Just Back from POR Riverside (6/25 - 7/1)

[pete14]

My family (3 sons 7,6,2 and wife) and I just returned yesterday. We had a graet time and POR was great. I was constantly checking these boards prior to our trip for info, so I will try to answer any questions that you might have. The following points may answer some questions:

We stayed in AB 26 even though we requested AB 14, it was a little further walk to the lobby, foodcourt and South Bus stop but it was not inconvenient in any way.

The room was perfect for our purposes. We had the trundle and my 2 yr old loved it.

3 of the 4 bus stops were open by the time we left (South(main near the lobby), West and East)

The boat to DTD was fully operational. I believe the hours were every 1/2 hour or 45 minutes from 9-4 and then every 15 minutes until closing (I believe after midnight).

The food court seemed to be fully operational by the time we left. We ate dinner there on our arrival night and I noticed that the middle section was closed. I learned before I left that this is where they sold ribs and chicken. The next time I was in the foodcourt was on the morning of our departure and this section was open. I don't know if it was only open for breakfast and then closed for dinner, but you could see the signs that advertised the ribs and chicken.

The main pool was open and does have towel service. The quiet pools were open but do not have towel service. The main pool bar is also open.

The bus service was great to all parks that we visited (AK, MK, Epcot, MGM).

The piano man was playing at the lounge. We didn't see any of his shows, but we did hear him while returning from the parks.

Accpording to one of the boat operators, the French Quarter is due to open in October. They are in the process of re-doing all of the plumbing.

If Riverside was under any construction you could not tell. You could not even tell that French Quarter was under any construction.


I will be posting info on restuarants and the entire trip in the other forums.

If you are going to Riverside, relax and start looking forward to a good trip.

If you have any specific questions, please post and I will try to answer them.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pudgethefish]

YEAH!!!!!

We are leaving for POR one week from today!!!! We were starting to get worried about posts saying that parts of the resort were closed.

I am now even more excited about our trip (if that is possible).

Thanks for the update!!!!!!!! (and for putting my mind at ease)

Pudge aka Amy

 

[schwaa]

Thanks pete14. I feel even better about my trip to POR now.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for a wonderful reminder of why we love POR/Dixie Landing. Just one question. I know they deployed many CMs during the construction phase, does it appear that they are well staffed? Wondering if the deployed CMs have returned. How was your wait time checking in or other lines at the resort (store, food court)?

 

[pete14]

There appeared to be adequate staffing. I checked in at approximately 6:30PM and there was no line. I had about 7 CMs that I could chose from.

It took about 15-20 minutes for them to bring my bags to my room.

I asked for an iron the first eveneing and it was there in about 20 minutes.

When they came for my bags on my last day it took about 10 minutes.

The lines at the food court were fine. No long wait at all. I was only there twice though.


One additional note. I used FL Tours and they were great. The round trip cost was $95 for the five us. I tipped each driver $10, so a grand total of $115. We had an entire van to ourseves with great airconditoning. The van was also equipped with a video system. The kids got to watch Lilo and Stitch on the way there and Toy Story on the way back. We were also able to make a 30 miute stop at the store for breakfast supplies and they supplied a car seat at no charge. They actually brought a booster and a car seat so thatt we could chose. They were great.

 

[bratray]

Hi, thank you so much for the update on POR- we will be leaving soon and i had begun to wonder what we were in for- now i can put this worry to rest- i too requested bld 14 or 15- did the resort seem booked up while you were there? we will have 5 in our room, which includes a 4 year old- did you feel cramped at all? what other items were there to choose from if the ribs and chicken section were closed. once again thank you and glad you had a great trip!!

Lisa

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

This post is encouraging! We are going in January (I know long way off). We were considering a stay at one of these resorts since we have never stayed at either but were concerned about the construction being done. I haven't booked anything (figured it won't be too crowded LOL) but this post put the wheels to spinning.

Glad you had a good time and weren't disturbed by the work! Thanks for the update!!

 

[kinggoofy]

Hey Pete (great name ...)

great trip report on POR. Its about time someone has positive views about POR.

Sounds like you had a great time. As you can see below, POR is our favorite. We will be there in 6 weeks. I wish August 14th was TODAY !!!!

Its sounds like you answered everything everyone wanted to know...

