POR Riverside...not what I expected although nice

[DMRick]

I would like to stay at the Pop Century when it opens. Do you have a recommendation for All Stars?

Our grands favorite is Movies...and that seems to have the most little kids. However, they are happy at them all, and we prefer music (quietest). We seem to end up the most at Sports (using codes, most available). Other than when the cheerleaders are there, we have no problems with it. The kids loved watching the cheerleaders, and they were asleep when the noise started, so no problem with them staying at Sports.

As far as Disney par..I have the feeling that may be Disney par..I think they are more understaffed than I have seen in the past..everywhere. It seems almost everytime I bought something, the CM said "opps..excuse me, I made a mistake..I'm new". That was only a problem when they made a mistake and no one had time to help her correct it. I finally told them to keep the difference and left the store.

One other thing I noted, since it has been mentioned about AS so many times. We could hear the toilets flusing in another unit. Now this has never bothered me in AS, and didn't here, but I did notice it..faint, just like at AS. Just mentioning this, becasue someone asked me before I left to see if I heard the noise..I guess she had mentioned it and was told, no you couldn't hear them. I did hear them.

We didn't feel the pool was out of control..just that is was very crowded (remember, two of those loud kids, were ours!)...with the lattice covering the bridge, the slide side isn't very big. Two lifeguards on either side of the main pool, and one day (this may be everyday, but if you are on the slide side, you can no longer see the bigger side) the lifeguard played pool games, and the kids loved that..so did I, hubby and I didn't have to play in the pool..we got to work on our sunburns..ummm..suntans. In the quite pools, many of the kids had the clear inner tubes ($3.00 in the store) and those long play things, if you want to bring yours..didn't see them in the main pool.

One other comparison, is the showers appear to only be in the main pool area, not the quiet pool are (indoor showers). AS also offered the wall shampoo and soap to wash up, if you no longer had a room...I didn't see that in the POR..plus there was no hooks in the shower for your clothes..I dont' remember that in AS...but we have gotten dressed many times in their shower area, and I don't remember it being a problem.

As far as pool theming..they did have a "waterfall" and the slide..to look like the old south. I do think they could have had an "old south" dressed up Mickey squirting water without compromising the old south theming...maybe just at the quiet pools, even.

We were at the food courts twice at AS, and several times at POR(yes, the rug certainly helps keep down the noise). The CM's at POR really had a tougher time keeping up with the cleaning..but I think the POR is much larger, and more to clean. Plus having everyone clean their dirty mugs at the counter, really made it messy. I sat in syrup on a chair my last day..we cleaned our own table, but I didn't think to clean the chair. From now on, I'll feel first, then sit.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Sounds just as if it wasn't what you expected. Which I think we all have certain expectations built up from reading various posts.
It just goes to show everyone thinks different about everything.
I appreciate your post. Thanks!
We will be arriving at POR a week from Saturday!
I'm looking forward to it. But I also was with CSR and ASMo.
Each of those resorts had good points and somewhat minor bad ones. As I am sure it is with every resort restaurant, etc.
I enjoyed ASMo and would have stayed there again if POR wasn't such a better deal at the time I booked.
Plus I want to try something different.
Thanks again for the critique!

 

[pooh6890]

Have stayed at CBR and PORS. For the cost and amenities, and although we enjoyed our stays at both, we usually choose Value or Deluxe resorts now. We can save more $$ at the Allstars and the theming is pure Disney. We can splurge a little more and not have to take busses everywhere (BW area is the best) or take the monorail. The great rates offered make it even more affordable. Not that I don't like the Mods, I just feel I am getting more for my vacation at the Value or Deluxe.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

DMRICK,

I thought your report on POR was excellent, although it is our favorite resort.

We have never seen the "quiet pools" have more than 5 people in them, but we go at the end of August when it isn't as crowded. I have never liked the big pool; it's always crowded and noisy. We also can never find a place to sit near the pool (unless it's raining and then there's always room!)

