POR Countdown and questions...

[BrerEthan]

Posted this in countdown forums and no response... So maybe someone here will have some feedback?? Thanks for taking the time...

Hey there. Me and my fiancé will be enjoying our stay at the Mouse from 4/4-4/13 and I can't even begin to explain how excited we are! Last year I stayed at POR in May for six days and CBR in August for 3. I have a few comments regarding that. First of all, I loved loved loved everything about my stay at POR. I am a huge Splash Mountain fan and felt that everything from the outside benches overlooking the river (we stayed at Magnolia Mend w/ a river view) to the walkways, to the outside bar, to the main building were themed to perfection and gave that Deep South feel. I loved the relaxed, casual feeling there and felt that the CMs were great. When I go to the World, it can be quite a whirlwind experience so coming home each day and truly feeling relaxed was what POR was all about. Now, I can't say the same for CBR. I have read that as far as moderates go, it's one of the older/oldest and I didn't feel the theme tie in as well as POR did. It felt less magical and more in need of a refresh or at least some more cohesive "pluses." Anyways, this is my first trip with my fiancé and we booked 10 days. It's definitely a trip where we are celebrating our engagement. First, I am aware two men getting married to each other is a hot button issue, and I mean no offense, but am making an effort to be transparent and unashamed of all the blessing in my life. We are not big PDA types but, as we love each other very much, hope to be able to hold hands or at least not pretend we aren't a committed couple during our time there. We live in NYC, and obviously Florida is not NYC, so we are trying to figure out what's appropriate behavior. We are spending good money and I want feel comfortable to be myself with my partner, but also don't want to offend any families/people who may have issues with it. This is obviously a tricky subject, so any suggestions or advice would be helpful. The last thing I would want would be to have a bad experience myself or for him, or cause anyone else to. It is 2014, but there are obvious differences of opinion (and rightfully so) on this subject that our society has not fully addressed it. Anyway-- on to lighter matters--- This is also my first experience on a Disney Dining Plan and also taking advantage of the new fast pass plus and watch option. I had a few questions I wanted to see if anyone could answer for me-- we are two healthy, twenty something's, who do CrossFit (also loved POR to do some work outs in the morning!! Great trails and was able to do some burpees on a few of the dock areas near POFQ!). We aren't huge eaters so decided to go for the plan where you get a one quick service, one snack and one sit down dinner a day. In anyone's experience do you feel you ended up spending any/a lot extra on a dining plan or did it meet your needs?? Also, all of my previous Disney trips have been wham bam 3/4/6 days. This will be first time with a 10 day stay, and an 8 day park hopper. Any suggestions on pacing ourselves for the long haul? Sometimes when I come home from the World I feel exhausted and this trip we are definitely committed to taking the time to enjoy the view and soak up the details. I'd love to know anyone's experiences with a longer stay and feeling like you have to be "on the go" the entire time. Anyways, we upgraded to a Royal room as part of a package (well he booked for us) and my only concern is that, as we are both guys, it's going to be too over the top for us. I loved the charm of the room I stayed in last time-- so my question is if the Royal rooms are gaudy or over the top and have taken away from anyone's experience?? Last but certainly not least, we are visiting/flying into to palm beach to see my mother and then driving up in a rental car. We've got Alamo and were told we can return the car on site. Is there a bus/transportation back to the resort after you drop the car in? And also we are planning on buying some liquor to have for the room, so we can unwind a bit. Is there a liquor store anyone would recommend on the highway up to Orlando?

Thanks again!

 

[mikelan6]

Posted this in countdown forums and no response... So maybe someone here will have some feedback?? Thanks for taking the time...

