Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[ColonelHathi]

Some might think we're crazy for giving up our "magical" deal at the Poly, but we are so over-the-moon excited to get FD with WPAM for a POR - preferred room! It's a surprise for DD6 and DS9, but when quizzed on a hypothetical trip (ahem... next year maybe?) they both chose POR over the Poly. With the reduced monorail operating hours, access to only 1 pool and resort construction, our decision to chose the Poly was just getting harder and harder. I feel at peace now... at least until it's FP+ booking day.

 

[crmscotland]

Some might think we're crazy for giving up our "magical" deal at the Poly, but we are so over-the-moon excited to get FD with WPAM fror a POR - preferred room! It's a surprise for DD6 and DS9, but when quizzed on a hypothetical trip (ahem... next year maybe?) they both chose POR over the Poly. With the reduced monorail operating hours, access to only 1 pool and resort construction, our decision to chose the Poly was just getting harder and harder. I feel at peace now... at least until it's FP+ booking day.

Not crazy at all. I'm sure you'll find POR to be a great choice, it looks such a beautiful & relaxing resort. Are you staying in a RR? With your kids being age 6 & 9 the theming & those fireworks headboards might appeal (l'm staying in one in July, being a big kid of age 48 )

Last Friday was my FP+ booking day - first time we've done FP+, l was expecting it to be tricky to do & the app play up - but it was straightforward, no problems.
I had read on the Dis to choose your rides first then go back & tweak the times to fit in with your plans, that's what l did. That took a bit more time than selecting the rides, but the planner in me rather enjoyed it.

 

[disneyjr77]

Some might think we're crazy for giving up our "magical" deal at the Poly, but we are so over-the-moon excited to get FD with WPAM for a POR - preferred room! It's a surprise for DD6 and DS9, but when quizzed on a hypothetical trip (ahem... next year maybe?) they both chose POR over the Poly. With the reduced monorail operating hours, access to only 1 pool and resort construction, our decision to chose the Poly was just getting harder and harder. I feel at peace now... at least until it's FP+ booking day.

I don't think you're crazy at all...We stayed at the Poly in 2011 in December and wasn't that impressed. It was always on my wish list since i was 6 (my first trip lol), but when we got there I was def disappointed. The easy access to transportation was awesome though. We stayed at the WL last year and I was so over the moon about it, I told DH i wish they still sold DVC units.

We're staying at POR for the first time this year and I'm super excited.

 

[ColonelHathi]

Not crazy at all. I'm sure you'll find POR to be a great choice, it looks such a beautiful & relaxing resort. Are you staying in a RR? With your kids being age 6 & 9 the theming & those fireworks headboards might appeal (l'm staying in one in July, being a big kid of age 48 )

Last Friday was my FP+ booking day - first time we've done FP+, l was expecting it to be tricky to do & the app play up - but it was straightforward, no problems.
I had read on the Dis to choose your rides first then go back & tweak the times to fit in with your plans, that's what l did. That took a bit more time than selecting the rides, but the planner in me rather enjoyed it.

This will actually be our 2nd POR stay, last time (2013) we were in bldg 28, Garden view. I was so worried about the "rustic" rooms of AB, but they worked out perfect. DD loves the "Tiana" Murphy bed, DS loves his own Queen bed, so it really works out. Our last stay was only 2 nights, split stay with CSR because of a crazy popular FD promotion that we couldn't book our entire stay at one resort. But not this trip! We got a preferred room, so it works out perfectly! DH wasn't really ready to splurge on a RR as that would have been pretty close to what we would be spending at he Poly with our agency exclusive deal + OOP food. What they don't know will save our pocket book a bit I suppose?

This will be our first official FP+ trip too! last trip we were in the test phase before the removed most FP (which was way awesome, no tiers either!!). Did you book an A&E FP+? That will be my challenge, and to carefully only do that for 2 and not 4.

I am so looking forward access to seven pools with ample shade, our carriage ride, YeHaw Bob night, the slow boat ride to DTD, the hammock (Poly's Beach hammock is gone! ), and little things like the meandering pathes, the homey Southern feel... And most of all the big surprise for the kiddos when we pull up to the resort if I can keep it a secret on MDE.

