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

[Lovemy3babes]

You will love POR. We thought CSR was fine until we stayed at POR. There is no going back to CSR. We will be at POR in December. I wanted to try POFQ or Wilderness lodge but my dh and ds (18) said no way.

Read this thread and you will learn a lot about this resort. It is great and you wont regret it!

Ditto. I took my mom in 2004 on the land/sea package and she still talks about our trip to this day. I have taken three other sets of friends and they loved all the amentities.

I am about to take another set of friends next year; I offered to stay at POP, because it may be more affordable. They said, NOPE, it is POR or nothing! And that is just from Andre's website and youtube videos.

We're also "jumping ship" on CSR and booked POR for our February trip; we reserved Royal Rooms as well, so far 8 total for our family (mostly in-laws, I married in to a large family). Looking at all the information on Andre's site; I think we're going to have a wonderful time!

Aw, thank you all so much! I am very excited! Now to dig through this thread and Andre's site.

 

[DJFan88]

We leave for Port Orleans Riverside in about 15 hours! I'm so excited

This is my 2nd trip to WDW & first time staying in a moderate resort.

If this is your first time staying in a moderate, you're in for a real treat because you picked the best mod. there is. The food court is THE best and
you will love the feel you get there. Taking that step from the value to mod. is a big difference in atmosphere. It feels more like a vacation.

Have a great time! (like I even need to tell you that -- you will!)

 

[DisneyDreamer04]

Maybe because of the hurricane it is being delayed? Mine got there way earlier than expected but I ordered it three weeks early, lol.

I dunno, but I got an email saying it shipped, and now a track number that says delivery of 8/31! So.. I will take it

Hope u have fun, we are just hoping to get to fly out... The storms and rain will have pushed into our area by then...

See u down there

 

[Mickeyfan74]

Hello,

I have stayed here in the past prior to renovations.
Usually we stay in the Bayou. Last visit was building 34 I believe.

Recently booked in for Jan. 2013 for Marathon weekend.
Reservation for water view. Cast member put a reqest in for Bldg 90 & 95.
Oak Manor & Parterre. Looking at a property map it shows several designated smoking areas near the building.

Has anyone stayed at these locations and how bad is it for the smoking?
Otherwise I will revert back to request a room in the bayou.

Thanks,
Colleen

 

[crostorfer]

Today I switched from CSR to POR for our October trip! It's a special mom and me trip to celebrate my daughter's 13th birthday so we chose a Royal Room. I'm very excited but nervous because I know nothing about POR!

Ehhhhh....I'd switch back. This is our last night at POR and I greatly preferred CSR, based on the pool, poolside activities, the food court and the bus service which is atrocious here. It took nearly 2 hours to get to Blizzard Beach this morning. We left our room at 9:15 and didn't get there until 11, and the only reason we got there that early was because we walked the 15 minutes to the French Quarter after 2 attempts at the South Depot at Riverside where the busses were stopping but unable to load due to capacity. There were probably 50 other people waiting at the South Depot when we took off for the FQ, also all waiting for the same bus.

I know people here will rip me for this opinion, but other than the rooms here, which are spotless and lovely, the CSR is a superior moderate IMO.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We are staying in a Royal Room for 2 nights in April - before 8 nights at Poly. Wondering if I am correct in that it appears Oak Manor is closer to the main bldg than Parterre, and if so, what could I put for a room request to be closest to the main bldg? I only booked a standard view. TIA!

 

[theguda]

Right on!

Hey now...I absolutely LOVE CSR!!! I'm going to POR in November and cannot wait to get there. Will it become my new favorite? Went to POFQ a few months ago and was somewhat disappointed.

 

[Missytara]

We are staying in a Royal Room for 2 nights in April - before 8 nights at Poly. Wondering if I am correct in that it appears Oak Manor is closer to the main bldg than Parterre, and if so, what could I put for a room request to be closest to the main bldg? I only booked a standard view. TIA!

If you booked standard view, you will most likely be facing the parking lot or some of the gardens.

Riverview is closest, but it is a booking category, not a request. You could ask to be closest to the bus stop, which takes you around to the main building.

I normally book the riverview, but last year, we booked standard view, since it was what everyone could afford. We were close to the bus stop facing the parking lot at Acadian House and it was a lovely walk.

