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

[MandyTG]

It's me, DH and DS (6) and DS (3) and I booked the royal room for me! LOL! I figure we are staying in the Cars section of AofA for them during a later trip so I can be a little selfish.

 

[MinnieMouseMom]

My daughters, ages 10 & 17, who are past the princess stage (or so they say ) were thrilled with the pics of the Royal Rooms. I haven't really told them about all the different references to the different princesses in the room (lamp faucet, footstool, etc.) so I'll let them figure those out on their own when we get there.

 

[scanne]

It's me, DH and DS (6) and DS (3) and I booked the royal room for me! LOL! I figure we are staying in the Cars section of AofA for them during a later trip so I can be a little selfish.

I could not help but post a reply because I see you are going to NYC to see NEWSIES! Omg! You will LOVE it! It is one of the most entertaining, energetic and amazing shows I've seen! ENJOY!!!

 

[MandyTG]

I could not help but post a reply because I see you are going to NYC to see NEWSIES! Omg! You will LOVE it! It is one of the most entertaining, energetic and amazing shows I've seen! ENJOY!!!

Thank you! One month from today! I'm so excited but also nervous. It's my first time to NYC and my first time flying since 2000.

 

[Carlyzmom]

My DD (12) is the outdoor "don't-call-me-a-princess" type. I thought she wouldnt like the theme of the "princess" rooms. Boy, was I wrong. I booked ours right after I showed her the fiber optic headboards. She reminds me often that they aren't Princess rooms they are ROYAL ROOMS.

So, why don't you show your kids the room and let them pick? They may surprise you, just like mine did!

Well, I thought about it, but I am REALLY going to try to keep this trip a surprise. IF I can keep my big mouth shut! Maybe I'll ask DH for input.

 

[3sweetpeas]

I'm considering POR as I can have five people. I've seen photos of the murphy beds and it would be fine for my youngest.
I'm wondering if the standard beds in those rooms are double or queen?
For those that have stayed and used the murphy bed, how crowded is the room?
Any help appreciated!

We used the murphy bed AND an air mattress and we could move around the room. They have done a really good job with the murphy bed and keeping walking room. I was really surprised when we got there. Good luck deciding!

 

[3sweetpeas]

My daughters, ages 10 & 17, who are past the princess stage (or so they say ) were thrilled with the pics of the Royal Rooms. I haven't really told them about all the different references to the different princesses in the room (lamp faucet, footstool, etc.) so I'll let them figure those out on their own when we get there.

The rooms really are beautiful and I don't think they're little girly at all. My 11 year old is also way past the princess stage but as I said before, she'd really like to stay in a royal room. Her mama would too!

 

[andrewilley]

There have been a few minor adjustments to the order of the refurbishment schedule for the Port Orleans Riverside Alligator Bayou area:

• Buildings 15 and 28 will be re-opening on Friday 25 May as planned.
• Next to commence work will be building 25 (instead of 18 as originally planned) which should be ready for re-opening on 8 June (or shortly after).
• Building 18 will now be started on 3 June, due for completion on 15 June.
• Building 39 will be started on 10 June and finished on 22 June.

As always, please see the Refurbishments Page for the latest updates.

Andre

 

[aubriee]

There have been a few minor adjustments to the order of the refurbishment schedule for the Port Orleans Riverside Alligator Bayou area:

• Buildings 15 and 28 will be re-opening on Friday 25 May as planned.
• Next to commence work will be building 25 (instead of 18 as originally planned) which should be ready for re-opening on 8 June (or shortly after).
• Building 18 will now be started on 3 June, due for completion on 15 June.
• Building 39 will be started on 10 June and finished on 22 June.

As always, please see the Refurbishments Page for the latest updates.

Andre

So all the rooms should be refurbished by the end of July?

