Just back... some random thoughts and observations.

[MomRN]

Just came back from a week at Port Orleans Riverside. It was me, my husband, my 18 year old step-daughter, her 17 year old friend, and 6 year old son. I didn't take pictures to justify a trip report, but wanted to make some general observations and comments about this stay.

1. This is my fourth trip in 3 years... first time off-site, 2nd and 3rd and All Star Movies, and this time at Port Orleans. The scenary at Port Orleans is gorgeous and the room was much better. However, we were not big fans of the layout, food court, and buses. We both discussed it, and agree that Port Orleans was nice, but we liked Movies better. (I know this is probably a minority opinion, there will be several of those here)

2. However, my son had a blast during the Pirate Adventure, and I would suggest that to anyone going to a resort that offers it. It was the perfect time to do laundry also.

3. I don't feel the love for Le Cellier and O'hana. We did Le Cellier lunch and have done both O'hana breakfast and dinner. I much preferred Liberty Tree, 50's Prime Time, Chef Mickeys, and Yak and Yeti (in that order). We had a blast at 50's Prime Time with Uncle Tim, and is a must do with teenagers that like to play on the phone (they got sent to the corner- it was great).

4. This was our second Halloween Party. Unfortunately it rained for most of the party and most things were cancelled or delayed. We received a refund for our tickets, no questions asked.

5. My 6 year old was really into pin trading this time. He also had a blast doing pressed pennies and the portals for the Sorceror game. However, those things take time and must plan accordingly.

Anyway, just some random thoughts. It was a great trip. It was humid and rained frequently, but wasn't awful. Ready to go back!

 

[OThopeful35]

Glad to see you enjoyed your trip!

 

[puddinpie]

2. However, my son had a blast during the Pirate Adventure, and I would suggest that to anyone going to a resort that offers it. It was the perfect time to do laundry also.

What is the Pirate Adventure and what resorts offer it? My sons love anything like that

 

[meredith1]

I don't understand the hype on O'hana either and because of the reviews of LC, I have no interest. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

[RMulieri]

Glad you had a good trip! I feel the same about the moderate hotels in general..If I can't swing deluxe or DVC I stay value.Just not a fan of the moderates.Also agree about Ohana and Le Cellier

 

[smallworldnh]

Glad you had a nice trip! We've stayed at Movies twice now and I have NO complaints!

 

[MomRN]

What is the Pirate Adventure and what resorts offer it? My sons love anything like that

We did ours at Riverside, but a google search shows Yacht/Beach Clubs, Grand Floridian, and Caribbean Beach also offer it. It was around $35 and they take them from 9:30-11:30. They get a small treasure bag at the end. I think ages 4-12, no parents allowed.

 

[JennyDrake]

1. This is my fourth trip in 3 years... first time off-site, 2nd and 3rd and All Star Movies, and this time at Port Orleans. The scenary at Port Orleans is gorgeous and the room was much better. However, we were not big fans of the layout, food court, and buses. We both discussed it, and agree that Port Orleans was nice, but we liked Movies better. (I know this is probably a minority opinion, there will be several of those here)

Count me in as well. Maybe because I am from The South, the theming at POR is nothing special to me. I DO like the food court, especially the build your own pasta, but overall my fave resort is AS Music.

3. I don't feel the love for Le Cellier and O'hana. We did Le Cellier lunch and have done both O'hana breakfast and dinner.

While I have only eaten at LC once, it was good, but I did not find it lived up to the hype--particularly the bread sticks and cheddar cheese soup. OHna I have tried more than once and it just isn't for me. Chaos, poor service and very, very well cooked meats.

Yes, hot and humid but fun! I just got back on Thursday.

 

[turningleaf]

It is a 2 hour (approx?) pirate themed boat ride/ treasure hunt. Kids 4-12 only, parents don't go. It is very well chaperoned by Disney CMs. You can also catch it at Grand Floridian and Yacht Club. You can call the restaurant reservation line to get the schedule and to make reservations.

