Well, Ain't That Fancy Schmancy! (Not So Much.) A Sept. '13 PTR. Shock-UPDATED 7/2!

[beachphotog]

So exciting to think of a DISmeet!

I'm glad that Sawyer is feeling better. Stinky that he had the infection.

Ok, so I am totally with you on the resort changing issues. I've been through that whole thing and my theory has become "well, at least I'm in Disney..." but it doesn't really lessen the sting. However, Disney IS still Disney... With that said, I stayed at POR on my first trip back to Disney in 2009 and really liked it. We stayed in Magnolia Bend and really liked the ambience and theming.
I know it's frustrating to see all your plans changing, but just remind yourself that you will be in Disney with your family! Oh, and meeting me...

 

[Lpriest]

Hey Jen I'm quietly following along. Love all the PTR planning. The planning is almost my favorite part. I think you will love the lion king suites and where they are located its very convenient to the main pool, bus stop and food court but there is no pool directly outside your window to keep the kids up late cause there is absolutely NO soundproof to the walls they do show the movies under the stars in the lion king courtyard so that may or may not be good for your family. I've never stayed at POR but my best friend stays there every year and refuses to try anywhere new she says there can't be anywhere better. PS Glad Sawyer is doing good cant wait to hear more.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Aw poor Sawyer! I'm glad he's doing okay though. Nothing scarier than a little person in the hospital!

Grr that is a frustrating story of resort changes. I'm sorry things were aligned so much not in your favor.

However, here's my encouraging words:
1. You're going back to Disney yay!!!
2. Julia may be sad now (and you too!) but once you guys get there and see POR, I'm sure you'll enjoy it and forget about the sadness.
3. Now you just have an excuse for another Disney trip rotfl! You have more resorts you need to hit!

 

[lgjjp]

We have stayed at pors and I have to say it is my favorite resort. I would request a 1st floor room as they have no elevators in alligator bayou. Dragging luggage for 5 and double strollers upstairs is no fun!!

 

[katt789]

Ahaha, there is no problem with plugging an ad in there for your TR, that’s awesome! Also great that you decided while eating at CM that you would (try to?) do a stay there! Those are some great reasons to do the Contemp, I know that I would LOVE to be able to walk to MK, and the monorail, I mean, c’mon, it’s my love! Though the contemp doesn’t really appeal to me, I really want to do Bay Lake Tower, with an MK view of course, but that is just too much out of the price range!

Oh no!!! That makes NO sense that Nemo would be blocked out!! At least there’s Lion King! I mean, I would be pretty upset if I ended up in Cars, I mean, I know it’s just the theme of he room, but I just don’t care for cars and have never seen the movie!

Sucky about the Contemp view! Boourns. Aw man, I know those nights, those thoughts of not wanting to have to cancel or change anything. I’m really scared that FD isn’t going to work with what I have booked, and the last thing I want to do is change resorts. Eck. Glad that Sawyer’s okay though!

AHHH add in another bonus point to Port Orleans!! That’s where we’re staying!!! I mean, we are over at French Quarter (for now that is….if things work out with FD) So we’ll most likely get a chance to see each other!! I know we’ll be at the resort sometime in the afternoon on the day we arrive. I’m still deciding if I’m going to the MNSSHP that night, as Mom and her friend aren’t doing it, so I’ll be kicking around.

I can definitely get excited about saving that much money!! I do have to say, it’s a little ridiculous how expensive AoA is, like, really, it’s a freaking value, it should be cheaper than a deluxe, even if it is a suite. It’s insane, but glad you guys get to stay there for a bit, I’m sure the kids will love it, and even not in a Nemo suite at least you’ll get to check out the whole Nemo section and pool and stuff!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Try this and see if it doesn't make you feel better:

sorry, I cant get the link to post

But be sure to check out the POR thread, it will make you feel much better

 

[feistygalkmc]

I stayed at POR in Oct. 10(I think it was 10 lol could have been 09? ) and I fell in love with it. I was staying at FQ though. The room we got was in a perfect spot, close to the hot tub/pool, kiddie play area, laundry & a very short walk to the food court and bus stop. It is very relaxing and I found it to be peaceful.

I will be honest I didn't care for the food court. I didn't actually eat there but that is because I just didn't see anything on the menu that looked very good. I did try the beignets and they were just very......blah to me. They just didn't leave me as fulfilled as a funnel cake with that yummy fried goodness. lol However, I used that boat over to DTD several times. LOVED that. The pool is great for adults and kids.

 

[kimbo0569]

I can't wait to read more. I've been reading your latest TR and I finished the first one.

We are in the process of firming up our dates for September as well. Just have to decide on a place to stay and where we're going to eat. Dh made me promise though that if we have an early morning flight, I would not book an ADR for that night :::::sigh::::: I said that could be our Downtown Disney night, I guess. LOL.

I have an ADR problem. I just can't stop!! I'd have an ADR at DTD, too. Just couldn't resist it!

Hmm, now that's a possibility...Maybe I'll just make it a little later this time around...

 

[kimbo0569]

Glad to hear that Sawyer is okay...but still scary just the same.

We've stayed at POR the last two times and we loved it. Great atmosphere and my kids both loved it. We were there when my oldest was 2 1/2 and then again when she was 6 1/2 and my youngest was 3. They really enjoyed themselves. I think this time around, we're going to see if we can try the Coronado Springs, just because we've never stayed there before.

 

[ronnmel]

Ah man! That sucks about all the resort changes. At least Lion King is an awesome movie (my favorite) and Brynn will still get to see all the outside Nemo stuff. I hope you get the chance to try the Nemo pool as well.

I'm sorry to hear Sawyer was sick. I hope he's all better soon.

