Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[3sweetpeas]

I am unsure about that but can positively say I peeked in a window of a room with a king bed only in building 37.

Were you able to see the tv area or more clearly the storage under the tv? I'm curious about what they did there.

 

[kellicb]

Ok, I'm back!!! Checked in late last Sunday night and we did get building 36. Brand new refurb. I have to apologize, didn't really get any new photos. The boys (my "nephews") are 9 and 6 and neither wanted to sleep in the "alligator" bed so we made them take turns. LOL The biggest downfall is that there is really hardly any place for storage. There are the drawers under the "alligator" bed but if you keep the bed down like we did, for convenience, it's harder to get to. Other than that, the room seems really nice. They were painting the shutters when we left. I couldn't tell exactly what colors they are going with but I think they're going with more of a brown & rust theme instead of the beige and green theme?

It really is such a nice resort. It's my 3rd time staying there and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

The weather was a little warmer than I realized. Yes, I did look at the temperature but totally forgot about the humidity. I was sweating like a pig the whole time because it was so humid. Yesterday's weather was gorgeous, though.

Glad to be home but I will sure miss DW.

 

[ejrj]

I had a standard room a couple of weeks ago and here is my view from room 8222.

That is most certainly a parking lot view! Thanks for clearing that one up for me. Perhaps we can forward this picture to the cm who told me that POR Standard rooms have building views but not parking lot view. Thanks for taking the time to post the pic for me.

 

[andrewilley]

Perhaps we can forward this picture to the cm who told me that POR Standard rooms have building views but not parking lot view.

Which just reinforces the unwritten rule* here that it's often better to ask the people who actually know, rather than WDW's Reservations Center where an increasingly large number of CMs seem to be telling guests what they think they know, while still proclaiming it to be fact.

Some AB and mansion buildings at POR do indeed overlook car parks. It's slightly less of an issue at POFQ where there are often more trees giving some separation - but the fact of the matter is that given that car parks surround the whole of POR, some rooms are bound to overlook them.

Incidentally, does anyone else hate the new black asphalt car park surfaces? I much preferred the older more subtle grey colours which blended far better into the surroundings.

Andre

* Darn, now I've gone and written it down

 

[Montajlo]

Does anyone know if the rooms with the trundle/murphy beds are only in certain buildings? We arrive at POR on Nov 23 and this is our first stay. Just wondering if we will get one of the new rooms since we have a room with a trundle. Thanks.

 

[andrewilley]

Does anyone know if the rooms with the trundle/murphy beds are only in certain buildings?

All Alligator Bayou rooms (apart from the ones with King Beds) have the fifth-person option. In older (double-sized bed) rooms this will take the form of a trundle bed, while in the newer refurbished queen-bed rooms (currently buildings 36 and 37) this will be a pull-down bed.

We don't yet know whether the new King bed rooms may have the murphy bed option too, they certainly didn't before the refurbishments but we haven't got photos of new King rooms yet.

None of the mansion building rooms feature extra beds.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Hi All, I know this is the POR thread, but thinking there may be some experts in both POR and POFQ. Any opinions on which resort might be more fun for teen-aged boys? We're hoping to take my son and a couple of his friends for a high school graduation present in June. Thanks for any input.

I guess it's a personal choice thing so might a bit difficult to answer – a bit like asking what everyone else’s favourite colour is, so you can repaint your son’s bedroom.

Personally, I think I would suggest Riverside. I think your lads will probably not be especially in awe of the POFQ pool with its Dragon Slide now, nor need its smaller size and shorter walks. Riverside on the other hand has lots more facilities: boat and cycle rentals; fishing hole; six swimming pools (including a longer/faster slide at the main pool); larger games arcade, shop & food court; “Yee Ha” Bob Jackson playing in the River Roost lounge at night (probably more involving for teen boys than the more traditional style of jazz music over at POFQ); plus a generally wider variety of theming and places to explore. I went into a bit more detail in the FAQ page on my site which might help you: http://www.portorleans.org/faqs.php.

