Just home from POR, the pros and cons

[VAfamily1998]

I think you are used to DVC and have brought your expectations to the moderate you chose. I do nto knwo about the valet service, we always take DME and carry our carry on in to check in, but the coffee pot? It is what it is, and it serves the purpose. I would never use one of the Mr Coffee type things, I have read too much here. Even on our upcoming stay, we are bringing a Kuerig for the family, and just leaving it for whoever wants it.

The bathrooms? Well, we are used to those as well. I prefer Deluxe accomodations, however when we stay in a moderate, we know the difference.

Lol, I know what you mean! I won't use one of those provided by a hotel anymore either!
But I also don't like the single serving pod style coffee makers so many hotels do now, either. I have a small coffee maker (not sure if it's Mr. Coffee brand, but something similar) that I bring with me on most of my travel. It has a stainless steel carafe, so I'm not concerned about breakage. I also bring coffee grounds, and just buy half and half when I get to the resort. The coffee grounds in my checked luggage causes my luggage to get searched every time!

 

[nkereina]

I also am curious what exactly was the problem with the coffee maker. Last year when we were at POR, it was the Cuisinart pod system which was sufficient. I can't imagine a $15 Mr. Coffee would be much different.

As far as having them unload the bags without asking, I picture that happening at deluxe resorts and full service hotels where they have a full bell and valet staff. They are always present for luggage assistance at the moderates, but I don't think its incumbent on them at those resorts to unload cars. I'm not sure I've seen it happen as cars pull up. As PP mentions, then a tip would then be expected. And also, because many people opt to park near their rooms and unload there.

 

[Jillpie]

OP here, thanks everyone for your feedback. And understood, the luggage situation is clearly different at deluxes vs moderates, now I get it. Thanks for clearing that up. The coffee maker, I chose the one cup setting, and both dripped out, going everywhere. Tried twice, and it happened again. Also, you don't have the ability to bring your own coffee and make it, like a normal drip machine. I only gave Mr Coffee as an example. I actually use a Keurig at home, but the others are so cheap I'll just bring my own the next time.

 

[nkereina]

you don't have the ability to bring your own coffee and make it

FWIW, they do sell the pods on Amazon. Never looked for them in store, but true they are not as common as K-Cups would be.

 

[Princessclab]

Does anyone know if the refurbed rooms at POR have a better coffee maker than the old Mr. COFFEE type ones?
The reason I ask is that the refurbed rooms at CSR have single serve Keurig machines.
Thanks.

 

[dansdad]

Does anyone know if the refurbed rooms at POR have a better coffee maker than the old Mr. COFFEE type ones?
The reason I ask is that the refurbed rooms at CSR have single serve Keurig machines.
Thanks.

They still have the 2 cup Cuisinart coffee maker. Not a Keurig and not a Mr Coffee.

 

[maxiesmom]

Some of the cons just sound like the differences between a moderate and a deluxe

That is what I am thinking too.

The rooms are smaller so it stands to reason the bathroom is smaller. And I like being able to pull the curtain or door and dress in front of the sinks. Gets me out of the steamy bathroom! Much easier to dress out by the sinks.

I'm a bit confused on the whole store my luggage thing. If your room is ready, why would they need to store your luggage? And why would you want them to? Makes much more sense to check in and see if your room is ready first. Then if it is not, have them store your luggage.

 

[Jillpie]

That is what I am thinking too.

The rooms are smaller so it stands to reason the bathroom is smaller. And I like being able to pull the curtain or door and dress in front of the sinks. Gets me out of the steamy bathroom! Much easier to dress out by the sinks.

I'm a bit confused on the whole store my luggage thing. If your room is ready, why would they need to store your luggage? And why would you want them to? Makes much more sense to check in and see if your room is ready first. Then if it is not, have them store your luggage.

OP here. I agree with you, and that is why I followed up with loving the space inside the curtain too. The size of the BR just took me by surprise. So the luggage, it was 11:30 am, I assumed the room wasn't ready. It usually isn't till 3:00 or so. I also expect him to say, go check in and see if your room is ready? You are right, because we are so used to deluxe resorts all these years, the service is top notch when you drive in, they take care of your luggage regardless if room is ready or not.

