Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[ElsasFan]

We will be checking into POR in 2 weeks. I'll check it out unless someone else gets there first.

Thank you. Andre posted a link to a picture, which I think is the one that we had, so no need. I appreciate it, though.

 

[takumi]

Hello! Long time lurker here, first WDW trip and POR stay in Oct! Not so much resort related, but here is my question: We have a 5:45 dinner ressie at ohana on a non-park day, going there by disney transport. Just wondering if it is going to be a long haul to take the monorail+bus back to POR afterwards, with tired kids. Kids are 4 and 6 (and small for their ages), so I'm reluctant to jump in a taxi with them.

 

[Sue M]

Hello! Long time lurker here, first WDW trip and POR stay in Oct! Not so much resort related, but here is my question: We have a 5:45 dinner ressie at ohana on a non-park day, going there by disney transport. Just wondering if it is going to be a long haul to take the monorail+bus back to POR afterwards, with tired kids. Kids are 4 and 6 (and small for their ages), so I'm reluctant to jump in a taxi with them.

IMO it's easy to take monorail or boat from Poly to MK, then transfer to POR bus. Only thing I hate is new location of POR bus stop all the way at the end of middle island past all 3 AllStar bus stops. No idea why they did this. Truly awful. In old bus loop POR stop was way closer.

If DHS is open you could take DHS bus from Poly and use that as transfer point. Or walk to TTC to get monorail to Epcot to transfer. So many options!

 

[heath92681]

Just booked a room only for one night at POR for November! Looking forward to staying somewhere new! Any must-dos for one evening at POR?

 

[dreamseeker9]

Just booked a room only for one night at POR for November! Looking forward to staying somewhere new! Any must-dos for one evening at POR?

Same here, I booked POR for my arrival night in September before I go to AKL. I'm excited to stay at the new resort! I'm thinking I will take the boat to DS since I haven't been there in a few years to explore and have dinner. Beyond that, I want to walk around the POR resort, especially after dark, and take it all in. I also want to swim in the main pool and/or a quiet pool. And I may walk over to POFQ the next morning for beignets - are they worth it?

 

[Sleepingbeauty101]

I love por! This will be my third trip to Disney and we have only stayed here. We were going to try POP but it didn't feel right and animal kingdom lodge is too expensive for us. I'm excited to be back in 52 days!

 

[heath92681]

Same here, I booked POR for my arrival night in September before I go to AKL. I'm excited to stay at the new resort! I'm thinking I will take the boat to DS since I haven't been there in a few years to explore and have dinner. Beyond that, I want to walk around the POR resort, especially after dark, and take it all in. I also want to swim in the main pool and/or a quiet pool. And I may walk over to POFQ the next morning for beignets - are they worth it?

Wondering about the beignets too, especially since I've read they make gluten free ones as well!! Also thinking of boat to DS, unless it's better to just eat at the resort?

 

[awalker1015]

Same here, I booked POR for my arrival night in September before I go to AKL. I'm excited to stay at the new resort! I'm thinking I will take the boat to DS since I haven't been there in a few years to explore and have dinner. Beyond that, I want to walk around the POR resort, especially after dark, and take it all in. I also want to swim in the main pool and/or a quiet pool. And I may walk over to POFQ the next morning for beignets - are they worth it?

I think the beignets are worth it-plus it's a very nice walk over.

 

[Sue M]

Just booked a room only for one night at POR for November! Looking forward to staying somewhere new! Any must-dos for one evening at POR?

Take boat to Disney Springs and see Bob Jacksons show if he's there. Take a carriage ride.

 

[K Gragg]

We stayed here a couple years ago. It seemed like a bit of a drive to the Magic Kingdom. Is it possible to access the magic kingdom via Vista Blvd. It looks extremely close on google maps. The only thing is that it also looks like it takes you in on the other side of the gates.

 

[Sue M]

We stayed here a couple years ago. It seemed like a bit of a drive to the Magic Kingdom. Is it possible to access the magic kingdom via Vista Blvd. It looks extremely close on google maps. The only thing is that it also looks like it takes you in on the other side of the gates.

