Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[mamathompson]

Sorry if this has already been answered....
We arrive at POR in 7 days!! I am wanting to ship some diapers and wipes and snacks from Amazon to our resort. Has anyone done this at POR before, any important info I need to know about?? Thanks!

 

[3sweetpeas]

Thanks! We didn't reserve a preferred room.. but we'd love to stay in the AB section. I know about the refurb but for us we love the feel of the AB section.

I agree! You will find there is something special about strolling through the lush pathways. It is so peaceful and relaxing and laid back! And did I say beautiful?

We were in building 16 earlier this year and thought it was perfect. The closest non preferred room to everything I thought. This building will not be refurbished soon though.

 

[GetGlowing]

You should give it a try before deciding to use your car. We have always used Disney transportation and never waited more than 15 min for our bus at POR. If you leave a park at closing time you need to be prepared for a long line and a potential wait, but they usually have several busses waiting or in route. For us it still beats driving our car. You may not like it, I know some people really have bad experiences but I say give it a shot and see what happens. Whatever you decide I hope you have a great trip!

We will. We'll be park hopping. And when we close a park, the sweepers are the ones pushing us out. I'd rather ride or see something than stand in a bus line. And since we plan 2 days at MK buses are easier than parking + ferry or monorail (though I love them both.)

 

[GetGlowing]

Also, bug spray needed?

 

[Travel Mum]

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?

Can someone that knows POR please answer my question? Thanks so much

 

[andrewilley]

Can someone that knows POR please answer my question? Thanks so much

It was answered by several people a day or two back. Basically yes, building 16 is definitely the best location of the "non-preferred" rooms in Alligator Bayou. 17 would be the next best.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

After a day a few pages of 'diversions' I thought I'd post something to get us back on topic... LOL

I'm playing around with a few game and puzzle ideas for my site, and have just done the first 12 pictures for a (for want of a better word) photo scavenger hunt. If anyone would like to test their Port Orleans knowledge, take a look at http://www.portorleans.org/scavenger-hunt.php and let me know how you get on. Currently the answers are disabled (mean, eh?) but the final version will let you click on each photo to show a full size picture with a location description. Oh alright, I've enabled the answer for photo 12 to give you the idea.

I'd be interested in people's thoughts on how difficult this is, as the idea is to have many pics that probably need you to look around the resort rather than knowing them all instantly. Please DON'T post actual answers here, but other discussion is fine.

Andre

 

[Travel Mum]

It was answered by several people a day or two back. Basically yes, building 16 is definitely the best location of the "non-preferred" rooms in Alligator Bayou. 17 would be the next best.

Andre

Oh great, thanks so much Andre - I'll try for it then

 

[Venomhatch]

After a day a few pages of 'diversions' I thought I'd post something to get us back on topic... LOL

I'm playing around with a few game and puzzle ideas for my site, and have just done the first 12 pictures for a (for want of a better word) photo scavenger hunt. If anyone would like to test their Port Orleans knowledge, take a look at http://www.portorleans.org/scavenger-hunt.php and let me know how you get on. Currently the answers are disabled (mean, eh?) but the final version will let you click on each photo to show a full size picture with a location description. Oh alright, I've enabled the answer for photo 12 to give you the idea.

I'd be interested in people's thoughts on how difficult this is, as the idea is to have many pics that probably need you to look around the resort rather than knowing them all instantly. Please DON'T post actual answers here, but other discussion is fine.

Andre

Wow Andre that looks very fun. No not too hard. Makes you think though. But very good idea. I definitly like it!

 

[disneylovr1]

Just resubscribing, I don't seen to be getting emails about new posts anymore. Does that expire if you don't post or something?

Just over 2 months until we check in - 4 rooms with my husband and 20 month old son (his second trip, or third if you count in utero!), parents, brother and SIL, and MIL. Hoping for a refurbished room even though we normally request Alligator Bayou, but will be happy anywhere.

I can hardly wait, but also don't want it to come too soon because then you blink and it's over.

 

[MomofMy2Princesses]

Andre- the 360 picture is gorgeous!! I love the look of the refurb! Simply beautiful! Reminds me of why we love POR and can't wait to go back next summer. Thanks again!

 

[klacey1]

In the standard refurb rooms, the layout is exactly the same as before - i.e. bath and WC are in one small room, with a door leading to the vanity area (which has two sinks) and then a curtain seperates that area from the main bedroom.

Accessible rooms have a door from the main bedroom leading to a combined roll-in shower, single handbasin, and WC room.

Andre

Our refurbed room had neither of these-- there was a solid, sliding door that separated the bedroom from the bathroom. In the bathroom (all in the same room) was one toilet, one sink, and a shower/tub.

 

[nkereina]

Our refurbed room had neither of these-- there was a solid, sliding door that separated the bedroom from the bathroom. In the bathroom (all in the same room) was one toilet, one sink, and a shower/tub.

This is what I thought you meant, which is why I posted that question (now several pages back)... was yours a handicap accessible room? Even if you don't need it/request it, you can still be placed in one in a pinch. I would assume there would have been a railing in the bathroom, step in shower rather than a bath tub (I'm assuming), light switches in the middle of the wall, etc.