Hey there. Me and my fiancé will be enjoying our stay at the Mouse from 4/4-4/13 and I can't even begin to explain how excited we are! Last year I stayed at POR in May for six days and CBR in August for 3. I have a few comments regarding that. First of all, I loved loved loved everything about my stay at POR. I am a huge Splash Mountain fan and felt that everything from the outside benches overlooking the river (we stayed at Magnolia Mend w/ a river view) to the walkways, to the outside bar, to the main building were themed to perfection and gave that Deep South feel. I loved the relaxed, casual feeling there and felt that the CMs were great. When I go to the World, it can be quite a whirlwind experience so coming home each day and truly feeling relaxed was what POR was all about. Now, I can't say the same for CBR. I have read that as far as moderates go, it's one of the older/oldest and I didn't feel the theme tie in as well as POR did. It felt less magical and more in need of a refresh or at least some more cohesive "pluses." Anyways, this is my first trip with my fiancé and we booked 10 days. It's definitely a trip where we are celebrating our engagement. First, I am aware two men getting married to each other is a hot button issue, and I mean no offense, but am making an effort to be transparent and unashamed of all the blessing in my life. We are not big PDA types but, as we love each other very much, hope to be able to hold hands or at least not pretend we aren't a committed couple during our time there. We live in NYC, and obviously Florida is not NYC, so we are trying to figure out what's appropriate behavior. We are spending good money and I want feel comfortable to be myself with my partner, but also don't want to offend any families/people who may have issues with it. This is obviously a tricky subject, so any suggestions or advice would be helpful. The last thing I would want would be to have a bad experience myself or for him, or cause anyone else to. It is 2014, but there are obvious differences of opinion (and rightfully so) on this subject that our society has not fully addressed it. Anyway-- on to lighter matters--- This is also my first experience on a Disney Dining Plan and also taking advantage of the new fast pass plus and watch option. I had a few questions I wanted to see if anyone could answer for me-- we are two healthy, twenty something's, who do CrossFit (also loved POR to do some work outs in the morning!! Great trails and was able to do some burpees on a few of the dock areas near POFQ!). We aren't huge eaters so decided to go for the plan where you get a one quick service, one snack and one sit down dinner a day. In anyone's experience do you feel you ended up spending any/a lot extra on a dining plan or did it meet your needs?? Also, all of my previous Disney trips have been wham bam 3/4/6 days. This will be first time with a 10 day stay, and an 8 day park hopper. Any suggestions on pacing ourselves for the long haul? Sometimes when I come home from the World I feel exhausted and this trip we are definitely committed to taking the time to enjoy the view and soak up the details. I'd love to know anyone's experiences with a longer stay and feeling like you have to be "on the go" the entire time. Anyways, we upgraded to a Royal room as part of a package (well he booked for us) and my only concern is that, as we are both guys, it's going to be too over the top for us. I loved the charm of the room I stayed in last time-- so my question is if the Royal rooms are gaudy or over the top and have taken away from anyone's experience?? Last but certainly not least, we are visiting/flying into to palm beach to see my mother and then driving up in a rental car. We've got Alamo and were told we can return the car on site. Is there a bus/transportation back to the resort after you drop the car in? And also we are planning on buying some liquor to have for the room, so we can unwind a bit. Is there a liquor store anyone would recommend on the highway up to Orlando?

Thanks again!

You asked a lot on that post!

First of all - CONGRATULATIONS and MAZAL TOV on your engagement.

I also love Riverside. It's one of my favorites.

I've never done the dining plan (yet), but it does seem like a lot of food.

I have stayed in the Royal Rooms and personally, I don't think it's worth the extra money. The rooms are VERY pretty with lots of details though.

From what I understand, Alamo will shuttle you back to your resort.

I don't really drink much, but I would suggest a Total Wine & More store. There's one in Palm Beach.

 

[hammie59]

Posted this in countdown forums and no response... So maybe someone here will have some feedback?? Thanks for taking the time...

