POR instead of WL...tell me it will be ok, lol!

[wrldpossibility]

After seriously crunching all the numbers for a 10-day trip (we're paying for my parents to come to Disney as well), DH says (and he's right) that we can't afford 10 days at WL. We're planning on POR, and I really like the look of the resort. We've never been to either, so I won't be comparing the two. Please reassure me that POR will be a relaxing and beautiful resort (we have small children and will spend considerable time at the resort, which is why we were thinking of WL to start with). Can we "relax" (as much as possible with kids) at POR and at Ol Man's Island?

Also, can anyone recommend the best buildings in Alligator B.? We don't want the kids to have to walk far to either the pool or the depot. Ideas? Thanks! I know this will still be a great trip!

Amy
Planning our first WDW trip for Dec. 10-19 2006

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

You have nothing to worry about, POR is peaceful, quiet and extremely beautiful! We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. We stayed at Magnolia Bend(mansions) and it was only a five minute walk to the main pool, restaurants, etc. Hope this helps!

 

[lauran cameron]

We POR our 'home' resort is OKW or BWV and POR I think is just as fabulous...

 

[TwinMom7]

We're returning "home" to the bayou in just a couple of weeks. It will be our 5th stay at Port Orleans Riverside.

We've requested Building 27, which is also a favorite of ours - about 1/2 way between the food court and the main pool - not a bad walk at all.

You'll love having the food court (one of the nicest on Disney property) - especially with the small children.

Don't fret!!! You'll love this resort!

 

[ginga]

We just returned from POR. We loved it even though we weren't thrilled with our room at Paterre Place. The resort itself - beautiful walkways around the river, great bus service, good restaurant and food court more than made up for the inadequacies we found in the room, however. We would definitely return. The bus service, even at this busy time of year, was better than we've ever experienced at any moderate resort.

 

[ptrbryant]

We'd only stayed at WL prior to our stay at POR this past May...we were worried we wouldn't like a MOD, that we would compare it to WL (which we love, but, really, it's just too much $$$ for us now!) and find it lacking, etc. We were so pleasantly surprised at how much we liked it! Our room in Parterre Place was lovely---seemed very new. I believe, since they have double beds instead of queen, the rooms really seemed about the same size as those at WL. The grounds were beautiful...actually, prettier grounds than at WL. I think the main 2 things WL has over POR is a fantastic lobby (but how much time do you really spend there?) and that everything's under one roof in case of rainy weather, etc. Sure, WL is great, but we didn't feel "let down" by POR at all!
Have a wonderful time!

Karla B.

 

[DW mouser]

We were in the same boat!! Always stayed at deluxes with our kids and grandkids. We always pay for all of it. This year, with the kids older and the cost having went up since 2002, we are staying at POFQ. The kids actually picked FQ and 2 of them (the ones that picked) are teenagers! After all the good I've read on Allearsnet ,ect. I think we made the right choice for a moderate!!! Also, I was able to get 3 rooms instead of 2 and I was still able to add the dining plan too for less then what we used to pay for deluxe!! Now the plane tickets, that's another story!! Never paid so much for plane tickets before bu tI guess March is peak month!!! I just hope it's not so busy we have to wait 2 hours in lines for rides!! The emn are all too inpatient for that!!!LOL!

 

[jlb]

You will love it, last year we did a split stay between the WL and the POR. My family loved the POR. We were going to try the Beach Club this year, but the vote was for the POR. You will love it.

 

[Nolcrest]

We've stayed at both and we love POR. Especially since you won't be comparing the two you will enjoy POR. Very relaxing very lush resort. The choice of pools is great. The boat to DTD is especially nice. We love having the option of grabbing something to eat at a food court.

You're making a good decision to give POR a try.

 

[asaj]

We did the same thing. We originally were going to do WL, but then decided, for the money, POR would be a better choice for us. The resort looks beautiful, and I think the pool situation will be better for the kids. The pool at WL looks a little on the small side. My daughter loves to swim and do the water slides, so POR was where we switched.

