Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[Venomhatch]

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow members.

 

[Sue M]

Okay, everyone, so I am off to the World on Saturday; will be back very, very, very late the following Saturday.

Will try to post from my smartphone if I have time.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[KCmike]

Where was this one at? Building 18?

momofmikey is correct. We were in building 38 which was a long haul from the mill.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

It's been so long since I've been on this thread, I feel like a newbie.

Was over at Andre's site at the AB refurb and I like it even better than the last one. Did not expect the beds to fit the headboards so well (at FQ the queen beds look silly on the dbl frame). LOVE the new bedspreads, sink curtain...shower head...it all looks great - as do the Mansions so far.

Did anyone else think a small child might fall right off the Murphy Bed? Still like it better than the trundle, but did wonder about a child rolling off.

Disney is definitely doing a fantastic refurb at POR - so much so that I am thinking maybe we should stay here for my DGD's first WDW trip in Jan of 2013. She'll be 4 and a few mos - thinking Jan (after the marathon) will be a nice quiet time for her first trip. I was going to suggest WL to my DD and SiL, but we'll need 2 rooms so POR will a bit easier on the budget and freshly refurbished.

I might be one of the few who like the parking lot view in Bldg 15 - still a short and easy stroll to the Food court/ lobby - although not as pretty as from some other AB buildings.

Happy Thanksgiving to all...and for those about to leave, have a fabulous trip!

 

[KAE2008]

I'm all ready and have everything packed (I hope).
Getting picked up in half an hour. Our flight takes off from Milwaukee at 7:30.
Had my alarm set, but I woke up before it went off.
Checking the web on last time before we go.
I'm bringing my iPod Touch along, but without WiFi, I won't be online.

I'm so happy right now!
Thanks again everyone!
See ya!

 

[Emilylou]

Can you tell me what kind of coffee makers are in the rooms at POR?

I am starting to stress out over all the talk of yucky coffee at WDW. I am a person that NEEDS at least 2 cups of good coffee twice a day.
I suffer from terrible migraines, and messing with the coffee is a sure trigger for them.

We decided to fly so bringing my Keruirg and Kcups are out of question.

 

[Sue M]

In Aug they still had the 4 cup coffee makers. They supply Nescafe. You can find coffee in 4 cup size bags, we took Maxwell House filter packs.

They are starting to replace the coffee makers with the Cusinart Pod machines, but I don't know if it will be just the deluxe or going to the moderates too. Currently they are replacing the deluxe coffee makers.

 

[goofyredraider]

So, I called to adjust our dates on our reservation (adding two on the end of our trip that starts May 26 -June 6) and was told there is NO availability (family of 5) for June 7 & 8. I'm assuming this is because the last 50% of refurbs start a) a few weeks before we arrive OR b) start while we get there. I was pretty bummed that we can't add days, but I guess that means we have a high likelihood for a refurbed room? Anyway, I'm not sure what I"m going to do yet. I might have to do a split stay.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Can you tell me what kind of coffee makers are in the rooms at POR?

I am starting to stress out over all the talk of yucky coffee at WDW. I am a person that NEEDS at least 2 cups of good coffee twice a day.
I suffer from terrible migraines, and messing with the coffee is a sure trigger for them.

We decided to fly so bringing my Keruirg and Kcups are out of question.

I bring a small french press and my own coffee, then I use the hot water at the drink fountains. It works great to have my "good" coffee! Plus a french press is pretty easy to pack.

 

[gigi1313]

From how she described her, we will probably get some amazing shots. When it gets closer to our time, people will have to give me a list of what they want shots of. So I can cover everyone's ?s.

well, i have some bad news re: dd and her camera/pics... first there were some malfunction issues, then a full memory card and inability to find a "proper" (aka professional) memory card to replace it, followed by many tears and a few stomped feet, couple that with being what felt like miles from a refurbed room (building 24) despite numerous requests to get one, and well, i have not seen a single photo from our 7 day trip and after flying in very late last night, dd found a way to get to her best friend's house early today (to avoid unpacking/laundry/etc perhaps?) and will not be home 'til tomorrow when homework will ensue followed by school on monday...

more updates hopefully to follow!!

