Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part Three --- NOW FULL / CLOSED

[canadiankitten]

I am so excited! We are about 12 days out from our stay at POR!!!!!!!! I am beyond excited, DH and I booked a garden view room, and requested a mansions location. Here's hoping!!! We are going for our 5th anniversary, and thought that the mansions section would be a little more romantic!
Thank you to everyone who has posted such awesome ideas and comments about the resort!

 

[macadoo]

Very early planning i know (good to be organised ) wondering what toiletries we will get at POR? Is it the same as the values a shampoo/conditioner and soap bar?

 

[macadoo]

Returned on Monday from a short 3 night stay. Thanks to Venomhatch for the great advice. We requested building 16, closest to food court without being preferred. We were given an upgrade into a pool view corner room. It was great, my sons loved the pull down beds. We enjoyed the pool, food court, lounge, and surrey bikes. The buses were fine and we took the boat back from DTD. All in all it was a great stay and we were very happy with our decision. Thanks again to Venom and all the wonderful people who post here. Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi sgarvey1 - did you find building 16 was a better choice than 17? We haven't booked for preferred and thinking 16 or 17 would be a good choice if we are in AB

 

[JStiffler]

Very early planning i know (good to be organised ) wondering what toiletries we will get at POR? Is it the same as the values a shampoo/conditioner and soap bar?

The shampoo and conditioner were in separate bottles and bars of soap.

 

[bartleyosu]

Just checked in at Riverside! Task about pixie dust! Will at front desk made our day. We had a one night Res then package one royal one not. He upgraded us to all royal gardens and ground floor for scooter, and it was ready! It is beautiful here.

 

[awfullybigadventure]

Just checked in at Riverside! Task about pixie dust! Will at front desk made our day. We had a one night Res then package one royal one not. He upgraded us to all royal gardens and ground floor for scooter, and it was ready! It is beautiful here.

That is awesome Pixie Dust! Have a fantastic trip and a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[WDW1979]

The fact that people are saying they've stayed in numerous deluxe hotels and prefer POR over all others has me very, very excited for our July 2013 vacation.

Hi Kevin, I have the same feeling as some others on the Disney deluxe resorts vs. Port Orleans Riverside/POR (though I sometimes call it by its former name 'Dixie Landings'): I have stayed at GF, WL & VWL, Contemporary, Polynesian, BC & BCV, and while each of those deluxes is wonderful and special in its own way, my fav resort is POR due to its beautiful, wide-ranging and relaxing grounds. Lush vegetation, peaceful walkways, a river, little bridges over little streams...plus the Riverside Mill counter service cafeteria/restaurant is pleasantly themed and offers lots of choice, and there are many swimming pools...POR is tops! Relaxing, de-stressing, and pretty. POR is a real treat. I first stayed at POR in 1997, and have stayed there on eight of my many Disney vacations over the years.

Though the resort is peaceful at all hours, it is especially so in the early morning hours just after sunrise, and in the evening with pretty lights along the walkways. Go for walks at POR early in the a.m., and also late in the p.m. and you will wish for time to stop. I am happy just thinking about the place.

 

[andrewilley]

Just checked in at Riverside! Task about pixie dust! Will at front desk made our day. We had a one night Res then package one royal one not. He upgraded us to all royal gardens and ground floor for scooter, and it was ready! It is beautiful here.

Wonderful, that sounds like the start of a really magical trip - do let us know how the rest of your stay goes.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends by the way. (If anyone who is at POR at the moment has a chance to check to see if Boatwright's is doing any special meal options today, and maybe grab a photo of the menu, that'd be really useful!)

Andre

 

[KarBear]

Thinking of staying at POR in the Royal Rooms (first time staying at POR).
How far of a walk will the main pool be from these rooms? I don't mind the walk but when we go in August it is so darn hot that the heat gets to me.

Also I read that the bus stop closest to the Royal rooms is the last pick up on the bus route, which translates crowded sardine style room only. Do you find that to be true? Would it be better to walk over to the main building to get on the bus there. I am most worried about getting to MK.
We have stayed at CBR and AKL before. Loved the buses from AKL but CBR after the first two stops there was no other room on the buses, even though they went to every other stop anyway and the people waiting for the buses couldn't get on. I wouldn't want to be in that position?
Any thoughts?
I really can't afford AKL without free dining.

