help for first timer likely at PO-Riverside

[Texowl2]

Can somebody provide thoughts and suggestions for nonsmoking rooms to be requested? or better yet summary of goods and bad on the different buildings. We'll have rental cars. Thanks

 

[TN Traveler]

Texowl2----DH, 3 DDs and I stayed at POR 5/30 - 6/4. Because we have 5 in our familiy we stayed in the Alligator Bayou for the trundle bed. We loved it. Was a little difficult finding our room at 10:00 at night after spending the day in MK and being tired. However, the next morning after we got up and were able to get out and see the property we found a better way to our room and loved it. All you have to do is ask for a nonsmoking room and I'm sure CM will do all they can to get you in the correct room. We requested a room on the bottom floor and had a great one. We really liked the walkways w/the little ponds everywhere. We were fairly close to one of the smaller pools and the laundry room altho I will admit it was a little bit of a walk to the main lobby, gift shops and restaurants. Our room was always cleaned and kept very nice. At some hotels you can hear your neighbor next to you or over you but we never did.

Noticed you are located in Houston....my step son lives in Katy! Also have a cousin that lives in Mont Belvieu. Small world!!

Have a great time in Disney. We certainly did.

 

[maxwelljsmom]

I have to say, that I REALLY Enjoy this resort. If others in my family weren't deluxe hotel snobs, I would stay here. We have stayed almost everywhere in WDW and this is by far my favorite, even over GF.
First, the resort is beautiful!!!! I have only stayed in Pietrre Place and Oak Manor, never on the bayou side. The landscaping is lush and it's wonderfullly quiet. The running path is great and the scenery is so pretty.
The Main pool is fun and wonderful. Although I am a huge fan of the quiet pools, which on the manor side, are plentiful.
The rooms are very well kept, better than the Contemporary or even the POLY. There are two sinks, and the bathroom is actually a pretty good size.
Walking can be pretty far from the buses and the main lobby, but it's not horrible. The food court, in my opinion is the best on the WDW property. It's large, clean, (More than I can say for Contemporary and WL) and has a lot of options. Get the Prailines, the are amazing, in fact so are their cupcakes...they're bakery is really good!!!
Take advantage of the Boat to Downtown disney. It's wondeful trip and you get to see things you may not. Including the much heard of, rarely seen, old Disney Treehouses. (Our family stayed there in the early 80's) Just plan to make it back on before the last trips of the night, otherwise you may end up on a bus. If you are going to Downtown Disney for a late dinner or movie, it maybe best to drive. It's a quick drive.
When we do stay at the Moderate's, here's is our tip. Park at the Contemporary or GF, as a resort guest you can do this (WE HAVE ASKED A FEW TIMES), and take the monorail to Epcot or the MK. It's much quicker, less expensive and you get to see the other hotels.
I haven't stayed at PO since it was Dixie Landings in 1999. So I hope that everything is the same...it's a great resort.

 

[maxwelljsmom]

I have to say, that I REALLY Enjoy this resort. If others in my family weren't deluxe hotel snobs, I would stay here. We have stayed almost everywhere in WDW and this is by far my favorite, even over GF.
First, the resort is beautiful!!!! I have only stayed in Pietrre Place and Oak Manor, never on the bayou side. The landscaping is lush and it's wonderfullly quiet. The running path is great and the scenery is so pretty.
The Main pool is fun and wonderful. Although I am a huge fan of the quiet pools, which on the manor side, are plentiful.
The rooms are very well kept, better than the Contemporary or even the POLY. There are two sinks, and the bathroom is actually a pretty good size.
Walking can be pretty far from the buses and the main lobby, but it's not horrible. The food court, in my opinion is the best on the WDW property. It's large, clean, (More than I can say for Contemporary and WL) and has a lot of options. Get the Prailines, the are amazing, in fact so are their cupcakes...they're bakery is really good!!!
Take advantage of the Boat to Downtown disney. It's wondeful trip and you get to see things you may not. Including the much heard of, rarely seen, old Disney Treehouses. (Our family stayed there in the early 80's) Just plan to make it back on before the last trips of the night, otherwise you may end up on a bus. If you are going to Downtown Disney for a late dinner or movie, it maybe best to drive. It's a quick drive.
When we do stay at the Moderate's, here's is our tip. Park at the Contemporary or GF, as a resort guest you can do this (WE HAVE ASKED A FEW TIMES), and take the monorail to Epcot or the MK. It's much quicker, less expensive and you get to see the other hotels.
I haven't stayed at PO since it was Dixie Landings in 1999. So I hope that everything is the same...it's a great resort.

 

[Chicago526]

I don't remember what building my mom and I were in, but it was non-smoking and not too far from both the park bus stop and the boat that goes to DTD.

As for non-smoking, all Disney hotels will put you in a NS room, unless they litteraly have no NS rooms left to put you in, and then they'll move you once one opens up if you want.

 

[extremesoccermom]

We are considering staying here in Dec. Has any one had trouble with the buses being to full in the morning going to the parks? I know they share the route with POFQ and they stop there first.

 

[maxwelljsmom]

I've stayed at both Riverside and PO. I have never had any trouble in the mornings. Only at night on the way back from the parks. Also, always go to the main lobby to catch the bus. We tried those ones off the parking lot, that is when we would get caught standing.

Hope this helps.

 

[Spencer'sMom]

I am another huge fan of POR. I have stayed there 4 times and have always wanted to lengthen my stay. As for the buses, in late May, there was a problem with them filling up at POFQ and not coming by POR due to being full. On several early entry mornings, a bus didn't come by for quite a while. We did, and others expressed our concerns to mgmt. and they said that they were aware of the problem. Hopefully, a month or so later, the problem has been fixed..i.e. POR having their own buses and not sharing with POFQ. You'll love POR...it's lovely!

 

[extremesoccermom]

Any suggestions on room location? Have you stayed in AB or MB? which do you prefer and why?