my honest review of Port Orleans Riverside

[CaliTex]

We stayed at the POR in December. I thought the resort was pretty, loved the hammocks, found the bus transportation to be acceptable (and I really do hate taking those buses--not sure why--just do)but now I REALLY have to give compliments to all the CMs. From Bell staff to concierge service to mousekeeping--fabulous. Maybe the resort is a little spread out, but I liked strolling the grounds, so, again, that is a personal preference thing, perhaps.

We moved to the Wilderness Lodge Club Level halfway through our trip, but that is just because we LOVE Wilderness Lodge, and again, I think that's just a personal preference thing. And so even though we were in a suite on the Club Level, I found the folks at POR just as nice (if not a smidgen nicer) that the WL folks. Exception: African American lady working at the food court at WL. Awesomely sweet! Nicest CM I have ever encountered, she is true 'Disney Magic' personified.

Worst CMs EVER? The Grand Floridian. Pretty much every person that worked there had a terrible attitude. UGH ugh ugh! Nevah! Evah! Again. (sorry; digressing.)

I am so sorry to hear anyone has had a poor experience with Disney, and cursing is just so...really? And losing patience with a person for not speaking English clearly enough? How ignorant.

Hope your trip improves, OP! Here is wishing you some

 

[missnic]

I'm glad (not really, but it means I'm not alone!) to read a bad review of POR. We stayed there for one night a few months ago. I was really looking forward to it, the photos and reviews were glowing.

We were given an occupied room, vague directions on how to get to the room, no real apologies for the mixup.. and ended up having the worst sleep ever on Disney property. We've stayed at Pop with BTGs and had better/quieter sleeping conditions. We heard everything above us.. even what happens in the bathroom.
The grounds were beautiful, but it was a serious hike to get to our room. We didn't use any other facilities, and now I'm glad we didn't. I think it will be a long while before we attempt POR again, sadly.

 

[Adam H]

We stayed at POR and thought that it and the rooms were very nice, but the buses were terrible. That was our last moderate stay. We've done the Poly 4 times in a row now with GF coming up this fall for 9 nights.

I'm sorry you had those experiences with bad customer service. Don't let it ruin your trip.

 

[freckles04]

We had similar negative experiences at POR and were very disappointed. It is beloved by many people but it just wasn't for us. I hope you are able to get the $100 and Memory Maker figured out. I have not used Memory Maker but have used PhotoPass+ (its predecessor) twice. Both times we received vouchers in the mail prior to our trip. it had vouchers for mini-golf, DisneyQuest, the resort arcade, etc. and in there was the PhotoPass+ voucher. Once we took it to Team Mickey in Downtown Disney to activate it, and once to the PhotoPass+ counter in MK. I believe it was next to where Mickey meets. Once you come through the train station it was on the right. I have no idea if Memory Maker works like that or not but I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

 

[uktivo]

Thanks all for the wishes. Well, two more days in. I've finally got the 100$ card, and spent it on my girls. I have to say, the CM that helped us today on the info desk inside the world of Disney. DTD, was fantastic. I think his name was martin.
We now also have memory maker linked to our Disney account.

I think my negative experiences have all been associated with the dining Hall. It seems the staff in there, with the exception of a few, are all so rude. I watched the same woman that tutted at me, literally stare and ignore a Japanese woman when she asked if she could have an empty pot and lid. This cm literally starred through her, totally ignoring her to the point I felt embarrassed for her so i just picked up the pot and lid and passed it to her myself. This one cm really has some issues to address.

The whole cleanliness of the dining room is terrible, you see families cleaning off their own tables to sit and have their dinner. I'm shocked Disney are allowing this to happen. The dining Hall is akin to a battlefield in the morning. There are people queuing in all directions. From a company that is the master at sorting ques, its strange to experience this.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Thanks all for the wishes. Well, two more days in. I've finally got the 100$ card, and spent it on my girls. I have to say, the CM that helped us today on the info desk inside the world of Disney. DTD, was fantastic. I think his name was martin.
We now also have memory maker linked to our Disney account.

