Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part One [Thread now FULL and closed]

[dramaticmissy]

Thank you so much!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hmmmm....

Based on Venom and Andre's recent posts about the buses, I am confused as to which stop is now considered "better" for AM travel to MK. I had always planned on using the South depot in the AM but it seems like that is going to be the last stop on the way out, thus making already full buses harder to get on.

Am I better off using the East stop in the AM? (we are staying in the RR, hopefully Oak Manor).

 

[andrewilley]

Hmmmm....

Based on Venom and Andre's recent posts about the buses, I am confused as to which stop is now considered "better" for AM travel to MK. I had always planned on using the South depot in the AM but it seems like that is going to be the last stop on the way out, thus making already full buses harder to get on.

Am I better off using the East stop in the AM? (we are staying in the RR, hopefully Oak Manor).

There really is no definitive "better" to be honest, it's rather too variable to call reliably. I was of the opinion that South was probably best, but staying in an Oak Manor RGR two weeks ago, we used the East Depot for several MK trips and it worked out very well, we always got on easily. Also, for Oak Manor, East is definitely better to get off at if you happen to get there first, rather than waiting until you get to the South Depot.

Andre

 

[Cinderumbrella]

There really is no definitive "better" to be honest, it's rather too variable to call reliably. I was of the opinion that South was probably best, but staying in an Oak Manor RGR two weeks ago, we used the East Depot for several MK trips and it worked out very well, we always got on easily. Also East is definitely better to get off at if you happen to get there first, rather than waiting until you get to the South Depot.

Andre

Thanks. Maybe we will use the South when we are eating in the food court first and the East for the days we will be going from room right to park and see what happens. I had pretty much planned on always getting off at East no matter what the park/time of day was.

This is the first time in years that we have stayed at a resort with multiple stops (and, I confess, was the main reason we initially chose POFQ over POR).

 

[dormouse7899]

I stayed at this hotel a few years back. It was beautiful. My fondest memory is just strolling along the path by the river and smelling the gardenias. It really made you feel relaxed and peaceful.

It stayed with me and a few years later, I even put gardenias in my wedding bouquet to remind me of that peaceful place.

It has a lower key feel than some of the other disney resorts. I highly recommend it.

 

[ollyg]

Good Morning!!

I have a quick question I hope somebody can help me with. I am currently booked in a preferred room for our upcoming vacation in September and was wondering what the best room on the second floor of would be to request?

Thanks in advance.

Karen

 

[kenly777]

Good Morning!!

I have a quick question I hope somebody can help me with. I am currently booked in a preferred room for our upcoming vacation in September and was wondering what the best room on the second floor of would be to request?

Thanks in advance.

Karen

Personally, I would just ask for a corner, so I could have double windows

 

[andrewilley]

I am currently booked in a preferred room for our upcoming vacation in September and was wondering what the best room on the second floor of would be to request?

It rather depends on what you would like really. Building 14 is a common request as it's the closest to the main building, if that appeals to you?

Andre

 

[wdwmaw]

Does Neil only do breakfast?

I have only seen him during breakfast hours

 

[~Sam]

Did anyone who stayed recently have issues with buses? My friend recently waited 45 minutes for a bus to the park.

 

[andrewilley]

We are here! We checked in at POR last night after midnight. About 5 days prior I faxed our room requests (thank you Andre and Venom), and all were granted. Paid for a garden view and indicated corner room preference on our online check-in, added a request for a Magnolia Bend location with a view. We are in a first floor, corner room, looking out at some gardens and a quiet pool.
Off to MK today. Feel free to send any questions about the resort since we're here!

Have a great time, sounds like you got a lovely room.

If you happen to go exploring around your building (or the rest of the mansion buildings area) I wonder if you might be able to confirm a couple of details for the updated floorplan layouts for me? I spent a fair bit of time researching the finer details during my last trip, but somehow my notes are a little bit hazy when it comes to the specific locations of the ice machines and stairwells in the central blocks of Magnolia Terrace and Oak Manor (the 'H' shaped buildings). I think I've got it right, but I just wondered if someone could verify that I'm correct?

