Just home from POR, the pros and cons

[Jillpie]

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.

Because I am a glass half full kind of gal, I'll start with the Pros.

-This resort is beautiful, stunning, quiet, serene.
-Love that the boat to DS brings you right to the Marketplace, not a mile away like the buses. Really love that.
-LOVED the pool. Remember, we're used to the huuuuuge pool at BC, and thought this was going to feel microscopic, my husband and I loved going round and round on one end, so relaxing.
-We were in building 18, so close to the quiet pool, enjoyed that a few times. Well worth paying extra for premium location to food court s well.
-REALLY loved the curtain divide inside the room, to create a sense of "another room" to change in.

And, the CONS.

-Very much missed a small microwave. If you choose to buy breakfast and bring it back to the room, its cold. Not huge, but I missed it.
-It is 2018. And two, count them two accessible plugs to charge everything. Really?? No USB ports, do they know how many electronics folks have now? That was beyond frustrating. I brought my own multi plug, and used the one at the table, but was such an inconvenient spot, cords were everywhere.
-The bathroom. Is a tiny closet. And I mean tiny! Barely could turn around. Hence loving stepping out after a shower and changing in front of the sinks. What were they thinking.
-Check in. We drove up with our rental car, expecting Bell services to take our luggage out and store it, until the room is ready. The CM comes up to us and says "do you want to take your car now and park it in front of your room, you can take your luggage in from there?" I was like, we haven't even checked in??!! Can we not store our luggage first, find out if we even have a room (this is 11:30 am)? He said, okay, just park (points to the parking lot) and go check in. Okay now. Do moderates not take your luggage to store? That was not a good start. At all.
-The next day, we get a voicemail (this happened three different times) saying to call the front desk back about our account. They said, because we're on a cash basis, we have to put our car parking fee on our account. What car? We returned it right after checking in, and how did they even know we had that car? So I go thru that process explaining, thought it was taken care of, they called the next day and the next day about it!! We have no car.
-Coffee maker. Please. Is that what they call it? Enough said. A Mr Coffee, $15.00 maybe would work for each room. But this, this is not a coffee maker. Settled for food court coffee the rest of the week. If we stay again, I'm stopping at Walmart and buying a Mr Coffee for the week.

Even after all these cons, I'd still stay here again. The pros outweigh them. We are huge pool users, and we had a blast in it. And the grounds are gorgeous here. I do hope they upgrade Alligator Bayou soon, to come up to speed electronically. Still love our first home.

 

[dansdad]

Do moderates not take your luggage to store?

They sure do. I have found out that you have to specifically ask them to do it, but they are more than happy to.

The next day, we get a voicemail (this happened three different times) saying to call the front desk back about our account. They said, because we're on a cash basis, we have to put our car parking fee on our account. What car? We returned it right after checking in, and how did they even know we had that car?

Couple possible ways.
1. The guard flagged your reservation that you arrived via car.
2. When you scanned your MB to open the gate, it flagged your reservation that you arrived via car.

 

[Jillpie]

They sure do. I have found out that you have to specifically ask them to do it, but they are more than happy to.



Couple possible ways.
1. The guard flagged your reservation that you arrived via car.
2. When you scanned your MB to open the gate, it flagged your reservation that you arrived via car.

Thanks for the response. I say, why should we have to ask for it? I'm so used to them just doing it, literally opening up the trunk and start taking it out. He wanted us to park in front of our room and take it in our room ourselves. Is that normal here?

 

[kaytieeldr]

-It is 2018. And two, count them two accessible plugs to charge everything. Really?? No USB ports, do they know how many electronics folks have now? That was beyond frustrating. I brought my own multi plug, and used the one at the table, but was such an inconvenient spot, cords were everywhere.

Port Orleans has not been refurbished recently. When it is, they will add multiple USB outlets, just as at every refurbished resort

-The bathroom. Is a tiny closet. And I mean tiny! Barely could turn around. Hence loving stepping out after a shower and changing in front of the sinks. What were they thinking.

Probably thinking that the bathroom size is sufficient based on a combination of usage and available space?

What car? We returned it right after checking in, and how did they even know we had that car?

See the multiple threads about resort parking fees.

-Coffee maker. Please. Is that what they call it? Enough said. A Mr Coffee, $15.00 maybe would work for each room.

Temporarily, but a $15 coffee maker wouldn't be cost-effective. You have to consider potential abuse, followed by serial replacement.

Thanks for the response. I say, why should we have to ask for it? I'm so used to them just doing it, literally opening up the trunk and start taking it out. He wanted us to park in front of our room and take it in our room ourselves. Is that normal here?