I think my negative experiences have all been associated with the dining Hall. It seems the staff in there, with the exception of a few, are all so rude. I watched the same woman that tutted at me, literally stare and ignore a Japanese woman when she asked if she could have an empty pot and lid. This cm literally starred through her, totally ignoring her to the point I felt embarrassed for her so i just picked up the pot and lid and passed it to her myself. This one cm really has some issues to address.

The whole cleanliness of the dining room is terrible, you see families cleaning off their own tables to sit and have their dinner. I'm shocked Disney are allowing this to happen. The dining Hall is akin to a battlefield in the morning. There are people queuing in all directions. From a company that is the master at sorting ques, its strange to experience this.

Be sure to write & express your feeling to Disney. Their email address is on the website & they do respond quite quickly.

We were just at POR this past Sunday & Monday & had absolutely no issues whatsoever. But then again we are used to this resort as we stayed there 4 times last year, but always in the Alligator Bayou section. We stayed in the Mansions this time.

We had a quiet pool right outside our room area, so utilized those tables for breakfast. Otherwise, we do use the tables at the Muddy River Pool bar to relax and people watch. We used the boat to DTD & the buses too with no issues. The food court is always mobbed. For breakfast if it's packed & I don't want to go back to the room to eat we go up into Boatrights area & sit as do alot of people. We had no issues with table cleanliness. The guys were really hopping Monday morning when we were in there.

Hope the rest of your vacation is magical & that it doesn't sour you on POR. It's really a beautiful resort and if you pick a room in the close in area it's great. There's also so much to do around the resort too with the carriage ride, movies, campfire & pool activities.

 

[CookieGVB]

We stayed in Alligator Bayou this past week, in Building 35. We were told at the Registration Desk that it was "much closer than it looked." She lied. We trekked off with our map and walked and walked and walked with our carryons all the way to the back of the place. She told us we were on the 1st floor, and as I'd asked for an accessible room, I figured we'd be fine. There is one ramp for the building - all the way in the back. Every other corner of the building had steps only. The buses were PACKED, even at what I thought were odd hours. I can only imagine how many people would be on them at peak season. The main building design is lovely, but for me - never again. Too many other little disappointments along the way regarding the food court, etc. I realize many people love this resort - now there is one less person out there vying for reservations.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Sorry you had such a bad time there! We stayed in April and were absolutely in love with the resort, we see no reason to stay anywhere else anymore.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks all for the wishes. Well, two more days in. I've finally got the 100$ card, and spent it on my girls. I have to say, the CM that helped us today on the info desk inside the world of Disney. DTD, was fantastic. I think his name was martin.
We now also have memory maker linked to our Disney account.

I think my negative experiences have all been associated with the dining Hall. It seems the staff in there, with the exception of a few, are all so rude. I watched the same woman that tutted at me, literally stare and ignore a Japanese woman when she asked if she could have an empty pot and lid. This cm literally starred through her, totally ignoring her to the point I felt embarrassed for her so i just picked up the pot and lid and passed it to her myself. This one cm really has some issues to address.

Please please please please.

Please remember the good CM's name and put in a "kudos" for him. Good reviews like that are terrific for the CMs!

And find out the name of the awful CM and pass that info along, too. They NEED to know what she is doing. So far it seems like she's just being rude to the non US guests. That's not OK. If she's being rude to everyone, that's not OK. It needs to be passed along, hopefully while you are there, so that she can get some retraining.

Please get her name, go to the concierge desk in the lobby, and talk to someone, preferably a manager, about this particular CM.


I haven't had any such issues at POR; in fact POR is where our housekeeper found my Kindle that I managed to leave under a pillow, turned it in to the proper people, and when I realized it later that day (after we had moved to Universal) and went back frantically, it was in the right place and properly documented so I could get it back. Since the Kindle was actually the property of DH's workplace (he works for amazon), and since I had already misplaced another one of their devices, it would have been BAD if that had not been turned in. I have nothing but good experiences at POR, but that doesn't mean I want you to ignore the experiences you are having. I also don't understand having breakfast at a pool, but that doesn't mean I don't want you to have the experience you want to have.