I'll be down there Sept 1st-8th and currently have POFQ booked under a bounceback deal I booked last Dec, but have been bouncing all over the place undecided if I want to change resorts. I was at POFQ in Feb and at CSR earlier this month and I'll be back at POFQ Oct 27th-Nov 4th, so am having hard time deciding if I want to also stay there in early Sept. I've considered switching to CSR or PORS or maybe using the nurses discount to stay at the Dolphin and just can't decide. I love both PO resorts for the boat to DTD and their relaxed feel, but the location of the Dolphin is also drawing me and of course I'm always a fan of CSR. However staying in a Royal room would almost be like staying in a new resort, but then again I've always preferred the Bayou section. Decisions, Decisions!

 

[andrewilley]

So all the rooms should be refurbished by the end of July?

Possibly of more relevance is that the last of the remaining old rooms will be closed by the start of July (1st July if they continue to schedule) so from then onward, you will be 100% guaranteed a refurbished room.

So if anyone wants to try out one of the last few current AB rooms, you've got just over a month until they are gone forever.

Andre

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

aubriee - assign a number from the dart board for each thought and start throwing.

 

[monicajonathan]

Thanks for the advice Andre. I will keep the taxi in mind because I do have a couple of resort breakfasts.

 

[charcoal]

We leave in less than three weeks - so excited!!!

We are a family of 5. We booked a river view room, but it looks like only 2, maybe 3 buildings out of the 4 river view will be open when we are there...unless I'm misreading something.

Are there often bumps out of river view? We don't land until 6:30 pm, so will be one of the later groups checking in. Should I use online check-in to help ensure a river view?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Finkerfell]

Thanks for the reply about the beignets, Andre! I wanted to ask you- we are staying in a Royal Room, and I was wondering how to get to POFQ and how long you think it will take to walk there. Also how you think the two food courts compare.

Thank you!

 

[andrewilley]

we are staying in a Royal Room, and I was wondering how to get to POFQ and how long you think it will take to walk there. Also how you think the two food courts compare.

If you're in Oak Manor (close to the Riverside footbridge) then cross over that bridge and turn left, and it's about a ten minute walk. From Parterre Place, follow the riverbank path to the left, and then cross over the river via the road bridge, and then carry on to French Quarter on the other side of the pathway. Same sort of walking time, maybe a touch quicker.

The POFQ foot court is smaller than the POR one, and I don't find it quite as charming (the giant Mardi Gras masks can be downright scary in fact! ) but they do have a few unique items such as the beignets and the Po'Boy sandwiches at lunchtime.

Andre

 

[miami305]

Hi, does anyone know if the catch and release fishing area or the bike paths offer any shade? I'm wondering if these are feasible morning activities in July? TIA!

 

[Finkerfell]

Thanks again, Andre!

P.s. My daughters DO find the Mardi Gras masks disturbing as well

 

[andrewilley]

Hi, does anyone know if the catch and release fishing area or the bike paths offer any shade? I'm wondering if these are feasible morning activities in July? TIA!

The Surrey Bikes have canopies, so are great even though the main route does not give much shade. The bicycles are allowed onto the smaller pathways, so especially around Alligator Bayou there's plenty of shade.

And the Fishin' Hole speaks for itself:

Andre

 

[monicajonathan]

We had 3 early am reservations on our trip earlier this month. We planned to be AT the bus stop 1 hour before each reservation. 2 of them (Epcot & Animal Kingdom) we barely made it to the reservation on time. But our last day going to MK we made it about 25 minutes early. Go figure! I still say leave at least an hour!

Thanks for the advise. Every morning I have breakfast reservations but the ones that are starting to worry me are the ones at other resorts. I will just plan to get out to the bus atleast an hour early.

 

[maxiesmom]

We had 3 early am reservations on our trip earlier this month. We planned to be AT the bus stop 1 hour before each reservation. 2 of them (Epcot & Animal Kingdom) we barely made it to the reservation on time. But our last day going to MK we made it about 25 minutes early. Go figure! I still say leave at least an hour!

Disney now recommends you give your family 90 minutes to get from your resort to any ADRs.