Thanks for all the great info!! We returned after staying at POR from June 22-July 2. It was incredible. Thanks to venom hatch, building q17 was perfect. I faxed in our request a week before arrival and we got everything -- for all three parties! It was the perfect location for us-- we had a car and drove to all the parks. We loved the quiet pool right there and actually never made it to the big pool.
Everyone working there was incredible! We had some extra magic our first day as my parents arrived. We were looking to surprise my two DDs and my three DNs with their arrival. While we were in MK with my sister's family, my mom started talking to Zach, one of the front desk managers. They came up with this very elaborte plan. We got a call that we had a "package" at the front desk and both families needed to be there to pick it up at the front desk. When we arrived, one of the CMs with the Brazilian program greeted us and asked if we were looking for anything special. We said yes, a package. They sat down all the girls in the lobby. After a short wait, the CMs came out with green and purple balloons and then gave them to the girls along with special signed cards from he characters. They then gathered them around and said they had another gift for them, and gave them all stuffed Minnies (their idea to do this). Then, they said there was one last package and my parents walked it. It was incredible and totally the idea of the CMs working there. What a magic moment! Here's the rough video from my DH's phone: http://youtu.be/L05ky_Bm2G8
Of course, we then got on the boat to DTD and it stalled (trying to avoid another small boat) and crashed into a bridge and we had to be towed). A unique form of Disney transportation!
Pros for POR: Gorgeous! We were in Alligator Bayou and it always felt so serene. The CMs wee all great. POR is located close to a lot of the parks, resorts, etc. Even when it was full capacity at the end of our trip, it never felt that way. There was always a calm there. It was always a nice escape from a crazy park day. We would stay here again.
Cons for POR: Food court was always crazy and often very inefficient. Our first day, it took 90 minute for lunch -- and we didn't eat until 1. Just total inefficiencies. Boatwright's was good food, but we had a bad experience. Waited 30 minutes past our reservation time only to go to our table in a half full restaurant. Our server was very slow and unaccomodating. It was a two hour dinner and just painful. Food was good, but I wouldn't eat there again. Aso, one day we had mouse keeping come in, they left all our lights on and shades open (we had them closed). We had chargers and a few electronic accessories on the table, so they were in full sight until we returned at 11 p.m. We didn't have them come again. We just called for towels. All of these (other than the food court) seem circumstantial. We only complained about the mouse keeping because of the other great service and the special magic. Oh and storage in the room is not great, but you all know that already!
Great trip! Great resort!
What a wonderful surprise for the girls! I LOVE how they seemed to appreciate the "things", but obviously were the most excited to see their grandparents!
