Help With CBR and PO Riverside!!!!

[annie5379]

I am begging for your help here.....I enjoy this board so much, and hope that someone out there can help me...

This is our 7th trip to WDW, and we have always stayed at the CBR. I booked a Disney club rate for our trip (Dec 8-17) for $118 a night for 3 separate rooms. I tried to get an AP discount, and the only resort avail is PO Riverside for $88 a night! This is a savings of $881 !! My dilemma is that I know nothing about PO. I have read up as much as I can on the various web sites. We are a group of 7 adults, and 2 four yr old twins. From what I have read, it looks like Magnolia Terrace would be the nicest area for us. Are there elevators at Riverside? I would appreciate any information you possibly could have!!

Thank you in advance.......

Annie

 

[HYM8TNNCE]

We were at POR last month and absolutely loved it! We did stay at Magnolia Terrace in Magnolia Bend--a short walk to the main building (food court, lounge, lobby and gift shop). It is also just a short walk to the main pool. Magnolia Terrace also has its own quiet pool (which is pretty big!) You will love the boat to DTD-a great alternative to the buses. I didn't see any elevators--the mansions are only two stories. They may exist, though, and we just didn't see them. IMO, POR has the feel of a deluxe with the pricing of a moderate! It is a beautiful resort!

 

[jaguar9748]

We have stayed at Riverside many times - it is our favorite resort. We have also stayed at CBR twice this year. The POR food court is the best on property - in our opinion. The grounds are spectacular. Like CBR, there is much to do there. The resort store is one of the best. Bus transportation is good. There's a boat to Downtown Disney.

If you want an elevator, you will definitely need to stay in the Magnolia Bend section. Each mansion has an elevator because the center of each mansion is 3 stories. The Alligator Bayou buildings do not have elevators.

Do not hesitate to stay at Riverside - you will have a great stay!

 

[lisareneeo]

We have stayed at both resorts. We did like POR a lot and would switch for such a great savings. The landscaping is very pretty and my children enjoyed feeding the ducks by the river each morning. From what I can remember (we stayed at POR 2 years ago) the food court is not quite as big/spread out as CBR. The selections were very similar. We stayed in building 14 AB and this was a great location for us. We were a short walk from the foodcourt and to one of the bus stops.
The main pool was very pretty(I liked it a lot better than CBR) The hot tub was away from the main pool where as the hot tub at CB was right at the pool. I liked getting a little privacy (although children were still in the hot tub I thought it was more relaxing) We never used a quiet pool on this trip but did at CB. I am sure they are very similar.
I like CBR's theming--the tropical, "beachy" setting a little better than POR. Overall, they are very similar except for the theme. We did like POR and the grounds were very pretty and we would stay there again!
Have a great time

 

[Suedrews]

Is the property at PO-R spread out as much as CBR? For instance, how many different transportation stops are there at PO-R?

 

[jaguar9748]

POR is much less spreadout than CBR. There are 4 bus stops at POR. There is also no need for an internal bus because the resort is easier to navigate around. The farthest room from the food court is no more than 5-10 minutes depending on your walking speed.

 

[doubled07]

Don't hesitate to stay at POR. Especially for the savings you describe. We stayed at POR in June and really liked it. We stayed in the AB section (#27) but walked around the mansions quite a bit and would enjoy it over there too. The foodcourt is good and the boat to DTD is an added plus. The grounds are quite pretty with the landscaping done there. As previously mentioned the AB section doesn't have elevators but the Mansions do. I think once you stay at POR you'll probably have trouble deciding whether to stay at CBR or POR for your next visit, but by all means pocket the savings and give POR a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprized!

doubled07

 

[cjsmom5]

We typically stay at PO-FQ but since it wasn't open one year were at Riverside. We like the resort. The rooms might be a tad smaller than CBR. Seems like I heard that but I"m not sure. They are 314 sq feet. Most have two double beds (not queens) and in the Alligator Bayou they have a trundle bed appropriate for a smaller child.

Even when we stayed at FQ we would walk down to Riverside and use the food court. We enjoyed the variety. Boatwrights is also pretty good. There are lots of activities such as bike riding, boats, etc.available, also.

Overall it is a very nice resort and the scenery is great. If you like the more rustic theme than Alligator Bayou is best. If you like the more elegant theme than the Mansions re better. Same size rooms just different decor. There are no elevators in the AB section, just stairs. So we always request first floor. Of course it isn't guaranteed but they were very accommodating.

There are quiet pools throughtout the resort and a pool bar by the main pool. I understand the main pool area was recently rennovated but we haven't been so can't help there. They also offer fishing, for a fee, of course, but our DS just loved it the last two times we were there. Didn't catch much but he had lots of fun. Makes for good pictures. Last trip he was 4 years old.

They also have a playground area although we didn't use it much. And, a nice arcade, which my DS loves. My parents (seniors) go with us every trip and also like this resort. But transportation has always been very good, for us, although I have heard some bad stories. Now that POFQ is shut down until mid December it should be better as there is one less stop.

For the price difference I would stay at Riverside. You will get similar services and a nice theme.

 

[MJwritestuff]

We also stayed at POR, last September to be exact, and we LOVED it. We went with twins 7 and dd 6, and the trundle in Alligator Bayou worked perfect - it was a neat treat for them to switch using each night.
The staff there is wonderful, and food is out of this world - my husband walked over in the mornings and got some cinnabuns and coffee from the food court and I made cold cereal for the kids with our $10 per day frig and the supplies I brought.
We ate at Boatwrights and I would definitely go back. Very good and I'm on the picky side and a big eater - the jumbalya is to die for!
As for the pool, we spent an afternoon relaxing here at Ole' Man River and had a great time. I think you can also go over to Doubloon Lagoon and use that pool, but we were fine with the slide at ours.
During an afternoon thunderstorm, one of my favorite memories was relaxing with a BIG glass of wine on the porch in a rocking chair overlooking the pool, as the ducks all hopped in for a swim.
Just sweet, laid back, and very nice. Have a blast! - MJ

 

[colleen costello]

Can't beat that $88 rate. We are going at Thanksgiving and will stay at Old Key West with my parents, but as usual, I like to add on a night or two. I considered the $49 All Stars ( I have small children) but dear hubby reminded me how very much we love Riverside. It really is beautiful, with flowers and trees everywhere. I can't imagine you not LOVING it -- plus think of all the great uses you can put your savings to! We feel that Riverside is one of the best Disney bargains and we are always happy to be there.

Enjoy!

 

[annie5379]

Thank you all so very much for all of your help!!! I called and booked the rooms at PO Riverside for $88 per nite per room ( 3 rooms) I requested Magnolia Terrace. Now I have another question!!! Are all of the rooms in magnolia Terrace considered mansion rooms? They look beautiful from the photos I saw online.
Thank you all again for your replies.

Annie

Cbr 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 2001 PO Riverside 12-03

 

[msteddom]

Yes, all of Magnolia Bend is "mansion themed". There are 4 separate mantions, Acadian House, Oak Bend, Magnolia Terrace and Parterre Place. On my recent trip I stayed in Parterre Place, and thought it was a great location. All of the mansions look like they are a great location though. I really think you can't go wrong there!!!



Melissa