Question---was the main pool, 'Ol man Island, "packed" with the closing of POFQ. Did you guys have a hard time getting chairs.?

Thanks
Pete (AKA KingGoofy)

 

[jjarman]

I have reservations for next June for POR as POFQ was still listed as closed in the computers. If POFQ is going to open in October I don't know whether to change or not. See, I was kind of hoping that the moderates would fill up and then they would decide to close part of POR and kick me out. Then I was hoping I might get an offer for an upgrade at little or no cost to a deluxe. I can hope can't I? I think I will most likely just skip on back to POFQ. We loved it last year.

 

[pete14]

bratray

The resort did not seeme overcrowded to us at all, but we did not spend an enormous amount of time there eitehr.

The room was fine for us, but we really only used the room for sleeping and eating breakfast. If you plan the same then I think it will be fine.


If the ribs and chicken is not open for dinner, then I believe your choices are pizza, burgers, pre made salads, yogurt and otehr snacks. I was only there the one night so I don't recall that much.


Kinggoofy

We only went to the main pool once. It did not seem that crowded. We were able to get chairs near the kiddie pool, which was fine for us since we have a 2yr old. I did notice that there were some other chairs avaialble around the main section. We got there at about 2PM and stayed until about 5PM. By 5 PM you could have sat around the main section very easily.

I also went to the main pool one morning about 9AM to get towels for one of the quiet pools and it was empty. There were probably only about 20 guests at the pool at that time.

 

[copper0426]

How was the remodeled Ole Man Island? I am just wondering if the remodeling was worth it. Our family never found anything wrong with the way it was before. We just love Dixie Landings. I know, I know, it is POR just wish they wouldn't have changed the name. We are DL natives. Had been going since it open for about 3 to 4 times a year.


Is the hot tub still there?

Diane

 

[lmm]

Pete,

Thank you so much for posting all this great info. I will be at POR with my family beginning 7/24 and your post made me feel so much better.
One question, did buildings 14,15 and 18 have guests in them and appear to be running normally?

 

[nanalisa]

copper0426, I'm with you, I can't ever remember to call it POR. I'm glad that most people know what I'm talking about when I say DL. My question is, when was Ole Man Island remodeled and what did they do to it?

 

[MaryAunt]

I can sleep on a rock pile, but my DD (25) does not want to return to POR this fall because she thought the beds were awful to sleep on...Was it apparent that any renovations were going on at POR? what sections? Maybe I could request a newly refurbed room for our November trip and get a new mattress for her. Glad you liked POR, it is my favorite resort.

 

[karejoa]

Thank you for your great review. We stayed at POR 2 years ago and are returning to WDW in August. I still have not made my room ressies yet because of all the neg reviews about the refurb of POR. It is my favorite resort, it is just sooo beautiful. I will now book the POR because of your review. It has eased my mind about what to do. POR here we come!!!! Thank you!

 

[copper0426]

Originally posted by nanalisa
copper0426, I'm with you, I can't ever remember to call it POR. I'm glad that most people know what I'm talking about when I say DL. My question is, when was Ole Man Island remodeled and what did they do to it?

From what I heard, they took out the island in the middle and changed the slide around. Not too sure what else was done. I liked the island in the middle it was unique. I really didn't see a problem with any of it. Oh well, just my opinion I am hoping they still have the hot tub, hubby and I really enjoyed that.

Oh why, oh why did they have to change my Dixie Landings name. I really never cared for POFQ and now with them both being called PO I just don't care for that at all.

Maybe the TAG FAIRY could tell my why they changed the name. We can't get a straight answer from anyone. And believe me, we have tried.



Have a Disney Day.

Diane

 

[pete14]

Copper0426

Yes, the hot tub was there and operational. Many people seemed to be enjoying it.

There was no island in the middle of the pool, unless you are referring to the part where you walk up to go on the slide.
IMM

14, 15 and 18 had guests and appeared to be fully operational.

MaryAunt

I couldn't tell if there were any renovations going on at Riverside. The beds seemed fine to me, but I can sleep anywhere.

 

[copper0426]

pete14, Thanks for the info. The island that use to be there was litterally in the middle of the water. You couldn't climb up on it because there were little trees on it. It was just cute. We use to swim around it and chase each other. It was just more examples of Disney details.

Thanks again for the info. Was the pool fun?

Diane
still sad because I lost my tags from the Tag Fairy.