Don't know about normal, but it eliminates the middle man and saves the visitor from tipping.

 

[Sue M]

Sorry about the Check in. I’ve always drove up and Bell Service has taken my luggage. Very odd. I know many people do prefer to drive to room and handle it themselves, but not me lol!
We prefer the mansion rooms and both Acadian House and Magnolia Terrace are very central. Just a walk over Old Man Isl bridge. I can’t remember if there were plugs in dresser. I know AB Murphy bed replaces a dresser in those rooms, and since we don’t need a Murphy Bed I prefer having a dresser.
I’ve heard they are doing a room refurb soon. Hopefully with more plugs! I travel with extension too.
I thought it had begun already?
I never mind the Cusinart pod coffee maker, as I’m used to a Kuerig at home.
Glad you had a good time anyway! It’s our fav resort, so beautiful.

 

[Jillpie]

Kaytieeldr, thanks for your responses, appreciate them. As far as the coffee maker, they might as well have nothing. Because this was nothing, its useless. Like I said, I'll just buy one and leave it forward for someone else. They are so cheap, but they work for a decent cup of coffee. I wonder who thought that this "machine" in all the rooms are even close to acceptable?? And luggage storage, middle man? By that do you mean Bell services helping you take your heavy luggage out of your car and storing it for you? Thats what good guest service is all about, and most expect? And tipping, I think with the money we are spending at Disney, $1.00 per bag, we can swing. It took me back, I was pretty shocked.

 

[dansdad]

Thanks for the response. I say, why should we have to ask for it? I'm so used to them just doing it, literally opening up the trunk and start taking it out. He wanted us to park in front of our room and take it in our room ourselves. Is that normal here?

In our experience, that is normal at the Moderates. The Moderates all have external room entrances and parking lots near the rooms. Some guests prefer to pull up, check in and then drive to their room and unload. Some will want Bell Services to hold their stuff. At the Deluxes, parking is usually not near the rooms so the vast majority will want their stuff unloaded at the front so it's expected.

 

[dansdad]

Kaytieeldr, thanks for your responses, appreciate them. As far as the coffee maker, they might as well have nothing. Because this was nothing, its useless. Like I said, I'll just buy one and leave it forward for someone else. They are so cheap, but they work for a decent cup of coffee. I wonder who thought that this "machine" in all the rooms are even close to acceptable??

We do. Never had a problem with them. Maybe you had a bad one.

 

[Jillpie]

Sorry about the Check in. I’ve always drove up and Bell Service has taken my luggage. Very odd. I know many people do prefer to drive to room and handle it themselves, but not me lol!
We prefer the mansion rooms and both Acadian House and Magnolia Terrace are very central. Just a walk over Old Man Isl bridge. I can’t remember if there were plugs in dresser. I know AB Murphy bed replaces a dresser in those rooms, and since we don’t need a Murphy Bed I prefer having a dresser.
I’ve heard they are doing a room refurb soon. Hopefully with more plugs! I travel with extension too.
I thought it had begun already?
I never mind the Cusinart pod coffee maker, as I’m used to a Kuerig at home.
Glad you had a good time anyway! It’s our fav resort, so beautiful.

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.

 

[Jillpie]

We do. Never had a problem with them. Maybe you had a bad one.

Hi and thanks. Nah, it worked, but barely gave you a cup. I was like, is this it? I think I've become addicted to my Keurig at home, I really miss it when traveling. And what you say about luggage, that makes perfect sense. I still would opt to store my luggage though, personal preference, and wonder why he didn't just ask. Never mind that we hadn't even checked in!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Kaytieeldr, thanks for your responses, appreciate them. As far as the coffee maker, they might as well have nothing. Because this was nothing, its useless. Like I said, I'll just buy one and leave it forward for someone else. They are so cheap, but they work for a decent cup of coffee. I wonder who thought that this "machine" in all the rooms are even close to acceptable?? And luggage storage, middle man? By that do you mean Bell services helping you take your heavy luggage out of your car and storing it for you? Thats what good guest service is all about, and most expect? And tipping, I think with the money we are spending at Disney, $1.00 per bag, we can swing. It took me back, I was pretty shocked.

Unless they have different coffee makers at POR than at the Value resorts, i don't recall any complaints to the degree that a $15 Mr. Coffee would be an improvement.

As for Bell Services, well, everybody is different. You don't know whether the ten guests immediately before you volunteered to that same CM that they would park in front of their rooms and bring the luggage in themselves, or whether Bell Services was overwhelmed (or overfull), or whether the CM was shirking. With your luggage in the trunk, the CM doesn't even know if you have any. Or how heavy it might be.