 

[shan23877]

Oh Jen I'm so sorry. That really stinks, but the CR will always be there-you can keep it on your list for next time.

Marita is right you should start following the POR Q&A thread. I've been lurking on it since we changed our reservation, and not one person has negative things to say about it.

Also you should check out SoNotAPrincess's most recent TR (she posts on my PTR). She loves POR and has so many amazing pics of the resort. Her TR is one of the main reasons that we switched from AoA to POR. (and after the dust settled, POR Royal Guest Room is cheaper than a LM room at AoA which I think is ridiculous. Isn't it a value? They had to know that this would be a popular resort. The prices are outrageous!)

And, if you need still more encouragement, try to find one of Marissa's (CandleontheWater) old TRs too. She also swears by POR.

The boat ride to DTD is awesome (from our experience at POFQ), the beignets are delish, and there are so many pools to choose from!

As for the LK switch-the rooms still look great, and Brynn can swim in the awesome Nemo pool!

Having said all that, I feel your pain. I'd be a sad, pouting fool right now. Hopefully by the time the trip rolls around you'll have been able to get genuinely excited about the resorts you've settled on. And, by then I hope to have many positive things to say about POR for you. Hang in there.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Hi I'm reading your current TR (and loving it) so I thought I'd stop in here too.

I'm glad that Sawyer is okay - that must have been so scary for you.

I'm sorry that your plans didn't pan out the way you wanted them to. It is true that many families don't get to go to Disney at all, but it still stinks that you had to change what you had your heart set on.

 

[oscarsmummy]

Oh that is disappointing when you have your heart set on something.We stayed at OKW and loved the boat to DTD, plus we went to the food court - riverside Mill it was great ate there a lot when stayed at OKW as quite close by car. $1100 is such a huge difference in price. We also ate a few times at the art of animation resort and had a good wonder round there what an amazing place. You have 2 great places to stay. When I looked into staying in one of the family suites I was shocked by how much it was, I agree it is almost priced as a deluxe. So not on our list for the moment but will look forward to finding out what its like to be a staying guest, rather than a resort lurker

 

[Tinker326]

So sorry to hear that your plans didn't quite work out the way you planned...

Disney really seems to be cutting back on any promotions due them being very profitable the last few years. I think we will continue to see less & less of them.

We are a family of 5- so we also struggled to find accomadations that would work for us & not completely make us broke (we ended up renting points for AK).

I think you'll be happy with your choices in the long run . POR is supposed to be beautiful & AoA will be fun! Can't beat that combo for both adults and kids!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Oh, the drama!

First, I'm glad Sawyer is OK and feeling better...that's the most important thing!

Second, boo hiss to having to miss out on the Contemporary this go 'round...I feel your pain because I adore CR!

But there is an upside! (With Disney, there almost always is!)

POR is an awesome resort...the absolute BEST (IMHO) food court, beautiful grounds, two great pools, and Yee Haw Bob! Alligator Bayou is closer to most of the amenities (pool, bus stops, food court, etc.). You may want to consider a ground floor room as I don't think the AB buildings have elevators. The resort has a very laid back vibe about it....I may be biased, but I think you guys will really enjoy it!

 

[tiggerfan77]

Sorry to hear about the room changes Glad to hear Sawyer is ok!
It sucks to get your hopes up and then have to make a change. It also sucks that as parents we worry so much about disappointing our kids and yet they are hardly phased most of the time! Lol! But I do like your choices though and keep your head up because there is always NEXT TIME!
Anyway, I did get to stay at Alligator Bayou two years ago. I didn't get one of the renovated rooms but I saw pics of the new ones and they look really cool! I must say that we LOVED POR! It was very peacefully and the pool was fantastic. I only have a few pictures on my Christmas report but you're more than welcome to check it out. (Hint, Hint) I wish our stay there was longer because it seemed to be alot to explore just on the property. We did get lost going to the bus stop so make sure you get your barrings straight before heading out to the parks. The food court was great and I loved the shop there with a boardwalk in the back. You won't be disappointed, I promise!

As a side note...I just joined Instagram and started following you as well

 

[marDgreen88]

Oh my gosh! I'm glad Sawyer is okay. And ya know what? I'm sure that someday the Contemporary will happen for yall! It's an awesome place, but the way I see it, as long as you get to go to Disney, you'll be happy anywhere! I've never stayed at POR... but I'll let you know what I think in a month.

 

[starann]

That's stinky about your changes......BUTTTTTTTTTTT at least you have something to look forward to on a future trip!

Will this change many of your park day/meal plans? Glad the kids were easy peasy lemon squeezy about the change of plans.

 

[inkedupmomma]

OH, I do not think those are bad changes at all! Then again I am a BIG fan of the Port Orleans resorts! As far as the AoA one, the big lure there is the cool atmosphere and pools, which you get no matter which section you stay Honestly though I think you will love love love POR! I'm particularly smitten with POFQ, but know that with baby coming we will have to switch to POR once baby reaches a certain age.

With that said, I think the rules that Disney goes by are RIDICULOUS.... 5% off one room but not the other..FD for one section but not the other?? Jeeesh. So much for magic and pixie dust. With THAT said, it's Disney, yall love it, you'll be fine in a broom closet, just like we would be. We've just become spoiled!

Hope little man is feeling better. Sick kids are just stressful! Jack sick during wedding/Disneymoon couldnt have been worse timing but we lived and tell a great story later

OK, gonna add you on IG too! Holla!

 

[dramaqueenemj22]

Hello,

I've personally never stayed at either of the resorts but my best friend stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and LOVED it when she was a little bit older then Julia is now.

I know that you and I followed each other on instagram but I just wanted to let you know who I am here on dis. So, I'm Judy_Judy94 on instagram. Thanks for the follow.