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

[nannye]

I am thinking about booking POR for our next trip in october, but have heard that the bus trnsportation for POR is horrible. Is this true? Any good reports?

Nah I wouldn't say it was horrible.
We just came back and dealt with tour groups (ugh) we never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. I admit, those times when we were the first stop and then went to the other stops, felt a lot longer, but it probably is only another 5 min. more than once after fireworks, we left on a nearly empty or only half full BUS. There was only one day after Fireworks at MK where we were on a really crowded bus. There was a Brazillian tour group on the bus with us and I was so pissed. It's nearly 11 and they were shouting and singing and just being overly loud and unnecessary and inconsiderate of other people on the bus. We got on ahead of the tour group and i got V to sit near the front and I stowed the stroller on the opposite side in between two groups of seats so it was out of the way, well the tour group got on and I literally could not get to V (age 5) I couldn't get through them so I stood across from her, not that I could see her. the teenage tour group girls were all flirting with the young men sitting beside V and I was so annoyed just because i Just couldn't get to her. I tried to grab her hand and pull her to me, but Nope so I just yelled at her to stay put. Of course this could happen on any bus not just POR bus. And unlikely to encounter a tour group at that time of year lol That was our only bad experience on a bus.

 

[Phatoomch]

I am thinking about booking POR for our next trip in october, but have heard that the bus trnsportation for POR is horrible. Is this true? Any good reports?

Every day I hear that buses are bad at every resort, then in the next breath, people are telling you how that same service, in that same resort is fantastic.

I think POR is much the same as anywhere else and its about perception - one persons 5minute wait is another persons 'we waited aaaaaaaaaages'.

I would just chill and roll with it. It is what it is

 

[nannye]

Thank you for your wonderful report So glad you had a good time - I can't wait to stay at POR! Nice to hear about the staff - that is something I have heard mentioned often about the POR staff. How were the room sizes? Sometimes when I look at photos (and it could very well be the angles) it doesn't look like a lot of room to walk around the furniture.

Maybe you could pop into the July roll-call thread on 'Doing the Happy Dance' board - you might find others who were there.

What was V's favourite part of the trip (resort or park-wise)

Room size was perfect for us, Plenty of room. It felt so much bigger than POP. I loved parking the stroller beside my bed in the back so it was out of the way.

V's fave thing would definitely be the slide at the pool.... If she could pick that is. Unfortunately she will not pick specific things, drives her parents and I completely mental. We need to work on that, because she needs to make decision and not being able to pick a favourite ride or a favourite princess...... ugh She just says, I like them all!

 

[nannye]

I'm not, wish I was. I meant when they post about the Pirate league - cant wait to hear their report

whoops, got you confused with someone else it's Venomhatch right?

 

[EpcotBill]

Room size was perfect for us, Plenty of room. It felt so much bigger than POP.

260 square feet vs. 314 square feet. POR rooms are much bigger.

 

[Venomhatch]

Phatoomch, I totally missed you becoming a CM... What do you do?

Have a safe trip down and a magical vacation.

 

[Venomhatch]

How is everyone tonight? Can't sleep!

 

[ajordan79]

We leave for POR tomorrow I won't be getting much sleep tonight.

My DS is doing the the Bayou Pirate Adventure on Thursday. I'll be sure to post that night and let everyone know how it goes, along with my first impressions of the resort.

Yay for you! I hope you have a great time. I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on the BPA and the resort.

 

[Phatoomch]

Room size was perfect for us, Plenty of room. It felt so much bigger than POP. I loved parking the stroller beside my bed in the back so it was out of the way.

V's fave thing would definitely be the slide at the pool.... If she could pick that is. Unfortunately she will not pick specific things, drives her parents and I completely mental. We need to work on that, because she needs to make decision and not being able to pick a favourite ride or a favourite princess...... ugh She just says, I like them all!

That was exactly what my daughter kept saying last year and she was 10! lol We went back to MK for a second day so she could ride her favourite rides ... they were all her favourite

 

[Phatoomch]

How is everyone tonight? Can't sleep!

I'm up! .... I'm a late bird, as its school vacation I'm averaging 2am, getting up at 8am.

nannye just got back from POR sounds like a wonderful trip ... makes me more excited.

 

[HeatherLassell]

How is everyone tonight? Can't sleep!

I'm wishing it was time to leave for POR already! I just can't wait I am so excited I could explode! 74 more days!!!!!

 

[Phatoomch]

I'm wishing it was time to leave for POR already! I just can't wait I am so excited I could explode! 74 more days!!!!!

not long! Be here sooner than you know it!

 

[DisneyDreamer04]

I can't sleep either.... In about 9 minutes it will be my 45 day mark!!! Oh how I can't wait.. 3 years since I have been to wdw and never to a moderate.. Plus royal rooms to boot

My little princesses are gonna be soooooo surprised they have no idea about this trip

 

[andrewilley]

Help!!! Which is most up to date?