 

[Nancyg56]

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.

 

[Jillpie]

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.

Thats just it, I didn't think expecting the luggage to be stored right away, was a DVC expectation, I assumed it was done in all resorts. For him, to not even ask, took me back. And the coffee machine, doesn't serve a purpose, it was just plain awful, useless. I'd love to bring a Keurig, but too big to pack for flying. Hence, just buying a cheap, but effective coffee maker to just leave there for someone else.

 

[Jillpie]

Unless they have different coffee makers at POR than at the Value resorts, i don't recall any complaints to the degree that a $15 Mr. Coffee would be an improvement.

As for Bell Services, well, everybody is different. You don't know whether the ten guests immediately before you volunteered to that same CM that they would park in front of their rooms and bring the luggage in themselves, or whether Bell Services was overwhelmed (or overfull), or whether the CM was shirking. With your luggage in the trunk, the CM doesn't even know if you have any. Or how heavy it might be.

It shouldn't matter whether 50 people in front of me parked in front of their rooms, he should still say, "are you checking in, would you like me to take your luggage?" Its just a courtesy, good guest service. We can always say no, I'll be taking them to my room myself.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thats just it, I didn't think expecting the luggage to be stored right away, was a DVC expectation, I assumed it was done in all resorts. For him, to not even ask, took me back. And the coffee machine, doesn't serve a purpose, it was just plain awful, useless. I'd love to bring a Keurig, but too big to pack for flying. Hence, just buying a cheap, but effective coffee maker to just leave there for someone else.

We are bringing a single serve.

 

[Jennasis]

We own at DVC and have never once needed someone to unload our car and take our luggage to our room. Nobody has ever even offered. The closest we've ever had was the time we stayed at BWV and while parked out front and unloading our own luggage, the bell services guys demanded we move our car immediately (back in the days of parking lot passes) to the regular lot a billion miles away...WALK BACK TO THE LOBBY TO GET A PARKING PASS...then walk back to the lot to put it on our car.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It shouldn't matter whether 50 people in front

It shouldn't. But Cast Members are human. Those ten, or 50, people just before you could have responded in a variety of manners, from polite to threatening the CM with attempts to have them fired.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

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

 

[Best Aunt]

You must have had good luck when you arrived at resorts. I always arrive in a Towncar with a lot of grocery bags, and it seems like I always have to tell them to get a cart and put my stuff on it. They never offer to help me without prompting. They always act like they are operating under the assumption that guests would not want help with their bags. I have had this happen at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House (where they yelled at me that the driver had to move his car but didn't bring over a cart to put my stuff on until I demanded it more than once), Wilderness Lodge and BoardWalk. It's been awhile since I stayed at Beach Club, so I can't remember what happened there.

Also, my understanding is that people who take the bags out of your car are not Bell Services people. I think they might be valet parking people. They often say, "This is the last you will see me" to encourage you to tip them because they will not be the ones who bring your bags up to your room.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Hi and thanks. Nah, it worked, but barely gave you a cup. I was like, is this it? I think I've become addicted to my Keurig at home, I really miss it when traveling. And what you say about luggage, that makes perfect sense. I still would opt to store my luggage though, personal preference, and wonder why he didn't just ask. Never mind that we hadn't even checked in!

Just curious...what was wrong with the coffee maker? I love coffee, which is why i have never ever used the coffee makers in hotel rooms. I'd rather not drink coffee at all than to have bad coffee. Disney now provides the "sachets" of coffee i believe? Was it the taste? The strength of the brew?

Thats just it, I didn't think expecting the luggage to be stored right away, was a DVC expectation, I assumed it was done in all resorts. For him, to not even ask, took me back. And the coffee machine, doesn't serve a purpose, it was just plain awful, useless. I'd love to bring a Keurig, but too big to pack for flying. Hence, just buying a cheap, but effective coffee maker to just leave there for someone else.

It does sound like you really are accustomed to the treatment you get at Deluxe resorts/DVC to be honest. Its different at value/moderate resorts. As @dansdad had mentioned, value/mod resorts have exterior hallways. So often people prefer to drive close to where their room is located...which means they normally bring it themselves. I guess bell hops are use to this and dont bother offering. I rented a car a few times and nobody offered to take my luggage then either. i'd honestly rather take it myself anyway as I hate waiting and wondering where my luggage is. If i needed help, I wouldn't have any problems asking them to help me.