Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE RESORT Information & Questions

[keneka]

Has anyone heard any details about the bus tests at Port Orleans Riverside. Supposedly, they are using a new system that will tell you at the bus stop how long a wait it is until the next bus. I've heard that they are only testing this at POR/POFQ to Magic Kingdom. Has anyone had any experiences of this yet?

 

[Eli's 1st trip]

thanks so much...exactly what I needed!

 

[wlake]

So very sad today.

We should be arriving at POR in about an hour... but instead, we're stuck here in Ohio because of the snow. And we can't get a flight out until Monday.

The customer service agents at Disney were absolutely wonderful in changing our reservations from Saturday-Saturday to Monday-Monday... no fees involved, and actually we get a little bit of money back somehow.

However, we've got 2 reservations and they weren't able to get both in garden view rooms like our original reservations. This all took place over the course of 2 phone calls because the call got dropped halfway through, but what we've ended up with was 1 garden view room & 1 standard view room. The CSR assured us that they will still be able to honor our connecting/adjoining request with one GV & one SV room. Is that true?? We really, really, really would like to have adjoining rooms because my parents are planning on having one of our kids sleep in their room every night.

Should I place a call directly down to the resort to confirm this and our room requests? I had sent a fax in on Wednesday with our room requests... should I send another fax?

I just don't know what to do at this point and I'm sure it's probably not that difficult to figure it out, but to say I'm frazzled right now would be putting it lightly. I've spent 2 hours on the phone with Disney this morning, 4 HOURS on hold with Southwest trying to get our flights changed... plus trying to reschedule FPs and hoping against hope that I'd be able to reschedule our ADRs (which I can't). My brain just isn't firing all synapses right now.

I don't know what to tell you about the room requests, but I wanted to say I'm sorry you got stuck at home! I hope everything goes smoothly on Monday for you.

 

[andrewilley]

We should be arriving at POR in about an hour... but instead, we're stuck here in Ohio because of the snow. And we can't get a flight out until Monday.

However, we've got 2 reservations and they weren't able to get both in garden view rooms like our original reservations.

Should I place a call directly down to the resort to confirm this and our room requests? I had sent a fax in on Wednesday with our room requests... should I send another fax?.

So sorry your plans have been messed up - but on the positive side, at least you're still going!!

If you contact the resort directly (fax is best, but phone would work too as long as you ask to be connected directly to the on-site room inventory team rather than talking to the central switchboard CMs) then I'm sure they'll sort you out with connecting rooms (ask for that rather than just adjoining). Although the booking system may not have allowed two Garden Views to be booked, if you explain the situation I would be most surprised if the local team can't do something creative to help you out.

It won't be anywhere near as busy as last week (Presidents Day week is always manic) so I'm sure you'll be fine. If you can't get fastpasses for Mine Train/etc, just get there at park opening (or use EMH) and go straight there, you'll be fine.

Andre

 

[ChimneyJim]

Has anyone heard any details about the bus tests at Port Orleans Riverside. Supposedly, they are using a new system that will tell you at the bus stop how long a wait it is until the next bus. I've heard that they are only testing this at POR/POFQ to Magic Kingdom. Has anyone had any experiences of this yet?

Just arrived yesterday but there was nothing like this happening yesterday afternoon.

 

[NYEmomma]

So sorry your plans have been messed up - but on the positive side, at least you're still going!!

If you contact the resort directly (fax is best, but phone would work too as long as you ask to be connected directly to the on-site room inventory team rather than talking to the central switchboard CMs) then I'm sure they'll sort you out with connecting rooms (ask for that rather than just adjoining). Although the booking system may not have allowed two Garden Views to be booked, if you explain the situation I would be most surprised if the local team can't do something creative to help you out.

It won't be anywhere near as busy as last week (Presidents Day week is always manic) so I'm sure you'll be fine. If you can't get fastpasses for Mine Train/etc, just get there at park opening (or use EMH) and go straight there, you'll be fine.

