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

[Venomhatch]

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

Thanks we started our single digit dance and thank you for you magic wishes

 

[kandim]

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.

We were there 1/30-2/8 and had the same experience with the bus to MK our first day there. i had rented a car so we drove after that. We have previously stayed in All Stars several times & the buses weren't that bad. But then, everyone's opinion on the buses seems to differ.

 

[ZeroMyHero]

Just paid off our upcoming trip - only 44 days to go. This thread and portorleans.org have been amazing resources to help me plan our first visit to POR. Thank you!

 

[andrewilley]

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)

Yes the banquette bench with the fold-down bed is there in King Bed AB rooms too. But at present they don't have any options to allow 3 people to book one.

Andre

 

[kungaloosh22]

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.

That sounds really nice. I think I need to put something like this on my bucket list.

 

[Chuckers]

Yes the banquette bench with the fold-down bed is there in King Bed AB rooms too. But at present they don't have any options to allow 3 people to book one.

Andre

Thanks for the info Maybe I'll put my Grumpy plush on it

 

[elfling8]

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.

Thanks We will def. bus it then.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

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.

Hey - we were there that night too in that crazy line up after lingering in MK to try and avoid the bus crowds. It was our last night there and like you, EMH at AK one morning was our other long wait. Other than that the busses were great. My dh joked with all my planning if I planned the bus schedule as well becuase they just seemed to show up or be there when we got to the stops.

We too were telling people where the line started, as I was worried people were butting in way up ahead as the line was not moving at all!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

* Dug out my goofy looking swim googles so I can wear my contacts on the water slides. Why goggles with contacts? I always wear my contacts at the WP but no goggles. Am I not supposed to? lol

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? Yes - my mom used to buy us packs of undies when we were kids every vacation, so I inherited that need to buy new undies for everyone. LOL

Can't wait to be there!

Have a great trip!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

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

So are you and Andre going to be there the same time? Cool.

And I really really hope you of all people get all your room requests!Venomhatch.

 

[Venomhatch]

So are you and Andre going to be there the same time? Cool.

And I really really hope you of all people get all your room requests! Venomhatch.

I am trying to get free to slide by there now. Poly guest services has been swamped. But ill be on Vaca on March 1st for a while. Thanks for the Request wishes!

 

[Three cats]

Do any of you request specific room numbers when making room requests? I can imagine asking for one particular room would be a long shot but what about listing maybe 5 or 6 that you'd be interested in?

 

[DisneyGuess]

Ugh. 3 days to go! I forgot to reads my building request when I switched us from room only to a package. I'm sure it's too late this close! I'll cross my fingers & hope we get a good building!

 

[andrewilley]

Do any of you request specific room numbers when making room requests? I can imagine asking for one particular room would be a long shot but what about listing maybe 5 or 6 that you'd be interested in?

Yeah, I tend to suggest using room numbers as a way to reference the areas you want, rather than asking for one specific number (e.g. ask for something like "Oak Manor, Overlooking river, upper floor, e.g. 9271-9274").

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

I am trying to get free to slide by there now. Poly guest services has been swamped.

You've got my US cell number I think? Give me a call when you get a chance as we're starting to run low on time for a meet as we leave on Monday morning.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

You've got my US cell number I think? Give me a call when you get a chance as we're starting to run low on time for a meet as we leave on Monday morning.

Andre

One, PM me your number. Two, I agree we tend to like to see three to four room numbers for an idea where you'd like to be placed.

 

[tink68]

We returned home LATE Monday night and I had to go straight back to work the next day so I am just now getting to this. We had a great visit and POR was as beautiful as ever. Thanks to Andre and Venom for all their info. We were in room 1413 RV (although they would need to trim the hedges out front to be able to actually see the river LOL) and loved the AB section. Having that extra bed was great. My 2 kids took turns and both slept comfortably on it. Weather was a little chilly and the crowds were huge but we managed. Now back to saving for the next trip.

 

[Three cats]

Yeah, I tend to suggest using room numbers as a way to reference the areas you want, rather than asking for one specific number (e.g. ask for something like "Oak Manor, Overlooking river, upper floor, e.g. 9271-9274").

Andre

One, PM me your number. Two, I agree we tend to like to see three to four room numbers for an idea where you'd like to be placed.

Thank you both for your help.

 

[CDolacki2003]

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!

That's funny, and yes I have bought new undies for my trips. Don't know why the old ones are not good enough

 

[rebeccaariel]

That's funny, and yes I have bought new undies for my trips. Don't know why the old ones are not good enough

I do this too! I have absolutely no idea why.