Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[tink15823]

POR Alligator Bayou Lodges building 36, is due to be completed around 13 November . I would love to see some pictures if anyone going soon would be so kind.

 

[donnaf516]

POR Alligator Bayou Lodges building 36, is due to be completed around 13 November . I would love to see some pictures if anyone going soon would be so kind.

Me too! Me too!

 

[LONES]

In general... is there a section of the resort that is considered more popular as far as room location requests? We would be looking for 2 rooms.. one for my family of 4 and one for my parents. My thinking is that we would more likely be placed in the mansions, because they probably try to keep the AB section open for families of 5. Is that logical thinking, or is it completely random? We would like rooms next to each other, but our biggest concern is close to the food court and bus stop for my dad. He has some mobility issues.

I see on the first post of this thread where Andre talks about room requests it says something to the effect of "Disney doesn't guarantee room requests except for certain medical grounds". Does anyone know what would be considered a medical reason why they might be more likely to honor a room request?

 

[Venomhatch]

POR Alligator Bayou Lodges building 36, is due to be completed around 13 November . I would love to see some pictures if anyone going soon would be so kind.

Me three, Me Three......

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

I'm there from the 13th to the 19th.. I'll see what I can see!

 

[Venomhatch]

I'm there from the 13th to the 19th.. I'll see what I can see!

Thank you very much. We all appreciate it if you can.

 

[donnaf516]

I'm there from the 13th to the 19th.. I'll see what I can see!

Thanks! Looking forward to your return

 

[gigi1313]

that's great .....for me it will be 9 days tomorrow! So excited!

me toooooo!!!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

me toooooo!!!!!

Cool congrats to you both then.

 

[tink15823]

I'm there from the 13th to the 19th.. I'll see what I can see!

 

[judaloo]

You could pay for a preferred room category. I believe it's $25 per day. That would guarantee bldg. 14, 16, 18 or 27 ( pretty sure those are the #'s). This would have you close to the lobby and food court, as well as to the South Bus Depot. The South depot is usually the first pick up and drop off so the chances of getting a seat are better. I think all of the AB refurbs are supposed to be done by the end of May 2011. You can check the PortOrleans.org website for some good info. Enjoy your trip! We'll be there in May '12!

 

[KCmike]

Thanks everyone. So many nice people around these parts. Funny to think about all the people from all over the country/world that enjoy the simple things like the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. That last photo was Alligator Bayou to the left. Now that I think about it we were coming back from the mill from having breakfast. I have several shots of the river and walkway. I really enjoy walking the path and taking in the scenery. Different times of the day provide so many beautiful moments. I love to shoot at twilight. I think most photographers call it the "magic hours" of shooting. So with that being said I am going over some of the shots I passed on the first go round. If I have any duplicates along the way I apologize in advance. Congrats on those with trips upcoming. Chicago Mo I hope you have an awesome time! Bring home some photos for us!

 

[Venomhatch]

Thanks everyone. So many nice people around these parts. Funny to think about all the people from all over the country/world that enjoy the simple things like the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. That last photo was Alligator Bayou to the left. Now that I think about it we were coming back from the mill from having breakfast. I have several shots of the river and walkway. I really enjoy walking the path and taking in the scenery. Different times of the day provide so many beautiful moments. I love to shoot at twilight. I think most photographers call it the "magic hours" of shooting. So with that being said I am going over some of the shots I passed on the first go round. If I have any duplicates along the way I apologize in advance. Congrats on those with trips upcoming. Chicago Mo I hope you have an awesome time! Bring home some photos for us!

Seen that pic before lol.