(oh, but our trip was mostly magical, i wasn't thrilled w/building 24 'cept that we were pool-front, mosquitoes were out in full force, boatwrights was excellent, resort transportation top notch with an exception at DHS one night!)

 

[Venomhatch]

well, i have some bad news re: dd and her camera/pics... first there were some malfunction issues, then a full memory card and inability to find a "proper" (aka professional) memory card to replace it, followed by many tears and a few stomped feet, couple that with being what felt like miles from a refurbed room (building 24) despite numerous requests to get one, and well, i have not seen a single photo from our 7 day trip and after flying in very late last night, dd found a way to get to her best friend's house early today (to avoid unpacking/laundry/etc perhaps?) and will not be home 'til tomorrow when homework will ensue followed by school on monday...

more updates hopefully to follow!!

(oh, but our trip was mostly magical, i wasn't thrilled w/building 24 'cept that we were pool-front, mosquitoes were out in full force, boatwrights was excellent, resort transportation top notch with an exception at DHS one night!)

Wow I am so sorry to hear about your DSLR memory card malfunction and the Skeeters. Our lock onetime in our room safe pulled right out of the lock cylinder in 2010. So we were scared about the room that year. That was in the mansions. But all in all glad you had some magic grace your trip. DD just missed their best friend. So I am sure we will see your pics eventually lol. Have a great weekend of rest.

 

[Stan Solo]

In Aug they still had the 4 cup coffee makers. They supply Nescafe. You can find coffee in 4 cup size bags, we took Maxwell House filter packs.

They are starting to replace the coffee makers with the Cusinart Pod machines, but I don't know if it will be just the deluxe or going to the moderates too. Currently they are replacing the deluxe coffee makers.

This is the first I've heard about Pod machines. This is some great news!

Anybody know if these will be the 'K' cups or some other type?

The thing that I did not like about the coffee situation was the fact that they did not have lids for the cups. I like to make a cup of joe in the room and bring it with me and enjoy it while I walk/wait for the bus. A couple of times I had to dump my coffee before boarding the bus because I did not want to bring coffee on the bus without a lid.

As far as getting coffee headaches I get them bad. The Disney coffee was not bad and best of all I did not get one headache my entire trip.

 

[andrewilley]

then a full memory card and inability to find a "proper" (aka professional) memory card to replace it

Sorry to hear that, I hope she still managed to get some nice vacation pics generally though.

Golden rule of digital photography at WDW: work out home much card space you'll need, then double it. Then take at least twice that amount as separate cards (e.g. take 2 x 8GB cards rather than 1 x 16GB, etc). I usually carry about 20GB worth of CompactFlash with me, and offload pics nightly onto backup storage (laptop is easiest) and also recharge batteries.

On my last two-week trip I came back with about 52GB of pics in total (to be fair a lot of them were shot in RAW mode which tends to eat up memory cards at an alarming rate).

Glad you enjoyed the resort generally though - even if you were stuck out in building 24, which is a bit of a trek from anywhere.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

This is the first I've heard about Pod machines. This is some great news!

Anybody know if these will be the 'K' cups or some other type?

The thing that I did not like about the coffee situation was the fact that they did not have lids for the cups. I like to make a cup of joe in the room and bring it with me and enjoy it while I walk/wait for the bus. A couple of times I had to dump my coffee before boarding the bus because I did not want to bring coffee on the bus without a lid.

As far as getting coffee headaches I get them bad. The Disney coffee was not bad and best of all I did not get one headache my entire trip.

I know we dread a day without our k cup machine. So it would be nice if they put something like those in the rooms at POR. Then I would just have to know what version of the cups to bring k, or pods, etc. and bring our favorite flavors along.

 

[Venomhatch]

Golden rule of digital photography at WDW: work out home much card space you'll need, then double it. Then take at least twice that amount as separate cards (e.g. take 2 x 8GB cards rather than 1 x 16GB, etc). I usually carry about 20GB worth of CompactFlash with me, and offload pics nightly onto backup storage (laptop is easiest) and also recharge batteries.

On my last two-week trip I came back with about 52GB of pics in total (to be fair a lot of them were shot in RAW mode which tends to eat up memory cards at an alarming rate).

