Port Orleans, codes, and complaints!

[Divamomto3]

Well this is my first trip to Disney and what an eye opener it's been! First of all, if it wasn't for this board, I would never have known about discount codes and for that I am so thankful! But now I know too much I think! It's killing me to hear that people are getting YC and BC for $124 a night. I was supposed to stay at POR and my BIL called Disney today to find out about how the POFQ closures would affect us. We were all disappointed that there were rumors of closures at POR, we wanted to use the amenities at POFQ during our stay, we can't stay at another moderate because we have 5 people in our family and 3 in theirs, etc. So the CM is trying to convince him that POR won't be affected at all, etc. My BIL convinces her to get more info for us and she calls POR directly while he is on hold. She comes back and says, "Wow, you're right. There are going to be internal closures at POR starting when they close POFQ." So my sister and I start worrying that this means less CM's, maybe some pools closed because the CM said that 1000 rooms may be closed at POR. *Not trying to start panic here....she also assured us that we would not even realize renovations were going on at POR because they'd be inside rooms in closed off buildings and not in the buildings we were staying at. Well my sister and I want a nice vacation and no worries. We tried to get a discount on a deluxe, since 5 people can't stay in another moderate. But all they would do despite an hour of arguing, is give us the Yacht Club at the AXA code rate of $255 a night. So maybe I'm a Diva, but it saddens me to hear of people getting it for between $100-$130 a night cheaper. I could use that $800 elsewhere.
I really am starting to wonder about Disney. There seems to be so much inconsistency with all these different codes and rates. All I can think of is the poor people that call up and pay the top price they quote you.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

i think you will be fine at POR if you are going in a month,they will have just closed down FQ by then and i dont think they will start POR that quickly.JMHO go and have a wonderful time.with this being your first trip to Disney by the time you get to your room of a night you will be so tired that you will not care where you are.dont stress over this go and enjoy your vacation.

 

[BrianD]

I agree, don't stress out! And please do not judge Disney based only on what you read on these boards. Frankly, we're all a bunch of spoiled Disney fans here that complain a lot. Walt Disney World is a wonderful place, otherwise there wouldn't be thousands of us living on these boards day and night.

It does sound like that your stay may happen before they actually start working on POR, but even if it is going on, they do a great job of hiding their work. Renovations have been going on at the Polynesian for almost two years now, and no one has been complaining of being bothered by them, or having their trip be less magical because of it.

As for the discounts, three years ago there were practically no discounts. And by the way, getting the Yacht Club at $124 per night, is EXTREMELY rare. It is only for people that need to be moved from POFQ due to its closing. The rack rate at YC is $329, so $255 is a significant discount, and there are even public codes out right now that are $229 per night.

My suggestion is to go to WDW with no pre-conceived notions and go expecting to have fun. If you do that, you'll have a great time. Please don't worry!

 

[Divamomto3]

Originally posted by BrianD
As for the discounts, three years ago there were practically no discounts. And by the way, getting the Yacht Club at $124 per night, is EXTREMELY rare. It is only for people that need to be moved from POFQ due to its closing. The rack rate at YC is $329, so $255 is a significant discount, and there are even public codes out right now that are $229 per night.

My suggestion is to go to WDW with no pre-conceived notions and go expecting to have fun. If you do that, you'll have a great time. Please don't worry!

You guys are all right! I'm over it this morning! I actually did get the rate of $229 a night at the Yacht Club...$255 was including the tax. I'm psyched to be at the Yacht Club...it looks absolutely gorgeous!
Can't wait for my trip!

 

[peachgirl]

And please do not judge Disney based only on what you read on these boards

AMEN!


Sometimes it seems when you read these boards that "everyone" is getting a great rate, a free upgrade, or some other special treatment that you're not getting. It isn't really that way. Even the rates being reported regarding the POFQ closure are a very tiny percentage of the total number of people being affected. Some of the discounts are very good, some are no better than you would get with a code. Some aren't getting upgrades at all ( in truth, probably the vast majority). If you start worrying about what others are getting and is it better than what you got, you'll wear yourself out.