Andre

Thank you for the advice.

I'll send off a fax this a.m.!

I actually was able to reschedule all of our fastpasses for later in the week and was even able to get great times for everything but 2. And even then, those times will work for us, they're just so late in the day we won't be able to get additional fastpasses after.

All in all, for a really crappy situation, it's worked out quite well. Only thing I'm missing is our Boatwright's, Akershus & BOG ADR's (BOG FP) that I haven't been able to reschedule... but if that's the worst that happens with everything, I'm considering ourselves very lucky. We were quite fortunate to be able to push our vacation back with no problems at all. Heck, it's supposed to be -19 tomorrow morning so school will probably be canceled again, meaning one less day that DD is missing.

 

[Amunet]

Yup, we are going to be insane and change our reservations from 25% off CSR to 20% off POR. Why? BECAUSE WE LOVE PORT ORLEANS! Really, both resorts we enjoy and love so, we're just going to be insane and do it
Haha, we're doing it because I have some pretty severe anxiety/depression and having things that are familiar help (considering this will be our first vacation on a plane in 18 months ... it's a huge deal to take these precautions.). I'm a bit sad cause with the CSR, we could get deluxe dining, but perhaps having more of a free range is a good idea with not so many sit-downs (we will be doing the dining plan, we love that plan).

Hehe, I'm glad to be going home ^_^

Thank you for the advice.

I'll send off a fax this a.m.!

I actually was able to reschedule all of our fastpasses for later in the week and was even able to get great times for everything but 2. And even then, those times will work for us, they're just so late in the day we won't be able to get additional fastpasses after.

All in all, for a really crappy situation, it's worked out quite well. Only thing I'm missing is our Boatwright's, Akershus & BOG ADR's (BOG FP) that I haven't been able to reschedule... but if that's the worst that happens with everything, I'm considering ourselves very lucky. We were quite fortunate to be able to push our vacation back with no problems at all. Heck, it's supposed to be -19 tomorrow morning so school will probably be canceled again, meaning one less day that DD is missing.

I have jsut been lurking but I wanted to tell you how relieved for you I am. I feel like I got pulled into the whirlwind too and I am SO HAPPY that you and your family can still enjoy and make the best of it
Truly, I hope you and your family get some extra pixi dust for your outlook and amazingness

 

[andrewilley]

Only thing I'm missing is our Boatwright's, Akershus & BOG ADR's.

I'd be really surprised if you couldn't get a Boatwright's Dinner this time of year, it's not usually that busy. Keep trying!

And BoG Lunch is due to start using the ADR system from 25 Feb, so check on the app on Weds morning and see what's availble, as the system will presumably start from fresh that morning.

Andre

 

[ttcl516]

1 and a half more sleeps.....because I know I will only get a couple hours sleep tomorrow night...lol
Can't wait to be back...love me some POR!!

 

[Landslide305]

We are going to POR for our honeymoon in April.

I haven't been to WDW in over 10 years and it will be my husband's first time! We booked a garden view room. What should I request on my fax to get the most romantic experience from our resort? I've never been to POR.

 

[Ruthy_B]

Officially booked our first stay at POR This thread is great for us newbies!

Can anyone tell me if Riverside Mill Food Court has specific hours for specific menus? For example, being able to order from the breakfast menu only between 6am-11am, etc? The restaurant information I found only states open hours. We have a very early flight out and I was hoping to grab pancakes or something the evening before so the kids (OK me too!) can have something easy to eat at 5am before we leave for the airport.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yup, we are going to be insane and change our reservations from 25% off CSR to 20% off POR. Why? BECAUSE WE LOVE PORT ORLEANS! Really, both resorts we enjoy and love so, we're just going to be insane and do it
Haha, we're doing it because I have some pretty severe anxiety/depression and having things that are familiar help (considering this will be our first vacation on a plane in 18 months ... it's a huge deal to take these precautions.). I'm a bit sad cause with the CSR, we could get deluxe dining, but perhaps having more of a free range is a good idea with not so many sit-downs (we will be doing the dining plan, we love that plan).