Andre

Yeah I am going down with 2x 32gb and 1x 16gb so I am preparing incase the wdw memory card bug catches me. Then carrying a portable USB hd and laptop so I can transfer them to that.

 

[softballmom3]

Just returned from an 8 day stay at POR and the new refurb rooms were very nice. We were in building 37...first to stay in this room. I have no new pics to post as they look the exact same as another poster put.

One comment on the bus transportation-----excellent. I had heard horror stories but the most we ever waited for a bus was at Epcot and was about 15 minutes. We always got on at the North Depot and the crowds are pretty sparse here. Had seating most of the time also except when we would give it up for someone in need.

Later this week after I wind down I will probably post some pics. We were also on free dining and let me tell you it was entirely too much food for one person to consume! We will not be doing that again unless it's "free."

Best meal was 'Ohana (AWESOME!)....worst probably Boma (not too good at all).

BTW.....even though it was nice to have a refurb I felt like we were out in the Boonies!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

Just returned from an 8 day stay at POR and the new refurb rooms were very nice. We were in building 37...first to stay in this room. I have no new pics to post as they look the exact same as another poster put.

One comment on the bus transportation-----excellent. I had heard horror stories but the most we ever waited for a bus was at Epcot and was about 15 minutes. We always got on at the North Depot and the crowds are pretty sparse here. Had seating most of the time also except when we would give it up for someone in need.

Later this week after I wind down I will probably post some pics. We were also on free dining and let me tell you it was entirely too much food for one person to consume! We will not be doing that again unless it's "free."

Best meal was 'Ohana (AWESOME!)....worst probably Boma (not too good at all).

BTW.....even though it was nice to have a refurb I felt like we were out in the Boonies!!!

Good to know about the Ohana we have reservations this Feb for it. We cant wait!

 

[Sue M]

This is the first I've heard about Pod machines. This is some great news!

Anybody know if these will be the 'K' cups or some other type?

The thing that I did not like about the coffee situation was the fact that they did not have lids for the cups. I like to make a cup of joe in the room and bring it with me and enjoy it while I walk/wait for the bus. A couple of times I had to dump my coffee before boarding the bus because I did not want to bring coffee on the bus without a lid.

As far as getting coffee headaches I get them bad. The Disney coffee was not bad and best of all I did not get one headache my entire trip.

From what I've heard, no, not K-Cup type. On the WL thread someone posted pics- It's Cusinart, and they can brew 2 cups at a time. I've had those in other hotels, there are 2 brewing chambers, and they are round disc type single cup pods of coffee. Very excited to have them in our WL room in Jan.
I hope they are put in all the mods too. But a little dissapointed they didn't go with the K-Cup makers.

I get the resort mugs, so I just put my morning coffee in the mug to take on the bus. I have a cup in the room, then on the way out I'll stop at the food court for my to-go coffee

 

[Venomhatch]

From what I've heard, no, not K-Cup type. On the WL thread someone posted pics- It's Cusinart, and they can brew 2 cups at a time. I've had those in other hotels, there are 2 brewing chambers, and they are round disc type single cup pods of coffee. Very excited to have them in our WL room in Jan.
I hope they are put in all the mods too. But a little dissapointed they didn't go with the K-Cup makers.

I get the resort mugs, so I just put my morning coffee in the mug to take on the bus. I have a cup in the room, then on the way out I'll stop at the food court for my to-go coffee

I was disappointed when you said no kcup either. I have a keurig and would have already had my cups to bring in mind lol. If the POR has them in feb I will have to find a compatable version for my favorite.

 

[Missytara]

Can you tell me what kind of coffee makers are in the rooms at POR?

I am starting to stress out over all the talk of yucky coffee at WDW. I am a person that NEEDS at least 2 cups of good coffee twice a day.
I suffer from terrible migraines, and messing with the coffee is a sure trigger for them.

We decided to fly so bringing my Keruirg and Kcups are out of question.

I am here now: they are Mr. Coffee pots and the coffee is Cafe Valet.


Head over to allearsnet and do a search for coffee. I traveled with two coffee people a few yeafs ago. They tell you which resorts and which places in the parks have decent coffee. They will tell you brands or if it is pressed coffee.