Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part Three --- NOW FULL / CLOSED

[Kathy Z]

We've requested Oak manor (reserved royal rooms, river view) for our trip in February - up to 9 rooms now for all the in-laws and some good friends who are coming with us. Our strategy is to go to the South depot stop as well - before the buses fill up (because we take up 1/3 of one just with our family). How is the walk over the bridge to the South depot - more or less than 5 minutes? We have a couple of slow pokes in our group.
Thanks!

Yup! It's mostly my in-laws, I married in to a large family, and I'm the travel planner. Pity me please.

And I think it's going to be 10 rooms after today (another good family friend jumping on the Disney band wagon).

Wow. I feel for you more... I wonder how they will cluster you all and still accommodate the requests or at least the room types paid for and still keep everyone together.

I had that same question for a very selfish reason. We have booked the same room category. I quickly checked our tickers and was so relieved that we will get our brief stay completed before your arrival date. Here's hoping everything works out wonderfully for all of us

 

[andrewilley]

Can you help me decide which section to request? We have reserved a garden view room, but I am seriously torn between requesting The Magnolia mansion or AB 16/17.

To be honest it rather depends on where in the mansion buildings you happen to get placed. Some of the further out garden-view rooms in Acadian and Magnolia might be a bit of a hike to the main buildings, although closer for the North or East bus stops, whereas 16/17 (being smaller buildings) are all fairly close together and quite well located for getting to the South bus stop and food court.

www.portorleans.org/faqs.php#Choice might help you, but to be honest if you really can't decide which theme appeals to you the most, don't request either section specifically but request the features you would like - i.e. short walking distance to food court & bus stop - and enjoy the surprise.

Personally, I've stayed in both sections and although AB was my 'first love', I now quite like alternating on different trips as both areas have their own charms.

Andre

 

[crazy4wdw]

I'll be checking in at POR in about 24 hours!

 

[DBLGRR]

I'll be checking in at POR in about 24 hours!

Have a wonderful time! I have 19 more sleeps until my first stay at POR.

 

[Sherrkel]

I had that same question for a very selfish reason. We have booked the same room category. I quickly checked our tickers and was so relieved that we will get our brief stay completed before your arrival date. Here's hoping everything works out wonderfully for all of us

Haha - I know we're a large group, but we're very civilized.
We were lucky to get all adjacent rooms at CSR last year; it was a great arrangement for us to all be together. I'm not expecting the same at POR, but hopeful that we'll be in close proximity. We feel badly when there are people outside our family with rooms between ours, because we tend to go back and forth frequently, but we try not to create too much noise!
Our TA noted our desire to be adjacent to each other, and I'll fax in a request. But I'll leave it up to pixie dust to see where we land.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[czmom]

Coming from MCO, what stop is POR normally? And what other resorts does it typically share a route with?

I have heard to figure roughly 90 minutes from landing to arrival at resort. Sound right?

 

[Missytara]

Coming from MCO, what stop is POR normally? And what other resorts does it typically share a route with?

I have heard to figure roughly 90 minutes from landing to arrival at resort. Sound right?

I go the same week every year and it has never been the same way twice.

You will be at the resort 70 - 90 minutes after deboarding; do not sweat it.

 

[Gorechick]

Coming from MCO, what stop is POR normally? And what other resorts does it typically share a route with?

I have heard to figure roughly 90 minutes from landing to arrival at resort. Sound right?

Saratoga springs was the first stop when we took ME in August. Old Key West might have been on our route too.

 

[Venomhatch]

Coming from MCO, what stop is POR normally? And what other resorts does it typically share a route with?

I have heard to figure roughly 90 minutes from landing to arrival at resort. Sound right?

Yeah I know Gorechick is right. It starts with Saratoga Springs, then Old Key West, Might have them flipped. But after that it goes to POFQ, then on to POR.

 

[summerlady]

We are home and so sad that our vacation is over. So much to say about how much we enjoyed POR and especially the Royal Guest Room, it was simply impressive. I have no complaints at all and many, many compliments. I'll post more of a review after I'm rested up a bit, we're all pretty tired today. We were very surprised at how terrific the bus service was after reading so many poor reviews, the only day it was crazy was yesterday morning going to the MK, but it was 10 a.m. and I expected that, long lines at the bus stop, but the good part is that we waited for the next bus which arrived about 2 minutes after the SRO bus departed. We only had a couple of meals at the food court, the make your own pasta was SO good, loved loved loved it. Breakfast was just the standard Bounty Platter that every resort does, the bacon was nice and crispy and not soggy and gross. Muffeletta....not nearly as good as at POFQ, that's always been our traditional arrival lunch and we weren't too excited about it this time. Boat to DTD one night, nice as usual, not much of a wait, plenty of seating. We were in room 9061, just steps from the quiet pool, great location and close enough to the bridge not to be a total hike.

