Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[KAE2008]

OK we came home on Tues. last week & I have downloaded my pics so here is my first batch. Our first stay (we had to book 3 more nights as we were supposed to fly home to NH during the storm & flight got cancelled) so I had to book 3 more nights after we checked out the first time. I had requested Magnolia Bend but we got Oak Manor which worked out great as we were close to the main bldg. Our room # was 9208, 2nd floor.


It was good. Let me just mention I think people OBSESS WAY TOO MUCH on this thread & other threads about what section they will be in, what room they will have, will it be refurbed. You know what-how often are you in the room??? How often are you sitting there looking out the window???

I was in the hospital 2 weeks before our trip & did not know if we were going to even be able to go. I did not obsess about the room I just wanted to be there. It blows my mind sometimes when I read these posts & I think about the energy & worries about a room that you will not even be in much.

Anyway my rant is over & will post more pics in a bit.

Thank you SO much for the photos!!
I can't believe I'm really going to be there again. In just 18 days!
It's kinda weird - on one hand, it seems like it's taking forever to get here, but it also it feels like I'm running out of time - there's so much I still have to do!

 

[Venomhatch]

About people obsessing in this thread, just let them. Who gives a flying whatever about it. Your the only one that complained disneyfan61. Let them get excited and obsessed. It's an experience to wish to be perfect for all people vacationing. So you don't like it don't read it. It's just something I know I would want perfect for my family and for other families.

 

[Ziemba]

I have a party of 5 and we will be at POR on Dec. 15. Does anyone know if the rooms that sleep 5 have been updated yet? We have never stayed here so I'm really excited about it.

According to portorleans.org, building 36 is being worked on right now, and should be done around 11/13. They will then move on to buildings 37, 38, and 39. Each building should take approximately 2 week, so by the time you get there, 2 or three building in the Bayou (The ones that sleep 5) should be finished!

We are a family of 5 arriving on 11/29, an we are hoping to try out the refurbished rooms in 36 or 37. We will post back when we return (or while we're there) if we get into one!

 

[MAGGIED]

About people obsessing in this thread, just let them. Who gives a flying whatever about it. Your the only one that complained disneyfan61. Let them get excited and obsessed. It's an experience to wish to be perfect for all people vacationing. So you don't like it don't read it. It's just something I know I would want perfect for my family and for other families.

 

[gigi1313]

About people obsessing in this thread, just let them. Who gives a flying whatever about it. Your the only one that complained disneyfan61. Let them get excited and obsessed. It's an experience to wish to be perfect for all people vacationing. So you don't like it don't read it. It's just something I know I would want perfect for my family and for other families.

I am not an obsessor... i have too many variables (connecting rooms, near il's, 5ppl, ground floor, etc) to be able to allow myself to obsess because i would likely only end up disappointed... however, i totally appreciate other people's obsessing because it gives me a chance to learn the pros/cons of many different locations and what works/doesn't work for others, so when i do land wherever i land, i am armed with a brainload of information to make it work best for my family!

 

[Missytara]

So we are 19 days and counting... can hardly believe that it is now a reality.

Everyone is really excited, except for our five year old companion that still does not have any idea what is going on.

Yippee. Cannot wait to get to my home away from home.....

 

[Venomhatch]

I am not an obsessor... i have too many variables (connecting rooms, near il's, 5ppl, ground floor, etc) to be able to allow myself to obsess because i would likely only end up disappointed... however, i totally appreciate other people's obsessing because it gives me a chance to learn the pros/cons of many different locations and what works/doesn't work for others, so when i do land wherever i land, i am armed with a brainload of information to make it work best for my family!

Yeah I hear ya Gigi, I followed your trip and I know you have the requests for obvious reasons. I understand.

 

[andrewilley]

No first floor, queen beds and no parking lot view surely does not a request make

Absolutelty not!

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

According to portorleans.org, building 36 is being worked on right now, and should be done around 11/13. They will then move on to buildings 37, 38, and 39. Each building should take approximately 2 week, so by the time you get there, 2 or three building in the Bayou (The ones that sleep 5) should be finished!

In fact, the AB refurb plans appear to overlap a little, so more than one building might be worked on at the same time. By around 15 Dec, all four of those initial AB buildings should be done in readiness for the influx of guests for the two weeks of madness that is WDW at Christmas.

Andre

 

[disneyfan61]

Here is a few more for today:

Anyone want some pool & hot tub pics???

 

[Missytara]

Thank you , thank you, thank you for taking pics of some of my favorite places today.

I cannot wait to get there.

 

[Chicago Mo]

absolutely gorgeous.