 

[hereforthechurros]

I can’t help but think that any hotel room would get old after 17 nights, that’s a crazy long stay!

 

[Jillpie]

I can’t help but think that any hotel room would get old after 17 nights, that’s a crazy long stay!

Oops! Those were my round trip flights, the first week we spent with family in Fl., POR days were 23rd-29th, 6 days.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

Not to steal the thread, but we were at POR from 9/27-10/1 and I have similar experience/ feelings.

DH dropped off our luggage on the way to a conference and it was held at Bell Services because our room was not ready. He was asked if he wanted to keep it in the car. He explained that he was returning the rental and then going to the parks and would not be back at the room until 11 PM. Bell services held the luggage and said to call when we were back. When we got back, Bell services loaded up our luggage and us onto a golf cart to our room which was nice and unexpected.

When we got to the room around 11 pm it was not clean (crud on toilet seat, scum on walls of shower, hair all over the toiletry dispenser, crud on ledge over sink). The conditioner pump wasn’t working so I called to see if some conditioner could be dropped off when they made up the room the next day. I stressed that the pump was full but not working and that it was fine because I wouldn’t need conditioner until the following day.

Shortly after that, mousekeeping pounded on our door and said they were there to fill the pump (not what I needed but I’ll give it an A-plus for trying to be quick fixing the problem). I explained that the pump was full but not working and that in any case DH was showering (not exactly anywhere for him to go in this scenario) and asked if they could look at it when the room was made up the following day. I apologized for them coming over so late for nothing, as if it was my fault this miscommunication happened.

At midnight we got a call from the manager of Mousekeeping who apologized and stated the room would be “deep cleaned” the following day (comical because the crud on the sink ledge never did get cleaned up). I was beyond exhausted and ready for bed at this point, and then Mousekeeping came back to drop off conditioner (at this point I was sorry I asked BUT we just stayed at BCV in August where we asked 3 times for some blankets so POR is still ahead for service).

Today DH looked at the bill (we didn’t charge much using magic bands) and sure enough, we were charged for parking for all 3 nights. He called and explained that he pulled in to drop off the luggage and left and we did not park there from the time we checked in to the time we left. He has offered confirmation that we returned the rental, took a Lyft to the resort on Friday and then never entered in a car after that. They are supposedly “looking into it.”

Agreed- not enough outlets and we don’t love the coffee or coffee maker BUT we also realize the rooms have not been refurbished and we can live with the coffee in the parks or food court. We don’t like the coffee provided at BCV either so it’s a tie.

We did like the bathroom set up- yes, the bathroom is tiny but the curtained off area gives us plenty of room to get dressed and gets me out of the wet, steamy bathroom.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The coffee maker, I chose the one cup setting, and both dripped out, going everywhere. Tried twice, and it happened again.

Sounds like a malfunction, not the typical operation/result?

 

[Sue M]

Thanks Sue. You reminded me of one more con lol, no drawers without breaking your back. I opted to just put my packing cubes on top of the shelf, but made for a messy looking room all week with the clothes out like that. Oh well, not that big of a deal, but missed having drawers. Good to hear they're doing refurbs soon! I too use a Keurig at home, wish they could put one of those small, travel size ones in each room. Don't think that will happen though. What do you do for coffee while you're there? Again, none of these cons would stop me from going again, still love it.

Yes, that’s the reason I don’t like AB rooms. Lack of dresser. I just discovered the joy of packing cubes, lol. For coffee I use the Cusinart machine in room in the morning. I like having a coffee while I’m getting ready. At night I use hot water for my tea. I grab creamers from food court to use in room. Of course if I’m in the food court I use the coffee there.
Next time you’re there try Mansion room. I always request a location close to Old Man Island foot bridge. We also prefer the satalite bus stops behind the mansions, either North or East depot depending in which building we’re in. Much less chaotic than Main Depot.

 

[Sue M]

OP here, thanks everyone for your feedback. And understood, the luggage situation is clearly different at deluxes vs moderates, now I get it. Thanks for clearing that up. The coffee maker, I chose the one cup setting, and both dripped out, going everywhere. Tried twice, and it happened again. Also, you don't have the ability to bring your own coffee and make it, like a normal drip machine. I only gave Mr Coffee as an example. I actually use a Keurig at home, but the others are so cheap I'll just bring my own the next time.

