POR - Royal Rooms or Preferred rooms better?

[Captain Kittens]

I just stayed in a Royal Room last month and it was amazing. The decor and theming were nice and not just a fancy coat hanger or light. The entire room, as I'm sure you've seen, is done up from head to toe. The magnolia bend buildings (where the RRs are located) look great and the grounds are beautiful and very regal like (mini rose gardens, etc). It was legit just a 5 mins walk from our room to the lobby of the hotel or bus stop.

And the info about the bus stops is true and weird. They will pull in, go right past the south depot (main lobby bus stop) and go all the way around the resort back to the front with the south being the last stop.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That seems so strange to me. To pay more for a preferred room but to be the last stop!?

Preferred rooms are located closest to the main building, food, a pool, and A bus stop. Visitors who feel this is strange (odd, unfair, etc.) can stay somewhere else.

And the info about the bus stops is true and weird. They will pull in, go right past the south depot (main lobby bus stop) and go all the way around the resort back to the front with the south being the last stop.

Logistics. In addition to driving on the right and bus doors opening on the right. - this routing allows every. single. bus. to double as internal transportation.

 

[Captain Kittens]

Preferred rooms are located closest to the main building, food, a pool, and A bus stop. Visitors who feel this is strange (odd, unfair, etc.) can stay somewhere else.

Logistics. In addition to driving on the right and bus doors opening on the right. - this routing allows every. single. bus. to double as internal transportation.

Has nothing to do with driving on the right and doors being on the right lmao. The bus can pull into the main entrance, drive STRAIGHT 20 yards and around the lobby/drop off area and into the bus stop. Unload/load, and proceed to drive out and then to the right around the rest of the resort or left towards PO, and the side you get on doesnt change lol. I get what you are saying but the south depot is...right...there. I've seen them go into the resort from two different entrances and when they go through the main entrance and drive literally 10 feet past a bus stop that they COULD stop at, yes its a little strange and I'm clearly not the only one who thinks so.

Not trying to argue, just saying.

 

[Moliphino]

I could've sworn the lobby was the first stop when we were there a few years ago (December 2013, I think). We were in the royal rooms and would get off at the lobby stop and walk at the end of the night instead of riding the bus the whole way around. I suppose it could have changed since then, too.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I just stayed in a Royal Room last month and it was amazing. The decor and theming were nice and not just a fancy coat hanger or light. The entire room, as I'm sure you've seen, is done up from head to toe. The magnolia bend buildings (where the RRs are located) look great and the grounds are beautiful and very regal like (mini rose gardens, etc). It was legit just a 5 mins walk from our room to the lobby of the hotel or bus stop.

And the info about the bus stops is true and weird. They will pull in, go right past the south depot (main lobby bus stop) and go all the way around the resort back to the front with the south being the last stop.

I have never stayed here so I don't really understand the bus stops, south, west, etc. Which is why I was asking. But I would have just assumed a preferred room or royal room, with an increased price tag, would also have a premium bus stop. Guess that's just not the case. So during busy season, would it be likely there are any seats left on a bus if you stay preferred or royal rooms?

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

It's a plus to us because we get on the bus and head right to the parks.

I see your point with that....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Has nothing to do with driving on the right and doors being on the right lmao. The bus can pull into the main entrance, drive STRAIGHT 20 yards and around the lobby/drop off area and into the bus stop.

Could.
Doesn't.
Hasn't for many years, if ever.
These are the first complaints (bordering on entitlement) I've read.
Stopping at South Depot first will lead to complaints about having to be on the bus soooo long before leaving the property (yes, prediction - but likely based on this thread.)
Stopping at South Depot first results in either:
No internal bus
Stopping there twice
Preferred rooms are close to "everything": food, entertainment if applicable, transportation, lobby... Royal rooms at PORare similar.

Paying more does not guarantee, offer, ensure, provide first access to transportation - just ask Sugar Loaf guests. At POR, it just provides proximity to transportation.

 

[TOBS2010]

We have stayed in the preferred rooms and love the location of them. I have considered staying in one of the Royal rooms---but they generally cost a decent amount more just for the theming. We have gotten lucky with the preferred room locations both times we were there and been super close to the main building and just a short walk to the main pool. We prefer using the Main Building bus stop as well----that is the last stop before you leave the property to head to the parks (at least this was the case as of this past July/August). However, coming back my husband always complains it is the last stop around the resort to get back to your room---which isn't always ideal at almost midnight with young sleeping kids, but we don't stay out that many late nights.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Could.
Doesn't.
Hasn't for many years, if ever.
These are the first complaints (bordering on entitlement) I've read.
Stopping at South Depot first will lead to complaints about having to be on the bus soooo long before leaving the property (yes, prediction - but likely based on this thread.)
Stopping at South Depot first results in either:
No internal bus
Stopping there twice
Preferred rooms are close to "everything": food, entertainment if applicable, transportation, lobby... Royal rooms at PORare similar.

