Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[Princess KP]

Hey Andre, Venom (wherever you are), and all you great people around here! I just want to thank all of you guys again a couple years ago for the little inside tips on making my last trip a blast! Even during the Christmas week, we still had a great time.

I've been gone a couple years, but my girlfriend and I are planning on going back! She wants to run the WDW Marathon at the beginning of 2018, and not just the marathon, but EVERYTHING she can register for. 48.6 miles. I'd feel bad for her, but no one is forcing her to do this >.> Me? I'm going to train for maybe just the 5k and that's that. No kids this time, just her and me.

I really want to stay at either one of the mansion rooms in Riverside, or just a room at FQ. Not sure, yet.

Unlike a couple years ago, when we decided to go only 4 months out, this time, I'm giving a year to plan this mess, so here goes the first volley of questions for you vets!

For the people who stayed here during the Marathon, can we walk down Bonnet Creek Parkway to Disney Vacation Club Way to Epcot Center Drive to get to the race?

Also, anyone know if they give out some sort of room discount during marathon weekend?

Thanks guys!

I stayed at POFQ a few weeks ago for Marathon weekend and there were notices that you were not able to walk over to the start line or you risk being disqualified. Buses were available to take you over. Would suggest on the mornings of the half and the full, you give yourself enough time. With pickups at Riverside, roads being closed and traffic, it took us an hour to get to EPCOT.

As for discounts, I think runDisney offers packages. I just booked room only via Disney in September as there was a promo.

 

[keahgirl8]

Hey Andre, Venom (wherever you are), and all you great people around here! I just want to thank all of you guys again a couple years ago for the little inside tips on making my last trip a blast! Even during the Christmas week, we still had a great time.

I've been gone a couple years, but my girlfriend and I are planning on going back! She wants to run the WDW Marathon at the beginning of 2018, and not just the marathon, but EVERYTHING she can register for. 48.6 miles. I'd feel bad for her, but no one is forcing her to do this >.> Me? I'm going to train for maybe just the 5k and that's that. No kids this time, just her and me.

I really want to stay at either one of the mansion rooms in Riverside, or just a room at FQ. Not sure, yet.

Unlike a couple years ago, when we decided to go only 4 months out, this time, I'm giving a year to plan this mess, so here goes the first volley of questions for you vets!

For the people who stayed here during the Marathon, can we walk down Bonnet Creek Parkway to Disney Vacation Club Way to Epcot Center Drive to get to the race?

Also, anyone know if they give out some sort of room discount during marathon weekend?

Thanks guys!

She is crazy and awesome! I'd love to do the Dopey someday, but I don't know if a full is in the cards for me.

You can get a discount, but it's usually the same as the general public gets.

 

[FelisLachesis]

I stayed at POFQ a few weeks ago for Marathon weekend and there were notices that you were not able to walk over to the start line or you risk being disqualified. Buses were available to take you over. Would suggest on the mornings of the half and the full, you give yourself enough time. With pickups at Riverside, roads being closed and traffic, it took us an hour to get to EPCOT.

As for discounts, I think runDisney offers packages. I just booked room only via Disney in September as there was a promo.

She is crazy and awesome! I'd love to do the Dopey someday, but I don't know if a full is in the cards for me.

You can get a discount, but it's usually the same as the general public gets.

Ok, thank you for that! Yeah, she's crazy, but that's why I love her. She said that after this marathon, she wants to retire from the 26.2, so she wants to go out in style. She'll still run halves and 10 mile races, though.

As for not being able to walk from PO to The Epcot Lot is what it is. The rules are the rules, and I don't want to cause any issues. That said, this will cause quite a few early mornings, and we both work second shift. It's going to be hard going from sleeping at 2 am to getting up at 2 am.

Anyway, I'm digressing from the point of this thread, which is PO-R. The reason we have a connection to this resort is because our first date was seeing The Princess and The Frog So we have a bit of an emotional attachment here. Last time, we were in The Bayou, because we had 5 people. This time, it's only 2, so I'm thinking about Magnolia Bend.

The reason I was asking for room discounts (and thank you for the answers) is if I don't have to pay rack, I might be thinking about upgrading the rooms. Maybe a Royal?

 

[andrewilley]

For the people who stayed here during the Marathon, can we walk down Bonnet Creek Parkway to Disney Vacation Club Way to Epcot Center Drive to get to the race?

There are no sidewalks on the main Disney World routes, so they take a dim view of anyone trying to walk along the carriageways.

Andre

 

[TCB in FLA]

The reason I was asking for room discounts (and thank you for the answers) is if I don't have to pay rack, I might be thinking about upgrading the rooms. Maybe a Royal?

I wouldn't count on any specific Run Disney discounts (or at least that I've ever been able to find). But usually Disney has their own discounts available during this time.

I'm seriously thinking of giving the Dopey a go in 2018. And those early mornings are def tough esp since the half and full start even earlier than the other two events.

 

[Sue M]

12-days and counting...getting excited!