Edited to add: We are meeting someone at DTD at 11:00 am and need to make sure we can get there/the best way to get there.

The boats to DTD now start at 10am. They used to have an internal service between POR and POFQ from 9am-11am (mainly for people having breakfast at Boatwright's I assume) and then the full service to DTD started at 11am, but they changed to just running the DTD service starting at 10am a few years ago.

I think I'm just going to ask for Building 16, I'm guessing all the buildings pretty much have Garden View, I'll just say something like "requesting building 16 please so I can get as close as I can to main building" if I say it like this I'm wondering if I may even by chance get a preferred room? I know the chances are very slim but I don't want to say a certain building and take them out of the mix just in case lol

Also I can't fax anymore We have no landline.....so if I call instead are my chances lower?????

I've got the know the POR Room Assignment manager since I met him on my last trip and we correspond from time to time, and his advice is that faxes are definitely the preferred option as far as he is concerned - and he tries to look over them all personally when he can. Phone calls are OK too of course, but they might come in to different people on different shifts, or even not get past the central call center (in which case all that happens is a new note is added to the master booking). So if you do call, make sure your call is transferred to the right people who can help you. And even with all that, please do remember that requests still cannot be guaranteed...

It looks like there are a lot of activities for familes. Is the outdoor movie seasonal?

Almost forgot, has anyone's child done the pirate cruise at the resort? Thoughts on it?

Yes, there are lots of activities, and the movies are daily, all year round now (see http://www.portorleans.org/recreation-activites-schedule.php for current and historical schedules). I've not had personal experience of the pirate cruise, but have heard nothing but good things about it. I've seen some very happy looking kids arriving back who seem to have really enjoyed themselves.

I am thinking about booking POR for our next trip in october, but have heard that the bus trnsportation for POR is horrible. Is this true?

As someone else has said: yes and no. Across all of the resorts you'll get someone who just didn't seem to find the service worked for them, and other people (even on the same days) who said it was perfect. POR is no different, other than the extra complication of sometimes sharing with POFQ and sometimes doing extra stops around the resort and sometimes going directly to parks from the South Depot. But in short, I don't think you'll have a major issue, but as with any road-based mass transit system, it is sometimes a matter of luck.

That was exactly what my daughter kept saying last year and she was 10! lol We went back to MK for a second day so she could ride her favourite rides ... they were all her favourite

Nothing wrong with that, some people don't have favourites and just seem to like everything, which is great as they are very easy to please!

Andre

 

[Bingham2]

Yay for you! I hope you have a great time. I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on the BPA and the resort.

I'm looking forward to hearing about it! Have fun!

 

[Venomhatch]

I can't sleep either.... In about 9 minutes it will be my 45 day mark!!! Oh how I can't wait.. 3 years since I have been to wdw and never to a moderate.. Plus royal rooms to boot

My little princesses are gonna be soooooo surprised they have no idea about this trip

Yeah we can't wait either. Was thinking about it las night also.

I'm up! .... I'm a late bird, as its school vacation I'm averaging 2am, getting up at 8am.

nannye just got back from POR sounds like a wonderful trip ... makes me more excited.

Yeah that seems to be my schedule also. I feel so robbed with sleep. Because of that.

I'm wishing it was time to leave for POR already! I just can't wait I am so excited I could explode! 74 more days!!!!!

yeah we have 220+ days and we are itching to go lol.

 

[hunmcbunny]

One thing that got me, and just made the resort feel so homey was the staff. We walked to the bus and every single morning, Albert called out good morning Princess Victoria. He remembered her name by the second day and always commented on what she was wearing, (a coupld days in princess attire, 2 days regular clothes and another day in Mary Poppins. I really missed him the two days he was off! lol He made a HUGE deal out of V when she was dressed as Mary Poppins on our way to Park Fare.

OMG I LOVE Albert! He's the best!

 

[Gorechick]

Nannye- Glad you had a good trip! How did V do in the heat with her costumes? I have some costume changes for my 2. I'm planning on having them wear them to the character meal or go to M&G first thing for the photo op then changing them into regular clothes.

 

[wiserabbit]

Just popping in to say THANKS!!!! to all of you posters who have made me super excitied for my first stay at POR.... I've decided not to request any particular building - just reserved "garden view" and we'll see what pixie dust may get sprinkled ....

 

[DisneyMom5]

How is everyone tonight? Can't sleep!

My sons were playing a game on my computer, so I was OBSESSING over my potential disney trip on paper. LOL
SIGH.

I have my TWELFTH plan in place, I think.

Now if they would just announce free dining for Feb.
And do it BEFORE my 180 day ADR window.
And if they could do that in a private postcard or email to me, before everyone else, that would be helpful.
And keep a two standard rooms in AB near the food court open for me.
I don't think I'm being unreasonable!