Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[Wood Nymph]

Our sink area did not look this attractive and the walls were painted a yellowish green color.

This is from a room in the Alligator Bayou section of the resort. I like the way those rooms are decorated.

 

[DJFan88]

Can anyone whos done online check in recently tell me what the options are for room selection. We have a pool room booked.

 

[andrewilley]

Our sink area did not look this attractive and the walls were painted a yellowish green color.

You were in the mansion buildings which have a different decor to the 'rustic' Alligator Bayou rooms. Many people prefer the relative plushness of the mansions, but it's a personal taste thing:

I still prefer the look of those older lush comforters over the newer bland white sheets and bed scarves, but I think it wasn't easy to keep the old comforters clean.

Andre

 

[Cyndo723]

I'm trying to decide which section to request for our upcoming trip in May. I have Garden View booked and would like to be on the ground floor because we will have a large double stroller. If I request Alligator Bayou, will I be able to get a ground floor room, or should I request Mansions where there is an elevator if we have an upper floor? Are there ramps to the first floor walkways? It looks like most of them are not at ground level.

 

[andrewilley]

Are there ramps to the first floor walkways? It looks like most of them are not at ground level.

There is at least one ramped access route for every ground-floor area at Port Orleans (more than one for some buildings) so as long as you do get ground floor you will be fine.

Andre

 

[FrancoFun]

Yes, there is a physical door to the area containing the bath and toilet. The dual wash basin area, which also includes the clothes hanging rail, hair dryer, ironing board & mini-safe, is part of the main bedroom layout and separated by a privacy curtain (handy for getting dressed when there are several people staying in the room).

I've head some talk that the next round of refurbs might change the curtains for a wooden shutter, but that's just speculation at the moment.

Andre

Super, thanks! When looking at the floor plan that is certainly what it seemed, but then I worried that the previous poster's frustration was over a curtain separating the toilet from the room. My family is one of the "just get dressed wherever" type, so a curtain wouldn't even be needed in front of the sinks, really.

 

[FelisLachesis]

Super, thanks! When looking at the floor plan that is certainly what it seemed, but then I worried that the previous poster's frustration was over a curtain separating the toilet from the room. My family is one of the "just get dressed wherever" type, so a curtain wouldn't even be needed in front of the sinks, really.

Yup! The curtain is to help protect some modesty, as my kids don't want to see me change, and vice-versa. And you need a door to the bathroom, can you imagine if some of those smells got out into the living area? Whew!

 

[Barbanellie]

CBR has had an actual door since 2005.

I stand corrected! I have only stayed at POR, and thought I remembered seeing the curtain situation at the other mods when we had first looked into the hotel options.

I do feel really sorry for people who have a bad experience here. I know it can happen, but I just loved my two stays here so much, it saddens me that not everyone gets to have the wonderful time I have had! The only reason our next trip will not be at POR, is that my husband and I are set on trying out POFQ (maybe next year!). But I can't imagine staying at a non-PO resort

 

[keahgirl8]

I stand corrected! I have only stayed at POR, and thought I remembered seeing the curtain situation at the other mods when we had first looked into the hotel options.

I do feel really sorry for people who have a bad experience here. I know it can happen, but I just loved my two stays here so much, it saddens me that not everyone gets to have the wonderful time I have had! The only reason our next trip will not be at POR, is that my husband and I are set on trying out POFQ (maybe next year!). But I can't imagine staying at a non-PO resort

Same here! The only other place I have stayed is Pop. I tried POR and never looked back.

 

[karm12]

We've stayed all over the Disney property, including several of the deluxe hotels. We always end up back at POR, it is such a better value, but is still a beautiful place.

 

[FrancoFun]

When it comes to room requests - would it be likely for a family of 3 to get an Alligator Bayou if requested? Or should we request mansions? We have pool view booked, but would prefer an upper floor (and relatively quiet).

 

[Sue M]

We stayed at this hotel one night last week before moving to a condo for a week.

I had heard so many good things about this hotel and was really looking forward to our stay.

I was really dissappointed with the room, all the people smoking and the atrious customer service.

I have stayed onsite numerous times and one thing I always found is if there was a problem Disney apologized profusely and immediately took care of it. Going above a beyond to not only fix the problem but also to make the guest happy, even if it was a minor problem.

That was absolutely not the case at this hotel.

I did online checkin and magical express and had luggage sent to room. While on ME I got text that room was not ready yet. By the time we got to hotel it was a bit after three and there was a 20 family line deep at registration. Not a big deal, and expected since it spring break and check-in time. So, we changed into shorts in the bathroom lobby and checked our carryons with bell services and took Mears cab, because no ubers were available, to watch my son's high school baseball team play at ESPN. Game ran late so we then ubered straight to Hoop Dee Doo.

I never got a text that room was ready but didn't think anything of it because that has happened before.


