Trying really hard to have an open mind about POR

[PolyAddict]

I know we have alot of POR lovers out there, so please NO FLAMES!!


I know I am being selfish and should just be happy that I am going after a year and a half hiatus(spelling?).

I just REALLY hoped to upgrade to CR this trip but can't pull another $1000 out of my pockets.

My problem with POR is two-fold... 1. I stayed there already back in 1997 and I was looking forward to trying somewhere I haven't been. 2. After staying POLY concierge, is there anything else?

All Dis'ers who know my PAIN, please offer advice for my aching heart.

Thanks

Michele

 

[Selket]

I loved POFQ when we stayed there and I'd think POR is the same. Very nice that you can share the amenities of both resorts!

Have you looked into buying an AP to get the $100 a night discount off the Deluxe rooms? We're paying not much more than rack rate at a moderate to stay at the CR wing room.

 

[oogieboogie]

If you've stayed at POR and want to try something new, how about POFQ instead? It's a very compact resort and quite nice.

Or how bout Wilderness Lodge or AKL? It's not the Poly but it's the cheapest deluxe.

 

[PolyAddict]

I loved POFQ when we stayed there and I'd think POR is the same. Very nice that you can share the amenities of both resorts!

Have you looked into buying an AP to get the $100 a night discount off the Deluxe rooms? We're paying not much more than rack rate at a moderate to stay at the CR wing room.

Thanks for the reply, yes I did do the AP but I booked POR b/c I could afford it at the rack rate and was hoping for a room discount to upgrade. It just couldn't upgrade from 149 POR rack to 199 CR AP, I had to take the discount at POR.

Thanks

Michele

 

[PolyAddict]

If you've stayed at POR and want to try something new, how about POFQ instead? It's a very compact resort and quite nice.

Or how bout Wilderness Lodge or AKL? It's not the Poly but it's the cheapest deluxe.

I wish I could, but we are a family of five and I can't stay at any of those resorts without getting 2 rooms.

Thanks

Michele

 

[ADisneygirl]

Just think about the fact that you will be at Disney! Hey, lots of people here on these boards dream of going, and you were just there less than 2 years ago. Try to look on the bright side of things. I understand how it feels too -- we love to stay at the BWI, but can we stay there everytime we go? No. We make an adventure out of trying new resorts. I think since you have already been to POR, you should re-book at the POFQ. We stayed there and thought it was lovely. It was our first mod. We were impressed. Worst part to me is no interior hallways and no room service, but hey, when you're at Disney no day can be all that bad!

Hope you have a wonderful trip!


P.S sorry, didn't see your post about having 5. POR will be fun! I just know it!

 

[ktink]

I feel your pain because we rebooked our package from a split stay @ WL and Poly and downgraded to POR w/ dining and saved $700. I just couldn't justify spending more money and not having our food paid for. POR seems to be beautiful and I'm actually excited especially knowing there are alot of DIS POR lovers. I'm sure all will work out for us though. I'm sure you'll have a lovely stay.

 

[Nolcrest]

Maybe consider CSR. Seems like everyone feels that it is more like a Deluxe lite resort. Offers more amenities and it has an awesome pool area.

 

[CPer'sMom]

I just returned from a short visit ~ stayed at POFQ, the first time in over 10 years that I've stayed at a moderate resort. Deluxe is usually the only way we go ..... BWI, YC/BC, Poly. But since it was just me going down to visit my CP daughter I decided to stay where I could save a bit of money on the room.
I have to say that I LOVED the FQ The rooms were clean and fresh, river view was great (nice and quiet), the resort grounds beautiful. I would definitely stay there again. IMO, the only "drawback" is that it isn't on the Boardwalk!!!

 

[manhattan]

Know your ache.....I would love to be able to go, just don't have the first $1,000 for it right now. Although, we are in the same situation, we love the Poly, but will probably have to do POR as we are a family of five. Only stayed once at the AB for one night only and I do remember stepping out and seeing how pretty it was, we had a garden view, very nice. We have stayed at the mansions other times and we love walking around, renting a bike and just riding around the grounds. And the fact that it is the sister resort to our favorite moderate, makes it that much more appealing.