 

[mlittig]

Glad you enjoyed your trip

 

[Fire14]

I personally like POR but like ASmo also, I can't say one pulls me more than other.
AS for Ohana I like brfst but can take or leave it, never done dinner there.
Lecellar I like but agree don't get hype on Soup or bread sticks although I do like warm pretzel in any shape. My Lc lunch was blah and we had old cold bread, our dinners have been good but nothing better than say Logan's roadhouse or Texas roadhouse here at home.

 

[MomRN]

About the food court- the build your own pasta was very good. I was more disappointed in the space and amount of tables. It seemed so very small compared to ASMo and ASMu (which we ate at frequently during one stay).

As for the cheese soup- we have a grocery store that has better. The steak was very tender, but very little taste (I had the mushroom filet).

The little guy really wants to do CarsLand in DL, so my goal is a trip there in the summer... and hopefully WDW in November or December...

Oh, I was also hoping they would be promoting Wreck It Ralph with some merchandise or something since ds is a big video game fan. Besides some signs on buses there wasn't any sign of it.

 

[MissPrice]

Thanks for your thoughts I am also a fan of LTT. DH and I will be doing 'Ohanna dinner for the first time in January. Hope it's OK. -Amanda

 

[ttintagel]

Were you at Riverside or French Quarter? IME the bus service and resort layout is much better at POFQ.

 

[puddinpie]

We did ours at Riverside, but a google search shows Yacht/Beach Clubs, Grand Floridian, and Caribbean Beach also offer it. It was around $35 and they take them from 9:30-11:30. They get a small treasure bag at the end. I think ages 4-12, no parents allowed.

Thanks for the info. Do you have to be staying at that particular resort to participate? We will be staying at POP Century. Did they enjoy it a lot? I guess I am asking if it is worth $35 a piece?

 

[MomRN]

My son doesn't overly express joy for much. He tends to express what he doesn't like more, and he didn't have any complaints. The other kids looked like they had a blast. Considering they get a 2 hour experience, some small toys (a bandana, sword, eye patch, candy, tatoos, pencil, tattoos, and a few other trinkets that I can't think of) and you get a couple of free hours to get things done (laundry? pack?) I think it's worth it. Coming from another resort you would need to think of something to waste a couple of hours on at the resort the kids were doing the adventure- unless you had your own vehicle.

I don't think you have to be staying there to take advantage of it.

 

[Tigger's ally]

My son doesn't overly express joy for much. He tends to express what he doesn't like more, and he didn't have any complaints. The other kids looked like they had a blast. Considering they get a 2 hour experience, some small toys (a bandana, sword, eye patch, candy, tatoos, pencil, tattoos, and a few other trinkets that I can't think of) and you get a couple of free hours to get things done (laundry? pack?) I think it's worth it. Coming from another resort you would need to think of something to waste a couple of hours on at the resort the kids were doing the adventure- unless you had your own vehicle.

I don't think you have to be staying there to take advantage of it.

That sounds like the perfect place for couples with a little boy to go spend a couple hours doing....casual drink at the pool bar and a nice little horsey drawn carriage ride for just the two of them.

Cmon on you romantics...its a win...win....win!

 

[Cyrano]

Just moving this to the Trip Reports board

 

[MissManda]

5. My 6 year old was really into pin trading this time. He also had a blast doing pressed pennies and the portals for the Sorceror game. However, those things take time and must plan accordingly.

This past June my DH and I took 4 kids to DW- our two nephews (14 and 10), our niece (8) and their step sister (11). It was the first trip for all of them. Well, before the trip, the step-sisters uncle purchased them all a starter pin trading set. Well, we like to have never gotten anything else done at the parks because that's all they wanted to do was pin trading (DH included!). By the end of the week, they could spot a pin trader from across a crowded park and they would all descend on that poor person like a pack of vultures. They purchased almost no other souverniers. They all spent their shopping money on new pins. Your post above made me think about that.

Glad you had a good trip!