Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[3sweetpeas]

I know what you mean, sometimes I find myself shouting at my MP3 player when podcasts don't quite get their facts straight. However you need to remember that although a few are run by travel companies and/or as businesses, most are spare-time non-profit fan productions - and it's hard to know EVERYTHING about something as diverse as WDW. That's why my own site is so deliberately specific by the way; it's much easier to remain accurate and authoritative that way.

Overall though, WDW Today is by far my favourite Disney podcast. In fact, it's the only podcast that I listen to automatically as soon as it downloads. The hosts are genuinely enthusiastic about their subject matter, but never in a sycophantic way. They each have their own opinions which lends a nice balance to the show. OK, so I suspect that after nearly 1,000 episodes and close to 100 years of combined experience of visiting WDW they do tend to 'wing it' a bit rather than spending a lot of time pre-researching each topic (no quiet swimming pools Matt?) but that lends a great deal of spontaneity to the show. They are all very nice people too, which helps a lot.

The link to the recent Port Orleans episode is: http://www.studioscentralradio.com/shows/Episode_949_-_10-31-11.mp3. It may not come over fully in this episode as they are trying to present a balanced view, but Port Orleans is all of the hosts' favourite moderate resort. Perhaps they should have asked me on to help them out with the background facts though...

Andre

Ok, fine then. I will forgive them.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

We are so lucky to have the best source of accurate information right here, between lots of actual visitors and Andre! Andre, I very much appreciate all of your knowledge, research and information. Because of your wonderful information my daughters decided we HAVE to stay at POR for our upcoming trip. I'm sure we will all be spoiled after our stay!!

 

[Stan Solo]

Overall though, WDW Today is by far my favourite Disney podcast. In fact, it's the only podcast that I listen to automatically as soon as it downloads. The hosts are genuinely enthusiastic about their subject matter, but never in a sycophantic way. They each have their own opinions which lends a nice balance to the show. OK, so I suspect that after nearly 1,000 episodes and close to 100 years of combined experience of visiting WDW they do tend to 'wing it' a bit rather than spending a lot of time pre-researching each topic (no quiet swimming pools Matt?) but that lends a great deal of spontaneity to the show. They are all very nice people too, which helps a lot.

The link to the recent Port Orleans episode is: http://www.studioscentralradio.com/shows/Episode_949_-_10-31-11.mp3. It may not come over fully in this episode as they are trying to present a balanced view, but Port Orleans is all of the hosts' favourite moderate resort. Perhaps they should have asked me on to help them out with the background facts though...

Andre

Yep, I agree they do four-five podcasts a week! It can't be easy to do the reserch and come up with new ideas on your spare time. I listen to four Disney podcast and WDW today is the one I listen to just about every night as I drift off to sleep. As I said in my original post it wasn't a very accurate podcast but at least they knew where to go to get the information they needed, www.portorleans.net! It seemed to me like this time they just turned on the microphones started talking. Matt and the gang are usually a good source for Disney info.

I find from the podcasts that I listen to most of the time they are done by locals that spend a lot of time at the parks but very little at the resorts so that is where their knowledge is.

 

[Stan Solo]

If you want to listen to a great Disney podcast this is probley the best one I've ever heard http://www.studioscentralradio.com/shows/Episode_928_-_09-12-11.mp3 it's also by WDW today. It's about the events that happened during 9/11 in Disney World/Land. I know it's way but it shows what WDW Today can do when they do the reserch.

 

[andrewilley]

but at least they knew where to go to get the information they needed, www.portorleans.net!

Where???


Andre

 

[chirurgeon]

I have been having some concerns about transportation. I have always depended on Disney Transportation for my trips. I have never rented a car for my trips. I am staying at POR for my upcoming trip and the buses are giving me some pause. The crowding factor is my main worry. I have usually stayed at POFQ and not had a problem. What has been the experience of others who have used Disney buses as opposed to a rental car?

TIA

Kim

 

[andrewilley]

What has been the experience of others who have used Disney buses as opposed to a rental car?

The big problem is that buses are just not consistent anywhere at Disney.

For every person who says they didn't wait for more than two minutes during their whole vacation, someone else reports a 45-minute wait. And they're probably both right. Nothing anyone says here will guarantee what your own expereince will turn out to be.

