Lots of Port Orleans Riverside Questions!

[mickeystoontown]

Happy July 4th everybody!

We have stayed at the CBR two years in a row and really loved everything about it. For our June, 2008 trip, we are planning a stay at Port Orleans Riverside. We want to request a room in one of the mansions.

As some of your disboard members may know, I have posted some very detailed information about the CBR. I know that there is a Port Orleans facts thread but I would love it if somebody who has stayed in the mansions would post detailed info.

I want to know everything!

The best building to request?

What's the best bus stop to head to in the mornings?

How the rooms are laid out?

How does the food court work and how's the food?

Did you take advantage of the amenities the resort has to offer?

Any other tips?!?! Pictures would be great too!

Thanks in advance, Lisa

 

[BunBun]

Which side of Riverside? Alligator Bayou or French Quarter?

Here's a few links that will answer many of your questions:

Riverside Dining: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/searchoutput-loc.cfm

Resort Info:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/portriverside.htm

 

[kayla and alex mom]

We just got back from our first stay at POR a couple of weeks ago. We really enjoyed it. We stayed at Patierre Place but Magnolia Terrace looked like the most central building on the mansions side. It was near a bus stop, the main pool and the food court. Our location wasn't that bad of a walk.

The room had two double beds, the sink area had two pedestal sinks with a shelf above them and a shelf on the side wall. There was a privacy curtain at the sink area. The bathroom had the tub and toilet.

There was an armoire which held the television and drawers below it. There was a small refrigerator. It also had a table, two chairs, and a small bench which you could sit on.

We only used the buses once and we picked the bus up in front of the main building but I believe there is a stop right behind Magnolia Terrace.

We took the boat to DTD and my daughter and I walked over to the French Quarter. Nice and peaceful walk.

We saw the horse drawn carriage rides each night, but we didn't take one. There were bikes for rent as well regular and surrey bikes it looked like. The resort itself was really pretty and relaxing.

The food court had sections for pasta, pizza, chicken, burgers, a carving station with beef and turkey, sandwiches, salads and the bakery along with a grab and go section with drinks, fruit, yogurt. The meals at the food were good. We ate at Boatwright's three times. The french toast at breakfast was fabulous and the jambalya at dinner was quite good.

All in all we really enjoyed our stay there and would stay there again.

Enjoy your planning!

 

[Davey-D-99]

Just booked POR this afternoon for our 1st WDW vacation April 2008!!!
Woo Hoo!!!
Lady told me to book room only now and change to a package when the rates come out...probably within 2 weeks she told me.
I asked for AB Bldg 18.

Found this website really helpful
http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/POR2007.htm

and this to help look around the resort...referencing the map of building numbers
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v...t=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5220350&encType=1
http://www.explorethemagic.com/images/maps/disney-world-port-orleans-map.jpg
-----------------------------------------------

Thanks for this thread... looking forward to finding out more about POR.

 

[jess20k]

Our most recent stay at POR was in 2006. We stayed in the Magnolia Bend section, in the Acadian House. It was only about a 3 or 4 minute walk to the food court/lobby area. It was also a short walk to the main pool. We had a lovely view of a beautiful courtyard with a fountain in it. It was a peaceful location. We used the north depot bus stop most of the time. The rooms there are very nice. I actually prefer the mansion rooms better than the AB rooms. We stayed in the AB section when it was still called Dixie Landings.

I beleive the Oak Manor and Magnolia Terrace Mansion Buildings are closer to the main area.

We used the food court twice, it was fine. Although we haven't been there since they remodled it.

If you have time one evening, check out Piano Bob (Bob Jackson) he is terrific! He plays in the River's Roost Lounge. He is lots of fun for both adults and children!

All was well for us, except the bus serivce! It was horrible! We had to wait for a second bus quite a few times, because when a bus would finally pull up, it was filled with guests from POFQ. We also had to stand many times..... By the way, POFQ is our FAVORITE MOD! At least at POFQ the bus picks up first, then drops off first...except for DTD.

If you can I would take the boat to DTD, it a very nice ride!

Hope this helps you out!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks everybody! Anybody else?

 

[mickeymousemom]

Lemme see....

Magnolia Terrace is the best building to be in in the Mansion section. Bldg 14 is the best in Alligator Bayou. We have a request in for it right now for our trip in October.

The Food Court is pretty good but it can get crowded. You grab a tray and either help yourself to the grab and go stuff or get in line at whatever food "station" you want food from. When you get what you want, you take your stuff to any register and pay. Then head over and get your drinks.

The whole food court, general store, Boatwright's, game room, lobby is all connected and from the outside looks like a small town on the river. Very nice and quaint. The AB section is our favorite. Very lush, with winding paths and little bridges over tiny little water areas. We love it there. We've stayed in Magnolia Terrace and it was pretty, but just not as chaming and quaint and homey as AB. Either way, POR is our favorite place to stay.

We've never rented the bikes or taken a carriage ride, but we do take the boat to DtD and back at least once or twice during our stay. Ocassionally we walk over to POFQ and grab some beignets(YUM).

This is our absolute favorite resort(the walk to the main bldg. from the room is always a beautiful one)....hope you like it as much as we do.


Jess20k....we were just at POR...the food court really isn't much different than it was before. The food stations are a little nicer, and there is more room in the grab and go section(seems to be more open...I think they've moved some trays and other small things), but o/w it's pretty much the same.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

I am considering a switch from CR to POR to save $1300 and do more things when in WDW (mainly MVMCP!!) I will have young kids in tow.. so we will need the trundle bed. Is that only in AB section? If so, what is the best room to be close to the main pool (yes, my kids will swim in Dec!!) and the food court

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have stayed there 3 times and loved every one!

