Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part One [Thread now FULL and closed]

[scrappinggirl]

Thanks!

 

[ohnowewontgo]

I love this thread! I couldn't remember the website I used last September for planning, and thankfully this thread gave it to me. Portorleans.org is a lifesaver. I'm hoping for a trip back in July. I just love POR.

 

[KristiKat]

Create your own pasta is at the Food Court at POR; I believe that is what she is referring to.

Yes it was. It is well worth the money in our opinion. Enough for two meals unless you are very hungry.

 

[elfling8]

A bussing/ADR question:
We have a Crystal Palace ADR for 8:20am our first full day there. There are no parks with morning EMH that day, so does that mean the busses will not start running until 8? If that is the case we would have to get a cab to get to the MK on time, correct?

 

[ttcl516]

I need to stop looking at the weather for 10 days out. I am going to drive myself crazy. Please, Please, Please Let it be nice weather when we are there!!!

 

[DisneyGuess]

I need to stop looking at the weather for 10 days out. I am going to drive myself crazy. Please, Please, Please Let it be nice weather when we are there!!!

Same here. I feel obsessed over the weather!

 

[Missytara]

A bussing/ADR question:
We have a Crystal Palace ADR for 8:20am our first full day there. There are no parks with morning EMH that day, so does that mean the busses will not start running until 8? If that is the case we would have to get a cab to get to the MK on time, correct?

Buses begin running at 6:30 am for early morning ADR's.

They don't run as frequently as regular times, so give yourself plenty of time.

Also, if you catch a cab for MK, they actually have to drop you off at TTC; better to take a cab to CR and then walk over if you prefer to do it that way.

There is tons of information regarding ways to get around on the Transportation board.

 

[nedac]

I need to stop looking at the weather for 10 days out. I am going to drive myself crazy. Please, Please, Please Let it be nice weather when we are there!!!

I do the same... and it changes at least 20 times during that 10 days. Not sure why I even bother.The forecast went from dry and warm all week to wet all week. In the end, it rained one day, was cool 2 days and warm the rest of the week.

 

[firstwdw]

Silly but curious question: Those two big towers that say Port Orleans by the River that you can see from Andre's live feed.....are they supposed to be water towers? some kind of silo?? I know it's part of the theming and I've read up on portorleans.org...I know I should know this. I feel silly! Clearly, I'm not from the South!

 

[erynsmom]

So glad the suggestion helped you!
Posting my response to you actually made me remember I hadn't packed my hanging shelves yet so we helped eachother

Well everyone, this trip is creeping closer and closer! I am now in last minute packing, planning, making lists and errands mode so time is flying! I am a little concerned about weather delays for our flight. We're flying out of Buffalo and while the weather looks good around here, I know bad weather in other areas could affect our flight. The plane has to come from somewhere. Obviously there is nothing to be done about that but wait and see.
3 more sleeps and I will be in Florida!!!

You would not believe how cold it is here today. That plus gale force winds have me so ready for this trip!! However, I am glad I am not flying tonight. I am not a fan of turbulence.

Piglet to it sounds like you're flying out Saturday morning? We are flying from Buffalo as well on a 6 am flight. Hope the weather holds off

 

[ssleblanc]

Garden view, you should have not trouble getting close to the food court and main building in either Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace; just add it to your reservation.

Narcossess' is at the GF.

I did an 8 day, all resorts, no parks trip solo at POR one year and had a blast. I spent a lot of time at the resorts and DTD; which I love - I am a big shopper and love hanging out at bars, so Raglan Road, Paradiso 37, and RFC were great places to just hang out.

I also spent a lot of time by the quiet pool relaxing and reading; I actually read 4 books that week.

I had Garden View in Magnolia Terrace and it wasn't too bad of a walk, though Acadian House would be a bit closer to the bridge.

I love the quiet pool between Magnolia Terrace and Acadian House. I wish I had spent more time there.

 

[Missytara]

Silly but curious question: Those two big towers that say Port Orleans by the River that you can see from Andre's live feed.....are they supposed to be water towers? some kind of silo?? I know it's part of the theming and I've read up on portorleans.org...I know I should know this. I feel silly! Clearly, I'm not from the South!

Yes; it is the old style water towers.

 

[Missytara]

I had Garden View in Magnolia Terrace and it wasn't too bad of a walk, though Acadian House would be a bit closer to the bridge.

I love the quiet pool between Magnolia Terrace and Acadian House. I wish I had spent more time there.

I love, love, love the quiet pool there. It is my favorite. It is the screensaver on my computer at work.

A girl's gotta dream.

 

[Diznotyzed]

Three days to go and the tummy butterflies have arrived!

Checklist:
* Checked out a book from the library for on the plane and by the pool.
* Bought a new pocket sized camera.
* Actually bought a new swim suit with no tears involved!
* Went to buy healthy snacks for the plane and bought M&Ms instead.
* Dug out my goofy looking swim googles so I can wear my contacts on the water slides.
* Got a pedicure since my toes will actually see the light of day for the first time in months. My toes are as excited as I am.

