Nervous @ POR stay - new rooms. Help me feel at ease please?

[Tammy296]

Hi all. We're gonna be in Disney staying at POR for 8 days in the new Royal rooms. For those that have stayed at this resort and in the rooms (by any chance) can you help me feel more at ease with our upcoming stay? I'm nervous about things like -- how far the bus depot is, how are the busses as far as stops, waits, travel times to and from places, etc. The boat service. Tell me about the mousekeeping service. Is it ok? How's the food? I want to hear everything and anything positive and negative that you experienced in this resort/room. Was the new room up to snuff as much as you expected? How were the pools/slides? I have two girls coming down one 4 and the other 14. They're excited. I'm ambivalent. I'm not really a picky person but I do like a clean room and nice people around.

Tammy

 

[stpats317]

We've stayed at POR many times and it has always been wonderful! Mousekeeping has been excellent - especially our stay last November - we had towel animals every day, sometimes more than one. For most of our trips we've had a car and we only take the bus to MK but we have taken the bus once in a while and we always went to the main stop rather than waiting around the resort. On our trip last year one of the stops was right outside where we parked the car and so we did use that stop when we weren't taking the car. We've never really had issues with crowding or long waits except for one time last year.

We did not have a RR but were in one of the (at the time) just renovated rooms and it was great!

 

[minnie mum]

Here's the link to the POR thread. All the info you need to know. Given that this is probably the resort with the most vocal supporters, I think you have very little to be nervous about.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904701

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hi all. We're gonna be in Disney staying at POR for 8 days in the new Royal rooms. For those that have stayed at this resort and in the rooms (by any chance) can you help me feel more at ease with our upcoming stay? I'm nervous about things like -- how far the bus depot is, how are the busses as far as stops, waits, travel times to and from places, etc. The boat service. Tell me about the mousekeeping service. Is it ok? How's the food? I want to hear everything and anything positive and negative that you experienced in this resort/room. Was the new room up to snuff as much as you expected? How were the pools/slides? I have two girls coming down one 4 and the other 14. They're excited. I'm ambivalent. I'm not really a picky person but I do like a clean room and nice people around.

Tammy

Disney's standards for cleanliness and friendliness are pretty universal across the board...you're bound to hit some duds, but that is pretty rare. I have never stayed at POR but I'm sure you'll be fine. It's easy to get nervous after reading reviews on these boards or elsewhere, but I'll tell you, even the stay at what became our least favorite resort (CBR) was an absolutely amazing stay!!! Are we rushing back to CBR....nope....but would we stay there again...truth be told, we would, if we had to - so obviously it wasn't THAT bad!

You'll be fine!

 

[beroh2253]

If you want to stay close to a bus stop and the food court maybe you can request a room in building 14 or 15 see the attached for POR map. POR is our faavorite resort though we don't always stay there optoing for a value at POP. Littl further building 16 and 17 have their own pool, Or a great big main pool with slide in center of resort. This place is beautiful just to waly around and get a boat ride to downtown Disney. Love the food court when we are not staying at POR we always go over there at least once for breakfast for a made to order omlet.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/PortOrleansMap.pdf

 

[summerlady]

Hi all. We're gonna be in Disney staying at POR for 8 days in the new Royal rooms. For those that have stayed at this resort and in the rooms (by any chance) can you help me feel more at ease with our upcoming stay? I'm nervous about things like -- how far the bus depot is, how are the busses as far as stops, waits, travel times to and from places, etc. The boat service. Tell me about the mousekeeping service. Is it ok? How's the food? I want to hear everything and anything positive and negative that you experienced in this resort/room. Was the new room up to snuff as much as you expected? How were the pools/slides? I have two girls coming down one 4 and the other 14. They're excited. I'm ambivalent. I'm not really a picky person but I do like a clean room and nice people around.

Tammy

I feel the same way! We've always stayed at POFQ so POR is going to be new experience for us. I requested Oak Manor and paid for garden view RR and I'm going to fax a request to be close to the bridge going to the main building and bus stop. Those are mostly the only things I'm concerned about...the distance from room to main building and pool and the buses. I'm excited...but not.

 

[memakwed]

We have always stayed inbilding 90 or 95- now the upgraded rooms.(which means higher price for us now). We have walking issues in our group but find that they ok for us with or without the wheelchair in use. We use the main bus stop my the hotel entrance and foodcourt to get on and off as itis convenient and the buses fill quick. We do not go during peak season but buses have been standing room only and can not take otherson form the other stops. The rooms have always been clean and now I can only imagine even better since redone. My dad snores and I can hear him in the night in an adjoining room so there is some background noise but nothing that would ruin you resort stay from just an average person in the next room. The quiet pools are quiet which we like and have done done the main pool. The boats to DTD are peaceful and not over crowded. The only time there will be a line is at DTD when you are trying to return at 11pm before the boat stops. As for the food we do notlike the restaurant but the food court is good. The restaurant is slow and we didn't enjoy the quality of the food. It could have been an off night when we were there but I wouldn't go back. The food court is good for breakfast o we can get in and out but it is crowded. We also get sandwiches here when we are leaving to go home. I have noth had any other food here but I believe my parent's have and had no complaints.