I have also never seen the food court packed full of people, but we eat at off times usually. I have seen a bit of a mess. Do you think people are as sloppy in their own homes??

I didn't find anything at all offensive in your report. It's interesting to hear how your stay was so different from ours; it makes me glad that we go in late August. Although we didn't like the All Stars, I agree that it is more interesting than POR for kids. Our son is 13, so he doesn't care about theming.

 

[ducklite]

Personally I think the "Theming" at the All Stars is garish, ugly, and cheesey looking. They look like a Motel 6 from he** IMHO.

I much prefer something more subtle, sublime, and upscale, which is what Port Orleans is able to deliver at a moderate price.

Everyone has their own opinions, but that's mine.

Anne

 

[DMRick]

I much prefer something more subtle, sublime, and upscale, which is what Port Orleans is able to deliver at a moderate price

Do you have kids Duck?
I think not. Because I thought I was making it clear that I was commenting on this stay with kids in mind..and they happen to like "kids" motels. If you have kids, do they think the same thing about the AS as you do? I personally have never run into a little kid who doesn't love it (I also wouldn't wear purple tennis shoes, but my granddaughter just loves hers, and if they make her happy, then good enough for me). You are, of course entitled to your opinion, however, from my point of view, I think your words are a little strong for that type of hotel....meant, IMO for kids. If I could find a cheap Motel 6 with such great theming, I would stay there with the grands..and save a bundle from Dis prices LOL! Our local motel six has no Disney characters, a tiny little pool with green water, and an 8 X 10 check in area, with no place to eat. And the whole building would fit on the fottball field in ASSports. Have you been over to the AS's..up close and personal with a child with wide eyes, as they see their beloved cartoons all made big and exciting? As they run through the "room" in toy story? As they duck before getting squirted in a theme pool?
POR is a nice hotel..at no time did I say it wasn't..however, it is not "Disney kid". Not everyone wants Dis kid.

letsbgoofy

...we'll be at FQ end of August, and I'm hoping it's as quiet as we found the AS last August (although I may switch back to POR if I find it's notas shaded). Hope to run into you there. No, people couldn't possible be that sloppy in their own homes!

 

[Simba's Mom]

LOL, DM Rick, I agree-to call them "quiet" pools is such an oxymoron! They're not quiet! DH's reaction to POR is like yours, I think. It's OK, but not his favorite. And yet, he loves POFQ. We walked around POFQ one time, and agreed we didn't like it. But then, next trip, there was a special that we could only get POFQ for, so we "had to" stay there. What a surprise-DH loved it! Now, I just "like" POFQ, yet love POR. Goes to show how 2 people, experiencing the same thing, can have different views.

 

[pooh6890]

Garish, ugly & cheesy looking? I am sorry but those are not words to describe ANY Disney resort. The Allstars are done with such detail somehow ugly is not one of the words I would use to describe them......just my opinion Duck.....

 

[eeyore0062]

Personally I think the "Theming" at the All Stars is garish, ugly, and cheesey looking. They look like a Motel 6 from he** IMHO.

Tell us what you think, Ducklite!!! Don't hold back now! ---LOL

Do you have kids Duck? I think not. Because I thought I was making it clear that I was commenting on this stay with kids in mind..and they happen to like "kids" motels. If you have kids, do they think the same thing about the AS as you do?

I also don't like the theming of AS and I DO have a child... she likes the moderates just fine. We took her to visit AS and she said she liked CBR better because of the slide, the beach, the playground and the colors of the buildings, not to mention the theming. She also liked Wilderness Lodge--ALOT!!! She was thrilled with the springs that go into the pool, the guyser, the boat to the MK, the Teepees hanging from the ceiling, the hidden Mickey's and the Totum poles. She had a blast. We really enjoy the parks, but I guess when we return to our room, a change of scenery is in order.