Paying more does not guarantee, offer, ensure, provide first access to transportation - just ask Sugar Loaf guests. At POR, it just provides proximity to transportation.

I have never stayed here so I am not familiar with the stops, etc, which is why I asked when someone above pointed out the busses could be full once they get to the Royal or Preferred rooms. I guess people could benefit from being the last stop. I ask because I would pay for premium rooms because I have a mobility issue (that does not require a wheelchair or scooter) so I can be close to amenities. But it's something I need to factor in if that would also leave me without a seat on the bus often. I don't see how that equals entitlement? People want to know what the benefits are when paying increased $$ for rooms labeled premium and I would have assumed premium would not leave me as possibly not being able to get a seat on a bus. I guess now I know that has not been factored in, glad to know that and will factor decisions accordingly (which is exactly why I asked about these higher price tag rooms).

 

[Captain Kittens]

I have never stayed here so I don't really understand the bus stops, south, west, etc. Which is why I was asking. But I would have just assumed a preferred room or royal room, with an increased price tag, would also have a premium bus stop. Guess that's just not the case. So during busy season, would it be likely there are any seats left on a bus if you stay preferred or royal rooms?

Yeah it is what it is unfortunately. As for seats left on the bus, I was down on Dec 9 (stayed in RR) for a week and never had an issue with buses being full. My room was actually only a quick 5 mins walk from the south depot. I did have that issue going in Oct in 2017 and you just have to wait for the next one but them being 15-20 mins apart is not really too bad.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Yeah it is what it is unfortunately. As for seats left on the bus, I was down on Dec 9 (stayed in RR) for a week and never had an issue with buses being full. My room was actually only a quick 5 mins walk from the south depot. I did have that issue going in Oct in 2017 and you just have to wait for the next one but them being 15-20 mins apart is not really too bad.

Unfortunately we aren't able to go off peak (only holidays and busier times of the year). I haven't stayed at a moderate in a long time and never here. Are there lines at the bus stops or just people gathered around pushing in to board the busses?

 

[vinotinto]

Unfortunately we aren't able to go off peak (only holidays and busier times of the year). I haven't stayed at a moderate in a long time and never here. Are there lines at the bus stops or just people gathered around pushing in to board the busses?

Only the value resorts have lines. Moderates and deluxes do not. Boarding the bus is loosely based on noticing who was already at the bus stop when you arrive.

On the way to the parks, I agree with @dansdad that it's nice to simply get on the bus at the last stop and go.

 

[dansdad]

Unfortunately we aren't able to go off peak (only holidays and busier times of the year). I haven't stayed at a moderate in a long time and never here. Are there lines at the bus stops or just people gathered around pushing in to board the busses?

Thank goodness no corrals like the Values. And definitely no pushing.

 

[Texans_loyal]

We stayed New years week and had no problem getting on the bus even though we had the last stop.

 

[Aerodyne78]

We stayed in a Royal Room in September & preferred the East Bus Stop. However, there were times where we knew we may miss the ETA for the East Stop & it was easy to walk to the lobby stop & catch the bus from there. Picking up the East bus was also nicer because there was always less people waiting, where as the lobby stop would be extremely crowded with people waiting to get on. It was nice being able to get a seat & beat the lobby crowd.

 

[Jbabymama]

No.
Bus pulls into resort.
Bus turns left onto internal perimeter road.
Bus drives to West Depot (closest to remote/standard Alligator Bayou section.)
Bus stops at West Dept.
Bus proceeds to North Depot (closest to Acadian House/standard Magnoloia Terrace.)
Bus stops at North Depot.
Bus proceeds to East Depot (corner of Magnolia Bend/standard, adjacent to Oak Manor/Royal.)
Bus stops at East Depot.
Bus proceeds toward exit, turns right onto driveway leading to lobby, drives around parking area to South Depot (closest to Parterre Place/Royal pand Alligator Bayou preferred.)
Bus stops at East Depot.
Bus exits resort.

Do you know about how long it takes to walk from a PR to the west depot? Staying there for the first time the beginning of August.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know what a PR is, but probably 7-10 minutes.

 

[stinkpickle]

I don't know what a PR is, but probably 7-10 minutes.

Preferred Room, I'm guessing...

 

[AngiTN]

Which rooms are better, nicer, better location etc at POR? Royal Rooms or Preferred rooms?

The rooms are way too different in my opinion to even compare them.
Which is better is simply a matter of which you like better.
I like the Royal better.
You can walk to the lobby quickly from both.
Bus stops are spread around the resort so that's a moot point as far as we are concerned.

 

[AngiTN]

I have never stayed here so I don't really understand the bus stops, south, west, etc. Which is why I was asking. But I would have just assumed a preferred room or royal room, with an increased price tag, would also have a premium bus stop. Guess that's just not the case. So during busy season, would it be likely there are any seats left on a bus if you stay preferred or royal rooms?

Royal Rooms aren't higher priced due to a better bus stop.
They are higher priced due to theming