POR vs. All Stars

[Joki4]

What would be better for a family of five? One room at POR with the trundle bed or 2 rooms at the All Stars. With the FTP the 2 rooms at All Stars is about $130.00 more.

The kids are 3, 6 and 9 and love to swim so pool is very important.
We are planning for a week in late October. This is our first visit to WDW.

Any suggestions.

 

[chell]

Welcome to the boards!!!

I would choose 2 rooms at the All Stars because you would have more room and I just like the All Stars more. Each All Star resort has 2 pools, so that shouldn't be a problem. With two rooms you would also get 2 bathrooms. Your children might also like the All Star theme. Have you looked at pictures on-line of the All Stars and POR? POR is more laid back. Which theme would you rather have? Let me know if you need a link to some pics.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Joki4]

Thanks Chell for your opionion. I hope I get more.

Personally I want to stay at All Stars, it looks totally fun. I posted the note hoping replies will persuade my friend (with the 3 kids) to stay at All Stars instead of POR. I have two children so we can get one room anywhere. Our families are meeting at WDW so we can experience it together and see one another. Our plan is stay at the same hotel. We all are really excited about this trip.

My concern with POR is that there may be renovations/construction going on while we are there. Also for us to stay at All Stars would be $200.00 cheaper. Money I could use for a rent a car. But for her, its two rooms, a little more money.

Can you tell me more why you like All Stars?

Thanks

 

[magicmouse2]

All stars is much newer than POR. The rooms are smaller but brightly decorated. The pool is nice but does not have a slide. There is less greenery and more concrete although nicely painted concrete. I like POR because of the greenery, bayous, water mill and river and pool with hot tub. I thought the rooms at ASMO were in better condition than the ones at POR.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have stayed twice at POR. And I loved it. Now, that being said, I would vote for 2 rooms at the AllStars. With kids I don't think you can beat the theming. Yes, the rooms are smaller. But, it you have two, you're all set. The pools don't have a slide at AllStars but they are still good pools. And I would also be somewhat hesitant to book POR for awhile due to the renovations. The last time we were there, in late Oct. '01, POFQ was closed and POR was a little crowded at the pools and food court. So, if any sections of POR are closed for renovations, it's just not going to be the same. Yep, I would get two rooms at AllStars.

 

[CamColt]

Welcome to the Dis!!!

Ive stayed at both ASMO & POR 2x each. Personally I prefer ASMO over POR in general, so my opinion may be biased, but for only 130.00 more to have 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms, I would definitely go for ASMO.

 

[cruelladephilly]

I think that depends on your children--We stayed at POR when our three were just yours ages and loved it--the trundle was fun for them although the rooms are small- this did not affect us because we were never in the room except to sleep or collapse on the beds. The location of this resort is really good.Also, our family is not one that demands a lot of space (except now--we have four under 12 and must get 2 rooms) I think you would love POR --the resort is so beautiful--the river, boat rides to DtD etc, and the pool is so fun for them--I have never been to the Value resorts but love all the mods for their theming and service. Have a great time!!!

 

[familyfive]

We just returned from PO Riverside....... I can't imagine ever staying anywhere else again. It was so incredibly convenient..(we requested alligator bayou, building #14 and they honored our request). The room was wonderful and plenty large for our family of five. Our three children absolutely loved the main pool. (there are i think 7 other quiet pools). Pool was never crowded, food court was never crowded. People were there of course, but we never had that "stuffed in" feeling.

The trundle beds provided for that fifth person are excellent.

In terms of renovation, I can't imagine a better time to go to POR. F. Quarter is far enough away that we never heard any construction noise. Magnolia Bend was virtually unoccupied except for one building. We had all of the space in the food court, bus station and pool for only a portion of the occupancy possible.

We especially liked the free boat service to downtown Disney...rode there several times to get dinner. Very peaceful and pretty "un disney" in terms of crowds and pace.

Hope our experiences help with your decision. I remain a lifetime fan of POR after our outstanding time there....

 

[photobob]

My vote would be two rooms. You'll enjoy having all the extra room believe me. We had three rooms between two families our last trip and put the children in one and the adults had rooms to the selves. Fortunatley our room wasn't the one connecting to the children so we could actually have some adult time late at night, a first for a Disney trip for us..

 

[susy]

I don't think you can go wrong either way. Tell her I think the kids would really LOVE ASMovies!!!!! The resort is not THAT spread out , so any location would be nice. If you aren't going at a busy time, request the Toy Story Section or Dalmations. Request the three rooms be adjoining with two connecting (for their family) You won't need a car here. The bus transporation is excellent.

Here is a HUGE plus for the two rooms (we have done it three times). For them, it will be like having a suite. When the kids are napping or asleep, the adults can stay up, watch TV or whatever. the two bathroms is REALLY nice. One night my nephew (16) was up sick all night and we didn't even know it (he was in his own room). If he were in our room, I think we ALL would have been up! With two bathrooms, baths and everything is much quicker. We stayed at AKL in a deluxe room with a queen, bunk, and daybed (just 3 of us). It was a very large room. Even though the room "sleeps" five, I would never have made it for a whole week in there with five people!

If it's the cost, maybe you can offer to pay for half ($65). You will be saving $200 and like I said, you realy don't need a car. With that many traveling together, the buses would be easier. Her 3yo will need a lightweight (umbrella type) stroller.

 

[chell]

Can you tell me more why you like All Stars?

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I just keep having computer problems!

Anyway, I think the All Stars are so much fun. When I'm at Disney I'm a kid at heart. I LOVE Toy Story, so I love walking around looking at the huge Buzz and Woody and looking around Andy's Room. When at Disney I'm in the mood for something fun, not laid back. The food courts at the All Stars seem to have more choices.

We usually arrive around 2 - 3 in the morning and I just love to walk around the All Stars then. It's hard to explain the feelings. It is just so peaceful for me. If I can think of better words to explain I'll let you know more.

 

[susy]

Another thought: we when take our son to the AS, he 'notices" the theming. He doesn't even remember CBR at all!! that was last May, but he does remember ASMo, which was 5 months earlier than that! The theming at the mods is lost to kids-they might as well be at the Howard Johnson! Don't get me wrong, I wouldl alsways recommend the step up, but in this case with 5 in a room- no way. If it were a deluxe MAYBE...

 

[ZZUB]

We've stayed at both POR and ASMovies. They're both good but for different reasons. We loved POR when we were just a couple. It's pretty romantic. Now that we have a little girl, however, we decided to stay at ASMovies b/c we think she'll enjoy it more. The theming there is VERY DISNEY! Also, the food court at the All Stars is, in my opinion, a lot better than at POR. If you've never been to Disney World before, I'd recommend staying at ASMovies. You can always, "move up" as it were later.

Have a good trip.