Hey there. Me and my fiancé will be enjoying our stay at the Mouse from 4/4-4/13 and I can't even begin to explain how excited we are! Last year I stayed at POR in May for six days and CBR in August for 3. I have a few comments regarding that. First of all, I loved loved loved everything about my stay at POR. I am a huge Splash Mountain fan and felt that everything from the outside benches overlooking the river (we stayed at Magnolia Mend w/ a river view) to the walkways, to the outside bar, to the main building were themed to perfection and gave that Deep South feel. I loved the relaxed, casual feeling there and felt that the CMs were great. When I go to the World, it can be quite a whirlwind experience so coming home each day and truly feeling relaxed was what POR was all about. Now, I can't say the same for CBR. I have read that as far as moderates go, it's one of the older/oldest and I didn't feel the theme tie in as well as POR did. It felt less magical and more in need of a refresh or at least some more cohesive "pluses." Anyways, this is my first trip with my fiancé and we booked 10 days. It's definitely a trip where we are celebrating our engagement. First, I am aware two men getting married to each other is a hot button issue, and I mean no offense, but am making an effort to be transparent and unashamed of all the blessing in my life. We are not big PDA types but, as we love each other very much, hope to be able to hold hands or at least not pretend we aren't a committed couple during our time there. We live in NYC, and obviously Florida is not NYC, so we are trying to figure out what's appropriate behavior. We are spending good money and I want feel comfortable to be myself with my partner, but also don't want to offend any families/people who may have issues with it. This is obviously a tricky subject, so any suggestions or advice would be helpful. The last thing I would want would be to have a bad experience myself or for him, or cause anyone else to. It is 2014, but there are obvious differences of opinion (and rightfully so) on this subject that our society has not fully addressed it. Anyway-- on to lighter matters--- This is also my first experience on a Disney Dining Plan and also taking advantage of the new fast pass plus and watch option. I had a few questions I wanted to see if anyone could answer for me-- we are two healthy, twenty something's, who do CrossFit (also loved POR to do some work outs in the morning!! Great trails and was able to do some burpees on a few of the dock areas near POFQ!). We aren't huge eaters so decided to go for the plan where you get a one quick service, one snack and one sit down dinner a day. In anyone's experience do you feel you ended up spending any/a lot extra on a dining plan or did it meet your needs?? Also, all of my previous Disney trips have been wham bam 3/4/6 days. This will be first time with a 10 day stay, and an 8 day park hopper. Any suggestions on pacing ourselves for the long haul? Sometimes when I come home from the World I feel exhausted and this trip we are definitely committed to taking the time to enjoy the view and soak up the details. I'd love to know anyone's experiences with a longer stay and feeling like you have to be "on the go" the entire time. Anyways, we upgraded to a Royal room as part of a package (well he booked for us) and my only concern is that, as we are both guys, it's going to be too over the top for us. I loved the charm of the room I stayed in last time-- so my question is if the Royal rooms are gaudy or over the top and have taken away from anyone's experience?? Last but certainly not least, we are visiting/flying into to palm beach to see my mother and then driving up in a rental car. We've got Alamo and were told we can return the car on site. Is there a bus/transportation back to the resort after you drop the car in? And also we are planning on buying some liquor to have for the room, so we can unwind a bit. Is there a liquor store anyone would recommend on the highway up to Orlando?

Thanks again!

Hi-
We stayed on property last trip for 10N/11D with 7 day PH tix, and it was awesome. My advise is to space out your days at the parks and enjoy your resort. By the time our vaca was over, we had gotten pretty comfortable at our hotel and didn't want to leave! The great thing about longer stays is that you don't feel rushed to cram it all in.

As far as your car rental, Alamo has a spot at Disney's Car Care Center. They will drive you back to your hotel. We did that last trip thru Enterprise.

Orl Walt Disney Car Care
1000 Car Care Dr
Orlando, FL 32830 US
Phone: (888)826-6893

The royal rooms do look a little over the top, but it's all about what you like. I would love to stay in one myself, but not sure if I could handle the theme for 10 days, lol. As far as PDA is concerned (and coming from a "straight girl"), the advice is universal. Just keep it tasteful. I don't want to see anyone making out in front of me, gay or straight. Just relax and be yourself. Have a great trip.

