Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[Ensusieasm]

And this is why I am worried.

Nothing to worry about. Even if the first bus is at 7am....you will get to MK in plenty of time for your ADR. Just be at the bus stop early. I get there at 6:30 just to be sure. Because what if you get to the bus stop at 3 minutes before seven, and you missed a bus that rolled out at 5 minutes before seven. You wouldn't even know it. It would already have come and gone and be out of sight. The next bus might not appear until 7:20am. And you might complain that the bus was late and you had to wait. The early bird catches the worm.

 

[Minnie's House]

We're taking our 2yr old daughter this September. We're staying 1 night at POR before we check in to our DVC rental.Would it be worth it to upgrade to a royal room for 1 night, or just stick with a standard?
My daughter LOVES princesses and I think she'd like the royal room.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We're taking our 2yr old daughter this September. We're staying 1 night at POR before we check in to our DVC rental.Would it be worth it to upgrade to a royal room for 1 night, or just stick with a standard?
My daughter LOVES princesses and I think she'd like the royal room.

Go for it. She will love to turn on the fireworks scene on the headboards.

 

[MadiStan91]

First, I would like to say thank you to everyone that has contributed to this thread! My mother and I are staying at POR for the first time in 4 days, and I'm so excited from reading all of the comments here. I have made room requests on my reservation (both on the original reservation, the online check in, and then I faxed a request today) and I'm hoping to get a mansion building.

I have two questions: I know that the main swimming pool is closed for refurb, so does that mean the walk way that connects the island to the mansion area will be closed?
Also (and I know this is unlikely, but I thought I'd ask) what are the chances of a room upgrade this time of year?

Thanks for all the help! <3
-Mads

 

[keahgirl8]

First, I would like to say thank you to everyone that has contributed to this thread! My mother and I are staying at POR for the first time in 4 days, and I'm so excited from reading all of the comments here. I have made room requests on my reservation (both on the original reservation, the online check in, and then I faxed a request today) and I'm hoping to get a mansion building.

I have two questions: I know that the main swimming pool is closed for refurb, so does that mean the walk way that connects the island to the mansion area will be closed?
Also (and I know this is unlikely, but I thought I'd ask) what are the chances of a room upgrade this time of year?

Thanks for all the help! <3
-Mads

The main bridge is closed, if that is what you mean. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to the second one though.

 

[MadiStan91]

The main bridge is closed, if that is what you mean. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to the second one though.

That's exactly what I meant, but you found the words I was missing haha! thanks!!

 

[Jcon]

There really isn't storage in AB, because you have a Murphy bed instead of a dresser.

Well not completely true, there are three drawers under the bench seat, but I agree they are definitely not big enough to store the sort of luggage that a family of five might bring. There are some other shelves around too, and the hanging rail in the wash area, but overall storage is not as good in the AB rooms as it used to be.

Andre

Thank-you both for your replies.

I'm wondering if the Murphy bed, when closed, would be a suitable place to keep our luggage? We'll have three bags that we'll likely need regular access to. If set them all up, that may remove the need for extra drawer space.

Feels nit-picky but I'm just trying to find something to help me choose between AB and MB.

71 days left to fuss over the tiny details...

 

[keahgirl8]

That's exactly what I meant, but you found the words I was missing haha! thanks!!

No problem! I thought I knew what you meant, but wanted to make sure!

Thank-you both for your replies.

I'm wondering if the Murphy bed, when closed, would be a suitable place to keep our luggage? We'll have three bags that we'll likely need regular access to. If set them all up, that may remove the need for extra drawer space.

Feels nit-picky but I'm just trying to find something to help me choose between AB and MB.

71 days left to fuss over the tiny details...

Probably. It's not super deep, but will probably hold most suitcases. Andre was right. There are three small drawers under the Murphy bed! This is my first time staying in AB, so I didn't notice right away!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

My fiance and I are staying at POR for the first time for our honeymoon in September! We're definitely not WDW newbies (we live in Kissimmee and I'm a CM at MK), just never been to POR. Do you guys have any recommendations for requests to make as far as location? We're thinking about doing a carriage ride at some point.

Also, we're coming straight from the wedding, so would we be able to drop off our luggage that morning and have them deliver it to the room so we don't have to deal with it?

