Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[Gorechick]

South was a quick walk along the river and over the bridge from Parterre. We were in the center of the building next to the elevators during our 2012 trip. Very convenient location to get to parking lot for rental car or to walk to main buildings and buses.

 

[Sue M]

Also, what is the average bus ride time from POR to Epcot? Thank you!

I can't say I've ever timed it, but pretty short. How's that for a technical answer, lol!

 

[keahgirl8]

I can't say I've ever timed it, but pretty short. How's that for a technical answer, lol!

Haha! That's what I was about to say!

 

[Melanie Ives]

Hi everyone. Brand new here. I've been lurking around over the weekend reading the thread but this is my first official post. We are leaving in 13 days (gah!!!) for our FIRST EVER Disney trip. It's me, my husband, and our 7-year-old daughter. We've reserved a Magic Your Way Package with a Royal Guest Room with a Garden View. On the map it looks like there are a ton of these rooms and since I've never been anywhere on property let alone at this resort, I'm clueless as to whether or not I should request any special rooms/areas? Everything looks pretty awesome, but is one place better than another? Do we want to be closer to the pool, to food, to transportation? We're going during a super busy time so don't know what to expect at all. I'm flying blind, but super excited. We're arriving early...around noon. I was hoping to request early check in if possible, but I know there are no guarantees. Can we hang around on property if our room is not ready? Or must we go to a park? Sorry for all the questions. I was pretty laid back about it all, planned our ADR's and Fast Passes and then panicked that I just don't know enough about this resort. I want to be able to spend some time here. But unfortunately I don't have a whole extra day to have a resort day. Thanks for reading all this rambling! Best, Melanie

 

[Sue M]

Hi everyone. Brand new here. I've been lurking around over the weekend reading the thread but this is my first official post. We are leaving in 13 days (gah!!!) for our FIRST EVER Disney trip. It's me, my husband, and our 7-year-old daughter. We've reserved a Magic Your Way Package with a Royal Guest Room with a Garden View. On the map it looks like there are a ton of these rooms and since I've never been anywhere on property let alone at this resort, I'm clueless as to whether or not I should request any special rooms/areas? Everything looks pretty awesome, but is one place better than another? Do we want to be closer to the pool, to food, to transportation? We're going during a super busy time so don't know what to expect at all. I'm flying blind, but super excited. We're arriving early...around noon. I was hoping to request early check in if possible, but I know there are no guarantees. Can we hang around on property if our room is not ready? Or must we go to a park? Sorry for all the questions. I was pretty laid back about it all, planned our ADR's and Fast Passes and then panicked that I just don't know enough about this resort. I want to be able to spend some time here. But unfortunately I don't have a whole extra day to have a resort day. Thanks for reading all this rambling! Best, Melanie

We had a garden view RR our last stay, and thought it was a perfect location. I requested the Riverside area of Oak Manor, close to foot bridge. We got exactly that, and looked out at the fountain and gardens. We were close to foot bridge to go over to food, & main buildings, the quiet pool was on the other side of walkway, and a short walk over to main pool. Maybe 5 min.
Take a look at page 1 info. You can phone reservations to add requests to your reservation, and you can send a fax 4-5 days before arrival. We arrive early, because we Fly into Ft Lauderdale first to visit family for a few days, then drive up to wdw. I never check the take first available room option on the online checkin form. It voids any room requests you have. I'd rather wait to get my room, and get the room I want.
You can just check any bags you have with bell service and head out to a park, or you are welcome yo hang out at resort. The main pool has changing rooms and lockers. Pack what stuff you need in carry on.

If you live in the U.S. Your magic bands will have been sent to you, and if you've provided them with your cell phone, they will text you when your room is ready. So I'd just stop at the desk when you arrive, to check in, being its your first time. Those of us living outside of the US have to get our bands at the desk, and don't get room ready texts! They will send a room ready email which is very slow. Last August at Poly we got our room ready email 3 hrs after we were in our room!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Also, what is the average bus ride time from POR to Epcot? Thank you!

I've timed it from Epcot to the entrance of POA and it was only six minutes. It would be longer for the bus to make all its bus stops, though. But I was surprised at how close POA was to Epct.

 

[agavegirl1]

Do any of the king bed rooms have a river view? Are they the "handicapped accessible" rooms? DH and I like king bed rooms and are looking at a river view as a preference but want a bathtub.

 

[Melanie Ives]

We had a garden view RR our last stay, and thought it was a perfect location. I requested the Riverside area of Oak Manor, close to foot bridge. We got exactly that, and looked out at the fountain and gardens. We were close to foot bridge to go over to food, & main buildings, the quiet pool was on the other side of walkway, and a short walk over to main pool. Maybe 5 min.
Take a look at page 1 info. You can phone reservations to add requests to your reservation, and you can send a fax 4-5 days before arrival. We arrive early, because we Fly into Ft Lauderdale first to visit family for a few days, then drive up to wdw. I never check the take first available room option on the online checkin form. It voids any room requests you have. I'd rather wait to get my room, and get the room I want.
You can just check any bags you have with bell service and head out to a park, or you are welcome yo hang out at resort. The main pool has changing rooms and lockers. Pack what stuff you need in carry on.

If you live in the U.S. Your magic bands will have been sent to you, and if you've provided them with your cell phone, they will text you when your room is ready. So I'd just stop at the desk when you arrive, to check in, being its your first time. Those of us living outside of the US have to get our bands at the desk, and don't get room ready texts! They will send a room ready email which is very slow. Last August at Poly we got our room ready email 3 hrs after we were in our room!!

