Just Booked Port Orleans - Riverside Any info Positive or Negative?

[shmoogrrrl]

We just booked Port Orleans for our trip September 27 - October 4 with the Fairy Tale Package. We have only stayed at The Contemporary and All Stars - Movies so I am not sure what to expect from Port Orleans.

We adore the Contemporary but decided it was time to branch out to try other resorts. I know we will have to bus everywhere except Downtown Disney, but we can deal with that.

Any opinions, hints, etc? It will be me, my husband, and our wee little one, who will be turning 16 months while we are there.

Thanks!

Kathy

 

[SuiteDisney]

It's such a nice resort. I've stayed there twice, both times in the mansions. Will you be staying in the mansions or Alligator Bayou?

I have a LOT of pictures of the resort. You can find them HERE. There are several links at the top of the page that will show you all over the resort.

http://www.***********.com/cd4d0ee0.jpg

 

[dreamflight99]

We have spent a lot of time at the (Old DIXIE LANDINGS) POR! Our DD absolutely LOVES this place, still. There is so much to see and do there, lots of walkways to stroll and explore.

We always stayed in the SAME place, "Oak Manor", which is ideal. It's very close to the EAST depot, which is the nicest...most quiet of all the depots (bus stops). The stroll back to the manor at night is very relaxing and memorable.

From the balcony of our corner room (second floor), we could see the fireworks over the MK. Amazing, I know...but true. The pools are beautiful, and the one in Oak Manor (by the laundry) is very peaceful.

We returned here for several consecutive years for part of our stay. We adore the Sassagoula express to the DTD area. You will be pleasantly surprised by the accomodations in this mod resort. I hope you have a wonderful stay.

 

[jewelmick]

We will be leaving for POR on Tuesday.

We stayed at POR when it was Dixie Landings and Loved it. We where in a Manoe House and will try to get AB this time around. The grounds are beautiful, peaceful, and the smells are wonderful. The main building has all the amenities, and the kids will love the pool.

We went on March and the wait for busses was reasonable, the food was decent, and the staff was most helpful.

I hope the refurbishment won't tarnish our stay this time.

I did not even consider staying anywhere else this trip tho. Maybe after a few more stays at POR I will try AK or Poly.

Hope yo have a great time.....check out my trip report when I get back for more details

 

[goofy4tink]

I love POR and would be there again this August, but dh wanted to do a deluxe and with the FT package, we could. You will love it at POR. It's so beautiful. I know some say it is spread out, but when there are a lot of people staying there, you hardly know it since it is so spread out. My only suggestion would be...if you are eating in the food court (which I liked) I would suggest you try to eat at off-peak times. It tends to get a little crazy there when everyone it trying to grab something and get to the parks for opening. Have a ball. You won't regret your choice.

 

[ZZUB]

I agree with the other replies to your question. My wife and I stayed there two years ago and really enjoyed it. It's true it is spread out, but I think that is true of all the moderates. It is exceptionally quiet (as compared to All Stars). And the rooms are pretty nice.

We stayed in a mansion building right by one of the quiet pools. It's a great place if you also want some down time. If you need a break and some rest, you can ride a bike, swim or take the boat to Downtown Disney.

With the exception of the Grand Floridian or Poly, I think it's the most romantic of the resorts. It's a quiet place, and although it's pure Disney, it's not so much DISNEY! if you know what I mean. Yeah, there's hidden Mickeys and refillable mugs and such, but it's kind of subdued. There's a river running through it and some of the Mansions have fountains. It's a pretty place. I recommend it very highly.

We're headed back to WDW the end of June and we had planned to stay there but we think our little girl will enjoy AS Movies more b/c of the big, colorful Dalmations and such. I hope so. I'm sad we're not returning to PORiverside.

 

[Evil Princess]

As you can tell by my siggy, I LOVE POR!! (it will always be my Dixie Landings). We stayed the first year that it was open, and we just keep going back.

It is beautiful, clean, and quiet, while still having that disney magic! The food court has good food, the pools are nice,

One night last trip we were walking past the bar and lounge area when we heard a very enthusiastic crowd of people singing. We wandered over and discovered a man playing a piano and the entire lounge participating in some giant sing along. We got a table and participated. It was hysterical. I can't remember the guys name, but I believe his cd is sold in the gift shop. So much fun, it was an added bonus after a fun day in the parks. We wandered into it by accident

 

[magicmouse]

We just got back today from 11 nights at POR AB section building 14. The resort is stunning!!! Be prepared to take a lot of time out of the parks to mosey round the place. Food court is good - much nicer than at ASMO. Lookout for the beautiful winding bayous with little bridges over them. Room was very clean and spacious and beautifully themed. Pool is spectacular!! and very clean.

 

[tn4mickey]

You will love POR. We've stayed there several times and it is great! We've had both mansion and bayou rooms. We liked bldg. 14 in AB best because of the location. It's close to the food court (handy if you have refillable mugs!), and the main bus stop. The themed pool is very nice and has a slide. The quite pools are nice also. The boat to DD is great. A previous post mentioned the fellow that plays the piano. I think his name is Bob. We finally got to see him the last time we stayed there. His show is a lot of fun, even for those of us who generally don't like audience participation! I think POR is the nicest resort just to stroll around the grounds. It's really beautiful.

