Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part One --- NOW CLOSED

[MommytoCaitlyn]

We always live out of suitcases while on vacation. I NEVER use the drawers for clean clothes, we always end up throwing all the dirty stuff in the drawers, then shove it all back in the empty suitcases by the end of our trip. Maybe that's what I don't use the drawers? Just thinking about my clean clothes sitting in a drawer that recently held another families dirty undies, ummm, I think not! I guess I never realized that people actually unpacked their suitcases and used the drawers like they do at home I mean, who has time? Just throw the bags in the room, and hit the parks or pool!! I got WAY better things to do on vacation than unpacking and laundry

 

[HamTown]

Just got back from 10 days at POR and was worried about storage room. We found it to be no problem for the 5 of us (DH and I, and our DS 14, DD 12, DS 10) while we were there.

We're a family of 5 that loves POR but thought we had outgrown it (meaning our DS had outgrown the trundle and refused the idea of sleeping with one of his sisters for the week!)

How big was the pulldown bed? Regular twin sized or just the same trundle mattress on a platform?

Thanks for any information about the new rooms.

 

[crusoe2]

Quick question (and maybe a dumb one) - but are all the rooms in Oak Manor and Parterre Place going to be transformed into Royal rooms? And sorry if that's already been covered. I only had time to skim thru the other posts. TIA

 

[HeatherLassell]

Quick question (and maybe a dumb one) - but are all the rooms in Oak Manor and Parterre Place going to be transformed into Royal rooms? And sorry if that's already been covered. I only had time to skim thru the other posts. TIA

Yes that is correct.

 

[Sue M]

We are going at the end of August, and are debating on where to stay. I really want to stay at POR, but my mom said that the bus rides are to long to all the parks.
I'm trying to persude her. My mom and little sister(6 yrs old) both want to stay at Coronado, but I don't see the Disney magic there. Hmmm....

POR is very centrally located. i can't see that busses from CSR would get to the parks any quicker.
Looking at this web site POR to MK is 17 min, CSR to MK is 18 min. http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/aspx/twiz.aspx

 

[andrewilley]

How long are buses to all the parks from POR. I heard bussing is very long...

About 50 feet.



Andre

 

[shoney]

If anyone has booked a garden view room, please post what room you were given. I'm curious.


The CM, back in Sept., pushed POR w/garden view stating it is a newly refurbed room with queen beds. (I was calling for value or deluxe...wasn't interested in a mod...we were going cheap or going all the way!...but this deal was too much for me to pass up!)

Since then I've called several times to see if this were true and was told "YES". The reason being, they needed enough of the rooms ready to make it an official category.

Since the time I booked, I have read over and over about false info given by CM's.

If you could post upon your return, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[bunkkinsmom]

If anyone has booked a garden view room, please post what room you were given. I'm curious.


The CM, back in Sept., pushed POR w/garden view stating it is a newly refurbed room with queen beds. (I was calling for value or deluxe...wasn't interested in a mod...we were going cheap or going all the way!...but this deal was too much for me to pass up!)

Since then I've called several times to see if this were true and was told "YES". The reason being, they needed enough of the rooms ready to make it an official category.

Since the time I booked, I have read over and over about false info given by CM's.

If you could post upon your return, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

HI!

We leave in 17 days and are booked into a "Garden View". I will post when I arrive and let you know what "Garden View" means. Also y'all can follow my trip report at

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2853525

 

[mommyof3princess27]

About 50 feet.



Andre

HA!

We found that all the bus rides were quick except for AK which was still a short bus ride. When we waited for buses only one time we waited 20min and on the way back to POR did we only encountered an overly filled bus back from DHS

 

[eeyorepixie]

I want to book the cheapest room in the AB section (we are a family of 5) However, when I go to book they only show "garden view" rooms. Now I know there are standard rooms, since I have faced a parking lot before. So what is the deal?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We are going at the end of August, and are debating on where to stay. I really want to stay at POR, but my mom said that the bus rides are to long to all the parks.
I'm trying to persude her. My mom and little sister(6 yrs old) both want to stay at Coronado, but I don't see the Disney magic there. Hmmm....

We have stayed at many resorts, including all the mods. From my personal experience and considering the consensus of what I have read here and elsewhere, bus service from POR is certainly no worse than from CSR. POR is more centrally located which gives it an advantage. As with any resort, there may be times when you have a longer than average wait either going to or returning from the parks but POR is no different from the rest.

There have been times over the years when I have been tempted to get aggravated about a long wait for a bus at WDW. At times like that it helps to take a deep breath and remember that bus service is all about AVERAGE wait times. Some time you are on the long side of average; many times you are on the short side.

