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

[ChelleyB]

I popped along a year or two back. It's a little campfire in the woods on Ol' Man Island; you sit around it for a while and roast smores. Nothing much more than that, so not sure what people want it to be? If you're expecting Fantasmic you might be disappointed...

Andre

Awesome, Andre

 

[buzznina]

Not expecting Fantasmic, just confused as to how someone could mess up a campfire so much that others would take the time to post how awful it was. Short of us arriving and finding no fire, it sounds like something fun for our family. I think we'll check it out when we are next there. Thanks.

They have a fire and they give you sticks(dowels) and marshmellows FREE, what can you complain about? Maybe people wanted them to toast the mellows for them

 

[buzznina]

Anyone who has been to both Coronado Springs AND POR that can recommend which they like best? We are staying at Coronado again this July, but I am planning a short trip for January as well and I am considering trying something different with POR.

We like both resorts but our fav is POR, it just offers more to do for a family. Like renting surrey bikes, or boats, you can also do a carriage ride, take the boat to DTD and they have great family entertainment with Yeehaa Bob. Where as CSR does not offer any of those amenities and has an adult night club. We give CSR the edge on the bus service, our DD likes the CSR slide the best but likes that she can go to 2 different pools when we stay at POR or POFQ better. We have a great time at either of these resorts.

 

[Abra Cat]

Oooh... I hadn't heard about these. Does anyone have a picture? Thanks.

Little concerned about the new "wall" bed they have instead of the trundle bed.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Oooh... I hadn't heard about these. Does anyone have a picture? Thanks.

Check out my post #349 of this thread...photos are there and full room photos on my TR (link below)!!

 

[andrewilley]

Oooh... I hadn't heard about these. Does anyone have a picture? Thanks.

See the FAQ posts at the start of this thread.

Andre

 

[guardwife66]

Only 18 more days till I am "home".

After reading all these posts I am so glad I talked the DH into upgrading from a value resort. While I love the themes at the value resorts, I think this is a much better option for just the two of us.

 

[ChelleyB]

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?

 

[goofyredraider]

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 is exactly what we did last year....we arrived in the morning (room was ready)...we got settled in the room...had lunch...walked the grounds...checked out the shop, etc. took the boat to DTD for dinner...and got all packed (park bag, etc.) and ready for the first big park day.

We plan to do the same this year. It was nice to have the "calm" before the "storm"

 

[bobbigrl27]

We are leaving in 3 days, I really should start packing!

I am more than ready for a vacation. I can't wait to get to POR and check the place out. We will arrive about 4 p.m on Friday so we will probably spend the first day exploring the grounds. Catching a boat to DTD sound like a great idea as well.

 

[momto2sweeties]

I am so sorry if this question has already been answered, but this thread is quite long and I can't read it all! I apologize if this is redundant.

I thought I read somewhere that you can view the fireworks from some rooms at POR. Is that true? What rooms can you do that in? TIA!

 

[Stan Solo]

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?

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.

 

[Rorey]

I popped along a year or two back. It's a little campfire in the woods on Ol' Man Island; you sit around it for a while and roast smores. Nothing much more than that, so not sure what people want it to be? If you're expecting Fantasmic you might be disappointed...

Andre

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Another idea for something to do on check-in day would be to go play mini-golf

 

[tjbjrjaj]

We've done laundry every trip. Cuts back on what we need to haul with. When the kids were younger, our trips were during Spring Breaks~a busy time, but never had trouble getting machines. A laundry room is located by each quiet pool, so it makes it easy to toss in a load and take a dip. Or, just run back and forth from your room. The laundry is open 24/7~you need your room key to access it in the wee hours. Just bring your own laundry supplies (I like the Purex sheets), but used to "baggie" the powdered stuff, and bring dryer sheets. Don't forget the stain stick!)

We always wash mid-trip love the purex sheets but I cut the thin softener sheet off. I think it was leaving grease marks on our clothes.

I also bring a roll of quarters. There is nothing more aggravating then when the machine won't take your $1 bill at 1am.

 

[tjbjrjaj]

Heading to POR in 199 days for our first visit to that resort. Little concerned about the new "wall" bed they have instead of the trundle bed. Does anyone know if they have rails available? Was going to put DD (4) in it but looks like it's going to have to be DS (7) instead. She'd fall out for sure!

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?

 

[tjbjrjaj]

Hello, me again... It looks like POR just did what POP did a few years ago. Removed all the drawers! I was so excited when my DS turned 3 and we could move "up". But now when I see the 3 drawers I am wondering where we will put clothes for 5 people for 10 days! ORGANIZATION NIGHTMARE! Yes, we do laundry but... it is still a lot of clothes.

So what great ideas does everyone have?

I have collapsible bins that fit the TV unit at POP before they added the fridges but they are only 8"x8"and usually hold underwear, socks, diapers etc. they fit on the narrow shelves at POP but I don't see anywhere for them to go at POR. We also have collapsible file boxes we use on the closet shelf to hide food and my hot pot (yeah - I won't be needing that any longer since there is a coffee maker in the room.) We also bring a hanging shoe organizer for toiletries and cords etc.

Back to important stuff. Is the coffee decent? If I wanted to bring my own what kind are they or are they the pods/disks like they have at beach club?

so... I am waiting for some great ideas. Have a great night!

 

[Abra Cat]

That's terrific, thank you!

Check out my post #349 of this thread...photos are there and full room photos on my TR (link below)!!

 

[hunmcbunny]

Back to important stuff. Is the coffee decent? If I wanted to bring my own what kind are they or are they the pods/disks like they have at beach club?

so... I am waiting for some great ideas. Have a great night!

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.

 

[Venomhatch]

Wow where the heck have I been.... Andre, BackstageGal, Stan, all my good friends whats been happening? Anything brand new? Been super busy sorry everyone.

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.

I heard there were Starbucks opening soon in wdw!!!