OMG...What's Wrong With POR??

dreamscometrue

dreamscometrue

Well-Known Member
We just got back from another magical 11 day vacation at the world. As is always the case, I felt blessed for every minute that I was able to be there enjoying time with family and friends. I did have one issue however and was hoping that someone on these boards could provide some explanation or insight.

We decided to split our vacation between one of our favourite resorts (Coronado Springs) and one we'd always heard great things about (Port Orleans Riverside). We decided quickly that we like CSR much more for the theming and The Pepper Market (best food court on property), but that's just our personal preference. What each of us noticed separately, and talked about on our way home, was how dirty POR was. Besides chipped paint, missing fountain fixtures, plants in need of help, etc. what was far more disappointing was all the trash, cigarette butts, ketchup packets, branches, etc. that were on the walking paths, steps of the mansion, landings, etc. It was everywhere, and there was lots of it! Nothing was picked up during our entire stay! We never saw anyone sweeping, pruning, cleaning the gounds, etc. During our last 2 trips which saw us at POP and CSR and during the first part of this trip at CSR, the property was very clean. At POR, we couldn't belive we were on property because it was so dirty and in need of TLC in so many locations.

Has anyone else noticed this at POR or was it just a really, really bad week to visit? Also, does anyone have any explanation as to why so much garbage was left all over for days when we never experienced anything even close to that dirty at any of the other 5 resorts we stayed at?
 
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cheezedoodle20

Member
we have stayed there before and it was beautiful. We noticed the entire stay how clean and all they were doing was planting new flowers or cleaning, it had to be a fluke. Sorry for the bad experience
 
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figmentmom

figmentmom

Well-Known Member
I'm very, very surprised!!! Family members of mine were just there in November, and commented on how beautifully maintained everything was (and these are people who are FUSSY, mind you).

Sorry you didn't have the same experience.
 
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dreamscometrue

dreamscometrue

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Glad to hear that it was likely just a fluke. I don't like to believe that it could have remained like this for too long. I'm sure every resort goes through brief periods of really needing some TLC.

BTW, it didn't ruin our stay...the room was clean, the place was fun and the staff was friendly. We are quite laid back, always try to have a positive attitude, and were thankful to be at WDW as a family, instead of at work! :)
 
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fizzle75

fizzle75

New Member
We have never actually stayed at POR but we spent the better part of a day checking out the place back in October and we fell in love with it. I didn't notice any of the things you mentioned, it was gorgeous and very well maintained. And, just to add my two cents, I think that the food court at POR is the best on property. I've heard lots of negative reviews on the Pepper market at Coronado, I would still love to visit it though. Also, the gift shop at POR riverside is the best resort gift shop in my opinion as well...except for maybe Zawadi Marketplace at AKL.

If it didn't take so many DVC points to stay at a non DVC resort my wife and I would stay at POR in a heartbeat.
 
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figmentmom

figmentmom

Well-Known Member
dreamscometrue said:
Glad to hear that it was likely just a fluke. I don't like to believe that it could have remained like this for too long. I'm sure every resort goes through brief periods of really needing some TLC.

BTW, it didn't ruin our stay...the room was clean, the place was fun and the staff was friendly. We are quite laid back, always try to have a positive attitude, and were thankful to be at WDW as a family, instead of at work! :)
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Well, I'm glad you didn't let it didn't ruin your trip!

Here's hoping your NEXT visit to WDW will be even better. :wave:
 
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dreamscometrue

dreamscometrue

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
figmentmom said:
Well, I'm glad you didn't let it didn't ruin your trip!

Here's hoping your NEXT visit to WDW will be even better. :wave:
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Thanks. All of our trips to WDW are wonderful. It truly is a magical place.

Our next 2 trips are this summer at BCV and Christmas at AKL (we are new DVC members). Although we have never stayed at either, we are really looking forward to staying at these resorts too!
 
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skeeder

skeeder

New Member
My husband and I visited POR in October. We spent several hours exploring and we ate at the food court. We loved POR. The food court was excellent and we loved the gift shop. We also walked around and enjoyed the scenery. It was beautiful and none of what you described. We would love to stay there but we would have to pay instead of using points so that probably won't happen.
 
