Just back from Riverside!

[dixipixi]

We just returned from a 10 night stay at POR. Overall there were more positives than negatives and I thought I would write a short review for anyone interested.

First of all, we didn't see any bedbugs. I was kinda concerned about this because I had read posts in the last few weeks that made me think the place was infested with them.

Our room was spotless. Everything from the bath fixtures to the carpet seemed new. It seemed like it had recently been painted and the painters were working outside (railings, lamposts, laundry bldg.) while we were there.

We ate at the food court (breakfast, and lunch/dinner) and Boatwrights (breakfast only). We loved the "make your own pasta" station in the food court and the sweet potato pancakes at Boatwrights were delicious. Both places were clean and we had wonderful service at both.

I was slightly worried about the size of the resort, but we thought it wasn't nearly as big as we had imagined. From our room (middle of Acadian House, third floor) it was 2 minutes to the quiet pool/laundry,3 minutes to the north bus depot, 5 minutes to the main pool, 8 minutes to the food court, about 12 minutes to the main bus depot, and I took a walk around the entire resort in 27 minutes (and I was stopping to take pictures!).

It was very quiet. We never heard any noise from outside or the neighboring rooms.

We didn't have any problems with the buses. It did seem like a lot of the routes were "running backwards". They would pick up and drop off at the west, north, east, and south depots at POR and then go to POFQ. We only had to stand twice (returning from Epcot and MK at closing). Only once were there people standing in the morning heading to a park.

Those are some of the basic points I thought others would be interested in. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

 

[bonna girl]

We just returned from a 10 night stay at POR. Overall there were more positives than negatives and I thought I would write a short review for anyone interested.

First of all, we didn't see any bedbugs. I was kinda concerned about this because I had read posts in the last few weeks that made me think the place was infested with them.

Our room was spotless. Everything from the bath fixtures to the carpet seemed new. It seemed like it had recently been painted and the painters were working outside (railings, lamposts, laundry bldg.) while we were there.

We ate at the food court (breakfast, and lunch/dinner) and Boatwrights (breakfast only). We loved the "make your own pasta" station in the food court and the sweet potato pancakes at Boatwrights were delicious. Both places were clean and we had wonderful service at both.

I was slightly worried about the size of the resort, but we thought it wasn't nearly as big as we had imagined. From our room (middle of Acadian House, third floor) it was 2 minutes to the quiet pool/laundry,3 minutes to the north bus depot, 5 minutes to the main pool, 8 minutes to the food court, about 12 minutes to the main bus depot, and I took a walk around the entire resort in 27 minutes (and I was stopping to take pictures!).

It was very quiet. We never heard any noise from outside or the neighboring rooms.

We didn't have any problems with the buses. It did seem like a lot of the routes were "running backwards". They would pick up and drop off at the west, north, east, and south depots at POR and then go to POFQ. We only had to stand twice (returning from Epcot and MK at closing). Only once were there people standing in the morning heading to a park.

Those are some of the basic points I thought others would be interested in. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

I'm going there in September and have been actively reading all the threads on POR. I've read only good things about the food court/Boatwrights so I'm glad to hear that you had the same experience. Did you see banana stuffed french toast anywhere - someone told me to be on the lookout for it.

I was concerned about the busing as I am used to the Pop transportation which was always quick. You did not have any problems with transportation?

What about the entertainment at the resort? Did you see the piano player or comedian?

Just a few questions, hope I'm not being too inquisitive

 

[dixipixi]

My DH actually had the french toast one morning for breakfast and he said it was just too much so he never ordered it again. He did say it was good...it was just way too much of it!!! They had it at Boatwrights. I didn't see it at the food court.

I was very concerned about the transportation also, but we really had pretty good luck on this trip. The longest we waited for a bus was 15 minutes. Most of our waits were less than 5 minutes. The worst part was leaving the parks at closing, but there were times when 3 buses pulled up at once, so the line moved quickly.

We passed by the lounge a couple of times when the entertainment was going on and it sounded like a fun time, but we never actually went in and participated.

Where are you in TN? We have a cabin in East Tennessee and I hope to "retire" up there someday.

 

[bonna girl]

My DH actually had the french toast one morning for breakfast and he said it was just too much so he never ordered it again. He did say it was good...it was just way too much of it!!! They had it at Boatwrights. I didn't see it at the food court.

I was very concerned about the transportation also, but we really had pretty good luck on this trip. The longest we waited for a bus was 15 minutes. Most of our waits were less than 5 minutes. The worst part was leaving the parks at closing, but there were times when 3 buses pulled up at once, so the line moved quickly.

We passed by the lounge a couple of times when the entertainment was going on and it sounded like a fun time, but we never actually went in and participated.

Where are you in TN? We have a cabin in East Tennessee and I hope to "retire" up there someday.

Good to know about the toast...

I live in the Nashville area but go over to East TN 1-2 times a year. We normally rent a chalet in Gatlinburg and spend time touring the area or relaxing in the mtns.

We've also talked about retiring to that area or over by the East coast - just keep dreaming about it...

Where is your cabin located?

 

[HonnyDipp]

To the OP, thanks so much for your report! I have been curious about the bus situation, sounds like you had good luck with the waits. Also, I too saw the threads about the bed bugs. Yours is the second thread I have read that said there were none. Thanks again for your report!

 

[dogodisney]

dixipixi,

Thanks for the report. I am so looking forward to our trip!

 

[dixipixi]

Good to know about the toast...

I live in the Nashville area but go over to East TN 1-2 times a year. We normally rent a chalet in Gatlinburg and spend time touring the area or relaxing in the mtns.

We've also talked about retiring to that area or over by the East coast - just keep dreaming about it...

Where is your cabin located?

We had considered moving to Williamson County in the last year! I was born and raised here in Louisiana, but I really don't like it. The climate is terrible (but I hate really hot/humid weather!).

Actually, it's my inlaws cabin, but we're free to use it when we want. It's outside of Townsend (about 15 miles) just off Foothills Parkway. I love it out there, it's beautiful country and very peaceful and quiet, but it's only about 15 miles into Maryville. DH and I are considering buying some land in Blount County.

 

[SereneOne]

We stayed at Riverside the second week of December and loved it!



We drove down from South Carolina, so I do not know how the buses where, but the food was great, the hotel rooms where clean, the staff was courteous. We really enjoyed our stay.

 

[18 Hours]

How was the weather? Im going down on 6-13 of June

 

[tejasranger]

We stayed at POR for 7 days at the end of January and first part of Feb. We were in the alligator bayou section. It was very conveniant and nice and quiet. We ate at Boatwrights nearly every morning. My husband loved the banana stuffed french toast so much we cancelled a couple of breakfast buffets so he could have it. I requested the recipe and they were kind enough to give it to me and I have made it 3 times since we got back one of which was a special breakfast for guests and they all said it was the best breakfast they ever had. We thought the whole resort was beautiful. My husband said when we go back to WDR we will be staying at POR again. I also thought the boatride to downtown was very relaxing.