 

[eeyorepixie]

We have stayed at many resorts, including all the mods. From my personal experience and considering the consensus of what I have read here and elsewhere, bus service from POR is certainly no worse than from CSR. POR is more centrally located which gives it an advantage. As with any resort, there may be times when you have a longer than average wait either going to or returning from the parks but POR is no different from the rest.

There have been times over the years when I have been tempted to get aggravated about a long wait for a bus at WDW. At times like that it helps to take a deep breath and remember that bus service is all about AVERAGE wait times. Some time you are on the long side of average; many times you are on the short side.

so true I totally agree with this post. I have stayed at POR 3 times and really never had an issue with the bus, except at the busiest times and really this is with all resorts at the busiest of times. After all, it is Disney one of the most beloved places on the planet...wait times are inevitable even for the biggest planners. It is a great time to people watch, I give stickers to my kids to spread pixie dust to the little ones who do not do so well with the wait times. We have had many great memories waiting for buses or talking to other people from all over the world on the bus or waiting for the bus. Yes, sometimes I have to take a deep breath too, but as in all things attitude is everything.

I would not base my resort choice, on horror stories of buses, because honestly I have heard them for every resort over the years. POR buses IMHO are no more nor less than any other buses in the Disney resort.

The worst wait I ever had was when we stayed at the POLY and that is a deluxe

 

[andrewilley]

I want to book the cheapest room in the AB section (we are a family of 5) However, when I go to book they only show "garden view" rooms. Now I know there are standard rooms, since I have faced a parking lot before. So what is the deal?

Try searching for different dates, the cheapest category might be sold out for one of the dates in the block for which you are searching.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

I would not base my resort choice, on horror stories of buses, because honestly I have heard them for every resort over the years.

Absolutely. You can catch anywhere having a bad day, even at WDW.

Remember that all the buses for all the resorts are driven by and scheduled by the same people - and even though it sometimes may seem like it, I'm sure they don't single out any particular resort to have a Bad Bus day out of spite!

Andre

 

[Gorechick]

More questions-What is the view like between Oak Manor and Magnolia Terrace? And Do the trees obstruct any nice view from upper floors in inner courtyard of Oak and Parterre? Any pics would be great!

 

[andrewilley]

More questions-What is the view like between Oak Manor and Magnolia Terrace? And Do the trees obstruct any nice view from upper floors in inner courtyard of Oak and Parterre? Any pics would be great!

Views are similar, and yes there are trees which can block some views in either building. See www.portorleans.org/magnolia-bend.php and the Photo Galleries for some ideas of what you see from each one.

Andre

 

[gr8tdame]

If anyone has booked a garden view room, please post what room you were given. I'm curious.


The CM, back in Sept., pushed POR w/garden view stating it is a newly refurbed room with queen beds. (I was calling for value or deluxe...wasn't interested in a mod...we were going cheap or going all the way!...but this deal was too much for me to pass up!)

Since then I've called several times to see if this were true and was told "YES". The reason being, they needed enough of the rooms ready to make it an official category.

Since the time I booked, I have read over and over about false info given by CM's.

If you could post upon your return, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

We will be arriving on Saturday and I will let you know. I was given the same information as you were.

 

[coinkc]

Okay, I am getting ready to book our first stay at POR for June. We would really like a refurbished room in the Mansion section. We really don't care about the view but the only category available to book is "garden view". So is Magnolia Terrace the best choice to request?

Naturally, we'd like to close to the main building as well...

 

[jocelyn6]

Hello all!

We're booked in the Royal Guest rooms for a stay beginning March 4 (jocelyn6 - looks like we'll be there during the same time!). I know the calendar says the rooms in Oak Manor will be done in mid-February. Do you think there is a chance that they won't be complete by the time we arrive? We've been talking the rooms up to our 4YO daughter (ok, and hyping ourselves up too ), but if there's a chance we won't be in the Royal rooms, I'd like to prepare us. I know it's hard to guarantee, but what are your best guesses as to completion on time?

THANKS!!

I am really hoping that they will be done...they better be (for this Disney princess!! LOL). We'll have to stay in touch for when we are there! I am so excited!

 

[HeidiLowe]

Sorry if this has been asked before, didn't get a chance to look through all of the pages...

I read that the new Royal Rooms have "princess" themes linens etc.....but the pictures don't really shout Princess to me. I'm thinking that my sons would LOVE the fireworks display over the beds, but if it's a really girly room, they might not be too impressed.

What do you think? Would little boys (ages 5 & 7) enjoy the new rooms?