Just returned from POR (Long)

[Limmer]

Well, we are back. It was an amazing trip. My DH and I took my parents to POR for 6 nights. We stayed in Oak Manor 9032 and my parents were in 9033. It was fabulous. Our last trip was Acadian House and I can't say I liked one location better than the other. They were both good. Very short walk to both a bus stop and the main building. The rooms were great. The grounds were breathtaking. Only one complaint: People who throw their garbage on the ground. Were they reaised in a barn? It just makes me sick to think that someone is so lazy they will throw utensils, kleenex etc on the ground instead of waiting to get to a garbage can. OK, rant over! I was a little nervous to be on the ground floor but never heard anything from our neighbours upstairs. Used the east depot a lot and had no troubles. Our longest wait for a bus was 13 mins. That was only once around 5 pm Mon to MGM. All others came within 5 mins. Our longest bus ride was 15 mins to AK. Our most uncomfortable bus ride was Mon night just after Fantasmic was rained out and everybody rushed back to the buses soaking wet! We were packed on pretty tight and if you have ever been on a crowded bus with a lot of wet, hot people you know how unpleasant that smell was. It was like a bus of wet dogs.

The food court was consistently good and Boatwright's was very enjoyable. Their prime rib was HUGE and I strongly recommend a Mississippi Mudslide to go with dinner. YUM!

The only thing I did not enjoy (I am prepared to get flamed for this) was Bob in the lounge. Very irritating. I guess I expect a bar to be a more adult setting and I found his humour to be very juvenile. Just my opinion. But there were lots of other things to keep us occupied so it was no big deal.

Never got a chance to take the boat to DTD but I saw that it was running.

Also there were no lines ANYWHERE! We had no waits (I mean we literally walked right on) at all the major rides. RnR coaster, Space Mountain, Test Track, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain. We never waited for anything. It was amazing.

That is all I can think of but I would be happy to answer any questions. Sorry it is so long!

 

[lisajl]

Lynn,

Hi!
My husband and I are taking the kids to WDW at the end of Dec.
We will be staying at POR (first time on site), and was very happy to hear your good report.

Thanks for some upbeat news!
Lisajl

 

[tripben]

I can't believe you did not like Bob! We saw him in March and couldn't wait to get back to see him again. This is a lounge, but a kid friendly one. He is really geared to a family audience.

He interacted a lot with my mother, grandmother and all the children in our party.

It was one of the highlights of our trip. A little corney, but everyone in our party loved his show.


Sam

 

[grover]

Hi Lynn!! Welcome back!! Glad to hear you had a great trip with no lines!!!
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[Disney Debbie]

I'm with ya on Bob! Too loud and too annoying!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Originally posted by Limmer
Used the east depot a lot and had no troubles. Our longest wait for a bus was 13 mins. That was only once around 5 pm Mon to MGM. All others came within 5 mins

I just got back from Magnolia Terrance and we also used the East Depot. I was also impressed with the bus service, I thought it might be better waiting at the main depot, but now I think just the opposite!

 

[tnkrbell]

Glad to hear youhad such a good time!! Alsoglad to hear of no lines!! (We will be there this weekenend)
We enjoy Bob but to each his own! (we do go with a child so maybe that is why,also a few drinks help!! )

 

[kinggoofy]

We just got back from POR in August and are going back Thanksgiving Weekend (11-27 to 12-1) .

Hard to imagine how you could not like Bob in the lounge. He was loud and obnoxious ????

YOUR IN DISNEY WORLD ON VACATION !!!!!!!!

The guy is in the lounge doing what he does best...ENTERTAIN !!!

Its not a strip club or some other loud joint in Pleasure Island.

Its in the lounge at the resort you stayed at and his act is clean and in good fun.

Most of all, its geared towards EVERYBODY !!

I guess it did not make you smile or laugh when he got the kids involved ?

Thats too bad. I have read far too many positive postings regarding his show ...they outweigh the negatives at least 10 to 1.

The man is earning an honest living. Making people laugh and have a good time.

Like one of the other peolpe mentioned. A drink or two may have helped.

We can't wait to see him over Thanksgiving.

I guess its different strokes for different folks !!!!!