Thanks for the tips! Especially about never checking the take first available room because I DID check that. I saw that bit about the fax and I think I will try to do that and use your suggestions! And good to know if the day is nice we can use the pool! We're driving in from Atlanta, GA so we can have an "afternoon bag" prepared! We do have our magic bands so hopefully the text thing will work!! Thanks again!!

 

[maryandtyson]

Thanks for the tips! Especially about never checking the take first available room because I DID check that. I saw that bit about the fax and I think I will try to do that and use your suggestions! And good to know if the day is nice we can use the pool! We're driving in from Atlanta, GA so we can have an "afternoon bag" prepared! We do have our magic bands so hopefully the text thing will work!! Thanks again!!

Welcome! Try not to worry, or stress out. You have your room, tickets, ADRs and fast passes. Great job! Once you check in, you can swim at the pool, shop in the gift shop, have a meal or snack, whatever you want! If your room is ready, go ahead and unpack. I'd suggest a boat ride to Disney Springs. Check out World of Disney, the LEGO store, Ghirardelli ice cream... Have a great trip!

 

[Sue M]

Thanks for the tips! Especially about never checking the take first available room because I DID check that. I saw that bit about the fax and I think I will try to do that and use your suggestions! And good to know if the day is nice we can use the pool! We're driving in from Atlanta, GA so we can have an "afternoon bag" prepared! We do have our magic bands so hopefully the text thing will work!! Thanks again!!

You're welcome. We love spending time at POR, just to take it all in, and walk around. It's a beautiful resort do enjoy exploring.
Even though you have a car, I also recommend taking the boat to Disney Springs. Also use resort bus for MK. It's a pain driving. You can't park at MK, you park at the TTC, then take parking lot tram to TTC where you hsve the option of either a ferry boat or monorail to MK. So taking the resort bus to MK IMO is easier.

POR also has carriage rides, a fishing hole (cane fishing), and a fun evening entertainer, Bob Jackson. His show is a must!

If you haven't checked out Andre's web site, portorleans.org it's a wealth of info. Enjoy your stay, not long now!

 

[andrewilley]

Do any of the king bed rooms have a river view? Are they the "handicapped accessible" rooms? DH and I like king bed rooms and are looking at a river view as a preference but want a bathtub.

Yes, there are quite a few King Bed rooms (of the non Wheelchair Accessible type) which have very nice river views, including some of the best located rooms on property in Magnolia Terrace. See my floorplan maps for details, http://www.portorleans.org/floorplans.php

Andre

 

[agavegirl1]

Yes, there are quite a few King Bed rooms (of the non Wheelchair Accessible type) which have very nice river views, including some of the best located rooms on property in Magnolia Terrace. See my floorplan maps for details, http://www.portorleans.org/floorplans.php

Andre

Thank you! Thank you! This solidifies my decision.

 

[rteetz]

Heads up

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/03/walt-disney-world-airline-check-in.html

 

[Dittz]

We have a garden view room at POR booked and requested AB for our June trip. Which bust stop would be the best to use if we would like to get to the parks early?? Not sure if I would rather have a room closest to the best bus stop, or to the main building. This is our second time at POR, last time we had a Royal Room in Oak Manor and we drove our own vehicle from Canada down. This time we are flying and will be solely dependant on Disney transportation.

 

[Sue M]

Heads up

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/03/walt-disney-world-airline-check-in.html

Thanks for the heads up. Were they open until 1:00pm before?

 

[dansdad]

Thanks for the heads up. Were they open until 1:00pm before?

Yup.

 

[Sue M]

Yup.

Well I guess the people who have early flights will appreciate an earlier opening. But I like that 6:55pm direct flight home I'm not leaving till I have to lol!! Even if it means not getting home till midnight pacific time, which being on Florida time is more like 3:00 am. Ugh, but worth it!

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks for the heads up. Were they open until 1:00pm before?

Yes, the current operating hours are 5am-1pm, which reduces to 5am-noon from 11 April. I expect Disney will try to tell us it's due to guest request (I'm sure a lot of guests have asked for an earlier closure ).

Andre

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hi everyone. Brand new here. I've been lurking around over the weekend reading the thread but this is my first official post. We are leaving in 13 days (gah!!!) for our FIRST EVER Disney trip. It's me, my husband, and our 7-year-old daughter. We've reserved a Magic Your Way Package with a Royal Guest Room with a Garden View. On the map it looks like there are a ton of these rooms and since I've never been anywhere on property let alone at this resort, I'm clueless as to whether or not I should request any special rooms/areas? Everything looks pretty awesome, but is one place better than another? Do we want to be closer to the pool, to food, to transportation? We're going during a super busy time so don't know what to expect at all. I'm flying blind, but super excited. We're arriving early...around noon. I was hoping to request early check in if possible, but I know there are no guarantees. Can we hang around on property if our room is not ready? Or must we go to a park? Sorry for all the questions. I was pretty laid back about it all, planned our ADR's and Fast Passes and then panicked that I just don't know enough about this resort. I want to be able to spend some time here. But unfortunately I don't have a whole extra day to have a resort day. Thanks for reading all this rambling! Best, Melanie

Request a room in Oak Manor, and Yes, you can hang out at the resort and use the pool and water taxi to Disney Springs if your room isn't ready when you arrive. Have a great time!

 

[Amy M]

Does anyone have a preference between the the two mansion buildings--Magnolia Terrace and Acadian House? It looks like Magnolia Terrace has good access to the main pool and a bus stop (according to the map), but didn't know how that looks "in real life". We have a garden view room booked.