 

[Lizzybee]

Even though I love POR I can understand your pain, if I was told I had to stay somewhere besides POR I'd be sad too. Anyway, I'll spread some pixie dust your way that either you can manage to get just what you want and if not that what you do have pleases you in ways you didn't even expect!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

If you have already stayed at POR, why not try a different moderate? We have stayed at CSR and CBR and have found both to be great!! We prefer CSR b/c of the relaxed atmosphere, food court, gym/spa and overall theme. Why not try a different moderate so you can still get 2 rooms and not be disappointed b/c you already stayed there? Just a suggestion.

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

I know your pain. Its bittersweet. I haved planned and dreamed for 9 years! I have always wanted to stay at POR or POFQ. We finally booked a trip for 10 nights at POR late May.....THEN my husband got a promotion and couldnt take the time off. In fact we only had 4 days available to us the 2nd week of May. Well its our 10 year anniversary so WE are going. Unfortunately all the mods are completely booked. So, we are staying at POP. And because its last minute there are no tables left at CIndys for lunch or dinner. And I have to squeeze all of my dreams into 4 days. Who knows when we'll ever be back. But you know what...I am going to Disneyworld!!!! And a few nights at Pop is still A LOT better than sitting at home and looking at pictures of my dream resort on the internet. Have a great trip!

 

[manhattan]

DisneyDreamer2- try stopping by Cindys, you never know if you can get in. We went during July 4th weekend and surprisingly enough we were able to get in for lunch without any reservations.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, you already know what to expect at POR and how it differs from the Polynesian. So, that's a plus. You know that the room is going to be smaller and you will be a little cramped in there with 5 of you. But, honestly, I think you'll still have a terrific time. I mean...you're in WDW!!! Try not to compare POR to the Polynesian too much. In your estimation, it will suffer. But, I have to say that we actually prefer POR. If it weren't for the ease of transportation at the Polynesian it would be no contest. In fact, when we stayed at the Polynesian, my then 10 y/o dd, who had always wanted to stay there, said to me.."Well, it's nice and all but it just doesn't seem as magical as DxL does!!!" Obviously, different strokes for different folks.
Have a great trip. It's always good to be in WDW, no matter where you're laying your head at night!!!

 

[c&m]

I know how the OP feels. Our last trip to WDW was spent at the Dolphin. It was so nice and had a nice "deluxe" feel to it all. Our Easter spring break 2005 trip had to be downgraded a bit because we brought the DDs (meaning, more WDW passes to buy) and couldn't justify the extra cost of the Dolphin.

We chose a moderate (POR) and I agonized for months about it, asking questions here on the Resorts board. Well, I worried about nothing. The resort itself is beautiful. Our room in AB 15 was newly renovated. It was one of the last buildings to be reno-ed, so by the time we got there, we were only the 2nd visitors in that room. The room was fresh and clean. We were close to the bus depot, food court, pools, and laundry. The boat to DTD was wonderful! And our mousekeeper took great care of us!

The differences between the Dolphin and POR are obvious -- no interior corridors, no proximity to the Boardwalk and Epcot, no queen size beds, and probably a zillion more details. But we barely noticed. Too busy at the parks everyday and spending time at the pool that we mostly came back to the room to shower and sleep.

I don't think the OP will be disappointed. I have posted our pics so you can get an idea how clean and nicely themed the room is.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[lucky978]

C&M -

Thanks for the pictures! Were those in one of the newly renovated rooms? It looks like it. What building did you stay in?

 

[c&m]

All the rooms are now renovated in POR. We stayed in AB 15, which was one of the last buildings to complete renovation. I believe they were completed a week or 2 before we arrived during Easter week.

 

[PolyAddict]

thanks so much for the responses...

What I am doing this trip is more sit down meals, hopefully one a day.

That was something we didn't do when we stayed POLY conc.

I will not try to compare the two as someone suggested. The pictures look great!!

Thanks Again Guys

Michele

 

[barbaraann]

Some people like to go to WDW and have the same resort experience each time. I myself like to go and stay at a different resort each time. Each resort is different and to me it's like taking a vacation to a different part of the world. The plus is that you have the theme parks there too, to make your vacation even more terrific. Don't think about what you are missing, enjoy what you have.