 

[bethjones]

OK-I just got back today and have pictures of Bldg 36!!!! First off, it is nowhere near finished. One of the guys showed me into a room that he said was "more done" than the rest of them and it was not all the way finished by any means. It didn't look like they had started on 37-38 either.
I don't know how to post pix, so I have emailed them to admin@portorleans.org for Andre to mess with and post here. Anyway, there is a fold down bed like the previous pictures of Aulani; it is where the old wardrobe/TV furniture used to be. The TV is mounted high on the wall, then there is the fold down murphy bed (sideways) that looks like a bench seat with maybe some drawer space underneath that. The refrigerator is besides it with a few very small drawers attached to the side. Overall there is very little drawer space compared to the old wardrobes. The bed was fairly good sized and would sleep someone up to 5 feet tall I believe. The problem is where are 5 people going to put all their stuff in that room?
The other refurb going on is the quiet pool between Oak Manor and Parterre Place. There is construction fencing around it and it is drained. They are re-plastering and re-doing some electical work on the lights. If you have a pool view booked in those buildings you will have a rather yucky view at the moment. The front desk said they didn't know when the pool would re-open.
As for our stay, we checked in at 10pm and received all our room requests: mansions, refurbed, near quiet pool, garden view. Late checkin didn't seem to have been a problem in regard to getting your requests met. We were in Magnolia Terrace room 8726. It is a corner room, but don't get excited-the corner rooms in Magnolia look out onto solid walls of shutters that wrap around the corner. Not so great. But considering I got the room only discount with standard room rate I can't complain. It was indeed close to the quiet pool and also the bridge, so very convenient. The pix of the new refurbs don't do it justice-they are gorgeous-every bit as nice as the Beach Club. The dresser is gigantic-both tall and deep-and you can put a lot of stuff on top of it as well as in the 3 very large drawers.
Bus service was excellent-never waited more than 10 minutes and usually only 5. Best we have ever had.
The food court is insanely crowded starting at 8am. And doesn't let up until 11am. Go early. One tip-there is a separate line for the "breakfast platter". It is at the omelet station, on the far left. You can't tell unless you go right up there but they have a separate queue for the pre-made platters. Usually only 1 or 2 people in that line because no one seemed to know about it.
I thought the CMs were very nice-my only problem was with the people staying at the resort the 4-9th. My husband and I walk around the river twice a day and say "good morning/evening" to everyone and I would say only 1 in 50 even looked at us and answered back. There were smokers everywhere and cigarette butts lying on the ground. A lot of people arguing and yelling at each other. Way more than I have ever seen before. That was really the only downer for the week. Otherwise, the resort is as lovely as ever and particularly nice this time of year with some trees turning and leaves down-it gives it a more open feel. I'll be happy to answer any questions..
Beth

 

[Sue M]

About people obsessing in this thread, just let them. Who gives a flying whatever about it. Your the only one that complained disneyfan61. Let them get excited and obsessed. It's an experience to wish to be perfect for all people vacationing. So you don't like it don't read it. It's just something I know I would want perfect for my family and for other families.

I have to agree. Planning, dreaming, and sharing your excitement is what this board is about, not shutting people down for sharing their planning thoughts.

 

[Sue M]

bethjones excellent!! Can't wait to see the pics of the new rooms in #36!
Glad you liked Mag. Terrace! Our last stay we were facing the quiet pool in Acadian House. Great location to be next to the bridge over to Old Man Isl.

KCmike More great pics. Now I'm sad I deleted my fog pics on my camera before I viewed them on the computer Note to self for next time!!!

 

[mbbarron]

bethjones Thank you for your review.

We are leaving in 6 days!!!! for POR and am really excited for our first stay on Disney property. We're a family of 5 and this was the most economical of any resort. We paid for a preferred room but now I'm REALLY hoping that Bldg. 36 will be complete on time so that I can be one of the first to stay in a refurbished room for 5! I didn't think this was possible when I booked. This is the only refurbished bldg so far that will accommodate 5, correct? Is this possible and how do I make that request?! Should I call the resort directly or Disney central reservations?

 

[andrewilley]

OK-I just got back today and have pictures of Bldg 36!!!!

Thank you so much Beth, the large-size photos are now available on my Guest Gallery Page and I'll copy forum sized versions in here too. They look GREAT!