*edit*- I forgot to add that we also did the same dining plan (different and shorter trip). We aren't big on dining out much so it was more like an indulgence for us, but it was fun to try. With that said, yes it's a lot of food and I didn't like having to schedule around ADRs all the time. If you don't want to do a regular 1 credit sit down meal (TS) everyday-which requires an ADR, you could make some of them signature dining, which uses two TS credits. Or do a Fantasmic! dinner package. Mama Melrose is good, but Brown Derby is higher end. We did this last trip and was well worth it. (See link below.)
Also, you don't have to use a set amount of credits per day, ie: you can do a counter service cr for lunch and a 2cr meal for dinner one night, and use 2 cs credits the next day for lunch and dinner.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/fantasmic.htm

 

[NC Disney Fan]

Wow, you have a lot of questions. Sorry no one answered last time. SO I will try.

First, congratulations on your engagement. As you stated, it is a different world. With that said though, I will give you the parent perspective on PDAs. I think holding hands is fine, as you see people doing that all over Disney. My 13 year old daughter (who looks more like a woman than I ) and I hold hands all the time. The point is, not a big deal. Where it gets sticky is the hugging and kissing. There are a lot of families with little kids at Disney. Understand, this is not a subject that most have broached with their 3, 4, 5...year olds. It makes it very awkward and troubling for a family when it is blatantly out there and discussion that most parents don't want to have to have while on their family vacation. BUt understand, I say that from the perspective of the fact that I don't want a heterosexual couple all over each other at Disney as well. It is so uncomfortable when you have little ones and this is going on so you have to start distracting them. I know my husband and I aren't all over each other while at Disney--not really the right place for it. Holding hands sure but the rest can wait. We have had it happen at Dollywood when my kids were young that we were behind a couple of ladies who were showing so much PDA, that it was disturbing the kids. They still talk about it to this day. Again, I am not trying to offend and I am sure there will be people tearing into me but I am answering this from a parent perspective, not as how I feel in general and not making any broad recommendations, just for in the parks where you will encounter huge amounts of kids. I hope I stated this correctly for you.

Regarding the car. Yes, there is transportation to all of the resorts when you are staying on property. The buses run about every 20 minutes but if there are large crowds, then it will be longer. It gets quite packed at the end of the night so be prepared to stand. However, it is on of the perks of staying on site.

Regarding the dining plan. We have traveled to Disney for a 9 night vacation the past 6 years (starting wihen our girls were 5 &7). We have always traveled on the Dining Plan as it was offered free in Septembers. First, to answer the recommendations, I will tell you that we take our 1st Saturday and last Saturday off from the parks and just enjoy the pools, unpack/pack, and go to dining experiences that would otherwise take too much time from the parks. We also have morphed our vacation into a day 1/2 day off on Wed. Right in the middle to give us more pool time and rest. We normally stumble into Epcot then, for dinner (as there are so many great restaurants and libations!) and finish out the night there. It works well for us and allows us to feel as if we are rested and don't need a vacation from our vacation. You may consider doing something similar, especially taking a mid day break and then the final day poolside, taking time to pack up and get everything ready for your trip home.