 

[ColonelHathi]

I don't think you're crazy at all...We stayed at the Poly in 2011 in December and wasn't that impressed. It was always on my wish list since i was 6 (my first trip lol), but when we got there I was def disappointed. The easy access to transportation was awesome though. We stayed at the WL last year and I was so over the moon about it, I told DH i wish they still sold DVC units.

We're staying at POR for the first time this year and I'm super excited.

So much is unknown with the Poly right now, and not sure what to think of the bungalows. It will be beautiful when it is complete, but we had already committed to a trip this year, so it is what it is. I'd rather enjoy my resort stay than have to worry about construction out our room window. We also have a breakfast at 'Ohana and will spend some time riding the monorail and attempting to get into Trader Sam's, so we can still get our Poly fix that way. I will miss not having the monorail which could be convenient if fully operational, but that sounded iffy too.

 

[gmedolphin]

Staying at POR Sept.13 to Sept.23, this is our 3rd stay and can't wait. Quick question, we have a early breakfast at crystal palace and are wondering what is better bus or cab, dose the cab go to Magic Kingdom or ticket and transportation center.

 

[dansdad]

Staying at POR Sept.13 to Sept.23, this is our 3rd stay and can't wait. Quick question, we have a early breakfast at crystal palace and are wondering what is better bus or cab, dose the cab go to Magic Kingdom or ticket and transportation center.

Cabs go to the TTC. We have always had good luck with the buses for early ADRs at a park. We are always at the bus stop 60 minutes prior to when I want to be at the gate and haven't been late yet. Now when we have an early ADR at another resort, we take a cab.

 

[ncc1701]

Staying at POR Sept.13 to Sept.23, this is our 3rd stay and can't wait. Quick question, we have a early breakfast at crystal palace and are wondering what is better bus or cab, dose the cab go to Magic Kingdom or ticket and transportation center.

We have had an early CP coming from POFQ and had no problems . I did talk to the concierge a day or 2 before to get an idea about when to get to the bus. If you go the taxi route have them take you to CR and then walk over to MK. I think if you ask for MK a taxi will take you to the ticket/transportation center.

 

[crmscotland]

Did you book an A&E FP+? That will be my challenge, and to carefully only do that for 2 and not 4.

I am so looking forward access to seven pools with ample shade, our carriage ride, YeHaw Bob night, the slow boat ride to DTD, the hammock (Poly's Beach hammock is gone! ), and little things like the meandering pathes, the homey Southern feel... And most of all the big surprise for the kiddos when we pull up to the resort if I can keep it a secret on MDE.

No didn't book A&E FP+ as my DD is age 18, l asked her & she said she isn't bothered (though she liked the film Frozen) & DS is age 12 & would prefer us using our FP+ on other attractions. So l thought that's a few more A&E spaces left available for those really wanting to meet A&E.

I think you should be fine getting the A&E FP+ if you do it when your 60 day window opens. I was one of those crazy people who had my list ready to book all our FP+ the minute our 60 day window opened, which in my case involved getting up at 5am (UK time). I was like a kid getting up early at Christmas.

Sounds like the room with the Murphy bed will be ideal for your family, my DS 12 would have loved that when he was younger but now he's too tall for it, so he will share with his Dad & DD with me. Rest of our trip we are staying offsite where they will have a bedroom each.

 

[hbrc2125]

Hello!
So, this morning I noticed that more rooms opened up for my dates with FD.
When I originally booked the only room available was Garden View RR, but booked anyways. It is only myself and my DB (Disney Boyfriend--is this a thing?? LOL), so initially we were hoping to get a king bed room. Since it is only the two of us, a RR seemed excessive, we have been together for almost 6 years, so two beds is very unnecessary
Anyways, I got on the phone after seeing the new rooms available this morning and was able to book a King Bed room

My only concern is location. I was really looking forward to the location of our previous room (we stayed in a Garden RR on our last visit), and when looking at the King Bed locations on Touring Plans I am less than thrilled with some of the options!!!!

