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

[crazy4wdw]

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,

I'm somewhat apprehensive about my upcoming stay at POR for the same reasons. I've stayed at POFQ for my last three trips to WDW and never experienced any major bus issues there. This year, I decided I wanted to try a different resort so I'm staying at POR. Since I'm flying this trip and using ME, I'll be dependent on the WDW bus system.

 

[Gorechick]

I was there about a week ago and had no problems with excessively long waits with the buses. We stayed in Parterre Place and had a quick and easy walk to the South depot. A bus usually came wthin 10-20 minutes, sometimes it was there and we had to run a bit to catch it. We had minimal waits going back from the parks as well. We rented a car because we wanted to avoid the buses and have freedom to get around quicker, but we ended up using the buses on many occasions and I didn't think it was that bad.

 

[KristiKat]

We stayed at POR in Feb 2011 and had no problem at all with the buses and we went one of the busiest times of the year, the dreaded President's Day week when crowds are according to certain crowd calendars scored a 9. Yes, it's a crazy time to go and the resort was busy but we still had a good bus experience. We are going back Feb 2013 but going a week earlier, no President's Day crowds for me and I can't wait.

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

Okay so in December my fiance and I are getting married at Disney and honeymooning there after. My parents that will be coming to the wedding will be staying at Port Orleans Riverside. No one in our family has stayed there yet... so I came to you guys here on dis to find out. What would be the best building for them to request? I really want them to have a great time too. If you have any pictures of the different buildings/rooms feel free to post them too! I know the resort can not guarantee anything.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

 

[webstah]

Okay so in December my fiance and I are getting married at Disney and honeymooning there after. My parents that will be coming to the wedding will be staying at Port Orleans Riverside. No one in our family has stayed there yet... so I came to you guys here on dis to find out. What would be the best building for them to request? I really want them to have a great time too. If you have any pictures of the different buildings/rooms feel free to post them too! I know the resort can not guarantee anything.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Your best bet is to go to portorleans.org, and lose yourself in the plethora of information you'll find there.

 

[Bingham2]

25 days until POR, but still no Mickey Mail or ME mail. I used a TA, would that make a difference? Should I call my TA?

 

[jocapol]

Oak Manor vs Parterre Place? Which would you pick and why?

Just returned from POR last night. We had a RR Parterre Place. The bridge to main building was right outside the door. It was great to run over & get snacks or tea (especially with all the rain). I would highly recommend Parterre Place.
Didn't hear about a bounceback - How would I have gotten that?

 

[Lemonademouth]

25 days until POR, but still no Mickey Mail or ME mail. I used a TA, would that make a difference? Should I call my TA?

I didn't use a TA, but for those who booked at the same time as me seemed to have gotten it about a week after I had, as Disney sent it to the TA first who then sends it to you. If you don't get it in a couple days I would call your TA.

 

[gr8tdame]

Just returned from POR last night. We had a RR Parterre Place. The bridge to main building was right outside the door. It was great to run over & get snacks or tea (especially with all the rain). I would highly recommend Parterre Place.
Didn't hear about a bounceback - How would I have gotten that?

The maid is supposed to leave the bounceback flyer in your room, Sometimes they do but on our last 2 trips they did not. Front desk does not have them.
I usually call and ask about a bounceback offer before we check out. Last year I called and booked from the airport while waiting for our return flight.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Okay so in December my fiance and I are getting married at Disney and honeymooning there after. My parents that will be coming to the wedding will be staying at Port Orleans Riverside. No one in our family has stayed there yet... so I came to you guys here on dis to find out. What would be the best building for them to request? I really want them to have a great time too. If you have any pictures of the different buildings/rooms feel free to post them too! I know the resort can not guarantee anything.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

There's a thread decicated to pics from POR here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1730158

It's quite extensive.

 

[whitetyger]

Just booked our stay at POR for Aug 2013. Booked a Riverview room. May just take what we get or I may put in a request before we leave and hope for the best. Either way we will be in Disney!

