Port Orleans Riverside is GREAT!

[SereneOne]

We where there from the 8th until the 17th, stayed at the Holiday Inn nearest Universal on the 7th and it was fine also.

We where in building 36, bottom floor and corner room. We faced the parking lot but had no problem with that being that we where dead tired when we returned from the parks. We had a private pool and laundry room around the corner too.

We mainly drove to the main building, but the walk was maybe five minutes from the room and it was so beautifully landscaped!

We loved coming back and having a drink at the lounge or getting in the hot tub and/or pool. It was very romantic at night also. We heard the piano man one night walking by to the pool, he sounded great.

The counter service was excellent. We had cinnamon buns and hot chocolate most breakfasts...hey, it was vacation...lol! A couple of mornings we had the breakfast platter and it was good also. We had lunch and dinner a few times, they where decent too.

Our mousekeeping was excellent. Our room was spotless and we had towel animals and our daughter's stuffed animals in different playful scenes when we returned.

We went with my son who turned 18 just before we left and our four year old daughter and the double beds where fine. My husband and I slept with our preschooler and my son slept in the other double by himself. I became ill part of the trip and my son offered to sleep on the trundle...I said no way! He is over six feet but weighs about 148lbs, but he insisted and said it was comfortable.

Our daughter became ill and my husband was not answering his cell phone while at the arcade and counter service. CM's tracked him down to call me and get Meg to Celebration hospital.

We where very happy with our stay at POR. I thought it was wonderful. I have no experiences with the busses, we drove down to Disney from South Carolina and used our car to get to and from the parks. I really enjoyed staying on property and liked having a gaurd checking our identification at the gate even with a parking pass. I found POR to be safe, quiet (could hear occassional turbo flushing, lol) and clean...my three top musts and was pleased with the excellent service and beauty. It was well worth the money, which was actually less than staying at a Holiday Inn, but it was off season.

Sorry I did not take pics, most of my photos are my kids, but I will gladly answer any questions to the best of my knowledge.

Have a magical day!

 

[Disney Fool]

Glad to hear you had a great time. POR is truly a hidden gem. I usually stay at the deluxes --not a snob, I just prefer a lot of space--I hate feeling boxed in. I stayed at POR last May for a girls only weekend, and I absolutely loved it. We rode the surry bikes and laughed ourselves silly when we couldn't make it uphill; we walked around the beautifully landscaped grounds, and spoke to several folks who were there for a business conference. I know they were jealous! Food court was very good; one thing I am a snob about, and that's coffee! The coffee in the food court was surprisingly good. I'm glad you added the info about your son and the trundle bed--it may help some who are trying to decide if the room is convenient for them.

 

[SereneOne]

I must suck at this, only one response.

We plan on trying all the hotels, but I think for the first time onsite it was an excellent choice.

Thanks DisneyFool, I will try the bikes next time we go. I know one thing DH and I decided was to enjoy our hotel more and not run, run, run the whole time.

 

[avic77]

We are staying at POR in 42 days! I cant wait and i am so happy to hear positive reviews about it. Not that i am really worried just uneasy at the unknown KWIM!
I requested building 37 or 38. has anyone else stayed in either of those buildings?

 

[auntsister]

We are staying at POR in May. My sister and her family were there in September for the second time.
I chose this resort mainly because I will needed room for 5. We stayed at CBR in May 2007 because I only had my son and my niece so it was plenty big for the 3 of us.
Can you recommend a building that has good location to bus stops and food court? We will be driving down this trip but I am a home health nurse and drive 5 days a week so am looking forward to being driven around!
I am happy to see the rooms are clean, that is my greatest concern. I like staying at places with comforter covers that are washed regularly, can't stand the thought of those bedspreads that are used over and over!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Were the parks crowded? Trying to think ahead for our next trip - maybe we'll go in December to see it all decorated for Christmas. Thanks for any info.

 

[mom22boys]

Thank you for the positive review! We are staying here at the end of February and are really looking forward to it. We will be hitting the parks a couple of days, but we also plan to just relax at the resort a couple of days too. It looks like so peaceful and relaxing in pictures. I can't wait to see it in person! Thanks for sharing your building number. We are also hoping to stay in the AB section.

Happy Holidays!

 

[cdrn1]

Thinking of trying POR in December 08, but unsure because it's sooo big I am worried we would be out on the edges (I always seem to get the room at the absolute EDGE of the property) and we LOVE POFQ. Thx for the good review.

 

[Disney Fool]

When you first make your reservation, add that you want to be close to the food court, or the check in area. If you prefer the mansions, Parterre Place and Magnolia Terrace are only a bridge walk away. Yes, it's spread out, but not unmanageable. The grounds are so beautiful, you won't mind sightseeing while enjoying the walk.

 

[ilovebassets]

I also loved POR and don't have anything negative to say about it (didn't take the buses though). It's large but I thought very manageable and besides, the grounds and beautiful just to walk around and take in. The food court is not only full of good food and good service, but it's actually beautiful inside. All wood from floor to ceiling with wooden tables and chairs plus great views of the water wheel and river.

 

[Pigeon]

Does anybody know if they still do Campfire on de' Bayou? We are going for a week in mid-February, and I saw this mentioned in the Wikipedia entry for POR, and it sounds like fun.