Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[BDL]

Our trip begins in 10 days!!! I am really excited to stay at POR but after reading stuff online, I'm starting to get worried about overcrowded buses. We have stayed all over property, even Caribbean Beach (which a lot of people don't like but we love) and haven't had an issue. The more I read, the more it feels like POR has the worst bus service. Is this true, especially for the time we are going? I know there can be glitches and I am ok with that but I don't want awful service everytime i want to go somewhere and thats what I keep reading, it seems like.

We paid for a River view and I'm really hoping for AB. I didnt request a specific building in AB but we will see if they at least give us AB.

I've never had a real problem with the busses. Plus, I like the availabilty to have the bus drop me off closer to my room or get off at the main stop.

 

[candy0730]

Our trip begins in 10 days!!! I am really excited to stay at POR but after reading stuff online, I'm starting to get worried about overcrowded buses. We have stayed all over property, even Caribbean Beach (which a lot of people don't like but we love) and haven't had an issue. The more I read, the more it feels like POR has the worst bus service. Is this true, especially for the time we are going? I know there can be glitches and I am ok with that but I don't want awful service everytime i want to go somewhere and thats what I keep reading, it seems like.

We paid for a River view and I'm really hoping for AB. I didnt request a specific building in AB but we will see if they at least give us AB.

I just read the thread below and it is making me a little nervous. We have only used the buses while staying at CSR and thought the bus service was excellent and assumed it was the norm for Disney resorts. I have been trying to decide if we should rent a car or just use the buses. We will be renting a car for one day for $32 to visit relatives so maybe if I can find a great rate I will just go ahead and reserve the car.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2786476

 

[mommykds]

Honestly the 3 times we stayed at POR (2005, 2008, & just last week) the buses were not great. We lucked out a few times where we just caught a bus leaving a park but we never ever got a seat once coming home. We didn't wait long for a bus to come but they were always full. There was no pattern as to which stop they went to first when coming back to resort. One night coming in from MK the south depot (our stop) was first. Another night it was the west that was first.

All in all nothing happened as far as the bus service to ruin our trip or anything like that though, we knew what to expect.

 

[KCmike]

So beautiful KCmike!

Very nice bro

Thanks! Hope everyone doesn't get too much rain from Irene.

 

[KCmike]

 

[disneylovr1]

I've stayed at POR maybe 10-12 times, starting back when it was Dixie Landings, and never had any more problems with the buses than we had at any other resort. If we left the parks during a mass exodus, like after Illuminations or the fireworks in the MK, the lines would be long, but they always sent more busses so we didn't have to wait all that long. You would have a decent chance of standing unless you purposely waited for an extra bus, though. We typically get on the bus at the main stop and have never in all of our trips had a bus come through full and had to wait for a second bus. We do usually go for rope drop, so unless we came back for a rest or forgot something our leaving the resort experience is almost always early in the AM.

We did on occasion take the bus to POFQ and walk, but if I remember right it was never out of necessity, just because we were in no hurry and enjoyed the walk. If that bus came first or was sitting there we would hop on. I wore a pedometer once and walked almost 15 miles one day when we park hopped, so what's an extra 1/4 mile!

Once we stayed at the WL and left the MK just after the fireworks, and I think we waited an hour for the boat! I've never seen such a long line. If that happened now we would definately take a cab, I'm not sure why we didn't think of it then. I think we were younger and cheaper then!

 

[disney*mom*82]

We were there July 27-Aug 6 this year and we had some bad bus service also. There was always a longer wait at the depots for a bus, they didnt come as often as they use to. Also, when we were at MK until late EMHs, the park was open til 3am, we were at the bus stop by 3am to try and beat the late crowd, well we were the second family in line, but the bus...wow, it was a 43 minute wait. We would watch a bus pull in...the pull back out empty asked a lady working down by the buses what was going on, she said the drivers were pulling back in to clock out for the night and leaving. She had to call a bus driver and tell him to get there, he finally did and was sure to let us know he was suppose to be off work and this was the last bus he was doing. The bus got completely full as there was a HUGE line waiting.

Another night, we left DHS just prior to EMHs hours being over. We waited here about 30 minutes, this time there were only 3 families waiting, but other stops would have 2 or 3 buses stop there and were all gone. Finally a lady called in a bus and the driver started telling all of us that we needed to get there before now. Luckily the other worker heard him and informed him we all were there waiting plenty early.

Lastly...we went to Typhoon and left just before park close. When we walked out, they directed everyone to one bus. This one bus then takes everyone to DTD where we have to walk to our resort bus stop and wait for that bus. I thought it was pretty stupid, just what we wanted to do was be all wet and in swim suits standing at a bus stop at DTD to cram on a bus with dry guests.

We have stayed at POR 6 times over the past 3.5 years and this was by far worst we have experienced.