So please talk to management about this *while you are still there*.

 

[saskdw]

I'm shocked the POR Army hasn't swarmed this thread!!

 

[polineedyan]

POR stinks. Thats all I got.

 

[Sue M]

I'm sorry you stay hasn't been what you expected. Especially since it's our fav moderate. Thankfully in my 4 or so stays there I havent experienced many problems except for once, a less then kind CM at check in. And last visit in January was given a dirty room which was resolved very quickly & efficiently.
Distances are relative I guess. I never found it a long walk from food court to pool. Just over a short foot bridge. I always make a room request noted on my reservation for our room to be near a foot bridge.

I thought the Icecream flavours were marked? Do try the Pasta Bar!! And catch Bob Jackson's show at night!

I hope your visit improves, maybe ask to speak to the duty manager about the problems. Just going up to anyone at front desk doesn't do much.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Worst CMs EVER? The Grand Floridian. Pretty much every person that worked there had a terrible attitude. UGH ugh ugh! Nevah! Evah! Again. (sorry; digressing.)

:

It's the Grand Floridian We peons are just suppose to be grateful we are even ALLOWED on the property with the exalted Cast Members!

I am with you, place was a disasater. Front desk incredibly rude, valet beyond slow, bell services useless etc... And housekeeping I wrote dust me on the furniture in the dust. Two days later it was still there. NEVER AGAIN. In all my years of extensive travel this ranks as the biggest hotel rip off EVER!

 

[goofy4tink]

Please please please please.

Please remember the good CM's name and put in a "kudos" for him. Good reviews like that are terrific for the CMs!

And find out the name of the awful CM and pass that info along, too. They NEED to know what she is doing. So far it seems like she's just being rude to the non US guests. That's not OK. If she's being rude to everyone, that's not OK. It needs to be passed along, hopefully while you are there, so that she can get some retraining.

Please get her name, go to the concierge desk in the lobby, and talk to someone, preferably a manager, about this particular CM.

I haven't had any such issues at POR; in fact POR is where our housekeeper found my Kindle that I managed to leave under a pillow, turned it in to the proper people, and when I realized it later that day (after we had moved to Universal) and went back frantically, it was in the right place and properly documented so I could get it back. Since the Kindle was actually the property of DH's workplace (he works for amazon), and since I had already misplaced another one of their devices, it would have been BAD if that had not been turned in. I have nothing but good experiences at POR, but that doesn't mean I want you to ignore the experiences you are having. I also don't understand having breakfast at a pool, but that doesn't mean I don't want you to have the experience you want to have.

So please talk to management about this *while you are still there*.

Absolutely what she said! Disney needs to know about issues so they can make corrections. Get that CMs name nd let the manager know of her rudeness, on multiple occasions.
I've stayed at POR (DxLs) many times. Most of the time things went fine. But there is always a chance something can go wrong....at any resort. I'm heading vp back there for three nights, after my week stay at BWVs. I'm hoping things are as I remember.

It's fun y but dd did that exact same thing with her iPod at AllStarMuaic a few years ago. Had it under her pillow and went off and didn't remember until about an hour later. I said we could go back but she said no...she didn't want to miss our breakfast ADR! Imagine her surprise when we got back to the room, much later, and there it was, sitting on the night stand. I hate admitting to being surprised when someone does the right thing, but you just hear so many stories of theft in hotel/resort rooms!

 

[JennyDrake]

IMHO the Disney moderates are a waste. Too much money for too little service/quality.

I have stayed at each of the values several ties (except AoA where once was enough) and each of the moderates a few of times, and a handful of deluxes. _I_ have a hard time justifying the cost of a moderate over the values, but I'm sure there are plenty who will disagree.

I was at WDW in August, December, February and two weeks ago. I saw a marked difference in attitude (especially at the MK) since the introduction of MB & FP+.