Parterre will have some of the most remote rooms in standard view, so do request Oak Manor.

 

[stindall]

So excited, one more week and I can book our vacation! I think I'm just going to go for a standard room and wherever we end up, we end up! I'm just happy to be going and staying @ POR!

 

[Mousemommy1]

If you booked standard view, you will most likely be facing the parking lot or some of the gardens.

Riverview is closest, but it is a booking category, not a request. You could ask to be closest to the bus stop, which takes you around to the main building.

I normally book the riverview, but last year, we booked standard view, since it was what everyone could afford. We were close to the bus stop facing the parking lot at Acadian House and it was a lovely walk.

Parterre will have some of the most remote rooms in standard view, so do request Oak Manor.

Thank you!!

 

[TaraPA]

for our celebrations from the resort. We stayed at the resort yesterday and did a carriage ride, then dinner at Boatwright's and caught a little of YeeHa Bob's show.

Gorechick - can you tell me a little about the carriage ride? I read that it goes through POR & POFQ - is it a narrated ride or just to look at the resorts/scenery? Would it be better to do in the daylight or in the dark?

Thanks!

 

[Missytara]

Gorechick - can you tell me a little about the carriage ride? I read that it goes through POR & POFQ - is it a narrated ride or just to look at the resorts/scenery? Would it be better to do in the daylight or in the dark?

Thanks!

It only goes at dusk; it goes around both resorts and it is what you want out of it.

We had two couples last year. The first couple wanted to hear about the gentleman in the carriage, how long he had been doing it, all about the horse.

The next couple (boyfriend) asked for a leisurely ride where they could just enjoy the ride. He obliged and it gave my dear friend a chance to propose to his girlfriend in his own special way. BTW, I went to their wedding this summer.

I would suggest not wondering what anyone else did, but make it your own. That is the wonder of Disney; make it your own and enjoy!

 

[FigmentChick]

We leave for Port Orleans Riverside in about 15 hours! I'm so excited

This is my 2nd trip to WDW & first time staying in a moderate resort.

Happy for you!!! Enjoy your trip and, trust me, you will love POR!!!

Hi everyone,
We just returned from 7 nights at POR in a Royal Room. It was our first visit to Disney World, and we couldn't have asked for more. I have two DD's (4 and 7) who just loved the fact that they were invited to stay in "Tiana's Room". The resort was fantastic in every way. We did have a few long waits for the busses, but it must all be timing, and I think you would get that at any resort. We were lucky enough to be chosen as the family (along with our travelling partners) to open the Magic Kingdom last Thursday the 23rd. It was a truly amazing experience, and I thank all of those on here who recommended to go early for rope drop (if anyone else happened to be there on that date, and has a video of rope drop, could you please PM me, would love to see it).

We enjoyed everything about our first Vacation at Disney World and POR that I didn't even hesitate to book the bounce back offer for next year to return again with free dining. So, on that note, it is time to change my ticker, and start planning for August 20-27, 2013.

Everyone on their way to the resort for the first time, you will absolutely love POR. Cheers.

That is awesome that you were chosen as the family to open!!!! So great!!!!

 

[Gorechick]

Gorechick - can you tell me a little about the carriage ride? I read that it goes through POR & POFQ - is it a narrated ride or just to look at the resorts/scenery? Would it be better to do in the daylight or in the dark?

Thanks!

Our carriage ride was a leisurely ride that took us over to POFQ and back. We talked a little with our driver, funnily enough she was from our hometown! We mostly relaxed and enjoyed the ride though it was kinda slow and bumpy with some awkward turnarounds. I've been on 2 carriage rides at WDW and probably will not do again. We went at 6:00 and it was still light out.

 

[TaraPA]

It only goes at dusk; it goes around both resorts and it is what you want out of it.

We had two couples last year. The first couple wanted to hear about the gentleman in the carriage, how long he had been doing it, all about the horse.

The next couple (boyfriend) asked for a leisurely ride where they could just enjoy the ride. He obliged and it gave my dear friend a chance to propose to his girlfriend in his own special way. BTW, I went to their wedding this summer.

I would suggest not wondering what anyone else did, but make it your own. That is the wonder of Disney; make it your own and enjoy!

