Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

Looking to switch from POR FQ to Riverside for our spring trip. Is the preferred rooms worth it??
It depends on your personal preference. I prefer the mansion section rooms, and theming. I love that all the buildings are along the river, and for me, a location close to one of the foot bridges is close enough for me.
 
Looking to switch from POR FQ to Riverside for our spring trip. Is the preferred rooms worth it??

In our opinion, paying extra for preferred at any WDW resort is not worth it. Especially at CBR and POR as the walks are not far at all AND they are extremely beautiful. The grounds are so nicely themed and kept up that we enjoy walking the resort grounds. When we used to stay at POR we would request "between North and West bus depots" so we would be at the back of the resort. It was so quiet and peaceful.
 
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I had made a room only and chose Preferred so we'd get to try AB. However, I've been told that the discounts usually don't apply to preferred, but they do to Royal Rooms which are all fairly close to the main building, so I cancelled my RO and I've finally booked a Royal Room! I'm not going to tell my DD's. DD14 has wanted to be in one but I've always told her the extra price isn't worth it. I got pool view, because that really narrows down the area you can be put in and they are all near the bridge to the main building. I want ground floor and I think that would be an option on online check-in, so that's the only room request I would want to make. I'm hoping to apply a discount come March and still keep the pool view. River view would be alright too. I've been studying the maps all this snowy afternoon! The room by room maps on the website were great!
 

Darn! I just found out that the POR main pool is in refurb and could still be when we arrive on 3/14/16. I know stuff says it will be done by 3/4. However, I am really curious how likely this date is. I just read somewhere on the boards that more permits were filed through April. We got hit by the refurb at Poly, and I just don't know if I could stand to deal with a pool closure again. DS will really want to swim at the main pool. So, does it seem to be on-schedule? I wonder if I should try to move our reservation to a different hotel. Fat chance now probably:(
 
I had made a room only and chose Preferred so we'd get to try AB. However, I've been told that the discounts usually don't apply to preferred, but they do to Royal Rooms which are all fairly close to the main building, so I cancelled my RO and I've finally booked a Royal Room! I'm not going to tell my DD's. DD14 has wanted to be in one but I've always told her the extra price isn't worth it. I got pool view, because that really narrows down the area you can be put in and they are all near the bridge to the main building. I want ground floor and I think that would be an option on online check-in, so that's the only room request I would want to make. I'm hoping to apply a discount come March and still keep the pool view. River view would be alright too. I've been studying the maps all this snowy afternoon! The room by room maps on the website were great!
We had a wonderful location in Oak Manor garden view facing the fountain in the front courtyard very close to the foot bridge. Loved the Royal Room! Very cute.
 
I had made a room only and chose Preferred so we'd get to try AB. However, I've been told that the discounts usually don't apply to preferred, but they do to Royal Rooms which are all fairly close to the main building, so I cancelled my RO and I've finally booked a Royal Room!

You don't 'apply a discount' to an existing booking, you effectively make a new booking with the same reservation number. So you can choose from whatever discounts are available later, and switch to any of them if they appeal to you. It's actually kinda irrelevant whether you even have an existing booking at that point - other than the more people who make tentative bookings, the less likely any given room category is to be included within offers. Disney will only offer discounts on unsold rooms that they are having trouble filling - if an area is already mostly booked with tentative reservations, they won't offer many discounts (this often happens with POFQ, and sometimes POR, as they are very popular resorts).

Darn! I just found out that the POR main pool is in refurb and could still be when we arrive on 3/14/16.

It will probably be done by then, but it's too far out to even guess if the work will overrun (they haven't even started yet!). I'm wondering if they might delay the start of works until the POFQ children's water play area is completed, rather than having both kids' pool areas out of action at the same time, which has been delayed until mid-January (it was originally due for completion on 24 Dec).

Whichever though, I really wouldn't worry about it very much either way as there are five alternate pools around Riverside alone, plus the pool at French Quarter if having access to a water-slide and hot tub are the be-all and end-all of your vacation plans. Also there will be effectively be no construction work visible, as the POR feature pool is located on its own isolated island surrounded by trees, it's very secluded. It'll probably be about the least significant construction impact of any resort pool.