 

[firstwdw]

Also thinking of Port Orleans for a May trip. Sitting at home with stomach flu while hubby and kiddo are off at relatives for Thanksgiving and thought some planning would brighten my day! Disney helps everything feel better, right?
We are a family of 3 and want the AB section close to everything- pool, food court and bus stop( prefer not standing on bus). Is it absolutely necessary to book and pay extra for preferred or are there a few buildings we could request that are not preferred but still close to everything?

 

[Clamesa]

We just returned tonight from POR and we were very pleased with the beauty of the resort and every single cast member we encounter was really nice and ready to help or answer any question. I'll post details next week.

 

[Clamesa]

Thinking of staying at POR in the Royal Rooms (first time staying at POR).
How far of a walk will the main pool be from these rooms? I don't mind the walk but when we go in August it is so darn hot that the heat gets to me.

Also I read that the bus stop closest to the Royal rooms is the last pick up on the bus route, which translates crowded sardine style room only. Do you find that to be true? Would it be better to walk over to the main building to get on the bus there. I am most worried about getting to MK.
We have stayed at CBR and AKL before. Loved the buses from AKL but CBR after the first two stops there was no other room on the buses, even though they went to every other stop anyway and the people waiting for the buses couldn't get on. I wouldn't want to be in that position?
Any thoughts?
I really can't afford AKL without free dining.

We had a room in the farthest part of Oak Manor, Garden view but almost parking view, the closest bus stop is the East Depot stop and yes is the last one, we used just on the way back and waited for the buses at the South Depot stop and it was only a 6 minutes walk with a kindergarden in slow motion. We never waited more than 5 minutes for any bus and the ones for Magic Kingdom are always coming and going.

 

[Clamesa]

Just checked in at Riverside! Task about pixie dust! Will at front desk made our day. We had a one night Res then package one royal one not. He upgraded us to all royal gardens and ground floor for scooter, and it was ready! It is beautiful here.

When you posted I was outside waiting for the Magic Express to take us to the airport.

 

[bartleyosu]

Wonderful, that sounds like the start of a really magical trip - do let us know how the rest of your stay goes.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends by the way. (If anyone who is at POR at the moment has a chance to check to see if Boatwright's is doing any special meal options today, and maybe grab a photo of the menu, that'd be really useful!)

Andre

Didn't get picture but both had turkey dinner, mashed, sweet potato, cranberry, green beans, choice of pie, boat was $25, mill $15, it was great

 

[4-everDisneyFan]

We are arriving this evening! Very excited!!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

We are arriving this evening! Very excited!!!!

Very exciting! Hope you have a magical time at POR!

 

[andrewilley]

Didn't get picture but both had turkey dinner, mashed, sweet potato, cranberry, green beans, choice of pie, boat was $25, mill $15, it was great

Nice that Riverside Mill had a turkey offering too (extra to their usual carving station items I assume?). Didn't think they'd let folks down.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Nice that Riverside Mill had a turkey offering too (extra to their usual carving station items I assume?). Didn't think they'd let folks down.

Andre

Hey Andre how have you been? When is your next visit planned?

 

[andrewilley]

Hey Andre how have you been? When is your next visit planned?

Pretty good, bit busy at work though! I've been trying to trawl through about 2,000 photos which need sorting and adding to my site, but it's a slow process!

We're back in February, for President's Week (I know, I know - but it's for my sister-in-law's 30th birthday, and also needed to fit around school break week for DD too).

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Pretty good, bit busy at work though! I've been trying to trawl through about 2,000 photos which need sorting and adding to my site, but it's a slow process!

We're back in February, for President's Week (I know, I know - but it's for my sister-in-law's 30th birthday, and also needed to fit around school break week for DD too).

Andre

Thats right well you will have to let me know the dates. Maybe we can meet up!

I know all about sifting through photos also. Can get a bit crazy.