 

[smjj]

Glad to hear the news about POR and the buses. We will be there in early Dec. I just hope that with the CBR closed and a lot of the people moved to POR, it does not make it a zoo at the bus stops and restaurants. I hope Disney plans ahead and put more buses and help there. From what I have read, there are no more rooms available for POR during our stay and a packed resort can be a very frustrating thing...smjj

 

[Limmer]

Tnkrbell, maybe that was my problem, I should have had those mudslides first!

Its not a strip club or some other loud joint in Pleasure Island

I think that was part of my problem, he was too loud. My picture of a lounge is a little more laid back and not so loud (like the bar when he is not playing). I don't want him fired or anything, it was just not my style.

Dallas_Lady, Maybe we saw you there. I had forgotten my GOH badge and my green ribbon.

 

[hallie]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!!! We're heading to the POR soon too! Yay!!

Was Oak manor a smoking building? I can't decide whether to request the Mansions or AB.

Thanks

 

[Limmer]

There was a little red sign on our door that said no smoking. I did not request either smoking or non. I don't smoke but DH does so we left it to chance.

 

[Mamu]

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your magical trip to POR.

This resort holds some special memories for us. It's a great resort.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Glad you had a great trip! Don't feel bad for not liking Bob - DR and I found it pretty unbearable - and we had a few drinks!

Somepeople are a little defensive about him, but I think its just a case of you either like him or you don't (the environment I mean). We prefer quieter, more relaxing lounges and with fewer kids around. I know its WDW, but its still a bar! One of the nice things about Territory Lounge at WL is that children aren't allowed at the bar itself. That is our favorite on property - its always really relaxing and a nice break in the afternoon or night.

Again - glad your trip was great! POR is very attractive and the grounds are nice at night for strolls on the river (of course we don't stroll too far - our feet always hurt too bad!)

 

[KathyFP]

We have just made reservations at POR for 10/26 - 11/3.

I was wondering about room suggestions and the pros and cons.

 

[Limmer]

All we requested was Magnolia Bend (mansion side) and adjoining (not connecting) rooms. We loved our location. The 1st time we made no requests. Why not leave it to chance (except for things like smoking or non or if you need something for medical reasons)? I did not see one building that I wouldn't want to stay in for one reason or another. Let it be a little suprise.

 

[n2mm]

Dixie is my most favorite resort and love eating at Boatwright's. We are also NOT fans of Bob. Here's a tip. Sunday and Monday are "Bob-Free" nights at Boatwrights. That is the nights we love have a nice quiet dinner. I also believe he is NOW off another night. I think he only performs? 4 nights instead of the 5 night schedule. If he's there when we eat, we always ask for a Bob-free zone (the farest away). We have stayed at Dixie more than 20 times and love everything about this resort. We always use our rental car, but started taking the bus to MK. I found the bus service greatly improved at this resort. Once we use the bus to come home from E-ticket night years ago and had a 45 minute wait because the buses kept filling up because the crowd was so huge. This time (August) the MK bus was always there within minutes and we never had more than a 10 minute wait coming back from MK. I believe that with a great food court and restraurant and friendly CMs, this is always my first choice for resorts. I only wish that there were more hot-tubs, or a hot tub at each quiet pool. We have never used it there because it's too small and always packed. My only complaint and had to dig for that one.

 

[KathyFP]

Could someone please elaborate on the different room selections and the pros and cons of each?

 

[baileybrad]

We have not stayed there in a while but but the PO Riverside is divided into 2 distinct areas. The Magnolia Bend Mansions - Oak Manor, Arcadian House, Magnolia Terrrace, and I can't think of the 4th one. The other area is called Alligator Bayou and the outside and the inside furnishings are a bit more rustic than the mansions. The AB rooms, at least many of them, come with a slide out trundle bed that accomodates another person...a young child. The rooms all have 2 sinks outside a smallish bathroom. A ceiling fan and 2 essentially double beds that seem to be a bit longer than standard doubles. We love the mansions and have stayed in Magnolia Terrace 4 times. That particular building used to be non-smoking. There is a very nice pool with a slide centrally located on the property. And there are, I believe, 4 quiet pools scattered around the property. We find MT centrally located in the resort and have enjoyed all of our stays there.