 

[disneyfan61]

I have to agree with the two of you.
Early this year was my very first trip to Disney World and as much as I love the DIS boards and found so much information that made my trip so much more relaxing, enjoyable and cost effective. Choosing and worrying about what room I'd get turned out to be a waste of time and energy. I called and asked for top floor in a refurbished room. When I checked I was given second floor and upgraded to a river view. I loved my room and in the morning when my DD was getting ready I'd go out on the walkway with my cup of coffee and enjoy the peace and quite and relax with that amazing view. The thing is every view is great!

As far as the walk to and from the busses goes we got off at a different bus stop each night just so we could enjoy the walk back to our room.

Honestly unless you have very good reason ie health, small kids, family of five, connecting rooms I wouldn't worry about making any requests.

Just don't give me a ground level room i have a big fear of snakes and I don't want a view of a parking lot...oh yes and I would like queen sized beds too please.

Thank you!!

About people obsessing in this thread, just let them. Who gives a flying whatever about it. Your the only one that complained disneyfan61. Let them get excited and obsessed. It's an experience to wish to be perfect for all people vacationing. So you don't like it don't read it. It's just something I know I would want perfect for my family and for other families.

I do not read them anymore!! Just like to see the pics. And some people may not dare to comment like I did because of your response.

Thank you , thank you, thank you for taking pics of some of my favorite places today.

I cannot wait to get there.

I hope you have a wonderful time there. I will be posting a lot more pics. We had only planned to be there for 3 nights & with the snow storm at home we ended up being there 6 nights!!

 

[Venomhatch]

I do not read them anymore!! Just like to see the pics. And some people may not dare to comment like I did because of your response.

Well people come to get advice on their requests, tips etc. It doesn't matter if they want to be picky or not. But this site is for people to find out all the into they can to gain that knowledge. So please be positive towards them we all try to be nice to others, as well as I do think you take great shots so do feel free to post them. Great pics by the way.

 

[modegard]

After seeing Illuminations (we have a boat rented for the Illuminations Cruise), what would be the best way to get back to POR? Sounds like the busing is crazy after Illuminations because the whole place shuts down right afterwards. Is there boat service from the Yacht Club to POR?

Merilee

 

[andrewilley]

There's no bus service from the resorts to other resorts I'm afraid.

Also, after an Illuminations cruise (which normally depart from the Yacht Club dock) I don't know whether you'd be let back into Epcot at 9.30 anyway in order to make your way to the bus stops at the front of the park (unless it happens to be an EMH evening at Epcot).

So, depending on the opening hours at Studios, it might be worth getting a Friendship Boat over to the Studios, and then get the bus back to POR from there. Remember buses only run until about 1.5 hours after park closing though.

Otherwise, you'd need to go by bus from the Yacht Club and change at Downtown Disney.

To be honest though, given how much you've already spent on the evening for an Illuminations Cruise, I think I'd just get a cab from the Yacht Club- you'll be back at POR in ten minutes, and it'll only cost you $10-$15.

Andre

 

[gigi1313]

After seeing Illuminations (we have a boat rented for the Illuminations Cruise), what would be the best way to get back to POR? Sounds like the busing is crazy after Illuminations because the whole place shuts down right afterwards. Is there boat service from the Yacht Club to POR?

Merilee

there is no boat svc from YC to POR (i believe they are on different waterways) but you can do a variety of things to avoid the Epcot post Illuminations rush... you can go from the YC to DHS via boat or foot and catch the bus back to POR (check timing of Fantasmic! and park closing)... another option would be to take the bus from YC to DTD and catch either a bus or a boat back to POR... last but not least you could take a taxi...

 

[gigi1313]

There's no bus service from the resorts to other resorts I'm afraid.

Also, after an Illuminations cruise (which normally depart from the Yacht Club dock) I don't know whether you'd be let back into Epcot at 9.30 anyway in order to make your way to the bus stops at the front of the park (unless it happens to be an EMH evening at Epcot).

So, depending on the opening hours at Studios, it might be worth getting a Friendship Boat over to the Studios, and then get the bus back to POR from there. Remember buses only run until about 1.5 hours after park closing though.

Otherwise, you'd need to go by bus from the Yacht Club and change at Downtown Disney.

To be honest though, given how much you've already spent on the evening for an Illuminations Cruise, I think I'd just get a cab from the Yacht Club- you'll be back at POR in ten minutes, and it'll only cost you $10-$15.

Andre

great minds think alike!

 

[canadianmom2three]

Bit of an odd question - not sure if anyone can answer, but hopefully!

My kids love fishing, and we looked at booking the fishing charter, but it was just too $$$ for our budget. I read you can rent rods to fish off the dock, which seems quite reasonable to me, but my youngest is bent on bringing his own rod and lures. Does anyone know if catch and release fishing is allowed aside from renting a rod? Thanks

 

[KCmike]

KCMike that photo was beautiful where have you been?

Been so busy at work lately. I check in now and then but really its crazy in my family lately. My oldest daughter had a friend back into her car and it just seems like one thing after another. Thanks for the nice comments. I need to check in more often.