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dreamscometrue

dreamscometrue

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
fizzle75 said:
We have never actually stayed at POR but we spent the better part of a day checking out the place back in October and we fell in love with it. I didn't notice any of the things you mentioned, it was gorgeous and very well maintained. And, just to add my two cents, I think that the food court at POR is the best on property. I've heard lots of negative reviews on the Pepper market at Coronado, I would still love to visit it though. Also, the gift shop at POR riverside is the best resort gift shop in my opinion as well...except for maybe Zawadi Marketplace at AKL.

If it didn't take so many DVC points to stay at a non DVC resort my wife and I would stay at POR in a heartbeat.
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Our entire travel group has become passionate defenders of The Pepper Market. :) We had read some negative as well about eating there, but during our 2 stays at CSR, we ate there (breakfast, lunch and dinner) about a dozen times and found it wonderful every single time. We have found the selection, quality and serving sizes much better than the other 5 food courts at which we have dined.

Don't be afraid to try The Pepper Market. :)
 
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mousermerf

mousermerf

Account Suspended
dreamscometrue said:
Our entire travel group has become passionate defenders of The Pepper Market. :) We had read some negative as well about eating there, but during our 2 stays at CSR, we ate there (breakfast, lunch and dinner) about a dozen times and found it wonderful every single time. We have found the selection, quality and serving sizes much better than the other 5 food courts at which we have dined.

Don't be afraid to try The Pepper Market. :)
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Since Rix opened, the added Rix Cafe which is right nearby and has no gratuity and several offerings of grab-n-go stuff including some hot entrees. So, the old arguement against it being forced on you really is moot.
 
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dreamscometrue

dreamscometrue

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
mousermerf said:
Since Rix opened, the added Rix Cafe which is right nearby and has no gratuity and several offerings of grab-n-go stuff including some hot entrees. So, the old arguement against it being forced on you really is moot.
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That's a good point Merf. We found ourselves popping in to the Rix Cafe daily...typically for galato or massive biscuits, turnovers or muffins.

I actually don't mind the 10% charge at The Pepper Market. It's not because I am seated, brought my drinks and have my table cleared, it's because I think the food is at least 10% better (and larger) than any other food court. :)
 
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dreamscometrue

dreamscometrue

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
mousermerf said:
That was sort of a joke - suggesting this thread be submitted to the Mom's panel ;)

But, my last trip to POR was nice as i was in the mansion houses, but before that i was in Alligator Bayou and it was moldly, old, beaten up, and run down.
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Clued in after my reply. I should read before replying.

Have the Bayou rooms been redone now? Does WDW typically refurbish resorts on a schedule?
 
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DisneyPirate85

DisneyPirate85

New Member
We spent 5 days there in Dec (15-20) 2007, and I would have to agree it was a little gy. We were in Aligator Bayou and the walk back from Food Court was a little trash. Now Mousekeeping was EXCELLENT but grounds were little shabby, and we saw numerous grounds staff and even some Mowing but still could have used a good sweep....:shrug:
 
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Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Well-Known Member
dreamscometrue said:
Our entire travel group has become passionate defenders of The Pepper Market. :) We had read some negative as well about eating there, but during our 2 stays at CSR, we ate there (breakfast, lunch and dinner) about a dozen times and found it wonderful every single time. We have found the selection, quality and serving sizes much better than the other 5 food courts at which we have dined.

Don't be afraid to try The Pepper Market. :)
Click to expand...

Be afraid of the price :cry:
 
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dreamscometrue

dreamscometrue

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Space Mountain said:
Be afraid of the price :cry:
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For the quality and quantity, the price is not at all out of line. After eating several times in the food courts of all 6 resorts at which we've stayed, I can confidently state that the portions are significantly larger at the Pepper Market and everything we tried is of higher quality. You get what you pay for.

Also, you can now visit the neighboring Rix Cafe for take out (as well as Pepper Market take out) and leave with gigantic tea biscuits, muffins, pastries, excellent sandwiches, etc.
 
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