POR...Waterview room request?

[SUSANMELODY]

VERY last minute trip. Last Monday I was able to get a room ressie at POR from 4/4-4/7. I have never stayed at Port Orleans and I don't know much about the layout. We got a Disney Discount rate for a waterview room, (By the total Grace of God!) and I was looking for some expert advice. I will be there with DH, DD13, and DS11. We prefer to be close to the pool and the bus. Thanks in advance for all your help! We were at the Poly over Thanksgiving and I am SO excited to be able to get down to Disney for Easter!!

 

[Shannon G]

Waterview can mean either a view of the river or a view of the pool. Therefore, I would call and ask them to make a note on your reservation that you would prefer a pool view. Although I don't think there are any views of the main pool, because is is located on a little island, you could get a room with a view of a quiet pool, so that you would have swimming available right outside your room.

 

[ToTLaugher]

Is a water view important, and is it really what you want?

I know, what a bummer of a message. I asked myself the same questions. Here are some of the factors:

1. At POR, hallways are on the exterior of the building (I guess its technically a motel, rather than a hotel). So your view is of the hallway and the railing, with any other view on the side of it. And an open shade gives people a great view of you as well!
2. At POR (at least in the mansions, where I've stayed), the window is kind of hidden behind the table, off to the side. I'm not sure it provides that great a view.
3. How much time are you really going to be spending in the room that the view is important? I know for us, if we are at the resort and not sleeping, we're probably at the pool.
4. Given that the water view is the river or a pool, you probably have a lot of foot traffic, or the pool noise. This may make it not the most quiet location.

Boy. am I depressing. In case you can't guess, we decided a water view wasn't important to us. Admittedly, you can end up with a parking lot view, which isn't great (after all, who wants to see the parking lot first thing when you walk out the door), but you can also end up with a nice interior location. Last time, we were in the Acadia House courtyard, with the fountain just outside our door.

 

[rreynolds]

In my opinion, view at POR is secondary to DISTANCE from pool and dining facilities. We were in Alligator Bayou Bldg 25 and it took ten to fifteen minutes to walk to anything but the bus stop! Make sure whichever room type you choose to be sure to insist on a building CLOSE to facilities. Looked like AB 14 or 18 were the closest. Have Fun!

 

[jaret]

We have stayed in the mansions.The first time on the second floor of magnolia terrace and had water view of the pool.Since it has a hall and balcony we could not see the pool at all but it was close.The pool is far enough away from the building that we were not bothered by noise.This time we had rooms on the 1st floor and facing the river.The main walking path was there and we had alot of noise from people coming and going.There is quite a distance(a butterfly garden in front of our rooms with benches)from our building to the path but it seemed like the area had higher traffic.We stayed in magnolia terrace(closest to everything) and the acadia buildings(right beside magnolia and a bit further from the bridge)this time and I noticed it in both buildings.Maybe the second floor is quieter I don't know.

 

[SUSANMELODY]

Thanks for all the great advice. I probably wasn't very clear in my original post. When I booked this trip, the very helpful CM noticed that I had a DC membership in my file. I got a waterview room cheaper than a regular room with that discount. I wasn't saying that I INSISTED on a waterview, I was only asking if anyone had stayed in one and their recommendations. Thanks again.

 

[SuzyQue]

Were waterview rooms all they had left available? Because your DC discount will also work on standard view rooms, and if I'm not mistaken waterview rooms are $25 more a night during Peak season. ~~

 

[Gumshoe]

just got back from POR, I requested via my travel agent building eighteen at AB which is close to a pool, some rooms have views of the river and is situated near to the resorts main building. All in all it is (for me) probably the best location.

Regards Gumshoe

 

[SuzyQue]

Building 18 is also a "smoking" building.