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

[pigletto]

I loved POR also......but I think for $200 less, I'd probably throw caution to the wind and try out POFQ. The food court decor scares me but you will have $200 to spend on tips at nicer restaurants.

Thank you! Its a tough decision because you *know* you'll be happy at one place but 200 is good money to us and it seems silly to waste it. I'll think on it a little more.
I really like the very lush and full landscaping at POR. I have only ever seen POFQ from the Ferry to DTD and to be honest that side of the resort at least seemed sparse. It was all lawn. But I really should reserve judgement because I haven't seen the rest of it.

 

[caa1277]

My DS is 12, all boy, and he thinks the rooms are kind of cool. The location of the ryal rooms is excellent. We stayed at Oak Manor before it was updated to Royal Rooms.

The Queen beds are also a big plus over the CBR doubles.

I'm pretty sure my daughter will love it, but my son, probably not so much. Oh well, we're hardly in the room that much anyway so its not that big of a deal. I'm kind of excited about it myself. LOL I have to agre with you about the queen beds too!

I went ahead and had our reservation switched over, which I am excited about. My travel agent also put us on a cancellation list, so if anyone cancels a regular room during our stay, she's going to grab it for us.

 

[macadoo]

Can you refill your mugs at Muddy Rivers pool bar? I was reading on another site that you can but hadn't heard this mentioned on here so wondering if this info is wrong?

 

[andrewilley]

Can you refill your mugs at Muddy Rivers pool bar? I was reading on another site that you can but hadn't heard this mentioned on here so wondering if this info is wrong?

No, sorry, it's just at the food court.

Andre

 

[DMGeurts]

Hi all! I have an either/or question for you.
A few months ago I booked our resort with a 35% off code at POR in a gardenview room. Fast forward to now and our dates are switching around a bit as we have some extra time and decided to go to Universal after Disney instead of before.
I can't keep the room we have as the extra days we need are no longer available.

However I have choices.. oh boy do I have choices

I'll try to be as concise as possible.

StayPlayDine is working out to be the cheapest because we are knocking it down to a one day ticket because we have AP's. (Free Dining actually comes in higher funnily enough)

So that being said all that is left at POR (where I really want to stay) is a Royal Garden View room for our dates.

I could also book a Garden View at POFQ for 200 dollars cheaper under the same discount.

I love POR and have wanted to go back for a long time. However, I don't have little girls ( I do have a 15year old girl and an 8 yr old boy). They would think the Royal Room was cute but it's not necessary.

So would you go for POR in the Royal Room .. when you know you love the resort? OR would you save the 200 for tips and go to POFQ where you have never stayed before?

I personally love the themeing of POR but I don't know if it's worth the extra 200. I don't think we'll get to use the pool much in February no matter where we stay, and we'll have a car so buses from either don't really matter. All opinions appreciated.

Thank you! Its a tough decision because you *know* you'll be happy at one place but 200 is good money to us and it seems silly to waste it. I'll think on it a little more.
I really like the very lush and full landscaping at POR. I have only ever seen POFQ from the Ferry to DTD and to be honest that side of the resort at least seemed sparse. It was all lawn. But I really should reserve judgement because I haven't seen the rest of it.

My girls and I stayed at FQ last trip, and I do have to say that we LOVED it. My girls were 13 & 14 at the time, and it was just a perfect resort. I loved how small it was, we were in bldg 6, and literally stepped out the door and the food court was right there... we were able to walk through bldg 4 to the bus stop - everything was so convenient. We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, as we LOVE FQ.

Believe it or not, there is a lot of grass there - especially surrounding the river, but the "alleys" are very quaint, and between the buildings and the trees, there is a lot of shade, and gardens everywhere. It's very beautiful. I am not sure that it's as lush as POR - but I really don't think you can go wrong with either resort.

D~

 

[luvlife]

I can't believe our trip is only one week away! I'm so excited, I think my family is ready to send me off early
I wanted to thank everyone for all of their help, this thread has been so wonderful in the planning of our trip.
The time that Andre and Venomhatch invest is invaluable to all of us

Thanks again

 

[andrewilley]

I can't believe our trip is only one week away! I'm so excited, I think my family is ready to send me off early
I wanted to thank everyone for all of their help, this thread has been so wonderful in the planning of our trip.
The time that Andre and Venomhatch invest is invaluable to all of us

You're welcome, glad we could all help. Have a great trip next week.

Andre

 

[sunnydays28]

I am terrible at reading maps and layouts, so help me out please.

We want a corner RGR for our 4 year old and do play to spend a decent amount of time in the pool and riding the boats to DTD, and a little time at POFQ. However we don't really care about the actual view out the window, we just want a corner room for the extra sunlight. But we don't want to pay extra just for a corner room.

Are all corner rooms Preferred rooms? What is the best standard RGR to choose to be convenient to the bus stops, pool, FQ and a corner room? Or am I hoping for too much?

Thanks!

 

[theEncode]

I know this is more of a personal preference, but I thought I would ask...I have a standard RGR booked for 9 nights in May/June. I do not have any requests linked to my initial reservation (didnt even know you could do that when I booked), but now I am considering adding some. My quesiton is this:

Would you prefer a corner room or one of the obstructed garden view rooms that are available?

Thanks!

 

[Moneypenny]

A have a question about getting a taxi from POR. We'll be arriving just over two weeks (yay! I can't wait to fax in my room request soon - then it will feel real.) My daughter is taking a Y.E.S. class that requires us to be at Animal Kingdom at 8:15. I know we can catch a bus from the main bus depot, but I also understand that the busses may not be running as often as usual at that time of morning, so we may just take a taxi. Would there be taxis just waiting at the main building or is that something we need to call and arrange ahead of time? Thanks so much!