So regarding buses...reading up a bit on portorleans.org...I understand that typically, the first pickup is West...then N, E, and finally S. We're booked in a preferred room, so I presume the South stop will be closest for us...but is it worth walking to the West pickup when heading off to the park to avoid getting stuck on an overcrowded bus? My gut is to just stick with the South stop, since crowds should be relatively light (week of Feb 6-10) and we will be trying to get to the parks around RD. Also FWIW, we'll only be taking the bus to MK. We have a rental car and I plan to drive to HS and EP.

Also, since I didn't get a response, just repeating my question from last night: anyone know if I can request a blender for our room? My wife claims "most" hotels can provide you with a blender...but seems like a bit of an oddball request outside of suites. She wants one for making protein shakes in the morning...we have a small single serving size one we could shove in our checked luggage, but would prefer not to worry about it if we don't have to.

Thanks!

Sorry. I haven't heard of any WDW providing blenders on request. Maybe she can pack an immersion blender if she's planning on adding fruit to shake. Other wise if she's just using a liquid and protein powder just a shaker container should do.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

Do POFQ and POR share buses on race mornings or are they separate? If they are shared, what is the first stop?

 

[TCB in FLA]

Do POFQ and POR share buses on race mornings or are they separate? If they are shared, what is the first stop?

During Princess last year, POR had their own buses on the way to the races (I ran all three) but shared on the way back. I got on at the main building stop and I don't recall making any other stops to be honest.

 

[Jayhawk75]

How cramped will a family of 5 be in a preferred room? Given we will have the pull down bed I know we will have little storage...

 

[WhispyPixie]

Of course it is a personal opinion, but I think you will be fine as long as each person does not have a huge suitcase each. Try using soft-sided luggage you can stack on the clothes rack.

 

[YRose]

We are staying at the POR April 2017. We have a Royal Room Garden View booked. I am going to request the Oak Manor building. I am trying to figure out where the designated smoking areas are near the Royal Rooms as we do not want to be near smoke. I am not sure if that is a concern at POR since it looks like the rooms are a little set back from the Garden/fountain areas. I know at CBR they said if you don't want to be near a smoking area to request a room facing the parking lot. Thank you for any info you may have regarding this.
Michelle

 

[Jayhawk75]

Of course it is a personal opinion, but I think you will be fine as long as each person does not have a huge suitcase each. Try using soft-sided luggage you can stack on the clothes rack.

We planned to use the shelf for our clothes, wanted to keep everything off the floor...

 

[WhispyPixie]

Something to think about, after you have unpacked, you could send your empty luggage to bell services. Pretty sure it doesn't cost anything. We have never done it, but have heard of families that have. Another option if space is needed. Bring 1 or 2 collapsible hanging shelf units to put on the closet rod. 2 of them should take up less than half of the rod. They would be folded flat in your suitcase and you would get anywhere to 4 to 6 additional shelves. They work FANTASTIC in my daughters dorm room and give her tons of additional storage space.

 

[buzznina]

We planned to use the shelf for our clothes, wanted to keep everything off the floor...

We put the smaller suitcases into the big suitcase and then i will stand that one up between the bathroom wall and the bed all the way by the headboard. We then use it as a little table, tissue box, cell etc. it's out of the way and serves a purpose.

 

[Candid]

Forgive me if this has been asked and I missed it but does POR have wheelchairs available for guests to use in the resort? I have knee and foot problems and am afraid that once I get off the bus my leg will have seized up and I won't be able to walk to my room. Definitely requesting a ground floor preferred building but getting there is the problem, lol

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Forgive me if this has been asked and I missed it but does POR have wheelchairs available for guests to use in the resort? I have knee and foot problems and am afraid that once I get off the bus my leg will have seized up and I won't be able to walk to my room. Definitely requesting a ground floor preferred building but getting there is the problem, lol

They have golf carts that CM use to get around. We've been given rides on them a couple of times. I imagine if you explain why you need it, if you ask to have someone drive you to your room, they will find someone.

 

[andrewilley]

Could someone staying at POR or POFQ at the moment confirm whether they've got the February Recreation Schedule handout sheets at the front desk (or in Welcome packs) yet? I was told that they haven't been approved yet (as of a couple of days ago) but that seems odd as they would presumably need to be printed by now... Thanks.

Andre

 

[Canooknic]

Could someone staying at POR or POFQ at the moment confirm whether they've got the February Recreation Schedule handout sheets at the front desk (or in Welcome packs) yet? I was told that they haven't been approved yet (as of a couple of days ago) but that seems odd as they would presumably need to be printed by now... Thanks.

Andre

I received an email with it this morning http://image.emails.disneydestinations.com/lib/fe9d15737d66047d71/m/8/PWREFAKL.pdf

 

[Candid]

They have golf carts that CM use to get around. We've been given rides on them a couple of times. I imagine if you explain why you need it, if you ask to have someone drive you to your room, they will find someone.

Thank you

 

[memakwed]

Here now and a little disappointed with quiet pool hours. We traditionally have breakfast poolside to let the kids swim before going to the park. I called the front desk and was told quiet pool hours are 10-9. I am going to the pool to check signage but that really changes our usual routine from the last 5 trips. Just wanted to pass the info on if it could be helpful to someone else. We are staying in a royal guest room poolview so it would be convenient to swim.