Port Orleans Riverside-My Report

[Gwene65]

I got back from my honeymoon trip a couple of weeks ago and posted my trip report but I didn't post my room/resort report.

Let me start out by saying I loved this resort way back when I was reading around and researching which resorts to stay at. (Next time it WILL BE Polynesian). I am way into the Southern Belle motif. (Gone with the Wind is my all time fav movie). The layout of this resort looked awsome too.

We got there after a three hour drive and checked in a little after 3pm. I loved the reception area and saw many little tykes passed out on the sofas and in front of the TV. I was hoping for a room in the Mansion sections but we got one in Alligator Bayou. We were in Bldg. 37 and in room 3752. It was a great corner room with the king sized bed we requested. The only thing we didn't like was the old time picture in the corner of the room that showed a old family, circa 1850 something. It just spooked us a bit-LOL. The bed was very comfortable. I thought the rooms were a little chilly but thats just me. Just a side note-we flipped on the tv shortly after we got to the room and it wasn't working. My husband called the front desk and I started to unpack. By the time I was done unpacking a maintenace guy was there and had fixed the small problem.

The transportation was excellent. We didn't wait more then 10 minutes for any bus going anywhere. The buses were never crowded and we always got a seat. We took the boat to Downtown Disney everynight and we never waited for this either. We loved feeding the ducks!!

The food court and resturaunt were up to par and I was never dissapointed in the fare. We ate breakfast in the Boatwrights Dining Hall once, thought it was awsome and way too much food. The rest of our fare in the food court was always warm and tasty. They gave generous portions too. I don't eat a lot though.

The pool was great. We hung out at Old Man Island more then once and loved it. My husband had a ball going down the water slide and I enjoyed the layout as well.

Overall-I would come back in a heartbeat. The ambiance is what sold me. We were in seclusion the whole time. I never saw another soul until we got to the pool or main area of the resort. As I am typing this, I wish I could go back this instance.

 

[CatOne]

Thank you so much for posting!! I am constantly checking the boards lately for info regarding POR since we will be there in Dec. I am going at an intensely busy time so I realize transportation, etc. may vary but I am mostly concerned with the hotel and the condition, friendliness, etc. We went once before and stayed at the GF. It is just my 5 yr old dd and myself this time so no GF:-( but we are really excited. I kept hearing conflicting reports about cleanliness, etc so I am always glad to hear that is not the case.

CatOne

 

[halfway there]

Thanks for the review. We'll be there this weekend. Cant' wait!!

I read somewhere that Boatwright's has a buffet for breakfast. True?

BTW, GWTW is my all time favorite movie too!

 

[Gwene65]

There isn't a buffet but there is a good selection of temptations to try.

We had the banana stuffed french toast. It was mighty good and big enough to share. I also wanted to try another breakfast selection. It was more salty then sweet and had mushrooms and some sauce. Try that if you don't have a sweet tooth.

Any more questions? I am more then happy to help.

GWTW IS the all time best movie. The book isn't half bad either. Actually it's better.

 

[girlsx2]

I have booked this resort twice and both times I have upgraded to the WL. I love the look of this place and I do plan on going to visit when I return in Feb and hopefully will stay on our next trip. However, if those darn room only codes do not come out for our Feb trip, I will be staying there in Feb. Gone With the Wind is also my most favorite movie!! I would fit right in!!

Thanks for the report!!

 

[Tigger220]

hey i am happy that u had a great time at disney. my question is did u go in the game room? how was it?
and i was wondering about the pool. and the waterslide. did you go on it? and how long is it?

 

[shellybaxter]

Hi,

My DH and I are staying at POR in just 20 days. I have a silly but very important to me question? You said the bed was comfortable, but what about the pillows?? I've been trying to figure out how to pack my down pillow in the bottom of my big suitcase and am wondering if I need to do so. Were they comfortable? Flat or fluffy? Sorry for the question about such a small detail, but I would really like to know. Also, did your King bed room have a tub or just a shower?

Thanks
Shelly

 

[Gwene65]

Shelly-that is not a dumb question. I am big on pillows too. I brought my own because I was sick of small flat pillows in the rooms. They had three on the bed and then 2 on a shelf if you needed more. I don't remember them being small and flat. My husband used them and he slept fine...(except for that picture on the wall!!).
And the room had a tub.

Tigger220-We did go in the game room and it was deviod of any people. They had tons of games and I'm sure by husband enjoyed it. I for one, do not like spending my time in a cheesy game room when I am at Disney but he spent a good three hours in there.
The pool is great. The slide is tame and any age child would love it. The pool is big enough for a lot of people and it is just a great overall experience.

