POR- nightmare (8/26-29)

[Cindy B]

My visit to POR was a nightmare--so bad that I actually switched resorts mid visit.

The highlights:

1) Waiting an hour to check in at 7:00 am Sunday morning 8/26 - the checkin line extended from the front desk ALL THE WAY to Riverside Mill food court. The line was hundreds of people long and there were only 3 people working!

2) Transportation-- absoleutely awful--Since Riverside and French Quarter was at capacity we stood the whole time at every bus. The lines exiting each park were nightmares-- one time (I think it was Monday evening) we had to wait for four busses. On Wednesday evening the Port Orleans bus line in Epcot extended from the que to the locker rental/stroller rental area near the leave a legacy tiles.

3) The hotel staff seemed overworked and burdened. We asked for help regarding a move to another hotel and was told by the concierge that we can't do that. The concierge staff told us that the busses weren't supposed to be shared with French Quarter, but they were for the three days we were there. Every bus was a standing room only bus and was not relaxing in the least.

There are more details, but those were the biggies.

 

[Harvest02]

My visit to POR was a nightmare--so bad that I actually switched resorts mid visit.

The highlights:

1) Waiting an hour to check in at 7:00 am Sunday morning 8/26 - the checkin line extended from the front desk ALL THE WAY to Riverside Mill food court. The line was hundreds of people long and there were only 3 people working!

2) Transportation-- absoleutely awful--Since Riverside and French Quarter was at capacity we stood the whole time at every bus. The lines exiting each park were nightmares-- one time (I think it was Monday evening) we had to wait for four busses. On Wednesday evening the Port Orleans bus line in Epcot extended from the que to the locker rental/stroller rental area near the leave a legacy tiles.

3) The hotel staff seemed overworked and burdened. We asked for help regarding a move to another hotel and was told by the concierge that we can't do that. The concierge staff told us that the busses weren't supposed to be shared with French Quarter, but they were for the three days we were there. Every bus was a standing room only bus and was not relaxing in the least.

There are more details, but those were the biggies.

OK, we are staying at POR in October and now I am getting nervous! ANOTHER NEGATIVE POST! Anyone else just get back from there and have a GOOD report??? I really don't want to switch resorts at this point!

 

[annie1995]

I'm sorry everything was so bad. Where did you end up moving to??

 

[seashoreCM]

Could have been a good time to ask to have your package park tickets "issued early" which is an unconventional although not impossible maneuver that can be done at parks. Then check in later in the day.

Buses leaving the parks at closing hour are always nightmares.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[fsmith2845]

We were at POFQ a week or so prior to that and didn't have any issues. Check in lines were a breeze, and the staff didn't seem over whelmed at all. in fact quite helpful. We got there pretty early, and I was hopeful our room was ready, however, it was until 3pm ish.. We had been driving in the car all night and day.

Sorry you had such a bad time.. I was quite pleased with our stay..

 

[BigGreen73]

My visit to POR was a nightmare--so bad that I actually switched resorts mid visit.

The highlights:

1) Waiting an hour to check in at 7:00 am Sunday morning 8/26 - the checkin line extended from the front desk ALL THE WAY to Riverside Mill food court. The line was hundreds of people long and there were only 3 people working!

2) Transportation-- absoleutely awful--Since Riverside and French Quarter was at capacity we stood the whole time at every bus. The lines exiting each park were nightmares-- one time (I think it was Monday evening) we had to wait for four busses. On Wednesday evening the Port Orleans bus line in Epcot extended from the que to the locker rental/stroller rental area near the leave a legacy tiles.

3) The hotel staff seemed overworked and burdened. We asked for help regarding a move to another hotel and was told by the concierge that we can't do that. The concierge staff told us that the busses weren't supposed to be shared with French Quarter, but they were for the three days we were there. Every bus was a standing room only bus and was not relaxing in the least.

There are more details, but those were the biggies.

This is just another good reason at to why the DW and I visit WDW in May. Unfortunately, some do not have that luxury. Summer at WDW can be interesting.

 

[Speedemon21]

My visit to POR was a nightmare--so bad that I actually switched resorts mid visit.

The highlights:


2) Transportation-- absoleutely awful--Since Riverside and French Quarter was at capacity we stood the whole time at every bus. The lines exiting each park were nightmares-- one time (I think it was Monday evening) we had to wait for four busses. On Wednesday evening the Port Orleans bus line in Epcot extended from the que to the locker rental/stroller rental area near the leave a legacy tiles.

If the resorts were at capacity, how can you expect empty busses? We were there in July of 2004 and there were no transportation issues. I am sure the hotel was not full but it was still summer. Like another poster said, the busses are always packed at park closing. Sorry you did not like POR, we will be going there next August. Hope you have a better time next time.

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

We just returened last night from Disney. My SIL & family stayed there and checked in the day before the OP. They had absolutley know trouble. Didn't wait at all in line and had their room by 11 am. They had no complaints other then the one night the buses were awful leaving one of the parks. People in line were getting really upset. Buses were going to empty lines and pulling away empty, while POR was really lined up. Not sure where they were. That was there only transport compaint. They had the option to drive, but they like the buses! I prefer to drive and save time! Although not everyone has that option.

