Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[Muskegon78]

I've been told that the start time changed to 7am in December, but lots of people are still reporting buses earlier than that so I'd love to hear what your actual experience is if you get to the bus stop at 6:30. Perhaps you could make a note of what's showing on the wait-time board at 6:30am, which will give us a good idea of what's going on?




You're very welcome Mary, glad I could help.




The feature pool hours are currently 10am-9pm (well, at FQ anyway - Riverside's feature pool is closed as you know). I assume they will start to extend the time outward again by March, but I don't know any details yet. The quiet pools are pretty much open 24 hours though, as no one enforces the times.

Andre

We didn't get to the west? Stop until 645 but they were running, we were the only party picked up for mk at the 3 stops before a few more people got on at the main stop

 

[Choppygirl]

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

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!

Thank you both. I will take my chances as I have no preference over the style of the room but will request not too far from the main area. Are you able to still do this if you do not have a preferred room? Do you know what options are available when you do on line check in?

 

[keahgirl8]

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:

View attachment 153001

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

Thanks for that! I didn't end up needing it, because I decided to go back in the afternoon.

 

[calngavinsmom]

Thank you both. I will take my chances as I have no preference over the style of the room but will request not too far from the main area. Are you able to still do this if you do not have a preferred room? Do you know what options are available when you do on line check in?

Yes you can ask for anything your wee heart desires! Nothing is guaranteed tho....but it sure doesn't hurt to ask! The online check in requests are pretty limited,
only asking about the floor# and corner room I believe, so your best bet is to call Disney directly (or fax) and ask to add the room requests to your original reservation.

Good luck!

 

[Mermaid02]

I just booked a Royal Room Standard View for April- my thought was people would be walking by the window to get to their own rooms so when we are there we would have the shades/curtains drawn. Is this the way the resort is set up or are the windows not looking over where the guests walk?

 

[Ensusieasm]

I just booked a Royal Room Standard View for April- my thought was people would be walking by the window to get to their own rooms so when we are there we would have the shades/curtains drawn. Is this the way the resort is set up or are the windows not looking over where the guests walk?

Yes, the window is where people walk by. But there are heavy drapes.

 

[Mermaid02]

Thank you! I don't want to pay for a view that I'm not really going to see!

 

[CQuinn]

Here and now absolutely love the resort!! It's so beautiful and peaceful. I love our location at Acadian, the only downside is that the bridge to ol man island is out so we can't cut across to the main building but it's not that big of a deal.

 

[andrewilley]

Yes, the window is where people walk by. But there are heavy drapes.

We don't ever shut the drapes during the day, it makes the room too dark. Depending on where your room is located you may get very little footfall along the outside corridor anyway, but even if you do just angle the blinds a little so that people can't easily look in but you can still get the daylight and see out.

Otherwise, why would they bother installing windows at all? There's really no point in being in the Florida sunshine and then living in artificial light the whole time.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

I love our location at Acadian, the only downside is that the bridge to ol man island is out so we can't cut across to the main building but it's not that big of a deal.

The bridge is meant to be re-opening tomorrow I believe.

Andre

 

[yaya74]

Is it worthwhile to pay the extra for Preferred room? What do I get with the Preferred room? Closer to the food court and the extra murphy bed? I worry about the stairs as there is no elevator in those buildings where PR are. I have a double stroller (which I could probably store in the trunk of my car) and two young children (8 and 4) who would probably too tired to climb the stairs at the end of the day..... How many flights of stairs are there in those building?? Anyone counted??

 

[kyle3423]

Sweet, the bridge will be open when we get there Sunday. Our room is basically going to be a surprise. I told them I didn't care if they put us in the mansions or AB as long as it was close to the main building. We'll see what they come through with.

 

[Jcon]

Is it worthwhile to pay the extra for Preferred room? What do I get with the Preferred room? Closer to the food court and the extra murphy bed? I worry about the stairs as there is no elevator in those buildings where PR are. I have a double stroller (which I could probably store in the trunk of my car) and two young children (8 and 4) who would probably too tired to climb the stairs at the end of the day..... How many flights of stairs are there in those building?? Anyone counted??

Preferred gets you closer to the restaurants, south bus stop, and lobby. If you're on the Alligator Bayou side, you will get a Murphy bed, regardless if you're in a preferred room or not.

I can't recommend Andre's site enough. Take a look at all the pictures that are posted and all the info on the rooms. There are also maps that show you the location of all the buildings. Here's a link to the pictures of AB: http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-POR-AB.php

As you can in the pics, it's one flight of stairs up to the second level.

I'm in the same situation, where I don't want to climb the stairs for our upcoming trip. It's just not convenient with a 2 year old and a stroller. I won't have a vehicle there.

 

[yaya74]

Preferred gets you closer to the restaurants, south bus stop, and lobby. If you're on the Alligator Bayou side, you will get a Murphy bed, regardless if you're in a preferred room or not.

I can't recommend Andre's site enough. Take a look at all the pictures that are posted and all the info on the rooms. There are also maps that show you the location of all the buildings. Here's a link to the pictures of AB: http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-POR-AB.php

As you can in the pics, it's one flight of stairs up to the second level.

I'm in the same situation, where I don't want to climb the stairs for our upcoming trip. It's just not convenient with a 2 year old and a stroller. I won't have a vehicle there.

Jcon, thank you SO MUCH for your reply and the recommendation of Andre's site. Looking at those greenery, I wish I could snap my finger and be there RIGHT NOW! I am so done with the winter here in the North East.

 

[Marlyn]

Is it worthwhile to pay the extra for Preferred room? What do I get with the Preferred room? Closer to the food court and the extra murphy bed? I worry about the stairs as there is no elevator in those buildings where PR are. I have a double stroller (which I could probably store in the trunk of my car) and two young children (8 and 4) who would probably too tired to climb the stairs at the end of the day..... How many flights of stairs are there in those building?? Anyone counted??

When you do online Check in you can choose bottom floor as an option

 

[andrewilley]

When you do online Check in you can choose bottom floor as an option

You can request it, yes. But do remember that requests are not guaranteed.

Andre

 

[Marlyn]

You can request it, yes. But do remember that requests are not guaranteed.

Andre

Yes, absolutely. Any and all requests are up to the resort. All we can do is ask and cross fingers!

 

[NicoleLarson]

We have TIW and wondered if it was worth the 20% off to go get breakfast at POFQ? We are in a royal room and I understand they are the closest. Would you make the wall to save 20%?

 

[Ensusieasm]

We have TIW and wondered if it was worth the 20% off to go get breakfast at POFQ? We are in a royal room and I understand they are the closest. Would you make the wall to save 20%?

Depends on how many breakfasts you are buying? The walk is relaxing and 10 minutes of beauty. If you are catching a bus to a park you can hop on a POFQ bus. French Quarter does have warm bienets (sp?)

 

[NicoleLarson]

Depends on how many breakfasts you are buying? The walk is relaxing and 10 minutes of beauty. If you are catching a bus to a park you can hop on a POFQ bus. French Quarter does have warm bienets (sp?)

Just one and I didn't think about just catching the bus at POFQ. Great tip, thx!