Andre

 

[gr8tdame]

Hi All, I know this is the POR thread, but thinking there may be some experts in both POR and POFQ. Any opinions on which resort might be more fun for teen-aged boys? We're hoping to take my son and a couple of his friends for a high school graduation present in June. Thanks for any input.

My teenagers prefer POR..... there are many private pools, arcade and they like the POR pool better.

 

[KCmike]

Without a doubt its Riverside.

 

[Venomhatch]

Without a doubt its Riverside.

I agree.

 

[3sweetpeas]

Does anyone know if the rooms with the trundle/murphy beds are only in certain buildings? We arrive at POR on Nov 23 and this is our first stay. Just wondering if we will get one of the new rooms since we have a room with a trundle. Thanks.

Have a great vacation! I'm jealous! All of the Alligator Bayou buildings have trundle beds. With the new renovation underway, Buildings 36 and 37 are the only completed buildings with building 38 close behind. I'm not sure if it's too late to put in a request over the phone (there's others who will answer this for you) but you can always request at time of check in. I would recommend checking in as early as possible for a better chance and smile. Last year we were at a Universal resort the night before our check in at POR and we went to Universal that day. I drove over to POR at 7AM to check in because I had special requests and got what I wanted. Buildings 36 and 37 are probably hot commodities right now so I'd try as early as possible. Just my opinion! Hope it works!

 

[Keke]

We just returned from 4 nights at POR, and it was fabulous. We were in the Magnolia mansion, room 8922. It was on the third floor. It seems there is only a third floor in the middle section of the mansion buildings. I don't know if that was the reason, but it was so QUIET. I couldn't get over how quiet it was in our room. The queen beds were very comfy and the furnishings were rich looking. I would not hesitate to stay here again. The grounds were so relaxing. We have only stayed at Pop and it was such a difference. I really like Pop for all the energy and fun, but this was so relaxing. The pool was a lot of fun as well.

 

[cherylsmike]

Have a great vacation! I'm jealous! All of the Alligator Bayou buildings have trundle beds. With the new renovation underway, Buildings 36 and 37 are the only completed buildings with building 38 close behind. I'm not sure if it's too late to put in a request over the phone (there's others who will answer this for you) but you can always request at time of check in. I would recommend checking in as early as possible for a better chance and smile. Last year we were at a Universal resort the night before our check in at POR and we went to Universal that day. I drove over to POR at 7AM to check in because I had special requests and got what I wanted. Buildings 36 and 37 are probably hot commodities right now so I'd try as early as possible. Just my opinion! Hope it works!

This is exactly my plan. We are arriving at Royal Pacific at Universal on the 14th and will check in to POR on the 15th. I plan to get up as early as I can (had a 5:45 am flight on the 14th) hopefully around 6 or 7 and drive over to check in and then head back to enjoy the rest of the day, or as much as I can before I just can't resist the pull of the Mouse anymore, with our express passes. I am thrilled to see I am not the only one who would think of this

About how long did it take you to drive over and check in at POR including driving time? Thanks.

 

[3sweetpeas]

This is exactly my plan. We are arriving at Royal Pacific at Universal on the 14th and will check in to POR on the 15th. I plan to get up as early as I can (had a 5:45 am flight on the 14th) hopefully around 6 or 7 and drive over to check in and then head back to enjoy the rest of the day, or as much as I can before I just can't resist the pull of the Mouse anymore, with our express passes. I am thrilled to see I am not the only one who would think of this

About how long did it take you to drive over and check in at POR including driving time? Thanks.