Thought I was all set to start packing, but now I have a strong urge to go out and buy new underwear. Anyone else feel like you have to have new undies anytime you go on vacation?

Can't wait to be there!

 

[ssleblanc]

How is the bus wait situation at POR? We will have our own car. Is it best to park on our own or use the bus system, especially at MK?

The bus was actually very hit or miss for us. We were there 2/7-2/15. The worst I experienced at the end of the day was the night of 2/7. It was MK after Wishes (we didn't rush out, but lingered about before heading for the bus). POR had the longest line of all of the stops under that roof. The line looped through the queue and then back past two other stops. As you headed for stop 5 (POR's stop), you didn't realize that the masses of people that you were passing starting at stop 3 were for POR. When you fought through the crowds to reach 5, you realized that all of the people you'd just fought to get through were actually in the same line you needed. Then, you had to fight to get back to 3, through the line of standing people, plus the swarm of people heading for 5 (I made a point to let people passing me know that if they were going to POR, the line was behind them - no one told me as I was headed that way). During that time, POFQ line was virtually empty yet several POFQ buses came and we saw no POR bus. I saw more than one POFQ bus leave, with no one standing. I should have just jumped on their bus and walked back to POR. I probably would have gotten back to the resort faster.

After that experience, I was really a bit worried about my 8:05 CP reservation the next morning. So, we took a cab. It was $20 and I probably would have been better off waiting for a bus, when you add in the monorail from TTC.

The only other time I had a bad wait was the morning of 2/11. We were going to AK (which had EMH ... which was probably part of the problem - everyone else was going to AK too). It took about 45 to 50 minutes to get on a bus. When we did, it was packed/standing room only (I realize we are not guaranteed a seat), and the bus still left behind about 30 people who were trying to get to AK. During the time we waited, we saw several full AK buses drive by, full, and many many MK and Epcot buses. The Transportation CM who was at our stop (South Depot/3rd Stop) was great. He kept calling in for a bus, stressing that there were a lot of people who had been waiting for a long time. They would tell him a bus was on the way, but it would show up mostly full. They just didn't seem prepared to handle the increased crowds going to AK for morning EMH. We basically missed EMH by the time we got there. I didn't plan for such a long bus wait. The second day we went to AK, I just drove (we were also leaving that day and had checked out/had the car packed with luggage).

Those two bus waits/rides were not pleasant, and had me worried about the POR bus horror stories I'd read. But the rest of the week it was not nearly as bad. I do think that next time I'm at POR, I will go to the first stop/North Depot in the morning. That is the first stop and there seemed to be a better chance of getting a spot on the bus at the first stop.

 

[ssleblanc]

I love, love, love the quiet pool there. It is my favorite. It is the screensaver on my computer at work.

A girl's gotta dream.

That quiet pool made doing laundry pleasant!

 

[Chuckers]

Well, I really wanted a preferred room so I could be in building 14 or 15, unfortunately, Preferred Rooms were either all sold out or not part of the savings deal going on... but then I realized that a King Bed is the same upgrade price as a Preferred.. so I booked that.

I know it doesn't guarantee me a spot in building 14 or 15, but I have a better chance of getting into one of the preferred buildings. Plus, I have a king bed! WOOT!

I asked for placement in 14 or 15 when I talked to the CM on the phone, but before I leave, I'll fax in a request for any of the 4 preferred buildings.

Of course that's still 70 days away... and I DON'T WANT TO WAIT!

P.S. I noticed on PortOrleans.org it says King Bed rooms are a max occupancy of 2, does that mean the fold down bed is not there? (I don't need it and I am hoping it's not there)

 

[scrappinggirl]

Three days to go and the tummy butterflies have arrived!

Checklist:
* Checked out a book from the library for on the plane and by the pool.
* Bought a new pocket sized camera.
* Actually bought a new swim suit with no tears involved!
* Went to buy healthy snacks for the plane and bought M&Ms instead.
* Dug out my goofy looking swim googles so I can wear my contacts on the water slides.
* Got a pedicure since my toes will actually see the light of day for the first time in months. My toes are as excited as I am.

Thought I was all set to start packing, but now I have a strong urge to go out and buy new underwear. Anyone else feel like you have to have new undies anytime you go on vacation?

Can't wait to be there!

Did u get anything special on ur toes like Mickey? I was thinking about it what color did u go with?

 

[wdwmaw]

Start my single digit dance tomorrow!!! Congrats to your family!

Hope you have a great trip with a little magic for your family

 

[Diznotyzed]

Did u get anything special on ur toes like Mickey? I was thinking about it what color did u go with?

Nothing Disneyesque, but I did go with a bright deep pink in honor of Spring flowers!