Sounds like the coffee maker was broken, shouldn’t do that. You can ask housekeeping to replace.
I hadn’t found any difference in Bell Service in mod and deluxe stays, but possibly things have changed since my last POR stay. They always took my luggage, held it and delivered when phoned.

 

[darrengs]

thanks for your honest review!

I have to preface this by saying, for the past 15 years, we have been DVC members and have stayed mostly at the Beach Club Villas. Before staying there, we brought our kids when they were first starting out at Disney and always stayed at Dixie Landings, now POR. And we loved it. We ran out of points, but still wanted to stay on property, this was the natural choice. Dates: Sept 13-29th....

 

[Sue M]

Not to steal the thread, but we were at POR from 9/27-10/1 and I have similar experience/ feelings.

DH dropped off our luggage on the way to a conference and it was held at Bell Services because our room was not ready. He was asked if he wanted to keep it in the car. He explained that he was returning the rental and then going to the parks and would not be back at the room until 11 PM. Bell services held the luggage and said to call when we were back. When we got back, Bell services loaded up our luggage and us onto a golf cart to our room which was nice and unexpected.

When we got to the room around 11 pm it was not clean (crud on toilet seat, scum on walls of shower, hair all over the toiletry dispenser, crud on ledge over sink). The conditioner pump wasn’t working so I called to see if some conditioner could be dropped off when they made up the room the next day. I stressed that the pump was full but not working and that it was fine because I wouldn’t need conditioner until the following day.

Shortly after that, mousekeeping pounded on our door and said they were there to fill the pump (not what I needed but I’ll give it an A-plus for trying to be quick fixing the problem). I explained that the pump was full but not working and that in any case DH was showering (not exactly anywhere for him to go in this scenario) and asked if they could look at it when the room was made up the following day. I apologized for them coming over so late for nothing, as if it was my fault this miscommunication happened.

At midnight we got a call from the manager of Mousekeeping who apologized and stated the room would be “deep cleaned” the following day (comical because the crud on the sink ledge never did get cleaned up). I was beyond exhausted and ready for bed at this point, and then Mousekeeping came back to drop off conditioner (at this point I was sorry I asked BUT we just stayed at BCV in August where we asked 3 times for some blankets so POR is still ahead for service).

Today DH looked at the bill (we didn’t charge much using magic bands) and sure enough, we were charged for parking for all 3 nights. He called and explained that he pulled in to drop off the luggage and left and we did not park there from the time we checked in to the time we left. He has offered confirmation that we returned the rental, took a Lyft to the resort on Friday and then never entered in a car after that. They are supposedly “looking into it.”

Agreed- not enough outlets and we don’t love the coffee or coffee maker BUT we also realize the rooms have not been refurbished and we can live with the coffee in the parks or food court. We don’t like the coffee provided at BCV either so it’s a tie.

We did like the bathroom set up- yes, the bathroom is tiny but the curtained off area gives us plenty of room to get dressed and gets me out of the wet, steamy bathroom.

I can see how miscommunication happened as when you phone front desk, it’s not the front desk, it’s a call centre.

If you receive a dirty room, I’d never stay in it. Reason being our last stay at POR when entering our assigned room (around 9:00pm) first thing I noticed was papers and empty water bottle on table. On closer look there were hair ties & crumbs on floor. In bathroom hair around tub & floor. Ick. I told desk I wanted a different room. They offered to send housekeeping to clean room. I was tired, my knee was painful and I just wanted a room, not wait around another hour for Housekeeping to clean. So they did give me another room. Within minutes I recieved a visit from manager. He apologized profusely and said he looked at the dirty room and housekeeping and said housekeeping had made a mistake. They did a clean for a returning guest, not a new guest. That means sheets wouldn’t have been changed, ick, and maybe towels either.

 

[sharadoc]

I think overall we've seen a change in service, and you won't get anything unless you ask, or demand, it. We have stayed at all levels. When we wanted bell services to handle our bags, we drove up to the check-in area and got them to come to the car and unload it.

When we stay deluxe, we always valet so they automatically come and unload. Boardwalk, Beach Club, Contemporary all did unload as soon as we pulled up.