 

[Sue M]

We have atayed at POR 3 times, and it's our fav moderate resort. We stay in the mansion section. I've had rooms in Magnolia Terrace, Parterre Pl, and Acadian House. The Royal Rooms are located in Parterre Pl and Oak Manor.
Personally I like either Magnolia or Acadian locations the best. Very close to bus stops, pool, and food court (which is very good).
Oak Manor is also a good location. I'd request that for Royal room. Parterre was abit far from main pool, and bus stop in mansion section, but wasn't too far from the main bus depot over the bridge. I just don't like the main depot. Always crowded.

 

[kaysmommie]

Hi all. We're gonna be in Disney staying at POR for 8 days in the new Royal rooms. For those that have stayed at this resort and in the rooms (by any chance) can you help me feel more at ease with our upcoming stay? I'm nervous about things like -- how far the bus depot is, how are the busses as far as stops, waits, travel times to and from places, etc. The boat service. Tell me about the mousekeeping service. Is it ok? How's the food? I want to hear everything and anything positive and negative that you experienced in this resort/room. Was the new room up to snuff as much as you expected? How were the pools/slides? I have two girls coming down one 4 and the other 14. They're excited. I'm ambivalent. I'm not really a picky person but I do like a clean room and nice people around.

Tammy

We stayed in a Royal Room in March and we loved POR. They have 4 bus stops and two of them within 3-5 minute walk from our room. Mousekeeping was good and our room was clean. We did take the boat to and from DTD. It was a 20 minute ride but really nice. My kids age 12 and & liked the pool and slide. But Stormalong Bay at BC is their favorite pool/slide. So everything pales in comparison I'm afraid. The foodcourt is excellent with so many choices. I think you will love POR! We were going to stay there again in Alliagator Bayou preferred room just to try something different. But decided to go back to WL since we haven't stayed there for a while. I hope this helps.

 

[buzznina]

We stayed in the RGR back in March and our DD's loved the room. The 2 mansions are really within a 5 minute walk to everything and you have quite pool between them if you do not want the main pool. We had a fantastic stay, buses were very good, but with saying that I also know that buses (and it really does not matter what resort) are hit or miss. Like a PP has stated mousekeeping is the same way, hit or miss. We think that POR FC is the best of all resorts and really enjoy eating there. Try and see Yeehaa Bob when your there, he puts on a great family show. Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Has anyone mentioned the website www.portorleans.org? That has everything you ever wanted to know about the 2 Port Orleans resort.

Riverside is my favorite moderate. Mousekeeping has been fine for me but then my housekeeping standards at home aren't super clean so as long as I don't have to clean it, it's fine. The rooms are nice, good size and comfy beds.

I haven't stayed in a Royal Room yet - I've got one booked in November.

The boat is nice and relaxing. One thing to know though is that they don't fill up every seat at POR so you may have to wait for another boat or 2 before getting on. The captains have to save room for the folks at POFQ to get on the boat too.
Also don't expect to be able to have a conversation on the boat - the engine is loud. I just enjoy the ride and the scenery. Also if the weather is bad, windy or thunder and lightening the boat doesn't run. So if you are going to DTD, you'd want to take the bus or a taxi in that instance.

I am on Disney transport only when I go and have had no issues with the bus service at POR. Sometimes you get to a bus stop and the bus you want arrives within 10 minutes, sometimes you have to wait for 20 minutes. It's just luck of the draw.

I've found for me if I'm going to MK, I usually walk to the bus stop at the front of the building. For some reason buses to MK can take forever to get around to all the bus stops and doing that gets me on the bus faster when I'm going to MK. I don't know why. It could just be my perception.

You can use the pool at POR or POFQ since they are sister resorts. I much prefer the pool at POR because it's bigger.

I love the food court there. There is plenty of seating. The make your own pasta is delicious.
Have a great time!

 

[maxiesmom]

I feel the same way! We've always stayed at POFQ so POR is going to be new experience for us. I requested Oak Manor and paid for garden view RR and I'm going to fax a request to be close to the bridge going to the main building and bus stop. Those are mostly the only things I'm concerned about...the distance from room to main building and pool and the buses. I'm excited...but not.

Disney doesn't look at the faxes anymore. If you want to put in a request, you need to call and have it noted on your reservation.

Remember too that POR has 4 bus stops, so you are never very far away from one! Just look at the map they give you at check in.

 

[mjp12831]

Just back from POR

Didn't stay in the Royal rooms but were very impressed with the refurbed rooms in AB section

Downside of POR is not really the walk to a bus depot (because there are 4), it's more the walk to the food court and lobby. You do occasionally get direct bussing from the main depot, so there is a small advantage to being there, but only if it's real busy. If you get stuck on the other side of the resort, it can be a bit of a walk to the feature pool or to go get your mugs filled.

