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

[PixiePoppins]

Hi!
We were looking for advice for our 1st day. We are flying to Orlando (need to be at the airport at 7am) and should arrive around 2pm on a Saturday at POR via ME. At first, we thought we'd have lunch, hang out at the resort and maybe take the boat to DTD. But, it's been 8 years since we (DH and I) have been to WDW and it will be DD7 very first trip and the thought of not going to a park seems kinda like a let down.

What do you all do your first day at POR?

You are describing my ideal arrival scenario! We're arriving, after a long drive, around noon and plan to get settled, swim, enjoy the resort, and head to DTD for dinner. If you want more excitement than relaxation, but you don't want to spend a park ticket for only half a day, you might try a water park or as others have suggested Disney Quest or mini-golf. On a Saturday arrival, Yehaa Bob should be playing in the lounge that evening and that would be great fun! You could also head over to the Poly for evening fireworks and the electrical water pageant from the beach...stlil relaxing, but a taste of the excitement to come. Whatever you decide, you can't really go wrong because you are finally there, living the magic!!

 

[hunmcbunny]

Hi!
We were looking for advice for our 1st day. We are flying to Orlando (need to be at the airport at 7am) and should arrive around 2pm on a Saturday at POR via ME. At first, we thought we'd have lunch, hang out at the resort and maybe take the boat to DTD. But, it's been 8 years since we (DH and I) have been to WDW and it will be DD7 very first trip and the thought of not going to a park seems kinda like a let down.

What do you all do your first day at POR?

This was our 1st trip and we got to the resort at 11am & got our rooom right away. We ate lunch and then hopped on a bus to HS. Came back to our room around 8pm. Unpacked & went swimming. We all had a hard time unwinding & didnt sleep well. This kinda put a drag on the rest of the week because we never really "recovered" from that first very very long day

So from my experience I would say make your first day a low key day. Get in your room & unpack if ME has delivered your luggage. Go swimming and take a boat ride to DTD. Then you will be so well rested next day for the parks.

 

[JenSinMA]

You just asked my exact same question. I was hoping to put my 3year old on the trundle but the Murphy bed is too far off the ground. My older two are almost 100lbs each and are used to sleeping in the same bed on vacation. Does anyone know how long the murphy bed is?

The new murphy bed is about 5 1/2 feet long and probably 30 inches wide. I didn't measure it but I did take a pic with my son on it. If I ever figure out how to add pictures to posts , I'll post it. Anyway, he's 5'4" and 107 pounds. He filled the bed for sure, but he was able to sleep on it just fine and he said it felt strong and stable under him, not like he was too heavy for it. He did mention that it felt weird to be hanging out in space like that and if he'd had another place to sleep (besides with his sister) he'd have chosen something else. But he slept just fine on it the one night we were there.

Also, there are 3 good-sized drawers across the bottom of the murphy bed structure. They're hard to get to with the bed down, but they're there.

 

[peterox]

The coffee is disgusting & yes they are individual filters filled with coffee grounds! Since I'm always up at the crack of dawn I take our refillable mugs and go to the food court for free coffee & bring them back to the room.

Agree 10000% the coffee is gross. The food court is better but still not the greatest. Glad that starbucks is joining WDW.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

ChelleyB - We arrived late morning and were going to swim and do our ADR at DTD for supper but the room was not ready and we had all days covered with PH tickets so we went to MK. Boy to see DGS4 eyes pop out when he saw the castle and say "It's real" set the tone for the whole week. We got our text at about 4:30 and headed back to change and do DTD that evening.

There is no right or wrong way to do WDW and with a little preplanning our plan B (spur of the moment) was put into action. One caution is to not overdo that first day. Take it easy for half a day in the middle of the week.

Note: My DD37's best friend growing up and a fellow teacher and her family of 13 (their last day) and our of 9 (first day) ran into each other at PoC and we got this great group shot. So plan B was a hit!

 

[ttcl516]

I love hearing everyones first day plans. I sooo want to take it easy, but I am not sure I will be able to contain all my Disney enthusiasm and just jump right in. I am thinking either get into POR by noon time then head over to DTD for some sight seeing and lunch....then head to Magic Kingdom for the evening. But I am not awfully thrilled about the dining options for TS at MK. So maybe take a boat ride over to WCC...any thoughts???

