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

[Spassvogel]

We have one of the King rooms in Alligator Bayou (bldg 25). We're actually quite happy with the room. It's just the two of us traveling this time since we took the kids to Disneyland earlier this summer. We're very close to the West Depot which is the first stop on the return from several of the locations. (but on the way *to* the parks you have to stop at several others on the way).

I think I'd rather get home first anyway.

Since it was storming this morning we spent most of the morning and early afternoon hitting the hops at Downtown Disney. I think everyone had the same idea, it was pretty crowded over there. It's cleared up nicely now, and we're about to head out to do a few hours of Epcot.

Pretty fun so far. We were at Animal Kingdom for a huge downpour yesterday but we were looking to eat Lunch and jumped into the Yak and Yeti just as the black clouds moved in. We spread things out with an appetizer and a few extra soda refills until the storm was passed. Felt a little guilty, but they didn't seem mad about it. Ended up being a spendy (but dry!) meal. Food was really great.

My only complaints are minor (prices of food in table service restaurants and the warm soda from the machine in our building, hehe).

Four days to go!

 

[momjkm]

Hi everyone... I just returned from my amazing WDW trip. My dd (18) and I stayed 7nights at POR... I booked garden view, requested mansions. Was given a river view, building 85, right over the bridge from the main pool (3 min walk) and the quiet pool (2 minutes).

Room was immaculate (and I am a snob) and mousekeeping kept it that way... Location perfect.I did use one of those sweater closet organizers for the area near the sinks for extra shoes and stuff. I could have used more drawer space... both my dd and I are over packers...



Transportation:
We used the East depot 3 times...I found it easier to get to bus stop at the main building (south depot). Better chances of getting a seat (especially in the AM when everyone was going to the parks).

We were there for 8 full days (before going to BC for 3 days) and used the bus throughout except for 2 taxis to Poly and AKL for dinner. We waited about ten minutes TWICE the whole trip. Most waits in less than 4 minutes...

FOOD:The food court was good- crowded but managable. Had 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners... filling and tasty. We had the bounty platter one day and omelets the other- the omelets was really good, the platter ok.

Did make your own pasta... awesome!!!

COFFEE: I bought the starbucks VIA mainly cause I don't drink alot of hot coffee in the summer (do iced). But they don't have cream in them so I figured I could by cream or half/half like I have at the WL trips. They do not sell it there and only had coffeemates in the food court so I went without cream... better than coffee mate IMO.

Bell services: awesome. Brought our luggage in from Magical Express and our garden grocer order was delivered in less than 10 minutes...the transfer of our stuff to the Beach Club was stress free...

FRONT DESK STAFF Excellent attitudes and helpful. My daughter cracked her I phone screen boarding the plane at home. They were helpful with us having a new phone overnighted to the resort... It seemed anytime I asked anyone for something, can I do this,. they made it happen...

ONE IMPT THING:
Pool Towels were not at the quiet pool which was a pain... we eventually got into the habit of stopping by the main pool on the way to our room and getting towels...

Feel free to PM me with questions...
Jill

 

[momjkm]

Forgot a couple of things:

POR is a "big" resort... but I never felt that way... crowds weren't really crowds but just busy... like a Saturday at the mall busy vs day after Thanksgiving crowded...

Internet connection: I couldn't connect my laptop but I think it was my laptop. DD easily connected her Macbook but would have slow service, lose the connection( SAME ISSUE AT OUR BEACH CLUB STAY )

My previous "on-site" experiences are 3 summer trips to WL, one May trip 1999 at POR (then Dixie Landings) and an end of January trip to POP. I was really anxious about going to a moderate after our stays at WL... but it was truly wonderful. We used the boat from DTD and swam almost daily... laundry being at quiet pools super convenient. NOT so convenient at BC and WL...

ok.. done now... Jill

 

[3sweetpeas]

My previous "on-site" experiences are 3 summer trips to WL, one May trip 1999 at POR (then Dixie Landings) and an end of January trip to POP. I was really anxious about going to a moderate after our stays at WL... but it was truly wonderful. We used the boat from DTD and swam almost daily... laundry being at quiet pools super convenient. NOT so convenient at BC and WL...

ok.. done now... Jill

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time! You had a great location! I'm sorry you didn't see here on the thread that there aren't towels at the quiet pools....helps you to plan. We've stayed at AKL and found that we love POR! BC is the only other resort I really want to visit. I love the theming.

