Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[Casens-mom]

I didnt even think about walking , great idea thanks guys !

 

[sep1180]

We decided to come in a day earlier before our cruise. I found a great rate on Orbitz for the POR at $151.00 for a standard room. My question is this. Which building is the best for a standard room that is close to the boats that take you to Disney Springs? Also, We would like to be close to the main pool ( with the bar ) for the afternoon. Any advice would be great!! We are staying at the Poly after the cruise for 5 days and I have put all of my research energy into that hotel and I don't know ANYTHING about POR, although I'm rather excited about this last minute booking TIA

 

[andrewilley]

I have a few questions. We are aware of all of the construction. I know it's late notice, but what request should we make to be away from the construction? We will have a car so we don't really care which building we are in. Should i just call and have them make a note that says "away from construction"? I know it's in a lot of places but it would kind of stink to stay in the building where all the scaffolding and fencing is up for the roof work. I am also aware that a bridge is out. Is this a huge problem for getting around the resort?

Yes, just ask for "away from construction work", that's the easiest way to do it. The access bridge should be open again by 27 Feb so you're OK for walking to wherever they place you. The feature pool refurb is not due to be completed until 4 March though, so you'll need to make do with the quiet pools or use the main pool over at French Quarter (ten mins walk away).

King Bed rooms are located all around the resort, even including rooms with views of the river, so I think I'd request a river view room, but away from construction work. Unfortunately the nicest ones are in Magnolia Terrace (which is the building where they are doing the roofing work) so that does limit the options a bit.

I didnt even think about walking , great idea thanks guys !

The walk to the Contemporary from the MK bus stops is actually almost shorter than getting from the buses to the MK entrance!

Andre

 

[Jetta8300]

Yes, just ask for "away from construction work", that's the easiest way to do it. The access bridge should be open again by 27 Feb so you're OK for walking to wherever they place you. The feature pool refurb is not due to be completed until 4 March though, so you'll need to make do with the quiet pools or use the main pool over at French Quarter (ten mins walk away).

King Bed rooms are located all around the resort, even including rooms with views of the river, so I think I'd request a river view room, but away from construction work. Unfortunately the nicest ones are in Magnolia Terrace (which is the building where they are doing the roofing work) so that does limit the options a bit.




The walk to the Contemporary from the MK bus stops is actually almost shorter than getting from the buses to the MK entrance!

Andre

Thanks so much for your response! We aren't planning on swimming at all so we aren't concerned about the pool. Good to know the bridge will probably be open. A few days ago I got an email saying that we "may" be able to bypass the desk at checkin and to go straight to our room or park. Now I'm thinking that is void since we switched resorts...??? All well. Excited for POR!

 

[andrewilley]

A few days ago I got an email saying that we "may" be able to bypass the desk at checkin and to go straight to our room or park. Now I'm thinking that is void since we switched resorts...???

If you kept the booking (and thus the magic bands they sent you are still linked) then it will probably still happen. You'll know if you get a text message with your room number anyway, otherwise go to the desk as normal. To be honest, if you've never been to POR before then I'd suggest going to the front desk anyway.

Andre

 

[keahgirl8]

perhaps go to the front desk and ask.

I was actually not back at the hotel yet and was trying to get some idea about my schedule for next day before I got back. Of course you should always ask the front desk these things to make sure.

 

[andrewilley]

Of course you should always ask the front desk these things to make sure.

That doesn't always help though, and they might just refer to the same document that I saw in December, which states a new 7am start time for the buses in general, and an unspecified later time (presumably around 8am-9am) for the Disney Springs service. I can't see that the chart can be confidential, as they must show it to guests who ask, so I'll post a copy:



Maybe a call to 407-WDW-RIDE might be more productive?

Working out how the buses really work at Disney World has always been a black art though as they keep adjusting the 'rules' (which are more guidelines anyway).

Andre

 

[Choppygirl]

Hello all, I am from the UK and have previously stayed off site and SSR. I was originally looking at Yacht Club for our August 2017 trip but Port Orleans Riverside has really caught my eye as the theming looks lovely. SSR was nice but a bit sterile. Anyhow, I am about 20 pages into this thread and after reading the wonderful Port Orleans website I really can't decide whether or not I prefer Alligator Bayou are or Magnolia Bend. I have decided I am not that bothered about a view due to the lack of balcony but don't really fancy the noise of a car park so at the moment I think we will go for Garden View (upgrading from free QSDP to DDP) and leave it in the lap of the gods which block we end up in. My question is, if we are really unhappy with the room location, what are the chances of being able to go back to reception and ask for a different block in the same view category? We are travelling late August and should get to the resort approx 5pm.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hello all, I am from the UK and have previously stayed off site and SSR. I was originally looking at Yacht Club for our August 2017 trip but Port Orleans Riverside has really caught my eye as the theming looks lovely. SSR was nice but a bit sterile. Anyhow, I am about 20 pages into this thread and after reading the wonderful Port Orleans website I really can't decide whether or not I prefer Alligator Bayou are or Magnolia Bend. I have decided I am not that bothered about a view due to the lack of balcony but don't really fancy the noise of a car park so at the moment I think we will go for Garden View (upgrading from free QSDP to DDP) and leave it in the lap of the gods which block we end up in. My question is, if we are really unhappy with the room location, what are the chances of being able to go back to reception and ask for a different block in the same view category? We are travelling late August and should get to the resort approx 5pm.

