Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[Venomhatch]

We'll know once they've completed the first Alligator Bayou buildings what the new fifth-person bed option will be when they add Queen Beds to the rooms. They should be starting on the first AB building around 25 October, so I guess we'll probably know about three weeks after that.

They are currently expecting to have completed the first four AB building before Christmas.

Andre

Yeah my room was 1443 last February in the alligator bayou area and it had a trundle bed under one of the, automatically and we only had three in our party.

It had a great view and it was only 50 feet maybe from the food court doors.

We had a river view last time. Ended up getting a free upgrade. While the view was nice, with a moderate, you don't have a balcony to sit out on to enjoy the view so I'd rather a refirb room.
However, with you not requesting a new room- that's one less person making that request so yay

I dont know if this is part of the upgrades but this past February Alligator Bayou had chairs on the balcony of building 14, I know because i was sitting in one lol.

 

[laura428]

I've skimmed through much of the thread and haven't seen anyone ask this yet, so hoping for your opinions...

We stayed in Oak Manor last November/December, and really loved it. The only downside for us was no balcony, so no Mom & Dad time after the kiddos went to bed. I've put a deposit down on a theme park view room at the Poly, but am considering making a second backup reservation in case our plans don't coincide with free dining or we're not graced with a magical PIN... not sure I can justify deluxe rack rate and dining, even in Value season.

I've checked out pictures of what the Royal rooms will look like, but I'm not sure. Although my DD (then 6) would go BONKERS for it, am not sure my DS (then 8) will be thrilled. He does watch Tangled and some of the other princess movies, if DD asks to watch them, but am thinking it might be too girly for him....?

What do you think?

 

[BDL]

I've skimmed through much of the thread and haven't seen anyone ask this yet, so hoping for your opinions...

We stayed in Oak Manor last November/December, and really loved it. The only downside for us was no balcony, so no Mom & Dad time after the kiddos went to bed. I've put a deposit down on a theme park view room at the Poly, but am considering making a second backup reservation in case our plans don't coincide with free dining or we're not graced with a magical PIN... not sure I can justify deluxe rack rate and dining, even in Value season.

I've checked out pictures of what the Royal rooms will look like, but I'm not sure. Although my DD (then 6) would go BONKERS for it, am not sure my DS (then 8) will be thrilled. He does watch Tangled and some of the other princess movies, if DD asks to watch them, but am thinking it might be too girly for him....?

What do you think?

I'm sure that the only time he'd take notice of room is when you first get there and drop off the bags on your way to 1 of the parks.

There's still plenty of boy stuff to do at POR to distract him from the room if he doesn't like it. The arcade, the fishing hole and Old Man Island.

I think he'll be fine. Just don't mention to him the pirate themed rooms at the other resort.

 

[Sue M]

Yeah my room was 1443 last February in the alligator bayou area and it had a trundle bed under one of the, automatically and we only had three in our party.

It had a great view and it was only 50 feet maybe from the food court doors.



I dont know if this is part of the upgrades but this past February Alligator Bayou had chairs on the balcony of building 14, I know because i was sitting in one lol.

Interesting. We've stayed twice in the mansion section, and never saw chairs on the common walkways.

 

[Venomhatch]

Interesting. We've stayed twice in the mansion section, and never saw chairs on the common walkways.

Yeah I wasn't sure they were supposed to be there. But do the Alligator bayou buildings do something different? I saw between five and maybe 7 or 8 on my upper level. Mansions are on the other side of the canal and I was in building 14 right next to the food court. I didn't think they were supposed to be there and i didn't walk around but to the laundry room and to the pool and main building for food, buses, etc.

 

[anorman]

Interesting. We've stayed twice in the mansion section, and never saw chairs on the common walkways.

A couple of years ago when we stayed at Pop, we used to take our room chairs out on the common walkway after the kids went to bed to let them settle down. It was quite relaxing to sit out and enjoy the lake view. So balcony or not, I fully intend to enjoy the river view from my river view room!

Of course, last year we stayed at POFQ in a first floor room and took advantage of the park benches in the courtyard (baby/kid monitor by our side) while the kids settled to sleep....it was a great way to unwind with a beverage after a busy day in the parks. Does anyone know if POR has benches along the river side walkways?

 

[Sue M]

Yes, they do Are we there yet?