I'm sorry, but if this is the best moderate hotel Disney offers that is sad-especially given the price we paid. Shabby place and shabby service. Never again. So disappointing

IT glitches, guests refusing to leave after check out wow sounds like you had quite a time. I'm sorry POR didn't live up to your expectations.
This is def not the normal there. I've had many stays at POR and only once did I have a problem, being assigned a dirty room. My problem was dealt with swiftly and professionally, new room was found, and a personal visit and apology by night manager Mark.
I can't speak for room ready text, living outside the US we don't get them. But sounds like being Spring Break, IT problem and guest refusing to leave was the perfect storm!
I will agree with you about smoking areas, really all smoking areas in WDW. I wish they'd put them off the main paths.
Your experience was not the norm. So sorry this happened to you. That was awful. But I don't want others looking forward to their first stay at this beautiful resort to be scared away.

 

[andrewilley]

When it comes to room requests - would it be likely for a family of 3 to get an Alligator Bayou if requested?

You stand a good chance, there are more AB rooms than there are regular mansion building rooms.

Andre

 

[FrancoFun]

You stand a good chance, there are more AB rooms than there are regular mansion building rooms.

Andre

Thank you!

 

[momcloud]

We are staying at POR in October. This is our first time to stay there, so thanks for all the great info on this resort!

 

[disneyfanatic60]

Planning a short trip in August with my Daughter and Son-in-law. I have never stayed at POR but they have. We are trying to decide which room we should book. They did a Royal Room on their trip a few years ago. I definitely do not want to stay in Alligator Bayou. I prefer the mansion style. So what is your recommendation on building/room type and why? Really struggling trying to find a good location close to main building but also close to one of the pools as well as bus transportation. There are so many room choices to choose from...lol!

 

[DJFan88]

Planning a short trip in August with my Daughter and Son-in-law. I have never stayed at POR but they have. We are trying to decide which room we should book. They did a Royal Room on their trip a few years ago. I definitely do not want to stay in Alligator Bayou. I prefer the mansion style. So what is your recommendation on building/room type and why? Really struggling trying to find a good location close to main building but also close to one of the pools as well as bus transportation. There are so many room choices to choose from...lol!

You could book River View if available, and then request mansions if you don't want to stay in a RR. RR would guarantee no AB, but not location, so you could also book River View on that if going RR, I believe that is a class too. River View would be closer for mansions.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Planning a short trip in August with my Daughter and Son-in-law. I have never stayed at POR but they have. We are trying to decide which room we should book. They did a Royal Room on their trip a few years ago. I definitely do not want to stay in Alligator Bayou. I prefer the mansion style. So what is your recommendation on building/room type and why? Really struggling trying to find a good location close to main building but also close to one of the pools as well as bus transportation. There are so many room choices to choose from...lol!

The only way to be garanteed a Mansion room would be to book a Royal Room. If you don't want a Royal Room you can take your chances and request Magnolia Bend. Have a wonderful time.

 

[halssister]

Maybe not the best place to ask this, but the POR folks here are the friendliest and most helpful!

Our new travel plans for this summer have us arriving likely around 10 a.m. We've never arrived that early before - we drive for a couple days, and usually get there around dinner time. We want to be able to head to EPCOT shortly after we arrive, spend a few hours and then return to POR to relax and use the pool, probably around our dinner time (4:00 ish). We will have a car but want to use the buses if possible, we don't want to mess with driving after 20 hours in the car!

We can leave most our bags in the car, but will have one with medication, electronics, make up etc that won't be able to stay in the heat. So these would need to go to, where, guest services, or exactly where do we take this bag to have them hold it for us?
Should we check in when we arrive (even though our room may not be ready), or check in when we return from the park? I'm paranoid about our magic bands not working at the park, even though I have no logical reason to worry! I planned on doing online check in, so I guess I could skip guest services altogether but what if the bands don't work at the park? What is the exact procedure I need to follow? I don't do well with unknowns, I like to have it down exactly what I need to do before I get somewhere!
Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Maybe not the best place to ask this, but the POR folks here are the friendliest and most helpful!

Our new travel plans for this summer have us arriving likely around 10 a.m. We've never arrived that early before - we drive for a couple days, and usually get there around dinner time. We want to be able to head to EPCOT shortly after we arrive, spend a few hours and then return to POR to relax and use the pool, probably around our dinner time (4:00 ish). We will have a car but want to use the buses if possible, we don't want to mess with driving after 20 hours in the car!

We can leave most our bags in the car, but will have one with medication, electronics, make up etc that won't be able to stay in the heat. So these would need to go to, where, guest services, or exactly where do we take this bag to have them hold it for us?
Should we check in when we arrive (even though our room may not be ready), or check in when we return from the park? I'm paranoid about our magic bands not working at the park, even though I have no logical reason to worry! I planned on doing online check in, so I guess I could skip guest services altogether but what if the bands don't work at the park? What is the exact procedure I need to follow? I don't do well with unknowns, I like to have it down exactly what I need to do before I get somewhere!
Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

You would take your bags to Bell Services. They now have a desk inside the lobby. They can even refrigerate anything that needs to be refrigerated. Checking in online or at the front desk won't have anything to do with your magic band working at the park as long as your tickets are linked in My Disney Experience.