Just Back from POR

[Laura1776]

I just returned from 4 nights at POR. I loved the resort. Here's why:

ROOM--I was the Acadian House in the Mansions section. It was a great location, very central. My room was in the back of the building so it was very quiet.

FOOD COURT--I had breakfast there each day and had a late lunch twice. I really liked the build your own pasta. It was fun watching it being cooked right in front of me and it was very tasty. I bought the mug which probably paid for itself the first day (I drink lots of diet coke). The only time I saw the food court crowded was on Saturday morning at about 9am.

ARCADE--I had fun in the arcade. I started with a $5 game card and then would add to it $1 at a time. There were 3 pinball machines and that's where I spent most of my time. I also played skee ball.

POOLS--I used the main pool at night when it was quieter. The spa felt heavenly. In the afternoon I used the quiet pool. It was never crowded. I liked the fact that it wasn't deep so I could just walk around in the pool since I'm not much of a swimmer.

BUSES--I thought the buses were great. I had no problems. I think my longest wait was about 5 minutes. I always got a seat leaving the resort. I only stood once on the way back.

As you can see, I liked everything about the resort. It was friendly, relaxing and enjoyable just to stroll around. I highly recommend it. Any questions?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Laura, was this a solo trip? If so, did you feel comfortable at the back of the resort and did you use the buses or rent a car? We stayed in AB 14 which was next to the food court - visited the mansions, but we found that side so confusing! LOL

Thinking about a solo trip for 3 nights - not really a Disney solo traveler, but considering a long weekend for some R & R.

Thanks much!

 

[Harvest02]

I just returned from 4 nights at POR. I loved the resort. Here's why:

ROOM--I was the Acadian House in the Mansions section. It was a great location, very central. My room was in the back of the building so it was very quiet.

FOOD COURT--I had breakfast there each day and had a late lunch twice. I really liked the build your own pasta. It was fun watching it being cooked right in front of me and it was very tasty. I bought the mug which probably paid for itself the first day (I drink lots of diet coke). The only time I saw the food court crowded was on Saturday morning at about 9am.

ARCADE--I had fun in the arcade. I started with a $5 game card and then would add to it $1 at a time. There were 3 pinball machines and that's where I spent most of my time. I also played skee ball.

POOLS--I used the main pool at night when it was quieter. The spa felt heavenly. In the afternoon I used the quiet pool. It was never crowded. I liked the fact that it wasn't deep so I could just walk around in the pool since I'm not much of a swimmer.

BUSES--I thought the buses were great. I had no problems. I think my longest wait was about 5 minutes. I always got a seat leaving the resort. I only stood once on the way back.

As you can see, I liked everything about the resort. It was friendly, relaxing and enjoyable just to stroll around. I highly recommend it. Any questions?

Thanks for sharing your trip report! Our family is going in 15 days!!! I like that they have skee ball in the arcade! I LOVE that game! My kids will definitely enjoy that part. Also glad to hear the busses were not a problem. This still concerns me a little about this resort, but seems like there has been many positive reports about busses lately. Can't wait for POR!!!

 

[Laura1776]

Yes, it was a solo trip. I felt very comfortable in the back of the building. There were always people around the resort so I never felt uncomfortable walking around alone even late at night. My first night I went for a swim at 11:45pm.

I used the buses. Leaving the resort, I used the stop near my room. Since I was at the back of the building, I just went down the steps and walked through the parking lot to the right over to the stop. On the way back I got off at the main bus stop (South Depot) so I could stop in the shop and/or refill my mug.

I thought it was a great resort for a relaxing solo trip.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks so much - sounds perfect!!

 

[daffodil22]

I just returned from 4 nights at POR. I loved the resort. Here's why:

ROOM--I was the Acadian House in the Mansions section. It was a great location, very central. My room was in the back of the building so it was very quiet.

FOOD COURT--I had breakfast there each day and had a late lunch twice. I really liked the build your own pasta. It was fun watching it being cooked right in front of me and it was very tasty. I bought the mug which probably paid for itself the first day (I drink lots of diet coke). The only time I saw the food court crowded was on Saturday morning at about 9am.

