Please convince me that POR is right for us

[leight]

Booked POR for 1st weekend in Dec- can't afford Deluxe options given me even w/ FL res discount. Got POR for $99- should I switch to Dolphin for 169 or try CSR for the same $99 since I know we love that one. Dh wants to hit each hotel if we can since we are now FL residents- wasn't too crazy w/ POFQ (bad Mousekeeping) liked Pop, Loved CSR & Swan -would I be better at POR, CBR or CSR or should we swing the extra $ for Dolphin? Going mostly for Xmas experience- want to see all the resorts and go to MK. Still want the option of a cool pool since they are heated so am not looking for Pop or Allstar.

 

[twotommygirl]

Our family of 5 stayed at the POR 1 1/2 yrs ago and are going back in 4 weeks. It is beautiful, quiet, and had no problems with mousekeeping. It is quite spread out, so look into where you might want to stay. My husband didn't care for the rustic atmosphere of Alligator Bayou, so we switched to Parterre Place. We had a 2nd floor corner room overlooking the quiet pool. We could not have been happier. It was a short walk over the bridge to the main building and bus stop. Don't forget to try the restaurant there. The sweet potatoe pancakes are out of this world. Have fun.

 

[ciera321]

I may be in the minority here, but we stayed at POR in June and I found myself wishing we'd chosen CSR again. I know it's all a matter of taste, but I just love CSR, Pepper Market, the pool and slide, the landscaping, the walks around the lake at night, bus service, pretty much everything. I guess the only thing at CSR that is a negative for me is having to leave!!!

 

[soccer mom]

We were at POR in January and liked for all the same reasons that ciera321 likes CSR!!!!

 

[twotommygirl]

Us too soccer mom. Walking around POR on a warm night is heaven. Still, I say stick with POR - you'll love it.

 

[MistyD]

DH and I are staying at POR in October and I am soooo excited! We have stayed at CBR and WL in the past and I love trying new resorts. I have read the good and the bad about POR but everyone has a different experience, both good and bad. I think it looks beautiful and can't wait to get there! Only 51 days to go!

 

[pennst8r]

My DSs LOVE POR! I loved having a quiet pool to go to after the main pool closed--they were heated, also. The only reason we switched this year is that youngest DS is getting too big for the trundle.

 

[ArielsMommy]

We are in the same boat as the OP. We have stayed at all of the All-Stars, POP, CSR, and POFQ. We loved all of the AS and CSR. We won't go back to POP (because the walls are like paper and though toilets - geesh!!) or POFQ (DH didn't care for the theming). This time around, I let DD (3 1/2) choose since we are going to celebrate her birthday (as we have done every year). She chose POR, so I hope we all like it.

 

[leight]

Thanks all! I think we'll be sticking wit POR. Wish I could afford AKL or Poly-but for a weekend it doesn't seem to make sense to spend my entire Xmas budget! I'll be getting $150 in a contest I won for AUgust at work and hopefully I can get some more by then so I'm thinking maybe we'll upgrade by buying seasonal resident passes- instead of a Deluxe resort.

I also knowthat the kids will love the boat to DTD- that's where they get their one souvenier each trip. And I like the idea of getting a carriage ride around the grounds.

I also agree that AB is a bit rustic for my taste so I will take all suggestions for other buildings please!

Thanks all for your help!

 

[Buzz2001]

We love CSR!! Check out my CSR website below

 

[leight]

Buzz- we love CSR too- as a matter of fact we stayed there in July when BIL & family came down from Canada for their disney trip. But one of the big reasons that we loved it is because of the pool- which in December won't be as big an issue. Also DH wants to try as many of the resorts as we can- hopefully one day we can afford the Deluxes!

 

[csaag]

Stayed at the POR last week in the Alligator Bayou section.
Very picturesque, quiet & clean with friendly staff. No problems with housekeeping at all.

That said, I'm of the opinion that I didn't plan a family trip to Disney to see the hotel, I planned one to see the parks. We spent as little time at the hotel and as much time at the parks as we could.

 

[Manon]

We've stayed at POR in june, and we loved it so much that we are going back again in January and believe me it's a 30hrs drive for us, so it's really really a wonderfull resort!
As for mousekeeping, our twins girls were sick 2 nights in a row an the mousekeeper was WONDERFULL, she made towels animals for my girls to make them feel better!!!

So for me I would have to say GO WITH POR!!!!!!

 

[saucymb]

Since you said you were going mostly for the Christmas experience, then POR will be great for you! The lobby is beautifully decorated by mid-November, and the entire front building looks fantastic. Very Christmas-y atmosphere.

 

[KIANGA]

Glad Someone Else Loves The Sweet Potato Pancakes. If At All Possible Try To Take The Carriage Ride At POR. Very Nice Ride, Takes You Out Thru POFQ And Back To POR. IN MAY THE COST WAS 30.00 AND I TIPPED 6.00.

 

[Delilah Bleu]

We're going in December. I was wondering if we should switch to POFQ instead?

 

[MEM]

Us too soccer mom. Walking around POR on a warm night is heaven. Still, I say stick with POR - you'll love it.

I agree with the two posters above and I have stayed at all 3 you are considering. DH ranks POR second only to AKL.

 

[twotommygirl]

Delilah Bleu - what on this thread suggested you should switch to POFQ? POR is absolutely beautiful.

Kianga - we also did the carriage ride on the first night of our vacation. What an awesome way to see your way around on the first night. I also thought that $30 was very reasonable (undisney). As for those pancakes, I'll be there in 4 weeks enjoying them. Mmmmm.

pennst8r - just for your information. I recently posted a problem I was having on another thread. I have a family of 5, and when we stayed there 2 years ago, my youngest was 2. They put us in AB section because they are the only section with trundle beds. Well, my husband didn't care for the rustic atmosphere of AB and since my daughter was still sleeping in a pak-n-play, they were able to switch us to Parterre Place which was awesome. Cut to now, my youngest is 4 and when making reservations they told me we could only stay in AB. After posting my problem, I learned that if you call POR directly, you can rent a cot for $15 a day (alot cheaper than upgrading) and stay in whatever section you want.

 

[chanty]

Where do you make the reservations again for the carriage rides?
I've seen a list of times but i don't recall where! HELP!

 

[Manon]

Delilah Bleu - what on this thread suggested you should switch to POFQ? POR is absolutely beautiful.

Kianga - we also did the carriage ride on the first night of our vacation. What an awesome way to see your way around on the first night. I also thought that $30 was very reasonable (undisney). As for those pancakes, I'll be there in 4 weeks enjoying them. Mmmmm.

pennst8r - just for your information. I recently posted a problem I was having on another thread. I have a family of 5, and when we stayed there 2 years ago, my youngest was 2. They put us in AB section because they are the only section with trundle beds. Well, my husband didn't care for the rustic atmosphere of AB and since my daughter was still sleeping in a pak-n-play, they were able to switch us to Parterre Place which was awesome. Cut to now, my youngest is 4 and when making reservations they told me we could only stay in AB. After posting my problem, I learned that if you call POR directly, you can rent a cot for $15 a day (alot cheaper than upgrading) and stay in whatever section you want.

Tell me could this be possible in an other moderate resort (renting a cot)????

Thanks!!