Help! Alligator Bayou busing...where to stay?

[jfoster]

We are in planning phases of a May 2013 trip. Our family of 5 (boys ages 2, 6and 8) stayed at AKL in May of last year. We loved it and would like to go back there, but of course, as a family of 5 (all of our boys are over 3 this year) we are limited to either a suite at a value resort, Port Orleans Riverside Alligator Bayou only or a deluxe resort. We tried booking The Contemporary, but all of the Garden Wing, Standard view rooms are gone. We can't see spending the $1500 more than POR to stay at a Garden Wing, Garden View Room at The Contemporary. We are only at our resort to sleep and spend all of our time at the parks. We are pretty concerned about the busing. Many reviews complain about how slow and inconvenient the buses are from POR because of its size. Does anyone know where the buses stop first? Where is the best building to stay that might get us on a bus first? We know the preferred rooms are in 14, 15, 18 and 27....and are near a busing depot, food and pool. We really only care about the busing convenience. All meals will be eaten in the parks and we may swim only a couple of times. So, where to stay??????? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[shoney]

Here is a map with the bus stops.
http://portorleans.org/riverside-info.php

We stayed in a mansion room in Feb. We often shared with the French quarter and didn't notice a distinct pattern in the buses.
Maybe someone who has stayed there more often would know. Try the POR thread in the resorts section of the DIS.

 

[maxiesmom]

The buses at POR don't always start at the same spot. Sometimes the South Depot is the first stop, sometimes it is the last. If you are near the West Depot, use that one. It will be either the first or the second stop on the way around the resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have stayed in bldgs 14, 35, and 85. I never had any issues with buses. Yes, it is a large resort, but the only time I had to stand was at park closing, once or twice.
When I was in bldg 85, I actually used the South Depot, next to the food court/main bldg area. Same thing when in bldg 14 (AB). When I was in bldg 35 (again, AB) using the West Depot was no issue at all either.

 

[dudspizza]

POR is our favorite resort and we always use the buses. I have seen no issues with the bus service. If we can, we walk to the main bus stop, but we have used the other stops as well with no issues.

Duds

 

[siskaren]

I would suggest asking in the POR thread in the resort forum:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2999316

 

[Minnesota!]

I would, instead, get 2 rooms at Pop. Great bussing, cheaper than a deluxe or suite, room to spread out + 2 bathrooms, and most people will get their own bed!

 

[siskaren]

I would, instead, get 2 rooms at Pop. Great bussing, cheaper than a deluxe or suite, room to spread out + 2 bathrooms, and most people will get their own bed!

The drawback with this idea is that the OP would definitely want connecting rooms (if that's the correct term for having a door between the two rooms), and my understanding is that isn't guaranteed, even with young children.

 

[jfoster]

It is my understanding, and I could be totally wrong, that POR is the cheapest way for a family of 5 to stay too. If we stayed at a suite at a value resort, which is the only room type to accomodate us, that it would cost $900 more for the week. I do not believe the standard rooms can hold 5, and the suites are all fairly expensive.....I assume 2 rooms connected would also cost more than the $215 per night for POR.....this was what I gathered after calling Disney.

 

[Minnesota!]

The drawback with this idea is that the OP would definitely want connecting rooms (if that's the correct term for having a door between the two rooms), and my understanding is that isn't guaranteed, even with young children.

We personally have never had an issue getting connecting rooms each time. I would bet at least 95% of the time you will get it.

The worst case scenario is an adjoining room...which is not a big deal, either..

OP - we pay about 90 a night typically for one room at Pop. So 2 rooms would run $180/night. Cheaper than your rate at POR. I would look into it. Cramming 5 into the room - 3 boys at that (I have 2!)...might get tight and chaotic.