Back to dining. I will tell you that with the dining plan, we are stuffed to our gills!!! the first year, I brought breakfast items to eat in the AM before we left the room. I think it took only 2 days before we never ate another breakfast again. I bring Starbucks frappacinos and choclolate milks and we drink those which tide us over until lunch. But here is the thing, you have so much food that you have to eat lunch a bit early to be hungry for dinner. This includes my husband. We aren't normally even hungry by the time we each lunch (we normally sleep in and leisurely get the parks about 10:30). We find that we have to eat by about 11:30 or 12 so we can be hungry 6 hours later for dinner. So I guess it will depend on how late you like to eat and what time you arise. But keep in mind that the dining plan gives you each 1 counter service (this includes the entrée which often is very generous, a drink and a dessert) a snack and a table service (again, entrée, drink and dessert). Unless this is how you normally eat, it is a huge amount of food. I actually beg my family to split with me or I skip meals. It is so much food. ANd you would think with kids, that our snacks would be gone but even with kids, they are so full as well as we adults that we rarely are hungry for any snacks. We typically have so many snacks left over at the end of our visit, we have to go "shop" and bring huge amounts of snacks home from the resort. Again, the portions are huge!! I know you are younger men but my husband can pack it away when he wants (oh, and he does) and with Disney, he does not want for food!! We have never spent a cent out of pocket other than adult beverages. I think you will be fine. And I will tell you, I watch what I eat and am quite fit but at Disney, boy do I indulge as it seems almost sinful to let all those desserts go to waste (and did I mention the caramel corn from the Germany caramel store in Epcot! Ah, to die for). But with all of that food, I didn't gain a pound in the past since you walk so much. I hope that helps. I know I may only be 110 pound lady but based on my whole family's experience over the years, this is my perspective.

I hope that you have a wonderful time.

 

[BrerEthan]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and feedback as it has been so helpful.

Especially regarding the PDA, I agree-- it's not a place to be all over anyone, male or female.

And thanks for the info on the dining plan. I think we will be more then fine!

 

[3Gsandme]

Congratulations on your engagement! How wonderful! Several of my friends have married their long time partners over the course of the last year as laws are changing and I wish you and your partner all the best. <3

PDA? What are you comfortable with? I see no problem, personally, with hand holding, walking with your arms around each other, hugging and pecks on the lips. I wouldn't go full make out, but I think that rule applies to everyone. I think it's great that you're trying to be sensitive, but anyone who had a problem with the above... well...that's not your problem, if you get what I mean. If it's okay for a hetero couple to hold hands, it's okay for a gay couple to hold hands and if someone has a problem with it, it's their problem. Enjoy your engagement trip!

For us, I don't think the dining plan met our needs and we won't do it again even with the cost savings (we went on the Stay, Play, Dine package which reduced dining for the week for our family of 5 to about $800). In your case, I would absolutely steer far clear of the buffets (we ended up at a ton of them due to them being character meals and...it wasn't disgusting, but the best I can say about them is that they were okay). However, we are the sort of people who are happy having a bigger breakfast and then an earlier dinner with a snack either in between or after dinner.

 

[Salinger]

Congratulations on the engagement!

As for PDA's, sounds like you're pretty sensible anyway so don't sweat it. Enjoy your time together in the parks and don't be constantly thinking if what you're doing is "appropriate". Personally, I don't want to see any couple make out or grope each other; in Disney or anywhere else. But hand-holding, gentle hugs or quick pecks on the cheek or lips are fine. If a child saw a straight couple doing those things, would it traumatize them? Of course not. So it shouldn't to see a loving gay couple do it either. Parents have to realize that gay people are everywhere, just like every other segment of the population. If they're so worried that their child's vacation will be ruined by the sight of two same-gendered people in love having a quick kiss or hug, then they're not going to be able to go very many places; especially somewhere as equality-friendly as Disney. ...and make no mistake about it, it's equality we're talking about here, not sex or "lifestyle".

I'm actually going to Riverside later this year. It'll be my first time there though I have stayed in French Quarter before and loved it. YouTube "Royal Room Port Orleans" and you'll get some great videos of exactly what you're in store for. I think they look lovely, but for me, I wouldn't pay the extra for it.

I used the dining plan once, but never did it again. In the end I felt I broke even, or more likely overpaid for what I ate compared to paying a la carte. I remember the last day just picking up loads of Mickey rice krispie treats to bring home because we had so many snack credits left. It's nice to have it all paid and settled without having to think about it, but for us at least, that was the only real benefit. With Magic Bands especially, it's just as convenient to have everything charged back to your room and only pay for what you need. To answer your question though, you will not have to pay much, if anything, extra on the DDP. We found it to be enough if not too much food.

Anyway, enjoy your time together in the middle of the Magic!