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

[Gorechick]

The standard Royal Rooms will most likely put you on the parking lot side of the buildings. The farthest rooms would be the ones on the side of Parterre Place facing POFQ. We stayed in the center of Parterre Place and we used the south depot near the main building. It was an easy, scenic walk along the river and across the bridge to the main building and depot. The walk was 5 minutes or less. To get to the main pool, we walked through the main building and food court which added a few more minutes. IMO, the able-bodied people who complain about how big the resort is and how far they have walk to everything are a bunch of whiners. Enjoy the resort, enjoy the scenery, it really is beautiful.

 

[Gorechick]

My BFF stayed in Bldg 16 last year and my family was in blg 14. Bldg 16 was about a one minute walk from bldg 14 and not even five minutes to the food court. What I liked about her bldg was it was really close to the quiet pool next to bldg 18!

Thanks for the info! What side of the building was your room?

 

[bartleyosu]

I have watched many a college football game on my first Saturday there; I have always gone the week after Thanksgiving.

Take the water taxi down to RFC; they play college football games at the bar. It is a lot of fun, because there is always a turnover at the bar, with people waiting for tables and it is never overly crowded in the afternoon.

ESPN club will be a lot more crowded, because there is a resort nearby. But it would be a good second choice.

Thanks, I would never have thought of Rainforest. Thanks.

 

[zy144622]

We have stayed near quite pools before and to be honest they were not busy at all. If they were it was while we were at the parks. Only seen a couple other families at the pool and often it was empty.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

We have a garden view Royal Room booked. I put in a request for Oak Manor. Would you suggest a different request? This trip will just be my daughter and I and we'd like to be close to things if possible.

 

[Missytara]

We have a garden view Royal Room booked. I put in a request for Oak Manor. Would you suggest a different request? This trip will just be my daughter and I and we'd like to be close to things if possible.

You are good; Oak Manor is the best for garden view and close to the bridge that goes over to the food court side of the complex. Before it went RR'ms, it was my favorite building to stay near the quiet pool.

 

[KristiKat]

I was wondering about this as well. We have a Std Royal booked, but wonder if I shouldn't up grade...????



We booked waterview last year and were in Acadian near the quiet pool. It was great. Close enough to quiet pool, but far enough that you didn't hear much. I thought it very quiet. We were on the first floor...I think 8067 or something like that. If you look at this map: http://portorleans.org/maps-and-directions.php and click on Acadian House you can see where...

Thanks for the info, I think I'm just going to leave it with waterview. Now I'm trying to decide to request AB or Mansions. Decisions, decisions, lol. We loved the mansions last time but I think that the kids would really like AB. I'm actually thinking of making no other request and leaving it up to chance, see what I get. Last time we were given a free upgrade from standard to garden view.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

You are good; Oak Manor is the best for garden view and close to the bridge that goes over to the food court side of the complex. Before it went RR'ms, it was my favorite building to stay near the quiet pool.

Yay, thank you!

 

[kenvan]

Hi kenvan, I would like to share my thoughts if you don't mind. First, I'm wondering if this is your first visit or your first stay in a Disney resort. On our first visit, we stayed 2 nights at POR and were given a room that was far out. I never ventured out to walk anywhere and that was a huge mistake. Since then, my whole family feels like the resort is part of the experience. We also have 3 kids and stay in AB. I'd like to make 2 suggestions. Last year, I wanted to experience AB and also the mansion section so we chose building 38. It was a wonderful choice. It was right on the river and such a nice walk to the main pool and food court. It also gave us the option to use the mansion quiet pools, which I liked a great deal. (more sunny and less trees) Don't get me wrong , I also like AB pools but it gave us options. It was a very short walk to the North depot which was never crowded by the way. The quiet pool is also very close. The map I think, makes things look farther away than they actually are. Here is where I wish I knew your kids ages for their walking abilities. It is the closest building out of that group to the main area which I strongly urge you visit. Building 37 would be my next choice for you because it's right next to the North Depot. The year before, we stayed in building 16, which remains one of our favorite spots. It is right next to a quiet pool and such a short walk to the food court (which is great by the way) and pool. You can literally walk across the parking lot and through a path to the South Depot. The walking path to the main areas is lush and tropical and very relaxing. When my kids were little they would hop and play all the way and I think enjoyed the walk as much as we did. I think that both of these buildings are great and help you get the POR "experience" I hope I haven't confused you more!

Thanks so much for all your insight. This will be our first time at POR, but have stayed at CBR and POP. We have three children ages 11,8,&4. They usually do fine with walking so that is why I do not mind if we are not that close to the main building. We like the idea of being close to a quiet pool so they can swim when we get back at night from the parks. Building 38 sounds great; I like the idea of having different pools to try and also being close to transportation.

 

[wdwmaw]

Wanting to request, we have paid for garden view and we do have 5 people, so thinking AB section bldg's 16/17 or 24/25. Which should we choose and why.

Our wants
1. VERY close to bus stop (DH (47) is having total knee replacement on 10/1, he is somewhat young and fit and will use Disney to get himself ready to return to work Jan.)
2. Next to quiet pool
3. Food court not a huge factor, we may eat their a couple of time over our 14 night trip.

Questions about 16/17. Do you cross a parking lot to get to the South Depot? Is it like crossing to the bus stop at POP from the 80's section? Is the South Depot the most crowded spot, do most people get on/off there?