Our carriage ride was a leisurely ride that took us over to POFQ and back. We talked a little with our driver, funnily enough she was from our hometown! We mostly relaxed and enjoyed the ride though it was kinda slow and bumpy with some awkward turnarounds. I've been on 2 carriage rides at WDW and probably will not do again. We went at 6:00 and it was still light out.

Thanks Gorechick & Missytara for the carriage ride info. Missytara how absolutely cool about the proposal on the ride!!!!!!

 

[appplel]

Hi all! Looking for some advice about the busses. We are heading to POR in 23 days for our first stay there (yay!) but I am getting scared because I am hearing some awful things about the busses, such as one family who just got back and reported 4 waits of over 1 hour to get to / from mk!!! We have requested a room in magnolia terrace or oak manor. Is there a way to find out the bus schedule (as far as when busses just stop at the first main stop then go on to the parks vs. when they go all the way around? Looking at the map, it looks like we could easily go to the main stop or the south depot. Which is best in the mornings vs the afternoons? How about walking over to POFQ?

 

[dansdad]

I like to refer to this awesome post by CleveRocks when people are nervous about the "bus situation" at the resort they are about to stay at. I have not seen it said any better on the DIS.

The bus service is pretty much the same at all resorts; buses to each destination are supposed to run on average about every 20 minutes. So why do so many people insist it's bad one place and good at another? Human nature, or at least two aspects of human nature. One is a phenomenon you can call the "grass is always greener" effect (everyone else's experience seems better than our own), and the other is the mistaken assumption that what happens to us once is the way it usually is for most people at most times.

"The grass is always greener ...." For EVERY resort, you can find posts from people saying something like this: "We waited forever at closing time at Magic Kingdom for a bus to (our resort) while we watched 4 buses from (another resort) drive on by." Seriously, there's not a resort this hasn't been written about.

The second point is perhaps the more important point. Just because you have a not-so-great experience with buses at a resort doesn't mean the bus service stinks. It could mean they were having a rough day or two. But more likely it means that you were just unlucky with timing.

My example is my stay at Polynesian a couple years ago. We noticed by our second or third day that we never, and I mean NEVER, waited more than about 2 minutes for whatever bus we wanted, whether going from resort to park or park to resort. So we started to joke about it as we walked up to the Poly bus stop in the morning or to a park bus stop when leaving a park, but it always worked that way for that entire week.

So, should we conclude from that that Polynesian has the best bus service ever? Absolutely NOT. It just means our timing was very lucky. Imagine another family that did everything exactly like we did, only they always did it exactly 2 minutes later than we did. They would've had a dreadful bus experience, as they would've waited almost 20 minutes for every single bus for an entire week. Does their bad experience mean Poly has bad bus service? Of course not, just like my great experience doesn't mean it has the best bus service.

In the same way, my great bus service at Caribbean Beach Resort in 2005 and my so-so bus service at Port Orleans French Quarter in 2006 DOESN'T mean that CBR's bus service is better than POFQ's, it just means that my individual experiences on those exact days was better at CBR than at POFQ.

And that's why we read such mixed reviews of bus service at various resorts. Just because someone had a lot of wait time doesn't mean the bus service stinks.

I strongly advise you to pick a Moderate resort based on the theme, as well as the small ways they differ in amenities.

 

[crostorfer]

Hi all! Looking for some advice about the busses. We are heading to POR in 23 days for our first stay there (yay!) but I am getting scared because I am hearing some awful things about the busses, such as one family who just got back and reported 4 waits of over 1 hour to get to / from mk!!! We have requested a room in magnolia terrace or oak manor. Is there a way to find out the bus schedule (as far as when busses just stop at the first main stop then go on to the parks vs. when they go all the way around? Looking at the map, it looks like we could easily go to the main stop or the south depot. Which is best in the mornings vs the afternoons? How about walking over to POFQ?

The schedule doesn't matter, you are at the mercy of however many guests are staying with you. We gave up at the South Depot today and walked all the way to the FQ just to be able to get on a BB/AK bus after an hour of trying.

 

[crostorfer]

I will also say that we have lost hours, yes, HOURS of our vacation both waiting on, and riding on, the busses. Next time we come to WDW, if ever, we are absolutely renting a car.

 

[Venomhatch]

Hey guys first time on today anything new???