How's the bus service at Port Orleans Riverside?

[Disneyland1084]

I've only been to WDW once and loved All Star Sports resort. But now that I had a third baby, we're going to need at least a moderate resort next time we go. I love the YouTube videos on Riverside. One concern is the multiple bus stops around the resort. With all of them, do you still get to the parks in a timely manner?

 

[MomOTwins]

No. The bus service is the biggest issue with POR. The one time stayed there--that was the main reason we won't return. Nothing more frustrating than waiting for a bus, only to see it skip your bus stop because it filled up at the earlier spots.

I assume you know this and are just planning far ahead, but POR has been closed since Covid-19 began and no reopening date has been announced.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I've only been to WDW once and loved All Star Sports resort. But now that I had a third baby, we're going to need at least a moderate resort next time we go. I love the YouTube videos on Riverside. One concern is the multiple bus stops around the resort. With all of them, do you still get to the parks in a timely manner?

FYI- you'll ask this question and likely get a zillion different responses. Some people love POR and others hate it. It is so subjective.
But really the buses are the biggest negatives associated with many of the values and mods. Unfortunately, the larger resorts just have so many stops that it gets old having to worry that
A- you'll get to the stop only for the bus you've been waiting on to pass you by since it's full or
B- coming back from parks and having an extra 10 min tacked on at all the stops.

Now having said that, I don't mind all the stops at POR. I also don't mind CSR that much either, IMO the bus service at Caribbean Beach is the worst of all mods. It's also probably because I just like PO so much more than the other mods.

There are 4 stops at POR and one at POFQ but depending on how busy it is, some times Riverside and FQ share so that's an extra stop which tacks some time on. At CSR I think it's also 4 and CBR is 6 but can be as many as 8 if they have to stop at Riviera (which happened to us sometimes) and the skyliner station stop. So even if they don't make those extra stops, you will have 6 bus depots, it's a lot compared to the other mods.

We like POR for the pull down 5th sleeper rooms, they work great for us but the buses at the values and mods are a source of tension for me and many times we end up at DVC studios because of the bus situation for most trips. If your trip is short, it's not horrible but if it's longer than 3/4 days, it gets old really fast. We stayed a week at CBR (would never again) but we ended up ubering to deal with the crappy bus service. We've stayed a bunch at POR and never had the bus issues we had at CBR.

 

[Disneyland1084]

No. The bus service is the biggest issue with POR. The one time stayed there--that was the main reason we won't return. Nothing more frustrating than waiting for a bus, only to see it skip your bus stop because it filled up at the earlier spots.

I assume you know this and are just planning far ahead, but POR has been closed since Covid-19 began and no reopening date has been announced.

Yes, I'm aware of that, but thanks. I won't be going back to WDW until at least 2023.

 

[CynBeth]

We stayed at POR a few years ago and did not have any issues with the buses at all. We love that and FQ!

 

[Disneyland1084]

Ok, what if you have a preferred room towards the front, is that better in regards to the buses?

 

[emily nicole]

We had a rough experience with the buses at POR. Mainly trying to get back from the parks to the resorts, we had long waits while watching bus after bus pick up for FQ but none for Riverside. One night we just got on the third FQ bus that came and walked over. Lol. So since then we have stayed at FQ and adore it. But even still, I would not let it stop me from staying at Riverside. I love everything else about the resort and it was likely some freak thing when we stayed there that week. I have actually thought about giving it another go whenever they reopen. I want to try a royal room!

 

[Tonberry]

While it's true that the busses are the resorts biggest downfall, there's one simple trick we learned: Avoid the the South Depot bus stop. It's the last stop to be picked up, and the last stop to be dropped off. It's also the busiest bus stop. When picking up, the busses are always jam packed by the time they get to the South Depot.
We stayed in a Royal Room at the Parterre building, and even though the South Depot was closer, we walked an extra 5 minutes to the East Depot. What a game changer!

 

[a1tinkfans]

POR AB section building 14 or 18, is within Preferred. We always request and greatly enjoy the location. Ur right by the South Depot which is by the restaurant/food court/main area/first bus stop. Only way we stay at this property.
The resort is huge but… preferred, is like a whole different experience imho. So convenient, great resort with boat to DS, and pofq. And also an easy lit path between the two sister resorts that runs along the Sassaghoula river. And when we re at a park ready to leave .. if we see the POFQ bus we jump on that one and just walk it. It’s such an enjoyable easy walk. Enjoy wherever u choose

 

[HopperFan]

Honestly bus service can be a fail at any resort, just follow along online as people complain about their issues. We've always had excellent bus service at CSR but some people do nothing but complain about it.

