Tell me what I'm gonna love about POR!

[hrh_disney_queen]

I called DTC yesterday to see if WL was available at any discount, of course NOT...(the only place in WDW that DH actually likes...)Anyway, talked to the CM for awhile and she said she had POR available at AAA, it was actually less than AP rates! (Beginning Dec.18 for 8 nights-$1044!)So I thought, why not, I already had PC reserved, but wanted to change to something a little nicer. We have been to POFQ and really liked it. POR is the one moderate resort that I always forget about.. Now I am excited to give it a try. Tell me about Mansion vs. Bayou..what do you love about this resort?? C'mon get me excited about my decision!!


Thanks!

 

[Mayl]

We did mansion side in April of this year. If you have been to FQ, you have an idea about locations and such

First off it is much bigger then FQ. The mansions are more "stately" if that makes any sense. The main pool is wonderful with or without kids. Pool bar is right there and some great frozen drinks

Food court was just redone. We found it so so for breakfast, but the one dinner we had it was really good.

The lounge is great and relaxing. The gift shop is huge and we liked taking time browsing there.

Overall it was a nice resort, just a little too spread out for our tastes. We are going to FQ in Jan 08 so see how it compares.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We did mansion side in April of this year. If you have been to FQ, you have an idea about locations and such

First off it is much bigger then FQ. The mansions are more "stately" if that makes any sense. The main pool is wonderful with or without kids. Pool bar is right there and some great frozen drinks

Food court was just redone. We found it so so for breakfast, but the one dinner we had it was really good.

The lounge is great and relaxing. The gift shop is huge and we liked taking time browsing there.

Overall it was a nice resort, just a little too spread out for our tastes. We are going to FQ in Jan 08 so see how it compares.

Oh,oh..we did CSR last year and thought it was way too spread out, too. Took me 20 minutes to walk to the food court to get coffee in the a.m. I will keep that in mind when I request a room. The CM yesterday said the Bayou area was fun.

 

[momtolittlered]

Hi. we stayed in the Mansions (magnolia bend) in 2004 and are heading back Nov 1st 2007 loved it! It took 5-10 mins to main building, grounds are beautiful, can't say enough great things about POR. You'll have a great time, enjoy!

 

[Lilolvr]

I assume Dec 18 (for 8 days) will be a busy time of year so be prepared to wait because the transportation is shared with POFQ. The resort is large so try to request a building close to everything.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1595495
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1590796

 

[magnumaid]

POR is relaxing. After a long day of the hustle and bustle of the parks, it's nice to come back to the beautiful and tranquil landscaping of POR.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I assume Dec 18 (for 8 days) will be a busy time of year so be prepared to wait because the transportation is shared with POFQ. The resort is large so try to request a building close to everything.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1595495
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1590796

Thanks for these links. I was already considering modifying the end of our stay, DH really can't handle that much fun...lol..and the closer to Christmas, the worse the crowds. I was NOT aware of the bus situation, so now that you have clued me in, I will ask for a room near the first stop...or maybe I should switch to POFQ..I may consider that, at least I am familiar with FQ and we like it alot, just thought of trying something different. But as I have learned, different isn't always better. something to think about.

Thanks for the help y'all!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have stayed there 3 times and love it. The grounds are gorgeous, the food court is great (during Hurricane Wilma we ate many many meals there), the gift shop is huge and my friend Gray is the best bartender they have!

 

[simonkodousek]

I've seen pictures of POR on SeaSpray's website, and the resort looks great, especially the Alligator Bayou section! That's why we've chosen it for our next WDW trip.

I don't know if I'm allowed to post a link to SeaSpray's website, so I am not going to...

 

[lilyv]

Had a wonderful stay at POR this past Aug. We were in bld 38, Alligator Bayou. Bus stop was close by. No bus problems, the one night the bus was truly crowded was during Pirates/Princess event....and that was to be expected. (Even when really busy...the buses come frequently, folks get on, it works.)

Walks are pleasant, and Fulton's General Store is great for gifts and snacks. Families seemed to be having a great time, and we (2 adults) had lovely stay, as well.

I was surprised and touched when our mousekeeper left us 2 towel fishes. Very sweet.

Hope you have a wonderful stay!

 

[byoung]

We love it there, try fishing at the fishing pond.

 

[dejr_8]

POR is a great hotel for a moderate. It has beautiful grounds, a good food court, easy parking and a wonderful entertainer "Bob Jackson". Even when we don't stay at POR we go there just to see him. He plays in the lounge starting around 8:30 until 12. Be prepared to make some noise, sing and have a good time!

 

[Cindy B]

Umm.. leaving?

Transportation is awful there, you have been warned.

I will say the Food court is pretty nice at Riverside. It was pretty spacious.

 

[SGMCO]

We just returned from a stay at POR and thought it was Beautiful.
I didn't think that the busses were any worse there any other
resort. We staying in the Mansions and thought they we so nicely
done. It wasn't a long walk for us to the main bldg or food court.
We loved the Boat Ride to DTD!!!

