Port Orleans Riverside - Garden View vs. Standard view.

[mom2rose&john]

For a six night stay I have my choice of a standard view or for $35 (total) more I can upgrade to a garden view. Is the price worth upgrading? Is there a huge difference between the two? TIA.

 

[sponica]

In my opinion views at moderate resorts are a moot point, it's not like you have a balcony to hang out on.

But if you're really curious, here's what portorleans.org says about the room types:

• "Standard: These rooms mostly tend to face towards parking lots, or have partially obscured views (such as beside stairways, etc). Standard view rooms are located all around the resort, EXCEPT for Preferred Locations. From 2019, this category will probably only be offered for parties of up to four guests (aged 3+) and for Riverside it will most likely get you a room in one of the mansion buildings (80 or 85) although that is not absolutely guaranteed. 2017 prices vary seasonally from $213 to $323.
• Garden View: These rooms offer pleasant views of the gardens, courtyards (including water features and fountains), landscaping, trees or bayou — but NOT of the parking lots. Garden View rooms can be located in any of the buildings EXCEPT for Preferred Locations. From 2019, this category will probably only be offered for parties of up to four guests (aged 3+) and for Riverside it will most likely get you a room in one of the mansion buildings (80 or 85) although that is not absolutely guaranteed. 2017 prices vary seasonally from $226 to $330."

 

[KayaWildfire]

We had both a standard view and garden view at Riverside on different trips. The standard view faced the parking lot and the garden view faced some grass. Both were in Alligator Bayou. I don't think either were in a better location so I wouldn't spend any extra money on it.

 

[aboveH20]

My humble opinion . . .

It's been awhile since I stayed at POR, but at "motel style" resorts with outside access, people are walking by your room all day long. We keep our drapes closed for that reason, so we'd save the money since our view would just be of the drapes anyway.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How much time do you expect to spend either outside your room hanging over the railing looking at the view, or in your room staring out the window across the public walkway at the view?

 

[sbd78]

FWIW, we stayed in a standard view at Riverside last year and didn't face the parking lot. We are a party of 5 so we were in the Alligator Bayou. Even for $35, I probably wouldn't bother to upgrade. Personally, I think a "view" is a waste of money in a value or moderate since there is no balcony to enjoy your "view" and a walkway outside the window.

 

[unrequited23]

I don't like seeing the parking lots when I'm on vacation, so for $35 total for the entire 6 night trip I would upgrade. Unless, of course I had a car, then I would want to be closer to the lot.

 

[SarahC97]

I don't think the view matters all that much. I've stayed in both garden and standard and there wasn't much difference as far as I was concerned.

 

[TOBS2010]

Like other posters mentioned the only thing that a garden view will get you is not looking at a parking lot out your window. We actually find it more worth our money to get a preferred room location at POR personally.

 

[rosiebean]

Actual views aside, garden view at POR has the potential to get you a really good location if you’re interested in being closer to the main pool/building. Standard views are almost all the furthest away from those. One reason why I prefer any view (as a booking category) to standard view.

I was at POR recently and was upgraded from standard view to garden view in a great location in AB. And the view from my room was gorgeous...and with so little foot traffic that I kept my curtains open and actually hung out outside my room a few times. Others in my party had standard view. The location of my room was fantastic...a really quick walk to the pool and pool bar, boat to DS, and QS. The other rooms were slightly closer to the bus stop, but a much longer walk to everything else. I know there are some garden view rooms with not so great locations. But at least you have a chance for a good one, and I’d pay more for that chance.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I don't like seeing the parking lots when I'm on vacation, so for $35 total for the entire 6 night trip I would upgrade. Unless, of course I had a car, then I would want to be closer to the lot.

Me too. All that money to see the parking lot? Not worth saving a $200 bucks IMO! I go for the view for sure, even in a mod.

 

[SarahC97]

Actual views aside, garden view at POR has the potential to get you a really good location if you’re interested in being closer to the main pool/building. Standard views are almost all the furthest away from those. One reason why I prefer any view (as a booking category) to standard view.

I was at POR recently and was upgraded from standard view to garden view in a great location in AB. And the view from my room was gorgeous...and with so little foot traffic that I kept my curtains open and actually hung out outside my room a few times. Others in my party had standard view. The location of my room was fantastic...a really quick walk to the pool and pool bar, boat to DS, and QS. The other rooms were slightly closer to the bus stop, but a much longer walk to everything else. I know there are some garden view rooms with not so great locations. But at least you have a chance for a good one, and I’d pay more for that chance.

What building were you in?

 

[disny_luvr]

I’d save the $35 and keep the standard view. Like others have stated, view in a moderate (and value) is a moot point because there is no balcony to sit out on and enjoy the view.

We stayed last year in a standard view room and had a nice view and excellent location. Looking straight out our window and to the right was a garden area and looking to the left was the parking lot. We loved the location because we could be at the food court/main pool area in 5-7 minutes, but the bus stop was only a two minute walk.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I don't do it for the view since it is a motel style setup, but I request garden view so that I dont end up near noise from the parking lots.

 

[portocall]

I've booked a standard view and had a lovely view of the pool in good location. My request was for a parking lot view (since we drive) but didn't get close to that.

I also booked a water view and was on the river and while pretty... We didn't spend time apart from the initial arrival looking out the window.

My opinion is that unless you plan a lot of time in the room where you will sit at the table to look out the window, save the money.

 

[buzznina]

I voted GV and it has nothing to do with the view but means you will have a much better chance of not being in the back part of the building and means you will have a better shot at being closer to the main areas.

 

[rosiebean]

What building were you in?

I was in 39, second floor on the corner closest to building 38, which is considered one of the best non-preferred buildings at POR.

My room was refurbished too. Since I checked in online and booked a discounted room through a well known agency, getting the upgrade (and it was most definitely an upgrade) went against conventional wisdom. I’ve never booked standard before because it limits location options on site. Did so this time because I was sharing a room with someone on a strict budget...we really got lucky with our actual assignment!

 

[planplan]

For the few extra $$$$ I would highly recommend the garden view.