If you get on at the South depot it takes about 8 to 10 minutes to go aroudn the resort loop and be on your way to the parks. Waits for the bus are random - we've had years when it's great and years when it's sub-par, so I think this is more about luck. MK, E and HS are very short bus rides from POR - 10 to 15 minutes after leaving the resort. AK is slightly longer but not a huge deal.

Boats are a nice ride to DTD - it takes about 25 minutes, so if you're in a hurry the bus is probably a better option. That's the only place you can go on the boat.

Mousekeeping service seemed great. Room was cleaned daily.

Food is fine, but we only eat there when we are in a pinch. Food at the bar is sub-par/bad. Never ate at the sitdown Boatwrights - the atmosphere seems off. Food court is decent - a nice create your own salad station, a sandwich station, and then your general food court fare.

Catch Bob the piano player in the bar (it's a family show) - I think it's weds through Saturday. Worth an hour or so.

The feature pool is fun and the kids like that slide. There are also quiet pools scattered around the resort if you are far from the feature pool but want a quick swim when coming back to the room.

POR is a solid pick for a resort. I used to prefer POFQ because of the small size, but the POR theme, the groundskeeping, the feature pool, Bob are all nice pieces to POR.

 

[JennyDrake]

Mousekeeping has been fine for me but then my housekeeping standards at home aren't super clean so as long as I don't have to clean it, it's fine.

Ditto for me. I don't go looking for anything to complain about.

The rooms are nice, good size and comfy beds.

The boat is nice and relaxing.

I think it is one of the nicest things about this resort!


I am on Disney transport only when I go and have had no issues with the bus service at POR. Sometimes you get to a bus stop and the bus you want arrives within 10 minutes, sometimes you have to wait for 20 minutes. It's just luck of the draw.

Thank you for stating this. It is this way with any and every WDW resort.

You can use the pool at POR or POFQ since they are sister resorts. I much prefer the pool at POR because it's bigger.

I like using the smaller, quiet pools.It is nice to have options.

I love the food court there. There is plenty of seating. The make your own pasta is delicious.

YES IT IS! And large enough to share!

Have a great time!

Yes, and try not to get caught up in worry and concern for things that have not even happened. If something does go awry, you will deal with it then.

 

[Gorechick]

Disney doesn't look at the faxes anymore. If you want to put in a request, you need to call and have it noted on your reservation.

Remember too that POR has 4 bus stops, so you are never very far away from one! Just look at the map they give you at check in.

While some Disney resorts no longer look at faxes, some still do- POR still does. Although I had my room requests on my reservation, I sent a fax reiterating my requests and received an amazing upgrade.

 

[summerlady]

While some Disney resorts no longer look at faxes, some still do- POR still does. Although I had my room requests on my reservation, I sent a fax reiterating my requests and received an amazing upgrade.

Yep, I made my requests with my original booking and they're on my confirmation. Just want to follow up with a fax and it's good to know that someone will see it.

 

[nkereina]

Hi all. We're gonna be in Disney staying at POR for 8 days in the new Royal rooms. For those that have stayed at this resort and in the rooms (by any chance) can you help me feel more at ease with our upcoming stay? I'm nervous about things like -- how far the bus depot is, how are the busses as far as stops, waits, travel times to and from places, etc. The boat service. Tell me about the mousekeeping service. Is it ok? How's the food? I want to hear everything and anything positive and negative that you experienced in this resort/room. Was the new room up to snuff as much as you expected? How were the pools/slides? I have two girls coming down one 4 and the other 14. They're excited. I'm ambivalent. I'm not really a picky person but I do like a clean room and nice people around.

Tammy

Didn't get to read all the replies so sorry if I am repeating things..

We stayed at POR for 8 days last September. We got a refurbed room in Acadian House - not royal rooms but two buildings over from them. The trip before, we stayed in Magnolia Terrace which is adjacent to one of the royal room buildings. The refurbished room in Acadian House was very nice aesthetically. No issues with it.

Housekeeping was mediocre for us. Not too impressed but our needs were met such as getting the bed made and getting new towels. When we first entered, there was crumbs on the floor and drink rings on the armoire from previous guests. Also no toiletries on the first day. So I wouldn't say our housekeeper was good, but it wasn't worth complaining about. It probably depends on your particular housekeeper also.

Love the pools. The main pool was never very busy but if you want a pool that is dead, the quiet pools can't be beat. We chose the quiet pool by Oak Manor and loved it.

There will be a bus stop behind your building which is not a far walk. You're also a short walk over the bridge to the main bus depot. This was never an issue. Bus travel time and waits can vary... IMO, any resort can have good or bad bus service on any given day. I think the drivers even rotate. So I don't take bus reviews too much to heart. Same with the boat service, although the boats were always pretty consisent. It takes a good half hour to get to DTD on the boat since it moves slow and we went when it was 90 degrees and thought it was too hot for the boat, but it was a nice trip back.

Food court is the best one on WDW property, IMO. If you like to hit rope drop, it will not be crowded in the morning and there are a lot of offerings.