 

[Chicago Mo]

I've put a deposit down on a theme park view room at the Poly, but am considering making a second backup reservation in case our plans don't coincide with free dining or we're not graced with a magical PIN... not sure I can justify deluxe rack rate and dining, even in Value season.
What do you think?

We LOVE the poly. i would love to live there!!! eat tonga toast!!! make sure you give yourself time to enjoy the hotel!

This time we are staying at the POR i hear such nice things! hence why i'm always reading this thread!!

 

[skater]

I'm getting a little nervous about our Sept. trip with the renovations and the fact that there are now preferred rooms. We elected (really couldn't afford it ) not to pay for a preferred room. We have been lucky in the past to always get a room fairly close to the food court - and we love it. Its just so darn convenient . A few years ago we had the farthest room out (at least it seemed like it ) at CSR and I really didn't enjoy it as much. We love the refillable mugs and hanging out at the resort, so I'm really worried about it. I'm also concerned because I know how full the busese can be by the time they get to some of those far away bus stops, and my mom wil be using a scooter (sorry to those of you that will be there at the same time as us ). I know I have to get over it, but I'm struggling for some reason.

 

[anorman]

Yes, they do Are we there yet?

Almost! Not too much longer. Why does time seem to drag on while you're waiting to get there but it flies so fast after you arrive?
It's not fair! (insert tantrum here!)

 

[MouseFan4Life]

Hey everyone !!! New to DIS and just found this thread. My wife and I LOVE POR and have stayed there since the Dixie Landings days. Love all the pics and can't wait to start adding my own !!!

 

[BDL]

Hey everyone !!! New to DIS and just found this thread. My wife and I LOVE POR and have stayed there since the Dixie Landings days. Love all the pics and can't wait to start adding my own !!!

Welcome aboard.

I'm shocked that your screen name hadn't been snatched up already.

 

[Venomhatch]

Mousefan4life i love your signature, I feel the same way. I need my fix also. I just found this thread three days ago and so far love it. I just signed up for this thread alone!

 

[MouseFan4Life]

Welcome aboard.

I'm shocked that your screen name hadn't been snatched up already.

I was pretty surprised as well......didn't expect it to be available. And TYVM for the welcome!!

 

[MouseFan4Life]

Mousefan4life i love your signature, I feel the same way. I need my fix also. I just found this thread three days ago and so far love it. I just signed up for this thread alone!

Yeah, same here.......first subscription !! I see you have a trip upcoming, we still don't have anything for sure, but are hoping for fall 2012. POR upgrades should be about done then !!!!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Almost! Not too much longer. Why does time seem to drag on while you're waiting to get there but it flies so fast after you arrive?
It's not fair! (insert tantrum here!)

Tell me about it!!! That's why we booked 11 nights this year, I'd have booked 2 weeks if it weren't so close to school start. As it is, we will miss both kids' Open Houses at school. Oh well, I hope they won't get lost at school.

 

[Venomhatch]

Tell me about it!!! That's why we booked 11 nights this year, I'd have booked 2 weeks if it weren't so close to school start. As it is, we will miss both kids' Open Houses at school. Oh well, I hope they won't get lost at school.

Yeah I agree. I went to 9 days myself, maybe next year we will do two weeks. Or just move there lol.

 

[countrymommy]

Well not really new to reading all the great posts, but new to posting. We went on our first family trip this past Dec and I tried so hard to convince the kids to stay here, but they wanted POP. We had a great time, but are planning a trip in Nov. 2012 and this time it will be POR! Can't wait and dh is excited too. Kids are just happy to be going back. Anyway, thanks for this thread and all the pics.

 

[jenny105]

Almost! Not too much longer. Why does time seem to drag on while you're waiting to get there but it flies so fast after you arrive?
It's not fair! (insert tantrum here!)

Tell me about it! I'm so excited when I first get there and can't wait to do everything and then before I know it, I'm waking up and getting ready to leave. I hate it!

 

[BDL]

Well not really new to reading all the great posts, but new to posting. We went on our first family trip this past Dec and I tried so hard to convince the kids to stay here, but they wanted POP. We had a great time, but are planning a trip in Nov. 2012 and this time it will be POR! Can't wait and dh is excited too. Kids are just happy to be going back. Anyway, thanks for this thread and all the pics.

Depending on which time in Nov you go (if it's late enough), I think you'll love the yule tide decorations at the main building. And don't forget to get a picture of the whole family in Santa's throne right by the Christmas tree.