The latest updated version of the map is at Floorplan-POR-MagnoliaBend-v1.1.pdf and that should be usable on any laptop, smartphone or tablet. All I really need to know is, just for the three levels in the central 32-room cross-bar section, which of the four corner-blocks have ice machine/vending rooms (marked on the maps with an asterisk), which have stairways to the next level, and which just have housekeeping storage rooms only. I think the river-facing sides should probably be correct, but for some reason I don't seem to have noted down some of the other corners, so a couple are guesswork. Any confirmation that you can let me know would be very welcome (also the views are quite nice from up there on the third floor, so don't forget your camera ). Thanks!

Andre

 

[ollyg]

Good Morning!!

I have a quick question I hope somebody can help me with. I am currently booked in a preferred room for our upcoming vacation in September and was wondering what the best room on the second floor of would be to request?

Thanks in advance.

Karen

Personally, I would just ask for a corner, so I could have double windows

It rather depends on what you would like really. Building 14 is a common request as it's the closest to the main building, if that appeals to you?

Andre

Thanks for the replies. This will be our first stay at POR. Being close to food court and bus stop is a must. We stayed at AOA Little Mermaid last year, we enjoyed the resort, but the walk was very long.

I read on portorleans.org, that the noise from foot traffic in building 14 was nominal, does it make a difference as to 1st or 2nd floor? I basically would like any view except of a parking lot.

 

[4butlers]

We are planning on being at POR over Halloween and I was thinking of just shipping our costumes to the resort via Priority mail. I see that I could easily do that, but can I just as easily ship them back via Priority mail, or do I need to use UPS or another method? What's the process for that? If I can ship Priority, I would like to just use the same box and I could print a prepaid label.

 

[andrewilley]

I read on portorleans.org, that the noise from foot traffic in building 14 was nominal, does it make a difference as to 1st or 2nd floor? I basically would like any view except of a parking lot.

2nd floor would be a bit quieter, and you'd have less people passing by at 'eye-level' with your room - but to be honest even the river-view rooms in #14 (which overlook the main pathway from the food court to the whole of the AB section) never really seem that busy. The whole resort is deceptively quiet to walk around in fact.

Andre

 

[scrappinggirl]

the movie. They play it on the river side. I took a photo of it somewhere I believe, I'll look for it then post again. But there was 0 noise that you could hear in room.

What movie were they playing????

 

[SoonToBeMrs]

What movie were they playing????

I'm pretty sure that's Tangled

 

[kelleigh1]

Has anyone stayed in Magnolia Terrace, 2nd floor, standard view corner room? How was it being on the corner? Do you have any pics of the room and/or the view?

I keep looking at Andre's maps. I requested Magnolia Terrace, 2nd floor and I'm debating a corner room. (I have plenty of time before I submit any requests though, but I'm just doing some research.

 

[scrappinggirl]

I'm pretty sure that's Tangled

thanks

 

[dsnydaddy]

Did anyone who stayed recently have issues with buses? My friend recently waited 45 minutes for a bus to the park.

Worst wait time I ever had was at AKL. Took three buses before we could get on. I've never had an issue at POR. Of course our next stay will be during a peak Christmas time and I don't expect it'll be very good then.

 

[mcever4]

Did anyone who stayed recently have issues with buses? My friend recently waited 45 minutes for a bus to the park.

I was just about to post the same question! I had friends just return on Sunday. They were staying a POFQ and said the busses at POR were awful! The waits were long and they had to get extra busses. I am getting very nervous about this and am wondering if I should switch resorts. We stayed at CBR last trip and it wasn't too bad. Please convince me I shouldn't switch! I am so excited to try this resort, but really don't want a hassle with the busses! We are going May 25-June 2 if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

Robin