 

[Venomhatch]

This is what I thought you meant, which is why I posted that question (now several pages back)... was yours a handicap accessible room? Even if you don't need it/request it, you can still be placed in one in a pinch. I would assume there would have been a railing in the bathroom, step in shower rather than a bath tub (I'm assuming), light switches in the middle of the wall, etc.

Yeah I agree with you I was confused to what he said. Sounds like a handicap accessible room also.

 

[andrewilley]

Our refurbed room had neither of these-- there was a solid, sliding door that separated the bedroom from the bathroom. In the bathroom (all in the same room) was one toilet, one sink, and a shower/tub.

There seem to be several 'levels' of Accessible rooms now, some have the roll-in shower and some have a tub/shower, but in all cases they seem to have one solid door into the whole vanity/bath/WC area, and only a single sink. Most now seem to have two queen beds (rather than the one King before).

They also all seem to have some extra space around the main entrance door area which has been created by removing the angled/recessed section of wall by the door. This creates a bit more space to store an ECV/etc. I spoke to one of the resort managers about this who said they would have loved to have been able to do this for all rooms, but cost-wise (and presumably time-wise) it would have been prohibitive as that work is structural rather than just decor.

Andre

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Hi there,
My kids are 14, 11 and 10. Admittedly, the older my kids get the tighter the fit. We have always stayed in AB and although the room interiors are nothing special, the outside is quite beautiful, more lush than the mansions. My kids are spoiled with full or queen beds and don't want to sleep together so in the past we have used the trundle and pushed the table against the door at night and put an air mattress where the table goes. That would be the first place I can think of for the pack and play. It could possibly go where the bench is by the bathrooms. If you stayed in the mansions, the pack and play could go between the door and the bed where the trundle goes. I think you can request a roll away but they are few and far between. When we haven't wanted to mess with the air mattress(we just stand it up against the wall during the day) we take the bedspreads and extra blankets and then a layer of sheets and make a bed on the floor. That would work well for your 3 year old. If you really want to stay in the Mansions section, I would do it now because in another year and a half, you won't be able to. I have never cared in the past but I really like the refurbished room (a page or 2 back Andre has a link to a picture)and would love to stay there but can't with my family of 5. I hope I haven't totally confused you. I'm typing this quickly

Thanks so much! I guess we should try for MB since it will prob be the last visit where we are a "family of 4." I will request a rollaway and if we don't get one we can make our own bed on the floor as you suggested. It just seems like the AB section has too much furniture to fit the PnP as well as pulling out the trundle. Thanks so much for your help!
Do the kiddos seem to like the pool area at POR? I think I read that we can go to the POFQ pool as well.
Does anyone ever pull a chair outside their door and sit to read or something during nap times? We usually have a balcony so it has never been a problem.

 

[Muddypaws]

I'd be interested in people's thoughts on how difficult this is, as the idea is to have many pics that probably need you to look around the resort rather than knowing them all instantly. Please DON'T post actual answers here, but other discussion is fine.

Very neat idea, Andre! I can guess where some of them are, but I can't say for sure. It is a good reminder to stop and take the time to really look at all the details.

 

[andrewilley]

It just seems like the AB section has too much furniture to fit the PnP as well as pulling out the trundle.

You can also fit a Pack'Play very nicely into the vanity area, which is great as you can close the curtain when you want to get the little one to sleep and still use the rest of the room.

Do the kiddos seem to like the pool area at POR? I think I read that we can go to the POFQ pool as well.

My DD loves the Ol' Man Island main pool (and while the POFQ slide very pretty to look at, the POR one is actually twice as long and more fun to ride) but as you say, if the six pools around POR are not quite what you want you are also able to use the POFQ one too. It's about a ten minute walk, or take the boat. There is a changing area there if you don't want to ride back in wet swimwear.

Does anyone ever pull a chair outside their door and sit to read or something during nap times? We usually have a balcony so it has never been a problem.

Yup, it's quite common. The slight recess by each doorway makes a lovely place to sit out. Because there are lots of access pathways and stairwells into each building, you don't get many people walking past you along the walkway either, it's actually very pleasant.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Very neat idea, Andre! I can guess where some of them are, but I can't say for sure. It is a good reminder to stop and take the time to really look at all the details.

I've got some more to add, but I wondered what people thought of the idea first.

I think I'll set up two versions of the page, the initial one without any answers. Then you have to click on a link to take you to the version of the page which allows the answers to be viewed too - otherwise it's too easy to inadvertantly click on a photo and see the answer pop up.

Andre

 

[Backstage_Gal]

After a day a few pages of 'diversions' I thought I'd post something to get us back on topic... LOL

I'm playing around with a few game and puzzle ideas for my site, and have just done the first 12 pictures for a (for want of a better word) photo scavenger hunt. If anyone would like to test their Port Orleans knowledge, take a look at http://www.portorleans.org/scavenger-hunt.php and let me know how you get on. Currently the answers are disabled (mean, eh?) but the final version will let you click on each photo to show a full size picture with a location description. Oh alright, I've enabled the answer for photo 12 to give you the idea.

I'd be interested in people's thoughts on how difficult this is, as the idea is to have many pics that probably need you to look around the resort rather than knowing them all instantly. Please DON'T post actual answers here, but other discussion is fine.

Andre

Great idea, I think I know one of them...