 

[Dimples]

Just returned Saturday 9/29 for my second stay at this resort this month. I didn't like it the first time and try to change to another resort however I wasn't able to change without loosing my free dining. The staff was not friendly, nor helpful. Rooms were okay, however I found ours was not the cleanest room either time. We had mold on our bathroom wall & shower curtain. My mother, age 70, fell last saturday and I tried to get help from the front desk and all they would say was "we can call 911" when all I needed was a first aid kit to clean up her knee. They never once asked to see my mother, ask about her or show any concern for her well being. I emailed after our first stay and finally 2 1/2 weeks later.... received a reply to give them a call if I would like to discuss further. Well, I called 3 times today and left a message at the number that I was given and I haven't received a return call. I am a disney veteran with making 5 trips in 3 years and this resort to me is the worst. The buses are horrible. The grounds are nice/pretty however in general I would not return and do not plan to give Disney anymore of my $$ for some time and will probably cancel my Disney Rewards card as I feel Disney is all about taking as much $$ as they can and not giving any concern for your problems. After all, why should they as there is always people who will arrive at Disney and spend $$.

 

[Tink415]

hrh_disney_queen, I think you will love POR. Its so beautiful, especially at Christmas time. Believe it or not, I love getting off at the main bus stop and walking thru the lobby to see the huge Christmas tree and other decorations even tho its never been the closest bus stop to our room We're going for our 3rd holiday visit the 2nd week in December this year. Previously we've been before & during Christmas and after Christmas day. I was impressed with how good the buses were both times even tho the resort was full. Bring some extra cash so you can grab a cab if you want too, if the buses are taking too long; its well worth it..and I doubt a cab would be needed everyday I love the POR foodcourt, certain sections have a very nice atmosphere. The rooms are very nice, I like the Mansion section better myself. You'll have a great time!

To Dimples, I'm sorry your Mom got hurt and the staff wasn't helpful. I've had hotel CMs not be helpful myself. I don't think any of the hotels have first aid stations, only the parks do as far as I know. That may be why the can only offer to call 911. I pack a first aid kit on trips and we've used it many times Hope your next trip is better!

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

We just got back Sunday from our trip to POR last week...so sad to be home! We had a great time! POR was very quiet and relaxing! It is very spread out though...I got lost all the time. We were in the Alligator Bayou section, as per my boys request and they loved it! The pool is awesome, we couldn't get them out of it! We had a car so I can't commment on the transportation. All the cast member we dealt with were extremely nice & helpful. We had towel animals all week and they posed the boy's stuffed animals different everyday...they loved it!!!
We went over to the french Quarters side and did not like it as much as we liked POR.
Overall I give it a thumbs up! I wish I was back there!

 

[klwdisney]

We just returned on Saturday from our trip to POR. We LOVED it! Sure there were occasional issues. Our luggage from ME didn't arrive till 1:40 am (we checked in around 9 pm) and our grocery order didn't show up till almost 11 pm and housekeeping was less than spectacular. But overall we loved it. The grounds are beautiful! We got a free upgrade to a riverfront kingbed room. The staff was pleasant. My DH made friends with the bartenders at both the pool bar and the hotel bar. There is entertainment in the hotel bar that's fun and family-friendly. Food is good and there is a good amount of choices. I loved coming back from the parks to relax on the smoking bench (im quitting so don't yell at me!) and just watch the river at night with the lazy music playing in the background. Busses were good... MUCH better than at our last stay at POP!! We stood maybe 3 times the whole week and they came pretty constantly. We saw lots of neat birds and lizards and bunnies and stuff too! There was a quiet pool near our room but we were also not far from the main pool. I did laundry one day and found the facility clean and in good working order.

I haven't had time to upload my pictures or I would've posted some. We were in Room 3821 in Aligator Bayou which was a corner room with 2 windows!


We had a wonderful time! We were very sad to leave. You'll have a great time too!!! Im staying at POFQ in May with my mom and Im sad I won't be back at POR.

 

[bonkers]

The resort is okay but the buses are terrible when the resort is packed.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Thanks for these links. I was already considering modifying the end of our stay, DH really can't handle that much fun...lol..and the closer to Christmas, the worse the crowds. I was NOT aware of the bus situation, so now that you have clued me in, I will ask for a room near the first stop...or maybe I should switch to POFQ..I may consider that, at least I am familiar with FQ and we like it alot, just thought of trying something different. But as I have learned, different isn't always better. something to think about.

Thanks for the help y'all!

You are way better off just renting a car and driving to the parks, that way you have control over coming and going when you want no waiting for overcrowded loud stinky busses. It is well worth it.

The resort itself is lovely and romantic. Boatwrights has great breakfasts and dinners.

and of course you have the boat to DTD which is a nice trip.

I will be there Nov 14 - 20 myself I have done both the mansions and the bayou, I prefer the mansions. but both are ok.