Now Staying at POR!

[cowtownmom]

We are going in June and orginally book for ASMo. After my DH was looking at a map the other night, he discovered how far away they are compared to everything else, so he suggested that we book where we can have some sort of transportation that is not by bus. He really doesn't want to have to ride the WDW buses (don't know why). We can't spring for a Deluxe on the monorail this time so I suggested that from POR we at least can do the boat to DTD and that the drive in our car will at least be a bit closer to MK and Epcot (and that we can just drive to Epcot and catch the monorail there to go to MK). So that's what we're doing.

All that said, I'm VERY excited about now getting to stay at POR! This is our first time on the property. Any tips and suggestions from anyone would be very appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Cindybell]

I am not sure why you dh doesn't want to ride the buses but that is one of the best perks for staying on site. If you drive your own car to the MK you will have to enter it with the the off site crowd, which means you will have to take a boat or a monorail just to get from the parking lot to the entrance. Only the resort buses and monorail will let you off close to the MK entrance. So if you drive that will mean no early entry for the MK when it is offered. I don't think I would stay on site if they didn't offer transportation to the parks. That said I hope you have a great time!

 

[jonemick]

We actually like to drive to the parks except for the Magic Kingdom. Driving your car to the MK is much more hassle then taking the bus.

The drive time between the All Stars and the parks and POR and the parks is not significant. But POR is much nicer in my opinion.

 

[cowtownmom]

Cindybell, Thanks for the info about taking the buses for early entry. I'll be sure to let my dh know that! We've stayed off-site before, so we've never gotten to do the early entry and he is wanting to do that this time. I'll bet we end up taking the buses a lot more than he thinks we might - I've read about so many liking them that I'm sure he'll be okay with it once we get started. I'm guessing his memory of seeing the buses at the off site hotel we stayed in last time is what is making him think he doesn't want to do the buses. We never did them because they would sit in the parking lot for @ 30 minutes waiting for everyone to get on board.

 

[BevS97]

POR is very nice but I agree, definitely take the bus to MK - for the other parks, it depends on your plans for the day - I don't think it's a big deal either way, but for MK the bus is definitely the way to go

 

[Destination Disney]

We have stayed at ASM and yes it is far from the hustle and bustle if the disney experience. POR is nice. We stayed there a few times, AB side. Our first experince was great, we had a room close to the food court, and we used the south depot for the bus. Love the boat ride to DTD. Saves you the hassle of parking at DTD! Our second trip was a bit of a shock, I spent the extra money for a water view, and when booking clarified the view would be of the river, they said yes, then to my suprise once in the room, my water view was of a swimming POOL! So we called, they could not move us but they did accomidate us by giving us a credit for the up charge. They were great but just for the record a wter view is defined as any body of water whether it be a river, pool, pond, or marshy area. Good to know after the fact!
POR is nice, I have never stayed on the mansion side, but I heard good things about it. I do believe they have mini friges in teh rooms now. We did not have one, but we requested one and they delivered it free of charge.

When there they tell you which bus depot to use, but check your map. Sometimes the one they suggest is not the closest to you. One thing about monderate resorts, they are spred out!

Oh, last thing, they do not have elevators, so if you are on a second floor, get ready to hike your luggage up. My son was 18 months at the time and lugging that stroller up and down the steps was insane.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Oh, last thing, they do not have elevators, so if you are on a second floor, get ready to hike your luggage up. My son was 18 months at the time and lugging that stroller up and down the steps was insane.

A tiny update: AB does not have elevators, but the Mansions do As well as POFQ Elevators are in the center of the buildings.

As for a value, we really loved the POP - it is new, fun and great bus service. POR is much prettier though!

Hopefully, when DH experiences Disney buses he will want tot ake them all the time - esp for Extra Hours at MK. They drop you right near the gate. EPCOT buses can be hike, so be warned!

 

[cowtownmom]

Thanks everyone for all of your info on the buses! I think DH will be fine with it once we're there. He's had stories about the buses told to him by one of the guys he works with so I think that was influencing his thoughts on them. He was telling me last night what the guy at work had said. I assured him that they'll be great based on all I've read here on the boards - here is where you find the experts! The guy at work he talked to tends to be a complainer, so I don't put much stock into what he says.

I'm so excited about getting to POR. From all of the pics I've seen, it looks so nice - a good place to relax. DH has had a rough tough at work this past year (particularly in this past month) and I think it's going to do him some good...