Port Orleans Riverside - Just back....

[boomhauer]

Hi. Just got back from a 4 night stay at Riverside. Thought I'd share some info since there are always so many questions about the resort.

First off, we requested Alligator Bayou. We got Magnolia Bend. More on that later.

When we first arrived, I wasn't crazy about the grounds outside of Magnolia Bend. Nothing wrong, just not my taste. The room was clean and in a good location (Oak Manor), but I really didn't care for the look of the room at all. At night, the resort is simply gorgeous. Really a great feel to it.

Never ate at Boatwrights. Had breakfast in the food court one morning. 20 people in line, 1 register open = Cold breakfast. That stunk.

Didn't care for River Roost much. Just seemed like a typical fancy restaurant bar. Bartenders were a bit stuffy and unfriendly. Saw Bob Jackson a couple nights. He was pretty good. I was at the bar by myself so it was tough to get into him.

Ol Man Island was OK. Thought from the pictures I'd like it alot more than I did. I actually preferred French Quarters pool, though the slide was very small.

OK, I have to get back to the AB/Mansion thing. Here's my feeling. I understand the Bayou rooms are used for families of 5 (which we are). However, Disney should change this. When you choose a resort, you're chosing one based on budget and theme that appeals to you. The 2 sections of Riverside are as different as night and day. They should be different resorts I think. I love the look and feel of AB, but didn't care for the mansions. If you request one section over the other, you should get it. If you book ASMovies, you get Movies. Not Sports.

One thing I found interesting was that I missed the heck out of ASMovies. There's no doubt. I'm a Value guy all the way. I didn't mind the price of PO, but I was really missing the Disney magic I am so accustomed to at the All Stars.

 

[maxiesmom]

Oh no, that is my biggest fear! I booked POR and have put in a request for Alligator Bayou. I have stayed there twice, and now I want to show the place to my parents. I'm sure my dad will love it! But the Mansion rooms are too similar to POFQ, and we have been there before. Did you ask to be switched to AB?

 

[SqueakyMouse]

When you were assigned to mansions, did you ask if this could be changed? When we stayed in the AB section a little over a week ago, there were plenty of empty rooms. However, I should note that the line for check-in on the Sunday that we left was HUGE. It had been practically non-existant all week. (I'm not sure why there was a sudden change in the number of guests at POR--not aware of anything special happening at that time.)

 

[my3disneygirls]

I have stayed at POR 4 times. Once I was in Magnolia Bend and I didn't care for it at all. I love the walk from AB to the food court, you don't get the same feel in MB.

 

[boomhauer]

When you were assigned to mansions, did you ask if this could be changed? When we stayed in the AB section a little over a week ago, there were plenty of empty rooms. However, I should note that the line for check-in on the Sunday that we left was HUGE. It had been practically non-existant all week. (I'm not sure why there was a sudden change in the number of guests at POR--not aware of anything special happening at that time.)

I didn't ask, as I thought it was pointless. I regret it now, but my thinking was I requested the room at the time of booking. I called 2 days before arrival and requested it again. The only thin I could imagine was they didn't have any rooms open there.

 

[boomhauer]

I have stayed at POR 4 times. Once I was in Magnolia Bend and I didn't care for it at all. I love the walk from AB to the food court, you don't get the same feel in MB.

We're booked there for next July. We're cancelling and gonna switch to someplace else. Not worth the risk to me. I really didn't care for the mansions at all.

 

[magicmouse2]

Is one of your kids under 3 ? They generally give the trundle bed rooms to families of 5 with kids over 3 that would need the extra bed. I would have asked politely if a room in the AB section was available when given Mansion section room.;

 

[MommySiobhan]

How many beds are in MB?

Is there still a trundle?

We are staying in POR in November and I just assumed that we would be in AB. Maybe I should call back with a request.

We have dh & I, 6, 4, 3, & 1 year old with us.
Hoping for AB.