 

[andrewilley]

My fiance and I are staying at POR for the first time for our honeymoon in September! We're definitely not WDW newbies (we live in Kissimmee and I'm a CM at MK), just never been to POR. Do you guys have any recommendations for requests to make as far as location? We're thinking about doing a carriage ride at some point.

Also, we're coming straight from the wedding, so would we be able to drop off our luggage that morning and have them deliver it to the room so we don't have to deal with it?

First, congratulations!

Yes, you can drop your luggage at Bell Services and when you get to your room just give them a call and they will bring it up for you. You may even find your room is ready early when you first arrive, as quite often that happens. The carriage ride is a great idea too, and I'd suggest when you know which day you want to do it, get it booked. It's not quite as bad getting an ADR at Be Our Guest, but it's not always possible to get walk-ups.

Location wise, it depends a bit on what room category you have got booked (King Bed maybe?) but I'd suggest perhaps the mansions buildings might be a good fit, and ask for as close to the main building as possible, and possibly as for an upper floor. And let them know it's your honeymoon of course!

Andre

 

[Selket]

I have a spring break trip planned and I have reservations for both POR-Riverside (the Royal rooms - pool view - was the only room I could get here with the Spring Break deal) and one for All Star Music. I've stayed in both and I prefer the Riverside room and hotel but I'm still debating on whether I want to spend the extra money! Staying at Riverside is $600 more which is a good amount of souvenir money right there...lol!! I would be happy with a standard room there but I couldn't find one. The trip this time is just me and my 14 year old son. I will rent an ECV because I have terrible arthritis in my knees and need both replaced. We are also going with the 1 TS per night dining package.

Will the main pool at Riverside be open by March 25th? If not - that may be a deal breaker on this resort for us.

Any opinions on whether one resort would be better than another? I like Riverside a lot but I"m not unhappy in a value (I've stayed at most of the WDW resorts). Any concerns with an ECV at either? I stayed at Coronado last summer (4 of us in a room with an ECV) and that worked out great. There's only 2 of this time so space or bed size isn't problem. We go often to Disney so this isn't a once-in-a-lifetime trip but we do spend time at the hotel as we don't commando tour the parks. I guess I'm just wishing for some reason that makes staying at Riverside worth the extra cost OTHER than the reason that I like it...lol!

 

[fbarker]

And the disease is spreading... yet more intrusive vandalism on the other side of the island (by building 38), before and after:

View attachment 150636

Could they not have at least just mounted the new fugly handrails onto the existing wooden structure without requiring the scaffolding poles too? All the time, effort and craft that the designers lavished on creating a beautifully themed 'stone' and wood bridge, with the gorgeous wrought-iron lampposts and the cute horse-head bollard, and then someone comes along and thoughtlessly plonks anachronistic brown metal poles in front of it, instead of thinking of a more aesthetically pleasing, integrated solution.

I'm sorry, but Disney are better than this. Or at least they can be.

Andre

I haven't read all the posts after this one but could these rails be needed for ADA-Handicap Accessable?

 

[DisneyFirefly]

First, congratulations!

Yes, you can drop your luggage at Bell Services and when you get to your room just give them a call and they will bring it up for you. You may even find your room is ready early when you first arrive, as quite often that happens. The carriage ride is a great idea too, and I'd suggest when you know which day you want to do it, get it booked. It's not quite as bad getting an ADR at Be Our Guest, but it's not always possible to get walk-ups.

Location wise, it depends a bit on what room category you have got booked (King Bed maybe?) but I'd suggest perhaps the mansions buildings might be a good fit, and ask for as close to the main building as possible, and possibly as for an upper floor. And let them know it's your honeymoon of course!

Andre

Thank you!

Awesome. I know we did that in June when my parents came for a visit and we stayed at ASSp (we dropped off our stuff and went to Epcot and when we got back, it was in the rooms), but this time is a little different, since we won't actually be getting to the resort for the actual stay until about 9pm. Do you by chance know how early you can drop stuff with Bell Services? We have to set up the reception ourselves, so I'd like to do it as early as possible, given that we have to be there at 11am to do all of that. We're waiting until park hours get released for September to actually figure out our trip itinerary. We have a general one and will adjust it as needed, so we have a couple of days that might work best for the carriage ride.