 

[2mickeys1minnie]

We were there at the same time - our stay was from 8/25-9/1. We really didn't have any problems at all. Our room was spotless, the staff was very helpful whenever I had a question.The line to check in on 8/26 was very long. We were checking out/back in on Sunday morning and I guess so was everyone else. When I went to the lobby and saw the huge line I just went to the pool and came back 2 hours later. It was still long but every available CM was working the desk and the line moved quickly. I am sorry you had such a bad time.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Sucks being you!

I was lambasted on another thread a while back for suggesting that people CAN and DO wait an hour to check in sometimes and that they need more people working at the front desks in all the hotels. So, hold on tight - they might eat you up.

 

[Barbi]

Hi,
We were at POR 8/12-8/21 with check in on a Sunday @ 12:15. The line for us was terrible as well 1 hr 10 min, but they said Sunday's are the most busy and were very apologetic about the wait. Other times during our stay I noticed that the check in area was what I would consider normal.

As far as the busses, they were crowded but I think sometimes you just hit it at the wrong times. One night at the MK we were waiting for our bus after the fireworks, the line for POR was about 2 bus loads long, however the line for CB was SUPER long about twice as ours. We had 2 busses come get us and none for the CB, now you want to see some angry ppl...

I really enjoyed POR, it's a very relaxing forget about your worries resort. Staff was more than accomidating and very personable. I would return there in a minute.
Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[2mickeys1minnie]

???Huh???

 

[2mickeys1minnie]

I agree about the buses. One night it seemed like the POR/POFQ line was triple the size of all the other lines. However several buses for POR came within about 10 minutes of each other so the line moved very quickly. I would most definitely stay there again.

 

[Mattsmommy]

I was at POR from 8/24 to 8/28. Went to have breakfast @ the lobby on 8/26 and the check-in line was so long that I almost felt bad for everyone on the line but then I remembered that it was the first day of the free dining promo. POR was wonderful. We had a rental car so transportation was not a problem.

 

[Cindy B]

We waited for 2 bus loads at Magic Kingdom at 2:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday. With Riverside and French Quarter both at capacity, the busses were never NOT standing room only. In fact, one night -- I think it was Monday night, the Port Orleans bus line stretched all the way to the other end of the bus que. In fact there was a CM at Magic Kingdom directing the PO bus overflow.


We asked for help with the concierge on what to do about bussing or transportation. The concierge was of no help, but the FSA (supervisor) suggested leaving a message with the Port Orleans transportation coordinator. We left several messages regarding the lack of busses and how horrible the PO lines were compared to other resorts. Yes, I know other bus lines were poor -- I saw some long lines for CB and even


We got over to Coronado Springs and found a fabulous conceirge there who stated that unlike what the PO concierge said, they had available rooms for us to transfer over. So we did! We wanted Coronado originally but it was not available for our dates for three months. (we tried going online, calling the hotel directly, CRO, even the convention/business office at CSR). We got Coronado in a fabulous location for three great days! We were steps away from the pool and loved it.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm sorry everything was so bad. Where did you end up moving to??

Coronado Springs and we LOVED it!

I could not have asked for a better hotel, location and more importantly bus service.

On Wednesday evening we left Epcot with 7 people in line for Coronado while the Port Orleans line stretched out of the metal barricades outside the bus que and all the way up to the stroller rental/lockers near the entrance at Epcot. The Port Orleans people were getting angry and very irritated.

7 people versus 700 people--it was no contest.

 

[newcomer52]

We got over to Coronado Springs and found a fabulous conceirge there who stated that unlike what the PO concierge said, they had available rooms for us to transfer over. So we did! We wanted Coronado originally but it was not available for our dates for three months. (we tried going online, calling the hotel directly, CRO, even the convention/business office at CSR). We got Coronado in a fabulous location for three great days! We were steps away from the pool and loved it.

All's well that ends well!

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep in mind too that you can always grab a taxi back to your resort if the bus line is horrible. Now before you say "I shouldn't have to", it is just offered up as an option. To me, if the bus line were all the way back to leave a legacy, I would be coughing up the $15 bucks.

I will be back to POR for my third time just 41 short days from today. I'm so excited! I'm also very interested in seeing how my October trip compares to everyones summer trips.

 

[Buzz2001]

Coronado Springs and we LOVED it!

I could not have asked for a better hotel, location and more importantly bus service.

On Wednesday evening we left Epcot with 7 people in line for Coronado while the Port Orleans line stretched out of the metal barricades outside the bus que and all the way up to the stroller rental/lockers near the entrance at Epcot. The Port Orleans people were getting angry and very irritated.

7 people versus 700 people--it was no contest.

We got over to Coronado Springs and found a fabulous conceirge there who stated that unlike what the PO concierge said, they had available rooms for us to transfer over. So we did! We wanted Coronado originally but it was not available for our dates for three months. (we tried going online, calling the hotel directly, CRO, even the convention/business office at CSR). We got Coronado in a fabulous location for three great days! We were steps away from the pool and loved it.

Sorry about your stay but glad it worked out for you in the end at CSR.

 

[Cindy B]

Sorry about your stay but glad it worked out for you in the end at CSR.

We got room 8152, in the fabulous Cabanas section where we were literally at the corner of the pool path. We had previously stayed in that very same building (but 2nd floor) two years ago.

I didn't even request any type of room with the fabulous conceirge staff--I was willing to take anything. The staff member told us to wait a few minutes and come back so we wound up in Cabanas 8a!

The company New York Life had rented the entire hotel for a large convention that coincided with our stay. We got a NY Life room that was either vacated early or never used. We saw many of the group at the Ranchos section nearest our building.