Just Switched to Riverside...Will I Like It?
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SqueakyMouse
DIS Veteran
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I can't comment specifically on POR, because I haven't stayed there -- although I've scheduled a short July trip to POR with dh and NO kids. However, I can speak on staying at a moderate after a deluxe. In May, my family spent 8 days at AKL. Dh decided about half-way through the week that he'd like to extend the vacation by 2 days, staying through Memorial Weekend. Well, EVERYTHING at WDW was booked. We eventually caught a cancellation at CSR. I was not excited about staying there but glad to be on-site. Ironically, we all ended up loving the resort. We had less of a walk from our car in the parking lot, the bus stop was close and uncrowded, food at the Peppermarket was very good and available all day, the pool was less crowded than the AKL's, our view was so peaceful (large fountain and quiet pool), etc. Because we never found the time to do much at AKL (kids didn't even spend much time looking at the animals from our balcony!!!), we enjoyed CSR every bit as much (but in a different way) as AKL. Thus, dh and I decided to give another moderate (POR) a try in July. We may end up switching our Oct. family trip to a moderate if this goes well. I hope you have a great experience at POR!
GlennandAnn
<font color=9966FF>If found, please return to Boar
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POR is beautiful, and we have stayed there several times. However, I understand your thoughts about moderate after deluxe. There is a difference, but your vacation experience is what you make it, not what the hotel does for you. POR has a fun pool and a fantastic food court- we have gone there to eat when staying elsewhere. I think you'll enjoy it!
Ann
Ann
Steve Hurley
<font color=deeppink>A Fan of the TAG FAIRY<font c
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I don't like to tel people what they will like or dislike but DW and I love POR. It is our favorite moderate and we have stayed in all of them. We prefer the Aligator Bayou section over the Mansions. Building 14 to be exact. 
By All Means, Be Sure To Eat At Boatwrights, Both Breakfast And Dinner. The Sweet Potato Pancakes Are Very Good, After We Moved To Another Resort We Came Back Twice For The Pancakes. We Also Did The Carriage Ride Which Is A Must Do For Us The Next Time We Go To The World.
disney junky
BWV
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- Dec 16, 2004
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until we bought into dvc, we always stayed there. it's spread out, it's beautiful and quiet. there is a main pool which is a blast and i think 5 quiet pools. the food court is unmatched. we've tried a few. i believe you will have a wonderful time.
sydprincess
Crazy about Mickey and my girls!
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- Mar 18, 2004
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You won't like it...you'll LOVE it! Terrific resort. Have a wonderful stay. 
jenjen212
Just keep Swimming, Just keep Swimming...
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- Apr 28, 2004
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well... as you can tell from my sig... we love riverside. as a matter of fact, i recently posted a message to someone about this resort, so i am just going to copy my message from there to here...
It has a relaxing type of theme. A southern new orleans, "Mark Twain/Davie Crockett" feel to it.
Connected to building with check in and the gift shop is a bar, where there is a guy that is there at night during the week where he sings and plays on an animated type piano (it lifts off of the ground and sways from side to side), and he gets the audience involved in his act.
It is really hysterical to watch. When you get there, if ask the cast members at check in what times that he is there, so you may want to catch it.
Connected to the bar is Boatwright's Dining hall. I haven't eaten there, but have heard from some other dis'er's that it is good. Connected to that is a food court, where you can get just about anything there. When we come back from the parks, and don't feel like going to a "restaurant" and waiting to be seated, etc., this is where we go. I recommend buying the unlimited refillable mugs that they sell here, they are about $12 or so (can't remember what we spent). They are worth it. If there are coffee drinkers, it is worth it. August can get chilly at night there, they have this really good hot chocolate there, that my husband can't get enough of.
Just outside of the building in view from the food court is part of the river, where you can rent paddle boats, bicycles, etc. or if you would like to go to downtown disney, you can take the ferry boat there. it is very convient, and at night, very peaceful.
As far as rooms go... it depends on what you are looking for... we've stayed in both section types.
convience? Try to ask for building 14, being that you guys can be considered a "Magical Gatherings" group, they may automatically place you there. In order for them to know that you are Magical Gatherings, you need to be booked that way by placing the reservations for all 14 of you at once, not separately. Building 14 is right next to everything. Building 18 is also right next to everything, it is on the other side of 14. But it is surrounded by other buildings in a way that no matter where you are placed in that building, you will not get a room with a parking lot view. Only a garden view or a water view. These buildings are in the Aligator Bayou section of the resort. The rooms are the same, just decorated differently. And rooms in this section automatically come with a trundle bed (a roll out bed).
if you would like something with a more "romantic" touch to it, then ask for a building in the Mansion Manors, or the Magnolia Bend section. These look more like colonial mansions on the outside, with a different decor on the inside. They are on the other side of the river. Building 90, would be the closest to the food court etc. Also, rooms here do not come with a trundle bed. You can ask for one if you wish, but it is extra. (don't know why??
