RamVA
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2000
LOVED Portofino Bay! Thanks to tips on this board got a rate of $145 (using Entertainment card, and some kind of even lower rate in effect when we called for ressies) for Portofino and stayed 2 nights. Was a little worried because of some posts we had seen about people being "walked" from this hotel--but no problems! This hotel is wonderful; it is at least a 4 star hotel--very luxurious, and absolutely wonderful theming. You feel like you are in a hotel situated in a little Italian fishing village. There is a plaza out back where you can sit and have coffee, dessert, etc. from the many little eateries around the perimeter, watch the ducks and the boats running to the parks, and there are "permanent" little fishing boats moored in the bay of the lake looking like there ready for tomorrow's fish catch! The main pool and hot tubs are wonderful (waterfalls coming down the rock walls of the hot tubs), and there are 2 other "quiet" pools that we didn't use. Inside is very elegant--crystal chandeliers, marble, etc. Rooms are provided with complimentary bathrobes, a mini-bar (yes, expensive, but they all are)huge bathroom, with of course hair dryer, scales (if you want to weigh yourself!) phone in bathroom, safe in room, iron, etc., etc. The staff, contrary to what I had read here, was completely and totally professional, friendly, and courteous--EVERYONE! Quick to respond, to help; always a smile; we were made to feel very important, and very welcome. I can't say enough about our positive experience here, and plan on staying here again.
We wanted to stay here because of FOTL access; We are die-hard Disney nuts, and NEVER go off-property. FOTL is a brilliant, fantastic marketing idea, and a great perk. It definitey spoils you. I hope they keep this, because it is what lured us to them in the first place. We did both parks in 2 days with no problem. We were there June 20, and 21. Although the crowds are nothing like at WDW, the lines for rides are still long, and there is no way we could have done them all without FOTL--and many in IOA we did several times! My embarrassment level using it was very low; you use the same line as express pass people, and everybody has that option open to them. We literally walked right on many rides, and if we did have to wait it was never for more than 10 minutes! Since we are such avid WDW park nuts, don't know if we would go again without FOTL, and intend to write management to let them know this. It's not like Disney, where Fastpass really affects the stand-by line; there are so fewer people using express/FOTL in ratio to people in standby, that is doesn't really slow down the regular line.
This is long, so will do a separate thread on specific park information and experiences. Please feel free to ask any questions that I may not have answered.
We wanted to stay here because of FOTL access; We are die-hard Disney nuts, and NEVER go off-property. FOTL is a brilliant, fantastic marketing idea, and a great perk. It definitey spoils you. I hope they keep this, because it is what lured us to them in the first place. We did both parks in 2 days with no problem. We were there June 20, and 21. Although the crowds are nothing like at WDW, the lines for rides are still long, and there is no way we could have done them all without FOTL--and many in IOA we did several times! My embarrassment level using it was very low; you use the same line as express pass people, and everybody has that option open to them. We literally walked right on many rides, and if we did have to wait it was never for more than 10 minutes! Since we are such avid WDW park nuts, don't know if we would go again without FOTL, and intend to write management to let them know this. It's not like Disney, where Fastpass really affects the stand-by line; there are so fewer people using express/FOTL in ratio to people in standby, that is doesn't really slow down the regular line.
This is long, so will do a separate thread on specific park information and experiences. Please feel free to ask any questions that I may not have answered.
I don't think I could change it without my son having a fit, though. He just LOVED the coolness of the HR. Me, on the other hand, kept peering at the PBH across the street and saying "one day"... ::sigh::