Please don't let any of the negatives you've experienced so far ruin your trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm shocked the POR Army hasn't swarmed this thread!!

Astonishingly, when someone is having righteous issues, even resort-lovers can help out. There are actually a few of us who adore POR in here. Trying to help out the OP.

In fact lovers of a particular resort, IMO, can help they most because they KNOW that this is not the norm and truly want to get things fixed.

It's fun y but dd did that exact same thing with her iPod at AllStarMuaic a few years ago. Had it under her pillow and went off and didn't remember until about an hour later. I said we could go back but she said no...she didn't want to miss our breakfast ADR! Imagine her surprise when we got back to the room, much later, and there it was, sitting on the night stand. I hate admitting to being surprised when someone does the right thing, but you just hear so many stories of theft in hotel/resort rooms!

Oh I remember that now. It's so cool when the right thing is done. I was so appreciative of that housekeeper. I was already dealing with a manager when they were bringing out my Kindle, and I made SURE to get it in writing how much I appreciated her assistance.

 

[donnaf516]

We've stayed at the POR and it was just ok for us. The ground are beautiful but other then that, it' wasn't what we expected.

No issues with CM's...guess we were lucky to not run into any rude ones. The themeing just wasn't our thing. We've now found our "home" at the POFQ.

 

[pamkat1820]

We also stayed at POR in 2012 when the royal rooms first opened. I also don't think they are worth the extra money. It is a beautiful resort, but I just didn't like our stay there. I asked how far from everything was our room and exactly were it was on the map. The CM gave us completely the wrong information. Wrong directions, wrong placement and we were sent on a wild goose chase to find it. Lol she said first floor facing the river, how about 3 floor in the far back section facing the parking lot. I just didn't feel the disney magic there. It was a good learning experience for me. It showed me what I really want in a resort. I like smaller resorts, I missed the interior corridors. I guess I'm a resort snob.....lol

 

[2Tiggies]

We've stayed at the POR and it was just ok for us. The ground are beautiful but other then that, it' wasn't what we expected.

No issues with CM's...guess we were lucky to not run into any rude ones. The themeing just wasn't our thing. We've now found our "home" at the POFQ.

We also adore POFQ but POR doesn't tug at our hearts in any way. However, we love to pop over and visit and think the grounds and buildings are beautiful. Never had anyone be rude to us and DD loves the main pool there too. I think sometimes you can just have a personality clash with a resort because it's just not 'you' and not because it's any less special than another resort. This may or may not be part of the OP's problem, but I do feel there are some genuine issues going on and they should be addressed. But in agreement with the others on here, if they aren't drawn to the attention of someone who can change things, they aren't going to be resolved.

OP I hope you've found some magic for the rest of your trip and are having a better experience.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've stayed at a lot of wdw resorts...I think the only ones I haven't stayed at are GF, FtW, CSR, CBR and POFQ. I own DVC at both BLT and BWV. I love my DVC stays. BUT...I also enjoy my value stays as well...love Pop and do enjoy AoA but for brief periods due to the cost of LM rooms!
The moderates? They're 'okay'. I love POR simply because it was our very first WDW stay..back when it was Dixie Landings. My mom was with my dd and I...and she has since passed away. So, dd and I like to go back there once every 5 years or so...just for a few nights.
But, I don't think the moderates are really worth the sizable difference in room rates compared with the values. What do you get at a moderate? A nicely themed pool, with a smallish slide. You get a hot tub. The resort is more nicely themed than the values...at least more 'adult' theming. The rooms are a bit larger and the beds are now queens vs doubles at the values. The vanity has a double sink, which makes the toilet/tub area a bit on the cramped side..it's actually larger at Pop and AoA due to there being just one sink. Transportation is not as good as the values. The buses make multiple stops within the resort..that's probably my least favorite thing about the moderates! You do get table service restaurants at the moderates though...as well as a food court.
I just don't see the value for the price paid at moderates. I refuse to pay rack there. Did on our first stay simply because I didn't know any better back in '99!!!