)
If you want specific building requests, you need to ask to put it on your reservation as a side note, then call the resort about 3-4 days before your trip. This is when they begin filling up the rooms in advance. They try to place the large parties first, then the smaller ones.
Everynight at 7pm there is a campfire at a site behind the main pool with the slide, where they roast marshmellows and smores, and sing songs. Someone once told me that depending on the ages of the children that end up having to some to the fire on each particular night, they'll tell ghost stories too, unless there are objections. last time that i was there they weren't doing this... someone at the front desk told me that they usually do this during peak seasons... since that should be around summer... ask about it when you check in.
I don't know if anyone in your group are into fishing, but there is a "catch and throw" fishing area. Where you can rent rods and bait and fish, or learn to fish.
There are horse carriage rides there as well. Not sure how far they will take you, but they depart from the area where you can rent paddle boats.
The pools there are nice. There are "quiet" pools, that are placed all around the resort, so the "main" pool called "ol' man island" doesn't get too packed. These pools do not have life guards, but the main one does. At the main one, there is a slide, a hot tub, and a kiddy pool for the little ones, like my godson. There is also a bar near the main one too.
Here is a great site that I have found useful for looking at some disney resorts. The phone number for the resort is listed on here too. They have pictures of almost every area around the resort, and images of the resort map, menus with prices from the food court, boatwrights, the bar, etc. so you have an idea of how much things cost, or get an idea of what they serve there...http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/dxl.html
Sorry this is sooo long, but you got me started on talking about our second home. if there are any more questions, please feel free to ask...
good luck, and have fun!
Jen
It has a relaxing type of theme. A southern new orleans, "Mark Twain/Davie Crockett" feel to it.
Connected to building with check in and the gift shop is a bar, where there is a guy that is there at night during the week where he sings and plays on an animated type piano (it lifts off of the ground and sways from side to side), and he gets the audience involved in his act.
It is really hysterical to watch. When you get there, if ask the cast members at check in what times that he is there, so you may want to catch it. Connected to the bar is Boatwright's Dining hall. I haven't eaten there, but have heard from some other dis'er's that it is good. Connected to that is a food court, where you can get just about anything there. When we come back from the parks, and don't feel like going to a "restaurant" and waiting to be seated, etc., this is where we go. I recommend buying the unlimited refillable mugs that they sell here, they are about $12 or so (can't remember what we spent). They are worth it. If there are coffee drinkers, it is worth it. August can get chilly at night there, they have this really good hot chocolate there, that my husband can't get enough of.
Just outside of the building in view from the food court is part of the river, where you can rent paddle boats, bicycles, etc. or if you would like to go to downtown disney, you can take the ferry boat there. it is very convient, and at night, very peaceful.
As far as rooms go... it depends on what you are looking for... we've stayed in both section types.
convience? Try to ask for building 14, being that you guys can be considered a "Magical Gatherings" group, they may automatically place you there. In order for them to know that you are Magical Gatherings, you need to be booked that way by placing the reservations for all 14 of you at once, not separately. Building 14 is right next to everything. Building 18 is also right next to everything, it is on the other side of 14. But it is surrounded by other buildings in a way that no matter where you are placed in that building, you will not get a room with a parking lot view. Only a garden view or a water view. These buildings are in the Aligator Bayou section of the resort. The rooms are the same, just decorated differently. And rooms in this section automatically come with a trundle bed (a roll out bed).
if you would like something with a more "romantic" touch to it, then ask for a building in the Mansion Manors, or the Magnolia Bend section. These look more like colonial mansions on the outside, with a different decor on the inside. They are on the other side of the river. Building 90, would be the closest to the food court etc. Also, rooms here do not come with a trundle bed. You can ask for one if you wish, but it is extra. (don't know why??
)If you want specific building requests, you need to ask to put it on your reservation as a side note, then call the resort about 3-4 days before your trip. This is when they begin filling up the rooms in advance. They try to place the large parties first, then the smaller ones.
Everynight at 7pm there is a campfire at a site behind the main pool with the slide, where they roast marshmellows and smores, and sing songs. Someone once told me that depending on the ages of the children that end up having to some to the fire on each particular night, they'll tell ghost stories too, unless there are objections. last time that i was there they weren't doing this... someone at the front desk told me that they usually do this during peak seasons... since that should be around summer... ask about it when you check in.
I don't know if anyone in your group are into fishing, but there is a "catch and throw" fishing area. Where you can rent rods and bait and fish, or learn to fish.