ARCADE--I had fun in the arcade. I started with a $5 game card and then would add to it $1 at a time. There were 3 pinball machines and that's where I spent most of my time. I also played skee ball.

POOLS--I used the main pool at night when it was quieter. The spa felt heavenly. In the afternoon I used the quiet pool. It was never crowded. I liked the fact that it wasn't deep so I could just walk around in the pool since I'm not much of a swimmer.

BUSES--I thought the buses were great. I had no problems. I think my longest wait was about 5 minutes. I always got a seat leaving the resort. I only stood once on the way back.

As you can see, I liked everything about the resort. It was friendly, relaxing and enjoyable just to stroll around. I highly recommend it. Any questions?

Great trip report! Was this your first solo trip? How do you like being a solo traveler at the parks? I'm thinking about that for next spring.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Glad you had a great time!

POR is my favorite Mod!

 

[Laura1776]

Yes, this was my first solo trip to WDW although I have travelled solo before. I loved being solo in the parks. I never felt lonely. I talked to so many lovely people. It was so nice to be able to go at my own pace and pick and choose what I wanted to do. I surprised myself by getting a lot of pictures taken with characters. I didn't plan to but it was so easy and fun.

I thought the Food & Wine Festival was a perfect event for a solo. I was at Epcot every day to eat. i munched, walked and chatted with others.

I also had lots of time to relax and hang out at the resort. Again I surprised myself by wanting to be in the pools. I didn't even own a bathing suit before this trip.

I love travelling with friends and family but there is something very special about a solo trip. For anyone who is thinking about a solo trip, my advice is GO FOR IT!!!

 

[gregrmike1]

Thank you for the great review! We love the relaxing atmosphere at POR. I am glad you had a great time as a solo traveler.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm glad you posted. After hearing all of the negative comments about the busses, I was starting to get a little freaked out. We arrive at POR this Saturday! It is great to hear that you didn't find the busses crowded. It sounds like you had a nice trip.

 

[Lisann]

I love POR...it's truly one of the most beautifully themed resorts on property. Glad you had a nice time. I love the mansion section, too.

 

[PirateKitty]

Thanks for posting about your stay at POR. I will be staying there on our upcoming trip and have seen many people saying negative things so its nice to see something positive.

 

[lovedit]

We were at POR from September 26 - September 30. We were in the mansions right next to the east depot. The buses were never crowded leaving the resort. When I inquired about full buses, the bus driver told me they have cameras constantly monitoring the bus stops, so they know when they need to put extra buses on a route. Of course, we were there at a very slow time of year.

I think it is worth it to ask the bus driver some questions to find out the best stop to use. I had thought we would use the south depot because I had read that the POR bus stopped there first, but when I asked the bus driver about it, he told me that in the morming, they were not stopping there first. So we decided to use the east depot, and always got a seat on the bus.

This was my first time staying on Disney property, and I was nervous about not having a rental car. I did not want to wait 20 minutes for a bus when we were in a hurry to get to a park early, or when we were exhausted from being in a park all day. I realize now that it will be rare that you will have to wait the full 15-20 minutes for the next bus to come because the odds are that you will rarely arrive at the stop just when the previous bus pulled out. We never waited long for a bus.

I was also worried about leaving the parks after the evening fireworks, but it was not a problem for us. The buses came so close together that there were often two arriving at the park at the same time. Again, though, we were there in September during a slower time.

We had a great experience with the buses.

Also, the resort was so beautiful and spacious. The buildings are not close to each other, and there are vast expanses of landscaped land along the river. It was so quiet and peaceful and beautiful in every direction. We did not have time to take walks around the resort like I'd hoped, but I am sure it would be a calm, refreshing walk.

It is truly a lovely resort and a wonderful respite from the parks.

 

[Dr Ellis]

Thanks for the great report. Will be staying at POR from 11/19-11/26.

Dr. Ellis

 

[wideeyes]

Thank you for your review - I loved POR too, we were in Oak Manor and loved the location. not far to walk across the river.