Just back from POR Riverside. LOVED IT.. Questions? Review.

[Cinda Indiana]

Loved the resort. Alligator Bayou #3852. Extremely quiet. New wallpaper in bath, and new grout. Very clean. Boatwright's breakfasts were wonderful. Food court exceeded expectations. Mousekeeping excellent. Can't wait to get back. So glad we finally decided on this resort. Didn't use pools or hot tub, but they looked inviting. Fabulous dinners at Calif. Grill and Boma. Rainforest Cafe in DD better than I would have expected, and dinner at Palios also good. Disappointed with Tapanyaki at Epcot. Great service from "Gill" with Tiffany Towncars. Parks not crowded last week and weather great, too. Went to Solei and all I can say is, "Wow." Fantasmic dinner package at Brown Derby also offered nice meal and ease of attending the show. Needed warmer coat that night. Spray from the water and cool temp in evening was downright chilly. Enjoyed the boat ride to DD from POR. Could go on and on....also, POR staff all very friendly and helpful. Kept leaving notes (and tips) for mousekeeper with not a whole lot of results, and finally realized she probably wasn't able to read English. DD minoring in Spanish started writing the notes, and then mousekeeper began responding with cute towel sculptures and also notes back to DD. Can't say enough about the tranquility and beauty of this moderate. A very peaceful change of pace after a day at the parks. Can't wait to start my next countdown. DH didn't go this time and has said he isn't that crazy about DW, but after he saw the pictures, he's ready to go.... hopefully in the fall. Yes!

 

[2minny]

did you request a certain room? we have reservations at the mansion area....thoughts on that?

 

[klh999]

What building were you in?? Did it smell of cigarette smoke?? Do you know if it was a smoking building? How close was the building to Bus Stop?, Pool?, Food?
Thanks so much, I am leaving in a week and a half

 

[jwwi]

Cinda Indiana- just a few questions
do you know the hours of the boats to DTD? early am/late night?
if we arrive by Mears (yuck), how do you get to your room with all the luggage. Does the bell desk stay open late? our plane arrives at 10pm, and we are only staying one night before moving to WL. Last trip to POR was 10/02-loved the resort. We stayed in AB, very close to Main Bldg.
I really wanted to stay at POP but we have the same rate at Moderate. We do plan on visiting the new resort.

 

[mikedani+3]

Sure sounds like over all you had a pretty good trip..

We were just wondering if the bus service seemed up to par.. Was it overcrowded, running on time, ect..?

Thanks!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks for the review. We stayed there last month for the first time and really enjoyed our stay.

 

[ILUVDXL]

We've stayed there 10 out the the last 12 trips and just love it. Great food, great CM's Bob Jackson is a hoot and Lee at the Muddy Rivers Pool Bar has become a dear friend. We take a new picure of him every year and mail it too him. You can't keep me out of Fulton's General Store or the Arcade. Can't wait to get back again this fall.

 

[2minny]

cinda indiana, we have the questions...where are the answers

 

[LAH]

HELP:

1. WHAT TIME DOES THE FIRST BUS COME ? 7:00AM?

2. WAS THERE A MICROWAVE IN THE FOOD COURT AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS TO USE?

THANKS

LAH

 

[Cinda Indiana]

We stayed in building #38. It was a non-smoking building and I did not smell smoke in or around this area. I had requested this specific building during one of my phone calls, including a request for river view. Upon arrival, we had been assigned a pool view in another building. (I did not fax my requests as others have done.) They happily changed our location upon checkin. The bus stop was about 3 min. away. Main pool less than 5 minutes. There is a smaller pool over by building 39, but we did not use it or go there. I can't imagine it would be 2-3 min from building 38. The walk to the main building for food was about 5-7 min. There was no microwave in the room, and I don't know if they are available. A fridge is available upon request for $10/day, however, I didn't ask for one. There was a hairdryer, ironing board and iron in the room. I could have requested a coffee maker, as well, for no charge. The bus service was excellent, not only from the resort, but at other locations, as well. We never waited more than 10 minutes. Normal runs are every 20 minutes, but longer at Old Key West at peak travel times--they quote 25-30 min for that resort. The boat to DD runs from 11am to 4pm every hour, then after 4 pm it runs every 20 minutes with the last boat running at 11pm. I think that about covers the questions, but I will have to read the posts again! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, late night at work. Ugh.