Andre
 
I have a question that I can't seem to find a definite answer for - i'm hoping one of you professionals can help!! We have a trip booked for CBR the first week of June. When the discounts came out, of course there are no rooms available in our category. Basically we are able to get a Royal Room for the same price as a standard room at CBR. we have never stayed at POR but have always wanted to, so its kind of a no brainer. EXCEPT, the reason we chose CBR is because of our 2 year old and the Pirate boat kids pool area (small slides and splash area). Last night when talking to the Disney agent when making the reservation, she told me the refurbishment to Ol Man River in POR was adding one of those kids areas just like CBR. Everything I'm seeing online is showing the French Quarter pool is adding one, but nothing is said about Riverside. Does anyone know for sure what the scheduled refurb for POR main pool is actually doing?

as always - thank you so much for your help
 
You don't 'apply a discount' to an existing booking, you effectively make a new booking with the same reservation number. So you can choose from whatever discounts are available later, and switch to any of them if they appeal to you. It's actually kinda irrelevant whether you even have an existing booking at that point - other than the more people who make tentative bookings, the less likely any given room category is to be included within offers. Disney will only offer discounts on unsold rooms that they are having trouble filling - if an area is already mostly booked with tentative reservations, they won't offer many discounts (this often happens with POFQ, and sometimes POR, as they are very popular resorts).



It will probably be done by then, but it's too far out to even guess if the work will overrun (they haven't even started yet!). I'm wondering if they might delay the start of works until the POFQ children's water play area is completed, rather than having both kids' pool areas out of action at the same time, which has been delayed until mid-January (it was originally due for completion on 24 Dec).

Whichever though, I really wouldn't worry about it very much either way as there are five alternate pools around Riverside alone, plus the pool at French Quarter if having access to a water-slide and hot tub are the be-all and end-all of your vacation plans. Also there will be effectively be no construction work visible, as the POR feature pool is located on its own isolated island surrounded by trees, it's very secluded. It'll probably be about the least significant construction impact of any resort pool.

Andre
So true! When people book reservations before discounts come out in the hope of switching to a discount when they're released lessen their chances of getting one! Especially these days when Disney is really sharpening their pencils. Gone are the days of blanket discounts.
 
Booked a adult only trip to WDW staying at POR! I can't wait! We loved it so much when we went with the whole family, (13 of us!), that we decided to stay there again just the two of us!
I have a question about the Disney Dinning plan. Could someone direct me to where I should post it? I searched the boards for 'dinning' but didn't find anything. TIA! :)
 
Last night when talking to the Disney agent when making the reservation, she told me the refurbishment to Ol Man River in POR was adding one of those kids areas just like CBR. Everything I'm seeing online is showing the French Quarter pool is adding one, but nothing is said about Riverside. Does anyone know for sure what the scheduled refurb for POR main pool is actually doing?

The POR Ol' Man Island pool area work will not be adding a water play area, at least not during this round of works anyway. I'm sure it will come eventually (it will come to all Disney resorts) but not this spring.

Andre
 
Booked a adult only trip to WDW staying at POR! I can't wait! We loved it so much when we went with the whole family, (13 of us!), that we decided to stay there again just the two of us!
I have a question about the Disney Dinning plan. Could someone direct me to where I should post it? I searched the boards for 'dinning' but didn't find anything. TIA! :)
Do you mean the free DDP promo or buying the DDP. You'd have to do the Disney Math to see if it works for you.
With free dining you have to pay rack rate. On Allears.net you can find menus with pricing for all Wdw eateries. You'd have to calculate what you think you'd eat and price it out vs DDP. For us, 2 adults we find the room discount and no DDP works best. It all depends on how you eat.

We eat well, and cheaper then DDP costs. We do buy the resort mug. But we eat breakfast in room. Easy to pack instant oatmeal packets or bag of bagels. I use the resort mug for coffee, tea, ice tea & lemonade. It's always with me, usually full of coffee on the way to the parks. So I also have it if we visit other resorts during the day, and back at our resort I can fill it when we get off the bus on the way back to our room.