Andy

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We have stayed at both WL & PORS. I might be in the minority BUT I have stayed at PORS even as dxls about 7 times, and wl once that should tell you something. It was not the $$$$. We love PORS. I love the bayou, and mansions both. We have stayed at many deluxes but still go back to pors. When we saw the 1st pictures of wl we thought wow, that will be so cool, BUT then we stayed there and where comparing it to pors, the room was not nearly as festive as the bayou room, no log beds, the motif was not carried out inside the room as much as the inside for some reason. Probably "keeping" up the deluxe theme? So we where disappointed in that. Then the WL pool was a probablem when we stayed in was packed, and chairs where at a premium. This was a problem daily. Now they have the "other" pool but it is small and they do have all the villa's added on. PORS has several small pools if ole man island is over run, and you just want a quite spot. The bus service at WL was a problem also, on our stay we where in with FW, and NOT the other resorts, I know it occassionally goes back and worth, cause I watch this. FW is huge and riding through there late at nite while standing, in the winding rodes is along nite sometimes. Not bad if your on with the other resorts. Then for "deluxe" I really don't care for their resturants the choices are limited, yes pors only has 1 resturant and a food court but the food court is large & your paying moderate $$$$. NOW location: you think well wl is mk location, look at the map or pay attention on the bus, pors is the closest mod to the mk! With the back road it takes it is a very quick ride to mk. pors, is pretty much located in the "middle" of disney property. And you get a boat to DTD!
Yes, pors, is not wl BUT do not feel slighted if you cannot swing wl. Should you try wl. Sure, I think if its possible everyone should try things out for themselves and see what they think. But if its not possible right now, do not feel slighted, with 2 rooms pors is a great option!

Have a great time! Mky

 

[lawyergirl]

Just stayed at POR two weekends ago, and I was pleasantly surprised by the Resort's amenities and its general "feel". I have stayed at the WL, Poly, GF, Contemporary and in three weeks, I'll be staying at the AKL, and I've got to say that I will DEFINITELY go back to POR! It was a truly peaceful resort, with beautiful landscaping and the attention to detail that makes WDW Resorts so magical! All in all - good choice for your upcoming trip!!

 

[Sandi]

We prefer POR to WL; 10 yo DD loves POR and that is where we are staying in February. It will be out 7th back to that resort. We've stayed at Poly, WL, POR, POFQ, CSR and CBR. While Poly will always be my favorite, POR is a relatively close 2nd. We have stayed in AB 15 and 18 and in Parterre Place. The AB section is wonderful. The mansions were fine, too, just not our cup of tea. You will not be disappointed.

 

[snowmouse]

We really like POR. We spent a couple of nights at WL pre cruise this past spring. We were a bit disappointed. The room was really in need of rehab (dirty and worn). The public areas are very beautiful, but we really spent no more time in them than we did when we came over for dinner previous trip. Overall, we just expected more. Our trips to POR have always exceeded our expectations. We're going back to POR in Oct, this time splitting with BC. I'm on a quest to hit all of the resorts, but I may end up back at POR when my quest is complete!!

 

[chyam]

We'd only stayed at WL prior to our stay at POR this past May...we were worried we wouldn't like a MOD, that we would compare it to WL (which we love, but, really, it's just too much $$$ for us now!) and find it lacking, etc. We were so pleasantly surprised at how much we liked it! Our room in Parterre Place was lovely---seemed very new. I believe, since they have double beds instead of queen, the rooms really seemed about the same size as those at WL. The grounds were beautiful...actually, prettier grounds than at WL. I think the main 2 things WL has over POR is a fantastic lobby (but how much time do you really spend there?) and that everything's under one roof in case of rainy weather, etc. Sure, WL is great, but we didn't feel "let down" by POR at all!
Have a wonderful time!

Karla B.

I agree with you 100%! I was a WL devotee for the past 10 years, it has become so popular that it is hard to get a room there especially with a code, so this past April I was FORCED to take POFQ and right up til the time I left I was still trying to get the WL! But needless to say I was more than satisfied, the rooms were nice and it has some of the most beautiful grounds and landscaping. Added to that it is right next door to POR. There is a great walkway along the river connecting the 2 resorts. Although I did not stay at POR and can't speak for the rooms I used their food court several times and also their pools, POR has several pools along with the main pool, the others are "quiet"pools. I don't think you will be disappointed one bit. There is a boat that will take you to DD which is very relaxing. I liked it so much that I booked again for Oct. didn't even check on the WL for then. Although I will go back to the WL in Dec. for a couple of days.