POR Questions

[disneyrunner]

After much discussion, sweating over the budget we decided to forgo our beloved WL for POR this trip. The $700 difference was just too much. We felt the $$ would be better spent on other things during our trip and since its a short trip we will be spending most of our time in the parks. Now my questions. First we have booked a standard room with AAA discount but now wonder whether a water view is worth the extra $100 (total for our stay) and should we upgrade? The second is what room requests, ie location, should we make. We stayed there many years ago and remember the resort is quite spread out. Any suggestions? Thanks to everyone who visits these boards and helps out.

 

[kandmwedding]

I personally wouldn't pay the extra for a water view, for two reasons. First, like you said, you'll be in the parks most of the time - a beautiful water view would be wasted. Second, with all the quiet pools around the resort, your beautiful water view could end up being a view of a pool. Not my idea of a water view! I'd stick with the standard room, and request an upgrade when you arrive. Depending on the time of year that you're going, they might have a lot available.

The resort is fairly spread out, but not too much imo. Are you the type to hit the food court every morning or evening?? If so, I'd request Alligator Bayou #14, #18, or #27 or Oak Manor. If you're not one to use the Main Building a lot request any building close to a bus stop. We stayed in Acadian House, which is pretty far from the Main Building, put close to the North Depot, and it worked great for us.

Keep in mind that POR is set up in two sections - Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. I've heard the differences between the two described best this way -- think of Alligator Bayou as Huck Finn (very rustic) and Magnolia Bend as Gone With the Wind (very elegant). That might help sway your decision as well.

www.wdwinfo.com has tons of info and pics of the resort, and here's a link to the resort map - http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/dixiemap.jpg

 

[Lisa96]

Personally I don't think it's worth the extra $$ for a water view, since many times that view is way far off! And if you aren't spending much time in the room, does the view matter too much? (We were upgraded in July to waterview at POFQ, and really, the fountain in the courtyard was the closest water you could actually see! But it WAS a nice room location in bldg. 4!) As for room requests it really depends on whether you want to be close to the food court or prefer a slightly quieter area. Alligator Bayou bldgs. 14, 15 & 18 are closest to the main lobby bldg. Magnolia Bend is the mansion area, which IMO is the prettiest. Magnolia Terrace and Oak Manor are both great areas, with an easy, short walk to the main bldg. & Ol' Man Island, and a quiet pool also. Most of the buildings are close to bus stops, since there are four around the resort.
I've been won over by WL also, but POR remains a favorite because it is so lovely and relaxing there. And my recent visit to POFQ was wonderful; I'd highly recommend a stay there sometime. Have fun!

 

[catheren]

I agree with the above poster -- it's not worth paying more for a water view at PORS or any other moderate resort. You don't have a private balcony/patio to sit out and enjoy the view. The hallways are external so people will be walking past your window -- so your blinds will be shut a lot.

We stayed in the Magnolia Bend section -- Oak Manor.
We stay at moderates when it is a short trip at WDW. We know we will be using the room to shower and sleep.

 

[txdznydude]

If I'm not mistaken there are three price levels at POR. Standard being the cheapest, garden more expensive, and finally water being the most expensive. I've always gone garden or water as I would not want to be stuck with a parking lot view. When I'm on vacation I want as much magic and ambiance as possible. I'm
sorry put a parking lot is not magical even if it is at DW! That's my two cents.

 

[tigger53]

we have stayed at POR many times and on a few occasions have had our room by the parking lot but you would never know this since most of the time you are either not in your room cause your at the parks or your blinds are closed. so why spend the extra $ there when you could use them on something better. who actually stays in their room long enough to look out the window anyway??

 

[Nolcrest]

We always book a standard room and have never had a problem with the view, actually at POFQ & POR we had a courtyard view (complimentary). Moderates don't have balconies and we don't keep our drapes open so for us it's not worth paying for a view we wouldn't notice anyway. The landscaping around the moderates is quite lush so it's not like a car is parked in front of your door like a hotel on I95.