Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[GetGlowing]

We have been looking forward to the public transportation while at WDW, but after all these poor bus reviews, maybe we'll just use our own car. *sigh*

 

[Travel Mum]

We just got back Tuesday evening from a 15 day stay. We had a wonderful trip at POR. Stayed in AB building 16. We did not pay for a preferred room but the location was still very nice. Close enough. This was our favorate Disney trip and we have been on 5. All of which have been 2 weeks long. We relaxed and did not let the little things get to us. We will definately stay at POR again but never without the meal plan. Our first 3 nights were before FD started so we went with a room discount. Thought we would like the freedom but hated the expense. Way too much money for food. And that is with only eating CS.

That is so helpful to know thanks! As a family-of-five, we will be in AB and we have not paid for a preferred so I was wondering what building to request that would still mean we were close to the main buildings. Apart from the preferred ones, would building 16 be the closest AB building to the food court and main bus depot?

 

[Travel Mum]

Also the bus stop at the Main Bldg, is not for the weak!!!! You have to be cut throat if you want to get on a bus there!!!!

I'm a newbie and OMG that sounds scary. Can you explain what you mean please?

I presumed that the main building bus stop was the one to go for in order to have the best chance of getting a seat compared to the other stops - is that not true?

 

[Missytara]

I'm a newbie and OMG that sounds scary. Can you explain what you mean please?

I presumed that the main building bus stop was the one to go for in order to have the best chance of getting a seat compared to the other stops - is that not true?

The main bus depot is crowded in the morning, especially around 30 minutes before rope drop. It is so much more convenient to go to the food court for breakfast and then out to the main depot for the bus. Quite frankly, I go back to my building and use the perimeter stops in the morning.

 

[Venomhatch]

I'm a newbie and OMG that sounds scary. Can you explain what you mean please?

I presumed that the main building bus stop was the one to go for in order to have the best chance of getting a seat compared to the other stops - is that not true?

It is easier even though you have to base you getting on the bus as a strategic operation, but it is easier to get the bus there. Because when they fill up at south depot they dont stop at any of the other stops. Hints if you went to one of the other stops you will see buses go by without stopping.

 

[Venomhatch]

OK folks, you wanted to see what the Magnolia Bend refurbished rooms look like? I don't think I can post this file format directly into the DIS, but will this do...?

http://www.portorleans.org/images/panoramas/POR-MB-Room-2011-3618-pano360.swf



(Sorry for the wait, I needed to get home to use my main PC as the laptop didn't really have enough grunt to fully adjust and process the image. I hope to have a French Quarter version up over the next day or two too)

Andre

Wow very nice!!! But!!!!! Where is this tall dresser I remember seeing next to the tv in some pics, atleast I remember seeing one I think? Whats up with only three drawers to put clothes in? Not like the older rooms where you can have six drawers and a separate area for fridge.

 

[andrewilley]

Where is this tall dresser I remember seeing next to the tv in some pics, atleast I remember seeing one I think? Whats up with only three drawers to put clothes in?

The 'tall dresser' you mention is a wardrobe that is only provided in Accessible rooms.

I tend to agree that the new units significantly reduce the available storage space - especially for a family of four who may well want one drawer each. The original POR armoires provided four decent-sized drawers, plus shelf space beneath and also next to the TV.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

The 'tall dresser' you mention is a wardrobe that is only provided in Accessible rooms.

I tend to agree that the new units significantly reduce the available storage space - especially for a family of four who may well want one drawer each. The original POR armoires provided four decent-sized drawers, plus shelf space beneath and also next to the TV.

Andre

Ohh ok I thought when I saw the tall dresser it made sense at that point to have a smaller under tv dresser. But if the tall one is not included that makes no sense if a family wants to actually put their clothes up. I am going to miss those old POR armoires. I wont miss the top part, just the storage to put away clothes.

What I don't get is the new dresser the tv sits on cant be too much bigger, foot print wise, than the tall armoire it was in. So why combine the fridge into that dresser? Just to put a bigger bench in the corner? That's dumb!

But thanks for the panoramic picture, that is what I was waiting for.

 

[nkereina]

are there different size rooms at POR, namely in the mansions, or are they all the same size? The room in the panoramic shot that Andre posted seems small compared to the one I stayed in last time that I'm trying to remember - it was in Magnolia Terrace, 3rd floor facing courtyard, 2 DB. The new furniture doesn't look like it takes up any more room. Maybe it just seems bigger when you're there vs. looking at pics??