If you decide you want to be in the Mansion section called Magnolia Bend, you can book a Royal Room to be sure of that location. Or you can request to be in Magnolia Bend and take your chances. If you decide you really want to be in Alligator Bayou, book a Preferred Room. Or you could request Alligator Bayou and take your chances. If you have 5 people in the room you will get Alligator Bayou. My favorite is the Mansions of Magnolia Bend. The leisure quiet pools and fountains and landscaping there are so elegant. Have a great vacation at POR! You can always go to the front desk and request a change, it's never a guarantee that they have anything to accommodate your request. Good luck! POR is my favorite. I wish I was in ANY room there right now!

 

[mocame]

Does everyone bring their own soap, shampoo, and conditioner or do you only use Disney's? Does mousekeeping keep them supplied if you use them up before the end of your stay? I was hoping to save a little room in our suitcases.

 

[dansdad]

Does everyone bring their own soap, shampoo, and conditioner or do you only use Disney's?

We always use what is supplied.

Does mousekeeping keep them supplied if you use them up before the end of your stay?

Yup. And you can always ask for more.

 

[andrewilley]

Anyhow, I am about 20 pages into this thread and after reading the wonderful Port Orleans website I really can't decide whether or not I prefer Alligator Bayou are or Magnolia Bend.

If you don't know which side you'd prefer, I'd just leave it to chance and be surprised when you get there. I've stayed in both sides many times, and I do like both. A far bigger factor is getting a room relatively close to the main buildings, so I'd suggest that would be a better request rather than an AB vs. MB.

If you really don't like where you've been assigned, you can always ask to be moved (although most likely that won't happen until the next day if you've already gone into the room).

Andre

 

[Ensusieasm]

Does everyone bring their own soap, shampoo, and conditioner or do you only use Disney's? Does mousekeeping keep them supplied if you use them up before the end of your stay? I was hoping to save a little room in our suitcases.

A good way to be sure and get more is to put all the disney shampoos and soaps etc. away in a drawer each morning. Then they will always leave more of everything every day.

 

[dansdad]

A good way to be sure and get more is to put all the disney shampoos and soaps etc. away in a drawer each morning. Then they will always leave more of everything every day.

Well I guess that's one way to do it. We ask for extras on our first day and there is a bag full of them on the sink counter. They usually leave so much that we end up bringing at least 5 bottles of each home at the end of our stay.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Well I guess that's one way to do it. We ask for extras on our first day and there is a bag full of them on the sink counter. They usually leave so much that we end up bringing at least 5 bottles of each home at the end of our stay.

HaHa... I feel bad directly asking, so I just leave a little hint. Ha ha! It works!

 

[Marlyn]

Does everyone bring their own soap, shampoo, and conditioner or do you only use Disney's? Does mousekeeping keep them supplied if you use them up before the end of your stay? I was hoping to save a little room in our suitcases.

I always request more. We take extras when we head to water parks so we can shower there.

 

[mocame]

Well I guess that's one way to do it. We ask for extras on our first day and there is a bag full of them on the sink counter. They usually leave so much that we end up bringing at least 5 bottles of each home at the end of our stay.

HaHa... I feel bad directly asking, so I just leave a little hint. Ha ha! It works!

I always request more. We take extras when we head to water parks so we can shower there.

Thank you for the information! I guess I have a couple ways to ask or hint that we need more!

 

[yaya74]

First time staying at POR....A few questions:

1. Parking: Is the parking lot near the building?
2. Stairs: How are the stairs in the building?? How many flights??
3. How far is the walk to POFQ food court from POR??

TIA!

 

[dansdad]

First time staying at POR....A few questions:

1. Parking: Is the parking lot near the building?
2. Stairs: How are the stairs in the building?? How many flights??
3. How far is the walk to POFQ food court from POR??

TIA!

1. Maybe, depends which building. Check the map located here. http://www.portorleans.org/floorplans.php
2. Very nice.
3. Depends on where you start at POR. But from POR food court to POFQ Food Court is about 10 minutes.

 

[calngavinsmom]

Hello all, I am from the UK and have previously stayed off site and SSR. I was originally looking at Yacht Club for our August 2017 trip but Port Orleans Riverside has really caught my eye as the theming looks lovely. SSR was nice but a bit sterile. Anyhow, I am about 20 pages into this thread and after reading the wonderful Port Orleans website I really can't decide whether or not I prefer Alligator Bayou are or Magnolia Bend. I have decided I am not that bothered about a view due to the lack of balcony but don't really fancy the noise of a car park so at the moment I think we will go for Garden View (upgrading from free QSDP to DDP) and leave it in the lap of the gods which block we end up in. My question is, if we are really unhappy with the room location, what are the chances of being able to go back to reception and ask for a different block in the same view category? We are travelling late August and should get to the resort approx 5pm.

Great choice! My family LOVES this resort. It really is lovely. We have had the pleasure of staying in both the Bayou and Magnolia Bend and enjoyed them both. I am with you though, I like to not be facing the parking, so I always book garden view. If you are not set on a section, I would just leave it up to chance and place your requests based on what IS important to you. For example, we enjoy the main pool so I like to request "close to Old Man Island" . I like to have a corner room because they are brighter (two windows) so I request "corner room". I find if you give them an idea of what you want in a room location rather than a specific building or area, they are more easily able to accommodate you and there will be less chance you are disappointed.

It is possible to change locations, but it is solely based on availability so if the resort is at capacity, you will have a better chance getting what you want if you put in some requests at the time of booking.

Good luck!