 

[Limmer]

Isn't it funny that when people really love something and other people don't feel the same way we feel the need to be defensive? As soon as I read this post I wanted to write about how much I loved it and why. When I stop and think about it I am glad not everybody feels the same way or I would not have got my ressies for Sept so easily!

 

[EUROPA]

I'm curious as to what you thought the theme was going to be? I'm not trying to be abrasive or anyhing but did you really expect them to have 40ft tall "Southern Bells " in front ther mansions? The way you descirbe it, it seems the only Disney themed resort is the All-star Movies...as it has some of the characters from the movies. Look at all of the other resorts? Poly--no 40th gaint Hula dancers. BeachClub..no 40th tall beach chairs....So really what were you expecting...giant characters infront of all the hotels?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Truer words were never spoken -- Thank goodness we all don't like the same resort!
BTW -- The parks are Horrible!! Everyone STAY AWAY the last week in May. You don't want to be there! They are too terrible to describe. (That way DH and I won't have as long of lines!

 

[DMRick]

I'm curious as to what you thought the theme was going to be? I'm not trying to be abrasive or anyhing but did you really expect them to have 40ft tall "Southern Bells " in front ther mansions?

No I didn't. And I have learned form posting my thoughts on this resort, that when you say anything someone may consider negative you sure do get some sarcasm (and people changing what you say). Next time I'll come on and say.."Wow, loved that resort, nothing was wrong with it..I had pixie dust all over me, and I knew for sure I was in Disneyworld!"..Is that better?I didn't say I wanted Southern Bells..I thought I said perhaps a Mickey (this is Disney) dressed as a southern as part of the resort or pool theming would be nice..after all it is DisneyWorld..I thought that would be cute.

I posted my thoughts on this resort, because so many times, I have seen people write, that they just didn't have money and had five people in their party..and they were considering staying off site since they couldn't afford a moderate. I have seen many, many answers to these people telling them that the resorts are all so "magical" and Disneylike, that even if it costs more than they budgeted to stay on site. I guess I thought I was telling people, that although the resort was nice (did anyone read the heading where I said that?), it was just a resort. Not what I would consider a Disney resort, but just a resort. A nice one, but just a resort. I guess this time around, I realized that if people want to save money and stay off site, I would no longer try to talk them into staying on site, for the promise of Disney magic. There are nice resorts off Disney too..so if you don't have the money, and your family can't fit into a value, I guess I learned from this, to not try and talk them into staying on site. EE is gone, staffing is down, and if you can't afford to stay on site, I just no longer feel you are scrapping the bottom of the barrel, as I feel some people have been made to feel. I certainly didn' t mean to hurt feelings and make people think that I thought less of them becausee they liked the resort. I leave the thread to those of you who want to be sarcastic and tear apart what I said, and turn it around into something I didn't say..

 

[DMRick]

The parks are Horrible!! Everyone STAY AWAY the last week in May. You don't want to be there! They are too terrible to describe.

I wasn't saying that POR was horrible. I actually said it was nice. I thought I was just giving my report. Next time, I'll try to give my report as all of you would want it to be..or better yet, you write it and I'll post it..then I won't make anyone feel bad if my opinion is different from yours.

 

[EUROPA]

Sorry I'm not trying to make you angry just trying to understand.

 

[Luv2Roam]

When I was JOKING the parks were horrible, it in no way had any implications to your posting on the resort. I was just JOKING.

 

[Limmer]

DMRick, luv2Roam was making a joke.

 

[Kallison]

I was very underwhelmed with the food court also when we stayed there in 2000. The floor was always sticky and the food quality was not the greatest.

 

[Whitegloves]

DMRick,
If you are staying at POFQ you will have some Disney characters. If memory serves me, aren't there some Fantasia characters at poolside? =0)
Enjoy your future trip!

 

[WALT PENN]

DMRICK

You wrote a good trip report but you are way too defensive.
Also the ALL STARS are the only resort that is themed in the disney style you want.I do agree that the AS would be a very kid friendly place to stay.