 

[Venomhatch]

are there different size rooms at POR, namely in the mansions, or are they all the same size? The room in the panoramic shot that Andre posted seems small compared to the one I stayed in last time that I'm trying to remember - it was in Magnolia Terrace, 3rd floor facing courtyard, 2 DB. The new furniture doesn't look like it takes up any more room. Maybe it just seems bigger when you're there vs. looking at pics??

I agree, chairs are the same with the table, as in occupied space. The tv stand is just a tad bit bigger width wise space than the original tv/dresser but not enough to combine the fridge into it. I am a little disappointed with the storage space for clothes.

 

[calngavinsmom]

OK folks, you wanted to see what the Magnolia Bend refurbished rooms look like? I don't think I can post this file format directly into the DIS, but will this do...?

http://www.portorleans.org/images/panoramas/POR-MB-Room-2011-3618-pano360.swf



(Sorry for the wait, I needed to get home to use my main PC as the laptop didn't really have enough grunt to fully adjust and process the image. I hope to have a French Quarter version up over the next day or two too)

Andre

Definitely worth the wait! Thank-you Andre......I think they are very pretty and am hoping to snag one for our trip in October!

Thanks again

 

[mcraw]

Storage space does look limited! Is there still space between the bed and wall? We put our empty suitcases there last time. Looks like we will have to bring some kind of hanging storage rack for our clothes? The room does look beautiful and I will be very excited to get one.

 

[Venomhatch]

Storage space does look limited! Is there still space between the bed and wall? We put our empty suitcases there last time. Looks like we will have to bring some kind of hanging storage rack for our clothes? The room does look beautiful and I will be very excited to get one.

Do you mean in the area over by the bathroom wall by the bed?

Or do you mean by the wall where the door is and the head of the first bed?


Because both of those spots I was curious about. I usually set the ironing board up over by the door spot and put my suitcase on that.

 

[Missytara]

are there different size rooms at POR, namely in the mansions, or are they all the same size? The room in the panoramic shot that Andre posted seems small compared to the one I stayed in last time that I'm trying to remember - it was in Magnolia Terrace, 3rd floor facing courtyard, 2 DB. The new furniture doesn't look like it takes up any more room. Maybe it just seems bigger when you're there vs. looking at pics??

The rooms are all the same size.

FWIW - I think it appears to have a bit more room between the armoire and the table and chairs.

I will miss those top two small drawers; when we had four people a few years ago in one room (like my travel companions will), I always took the top two small drawers and let the other three people have the big drawers.

I actually think the closet looks bigger; I know it cannot be, and there is the storage unit now, but it just appears to have more depth in the closet area.

Overall, I really like it!

 

[Venomhatch]

Hey Andre, KC, Or anyone...

Does anyone have a close shot of the TV/AV input area on the new refurb rooms?

 

[Missytara]

Hey Andre, KC, Or anyone...

Does anyone have a close shot of the TV/AV input area on the new refurb rooms?

I would say it is most likely behind the armoire and may be pretty hard to move it to get a photo, unless you are talking about the unit itself????

 

[Venomhatch]

I would say it is most likely behind the armoire and may be pretty hard to move it to get a photo, unless you are talking about the unit itself????

Yeah a shot of what you see without moving it. I just want to see waht ports there are and have a good pic.

 

[3sweetpeas]

So I guess now I'm kind of jealous. We are a family of 5 and in the past I've not cared that we were AB only. I actually like the foliage of AB and didn't love the decor of mansions or AB particularly. But nowww... I think the mansion refurbed rooms are really nicely done and I'm pouting because I want to stay there. It makes me really wonder what AB rooms will look like. Does anyone have a clue?

 

[Rekenna]

tall dresser

They did this at POP too when the rooms were refurbed. There were openeings like shelves in the dresser and only like 3 drawers-they got rid of the large tv cabinet/dresser combos when they went to the flat screen tv's.

We don't fly so I was able to bring some small bins for everyone to put their underclothes/socks in and I brought extra hangers and we hung most of our stuff. I think they are really trying to give more "living space" in the rooms and make them more contemporary in look and feel. Also, in the mod rooms they are all going to queen beds, so taking up more room with the bed.

For me, I take it as a challenge to pack less-my vow this trip,"I will pack less, I will not pack things I only think I need, I will not pack my whole medicine cabinet" yeah, right! We'll see how this works out!

 

[Missytara]

So I guess now I'm kind of jealous. We are a family of 5 and in the past I've not cared that we were AB only. I actually like the foliage of AB and didn't love the decor of mansions or AB particularly. But nowww... I think the mansion refurbed rooms are really nicely done and I'm pouting because I want to stay there. It makes me really wonder what AB rooms will look like. Does anyone have a clue?

They haven't started any AB rooms, so we don't know. As soon as they are completed and someone manages to get pictures, you know Andre will post them here and on his website.