POR RR vs AB

[catfan98]

Other than the theme of the room and the fact that some AB rooms sleep 5, are there any differences in the AB and RR rooms? Is one type bigger than the other? Or does the layout of them make either seem bigger or smaller? If we get a River view or Pool view RR, are we as close to the main building as a preferred AB room?

 

[HopperFan]

Same size, same wall layout as is the rest of the Mansion rooms. The outsides are the major difference, 2 story no elevator vs bigger elevator buildings.

We love RR decor and it feels more deluxe inside. AB are rustic themed and we were fine staying in them, just prefer the other. Without needing the murphy bunk, we were happy to not be in the rustic rooms.

You may not be exactly as close but to me the distance is minimal. We actually do not like the closest AB preferred buildings because of the noise from the food court area, pizza delivery trucks right there etc.

I would pick which theme appeals to you.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I agree with @HopperFan on the details. The only thing I would add is that the preferred room bookable category are all AB rooms, which are the closest to the lobby and food court. We have stayed in these rooms and particularly liked that the buildings are smaller and somewhat spread out with beautiful landscaped areas between them. The mansion buildings are larger and taller so the rooms are more densely packed, but inside the room the size and floorplan is the same. As far as proximity to the lobby and food court, AB rooms can be the best or the worst, depending on how far out they are. Most of the Mansion rooms have a walk that is somewhere in between. With a Royal room you won't be as close as a preferred room. It won't be more than a minute or two further from the lobby, but it will be across the river.

I completely agree that you should go with the theme you prefer most, given availability and your choice of bookable categories. Royal rooms are all in the mansions and tend to be the most expensive, but you get the fancy touches like lights and decorations.

For great maps and resort information, be sure to check out www.portorleans.org.

 

[HopperFan]

I agree with @HopperFan on the details. The only thing I would add is that the preferred room bookable category are all AB rooms, which are the closest to the lobby and food court. We have stayed in these rooms and particularly liked that the buildings are smaller and somewhat spread out with beautiful landscaped areas between them. The mansion buildings are larger and taller so the rooms are more densely packed, but inside the room the size and floorplan is the same. As far as proximity to the lobby and food court, AB rooms can be the best or the worst, depending on how far out they are. Most of the Mansion rooms have a walk that is somewhere in between.

I completely agree that you should go with the theme you prefer most, given availability and your choice of bookable categories. Royal rooms are all in the mansions and tend to be the most expensive, but you get the fancy touches like lights and decorations.

The Royal Rooms are all in two buildings, closest to main hub. Not sure if you mean just in mansions or in all the mansion.

From portorleans.org

 

[GrandCalifornian]

The Royal Rooms are all in two buildings, closest to main hub. Not sure if you mean just in mansions or in all the mansion.

I was just referring to the Mansion style buildings vs the AB style. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[HopperFan]

I was just referring to the Mansion style buildings vs the AB style. Sorry for the confusion.

Got ya, just trying to help OP understand layout of resort.

 

[catfan98]

Thank you @HopperFan and @GrandCalifornian ! That information is helpful. The PortOrleans.Org website looks great, I will have to look through it thoroughly. And the resort map helps, too. We are a group of 6 - 5 adults and 1 DA who will be 13 - so we will need 2 rooms. I would definitely prefer if the rooms were in the vicinity of each other, if we can luck in to that, but they don't have to be connecting. I really like the RR decor and so does my daughter, it just seems more Disney than the AB rooms. Now my son could care less for either and would prefer to stay at AKL, but I just don't think we will be able to swing more than a moderate with having to pay for 2 rooms. Anyways, I want to go ahead and book our rooms as we will be going during spring break period (first week of April) and I don't want to wait until later and be limited in my choices. So I picked the rooms we liked best in a budget we could afford without discounts. And I will keep my fingers crossed for a discount, lol. But if not, at least we are where we want to be.

One more question...since there aren't any balconies, does the view actually matter? Like a river view versus a garden view or a pool view? From what I see, the river view would just put you at the front of the building versus the back?

 

[Baklava]

We were in the Oak building on the first floor with a door that opened pretty much into that little courtyard. The courtyard is lovely, with a fountain that lights up and changes colors at night. The royal room was wonderful and very, very Disney.

 

[HopperFan]

No balcony but can determine noise etc. I used to always book nicer view but if the difference is enough to matter, I don't now. Standard could land you by cars and that might not be a chance you want to take.

 

[catfan98]

I took the plunge and booked us 2 River view Royal rooms. Can't wait until April 2017!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I took the plunge and booked us 2 River view Royal rooms. Can't wait until April 2017!

We are staying in 2 River view rooms this summer. I picked the river view so that it would be quicker to the food court. We can't wait either.
Enjoy!

 

[karm12]

I don't think the RR are worth the extra cost, but I could it making a difference for others. I generally don'y have the blinds up or wide open at POR because there are always people walking by...so view matters less to me.