Buena Vista Suites or Port Orleans Riverside

[apnep]

I can't decide. The cost ends up being a few hundred more to stay at the Port Orleans Riverside. I would get a vacation package and put it on my Disney Visa so I'd get the 6 months no interest, but that's not really a big deal because I can get that on practically any card I have.

I know all the benefits of staying on site vs. offsite, but my dilema is really the quality of the rooms.

Buena Vista newly remodeled suite WITH FULL breakfast...

Or here....

What to do? What to do???

Angela

 

[debbiecarr98]

Have you been to POR? My daughter went and was a little disappointed, didnt see the positive of the extra cost vs a budget room at Disney. I, personally prefer to stay offsite, we have done both, but to be cramped up just is not that enjoyable to me. I think those rooms look nice, I planned our upcoming trip at the very last minute, but if I had had enough advance notice, I would have stayed at the suites you are speaking of, they ended up being more expensive last minute so we are staying at Hawthorn, but my opinion is its nice to have breakfast, room, a kitchen, GOOD COFFEE, etc. Have fun whatever you decide and either way I am sure it will be wonderful.

 

[Mom3girls]

I have stayed at POR Riverside 4 times and would never stay offsite. If the beauty of the room matters to you stay at Buena Vista then.LOVE the ease of onsite and the resort is sooo beautiful and relaxing.

 

[Ash&Wes07]

We stayed at BVP and we were really, really impressed by it. It was much nicer than the price suggests.

I don't know if EMH matters to you or not. You obviously won't get them staying at BVP.

To get to the parks, we walked across the street (well, more like jogged, lol) to DTD and hopped on the buses to Grand Floridian and took the monorail. The bus service at BVP was pretty slow while we were there, and we were the last stop to get off each time.

 

[debbiecarr98]

Do you mind me asking the prices that you are looking at/paid? Also, how was the pool and breakfast?

 

[tmarquez]

You didn't mention how many people are in your party, but...

I've stayed at both. I'd pick POR. Although free, we didn't like the breakfast at BVS at all, and the pool at POR is MUCH nicer. Of course the room at BVS is nice and big, but we really don't spend much time in the room except to sleep.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I would stay at Dixie Landings, if given the choice.

Try to get one of the Mansion rooms if you don't like *rustic.*

 

[apnep]

Well, that is the thing...I don't wanna be a "snob" about the room cuz at the end of the day we are just sleeping in it. That trundle bed would be a definite turn off for my youngest. It would be too "spooky" for him to sleep on the floor but that's easily solved by taking a cot. We are driving by the way...

I am trying to weigh all the wonderful reviews of the property itself and staying onsite with the extra magic hours and getting the QS Dining package. Those are all convenient. Last time we were out there we stayed at one of the All-Star hotels.

Being able to wake up after being in a nice roomy suite and go down and get full breakfast also sounds great. I have never stayed at the POR but my SIL LOVES it and has stayed several times. Also, another benefit might be since we are going in June and it will be hot, it might be easier to head back and hit the pool mid afternoon if we wanted too but BVS also has a shuttle...those are my thoughts...

Oh yes, we are a party of five...3 kids ages 12, 9, 6...

 

[XYSRUS]

Back in the day when my Disney obsession was blooming a neighbor persuaded my to stay on site (with the help of mousesavers) instead of off site....I thank her every time I see her!!!

 

[apnep]

I would stay at Dixie Landings, if given the choice.

Try to get one of the Mansion rooms if you don't like *rustic.*

Where is Dixie Landings?

Angela

 

[quentina]

Where is Dixie Landings?

Angela

Riverside (name changed...) at Port Orleans.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I can't decide. The cost ends up being a few hundred more to stay at the Port Orleans Riverside. I would get a vacation package and put it on my Disney Visa so I'd get the 6 months no interest, but that's not really a big deal because I can get that on practically any card I have.

I know all the benefits of staying on site vs. offsite, but my dilema is really the quality of the rooms.

Buena Vista newly remodeled suite WITH FULL breakfast...

Or here....

What to do? What to do???

Angela

Angela

Its a HUGE difference but since you wanted no input of onsite versus offsite, I guess ...........if you spend lots of time in the room and you like the look better and then cost is an issue, offsite is better for you.
Good Luck deciding and have a good trip!

 

[cajunmouse]

We stayed at Buena Vista Suites 3 weeks ago for $89 a night. The only drawback is the sink is not in the bathroom - it is right outside the door. But I would stay there again for the price.

 

[madelyn]

For a family of 5 a moderate room is small. We stayed at Coronado Springs last November for 3 nights before moving to AKL Kidani. I wake up earlier than the rest of my family and I got breakfast and brought it back to the room but it was hard to be quiet while everyone was sleeping. Our kids were 11, 8 and 2 at the time of our stay. But if your family all wakes up and goes to bed at the same time then a moderate room might work for you. The extra magic hours and Disney transportation are a huge plus for us. We didn't have a car this last trip but the times we have had a car, we would usually drive to the parks except for Magic Kingdom. Maybe compromise and do a split stay between both hotels?

 

[apnep]

I just spoke with my DH and he wants to go ahead and book at POR for the extra benifits.

Also, I found a site called www.portorleans.org that says you can inquire about staying in other sections of the resort and ask for a fold up bed? Has anyone done this?

Is Alligator Bayou the best area or should I look into to asking about a different area at the resort?

Thanks in advance,
Angela

 

[madelyn]

I believe the Alligator Bayou section is the only area you will be able to book with a family of 5 (if all kids are 3 years and over). They may provide rollaways in rooms but this might only be for parties who are 4 or less but won't want to share a bed.

 

[eandt]

We have stayed at both. For the difference in cost we would pick on site every time. Been to POR about 5-6 times (last time was Nov 2009) and stayed in the Mansions and AB sections. Both have trundles in some rooms or at least they did when we stayed. We prefer the Mansion section but really the rooms are the same save for the decor. We only stayed at BVS for a couple of nights one time a couple of years ago before we checked into either CSR or POR can't recall which. It was very nice, we would stay there again but not for just the few dollars difference. The free breakfast was nice but its just a typical buffet nothing extraordinary. There is a hotel right next door to the BVS called the Caribe Royale that is beautiful. We walked around in the lobby at Christmas time (they had a huge gingerbread village and train set up) and the pool was really nice! As I recall it was only a few bucks more than BVS and we wished we had stayed there. (you can find it under preferred non disney hotels on mousesavers) Still for the "magic" stay on site, the rooms, amenities, and grounds are definately nicer than All Stars.