Port Orleans - how bad really is the bussing??

[Mrs. Pirate]

We have traditionally stayed at POP in Feb and May and never once complained about the bussing except coming back from the parks after fireworks. But even then, it wasn't that bad. We do like to come back from the parks mid day for a break at the resort. We won't eat there for breakfast but we do like to refill our mugs. We prefer a quiet location and can walk to the pool. Close to a good bus stop is key.

For those who have stayed at Riverside, how bad really is the bussing?? And where would I want to request to have a room??

Or, am I better to look at another resort??

Thanks for any advice.

 

[dkmulder]

POR is my favorite resort and any bussing issues there would be the same you would encounter at any resort or park -the things that just happen. That being said, there are multiple stops so you will usually be close to a bus stop. I like alligator bayou, building 36 or 38, I believe. The POR thread on here is awesome and has a map of the resort and recommendations for what building you may want early on in the thread. I will also say that one resort I will never stay at again, largely because of bussing, is Caribbean Beach. They have seven bus stops and sometimes the travel time in the resort lasted longer than the drive to the park. It was more than just the typical bussing issues you'd run into at any other resort due to how large the resort is and the number of stops. Just something for comparison. Can't recommend POR enough (not to mention the tranquil boat ride to DS).

 

[Scott MC]

We stayed in 2013, and FWIW, it was the most consistent, reliable bussing we've encountered. There are plenty of bus stops, and I can't imagine any rooms being that far of a walk from a stop. The problem here is you're asking for a quiet room, close to the drink refills, close to the pools, close to the bus stops, and I don't know if such a room exists! I'd decide what's most important for you and your traveling companions, and request that. I know there are preferred rooms, but those would be close to the main building, and I'd assume that's not terribly quiet.

 

[bookgirl]

I've had three stays between the two PO resorts and the busing there has been pretty decent. During the middle of the day they will sometimes share, but even then I didn't find it was too long of a route. PO is also I have had pretty good luck with Beginning of the Day and End of the Day waits. Depending on time of year they have been short to medium with only an occasional long wait. The big draw here is the boat to DS. POR was fine as we were in the Royal Rooms and we were pretty much dead center between the main busstop and the Manison bus stop. We just adjusted our entry/exit to the busstop that fit where we were. (room or foodcourt)

I've stayed at Beach Club and found the buses to MK and DS to be okay (stayed during Sept when Sept was still a low season but the waits were probably mid length and the stops at S/D and YC didn't add too much time to the process) but like others say the thing about BC/YC is the boat/walk to two parks.

Stayed at WL which shared with Poly/GF and even though it did seem to add time to the routes, but WL was first on/first off.

Ironically the best and worst buses were both at Values. AoA/Pop were my worst experiences and AsMusic was my best.

Just goes to show that busses are fickle and can be great or bad no matter where you stay.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

My experience (having stayed at POR, Poly and Yacht Club) is that the bus situation sucks equally at all three. I didn't find any to be better or worse than the other, you just don't have to take a bus for every trip if staying at a monorail or Epcot resort.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Uh, who says it's bad.....never been bad in the 20 years we've stayed there.

 

[Liv4Dis]

We have stayed at Riverside 4 times and French Quarter 3 times and have never had any complaint over the bussing. Regarding bussing after the fireworks, everyone else is leaving too so the lines will be long no matter what resort you are staying at. However, we found that the busses come pretty quick. It would be good to note that we have the attitude that we are on vacation and even though we get up early and stay late at the parks I refuse to stress myself if the bus takes 5 minutes or 20 minutes. I am so happy to be in Disney on vacation. Sometimes we have even taken the French Quarter bus and walked along the path to Riverside (if our feet could still walk), which is a beautiful. Take a look at portorleans.org regarding your question about room location and bus stops. This site is really helpful.

 

[dledger]

The bussing is the same as any other resort. You can walk up and have a bus waiting or you can walk up and have just missed one and now need to wait. FWIW we've never had any issues in all our POR stays. But we leave ample time in case something does come up.

 

[Gehrig1B]

There are some on the boards that mention, because of the number of bus stops, if staying near one of the last stops it does happen that buses may be full and pass you by (at busy times). This upsets some who want the bus service to act like a personal limousine and whisk you away directly and immediately to your park. Personally, having stayed there multiple times I have no issues with the bus service at Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[Mrs. Pirate]

Thank you. This is reassuring. One of the first complaints you read about POR is the bussing, including on the POR info thread on this site. Because we are rope droppers who take a rest in the afternoon and come back for the evening, we seem to be on busses a lot.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Auntie_Maim]

I've been to POR and POFQ and never noticed anything remarkable either way about the bus service. I liked both resorts quite a bit.

 

[Sue M]

No problem with the bus service. At any resort really. IMO bus service works well 99% of the time. No matter which resort there's always that morning where 5 of each bus goes by except yours! Most of the time it's fine.