Hehe, I'm glad to be going home ^_^

Having toured CSR last fall, I have to say that I feel you made 100% the right decision. CSR is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO spread out. I know POR is somewhat too, but the theming and walking paths are much better IMO, and CSR just felt so much more like a convention hotel. Just not our style.

Dan

 

[andrewilley]

Can anyone tell me if Riverside Mill Food Court has specific hours for specific menus? For example, being able to order from the breakfast menu only between 6am-11am, etc?

Yes, the different food counters do have slightly varying opening times. I think all your questions should be answered at http://www.portorleans.org/riversidemill.php though.

Andre

 

[ChimneyJim]

Has anyone heard any details about the bus tests at Port Orleans Riverside. Supposedly, they are using a new system that will tell you at the bus stop how long a wait it is until the next bus. I've heard that they are only testing this at POR/POFQ to Magic Kingdom. Has anyone had any experiences of this yet?

If this is what you mean, I noticed it today. Seemed to be accurate thought the bus for AK didn't appear onscreen until a couple minutes prior to arrival.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Has anyone heard any details about the bus tests at Port Orleans Riverside. Supposedly, they are using a new system that will tell you at the bus stop how long a wait it is until the next bus. I've heard that they are only testing this at POR/POFQ to Magic Kingdom. Has anyone had any experiences of this yet?

The bus screen system was working in September and we were generally very impressed with it. In 10 days of riding all but one trip had accurate arrival times within 1-2 minutes. The one that was weird fluctuated a lot, with the anticipated arrival time jumping up by 20 minutes then approaching what was about a 10 minute delay from the initial time, but it did match the bus arrival time eventually. We liked having the system a lot.

 

[Amy Rabun]

Is there anything I should know about the hotel before I get there? It'll be my first time there and want to know if there is something I should do there or know about before I go.

 

[SnackCredit]

The bus screen system was working in September and we were generally very impressed with it. In 10 days of riding all but one trip had accurate arrival times within 1-2 minutes. The one that was weird fluctuated a lot, with the anticipated arrival time jumping up by 20 minutes then approaching what was about a 10 minute delay from the initial time, but it did match the bus arrival time eventually. We liked having the system a lot.

Is the system called NextBus? My undergrad alma mater has used that at its bus stops for the past 8 or 9 years (albeit simple LED text screens). While it can be accurate, sometimes the times do jump around, especially on days with fewer buses running longer routes. Hoping these will help us when we're at POR next month.

They really need those in the park bus stops, though, for every resort! (when you see 3 buses for one resort pass by before you see one for yours!)

 

[ach222]

Anyone have a pic of a child laying on the pull down bed? Trying to decide if its worth it for my going to be 5 year old. Thanks

My tall 5 1/2 year old is off the charts height-wise and was perfectly happy in the murphy bed and I would think he'd be good in it for another couple of years

 

[NYEmomma]

We're here! Somehow ended up in Magnolia Bend despite the fact that we're a party of 5. Thankfully my parents agreed to take one of our girls every night in their room.

Anywho, what's the best bus stop to use for a.m. park opening? We're in Acadia building 40???? There's apparently a stop somewhere behind our building but honestly, the walk to the main stop isn't dreadful, even with 3 little ones. Will busses be full by the time they get to the back stops?

We've got a 9:40 ADR at Tusker House tomorrow.

 

[dansdad]

We're here! Somehow ended up in Magnolia Bend despite the fact that we're a party of 5. Thankfully my parents agreed to take one of our girls every night in their room.

You got placed in MB because technically, you're not a party of 5. You're a party of 4 + 1 under 3 so can be placed in MB. That is if you're signature is accurate with your kiddos ages.