This makes me wish I could go rightthis second!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Glad you enjoyed the resort. I've always thought that Dixie Landings/Riverside was the best themed and overall best done moderate resort. The whole setup, the buildings, the atmosphere, the seclusion..........very nice.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Thanks for the good report! a couple of questions...you said that you got the king sized bed that you requested. Was this an upgrade you asked for, or did you pay the extra money for it? I'm wishing I had booked a king bed now, and will ask for an upgrade. I also didn't know that boatwrights had the banana stuffed french toast...I will have to try it. Did the restaurant seem busy, or do you think a PS is really not required.

Thanks!

 

[Gwene65]

I said I wanted a king-sized bed when I made the reservations but I don't think it is extra. Call back and see if they have one available. It makes a difference, really.
Boatwrights wasn't too busy but I would reccomend always making a PS. We made ours the night before we wanted to eat there and got in no problem. We didn't even have to wait to get seated but there was a few people waiting behind us. So I wouldn't worry about making your ps until you get there.

Have fun!

 

[halfway there]

Thanks for the info! (and the yummy breakfast ideas! )
I think I was reading an old guide regarding the buffet.

Regarding GWTW, the book is actually better than the movie?? I can't believe it! I've never read it!! I don't want to be upset by any differences since the movie is so perfect the way it is!

 

[Gretchen]

Thanks for the report, have always wanted to stay at Dixie/Riverside. Gwen/Shelly: on packing pillows, I have some travel/storage bags that you can flatten stuff in, they work like big ziplock bags. You stuff your pillow in and squish the air out. Then when you get to the hotel, open the bag, remove item and give it a good shake and fluff. Presto! Works great.

Oh, and about Gone With The Wind, book is WAY better than the movie. Will not ruin your movie experience at all. It is just such a great book. I first read it when I was 12 and it hooked me on reading for life. Really a great book.
Thanks again,
Gretchen

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by Gwene65
Overall-I would come back in a heartbeat. The ambiance is what sold me. We were in seclusion the whole time. I never saw another soul until we got to the pool or main area of the resort. As I am typing this, I wish I could go back this instance.

Oh, what a wonderful report. I will be staying at PO-RS for the first time very soon and I am so excited. I stayed at French Quarter last year and fell in love with the whole Port Orleans complex. What a glorious resort, and your report made me even more excited than I already am. If you have photos to share, please post the link to them here.

 

[marcyinPA]

Thanks for posting this report. We're booked for POR in May of 04 and it will be our first time at that resort. We really wanted WL, but we're trying to save some money and it just wasn't in the budget this time around.

I'm excited to give it a try, and I've heard good things about Boatwrights from friends of mine, too!

 

[jazyjewel]

I just got back from a stay there, I stayed in the Magnolia bend. I was very dissappointed the first day with the housekeeping. But after I had to call and complain about that, they must have given me a different one, cause after that the housekeeping was awesome, she started laying out my stuffed animals in new ways everyday.

Make ure you go to the lounge at least one night, the guy on the piano is awesome. I didn't find out about him till our last night, and I wish I had known in advance!!! I think he plays from 10-11.
Julie

 

[n2mm]

Love this resort too. We always call housekeeping as soon as we get our room and get extra pillows. Yes they are usually not big, so double or even triple them up helps.

King rooms are extra (I think $15 more a night). We also plan to ask for an upgrade and paid for it. Our desire to be in the Mansions is bigger than our desire for a king room. The last time we booked a king room they could only put us in AB, which I don't care for. So figured I will try to get in the mansions if a king room is available, but if not, I would settle for the 2 doubles as reserved. I heard that this resort is at capacity, probably because of the AB section. But did notice that on the Disney web site they shows rooms available for our stay, so have my fingers crossed for a upgrade to a king.

 

[kashkdz]

Our family of 5 will be at POR in 5 days, and we'll be there for a week. Because of the size of our family, we're staying in the AB section of the resort. I've heard good/bad reveiews, but we can't wait to get there !

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thank you for your post!

The bannana stuffed french toast sounds yummy!

You mentioned the beds are comfortable. Please comment on how comfortable. I hava a bad back. We've stayed at the WL which has comfy beds and I have no problem staying at the WL. I would assuem that PO has similar beds. Please help/comment on this if you can. We really would like to try the PO.

Renee

 

[sm4987]

Thanks for the review. I am hoping to stay there sometime soon, and it's always good to hear good reviews.