Just Switched to Riverside...Will I Like It?

[ufgator]

I've stayed at POR and AKL and love both. POR is completely different than AKL but both are great. POR is pretty and quiet (except for main pool). I prefer staying in Panterre Place. I directly called the resort to request that area and got it. Have fun!

 

[MEK]

I stayed there 2 years ago. It looks like many of the rooms have been updated since. It was very quiet and had a nice relaxing feel. If you have a car, the parking is great in the mansion section. We drove over to AKL to look at it during our visit to POR. I didn't care for it. We had to park very far away from the main entrance and it was dark inside the lobby. I was actually happy that I picked POR over AKL.

POR is bright and cheery. It is spread out and all the rooms have outside entrances. This does not appeal to some people. I liked it. In the morning I would take my coffee outside and sit by the pool or along the river. I like to run in the morning, so it was great for that. I've noticed that a lot of posters prefer POFQ, because it is less spread out. That looked nice too. The entire POFQ resort was being refurbished when I was there. I ran down there alot and everything was very compact.

One of the big pluses to staying at POR are all the close quiet pools. Another, is the boat to DTD. That was a nice diversion.

This summer we are staying at CBR. I hope I like it as much as POR. My DH also liked POR. When I booked this trip he asked why we weren't staying there again. I guess I like to try new things and I hope I am not disappointed. Really wanted CSR, but all that was available was a waterview room. Sorry, I don't believe in paying extra for that.

Hope you have a great time. I can't see why you wouldn't unless you are really picky and hate larger resorts with outside entrances.
Have fun!

____________________________________________________
Can't wait to eat my way through Disney August 2005

 

[cowtownmom]

We just returned from POR and I absolutely loved it! I wasn't the least bit disappointed. I had originally requested a room in AB, but was given a room in Parterre Place. The resort was at capacity and they were placing families of 4 or less in the Mansions so that those with 5 could have the trundle beds in AB. I decided that was not a big deal and I was completely satisfied with our room in the Mansions. It was very quiet. We had a corner room so we had two windows - very happy about that! Our room ovelooked the courtyard, which was beautiful.


In comparing POR to a deluxe - we've not stayed at a deluxe resort, so I've not seen the rooms, which I'm sure are larger and have a bit more to them, but I would say the grounds can't be beat at POR. I spent a morning at GF, which has such beautiful buildings, but the grounds are not comparable to POR. There is so much greenery with all of the beautiful roses, azaleas, trees, etc. at POR. The buildings at GF are so much closer together so that you don't have all of the beautiful sidewalks and walkways and the river running through the resort (they do have the beach though). There are also darling cotton tail rabbits and ducks and other birds all around the grounds at POR. I truly can't wait to get back to POR!

 

[VickiVM]

Just wanted chime in with my comments since we have done deluxes before. This time around money was more of an issue (since we spent $1000 just on airfare alone) so POR was a natural choice. We've stayed there now 3 times and never were disappointed. You just can't beat the amenities for the rate of the rooms. The only feature that we felt needs work is the food court. Fortunately, we didn't use if for too many our meals.

We had great service from check-in to check-out. Housekeeping was consistent and attentive. Bell services were wonderful. All CM's we encountered were great.

The grounds and landscaping is just remarkable. It has a very lush ambience that really is cleverly detailed to absorb sound (POR is a huge resort with lots of guests), screen between bldgs (creates a sense of privacy) and really adds to the themeing of the Ole' South.

I did miss the convenience of being next door to Epcot, but at a AAA rate of $126/nt vs. $300 for deluxe you just can't beat the value.

Enjoy your stay there!

 

[Jungle Skipper]

Riverside is beautful, much better than I expected my first time. I hope you LOVE it!

Jungle Josh

 

[leira1989]

Do you like walking along beautifully landscaped paths with the scent of Crepe Myrtle and Magnolia in the air? How about hearing the clip clop of a horsedrawn carriage touring the resort? Do you want the opportunity to take a boat ride to the French Quarter or even to DTD?
I was very pleased with PORRS. Hope you like it, too!

 

[lovethattink]

POR is our favorite WDW resort. We've stayed at most of the resorts on property, but keep returning. Our next time to go is in a few weeks, then we'll be back at POR for Labor day weekend. There is so much to do at the resort itself, that we often spend the weekend just at POR. Don't miss the piano man, his show is lots of fun! I think it is Wed thru Sat. The nachos supreme and the french onion soup are excellent in that lounge. We always order that while we watch the show! It's fun to pool hop here. There are 2 theme pools and 5 quiet pools. Last year, they even had a campfire, but that has since been discontinued.