 

[3sweetpeas]

Pretty fun so far. We were at Animal Kingdom for a huge downpour yesterday but we were looking to eat Lunch and jumped into the Yak and Yeti just as the black clouds moved in. We spread things out with an appetizer and a few extra soda refills until the storm was passed. Felt a little guilty, but they didn't seem mad about it. Ended up being a spendy (but dry!) meal. Food was really great.

My only complaints are minor (prices of food in table service restaurants and the warm soda from the machine in our building, hehe).

Four days to go!

Yay!! I'm so glad you are having a good time! Yak and Yeti in the rain...smart plan! The prices will definitely get you! Allears.net will give you menus and prices for all the restaurants in case you want to see prices before you go to a park. Have a great time!!

 

[rosie49ers80]

Forgot a couple of things:

Internet connection: I couldn't connect my laptop but I think it was my laptop. DD easily connected her Macbook but would have slow service, lose the connection( SAME ISSUE AT OUR BEACH CLUB STAY )

ok.. done now... Jill

My Dell laptop did good with the internet connection. I was even able to upload large pic file to Facebook & email.

On another note we had a great time. We are driving home now to NY and are at a very nice Hampton Inn but its just not my Royal room I just left. We had a bit of pixie dust in my opinion with the room too. I booked a RR garden view. We did indeed have a pretty garden view but take one step out the door and turn very slightly and there was the river!. We didn't have the curtains open much since we were on the bottom floor so looking out the window didn't matter. It was just so nice to walk out the door first thing in the morning to see the river sparkling. We were in Oak Manor looking out the door to Magnolia.

For anyone wondering about space issues....I found the room more than comfortable for me, my 10 yr old daughter & 12 yr nephew. We had a lot of stuff since we drove from NY & visited family along the way and I never once tripped over anything. There was plenty of room in the vanity area. I keep the suitcase, a larger than a rolling carry on one with toiletries and other assorted sundries.

The construction going on in the back parking lot was still there but one path was reopened towards the Magnolia mansion as they had finished the new or revamped landscaping in. The parking lot was still blocked off around some of Oak & Magnolia for handicap spaces and sidewalk ramps.

If I click my heels 3 times will I be back at Disney? Oh wait that was Oz. lol
Rosie

 

[rosie49ers80]

Yeah, we had the storm on the way from the airport to the resort. Seemed to have gone by the time we were ready for a swim in the evening though. Today's storm I saw coming, and we just made it back to the MK bus stop about 30 seconds before the heavens opened (we were planning to leave around 1-2pm anyway).



Andre

Be careful of the storms that they have been having. If it was just the typical "rains every afternoon" in FL storm you would be fine. They have been accompanied by thunder & bad lightening. Hopefully that pattern breaks and its just the regular rain you get. There were time when I would have gladly welcomed a nice rain during the day but forget the rest of it!
Enjoy
Rosie

 

[LaDonna]

is that a pool between bldg 16,17,18, I'm guessing so but there is so much water there I'm getting confused lol

 

[EpcotBill]

is that a pool between bldg 16,17,18, I'm guessing so but there is so much water there I'm getting confused lol

Yes it is.

 

[stindall]

So glad to hear that your room request was honored! That is just what I requested--a refurbed room in AB, preferably bldg. 38. I arrive on Saturday for just one night, and I'm trying to decide if I should do the online check-in. Did you do it? I just fear that on a Saturday at 5pm, the lobby might be busy and since I'm only there one night, it doesn't really matter what room I get.
Any advice?

Can anyone enlighten me as to what online check in is?

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Can anyone enlighten me as to what online check in is?

Up to 10 days prior to your trip, you can use the resort on-line check in so that when you arrive at your resort, they already have your registration and credit card info so you basically just pick up your room keys and off you go!

When you enter the lobby, there is check in line AND a separate line for those that did on-line check in. This is helpful if you happen to disembark on the lobby with a full ME bus

Go to the WDW web page, log in, and you should be able to navigate to the screen that lets you do on-line check in.

