I posted this on a separate thread, but realized it should also be here as well. We loved POR, and are booked for next year's bounceback offer.
We stayed at POR from 8/26-9/3 in the AB section (we're a party of 5). We loved the resort!
1) Checked in around 1:00 on Friday with only a 5 minute wait - only one person ahead of us. Room wasn't ready, which was fine, since I knew check-in wasn't for a couple hours. Got the call about 45 minutes later that the room was ready.
2) We got our request of corner room, first floor. We were in building 39, room 3929, overlooking a very small pond. There were lots of trees blocking our view, but it was very nice. Loved having the extra window! Room was in good shape, and upon arrival, we had mickey ears towel animal on the bed. Also had a cute anniversary message on our phone from Mickey and Minnie, which was a nice touch.
3) Never used the trundle bed, so can't comment on that. My daughter is 3, so she just slept in a pack and play, which fit great in the bathroom area, under the closet.
4) Location was fine. It was a bit of a walk to the food court, but it's along the river which is beautiful. Didn't even bother to time it, b/c it really wasn't a big deal.
5) Shop was great and had a nice selection of everything.
6) Went to both the quiet and main pool. I will say the first night at the quiet pool, it was FILTHY! Heard a bunch of people complaining how badly it needed to be skimmed. Did get fixed I noticed later in the week. Nice size though, and my kids had fun. Just remember to bring your own towels to this pool b/c none are provided for you there. There are towels though at the big pool - which was a lot of fun. My boys loved the slide, and kept going down it. We only spent about an hour or so all week at the pools, but I could definitely see us spending more time there in the future. It's also adjacent to a nice pool bar, and a small walk over a bridge to the main area.
7) Food court was good. I honestly thought Pop Century had a better selection, but POR was still fine. I think I just had trouble with what I ordered. I had a roast beef and blue cheese sandwich the first night, which I found very tough, and then a ham sandwich, which i didn't care too much for. My DH liked the pasta bar, and the kids loved the ice cram station. Did love the cherry coke and golden peak iced tea!
8) Everyone was very nice. The last night we were there, I went in to pack up cereals for the long car ride home. None were out, but a super sweet cashier went in the back and got whatever I needed.
9) Watch out for the golf carts - seriously - they're lunatics. On every walk, at least 4 or 5 would come zooming by - I was always a nervous wreck
10) Boat ride to downtown is wonderful - did it a couple times. I will say though if you're in a rush, you may be better with the bus. Didn't realize until they mentioned it, but the boat ride is just under 1/2 hour. One day we were meeting family at Downtown, and realized we would have been better driving.
11) Buses were great, except one morning for AK - think it was a Thursday. We actually after waiting a while, and hearing others who had been there longer complaining, decided to just drive. Other than that, never more than a 5 minute wait. Sometimes it was standing room only, but we were fine with that.
12) Can't get over how close MK and Epcot was - going that back way to MK really saves time - was either right under or right around 10 minutes, as was Epcot.
13) Didn't go see the piano guy at all, but when we walked past, everyone seemed to be having a great time, and it definitely seemed a lot of fun. Also, didn't eat at Boatright's.
14) Laundry was fine - did it Thursday night around 10:30 - was plenty of washers - 1/2 hour time - and plenty of dryers. Dryers are not the 30 minutes they say - was closer to 50 minutes. Split up the load, so had no trouble with everything being dry.
15) Walked over to POFQ one night, and it was a beautiful walk along the river. We've stayed there before. I loved POFQ then too - POR had an edge though for us, besides of course being the only one we can stay at, I really loved the grounds. I loved AB section - it was so unbelievably lush and rustic which is right up my alley.
16) We had no problem with the a/c except my daughter kept shutting it off. Other than that, it continued to go on all night, and the ceiling fan also helped.
17) Resort is very quiet, except as always for the inconsiderate parents that let their kids go screaming down the walkways at midnight. Never fails.
18) Did feel like we encountered a lot of smoke this trip, but as someone mentioned, they really need to put the designated areas in other places. The benches were set up along the walkway to the food court, so you were constantly walking in a smoke fog. Not their fault, Disney needs to find better areas.
19) Mousekeeping was great - best I've ever had. Did towel animals or cute things with my kids' animals almost every night. We tipped every night as well.
20) Booked bounceback for next year! POR is our cheapest alternative with our family size, and I'm very happy being there. We are really not in the room all that match, so I personally wouldn't justify paying for riverview, unless you could get the mansions - that view looked awesome if you're the type to take advantage of it.
Any questions, I'd be glad to answer.
Because you have your pic by your name, I looked while I was around the resort at pool or food court!
beverage for those evenings spent sitting by the river after the kids settle to sleep, and some snacky things.