 

[judypriv]

So I hear tell the coffee makers have been changed to cuisinart dual makers with pods. Anyone know what brand of coffee pods will work in there? My family are big coffee drinkers and I wanted to bring my own so I know they have plenty. Thanks in advance!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I am looking at Andre's detailed room map of Oak Manor. Is it true that the third floor of Oak Manor only has 32 rooms??

 

[Venomhatch]

I am looking at Andre's detailed room map of Oak Manor. Is it true that the third floor of Oak Manor only has 32 rooms??

Yes the third floor is only a central column of rooms basically the the line across in the H pattern.

The ends that stick off are only 2-story!

 

[andrewilley]

We want a corner RGR for our 4 year old and do play to spend a decent amount of time in the pool and riding the boats to DTD, and a little time at POFQ. However we don't really care about the actual view out the window, we just want a corner room for the extra sunlight. But we don't want to pay extra just for a corner room.

Are all corner rooms Preferred rooms? What is the best standard RGR to choose to be convenient to the bus stops, pool, FQ and a corner room? Or am I hoping for too much?

I have a standard RGR booked for 9 nights in May/June.

Would you prefer a corner room or one of the obstructed garden view rooms that are available?

First, there are no Preferred Rooms in the Royal Guest Room buildings at all, nor is "corner room" a booking category per se, it's just a request.

Personally, I do rather like the extra light and different view from corner rooms, which are located all around the resort because... well, there are lots of corners! In fact, there are some Garden View category rooms which have a second corner window overlooking the river, so you get a real win-win if you happen to get assigned one of those.

As for a Royal Standard View corner room, close to a pool, French Quarter and a bus stop.... you don't want much, do you sunnydays!? I would suggest prioritising those requests and then send a fax 3-5 days before your arrival asking for what features you actually want (rather than asking for specific room numbers) so they can try to find the best fit for you that's available at the time. List a couple of the requests as especially wanted, and the rest as "would also be nice if..." comments.

Would there be taxis just waiting at the main building or is that something we need to call and arrange ahead of time? Thanks so much!

There are normally taxis around, and they can be called pretty quickly if there isn't one there. Can't do any harm to arrange for one in advance though, what have you got to lose? You don't want to end up missing the event.

I am looking at Andre's detailed room map of Oak Manor. Is it true that the third floor of Oak Manor only has 32 rooms??

No, I lied... Oh alright, yes it is true - only the central sections of the mansion buildings (which is where the elevators are located) have three floors, the 'wing' sections only have two stories.

Andre

 

[g8torphan]

I'm heading to POR on Feb 1st, but will be buying 4 Day Discovery Disney FL Resident tix.
Can I get them at the resort, or will I have to wait until I reach TTC?

Also, if I do have to wait, how early should I get there in order to ensure I have time for getting the tix and making it over prior to Rope Drop?

Thanks!

 

[siskaren]

I am terrible at reading maps and layouts, so help me out please.

We want a corner RGR for our 4 year old and do play to spend a decent amount of time in the pool and riding the boats to DTD, and a little time at POFQ. However we don't really care about the actual view out the window, we just want a corner room for the extra sunlight. But we don't want to pay extra just for a corner room.

Are all corner rooms Preferred rooms? What is the best standard RGR to choose to be convenient to the bus stops, pool, FQ and a corner room? Or am I hoping for too much?

Thanks!

There are no preferred rooms in the mansions, which is where all the royal rooms are located; all the preferred rooms are in the Alligator Bayou section. Also, corner rooms are not a bookable category, so there's no extra charge for them.

As for wanting to be convenient to both POFQ and the pool, that looks tough based on the map because Parterre Place is closer to POFQ, but Oak Manor is closer to the main pool, if that's the one you want to be close to. (There's also a quiet pool between the two buildings.)

 

[Chuckers]

I just booked my first stay at POR this morning! I am going May 9th - May 16th and I can't wait. I've tried to read this whole thread, but there's a lot to it!

Does anyone have any quick do's/don'ts about POR that I should know about? Since I did this while at work, I wasn't able to request a specific building. I am going to try and call them tonight so I can't put in a request for the closer buildings.

This thread is what made me choose POR. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Yes the third floor is only a central column of rooms basically the the line across in the H pattern.

The ends that stick off are only 2-story!

No, I lied... Oh alright, yes it is true - only the central sections of the mansion buildings (which is where the elevators are located) have three floors, the 'wing' sections only have two stories.

Andre

Thanks guys!!

We were on the third floor of Oak Manor back in 2005 and I guess I just never paid any attention to the fact that the "wings" were only 2 stories. (Still not sure why this surprised me today- LOL)

I had CRO add Oak Manor, top floor as my room request, but I am kind of liking the idea of the corner rooms the more I think about it.

Maybe I should just change my request to corner room, highest possible floor and not worry about which building...(We are booked Royal Room so it would only be Oak or Parterre anyway).

 

[Gorechick]

We love Parterre Place and found it just as convenient to POFQ, main pool, and quiet pool as Oak Manor. Since most guests put in requests for Oak Manor, you may have a better chance of getting any room requests met by asking for Parterre.

 

[mamalovesdis]

Okay so really, how bad is it with 6 people in an AB room? 2 adults and 4 children 13, 9, 4 & 1.

2 years ago we stayed at POP (5 of us then) and it was tight, but we were only there 4 nights and were busy busy, so not in the room much. This time we will stay 8-9 nights.

We also had rented a van, so we never used the buses. Am I going to hate the bus? How long does it take to get to each park? I really hate taking strollers on buses, but we will have to.

Room only pricing:
8 nights 9/7-9/15 preferred at POR $1288
8 nights 9/7-9/15 standard at Poly $2535 or BC garden view $2163 or CR garden wing $2275

See my dilemma? WWYD?