There are horse carriage rides there as well. Not sure how far they will take you, but they depart from the area where you can rent paddle boats.
The pools there are nice. There are "quiet" pools, that are placed all around the resort, so the "main" pool called "ol' man island" doesn't get too packed. These pools do not have life guards, but the main one does. At the main one, there is a slide, a hot tub, and a kiddy pool for the little ones, like my godson. There is also a bar near the main one too.
Here is a great site that I have found useful for looking at some disney resorts. The phone number for the resort is listed on here too. They have pictures of almost every area around the resort, and images of the resort map, menus with prices from the food court, boatwrights, the bar, etc. so you have an idea of how much things cost, or get an idea of what they serve there...http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/dxl.html
Sorry this is sooo long, but you got me started on talking about our second home. if there are any more questions, please feel free to ask...
good luck, and have fun!
Jen
Great resort review and pictures JenJen212! 
There's not much more to add about the resort. My family adores this resort, but I must say we haven't stayed anywhere else. The breakfasts at Boatwrights are fantastics...blueprint omlettes and sweet potato pancakes...best breakfasts ever!!
There's not much more to add about the resort. My family adores this resort, but I must say we haven't stayed anywhere else. The breakfasts at Boatwrights are fantastics...blueprint omlettes and sweet potato pancakes...best breakfasts ever!!
jenjen,
thanks for all the info. DH and I have planned our first trip without the kids in August and I picked POR. Thought it might be the most romantic. Thanks for the tip about the Mansions. We'll try to book there. If I call a few days before we arrive, are the odds good that we'll get one of those rooms?
thanks for all the info. DH and I have planned our first trip without the kids in August and I picked POR. Thought it might be the most romantic. Thanks for the tip about the Mansions. We'll try to book there. If I call a few days before we arrive, are the odds good that we'll get one of those rooms?
WDWBetsy
found her happily ever after!!!
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2000
- Messages
- 2,386
ginga said:
I've always heard that couples are more likely placed in the mansions since more families need the trundles in the AB. You can put the request in your reservation for a mansion room.
We stayed in Acadian House and had a wonderful time. We loved the theming! Very romantic! You can view my photos by clicking on my username, then my homepage. Keep in mind that we stayed in October 2003, and the rooms have since been renovated.
CinderEmma
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2005
- Messages
- 104
We're at POR right now, and we all really love it. We're in the Alligator Bayou section, and it's very shady and quiet. All the walks between the pools and dining hall are nice and enjoyable. You'll have plenty of fun! 
We really liked our four nights at POR last week.
MY 10 yr old loved the Pool - his favorite part!
I personally liked POFQ better, for the size, if anything.... but POR was lovely just the same. I would stay at either resort in a heartbeat.
Catrin
MY 10 yr old loved the Pool - his favorite part!
I personally liked POFQ better, for the size, if anything.... but POR was lovely just the same. I would stay at either resort in a heartbeat.
Catrin
JodyLynC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2001
- Messages
- 2,251
I've stayed at CBR, CSR, and POR for moderates. I enjoyed them all, but POR was my favorite. I remember lots of noise at CBR and CSR, but not at POR. (Of course, that could have just been timing.) I remember at the pool bar getting some Cajun popcorn. It was so good that when I got home, I bought cajun seasonings and tried to recreate it. There was also a drink that was made with Midori, but I can't remember the name of it. Just that I enjoyed.
I have also stayed at WL and YC. The main differences between the Moderate and Deluxe resorts, besides being a bit closer to one of the parks, is that the Moderate resorts are external while the Deluxe are internal. I don't remember there being too much of a difference other than that.
One other thing we really enjoyed about POR was taking the boat to DTD.
Enjoy!!
I have also stayed at WL and YC. The main differences between the Moderate and Deluxe resorts, besides being a bit closer to one of the parks, is that the Moderate resorts are external while the Deluxe are internal. I don't remember there being too much of a difference other than that.
One other thing we really enjoyed about POR was taking the boat to DTD.
Enjoy!!
jenjen212
Just keep Swimming, Just keep Swimming...
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2004
- Messages
- 811
ginga said:
usually the odds are pretty good that you can get a room there. but try calling the resort itself around 2 or 3 days in advance, instead of central reservations.
Riverside: (407) 934-6000
because the cm's at the resort are the ones that start working on the assignments around that time in advance to new arrivals. i didn't know that until we were doing a magical gatherings group at work, and since we are the "disney freaks" of the bunch, they asked me to be the one to set it all up. when i called to ask about getting a particular building, they told me that.
good luck!
jen
LITTLEKID58
Platinum Castaway
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2001
- Messages
- 2,666
I might be bias as my son works at PO/FQ.. but to me it is a beautiful resort.. The cast members are great...
Liz
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