Take this with a grain of salt, lol. I visit Lauderdale first then drive rental to WDW and return it after check in. I use Disney Care Care Centre to return car which is in MK area across from TTC. From POR my GPS takes me on the road that runs along Ft Wilderness & WL. It's a quick route to MK area. Never any cars or lights along that road and it runs into MK. I take Seven Seas Road to get to car return.

 

[lilkimmyk]

How far in advance is it generally recommended to make a reservation for a carriage ride? Going the end of October (trip beginning during Gartner Convention-CM told me POR is one of the resorts for this). Would I need to know which day now or can I wait a little while yet? Thanks

 

[andrewilley]

How far in advance is it generally recommended to make a reservation for a carriage ride?

It doesn't sell out at 180 days or anything like that. Same day might be an issue, but a week or two in advance should be fine.

Andre

 

[CandiceF]

Wondering about the beignets too, especially since I've read they make gluten free ones as well!! Also thinking of boat to DS, unless it's better to just eat at the resort?

Staying at POR in November and super excited that they might have GF beignets at POFQ!

 

[vicarrieous]

Does anyone know the typical bus route? Does it go clockwise or counterclockwise? Is the first bus depot pick up the West, North, East or South depot stop?

 

[mocame]

Does anyone know the typical bus route? Does it go clockwise or counterclockwise? Is the first bus depot pick up the West, North, East or South depot stop?

Clockwise. It runs West, North, East, then South.

We were there 2 weeks ago and this was the route every time, except one. During that one time, we had an incredibly full bus and I don't know if the bus driver did it deliberately because the bus was so uncomfortably full or not, but she dropped people off at the South depot first. Which was nice because a lot of people got off at that stop, so people didn't have to stand as long and made it less crowded for those who had to get off at another stop.

 

[Luvamouse]

Hello all! Can anyone tell me, based on what they've heard, the success rate of requesting a room in AB vs MB? Just booking a standard or garden view, not preferred, not pool view, not royal, no 5th person. Basically, all other things being equal, how likely is it that, if I request the mansions, I'll get the mansions? Thanks!

ETA: I guess I'm looking for anecdotes from those who haven't gotten their preferred section, and what reason, if any, was given.

Twice my only request-- at booking-- was Alligator Bayou. Paid for Garden View only. The first trip we were upgraded to a Royal Room and I declined it, getting placed in AB. The second time we were placed in Acadian -80 and I politely requested an AB Bayou room. We were told they are reserved for groups of 5. It was 1:00 a.m. I begged. We were placed in 25. We are in a Preferred Room this time. Guaranteed AB that way. I'll request a room near the parking lot since we drive and I won't have so far to schlep our luggage. I think whenever possible, pay for what you want. If you cannot, then request by priority of course. Then be prepared to politely beg for a change. I haven't cried yet, but I was close at the 1:00 a.m. desk arrival.

 

[andrewilley]

Twice my only request-- at booking-- was Alligator Bayou ... We were told they are reserved for groups of 5. It was 1:00 a.m.

Regardless of what you were told, it is a common myth that Alligator Bayou rooms are reserved ONLY for groups of five. Obviously those bookings are given first priority for AB rooms (as the mansion buildings cannot accommodate that party size at all) but it is very rare that more than about 20%-30% of reservations at any one time are for groups of five. And since there are twice as many rooms in those sixteen AB Lodges as there are in the two regular mansion buildings (although Preferred Location bookings do account for a proportion of the AB area) the resort would be left with a lot of empty rooms in AB if that section was restricted for five people only.

A bigger problem with simple requests (especially those made in advance and not faxed) is that they are almost always left to be fulfilled by the Ready Room allocation system just before you arrive, rather than being pre-blocked in advance. This can mean that they may be more difficult to match at the last minute from whatever is available when the resort is fairly full (and especially for later arrivals, when most rooms will already be occupied). But it never hurts to ask them to check again when you arrive, as your initial room allocation may have been made several hours earlier, and a new set of rooms might now be available for them to check.

Andre

 

[lilkimmyk]

It doesn't sell out at 180 days or anything like that. Same day might be an issue, but a week or two in advance should be fine.

Andre

Many Thanks Andre!

 

[siskaren]

Regardless of what you were told, it is a common myth that Alligator Bayou rooms are reserved ONLY for groups of five.

I can attest to this. I've only stayed at POR twice, both times solo, and both times in AB. (The second time I did request it, but the first time was just luck of the draw.)