We have a garden view room booked. We booked through the cast line, so it only gave us certain options (I think it was garden view, preferred, and royal room). I don't think he'd mind having the two queens and I know I don't, since we sleep on a queen at home and can just use the other to lounge around on. The CM who booked us did say he put on the reservation that it's our honeymoon, so that's in our file I'm so excited! I've wanted to stay at POR for years, but never had the chance.

 

[Marlyn]

I have a spring break trip planned and I have reservations for both POR-Riverside (the Royal rooms - pool view - was the only room I could get here with the Spring Break deal) and one for All Star Music. I've stayed in both and I prefer the Riverside room and hotel but I'm still debating on whether I want to spend the extra money! Staying at Riverside is $600 more which is a good amount of souvenir money right there...lol!! I would be happy with a standard room there but I couldn't find one. The trip this time is just me and my 14 year old son. I will rent an ECV because I have terrible arthritis in my knees and need both replaced. We are also going with the 1 TS per night dining package.

Will the main pool at Riverside be open by March 25th? If not - that may be a deal breaker on this resort for us.

Any opinions on whether one resort would be better than another? I like Riverside a lot but I"m not unhappy in a value (I've stayed at most of the WDW resorts). Any concerns with an ECV at either? I stayed at Coronado last summer (4 of us in a room with an ECV) and that worked out great. There's only 2 of this time so space or bed size isn't problem. We go often to Disney so this isn't a once-in-a-lifetime trip but we do spend time at the hotel as we don't commando tour the parks. I guess I'm just wishing for some reason that makes staying at Riverside worth the extra cost OTHER than the reason that I like it...lol!

I'm confused a bit. Are you saying you have a split stay? Doing some nights at each resort? Or have you somehow booked both and will cancel the one you don't want? One thing im wondering is about the dining package you have? Is it the one that ONLY has 1 TS credit a night? If so, that only applies to value resort reservations. It's not included in moderate stays. But if you have the QS dining plan, that is 2 TS a night.
With only 2 of you, the smaller double beds at value resort won't be an issue. If you want that extra $600 then I would go with the value.

 

[K Gragg]

And the disease is spreading... yet more intrusive vandalism on the other side of the island (by building 38), before and after:

View attachment 150636

Could they not have at least just mounted the new fugly handrails onto the existing wooden structure without requiring the scaffolding poles too? All the time, effort and craft that the designers lavished on creating a beautifully themed 'stone' and wood bridge, with the gorgeous wrought-iron lampposts and the cute horse-head bollard, and then someone comes along and thoughtlessly plonks anachronistic brown metal poles in front of it, instead of thinking of a more aesthetically pleasing, integrated solution.

I'm sorry, but Disney are better than this. Or at least they can be.

Andre

I'm thinking this has to do with ADA accessibility. I am not an expert, but I am dealing with a similar issue at a location I manage. There has to be a rail that extends beyond the incline. I can only assume this has to do with ADA accesibility.

 

[andrewilley]

Will the main pool at Riverside be open by March 25th? If not - that may be a deal breaker on this resort for us.

Any concerns with an ECV at either?

The pool should be open by 4th March. In fact, they were filling it with water today, not sure if that's just a test or flushing, but they are obviously getting close to completion of the major work.

ECVs are fine, and your Royal Pool View rooms are ideally located for access to the main buildings via a nearby footbridge. Might be worth requesting a ground floor room though.

I haven't read all the posts after this one but could these rails be needed for ADA-Handicap Accessable?

Oh I'm sure that's the reason, but do the ADA rules say they have to be so horribly ugly?

we dropped off our stuff and went to Epcot and when we got back, it was in the rooms, but this time is a little different, since we won't actually be getting to the resort for the actual stay until about 9pm. Do you by chance know how early you can drop stuff with Bell Services? We have to set up the reception ourselves, so I'd like to do it as early as possible, given that we have to be there at 11am to do all of that. We're waiting until park hours get released for September to actually figure out our trip itinerary.

It is very unusual for Bell Services to put regular bags into guest rooms when you are not there (only the Magical Express bag service is meant to do that). But you can drop bags off with them as early as you like - a day of two before, even. The Ready Room system means that sometimes rooms are available as early as 6am, so you never know your luck. If they happen to assign you a specific room in advance though (and being your honeymoon they might) then you'd obviously have to wait for that particular room to become free, rather than just being assigned something from whatever is available at the time.