POR has multiple stops. While you'll get lots of advice which stop to go to I will note that over the years the order of the stops has changed many times. If you book, check in here at the last minute for the current order so you know. Also every time we have stayed we have also shared a bus with French Quarter, the first time happening we weren't paying attention and got off at the wrong resort.

Buses at moderates mean no matter when you got to the bus stop likely lots of folks who came later will get on a bus before you. Ironic that the value resorts with their single stops and queues are actually set up in a more fair and efficient manner.

I always say stay where you want to stay because transportation is never consistent or guaranteed to be stress free ..... which is why I drive to most parks. I can be in bed and sound asleep before some of my hotel mates are even on a bus at the parks.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Avoid the South (main) depot, especially in the mornings, and you'll be fine. We like to stay in the mansion buildings, so we use the West Depot, and we've never had to wait for a second bus or have a bus drive by because it's too full but it has happened at the South. Even if we have breakfast or grab drinks at the food court, we will walk to a different bus stop.
When leaving the parks we'll see how long the FQ line is and if it's a lot shorter than the POR line, we'll hop in that line and just walk to POR (it's a lovely walk).

 

[rubyeskimo]

We've never had a problem with the busses at POR in the 2 times we've stayed there (not a lot of experience I know!) But we've always requested to stay in Magnolia Bend and been a 2 minute walk to the East bus stop and always got on first time. Coming back can be a little bit of a wait sometimes if they're putting Riverside and FQ on one bus but that was an exception rather than the rule.

 

[sponica]

Ok, what if you have a preferred room towards the front, is that better in regards to the buses?

When I stayed at POR, that's where I had a room (I was originally traveling solo). The one drawback is that the bus can get crowded if you're getting on just after breakfast....if I remember correctly. But I literally don't remember any issues or problems with the buses when we were there. In my experience the bus system is like any other mass transit system. You could ride the most problematic line and never experience a problem based on what time you get on OR you could ride the most efficient line but always have problems.

 

[Sue M]

We’ve had several POR stays. We prefer the mansion section and always use the bus stop there vs the main south depot. It’s a lot quieter. Just sit on a bench and wait.
We‘ve all had the issue no matter what resort it is that waiting in the morning you see 2-3 busses go by for each park but yours.
I haven’t had any more problem with POR busses than any other resort. As for sharing with POFQ the only times we’ve shared was off times. During main travel times AM & evening they don’t share.
I think the worst bus service I had was at POP. Was there for a 2 week stay and it was a crazy wait every morning for any bus. Consistently over 30-45 min every day. Queues were horrendous and you have to stand in the cattle pens without cover. I hated it.

 

[KC Fan]

We’ve had several POR stays. We prefer the mansion section and always use the bus stop there vs the main south depot. It’s a lot quieter. Just sit on a bench and wait.
We‘ve all had the issue no matter what resort it is that waiting in the morning you see 2-3 busses go by for each park but yours.
I haven’t had any more problem with POR busses than any other resort. As for sharing with POFQ the only times we’ve shared was off times. During main travel times AM & evening they don’t share.
I think the worst bus service I had was at POP. Was there for a 2 week stay and it was a crazy wait every morning for any bus. Consistently over 30-45 min every day. Queues were horrendous and you have to stand in the cattle pens without cover. I hated it.

Honestly bus service can be a fail at any resort, just follow along online as people complain about their issues. We've always had excellent bus service at CSR but some people do nothing but complain about it.

POR has multiple stops. While you'll get lots of advice which stop to go to I will note that over the years the order of the stops has changed many times. If you book, check in here at the last minute for the current order so you know. Also every time we have stayed we have also shared a bus with French Quarter, the first time happening we weren't paying attention and got off at the wrong resort.

Buses at moderates mean no matter when you got to the bus stop likely lots of folks who came later will get on a bus before you. Ironic that the value resorts with their single stops and queues are actually set up in a more fair and efficient manner.

I always say stay where you want to stay because transportation is never consistent or guaranteed to be stress free ..... which is why I drive to most parks. I can be in bed and sound asleep before some of my hotel mates are even on a bus at the parks.

First time staying at POR with friends. Never been to WDW, but longtime DCL cruiser. Obviously quite different experiences. Trying to ask for help as to the easiest/quickest way to MK and HS. We have 4 adults and 4 kids ages 6-9. So little legs that might not be able to handle long walks. We have a car but are trying to avoid driving to monorail or ferry station, u less that is the best way.

Is the bus the general best consensus to get to the parks? If so, which bus stop should we absolutely avoid and does anyone know the stop order anymore? Sorry for all the questions, but the last time I was at Disney was in Anaheim in 1999. Lol so all this stuff is new for WDW.thanks ahead of time!