 

[wideeyes]

I am staying at POR in september and I am would like to stay at the mansions rather than AB,

 

[disneyred]

and did you notice if the playground was closed ?? I read somewhere that
it was closed for refurbishing ?? .... yet, a friend of mine called this weekend as she was going sometime in August.. and they said it was not closed and he was going to be fine for his trip in August....

 

[LorieR]

I am staying at POR in september and I am would like to stay at the mansions rather than AB,

We will be there in November for our sixth stay -- we have been in the mansions all five times. DH would prefer the mansions again but I would not mind being in AB section. It is just the two of us, both in our 50s, so that is probalby why they have put us in the mansion section. I think they did offer us AB once at check-in though. I don't care where they put us at POR as long as we are there!!

 

[boomhauer]

and did you notice if the playground was closed ?? I read somewhere that
it was closed for refurbishing ?? .... yet, a friend of mine called this weekend as she was going sometime in August.. and they said it was not closed and he was going to be fine for his trip in August....

Playground was closed. All walled off and construction going on.

 

[Poohbear123]

I did not get AB like I had requested either, because the CHEERLEADERS were there! So I got Oak Manor too, but second floor which was near the steps but not the elevator....took me 2 days to find that. I was close to the bridge that brings you to the main food court area that was nice, and I didn't mind too much being there, but will stay at POFQ or AKL from now on. Your twins are cute, how old are they now?

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I understand the Bayou rooms are used for families of 5 (which we are). However, Disney should change this. When you choose a resort, you're chosing one based on budget and theme that appeals to you. The 2 sections of Riverside are as different as night and day. They should be different resorts I think. I love the look and feel of AB, but didn't care for the mansions. If you request one section over the other, you should get it. If you book ASMovies, you get Movies. Not Sports.

This is why we chose POFQ for our october trip. We stayed in the mansions on a previous trip and although we loved the resort we found we preferred the look of AB. Since we would have to take our chances on getting rooms there we too did not think it was worth the risk. I totally agree that Disney should change the booking policy within this resort.

 

[SGMCO]

I am staying at POR in september and I am would like to stay at the mansions rather than AB,

Me TOO!!
I grew up on the Bayou.
I want something different.
But I will be Happy with whatever Section
I'm put in.
It all looks very Beautiful!!

 

[schwaa]

Everytime I have gone to disney, I have asked very politely for a particular location. It has always been given to me, or the next best thing if my choice was not available. In Feb I asked for building 27 and the CM said there were no rooms available and offered me 18.

I don't think they realy assign rooms before you get there, at least this hasn't been my experience. The CM checking me in has always found my room for me, and usually took out the map to let me pick.

I think the key to getting what you want is to very politely say "Is it possible to get a room in . . ."

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We have stayed there 3 times and always request Alligator Bayou....we have been in the Mansions everytime. And to make it work twice in the same room and once in the room attached.....Now, the room is beautiful and all but I have always requested Alligaor Bayou but we need a handicapp room so I can't be choosy. We always check in late (one time it was a whole day late so I am sure we get switched at the last minute. We still love the POR. The kids love the pool and fishing in the fishing hole. I am glad to hear that they are doing over the playground it was sort of old and nasty.

 

[familyS]

We considered POR, but I knew that of we got AB instead of the mansions, I would be dissappointed. (I have similar issues with CSR since they have three different themes.) I have read that some people don't get their choice, but still love it. Rather than take a chance,we're going with POFQ and we'll walkover to POR for the pool a couple times.

 

[mousiemom]

i feel the same way you do about the value resorts. we are pop lovers, and on our may trip i was booked for pop but they only had an opening for an ap rate @ por so we took it. we got AB section which we wanted and we thought the resort was beautiful. we loved the recreational stuff they had and the boat taxi to dtd. But we missed pop!! i definately love the buses @ pop better!!
mousiemom

 

[Doc CW]

I love the POR they have good food and IMO all the grounds are nice and the rooms are nice too. I thought it was relaxing and a great resort. (IMO)