Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[Cynthiagayle01]

We got back from POR on Dec 3rd. We were in building 39 which had not be refurbed yet. They were working on 38 and finishing up 37 while we were there. We stayed Nov 27-Dec 3rd. The North Depot was never crowded. The few times we got on at the South Depot it was just a mad house. Crazy busy. Building 39 could definitely use the refurb. Otherwise, we had nice time. CMs were very nice as normal and the walk to food court wasn't as bad from building 39 as it was from 24 the last time. Can't wait for the next trip.

 

[Stan Solo]

I've searched and didn't find the answer to this... would like your input...

O.k., so is the South Depot a much better option than the other two depots in the AB section of POR? From what I gather, South Depot is always picked up and dropped off first.

So by the time the bus gets to the North or West Depot, is it generally pretty full? How much time does is take for the bus to get from the South Depot to the North or West Depots?

Please share any info you can with regards to this, as I'm trying to figure out if a preferred room is definately the way to go from a bus standpoint.

Dan

Hi Dan, I think the whole issue with the busses all depends on the time of year you go and the time of day you head out to the parks. We went on the last week of August (a very slow week) and made it to every park before rope drop. We did not have one issue with the busses other then the day we went to AK. We got on at the South bus stop (I think there was a family of five, my DD and myself) then had huge crowds at the West and North stop. Our bus was now so full that we didn't even stop a FQ. I believe that the driver called some where to let them know that he was full and would not be stopping at FQ.

If you are going in September again I don't think you will have any issues with the busses.

When we went we enjoyed the feel of the resort so much that every night we got off at a different stop just so we could enjoy the walk back to our room. The walk from FQ is long but so relaxing.

 

[KAE2008]

I love the South Depot. That's why I took the photos I did. Everything I've experienced at the parks began there. It's been the point of departure for all my Disney adventures.
We never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a bus and most of the time a coordinator was there asking where we were headed.
I could never get worked up about the buses or the crowds. I miss them both.
I would give anything to be at the South Depot right now, standing with everyone, waiting for a bus to the parks.

*sigh*

 

[DisneyGuess]

Our kids are almost the same ages minus the 2 year old. I would love to hear how it went when you get back!

Have you given your older kids a pep talk about "togetherness"? We're still almost 3 months out and I'm giving pep talks. We usually split a 2 wk stay....half on site and half in a condo off site. Last year we were 5 nights at POR and 3 nights in a 1 BR at Kidani and then off for 4. This will be the longest stay at POR for us so I'm a bit nervous. We also had 2 rooms last year.

So...I'd love to hear how it goes!

Have a great time! Jealous!!!

Yes, I would also love to know how your family togetherness goes, too!

I will let you know, lol. It should be interesting! No "pep" talks yet, the kids don't even know we're going yet. They find out in the morning at the airport!

 

[DisneyGuess]

Our kids are almost the same ages minus the 2 year old. I would love to hear how it went when you get back!

Have you given your older kids a pep talk about "togetherness"? We're still almost 3 months out and I'm giving pep talks. We usually split a 2 wk stay....half on site and half in a condo off site. Last year we were 5 nights at POR and 3 nights in a 1 BR at Kidani and then off for 4. This will be the longest stay at POR for us so I'm a bit nervous. We also had 2 rooms last year.

So...I'd love to hear how it goes!

Have a great time! Jealous!!!

Yes, I would also love to know how your family togetherness goes, too!

I will definately let you know how are "family togetherness" goes, hehe. No "pep" talk yet, that will happen in the morning. The boys don't know we're going to Disney yet, they find out at the airport, in the morning.
Tonight, we're driving 3 hours to the airport & staying in a hotel, they just think we're going to visit some friends over the weekend.

 

[3sweetpeas]

I will definately let you know how are "family togetherness" goes, hehe. No "pep" talk yet, that will happen in the morning. The boys don't know we're going to Disney yet, they find out at the airport, in the morning.
Tonight, we're driving 3 hours to the airport & staying in a hotel, they just think we're going to visit some friends over the weekend.

How wonderful! I would love to be able to pull a surprise like that off! Have a great time!