 

[magicmouse]

I have booked POR for end april - early May stay this year. I am worried about whether they are closing this or not. There are 5 of us so if they closed this there are no moderates to accomodate us.

 

[susy]

I stayed onsite 6 times last year, mostly with great codes and one spur-of-the-moment trip at rack rate.

We went through the same thing when CBR closed. Some people were getting the Poly for $99-we all were whining on the inside, "Why can't that happen to me?"

If you aren't comfortable with POR, maybe the Contemporary, two rooms at the All Stars, a FW cabin or renting points from a DVC member might be a better way to go.

A value resort or another mod that can accomodate five in a room (square footage wise) woud be a good idea for Disney. They can just charge an extra $10 a night for the extra person or something like that. If all they offer is deluxe (and not even AKL or WL) for families of five, they may just lose a lot of people to offsite.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Magicmouse,you want have anything to worry about.they are not closing POFQ till May 4th and then POR will be a while after that,and then it will be in sections and not the whole resort.JMHO so dont worry and stress about it go and have a great time.

 

[pumba]

and even if they are old .....the cleaning ladies kept the places looking fantastic......we had been to Port Orleans when it was just that....and saw it when it was almost new.....so we knew what to compare the oldness too....but they were kept up and immaculate.....as far as it closing down......some of riverside blds have been redone .....and no one complained about it because it is a bigger resort......french quarter is smaller ......we love these places.....hope you have a good time and enjoy yourselves......that is the main goal

 

[eeyore0062]

Diva, have you checked any codes for deluxes? If you find one that suits you, then call and switch your ressie.

I certainly don't blame you for being disappointed. We were in the same situation in Jan 2002... they closed all of PO-FQ and part of PO-R.. and we were going to be staying at PO-R.. so I was unsure if we would get the call... and like you, I didn't want a decrease in amenitied.

I used it to my advantage. I called and asked what prices I could get for a deluxe... the ones that were in my price range were the Contemporary and AKL (we didn't want WL, as we had already stayed there). Then I went to my hubby and explained the dilemma, gave him the prices... and let him choose. He chose the Comtemporary for the convenience.

Really, Disney did me a favor, because without that having happened... I probably would have never gotten to stay in a monorail resort. Maybe something similar will happen to you.

When life gives you lemon, make lemonade!

 

[Fearthisss]

Just my 2 cents worth here...

All of the information on these boards is wonderful!! Some of it can also be very stressful. I think part of it may be information overload. LOL With that said, I just booked 5 nights at POR the first week of December for $88 a night for my family's first trip to WDW!! I AM SO PYSCHED!! We really wanted to stay at POFQ, but we all know what happened with that. LOL

Now, with all the talk of will they have started on POR by then, will some of it be closed then, blah blah blah...ya know what I say??

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!! If I'm not happy with my room or the resort I will politely mention it to the CM and hopefully work something out. But, no matter what, I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!! LOL My family and I are going to WDW for the MK, and MGM, and AK, and Epcot, and all the characters, NOT for the room. We're going to have a great time no matter what is the way I look at it.

Good luck and have a great time, no matter what!!

Mark

 

[magicmouse]

Do you think they would really give disounts on deluxes to people worried about FQ closure affecting their POR stay ?????

 

[Divamomto3]

Originally posted by magicmouse
Do you think they would really give disounts on deluxes to people worried about FQ closure affecting their POR stay ?????

No. At least they wouldn't give me any great rate. And my brother in law spoke to 3 different people for over an hour on Saturday. They basically told us that we would not notice or be affected by any closures at POFQ while we were at POR, even if they did close rooms and wings at POR. We pushed for a break, but only got a deluxe at the AXA code rate...Yacht Club at $229 a night, which is good, but certainly not as good as $155 at the Poly. Although, I think I'll like the pool area at YC better anyway.
If any POR people get tremendous discounts on deluxes I'll be surprised.

 

[jaygatz]

Originally posted by magicmouse
Do you think they would really give disounts on deluxes to people worried about FQ closure affecting their POR stay ?????

Why not?