Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[AngiTN]

Is it easy to get a walk up reservation or do you suggest ADR? It's my first time at POR

It's typically not hard to walk up and get in. But I have seen it full and people told an hour or two wait. It's very easy to make same day ADR so my suggestion is when you think you want to eat there, get online and book an ADR. Even if it's just for 30 min away (or whatever) it's better than not having one. Why wait if you don't have to

 

[keahgirl8]

We have an ADR in DS our first day there so thank you for the heads up! How much time do you think I should allow? I've never used the boats to go to DS - I'm super excited!!

If you have an ADR, I would head down to the boats with over an hour to go. I know it's rare, but there have been times I had to wait a while to get on the boat, then I didn't make it onto the first one that came. I've been told I'm too paranoid about it, but I always err on the side of caution.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but while looking at pics of the Murphy bed, is there a blanket or just sheets? Should we bring a small blanket?

I think it's just sheets...? I didn't sleep on it though, I just looked at it. There might be a blanked up on the shelf in the closet/bathroom area though. Either way, they'll give you a blanket if you don't want to bring one.

 

[erikawalker]

It's typically not hard to walk up and get in. But I have seen it full and people told an hour or two wait. It's very easy to make same day ADR so my suggestion is when you think you want to eat there, get online and book an ADR. Even if it's just for 30 min away (or whatever) it's better than not having one. Why wait if you don't have to

Totally agree! That's what we'll do - thank you!

 

[Ariel on Land]

Another quick question: when to leave for rope drop? We will drive most days, possibly bus to MK.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Another quick question: when to leave for rope drop? We will drive most days, possibly bus to MK.

I would leave as early as possible since the bus stops are usually pretty crowded for rope drop.

 

[summerlady]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but while looking at pics of the Murphy bed, is there a blanket or just sheets? Should we bring a small blanket?

There are sheets on the bed and a large enough
blanket folded on the shelf in the dressing area above the ironing board.

 

[keahgirl8]

I would leave as early as possible since the bus stops are usually pretty crowded for rope drop.

Yeah...I can't remember the last time I even attempted that. Honestly? Even though it's Disney, I am not about getting up at the crack of dawn (unless I'm running...that's before the crack of dawn).

 

[Liv4Dis]

We are here now and having an amazing time however my son and I went swimming in the quiet pool between Magnolia Terrace and Acadian House and noticed white fencing around the entire pool with openings at all four corners for now. Does anyone know if they plan on putting gates on these corners so that the quiet pools will no longer be accessible for late night swims? I hope not, I love to stay at the parks late and swim afterwards

I apologize if this has been answered anywhere in this thread as I have read through everything and don't recall reading about this

 

[andrewilley]

We are here now and having an amazing time however my son and I went swimming in the quiet pool between Magnolia Terrace and Acadian House and noticed white fencing around the entire pool with openings at all four corners for now. Does anyone know if they plan on putting gates on these corners so that the quiet pools will no longer be accessible for late night swims?

That white picket fencing has been there for many years, it's part of the theming. However yes, they are in fact going to be adding gates in the near future as there have been some recent changes in regulations which mean that all WDW pools must now have perimeter fences and gates to prevent small children from being able to access the pool area from nearby guest rooms without an adult present. They are already working on most of the AB pools (the colour of the fencing used near AB 18 is awful by the way, they made a mistake and used plain white rather than following the building paint scheme as was intended). It is my understanding that the new gates (which are quite tall and heavy) will not be locked out of hours like they are on the Ol Man Island pool, as they are not intended to prevent nighttime swimming but as a safety measure.


(AB #18 fencing, ready for the gate to be added)


Incidentally, have you noticed that that Acadian/Magnolia 'picket fencing' isn't actually wood at all, it's slot-in UPVC plastic? The same stuff they make double-glazed window surrounds and plastic garden furniture from. I gather than the current fences at both of the mansion buildings don't meet the new code and will be replaced, hopefully a bit more sympathetically to the theming.


(POR Acadian/Magnolia pool fencing - those vertical slats are actually slot-in plastic!)

What I don't get is why the Oak/Parterre pool fencing needs replacing, as it's the same as the fencing at the FQ pool which they left in place during the recent refurb there:


(POFQ pool fencing)


(current POR Oak/Parterre pool fencing, which they apparently need to replace?)

Andre

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Greeting Everyone,

My Husband and I just booked a week stay in the middle of December for a Royal Suite... never stayed in one before. Are there any tips you can tell us for requesting the perfect room?

Thanks!!!

 

[AngiTN]

Greeting Everyone,

My Husband and I just booked a week stay in the middle of December for a Royal Suite... never stayed in one before. Are there any tips you can tell us for requesting the perfect room?

Thanks!!!

I like the River side of the buildings. I prefer Oak (90) as it's ever so slightly closer to the bridge and to the East bus stop. But we were in Parterre (95) in July and it wasn't that much worse.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I like the River side of the buildings. I prefer Oak (90) as it's ever so slightly closer to the bridge and to the East bus stop. But we were in Parterre (95) in July and it wasn't that much worse.

We will have a rental car when we go, planning to visit every resort and all locations to take in how Disney does Christmas.... It looks like the building for Royal Suite rooms have parking near them?

 

[ttcl516]

Just finalized the dates we are going....now the waiting

 

[Laura's Dad]

We will have a rental car when we go, planning to visit every resort and all locations to take in how Disney does Christmas.... It looks like the building for Royal Suite rooms have parking near them?

All of the buildings have parking nearby. Think of the parking lots as a tire on a wheel and the resort the wheel itself. Please check out Andre Wiley's excellent web page at www.portorleans.org It is full of excellent information.

 

[AngiTN]

We will have a rental car when we go, planning to visit every resort and all locations to take in how Disney does Christmas.... It looks like the building for Royal Suite rooms have parking near them?

Yes there is parking and it's at the opposite end of the river. If you want to be near the car, then don't request river end.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Disney at Christmas time is AMAZING! Our favorite time of the year to go ( I can't get myself to go any other time lol) We generally go the first week of December. When are you going?

So what type of weather should be ready for? (we are going to be there December 11 - 17th) should we even bother packing swim suits?

 

[Gorechick]

Yes there is parking and it's at the opposite end of the river. If you want to be near the car, then don't request river end.

You can have a river view with easy access to parking if you request the center of the building near the elevator where there is a walkway to go back to the parking lot. We had a river view room in the center of Parterre right next to the elevator and it was very convenient.

 

[AngiTN]

So what type of weather should be ready for? (we are going to be there December 11 - 17th) should we even bother packing swim suits?

December to March it may be 90 and it may be 40.
You need swim suits and you need sweat shirts.
While it's a great time to visit it's the worse time to try and pack light.

To further expand, you need to plan for both extremes during any trip that is longer than 2 days. I have seen the weather have a 40 degree swing in a 24 hour period.

 

[erikawalker]

If you have an ADR, I would head down to the boats with over an hour to go. I know it's rare, but there have been times I had to wait a while to get on the boat, then I didn't make it onto the first one that came. I've been told I'm too paranoid about it, but I always err on the side of caution.

Agree - I'd rather be early and walk around DS than be late and miss our ADR! Thanks!!

 

[CJK]

Can you be in a garden view room but still have an obvious view of a parking lot? Friends are there now and they booked a garden view room because a standard view wasn't available. They are in AB, building 36. They see vegetation outside their room, but lots of parking lot all around too. They are wondering if they could truly be in a garden view room?