Our friend Gray works in the bar and makes darn good cocktails.

The gift shop is huge and has a nice selection of foods, drinks and souveniers

The food court is wonderful, we ate there many times for breakfast and dinner and never had a bad bite!

We drive our car over to the main check in area, eat breakfast and catch the bus from there...the buses are usually full but it beats waiting at the other stops for a long time

 

[mickeystoontown]

Since everybody says the bus service at Riverside is horrible, would it be worth it to walk to a bus stop in the French Quarter? If we had one of the first buildings in the mansion section, how far would be walk? (I run at least 3 miles a day so walking is no big deal to me.)

Lisa

 

[m-i-c-cakeywhy]

I stayed at por twice and have never had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a bus

 

[AllNamesTaken]

We stayed at POR in Nov 2006 for 7 days and never found the buses to be "horrible". In fact, we didn't have a car and relied totally on the buses. I was very pleasantly surprised! We never waited more than 10 minutes on either end - park or resort.

 

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

We stayed at POR last year and loved it! We were in Partierre (sp?) Place and it was not too far to walk from the main building, although it seemed farther at the end of the night after a long day in the park.

I believe that the trundle beds are only in the AB section. I would request building 14 in that section because it is closest to the food court/ main building.

If you are looking for something fun for the kids, try the Sassagoula River cruise. It has a Jester theme, and the kids get to find treasure. My boys (5 and 9 at the time) loved it, and DH and I enjoyed some quiet grown up time, and took a boat to POFQ for some beignets (which I also recommend YUM!) The cruise was around $28 per child.

We did not eat at Boatwrights, but we had one dinner, 2 breakfasts and several snacks in the food court. I don't remember what we ate, but I do remember that the only food I didn't enjoy on our trip was a few buffet selections from Boma and Chef Mickey's, so whatever we had at the food court must have been good!

I'm sure you will enjoy your stay, we wanted to stay there again this year, but they were booked for our dates

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Thanks for the info! We are most likely only going to do MK and BB and one day at MGM. Thats why I liked the close proximity of CR. But, to be able to save about $1700 (there is an AAA rate of $116 per night at POR )thats a LOT of money and a LOT of stuff I can do (like MVMCP!!) and have more spending money. Plus, just the $1700 alone is our airfare and food! But I never considered POR before but the savings is REALLY swaying me over!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for the info! We are most likely only going to do MK and BB and one day at MGM. Thats why I liked the close proximity of CR. But, to be able to save about $1700 (there is an AAA rate of $116 per night at POR )thats a LOT of money and a LOT of stuff I can do (like MVMCP!!) and have more spending money. Plus, just the $1700 alone is our airfare and food! But I never considered POR before but the savings is REALLY swaying me over!!!

We were thinking about staying at the Wilderness Lodge but it would be over $1,000.00 more than staying at a moderate. I just haven't been able to justify that much money. That's why we are staying at another moderate. We've already stayed at the CBR twice.

$1,000.00 is a lot of money. That's what we take as our spending money over a 10 day stay and we always come back with money!

 

[jess20k]

Even though we had terrible bus service, other people have had no problem, I guess it just depends...I wouldn't walk over to POFQ though, you are still better off waiting at one of the POR bus stops.

We prefer the bus service at POFQ because it is first. Plus, we just had a much better experience there. But, other than the bus service we had no other problems at POR...the resort is lovely.

I hope that you have good luck with the buses.... it is possible! But just be prepared in case. Also, be sure to take the boat ride to DTD!

Good luck!!!

 

[Aurora63]

Hi! I stayed at Riverside in June of '06. I love the place, it is beautiful. I stayed in Magnolia Terrace, which was right next to the bridge to Ol' Man Island...maybe 3 minutes to the food court and main building??

Here are some pictures (inside and outside of Mag. Terr

We always used the bus stop at the main building, because the stop by Magnolia Terrace is the last stop...therefore during busy times, you are less likely to get a seat getting on there.

The boats looked like fun, but honestly, it was a commando trip, wish we had relaxed at the resort more but we didn't!

Have a great time!

 

[Nanisashi]

We stayed at the POR in May. We were in bldg. 85 Magnolia Terrace and absolutely loved it, its a great location, close to everything yet away, if that makes any sense! We used the main bus stop, and never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus. The food court was really good. They have a pasta station, big enough portions to share.

 

[DisneyMagic73]

Does anyone have any feedback on Alligator Bayou section? Which rooms/building is good for non smokers? How is the theming? Which buildings are the quieter ones? Thanks!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hi! I stayed at Riverside in June of '06. I love the place, it is beautiful. I stayed in Magnolia Terrace, which was right next to the bridge to Ol' Man Island...maybe 3 minutes to the food court and main building??

Here are some pictures (inside and outside of Mag. Terr

We always used the bus stop at the main building, because the stop by Magnolia Terrace is the last stop...therefore during busy times, you are less likely to get a seat getting on there.

The boats looked like fun, but honestly, it was a commando trip, wish we had relaxed at the resort more but we didn't!

Have a great time!

OOOOHHHHH! Thanks a bunch for the pictures!

Anybody out there that has stayed at the CBR and Port Orleans Riverside that can give their view on the bus situation?

The CBR is big and has lots of bus stops. It never bothered us though. I just wondered how the buses at Port Orleans Riverside compared to the CBR.

Thanks, Lisa