms should be just as clean, the bus service should be just a good......of course some better amenties should come with the deluxe than with a value.

Well I can't argue with you there. Even the Value's aren't exactly cheap, compared to what you could get right outside WDW. Everybody staying at WDW should recieve that sort of serivce.