 

[disneylovr1]

I'm not sure why you had such bad experiences after EMHs, maybe things are getting worse. I know it has been the policy in the past to never kick a guest out, and to get them back to their resort when they do leave. We stayed at Epcot once 2 hrs after closing, just wandering around and looking at all of the countries and then the pavilions, and when we left somone was waiting and asked us where we were headed. We said POR, and they called a bus that came from a nearby waiting area and took just us to the resort. We talked to the driver, and he told us that they always know who is left in the parks, and have some drivers stay late for the stragglers. He said he was happy, b/c he was getting overtime. I can't remember if this was after an EMH or regular closing, but it was definately well after MN. It might even have been back when they had the extra evening hours that you paid $10 for.

 

[rockin2it]

We stay at POR every year at this time, and the only issue we've really ever had with the busses is coming back from a water park. It seems they reduce the scheduled trips after Labor day.

ok hopefully this will be our experience. Caribbean Beach is large but the bus service when we have gone in September has always been pretty good except for one time and we let guest relations know when we got to AK. I dont mind standing on buses either. My son is only 2 and likes to be held when there are a lot of people around if he cant be in his stroller. Most people have offered me their seat since I hold him on the buses. I just dont want to be waiting at the bus stop for 45 mins to get a bus to where I'm going, ya know?

 

[Disneymaddness]

We were there July 27-Aug 6 this year and we had some bad bus service also. There was always a longer wait at the depots for a bus, they didnt come as often as they use to. Also, when we were at MK until late EMHs, the park was open til 3am, we were at the bus stop by 3am to try and beat the late crowd, well we were the second family in line, but the bus...wow, it was a 43 minute wait. We would watch a bus pull in...the pull back out empty asked a lady working down by the buses what was going on, she said the drivers were pulling back in to clock out for the night and leaving. She had to call a bus driver and tell him to get there, he finally did and was sure to let us know he was suppose to be off work and this was the last bus he was doing. The bus got completely full as there was a HUGE line waiting.

We were there July 27-Aug 3 but must have been luckier than you because the longest we ever waited for a bus was 20 min. We only did the early EMH though. The only bus problem we had was when we tried to go from Animal Kingdom to SSR for lunch at the Turf Club, then we waited for 30 min. Honestly we have never had any problems with the POR buses and have met some interesting people on them!

 

[tjknitz]

Some more...

Thank you so much for the pictures...the resort is beautiful! I can't wait for our stay in 2012!!!!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Gorgeous!! Which mansion is this please?

 

[Disneylvr]

Today I am booking POR w/free dining for January 2012. It has been 7 years since our last stay at POR so we are really looking forward to it. The only view available with free dining is a garden view. We are a family of 3 so a trundle bed room isn't necessary but we would like a renovated room. I should request either Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace or is that where we would be placed anyway?

 

[Missytara]

Today I am booking POR w/free dining for January 2012. It has been 7 years since our last stay at POR so we are really looking forward to it. The only view available with free dining is a garden view. We are a family of 3 so a trundle bed room isn't necessary but we would like a renovated room. I should request either Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace or is that where we would be placed anyway?

Both of those buildings will have garden views and will be completed with their refurbs by then.

Parterre Place and Oak Manor are the royal rooms and they won't be completed by the time you arrive. If those buildings are still open with garden view rooms, you may be placed in them; i.e. refurbs on Oak Manor don't start until February.

I would suggest requesting a refurb room in the Mansions and you may get it, unless the resort is really busy that week.

 

[Disneylvr]

All the views are booked (for free dining) except garden view so it must be booking up quickly. I will request a room in the two renovated buildings. Thanks!

 

[DJT]

Thank you so much for the pictures...the resort is beautiful! I can't wait for our stay in 2012!!!!

I have been so sad about not being able to get POFQ and having to stay at POR instead, but after reading this thread daily and seeing all the beautiful pictures, I am getting excited about being here in a couple months. We've stayed at FQ the last three trips so this will be something new and exciting for us.

Donna

 

[Missytara]

Gorgeous!! Which mansion is this please?

That is Parterre Place; ironically I stayed in the first floor corner room on the left hand side last year; I was about 30 feet from the river.

Beautiful room.

 

[Lyndsey]

This will be my first time staying at POR. We are a family of 5 so we r booked for what I guess is Alligator Bayou. Does anyone know if certain sections have the 5 person room or can I request any section that is considered Alligator Bayou. Also I was messing around with dates today and disney's website put my family of 5, 2 adults 3 children (12,8,5) in a garden view, Is that possible?

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

That is Parterre Place; ironically I stayed in the first floor corner room on the left hand side last year; I was about 30 feet from the river.

Beautiful room.

It looks stunning. I cannot wait to see it in person!!

 

[Stan Solo]

Hey Andre,

Are you back at the UK or are you still in Orlando getting pictures and information for your web site? If you are still at POR when do head back?

I just listened to WDW Radio Podcast episode 97 from back in December 08, where Lou Mongello interviews you! What a great interview and it was awesome to put a voice to the name.

Did Loe buy you that drink at Yee Ha Bob's?

I hope to run into either you or Lou in Orlando in a few days.

Stan Solo