Our travel dates are 12/20-1/3 so we assume the resort will be crowded. Thinking the resort lanscape will be perfect for the holiday's. We are so excited to have our first trip to POR, seems in the past discounts just weren't an option. Was so surprised it was available for free dining.

 

[mommycal]

Good morning, silly ? How at the buses when it comes to strollers? We will probably have a double stroller w/us from the local rental company. Not sure if it matters but we are going in December. TIA!

 

[chimilady]

As far as location and the princess rooms, I am in the furthest princess room right now and I think it's far. If I had two teens, I probably wouldn't feel that way but with two 4 year olds at the end of the night and having to carry them, it's FAR! I have to say, I am less than thrilled with POR. I am in a garden view and I can quite easily see the parking lot full view from my room. My neighbor 2 doors down smokes like a chimney on the balcony (and yes, I have told the front desk). We requested building 90 which I think would be ideal as far as location goes, but I'm in the last one, right by french quarter (I think it's 95) and it's not convenient. We already decided we won't be coming back here. There is a downside to all of the lush trees, tons of mosquitoes. I have HUGE welts on my legs that are about 2 inches in diameter. (and one on my arm, and another on my foot). The staff are very nice, so I can't complain there, but with teen girls, I would think it's fine.

 

[andrewilley]

As far as location and the princess rooms, I am in the furthest princess room right now and I think it's far. If I had two teens, I probably wouldn't feel that way but with two 4 year olds at the end of the night and having to carry them, it's FAR!

Did you ask to be moved when they showed you where your room would be located on the map? Or later, once you found out the distances involved? If not, why not go and ask them now - after all, the hotel is hardly likely to be at full occupancy mid-September. Do it in-person at the front desk, not on the phone. The far side of Parterre Place is indeed a bit of a trek.

Sorry about the mossies though, they are an unfortunate downside of having lots of foliage and water around.

Andre

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

Hi everyone. This is our first time staying at POR and I have a question about the bus stops. Could someone please tell me in what order the bus picks people up? We are staying in the AB and I am trying to decide what building to request. We will have our 5 year old DN so we would like to be close to the first few stops. Thanks.

 

[ShelleyLynn]

I wanted to thank everyone for the great info I have now about POR! I have been lurking since we booked our trip back in July. We leave next Friday after work so we are going to stop and spend the night in Valdosta and drive the rest Saturday morning. We have to spend Saturday night as a room only ressie before our free dining package starts Sunday. Saturday we have a preferred room booked and then Sunday will check into a RPR for 7 nights. We are so excited! My daughters (11 and 8) are so looking forward to the princess room. I have requested Oak Manor ground floor, we booked a garden view. I broke my hip about 18 months ago and I have to be careful when I plan a vacay of days on end of walking. Stairs aggravate my hip and saving even a few steps everyday adds up to how my hip feels over 8 days at Disney. I am keeping my fingers crossed about our requests. Does anyone know if they have any bounceback offers in the rooms right now? We definitely want to return in 2013 so I am hoping to get an offer that will entice my sweet hubby into booking while we are there. If anyone has any last minute advice I am "all ears"

 

[crazy4wdw]

As far as location and the princess rooms, I am in the furthest princess room right now and I think it's far. If I had two teens, I probably wouldn't feel that way but with two 4 year olds at the end of the night and having to carry them, it's FAR!

Just wondering what your experience has been with the bus system?

I check-in one month from today. I'm glad I have a preferred room reserved.

 

[andrewilley]

Could someone please tell me in what order the bus picks people up? .

The outer stops are always West, North then East - but sometimes they will do the South Depot before those stops, and sometimes after.

Andre

 

[3sweetpeas]

As far as location and the princess rooms, I am in the furthest princess room right now and I think it's far. If I had two teens, I probably wouldn't feel that way but with two 4 year olds at the end of the night and having to carry them, it's FAR! I have to say, I am less than thrilled with POR. I am in a garden view and I can quite easily see the parking lot full view from my room. My neighbor 2 doors down smokes like a chimney on the balcony (and yes, I have told the front desk). We requested building 90 which I think would be ideal as far as location goes, but I'm in the last one, right by french quarter (I think it's 95) and it's not convenient. We already decided we won't be coming back here. There is a downside to all of the lush trees, tons of mosquitoes. I have HUGE welts on my legs that are about 2 inches in diameter. (and one on my arm, and another on my foot). The staff are very nice, so I can't complain there, but with teen girls, I would think it's fine.

You really need to just go talk to the front desk! If you are this unhappy what are you waiting for? Be brave buckaroo! I really think they'll help you if nicely explain how you're feeling.

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

Thanks for the info! What side of the building was your room?

BFF's room (Bldg 16) was facing the courtyard which if you're looking at the map on page 1 it would be the part of the building with the #16 in it.

 

[bluechic03]

Hi everyone ,

We are super excited to try out POR with a Royal Room in April! We are celebrating my birthday and we are DVC members. My hubby picked BLT for April and we wanted to add a few nights so with a house full of Boys, I picked the royal room so I could have some Princess Time! Usually its all pirates all the time

My sons will be 3 and 6 months (thats right my younger one will be born next month and we already are planning his first trip!) And we would love to take them to T-Rex the first night, does anyone know where the boat drops off in DTD? Is it close to T-Rex????