The lovely cast member on the phone put in a non- parking lot view request for us, so that makes me feel a little better. But really, how awful could our view/location be?? Would love feedback from anyone who has stayed in a POR King room

 

[andrewilley]

King Bed rooms have views all over, including some parking lot ones of course. But also some absolutely perfect river-facing locations in Magnolia Bend, right next to the bridge to Ol' Man Island, which are among the best room locations in the whole resort (8739 and 8742 for example, which are both upper floor corner rooms and very close to a quiet pool and the East bus depot).

Andre

 

[hbrc2125]

King Bed rooms have views all over, including some parking lot ones of course. But also some absolutely perfect river-facing locations in Magnolia Bend, right next to the bridge to Ol' Man Island, which are among the best room locations in the whole resort (8739 and 8742 for example, which are both upper floor corner rooms and very close to a quiet pool and the East bus depot).

Andre

Thank you Andre

I will plan on sending in a request before we leave! What would be the best thing to write in it, since it is already requested in our reservation for a non-parking lot view? I don't want to be too picky!!

 

[katdemar]

Is there any place to print out my boarding passes for the flight home? I will have a computer to check in but will have to pay a fee to get tickets at the airport. Flying spirit if that makes a difference.

 

[hbrc2125]

Is there any place to print out my boarding passes for the flight home? I will have a computer to check in but will have to pay a fee to get tickets at the airport. Flying spirit if that makes a difference.

I believe I provided flight info before my last trip in order to use DME and my boarding passes for the flight home were included in the packet we got before we left!

 

[Rivermonster]

Switched our FD ressie at POP to POR today, and I'm over the moon! Loved POP before, but have been dying to stay at POR. So excited! We (husband, 2 girls--9 and 3, and my parents) will be there from 9.20-9.29 in a Garden View room (anyone know where those are generally located?) for FD, then moving to a RR for 9.29-10.1. Can't wait!

 

[dansdad]

Switched our FD ressie at POP to POR today, and I'm over the moon! Loved POP before, but have been dying to stay at POR. So excited! We (husband, 2 girls--9 and 3, and my parents) will be there from 9.20-9.29 in a Garden View room (anyone know where those are generally located?) for FD, then moving to a RR for 9.29-10.1. Can't wait!

Check out this map. If you click on each building you will be able to see where each category room is located.

http://www.portorleans.org/riverside-info.php

 

[Rivermonster]

Check out this map. If you click on each building you will be able to see where each category room is located.

http://www.portorleans.org/riverside-info.php

Thank you!

 

[andrewilley]

Is there any place to print out my boarding passes for the flight home? I will have a computer to check in but will have to pay a fee to get tickets at the airport. Flying spirit if that makes a difference.

Spirit isn't one of the airlines which participates in the Resort Airline Checkin process, and I think the feature of automatically giving you boarding passes is linked to that operation (not 100% sure though). The front desk can easily do it for you though, just take your flight details to them and they can log in to the airline website and print them out for you. Note: they won't print your own files directly from a memory card or email though.

Andre

 

[shannon006]

We arrive in 16 days!!! I have a couple of questions.
1. Confirming the refrigerators in room DO NOT have a freezer section.
2. They have box fans based on availability.

Thanks

 

[Kirby]

[QUOTE="ColonelHathi, post: 53643465, member: 414941

This will be our first official FP+ trip too! last trip we were in the test phase before the removed most FP (which was way awesome, no tiers either!!). Did you book an A&E FP+? That will be my challenge, and to carefully only do that for 2 and not 4.

[/QUOTE]
If you are not able to book an A&E FP in advance keep trying even while you are in the parks. My DD (23) decided at the last minute after we had arrived to get pictures with all the princesses during our trip. This was last December. She actually did it with a lot of help from MDE. We had booked no FP in advance and was able to book an A&E FP on a Monday for a Wednesday evening. We were able to get some top FP for following days by just continuing to look at MDE while standing in line waiting on a ride. We were even able to switch around times once or twice.