Some prefer not to do this if they are concerned about specific room requests. We made room requests with our reservation and still had them honored using on-line check in. And I checked in at the 10 day mark because we were leaving a week ahead doing a split stay first at POP century.


SIDE QUESTION: Can anyone tell me how to make my photos smaller using photo bucket when I get ready to do my trip report? I've only done one other TR, it was 2 years ago, and all my pictures were oversized. TIA

 

[stindall]

Up to 10 days prior to your trip, you can use the resort on-line check in so that when you arrive at your resort, they already have your registration and credit card info so you basically just pick up your room keys and off you go!

When you enter the lobby, there is check in line AND a separate line for those that did on-line check in. This is helpful if you happen to disembark on the lobby with a full ME bus

Go to the WDW web page, log in, and you should be able to navigate to the screen that lets you do on-line check in.

Some prefer not to do this if they are concerned about specific room requests. We made room requests with our reservation and still had them honored using on-line check in. And I checked in at the 10 day mark because we were leaving a week ahead doing a split stay first at POP century.


SIDE QUESTION: Can anyone tell me how to make my photos smaller using photo bucket when I get ready to do my trip report? I've only done one other TR, it was 2 years ago, and all my pictures were oversized. TIA

Ah okay! I don't think it'll be an issue for us since we're going the first week in September next year but you never know! Thanks for the info! I kept seeing people talk about it and I was so confused!

 

[elfbo]

If you do the online checkin, can you set up different credit cards for different room keys? (I heard you can do this now)

 

[Missytara]

If you do the online checkin, can you set up different credit cards for different room keys? (I heard you can do this now)

Does not have anything to do with online check-in.

With the new computer system, you can have multiple credit cards.

 

[ksromack]

We'd booked river view, and we've got a lovely pixie-dusted corner room on the groud floor in building 14. Gorgeous view.
Andre

Andre, was this a King room or a Queen room? I'm just trying to figure out if any of the corner rooms are King rooms. I'm requesting building 14 as well.

 

[Missytara]

Andre, was this a King room or a Queen room? I'm just trying to figure out if any of the corner rooms are King rooms. I'm requesting building 14 as well.

The two king rooms I have been in were corner rooms; but I have been in two corner rooms that were two queen beds as well.

 

[DisneyFive]

Silly question, but any help would be greatly appreciated....

So I like to have a LOW CARB MONSTER drink each morning in the parks at Disney (rather than my typical coffee since it's so hot in Sept when we go). We bring drinks in with us to the parks in a soft sided cooler. Does anyone know if Fulton's General Store has Low Carb Monster drinks? I don't want the calories of the regular Monster drink, so I far prefer the low carb option, and I use my snack credits to get them. POP has had them the last two years in their food court, but it's nearly impossible to find the low card Mosters in the parks, only the full carb option.

Thanks in advance!!! We're putting in our Garden Grocer order and I need to know if I have to add some low carb Monster drinks to the order. I'd prefer not to order them if I don't have to and just use snack credits at the general store.

Dan

 

[ksromack]

SIDE QUESTION: Can anyone tell me how to make my photos smaller using photo bucket when I get ready to do my trip report? I've only done one other TR, it was 2 years ago, and all my pictures were oversized. TIA

After your have uploaded your pictures to photobucket click on the picture (it may be a double click), then EDIT. After you click EDIT, a menu pops up underneath your photo. You want to click the first choice, ADJUSTMENT. After you click ADJUSTMENT more options appear....RESIZE is on the bottom row, second from the left (next to the Crop option). You can decrease the width and height of your picture from there. Then Save it. There may be an easier way to do it, but that's how I do it.

 

[kendo43]

Me and my wife are going to be at POR from December 9-15th. Anyone else gonna be there then? BTW this is our first stay at POR

 

[ksromack]

Me and my wife are going to be at POR from December 9-15th. Anyone else gonna be there then? BTW this is our first stay at POR

Hubby and I will be there Dec 10-17th. No kids Ok, let me preface that by saying that our kids are all in college or old enough to not be vacationing with their parents