 

[DisneyFive]

As the PP stated, it is not always the same order. I was on buses that dropped off first at POFQ and then proceeded all the way around to the other depots, dropping off last at the South depot.

It was clear in the morning a lot of buses also made the loop before getting to the south depot, because they were almost always full very early in the morning.

We used the depot for the Acadian House where we were staying and it was wonderful. I now prefer it to the South depot.

Typically and this is just my opinion, yes much better at the south depot. From my stays there I never have an issue at the south depot. I love the preferred room, the only benefits to them are the closeness to the Main Building and Bus Station. I stayed in building 14 this year in Feb and loved being able to walk down stairs and maybe 30 feet to the food court. But the room options aren't any different in my opinion. Just locations.

We are back from our 8 night stay at POR. We were in AB building 36.

The walk to the north bus stop wasn't bad although we did get lost a few times building 37 would have been closer but we did just fine. I liked getting on at the north stop. Most days the bus only went to one other stop and left for the park. At the north stop there were never all that many people. The one day we got on at the south the stop was packed. Everyone rushed for the bus I didn't like it at all. We rarely shared with FQ only leaving some of the parks.

I thought there was enough storage. I put the 3 kids' clothes in the drawers under the trundle. Ours under the sinks. Food on the little shelves next to the fridge.

We got back from POR on Dec 3rd. We were in building 39 which had not be refurbed yet. They were working on 38 and finishing up 37 while we were there. We stayed Nov 27-Dec 3rd. The North Depot was never crowded. The few times we got on at the South Depot it was just a mad house. Crazy busy. Building 39 could definitely use the refurb. Otherwise, we had nice time. CMs were very nice as normal and the walk to food court wasn't as bad from building 39 as it was from 24 the last time. Can't wait for the next trip.

Hi Dan, I think the whole issue with the busses all depends on the time of year you go and the time of day you head out to the parks. We went on the last week of August (a very slow week) and made it to every park before rope drop. We did not have one issue with the busses other then the day we went to AK. We got on at the South bus stop (I think there was a family of five, my DD and myself) then had huge crowds at the West and North stop. Our bus was now so full that we didn't even stop a FQ. I believe that the driver called some where to let them know that he was full and would not be stopping at FQ.

If you are going in September again I don't think you will have any issues with the busses.

When we went we enjoyed the feel of the resort so much that every night we got off at a different stop just so we could enjoy the walk back to our room. The walk from FQ is long but so relaxing.

I love the South Depot. That's why I took the photos I did. Everything I've experienced at the parks began there. It's been the point of departure for all my Disney adventures.
We never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a bus and most of the time a coordinator was there asking where we were headed.
I could never get worked up about the buses or the crowds. I miss them both.
I would give anything to be at the South Depot right now, standing with everyone, waiting for a bus to the parks.

*sigh*

Thank you all for the replies. So it sounds like the bus issue really isn't THAT big of a deal at the other locations such as the North and West Depot. I sounds like I should choose the preferred rooms more based on location to the main buildings and main pool, and if that's important to me.

If we go in 2012, it will be late Sept again most likely so all the AB rooms should be refurbished anyway. I'm just wondering if the extra $220 or so is worth it for a preferred room. I have no problem with the extra price if there is some value to it. Thanks again.

Dan

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I love the South Depot. That's why I took the photos I did. Everything I've experienced at the parks began there. It's been the point of departure for all my Disney adventures.
We never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a bus and most of the time a coordinator was there asking where we were headed.
I could never get worked up about the buses or the crowds. I miss them both.
I would give anything to be at the South Depot right now, standing with everyone, waiting for a bus to the parks.

*sigh*

Aint that the truth! I used to get pretty fixated on efficient bus service and stuff like that, but I have found that after 14 trips (#15 coming up soon!) and having stayed at eight different WDW resorts you can pretty much count on a bus picking you up within 15 minutes of your getting to any bus stop on property. Sure there have been exceptions, but I could count them on one hand.
Mostly I just daydream about how much I'd like to be sitting at one of those bus stops waiting on a big ol' bus-shaped chariot to whisk me and my family away to a park. IF ONLY my biggest trouble today was fretting over bus timeliness.
Another thing I look forward to at POR is strolling those lovely grounds again. Like somebody said upthread, I might even be inclined to hop off the stop at the other side of the resort just so I can walk thru it.

