yup I'm Goofy's sis
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2002
- Messages
- 30
Just back from a great week at POR, our first time there. We had 2 connecting rooms in AB for the six of us, DH and four DS, ages 10, 14, 18 and 20. We got everything we asked for, and I was very pleased with our location in Lodge 17, 1705-1706. 1705 is a corner room with two windows, we had two double beds in each room plus the trundle in each room. My 10 yr-old did use the trundle some nights, it was just long enough for him at 5 ft.
We were in standard rooms, but I requested that we "not see the parking lot". This location was perfect--we were around a corner and close to our car for unloading, but our first floor view was of the swampy lagoon-like landscaping around one of the quiet pools. It was very pretty. We never even made it into the "main"pool, but I was astounded at how pretty the setting was around the quiet pool--a very curvy, deep-end pool with palm trees right at the edge.
We enjoyed the food court, found plenty to choose from and a decent value compared to eating in the parks. I especially enjoyed breakfast there, and the pizza was great. We purchased four refillable mugs for the kids, and at last count, had refilled them about 17 times in our week!
I was also pleasantly surprised that the shop offered some basic items that would have been good to know in advance. I requested a coffeemaker and brought coffee & filters with me, but they sold filter packs at 10 for $6. They also sold milk and bread for convenience store prices, and a small but decent selection of snacks and boxed bakery goods. There was a big bag of cheese popcorn that we loved for $1.59!!!
Housekeeping was fine, and we did enjoy a steady supply of folded washcloth/sticker animals and dolls each day. I must admit, I couldn't quite picture these from the posts, but they were cute. I left a tip of $6 each day. We brought home enough soap and shampoo to last for quite a while! They were very generous with towels.
The room decor in Alligator Bayou was great fun--we loved the rustic log beds and mirror frames, the Brer' Rabbit and alligator shower curtain. The theming was perfect for us--after previous magical trips in the Fort Wilderness cabins, this was a step back to a hotel climate with just a touch of whimsy. The Magnolia Bend buildings look beautiful, too, but this was down-home comfortable.
Bus service was good--we generally only waited a few minutes. You just have to be realistic--if it is very important to be somewhere at a specific time, you have to be there early--otherwise, that will undoubtedly be the one time you just miss a bus, and have to wait a full 20 minutes--it's just Murphy's law! When we were at the stop at 8:00 a.m., we arrived at the gates at 8:20 as planned. When we were late, and arrived at the stop at 8:40 one morning, we didn't get to the park until 9:15.
We had to intentionally plan a trip on the Monorail, since you don't really need to use it from POR. We took it from Epcot to MK one afternoon. Another day, we did the resort loop from MK to the Grand Floridian. We got off there and took a bus to Downtown Disney, and took the boat back to POR later that night. The boat ride was very pleasant.
The piano guy was there at the lounge on a t least a couple nights during our stay, we just listened while passing through, but it looked like a good time.
They were painting parts of Lodge 14, the wings near the parking lot were unoccupied last week.
We were able to get a Fantasmic dinner package at Hollywood & Vine for the very next day when we arrived, it was a great deal. The buffet meal for teenagers is always a good investment, and it was great to walk into the Fantasmic seating at 8:30. I was concerned that those packages might not be available at the last minute, but that did not seem to be an issue.
Now we are home, getting into the re-entry frame of mind before school starts. I'd be glad to answer any questions for those of you still looking forward to the magic!
We were in standard rooms, but I requested that we "not see the parking lot". This location was perfect--we were around a corner and close to our car for unloading, but our first floor view was of the swampy lagoon-like landscaping around one of the quiet pools. It was very pretty. We never even made it into the "main"pool, but I was astounded at how pretty the setting was around the quiet pool--a very curvy, deep-end pool with palm trees right at the edge.
We enjoyed the food court, found plenty to choose from and a decent value compared to eating in the parks. I especially enjoyed breakfast there, and the pizza was great. We purchased four refillable mugs for the kids, and at last count, had refilled them about 17 times in our week!
I was also pleasantly surprised that the shop offered some basic items that would have been good to know in advance. I requested a coffeemaker and brought coffee & filters with me, but they sold filter packs at 10 for $6. They also sold milk and bread for convenience store prices, and a small but decent selection of snacks and boxed bakery goods. There was a big bag of cheese popcorn that we loved for $1.59!!!
Housekeeping was fine, and we did enjoy a steady supply of folded washcloth/sticker animals and dolls each day. I must admit, I couldn't quite picture these from the posts, but they were cute. I left a tip of $6 each day. We brought home enough soap and shampoo to last for quite a while! They were very generous with towels.
The room decor in Alligator Bayou was great fun--we loved the rustic log beds and mirror frames, the Brer' Rabbit and alligator shower curtain. The theming was perfect for us--after previous magical trips in the Fort Wilderness cabins, this was a step back to a hotel climate with just a touch of whimsy. The Magnolia Bend buildings look beautiful, too, but this was down-home comfortable.
Bus service was good--we generally only waited a few minutes. You just have to be realistic--if it is very important to be somewhere at a specific time, you have to be there early--otherwise, that will undoubtedly be the one time you just miss a bus, and have to wait a full 20 minutes--it's just Murphy's law! When we were at the stop at 8:00 a.m., we arrived at the gates at 8:20 as planned. When we were late, and arrived at the stop at 8:40 one morning, we didn't get to the park until 9:15.
We had to intentionally plan a trip on the Monorail, since you don't really need to use it from POR. We took it from Epcot to MK one afternoon. Another day, we did the resort loop from MK to the Grand Floridian. We got off there and took a bus to Downtown Disney, and took the boat back to POR later that night. The boat ride was very pleasant.
The piano guy was there at the lounge on a t least a couple nights during our stay, we just listened while passing through, but it looked like a good time.
They were painting parts of Lodge 14, the wings near the parking lot were unoccupied last week.
We were able to get a Fantasmic dinner package at Hollywood & Vine for the very next day when we arrived, it was a great deal. The buffet meal for teenagers is always a good investment, and it was great to walk into the Fantasmic seating at 8:30. I was concerned that those packages might not be available at the last minute, but that did not seem to be an issue.
Now we are home, getting into the re-entry frame of mind before school starts. I'd be glad to answer any questions for those of you still looking forward to the magic!
POR is a nice resort...
Thanks for the great review. My Wife & i are going in Sept. for our anniversary and everything i read so far syas we made the right choice. Does it look like Bldg 14 will be done in a month?