 

[Cinda Indiana]

Sorry, I didn't notice whether there is a microwave in the food court. However, it is open from 6am til 12mn, with a limited late-night menu after 10pm. Boatwrights serves breakfast from 730-1130 and dinner from 5pm until 10pm. You can also order pizza to the room, but hours may change, so I won't state them. Hope this helps.

 

[Hawk]

Cinda - You just picked my favorite resort.

Are you sure your not my wife???

Hawk.

 

[ckmommy]

Hawk,

How long are you going to be at WDW? We are just finished booking everything, and we will be at POR Feb. 23-Feb. 27th Maybe we will run into each other if our time overlaps?? Have you been there during this time of year before? How are the crowds and weather?

Which building would you request? Since this is our first stay at POR and you are the veteran, thought you would be a good one to ask!

 

[Hawk]

Originally posted by ckmommy
Hawk,

How long are you going to be at WDW? We are just finished booking everything, and we will be at POR Feb. 23-Feb. 27th Maybe we will run into each other if our time overlaps?? Have you been there during this time of year before? How are the crowds and weather?

Which building would you request? Since this is our first stay at POR and you are the veteran, thought you would be a good one to ask!

We have been there many times during that period. In fact, we will be there from 02/18 to 03/03 this year. Many school winter vacations are going on during this period, but crowds are managable. Some of the resorts will have cheerleaders, but we have never been bothered by them. The only "downer" is that park hours are shorter and one of the big water parks is closed for refurbishment. I think Typhoon Lagoon is down during our stay. As always, use extra magic hour (EE) and fastpass to your advantage.

Always go to the parks early so that you can go back to the resort and relax or sit by the pool in the afternoon. Then you can go back to the parks in the evening refreshed.

The weather is usually warm, but not hot. We are from the northeast, so we are in shorts all the time, except for a very cool evening. I can't remember the last time I wore long pants, although I have worn long sleeve shirts on some evenings, never a jacket or sweatshirt. Usually upper 60's and 70's in the day and 60's to high 50's in the evening. (Don't rely on this!)

We used to request building 14 because of its location to main bus stop and main building. However, the times we were not able to get #14 we were delightfully surprised with our new location, both in the AB Sections and Mansion Sections. I would recommend AB Buildings 15,16,17, or 18 or Mansion Buildings Magnolia or Parterre Place. However, to us any place at POR is fine.

Be sure to spend at least one evening for at least one hour with Bob the Piano Player at River Roost Lounge.

Have a great time.

Hawk.

 

[ckmommy]

Thanks Hawk!

Can't wait for this vacation. You'll be able to spot us--- we will be the family arriving back at the resort late with a pregnant mom pushing a twins in a stroller and a DAD carrying a 3 and 5 yr old wiped out from all of the FUN!

I can't wait to take in an evening w/ Bob Jackson! I have heard so much about him!

Take Care!

 

[2minny]

I keep hearing about the piano player, how often does he play? only weekends?

 

[Hawk]

It used to be nightly, except Sunday. Now I think it is Tuesday or Wednesday through Saturday.

Hawk.

 

[kinggoofy]

Try to make every effort to see Bob Jackson. You will not be dissapointed. He plays Wednesday thru Saturdays from 8:30PM to Midnight.

I agree with Hawk...any place in POR is fine.
BUT in August 02 we had the best room ever. It was in the Mansions room #9239. You walk out or look out and you are staring at the Marina. What a wonderful view especially at night.
Last August we were in AB#27..room #2764 to be exact. A corner room with two windows. About a 3-5 minute walk to main building. Also very good.

Even though AB #14, 15, & 18 are considered to be the BEST locations....it can get very congested.

If you rent a car...it will be easy for you to get lost. For us, the walk was longer to the parking lot than it was to the food court.

The boat to DTD is a must. Last summer it was neat to see the construction of the SSR..( I think thats the abbreviation for Saratoga Springs Resort. )

Have a great trip.

 

[LAH]

KINGGOOFY,

Is AB # 27 a smoking or non smoking building?

Thanks,

LAH

 

[kinggoofy]

LAH

AB#27 is non smoking. I am an "occassional" smoker. DW does not smoke.

They have ash trays outside along the walk ways. In my case, there was a "patio" chair I came across and put it right outside our room. So at night, when I was "reflecting" I would sit in the chair and had my ashtray right next to me with a beverage.

There was NO smoking in the rooms. I am not really sure what other buildings are non-smoking but I know #27 is NOT.