Oh, by the way, some people are saying that it's impossible to ask for patio seating at the Rose & Crown anymore, but I asked when I checked in at the podium at 7:30 for our 7:50 ADR and they were extremely pleasant and told me that they would be happy to put in the request. We were seated a little after 8 p.m., lower level patio, with a fantastic view of Illuminations.

More later....I need a nap.

Sure do miss POR....even though I loved it, I really missed POFQ and will probably stay there again next time.

 

[summerlady]

Great, glad it's all working out well for you. We've usually had good luck with buses too, I hope you haven't jinxed it though! Have you seen any of the new hammocks that they were installing around the resort a few weeks ago?

Could you maybe do me a favour next time you're at the POR food court? If they've got the new 'TV screen' menus above the serving stations running, could you get a quick snap of each one so I can see what they show? (camera phone image would be fine if that's easier) Any meals you happen to be there for basically - breakfast, lunch or dinner - just so I can see if anything has been changed when they switched to the new screens. Thanks.

Andre

Nope, wasn't jinxed. Even leaving the MK on Wednesday night after the 2nd parade at 10 was great, I was prepared for a super long wait for a bus back to POR and one arrived within minutes. So nice after 14 hours in the park and extremely tired feet!

I tried out a hammock, right behind the pool, very nice and very comfy! A nice addition.

I did send you a PM just a minute ago, I took a couple of pics for you, not the best quality and it was only at breakfast.

 

[gilby]

We stayed at POR in August, our first moderate resort, we absolutely loved it!

 

[dobirdsmommy]

I really hope that at 11pm it is not really 90 minutes! We arrive at MCO at 10:52pm on this Thursday 10/25. I did the online check in, but that means we might not get to the hotel until 12:30 figure check in and such 1ish.

 

[WDmommyof4]

I just booked 7 nights at POR. We have been here before, but it was way back when my 9 year old was 2. We have a Garden view and there are 5 of us, so we would have to be in AB. I want to fax in a room request, but what buildings are closest to the main building with this room type available? Thanks so much!

 

[Gorechick]

I just booked 7 nights at POR. We have been here before, but it was way back when my 9 year old was 2. We have a Garden view and there are 5 of us, so we would have to be in AB. I want to fax in a room request, but what buildings are closest to the main building with this room type available? Thanks so much!

Check the map at the beginning of the thread.

 

[WDmommyof4]

Check the map at the beginning of the thread.

Thanks!

 

[TxYates]

Hi All - We will be visit the POR with our 7 year old DD on 4/27 -5/3. I hate hearing the ride from MCO to the resort is up to 90 minutes. Would it be better to get a cab or hire a car? Id rather pay and get there earlier.

 

[jrhwmr]

Hi All - We will be visit the POR with our 7 year old DD on 4/27 -5/3. I hate hearing the ride from MCO to the resort is up to 90 minutes. Would it be better to get a cab or hire a car? Id rather pay and get there earlier.

We always rent a car. After a long day at the parks the last thing I want to do is get in line for a packed bus. Parking is free at the resorts and at the parks. The extra $$$ makes the trip much more enjoyable for our family. I do enjoy the boat ride to DTD though.

 

[andrewilley]

We have a Garden view and there are 5 of us, so we would have to be in AB. I want to fax in a room request, but what buildings are closest to the main building with this room type available?

AB 16 or 17 would be the closest for you without adding the extra for a Preferred Location, see the map in the first post of this thread.

Andre

 

[Missytara]

Yeah I know Gorechick is right. It starts with Saratoga Springs, then Old Key West, Might have them flipped. But after that it goes to POFQ, then on to POR.

I have been to POR several times and only twice has it been SSR and POFQ; never once have I been to OKW. A few times, I have been on the BC/YC/BW route; with sometimes first and sometimes last.

You can check out the Transportation Board. Routes are based on needs and not set in stone.