Portofino Suite Was Sweet!

[Disneyhappy]

Just returned from our first stay in a Portofino Suite with my Loews Platinum upgrade. DH ran the 5K during Disney's marthon weekend before heading to PBH. I was not scheduled to go but it has been a sad year for my side of the family for many reasons. Christmas was really rough and DH surprised me by booking me to join him after the race on Friday. What a gem he is, because he and another wonderful stay at PBH pulled me out of my funk.

The added space of the suite was great and will come in very handy for our extended trip this summer. I forgot how comfortable their beds are and slept like a baby. Only one complaint- the sofa bed is very uncomfortable. We didn't need it but I wanted to try it out for reference. Sofa beds are normally not very comfortable and for younger kids it normally doesn't matter. However, I will be having a 17 year old sleeping on it this summer and possibly me on one night in February. I filled out a survery USF emailed me and mentioned the sofa beds, inquiring whether we could request a rollaway bed instead. True to their spirit for outstanding customer service, they sent me an email acknowledging my concern and that they will be happy to provide a rollaway instead. My question to anyone familiar with the Portofino suite - Are all of the sofa beds uncomfortable, meaning lumpy mattress with the bars pushing through?

We enjoyed the club lounge and Jessica was there again with that lovely smile on her face, ready to please. Any recent club guests notice that the bottle Fuji water is no longer out with the sodas? I asked if they have bottled water anymore and the TM asked how many we needed. We were a group of 4 so I said 4. The TM gave a slight frown but got them. I felt uncomfortable aftre that so I didn't ask anymore questions. I later forgot to ask Jessica.

I did mention a stay in February, didn't I? My intention was to take my mother to WDW for a night to one of their deluxe resorts because she missed her vacation with us over Thanksgiving because she broke her leg and was in the nursing home for 2 months. I am heading down for my niece's bridal shower and will have time to treat my mom to only one night of what she missed out on in November. Well, it took me 20 minutes to get a quote from WDW for one night at the Polynesian after being interrogated about all of our trips recorded in their system and wanting full birthdates for all of the many nieces and nephews we have taken over the years. Far be it from me to try to figure out WDW's system but it was intrusive and after that, I was quoted $395 Fl resident rate (mom lives in FL) for a gardenview at the Polynesian. Rate rate is $595! We own DVC so it's been a long time since I tried to book a deluxe at WDW, but that rate of inflation is really excessive. We can afford it, I just am not sure it is worth it for a GV room at the Polynesian. By that time I was really frustrated and politely advised that I changed my mind. I hung up and booked another Portofino suite instead and it only took me 3 miuntes at a cost of $279 AAA rate! Portofino is every bit as deluxe, actually more, than the Polynesian. No Big Brother asking me a ton of questions! While my mom was looking forward to WDW, I know she will truly love PBH and Citiwalk. She will be stuck in a wheelchair but Universal Resort is very wheelchair friendly. I think I will treat her to nice spa treatment while we are there.

I suppose this post is long enough but I do have a question. I will not be doing the parks with my parents but I would like to take them to Mythos. I recall reading that we can get a pass to get into the park to eat dinner only. Anyone have any idea how that works?
TIA!

 

[macraven]

i believe it is a two hour pass that you can get from guest services.

they will make an imprint of your credit card for the amount of a day ticket.

if you return within that 2 hours, you are not charged for the ticket.

if you do NOT return within that 120 minutes, you have then bought a ticket for the park.


this two hour pass will not be issued if the park is closing within one hour of the time of your request.

contact mythos and see if you can make a ressie so you don't have any wait time to dine there.
also let them know you have to be in and out of there within 100 minutes.
that way, you can return to guest services and not have your cc charged for a one day ticket.


good to hear you enjoyed your time at PBH.
it is a lovely hotel.

the sofa bed, what can i say.
the one i had in the hrh was very good.
but, they had renovated their rooms and had new furniture in them.

you sound like a wonderful daughter taking your mom for a mini trip.
that must have been hard for everyone with her medical issue in the fall.
hope she is doing fine now!

 

[Disneyhappy]

Thanks, Mac-
After reading your post it gave me the idea to call guest services. Everything you said is correct except the allowed time is 2 hours. That should work with a reservation!

Hopefully, PBR will purchase new sofa beds soon. Ours did look worn compared to the other furnishings in the room.

Thanks about the thoughts about my mom! I only wish we had time to stay two nights but work gets in the way!

BTW- I'm on the lookout for info on HHN. DS and I didn't make it down last year. We are committed to going this year since he will be a senior and it will likely be the last time we can go together because of college. Can you venture a guess as to the date of the opening weekend this year - Sept 25 or Oct 3? I want to reserve a room for opening weekend when they have the passholders event.

 

[macraven]

Thanks, Mac-
After reading your post it gave me the idea to call guest services. Everything you said is correct except the allowed time is 2 hours. That should work with a reservation!

Hopefully, PBR will purchase new sofa beds soon. Ours did look worn compared to the other furnishings in the room.

Thanks about the thoughts about my mom! I only wish we had time to stay two nights but work gets in the way!

BTW- I'm on the lookout for info on HHN. DS and I didn't make it down last year. We are committed to going this year since he will be a senior and it will likely be the last time we can go together because of college. Can you venture a guess as to the date of the opening weekend this year - Sept 25 or Oct 3? I want to reserve a room for opening weekend when they have the passholders event.

i'm glad they changed the time frame on that pass.
i used it years ago when it was a one hour pass.
i'll go back and edit that post of mine.
sometimes people will read one post and stop when they think they have found the answer to their question. don't want anyone misguided over my post.


you have come to the right person for hhn questions.
jk, there are many knowledgeable people on the boards for hhn questions and discussions.

i live and breathe that event. i am totally and completely addicted to HHN.
i have been going solo to it since 2000.

looking at the calendar, there will be 5 weekends that fall between the oct 2 to end of the month for the event. i have to look back in my journals to see if hhn has been held for 6 weekends. (for some reason i think it has been)

i can't say yet if there will be the last weekend of sept for hhn.
when i hear, i'll post.


i have done the opening weekend twice in the past years.
i don't do opening weekends anymore as it only covers 2 days.

hhn is on friday and saturday then. (sundays aren't covered for openings.)
the other weekends will have hhn on Th, Fr, Sa and Su.
i go when i can do it 4 nights in a row.

as long as you book the opening weekend by end of july, you should be safe.

if you book early in the year like i do, you can always keep check to modify your room rates.