We prefer a glass of water with meals over pop. Never use snack credits every day. At the end of the trip with DDP we always have snack credits left and end up buying Mickey rice crispys to pack for suvies.
Don't want desserts after lunch & dinner. And prefer to share a dessert after dinner, maybe somewhere else.
Essentially we're paying for the cost of 2 drinks, 2 desserts & 1 snack per day built into the cost when we don't want it.
 
The POR Ol' Man Island pool area work will not be adding a water play area, at least not during this round of works anyway. I'm sure it will come eventually (it will come to all Disney resorts) but not this spring.

Andre


thanks Andre! it looks like just POFQ is getting that kids area for now. I did look and POFQ, and it currently has a standard room available. The price would be almost the same as the discounted Royal Rooms at POR. Never being at the resort, would it be too far of a walk from POR Royal Rooms to the POFQ pool? This trip we will be taking our almost 3 year old son, so we will be spending more time at the resort. its kind of important to have a nice kids pool for us to take advantage of.
 
thanks Andre! it looks like just POFQ is getting that kids area for now. I did look and POFQ, and it currently has a standard room available. The price would be almost the same as the discounted Royal Rooms at POR. Never being at the resort, would it be too far of a walk from POR Royal Rooms to the POFQ pool? This trip we will be taking our almost 3 year old son, so we will be spending more time at the resort. its kind of important to have a nice kids pool for us to take advantage of.
The foot bridge between the 2 Royal Buildings is fairly close to POFQ. Just turn left over the bridge. I haven't timed it, but I'd say 10 min stroll? It's a pretty walk along the river.
 
I am so excited....bookd a royal room for my daughter's upcoming birthday on the discount released today (garden view, if that matters. Two questions.... from the royal rooms, how long would it take to walk to POFQ food court for beignets first thing in the morning ? Also, the pool refurbishment should be done since we don't go til May, but if not.... how long to walk to the POFQ pool (the slide will be an issue)?
 
I had made a room only and chose Preferred so we'd get to try AB. However, I've been told that the discounts usually don't apply to preferred, but they do to Royal Rooms which are all fairly close to the main building, so I cancelled my RO and I've finally booked a Royal Room! I'm not going to tell my DD's. DD14 has wanted to be in one but I've always told her the extra price isn't worth it. I got pool view, because that really narrows down the area you can be put in and they are all near the bridge to the main building. I want ground floor and I think that would be an option on online check-in, so that's the only room request I would want to make. I'm hoping to apply a discount come March and still keep the pool view. River view would be alright too. I've been studying the maps all this snowy afternoon! The room by room maps on the website were great!

I'm not sure who told you that, but I have a discounted preferred room for February. That being said, the royal rooms are beautiful and the walk isn't too bad.
 
Is there any refurbs scheduled in 2016 for POR? If so anyone know of estimated completion? Thanks. Considering switch from contemp garden wing to Royal rooms for my two daughters 6&3. Thought they would like he theme much more and if I get a good discount I can save some money b

Darn! I just found out that the POR main pool is in refurb and could still be when we arrive on 3/14/16. I know stuff says it will be done by 3/4. However, I am really curious how likely this date is. I just read somewhere on the boards that more permits were filed through April. We got hit by the refurb at Poly, and I just don't know if I could stand to deal with a pool closure again. DS will really want to swim at the main pool. So, does it seem to be on-schedule? I wonder if I should try to move our reservation to a different hotel. Fat chance now probably:(

Just pulled up the permits that were filed Dec 22nd.
Now these dates are deadlines so not to say it won't be sooner but:
- POR Main Pool Permit ends April 29, 2016
- POR Bridge to Main Pool ends March 21, 2016
 
Just pulled up the permits that were filed Dec 22nd.
Now these dates are deadlines so not to say it won't be sooner but:
- POR Main Pool Permit ends April 29, 2016
- POR Bridge to Main Pool ends March 21, 2016

I didn't realize the bridge was going to be shut down as well. I do have a preferred location this time, so I suppose it won't matter. I just hope everything isn't a mess because of it.
 












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