And as for September parks hours, is this what you are looking for? https://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_September.pdf

Andre

 

[Ensusieasm]

I have a spring break trip planned and I have reservations for both POR-Riverside (the Royal rooms - pool view - was the only room I could get here with the Spring Break deal) and one for All Star Music. I've stayed in both and I prefer the Riverside room and hotel but I'm still debating on whether I want to spend the extra money! Staying at Riverside is $600 more which is a good amount of souvenir money right there...lol!! I would be happy with a standard room there but I couldn't find one. The trip this time is just me and my 14 year old son. I will rent an ECV because I have terrible arthritis in my knees and need both replaced. We are also going with the 1 TS per night dining package.

Will the main pool at Riverside be open by March 25th? If not - that may be a deal breaker on this resort for us.

Any opinions on whether one resort would be better than another? I like Riverside a lot but I"m not unhappy in a value (I've stayed at most of the WDW resorts). Any concerns with an ECV at either? I stayed at Coronado last summer (4 of us in a room with an ECV) and that worked out great. There's only 2 of this time so space or bed size isn't problem. We go often to Disney so this isn't a once-in-a-lifetime trip but we do spend time at the hotel as we don't commando tour the parks. I guess I'm just wishing for some reason that makes staying at Riverside worth the extra cost OTHER than the reason that I like it...lol!

You will wish you were at Riverside the whole time you are at Music. Cut costs other ways. Souvenirs are overrated and since you go often you likely have plenty. Call the resort to find out if the pool will be done on time.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Thank you!

Awesome. I know we did that in June when my parents came for a visit and we stayed at ASSp (we dropped off our stuff and went to Epcot and when we got back, it was in the rooms), but this time is a little different, since we won't actually be getting to the resort for the actual stay until about 9pm. Do you by chance know how early you can drop stuff with Bell Services? We have to set up the reception ourselves, so I'd like to do it as early as possible, given that we have to be there at 11am to do all of that. We're waiting until park hours get released for September to actually figure out our trip itinerary. We have a general one and will adjust it as needed, so we have a couple of days that might work best for the carriage ride.

We have a garden view room booked. We booked through the cast line, so it only gave us certain options (I think it was garden view, preferred, and royal room). I don't think he'd mind having the two queens and I know I don't, since we sleep on a queen at home and can just use the other to lounge around on. The CM who booked us did say he put on the reservation that it's our honeymoon, so that's in our file I'm so excited! I've wanted to stay at POR for years, but never had the chance.

I think you have to be in the room for transferred bags (unlike magical express) especially since the broken toothbrush captive luggage incident a few weeks ago.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

It is very unusual for Bell Services to put regular bags into guest rooms when you are not there (only the Magical Express bag service is meant to do that). But you can drop bags off with them as early as you like - a day of two before, even. The Ready Room system means that sometimes rooms are available as early as 6am, so you never know your luck. If they happen to assign you a specific room in advance though (and being your honeymoon they might) then you'd obviously have to wait for that particular room to become free, rather than just being assigned something from whatever is available at the time.

And as for September parks hours, is this what you are looking for? https://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_September.pdf

Andre

I dunno, that was just our experience back in June. We got back from Epcot and they were already in the room. We're fine with calling, obviously. As for as the room being available, as long as it's ready by 9pm, we're good, lol. Our reception isn't over until 8:30, so the earliest we'd get there is 9. I think we'll probably drop stuff off the day or two before. That would be so much easier.

And thanks for the link! I was poking at the Disney site on Friday trying to get park hours and all the dates past mid-August were greyed out. I'll look at it when I get home tonight. I'm waiting to clock in right now, lol.

I think you have to be in the room for transferred bags (unlike magical express) especially since the broken toothbrush captive luggage incident a few weeks ago.

Yeah, I have no idea. As I mentioned above, that was just our experience in June. If we have to call, that's totally fine I'd just rather not have to haul luggage to the room in my dress

 

[andrewilley]

I dunno, that was just our experience back in June.

That's actually quite unusual with bags that you leave at Bell Services yourself. They normally only do it with bags that have arrived directly from the airlines via Magical Express.

Andre