All I can say is the only time I personally have had very long delays is when coming back to POR from the parks at peak times, such as after fireworks. I think everyone tends to agree on that one. For those times, I suggest either leaving early or hang around for a while after the shows and soak up the evening atmosphere while the crowds thin out and the bus queues go down.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Where???


Andre

I love it. He meant to say www.portorleans.org

 

[ajcolorado]

Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort

5:30 - Campfire on de' Bayou (Adjacent to the children's playground)

7:00PM - Movie In the Courtyard at Oak Manor (Building 90)

Sunday - Cars 2 (Rated PG)
Monday - James & The Giant Peach (Rated PG)
Tuesday - Enchanted (Rated PG)
Wednesday - Hercules (Rated G)
Thursday - Bolt (Rated PG)
Friday - Tangled (Rated PG)
Saturday - Winnie the Pooh (2011 - Rated G)

We post the schedule on the first of each month at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-outdoormovie.php#por

 

[LONES]

I have a quick question that I'm afraid I already know the answer to.....

Can you have more than 2 people in a king room? It would be me, DH and a 5year old. All they have available the week we want to go is King. It really wouldn't be a problem, as the 5 year old is in a queen bed with us at home 90% of the time anyway ..... but I'm thinking Disney won't allow it???

 

[ajcolorado]

I have a quick question that I'm afraid I already know the answer to.....

Can you have more than 2 people in a king room? It would be me, DH and a 5year old. All they have available the week we want to go is King. It really wouldn't be a problem, as the 5 year old is in a queen bed with us at home 90% of the time anyway ..... but I'm thinking Disney won't allow it???

It is my understanding that the handicap access rooms with King Beds can add a child. I don't know about the regular king bedded rooms. I would call 407-WDisney and ask - if the agent doesn't seem helpful, ask them to check with guest servcies.

 

[andrewilley]

Sorry, forgot to repost this here yesterday after the Halloween one:



Click for full-size version.

Andre

 

[mickeyplanner]

We will be there September 17 for our first stay at POR. I am going to call and put in a request for Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace since the mansions appeal to me more. I can't wait to see POR in person!

Thank you Andre for starting the new thread.

Did you get to stay in one of those buildings? We are staying at POR for 3 nights prior to going over to BLT, I am glad I found this thread.

 

[Stan Solo]

Where???


Andre

I love it. He meant to say www.portorleans.org

Oops my bad sorry about that, I was typing portorleans.org but was thinking theforce.net both of these sights I frequent on a regular basis and are not .com's.

 

[twokids0204]

I booked a Standard Room for Aug 2012.

The room info still said 2 double beds.

Will there still be double beds after the refurb is complete?

I am rolling the dice on booking that room, and hoping for Queens.

Any thoughts?

 

[Stan Solo]

I booked a Standard Room for Aug 2012.

The room info still said 2 double beds.

Will there still be double beds after the refurb is complete?

I am rolling the dice on booking that room, and hoping for Queens.

Any thoughts?

That's odd becuse I booked for Aug 2012 last week and I'm sure the room info was for queen beds. when in Aug are you going? I'm going Aug 27-31.

 

[twokids0204]

That's odd becuse I booked for Aug 2012 last week and I'm sure the room info was for queen beds. when in Aug are you going? I'm going Aug 27-31.

19 -> 26

We booked it about a month ago.

I called up afterwards and "requested" that they note a preference of Queen Bed. But it was only a request, I didn't book an upgraded room to guarantee it.

 

[Stan Solo]

I went back to check and on the Disney sight the new garden view (the one that I booked) states queen sized beds along with the new royal rooms. All the other views still have double beds listed.

It looks like we are both right. I would think that by next Aug all the double beds will be nothing but a distant memory. Along with the lack of wifi at the resort.

 

[Sue M]

To those hoping to get a refirbed room, best of luck. They really try to honor room requests, if one is available when you arrive.
In Aug, I had a request on my res. for a new room, and got it. We did arrive early.
Good luck to you both.

 

[twokids0204]

I went back to check and on the Disney sight the new garden view (the one that I booked) states queen sized beds along with the new royal rooms. All the other views still have double beds listed.

It looks like we are both right. I would think that by next Aug all the double beds will be nothing but a distant memory. Along with the lack of wifi at the resort.

I hope you are right...