345 days to go and counting.......

 

[DisneyClown]

I had a preferred room booked in Alligator Bayou and just changed to a Royal Room with the new Fall discount. I'm kinda' thinking I may regret that decision because now we are in a standard Royal Room and I'm worried we will be stuck walking alot to get to the food court, busses, pools, etc.

Has anyone stayed in a standard Royal Room and if so, was it a hike to the food court and busses? Should I call and upgrade to a different room like River View or something to ensure we won't have to walk forever to get to the food court?

 

[CaptainEO71]

The maid is supposed to leave the bounceback flyer in your room, Sometimes they do but on our last 2 trips they did not. Front desk does not have them.
I usually call and ask about a bounceback offer before we check out. Last year I called and booked from the airport while waiting for our return flight.

If there's no BB in the room, who do you call - regular reservations or is there a special number for BB offers?

Thanks!

 

[Missytara]

I had a preferred room booked in Alligator Bayou and just changed to a Royal Room with the new Fall discount. I'm kinda' thinking I may regret that decision because now we are in a standard Royal Room and I'm worried we will be stuck walking alot to get to the food court, busses, pools, etc.

Has anyone stayed in a standard Royal Room and if so, was it a hike to the food court and busses? Should I call and upgrade to a different room like River View or something to ensure we won't have to walk forever to get to the food court?

As in my previous post, I would request Oak Manor for a standard royal room.

Parterre Place has some of the more remotely located standard rooms.

We were in Acadian House last year with a rather large group in a standard room facing the parking lot and close to a bus stop. It was a nice leisurely walk to the food court in the morning and in the afternoon, it was nice to get off the bus at our stop and we weren't but a stone's throw to our room.

What is also nice about POR, as compared to other resorts, is the walkways are covered by the corridor above; so once you get to the building, you are walking in the shade to our room. Also, we rarely saw anyone walk by our room all week; it was like we had that whole entire corner to ourselves.

Enjoy!

 

[DisneyDreamer04]

Missy Tara very nicely put. I needed to read that post myself as it applies to me also. thanks so much'

Come on friiiiiidayyyy..... Can't wait to start our travel journey.

So excited, can't wait to see this resort I have read about since February

 

[dansdad]

If there's no BB in the room, who do you call - regular reservations or is there a special number for BB offers?

Thanks!

I am pretty sure it's 8844 from your room phone.

 

[Venomhatch]

25 days until POR, but still no Mickey Mail or ME mail. I used a TA, would that make a difference? Should I call my TA?

Odds are they have Maybe the Magical Express Info already, but they are waiting on the part two of the mail for you. It comes in two parts. They dont want to waste your time going back and forth. You can call them if youd like but I wouldnt hound them I am sure when the other part comes in they will call you. If it got down to a week Id be concerned. But even at that point they can overnight anything you dont have to you!

 

[webstah]

Got up early this morning, did on line check in with Southwest, and got our boarding passes printed. Just need to drop the dog off at the kennel, finish packing a few things, and we'll be ready to go first thing in the morning.
This time tomorow, we'll have checked into POR, had lunch, and be walking around one of the parks. It's finally here!

 

[Venomhatch]

Got up early this morning, did on line check in with Southwest, and got our boarding passes printed. Just need to drop the dog off at the kennel, finish packing a few things, and we'll be ready to go first thing in the morning.
This time tomorow, we'll have checked into POR, had lunch, and be walking around one of the parks. It's finally here!

Congrats Webstah!!! I usually fly Southwest everywhere I fly. Good Carrier. I definitly recommend preferred boarding. You get on there quicker and can get settled before everyone else gets on. Also first access to overhead bins.

 

[Bingham2]

Odds are they have Maybe the Magical Express Info already, but they are waiting on the part two of the mail for you. It comes in two parts. They dont want to waste your time going back and forth. You can call them if youd like but I wouldnt hound them I am sure when the other part comes in they will call you. If it got down to a week Id be concerned. But even at that point they can overnight anything you dont have to you!

Thank you.