 

[huckabear]

We were in building 37 the first week of April.

I didn't think the coffee was terrible....we thought it was the water you put into the coffee maker (tap water) that made it taste really bad. I used bottled water one morning and it was better. But certainly not Starbucks!

I agree with the lack of drawer space too! I was able to put each of my 3 kids' clothes in a drawer, DH put all of his up on the shelf by the sinks and I lived out of my suitcase that I sat on top of AC unit (mom got the shaft). I hung up a few of the dresses my girls brought but other than that there's not much space! Kind of an oversight!

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Make a early ADR at T-Rex in DTD for 4:30 and then head to MK. The Grill at MK is good too.

 

[ARAITHEL]

I love hearing everyones first day plans. I sooo want to take it easy, but I am not sure I will be able to contain all my Disney enthusiasm and just jump right in. I am thinking either get into POR by noon time then head over to DTD for some sight seeing and lunch....then head to Magic Kingdom for the evening. But I am not awfully thrilled about the dining options for TS at MK. So maybe take a boat ride over to WCC...any thoughts???

How bout MK and then hop on over to the Poly for Ohanas?

 

[Venomhatch]

Make a early ADR at T-Rex in DTD for 4:30 and then head to MK. The Grill at MK is good too.

Mmmmmm trex. That's what we did on our first night.

 

[ChelleyB]

Thanks everyone for the 1st day ideas I think we're going to stick to our original plans and maybe add heading to Poly to see the fireworks

whoohoo - only 7½ more months

 

[Fire14]

WE have done multiple things on our arrival day. I have gone into park, just hung at resort, gone to DTD, and last trip BFF and I went outlet shopping once I got there, I took wrong turn and ended up at universal but can't blame anybody but myself. I have even had one trip where our plans to hit AK until close backfired on us d/t weather issues and delayed flights. This trip our plans are to enjoy pool/ resort explore ( niece and BFF), DH, Coworker and I don't get in until 8p so us girls might go DTD but not much else is going to be happening.

 

[klwdisney]

We are doing a laid back approach to arrival day this time. We arrive at MCO around 1:45 so will probably get to POR around 2:30-ish. After we check in, we'll hopefully be able to get into our room to freshen up and change into shorts & sandals and then we're just going to leisurely walk so Mom can get the lay of the land and just enjoy and appreciate the resort. We have 6pm reservations at Boatwrights. Im hoping to be able to show my mom Yeehaw Bob's show and then early to bed .

We've decided to make this whole trip more laid back. Do more of the attractions we usually blow right by on most trips, sit and people watch, check out some resorts we've never seen, and eat!

 

[scottmel]

Never ate at Boatwrights. Is it any good?

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Never ate at Boatwrights. Is it any good?

We're trying it next Friday... I'll report back!

 

[klwdisney]

We always really enjoyed it... especially the now-discontinued breakfast!... but they've recently changed the menu so I am not quite sure what to expect. The food seems more creole-bayou type than it was before. Hoping it's still delicious as it always was though!

 

[soontobewed07]

Just booked for October 23rd to October 30th in a Royal room not sure how that is going to go over with my 5 year old son but it was the only room type left with bounce back. Any advice should I look to switch? Is it really worth $55 more a night?

 

[Bingham2]

Hi!
We were looking for advice for our 1st day. We are flying to Orlando (need to be at the airport at 7am) and should arrive around 2pm on a Saturday at POR via ME. At first, we thought we'd have lunch, hang out at the resort and maybe take the boat to DTD. But, it's been 8 years since we (DH and I) have been to WDW and it will be DD7 very first trip and the thought of not going to a park seems kinda like a let down.

What do you all do your first day at POR?

I'm glad you ask that, we plan to rest the first day too.

 

[qtmissy19]

We went to DTD last year had our lunch there. Then we spent some time at Disney Quest (we had the water, fun and more package). After that we went to Hess and bought a case of water and some snacks for the room. We plan to do the same thing this year.

What is Hess?

 

[Fire14]

What is Hess?

It's a local chain of gas stations.