 

[Graciesmom77]

I can't believe we leave in a few days! I called the reservation line and asked that they put down that we are requesting a refurbished room and also that we need a pack n play. I am really hoping that we get the queen beds, but either way I am sure we will have a good time.

For some reason I am feeling nervous, maybe because the resort seems so big, but I hope we can find our way around. We have stayed at the Pop and ASM before but this is our first moderate. Any tips anyone thinks we should know?

 

[KCmike]

 

[Venomhatch]

Yes yes yes, beautiful very nice pic.

 

[3sweetpeas]

I can't believe we leave in a few days! I called the reservation line and asked that they put down that we are requesting a refurbished room and also that we need a pack n play. I am really hoping that we get the queen beds, but either way I am sure we will have a good time.

For some reason I am feeling nervous, maybe because the resort seems so big, but I hope we can find our way around. We have stayed at the Pop and ASM before but this is our first moderate. Any tips anyone thinks we should know?

You should absolutely not be nervous. I promise..Do you see the picture above that KCMike posted. How can that make you nervous?

On a practical note, why don't you go to Andre's sight, PortOrleans.org and print the map of POR. If you have that with you, it might help you feel more comfortable about getting around. You might be confused for a little bit but honestly, it's not that bad or big!

It is a lovely, peaceful, relaxing, lush resort so take it all in and enjoy!

 

[niccikatie]

We're arriving Feb 2nd and have a Garden View booked. Do we know where those are going to be yet?

 

[Stan Solo]

We're arriving Feb 2nd and have a Garden View booked. Do we know where those are going to be yet?

I don't know but am looking forward to finding out. We have garden view booked for our August trip. Seems weird booking something and we don't know what we are getting. My guess is that it will be anything but a parking lot view.

 

[niccikatie]

I don't know but am looking forward to finding out. We have garden view booked for our August trip. Seems weird booking something and we don't know what we are getting. My guess is that it will be anything but a parking lot view.

It does! It was the only booking type left for room only discount when we were going. It'll be interesting to see what the rooms are.

 

[GPA1015]

See that grey walkway- STAY ON IT! I got lost one night and at somepoint came off the walkway. We were in a non prefered room so the walk was quite a walk from the food court. I finally figured out to stay on the walkway and it led me to my room. I swear they need call boxes out there when you are lost. It was me and a six year old and a very much needed bathroom break at night.

Just stay on the walkway and you are golden.

 

[Stan Solo]

It does! It was the only booking type left for room only discount when we were going. It'll be interesting to see what the rooms are.

Oh I had choices on other rooms but the garden view was the least expensive of all the choices. The other choices were water view, river view and preferred.

 

[3sweetpeas]

I don't know but am looking forward to finding out. We have garden view booked for our August trip. Seems weird booking something and we don't know what we are getting. My guess is that it will be anything but a parking lot view.

So what's parking lot going to be? "Parking View"? Just sayin...

 

[Stan Solo]

So what's parking lot going to be? "Parking View"? Just sayin...

According to the web sight a regular room will be called "standard view" they should call it "keep an eye on your car view". Whenever I go to a regular hotel I always ask for a view that overlooks the parking lot so I can see my car from my room. This standard view is $67 less expensive then garden view but was not a option when I booked our trip. I think the free dinning may have had something to do with this.

 

[DisneyFive]

According to the web sight a regular room will be called "standard view" they should call it "keep an eye on your car view". Whenever I go to a regular hotel I always ask for a view that overlooks the parking lot so I can see my car from my room. This standard view is $67 less expensive then garden view but was not a option when I booked our trip. I think the free dinning may have had something to do with this.

Standard rooms must been used up already on the Dining Plan offer. There are a limited number of rooms dedicated to the dining plan offer. Sounds like the standard rooms were already filled with the offer.

Dan