 

[KristaTX]

Shmoogrrl - I really love POR, too. In fact, that's where my mother and I are headed Wednesday. If you've stayed at an All-Star and found it to be acceptable, you should have no problem at all with POR. Don't worry - just sit back and look forward to your trip. Besides - with all the changes going on you may get upgraded to AKL or WL since it seems like so many other people are. But even if you don't, I still think you'll enjoy POR.

 

[kinggoofy]

POR is our FAVORITE. Very relaxing and enjoyable. As you can see below, we have stayed there many times and refer to this resort as " our summer home. "

Take the boat to DD. Its about 25 minute cruise down the Sassagoula River. VERY relaxing.

The food court , in my opinion, is actually pretty good food. Alot of variety. I posted on another thread...if you are getting Orange Juice, buy it from the Fulton Store NOT the food court. The 16 oz. minute maid bottles of OJ are $1.50 more in the food court.

They have a horse / buggy ride. We have never tried it but have read good things about it.

Eat in Boatwrights. Whether its breakfast or dinner, this restaurant is very good and " overlooked" but relatively underpriced.

If you like a few laughs at night.....go see Bob Jackson (Piano Man) in the River Roost Lounge on Wednesday thru Saturday.
His show his GREAT.

BUT....if your idea is a queit evening and a drink or two. You may not want to see Bob's show. It is a high energy show from start to finish. BUT its worth it. Go see him once, and you'll be hooked.

To those who are going this week, have a great time. Make sure to post your trip report.

 

[Hawk]

Can't say any more than the above, but will repeat that you will enjoy your stay. If you look at our signature, you will see that this resort, formerly DxL, is our favorite. You won't be disappointed with any part of the resort.

Like the theme parks, this resort has some stategy. Stay away from the ice cream booth at the food court about 1/2 hour after a theme park closes, unless you want to wait in a line. In addition, go to the food court for beakfeast before 8:00 am or after 10:00 am, however even during this time the lines at check out are not that bad. Same with dinner from 5:00 to 6:00. Don't think the quiet pools are quiet; what do you expect this is a family resort! Don't go to the bus stop 1/2 hour before the theme parks open unless you want to stand on the busr or wait for another. If you want to see Bob, get a table 1 hour before he starts playing, he packs them in. A table might open up around 10:00 or 10:30 if your running late.

The most important, don't think you'll never come back to this resort! We will be back in August.

Have fun!

Hawk.

 

[cruelladephilly]

we stayed there when ours were very little also--it is a beautiful place with the architecture and grounds--the restaurants also include a buffet which is excellent when you get tired of sit down.
one hint--the grounds are big--if you enjoy walking a lot (truly beautiful sights) dont worry, but if not--you may want to request to be close to restaurants etc--have fun!! the boat rides from the river are great fun!

 

[Luv2Roam]

We stayed there last May and were disappointed. The bad (lack of and unorganized) transportation was the biggest complaint.
The grounds are beautiful and well maintained (unlike the rooms).
But to each his own.
It might have just been bad luck/timing for us. But we crossed POR off our list.
I think part of our problem was the high build up of this resort I read here. We were expecting it to be nicer and it didn't meet our expectations.
(Previously we had stayed at CSR and ASMo before the POR stay.)
I am glad we don't all like the same resorts though. That's a blessing.
Good bakery though.
The boat ride is convenient. I wish they extended the hours a lttle more of the boat ride and took guests to West Side. I think it does on weekends. Not certain. I don't think the boat runs until 4 or 5 p.m. on weekdays. Don't recall the weekend hours.
Have fun.

 

[Disney753]

I sayed there in January and was very disappointed. Had stayed there several years ago when it was DL and loved it. This time the room was old and very guest run downed. The swimming hole pool was closed down for renovation and the walk was extra long as the paths around the pool were also closed. My room was very close to the east bus stop which was good. I was very dissapointed in this stay and probably would not choose it again. The grounds were great for strolling and the meals I had a Boatwrights were as always great.

 

[kinggoofy]

Bump

So Epcot Bill can see Suite Disney's POR Pictures

 

[MinniMama]

ust back from POR our 5th trip there it is awesome we love the mansions- oak manor or magnolia terrace. You will love it the busses ran great when we were there!

 

[caitycaity]

i've stayed there several times and it is my favorite wdw resort. i hope you enjoy it. don't forget to listen for the "crickets."

 

[Gette88]

We stayed at Dixie Landings twice. Can't get use to the new name. We like it there alot. We stayed in Oak Manor and Magnolia Terrace. It's a beautiful resort. This comes from a huge Gone With The Wind fan. That's what made me want to stay there the 1st time. The 2nd time because the 1st time was so nice

 

[WedWay72]

Oh my, you will not be disappointed. One of my favorite resorts for getting up early, walking the river with my coffee.