POR closure confusion

[Spartan]

OK... I tried reading thru all the FQ posts to find info on POR closures, but I'm more confused than when I started. Are there any official schedules out yet for when the Riv is starting it's portion of the rehab and which sections at which times??? My wife is kinda picky and would be disapointed if she couldn't stay at Magnolia Bend. We're planning on going the weekend after Thanksgiving into the beginning of Dec, and were going to make our reservations this weekend.

For POR vets out there, any of you stay there the last time they had it partially shut down (I was there the first week of 12/01, and I think we just missed it), and how did it compare to other times when things were operating at full capacity? It's my favorite moderate (love that Dixie music), but not sure if we would enjoy if it's not fully functioning.

 

[Fearthisss]

I know you kind of asked for "Disney vets", which I certainly am not, but I think I can add my 2 cents worth here...

My understanding is the POR rehab is not supposed to even start until 2004, so POR should be operating at full strength when you go. For what it's worth, I just booked by POR room yesterday for the same period (we'll be there Dec. 1st - Dec. 6th) and had no problem at all...once I got the travel agent straightened out! LOL

I originally requested POR and she told me that the resort was closing for rehab. I told her I thought she was mistaken. She called Disney and they told her that POFQ would be closed at that time for rehab, NOT POR. So once we got that straightened out we got the resevervation no problem at all.

Like I said, just my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps a little. Good luck!!

Mark

 

[RescueRanger]

Fearthis, I have heard that parts of POR will be closing as well. They are not going to close POR down completely like POFQ so people will still be able to make reservations. It gets very confusing because I have heard different refurbishment dates for POR from different sources. I guess if I were you Spartan, I would ask the CM at WDW if they know when they are starting on POR for peace of mind. You should be able to get a room there at anytime but if you don't want construction going on beside you, I would make WDW clarify it for you.

 

[Fearthisss]

Yes, I unserstand that POR will not be closed completely at anytime, like POFQ. However, like I said, it's my understanding that any rehab that is going to happen at POR is not scheduled to begin until 2004 sometime.

Mark

 

[mousehut101]

Yes, this is true about the Rehabs beginning in '04 for POR. I think they are primarily closing all of POFQ due to a slump in reservations again (like after 9/11).

Timing is everything for Disney - and if they can kill 2 birds with one stone they are going to take the opportunity ....the room situation (POFQ rehab needed) while saving $$$ (Closing POFQ = Higher Occupancy at other resorts - and less employees working where not needed).

They certainly don't close other resorts when they are doing refurbs - especially when they are making money (ex. Poly/WL/CR). This seems to be the situation for POR - The refurbs at POR are just needed - and since they are doing refurb next door why not??

Did that make sense?


ed

 

[n2mm]

I have a friend who works at PORiverside/dixie landing and she wrote late week that YES, about 1000 rooms at POR will be closed when the French Quarters closes. So since POR will only be partially open, she and many of the CMs at POR are being deployed to other resorts. Since she works in the store at Riverside, she was excited to go to work at another resort. Last time she went to the Poly and loved it. So I have to imagine that some services will decline at Riverside. I have friends staying there May 3rd, and will visit them, plus will visit Boatwright's Dining hall. We are scheduled to be there for 9 nights in October and also wanted the Mansions, so will be curious how that will work out. since there were so many rumors flying around about will POR be open, when will it start, I found it easier to go to the horse's mouth and find out. She did not say how many CMs are being deployed, but that at least they get to choose where they want to go this time, unlike last time, when they were just sent anywhere.

 

[Spartan]

Hmm, interesting. Some are hearing rehabs won't begin to 2004, others hearing it will partially shut down right away. My guess is that they will close some of the rooms up right away just due to the amount of rooms at Riverside. If this is a 2 yr project and they don't start until next year, it would seem like they would have a hard time finishing. I'll ask the CM when I call, but I don't always trust what they say because I don't think they always get the full story.

Thanks to everyone for what they've heard. I think we're leaning towards CBR and maybe a couple days at WL, but then again this is Saturday evening and we'll probably change our mind by tomorrow.

 

[Divamomto3]

I was scheduled to stay at POR 5/21-5/28. My brother in law called Disney and after a LOOONG time on the phone, the CM called POR (because she didn't believe him that he had heard POR was having closures too) and she cam eback on the line and confirmed that much to her surprise, Yes, POR was having up to 1000 room closures starting when POFQ closes. And she also said that we wouldn't notice or be affected by the closures. We, however, opted not to take our chances and changed our ressies to the Yacht Club. Which was fine with my sister and I because we're loving the deluxe atmosphere anyway!

 

[magicmouse]

I have not received reservation confirmations through the post for POR in May and September.

I know POR is supposed to be stsying open this year, unlike FQ, but this seems strange.....

 

[eeyore0062]

I have heard that they will start with the Alligator Bayou rooms first, then eventually move on to the Magnolia Bend rooms.