The room seems very true to the original rustic concept, but perhaps going even a little further than before - note that as I said a while back, the flooring in the bathroom has been retained, plus those lovely wood-hewn bedheads. The rustic planking effect in the bathroom and for the carpet are also nice touches. The new pull-down bed looks great too - complete with a picture of Louis from Princess and the Frog inside. Obviously there are still finishing touches to be done (such as the bedding and curtains) and you'll note that the cover isn't on the A/C unit yet, but so far it looks like they've done a fabulous job - although I too have some serious concerns about the amount of storage space provided for five people and all their luggage. Not sure if the section under the murphy bed is three drawers or one large one as there don't seem to be any handles on it as yet. And is it just me, or are there an awful lot of different wood colours going on? Perhaps that's deliberate to tie in with the backwater bayou theme though.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

We paid for a preferred room but now I'm REALLY hoping that Bldg. 36 will be complete on time so that I can be one of the first to stay in a refurbished room for 5!

Building 36 is not Preferred status - it's on the opposite site of the resort in fact - but hopefully it should indeed be reopened within six days. So you would need to ask for a refurbished AB standard room instead of a Preferred Location, which hopefully might even be cheaper for you. At this point, I'd suggest contacting the resort directly rather than calling the reservations center. Good luck!

Andre

 

[KAE2008]

OK-I just got back today and have pictures of Bldg 36!!!! First off, it is nowhere near finished. One of the guys showed me into a room that he said was "more done" than the rest of them and it was not all the way finished by any means. It didn't look like they had started on 37-38 either.
I don't know how to post pix, so I have emailed them to admin@portorleans.org for Andre to mess with and post here. Anyway, there is a fold down bed like the previous pictures of Aulani; it is where the old wardrobe/TV furniture used to be. The TV is mounted high on the wall, then there is the fold down murphy bed (sideways) that looks like a bench seat with maybe some drawer space underneath that. The refrigerator is besides it with a few very small drawers attached to the side. Overall there is very little drawer space compared to the old wardrobes. The bed was fairly good sized and would sleep someone up to 5 feet tall I believe. The problem is where are 5 people going to put all their stuff in that room?
The other refurb going on is the quiet pool between Oak Manor and Parterre Place. There is construction fencing around it and it is drained. They are re-plastering and re-doing some electical work on the lights. If you have a pool view booked in those buildings you will have a rather yucky view at the moment. The front desk said they didn't know when the pool would re-open.
As for our stay, we checked in at 10pm and received all our room requests: mansions, refurbed, near quiet pool, garden view. Late checkin didn't seem to have been a problem in regard to getting your requests met. We were in Magnolia Terrace room 8726. It is a corner room, but don't get excited-the corner rooms in Magnolia look out onto solid walls of shutters that wrap around the corner. Not so great. But considering I got the room only discount with standard room rate I can't complain. It was indeed close to the quiet pool and also the bridge, so very convenient. The pix of the new refurbs don't do it justice-they are gorgeous-every bit as nice as the Beach Club. The dresser is gigantic-both tall and deep-and you can put a lot of stuff on top of it as well as in the 3 very large drawers.
Bus service was excellent-never waited more than 10 minutes and usually only 5. Best we have ever had.
The food court is insanely crowded starting at 8am. And doesn't let up until 11am. Go early. One tip-there is a separate line for the "breakfast platter". It is at the omelet station, on the far left. You can't tell unless you go right up there but they have a separate queue for the pre-made platters. Usually only 1 or 2 people in that line because no one seemed to know about it.
I thought the CMs were very nice-my only problem was with the people staying at the resort the 4-9th. My husband and I walk around the river twice a day and say "good morning/evening" to everyone and I would say only 1 in 50 even looked at us and answered back. There were smokers everywhere and cigarette butts lying on the ground. A lot of people arguing and yelling at each other. Way more than I have ever seen before. That was really the only downer for the week. Otherwise, the resort is as lovely as ever and particularly nice this time of year with some trees turning and leaves down-it gives it a more open feel. I'll be happy to answer any questions..
Beth

Thank you Beth and Andre - Great pics!
I like the number on the side of the "crate": LHMC101971
I get the 101971 part. I'm still working on what LHMC means. It's probably something obvious...

Thanks for the breakfast line tip. I'll have to keep an eye out for that.