Not sold on POR; can I vent?

[VWL Mom]

Sorry things are off to a rough start. Personally I find downgrading you and simply issuing a credit unacceptable and not very magical. If they overbooked then they should be finding you accommodations that are equal or better than your booking. I would take the time to speak to a supervisor today and let them know how disappointed you are, it is their error and they can make this right.

[Melanie]

I've never heard of a downgrade either, and am really surprised that was their solution for what was apparently their mistake. I second Lynn's suggestion of speaking to someone today. Don't let another day pass.

I'm sorry you aren't loving POR. I feel in love with it again last summer and can't wait to get back. We were in the mansions section, and I'm assuming you are in the Bayou since you are sleeping 5. The refurbbed rooms looked great though. Glad you are having a magical vacation otherwise. Please....talk to someone today!

[Pirate Granny]

My friend was asked if she would accept a roll out in the Mansion instead of the pull down bed...they leaped at that offer...yes, they had to close every morning to get around in the room...but avoided staying at AB, which she didn't like, but needed the extra bed. Take a walk over to the FQ...it's a nice walk. And POR food court has the best options of all except for A of A.

[BrerGnat]

Aw man, that is such a bummer. I'm sorry you aren't feeling the magic.

I would also recommend going back to front desk, but I HAVE heard of them "downgrading" people. It does happen. At least they were upfront about it and refunded you instead of sending you off to your room and not saying anything. Still, though, I understand the disappointment. If they are so booked that they had to downgrade you, though, you might not have much luck getting into another room, particularly since you have 5 in your family.

FYI, you should have called Housekeeping. They would have brought the extra blanket right away. I've had that happen before at a Disney resort and it was no problem.

FWIW, I love WL too, but my last stay there started off quite UN Magical. I had some room issues as well. They did get resolved, but it kind of soured my impression of the WL, knowing I could end up in one of those bad rooms again next time...

I also really like POR, but last time we stayed there, we were in an Alligator Bayou building that was practically in Epcot, so I hear you on the long walking over there. I wouldn't return unless I could book a Preferred Room in the future.

[BrerGnat]

Sorry things are off to a rough start. Personally I find downgrading you and simply issuing a credit unacceptable and not very magical. If they overbooked then they should be finding you accommodations that are equal or better than your booking. I would take the time to speak to a supervisor today and let them know how disappointed you are, it is their error and they can make this right.

I totally agree with this. I think it's worth a shot to try to get walked over to another resort that sleeps 5. However, seeing as how the main complaint is due to the view being downgraded (but nothing else), I have my doubts that they will be too sympathetic. Really, the difference between Garden and Standard view is really nothing major. It's not like they were downgraded from a preferred building to a non preferred.

Unfortunately, all resort reservations carry some language to the effect that a room reservation just gets you a ROOM on property...any room, not specifically the one you reserved. It's how Disney covers themselves. They can technically put you anywhere they want, and you have "agreed" to it already via acceptance of the room reservation terms and conditions.

This is where the resort management gets a chance to shine. OP, go talk to the Front Desk Manager. Kindly request alternate accommodations that will more closely meet your family's needs.

Good luck!

[Lindsey310]

Sorry things are off to a rough start. Personally I find downgrading you and simply issuing a credit unacceptable and not very magical. If they overbooked then they should be finding you accommodations that are equal or better than your booking. I would take the time to speak to a supervisor today and let them know how disappointed you are, it is their error and they can make this right.

Totally agree! I wouldn't have accepted the downgrade. As for us, we stayed there one night in dec 2011 and the first room they tried to put us in was really dumpy and stuffy/moldy smelling so we told them we needed to move and so they put us in the newly renovated rooms which actually turned out to be great! Loveeeeee the food court and just sitting outside in the back where the boat takes off. It is very relaxing and peaceful. And yeehaa bob is a great way to spend an evening after a long day at the parks.

[Tigger68]

Maybe I shouldn't have accepted the downgraded room. I'm not overly argumentative. I did state how disappointed I was but the lady checking us in could have cared less. She just said there was nothing they could do except refund the difference. We had a 6 a.m. flight; we were tired and wanted to get started with our vacation.
And yes I could have called housekeeping right away about the missing blanket but it was Midnight by the time we saw our room and got ready for bed. I called in the morning and we got our blanket. Our Mousskeeping has been awesome -complete with towel animals!

[Quadstriker]

Just go watch Bob Jackson and you'll forget about anything bad that's happened. Best entertainer at WDW.

[BrerGnat]

Maybe I shouldn't have accepted the downgraded room. I'm not overly argumentative. I did state how disappointed I was but the lady checking us in could have cared less. She just said there was nothing they could do except refund the difference. We had a 6 a.m. flight; we were tired and wanted to get started with our vacation.
And yes I could have called housekeeping right away about the missing blanket but it was Midnight by the time we saw our room and got ready for bed. I called in the morning and we got our blanket. Our Mousskeeping has been awesome -complete with towel animals!

I understand. I usually don't like to argue/complain either. I'm glad things are going well. Sometimes, you do just need to vent, nothing wrong with that!

Take the $78 you were refunded and go do something fun with it! Rent a pontoon boat at the marina and drive your family to Downtown Disney or something. POR really is a beautiful resort if you give it a chance.

[tazlikesrobots]

A bad day at Disney still beats a good day a the office! POR is a bit spread out, but I've always loved the scenic walks there....

[disneydeb]

We enjoyed our stay there in December, but then we were not downgraded. I am so sorry you have been disappointed.

[Katzateer]

That stinks you were downgraded - they should have given you some type of upgrade if what you booked wasn't available.

We have not been disappointed in booking 2 value rooms to have the extra room. Used to stay at POR when it was Dixie Landings and first opened. Loved it. When our girls got older and my MIL was still coming with us, we switched to values for more room.

A couple of years ago we had to stay at POR ( we were with a performance group and they tell you where you have to stay) and for the price difference from the value it wasn't worth it for us. My youngest hated the pullout bed.

And I didn't like the food court as well as I had when it first opened. We weren't able to go to Boatwrights because it wasn't open the times we were at the resort to eat. I remember the food there being very good so was hoping to try it again.
Hope the rest of your trip is great!