How funny! Great minds and all that... Because we were staying at Royal Pacific also, we got up, and got ready and then my husband and kids rode the boat over to the park and I drove over to POR. That early in the morning, 7:30 maybe?...I was in and out of POR in 10 minutes. Then I drove back to Royal Pacific because you can still park your car in the lot for the day of checkout, parked the car and got on the boat. Maybe it took 45 minutes to an hour tops? It was a really good plan and I'm glad I did it. It just stands to reason, that the earlier you check in, the more options the CMs have to offer you. To make it even easier, we packed one suitcase with our "Royal Pacific" clothes and only took one suitcase in the resort. It worked out great! The rest stayed in the rental car til POR. Have a really great time!

 

[3sweetpeas]

I guess it's a personal choice thing so might a bit difficult to answer – a bit like asking what everyone else’s favourite colour is, so you can repaint your son’s bedroom.

Personally, I think I would suggest Riverside. I think your lads will probably not be especially in awe of the POFQ pool with its Dragon Slide now, nor need its smaller size and shorter walks. Riverside on the other hand has lots more facilities: boat and cycle rentals; fishing hole; six swimming pools (including a longer/faster slide at the main pool); larger games arcade, shop & food court; “Yee Ha” Bob Jackson playing in the River Roost lounge at night (probably more involving for teen boys than the more traditional style of jazz music over at POFQ); plus a generally wider variety of theming and places to explore. I went into a bit more detail in the FAQ page on my site which might help you: http://www.portorleans.org/faqs.php.

Andre

My goodness, if I wasn't already convinced I would have been now! Well said!

 

[patty57]

Thank you all for your input. I find it so helpful to hear from people who have actually stayed there. POR looks like it would be a good bet for us.

 

[Missytara]

So folks, it is all starting to sink in..... this time next week, I will be at my home away from home.

Friday, I was thinking this time next week, we will be telling Skylar she is going to Disney World. She has been told that she has been doing so good in school (she is in kindergarten), that there is a big surprise coming up for her and Miss Dawn (me) is in on it too. She was thrilled - she thinks she is going to stay at her nana's house in GA for the holidays.

Saturday, I walked out and Holly was sitting outside smoking and she said, I cannot believe this time next week, I will be on a plane for the first time.

Last night, I came home and Holly and Kelsey (the roommate and Skylar's mom) were outside smoking and we just looked at each other and cried. We have been planning this trip for almost a year and just cannot believe it is going to be here in a matter of days.

So much to celebrate - Alex, Holly's husband and my neighbor came home safe from Afghanistan. First timers for everyone except for me and Kelsey's boyfriend, Dustin. He went once for HS band and didn't stay on-site, so they are all so looking forward to staying at POR.

 

[Missytara]

That is most certainly a parking lot view! Thanks for clearing that one up for me. Perhaps we can forward this picture to the cm who told me that POR Standard rooms have building views but not parking lot view. Thanks for taking the time to post the pic for me.

I went in 2006 and accommodated a few friends who couldn't go the week after Thanksgiving due to family obligations. We ended up smack-dab in the middle of Pop Warner week.

At first, they said they had already moved us over to CSR. I insisted that I had paid for my waterview room a year in advance and I was staying at POR. We did get a parking lot view in Acadian House, but we actually turned out to enjoy it.

We pulled our chairs out in the aisleway every night and chatted - the weather was beautiful. And it kept us away from all the shenanigans for Pop Warner. We were also right by the bus stop and just went right to the parks each morning and ate there, rather than the food court.

It isn't for everyone, but it did turn out to be a good thing for us.

 

[Kanga1]

I recall hearing a "story" about the Bayou section of POR once. That if you take a walk around the AB section you will notice subtle differences among the buildings and it tells a "story." Anyone know what the story is, or did I just dream this?

 

[Missytara]

I recall hearing a "story" about the Bayou section of POR once. That if you take a walk around the AB section you will notice subtle differences among the buildings and it tells a "story." Anyone know what the story is, or did I just dream this?

I can tell you that the entire POR complex has a backstory as you walk from French Quarter to the mansions to AB. It tells the story of the development of the Louisiana Territory.