Opinions on POR Request?

[TZMOM]

We're not going until August 2005, but trying to get an idea so I can talk this up w/my parents (taking them, too.)

I know my Mom will love the Mansion section of POR (she's born/raised in the south) and my Dad is getting ornery - not sure this tidbit matters to this thread, just thought I'd throw that in there. He just can't walk as fast as the rest of us and impatience rears its head on both sides - so do any of you have any opinions as to whether Oak Manor is the "closest" of the Mansions to the food court & bus stop? From the maps, it looks OK to me - but I'm not the best at reading those things since the walk doesn't bother me.

It looks like there's a quiet pool near this building which will suit them fine. My DS (will be 15) and I will probably hit the main pool several times, and I'm sure they'll want to go over to see it at least once, but the quiet pool for them will be best (for the ornery one).

Thanks for any help!!

 

[GlennandAnn]

Bumping for you, I'd like to know too. I'm going in October with my mom who is not walking so well and my 2 DS's.



Ann

 

[yecats]

Okay, I'll make this thread a little wordy but you'll enjoy it. Oak Manor has a crossover bridge which leads directly to the main building/cottonmill. You are correct in that it is a brief walk to the main bldg and food (maybe 250 feet depending on where you'll be placed in that mansion). I too love the mansions and all of them are pretty convenient to the main bldg or ole main island. The grounds are beautiful all over. There are plenty of benches to sit in each area so that if they want to take a walk around the various mansions but get tired they can sit down and enjoy the gardens. I stayed in Magnolia Terrace last Nov. and throughly enjoyed it. I loved walking to the main walkway right where the gazebo is, it really is so pretty.

The quiet pools are exactly that, quiet. I would go swimming there when I was doing my laundry and never saw more than 8 people there at one time (most of those people were doing laundry to and sitting by the pool waiting for them to dry - $2.00 per load). As I went in November, I went swimming in them twice and they would get cold at night as they are not heated (main pool in swimming island is the one that is heated).

The main pool is wonderful. There will be plenty of people there, but the pool is large and never seemed crowded. There were also plenty of seats availalble. The hot tub is very hot and will get crowded but most people are only able to take about 10 minutes in there as it was hot. Pool bar is very close and has snacks and various drinks. There were also plenty of towels located at the main pool.

The resort is truly wonderful. You can walk around it, you can walk over to the neighbor resort, French Quarter, and enjoy the surroundings there as well. I rented a bike one day and biked the resort. I took the boat to DTD several times and would encourage you to do that. The ride to DTD is very nice and also stops at FQ to pick up others. Your son would also probably love the arcade which is the second thing you pass after walking over the bridge from Oak Manor.

I ate at Boatwrights several times and loved the food. It is a bit high but the plate was full of food. Food court is nice with various stations with a bit of this/that (baked goods, mexican food, hamburgers, pizza, various sandwiches) with plenty of tables to eat at.

General store had plenty of Disney items to pick from. I believe that "Bob" plays in the Riverroost lounge Thurs, FRi and Sat. nights. He was great and a lot of fun to watch and the lounge will fill up very quickly when he begins. I sat at the bar and had a pinacolada and order an appetizer and watched/played along ( I was there for at least an hour and 1015 minutes watching him) boy did it go by fast and the majority of the crowd stayed for a while as well.

There is something wonderful for everyone to experience at this resort. I think that everyone in your family will enjoy the experience.

 

[yecats]

I forgot to mention this but parts of PORS are undergoing refurbishment now that French Quarter has opened back up. I believe that Disney is redoing one of the 4 mansions as we speak. When they are completed with that mansion, they will go on to the next one. You may want to create another post prior to when you are leaving to determine which mansion is undergoing refurbishment. When I stayed in Mag. Terrace, my room was in very good shape. It did show a little wear and tear (mostly needed a paint job and a good dusting as tops of furniture had dust on it) but room was really in good order. Housekeeping was a bit of a hit/miss as she always left towels, toiletries, but would forget to take out the trash or empty the icebucket on certain days.

Lastly, only other problem I had there was with the buses that would pick you up from your area behind the mansions. Most of the waits were around 10 minutes but on a few occasions, there would be waits of 25 to 40 minutes especially when heading to MK. I had a 5:30 dinner ressie for LTT in MK and left my room at about 4:30 and walked to the back bus stop. I saw every bus at least 2 or 3 times for all other parks but MK. MK bus finally came around 5:10. By the time I got to MK and walked through, I came in 5 minutes behind my ressie time. So I would tell you that if you had a ressie, take the bus from the main station as you'll get there in time.

 

[msteddom]

When I was at POR last Aug. we stayed in Parterre Place. While it was an awesome location for us, I don't think it would be the ideal room location for you. It was not far from the lobby/food court, but it was a good hike away from the main pool. There are also other mansions that are closer the the lobby and the food court. If memory serves I think Oak Manor or Magnolia Terrace (in that order) would serve your needs best. Have a great trip!



Melissa

 

[orvilleair]

would be ok. I stayed at Acadian last month.

if elevator access is important, check with the front desk, because I think only a few of the buildings have elevators. Acadian has one.

The small pool between Acadian and Magnolia Terrace is not bad.

There is a bus stop at Acadian toward the north end.

Very impressed with the parking. If you have a car you could always drive to the food court. The parking lot is huge and very accessible from the rooms.

I thought the food court was a hike. I had to go across the bridge to the main pool and over another bridge to the food court.

Finally, if your mom likes southern architecture, how about POFQ. It's more compact. I haven't stayed there before, but a lot of people love it.

SC

 

[Dixielady908]

Just returned this week from POR...we stayed in Alligator Bayou #15...the walk was about 3 minutes to the food court/main bldg. I also stayed in Oak Manor a few years back. Actually I think the walk from Oak manor was a little longer....Either way you should enjoy either section. We were near the quite pool, this time, and I have to say housekeeping was great....the room was always clean each afternoon when we returned. We even had nice towel animals everyday. It was great.....

Denise

 

[Future Cast Member]

Does Anyone know when the Allagator Bayau section is being renovated? Specifically Building 14. Thx

--Tom

 

[TZMOM]

Thank you all very much for your thoughtful replies!!!