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

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dsnydaddy said:
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.

We are at POR now and (knock on wood) no problems with buses thus far. This morning we went to the East Depot around 9:15 and just missed a MK bus. We were there for 2-3 minutes and another quickly arrived. We were the only folks on board. The bus the proceeded to the main (South) depot and filled right up!
 
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!

Frying Pan and Fire comes to mind (does that saying translate across the Atlantic?).

In short, any resort can have bus issues - all of the WDW bus fleet is run by the same operators and computer systems, using the same buses, with the same drivers. Sometimes it works very well, sometimes not so much, but that applies to ANY resort. You just have to hope you're in the former group!

If it helps, two weeks ago we had no issues with buses from POR (mostly MK buses) and the max wait we had was about 10 minutes (and that was only because a bus was already there when we walked up to the bus stop, but it was already full so we had to catch the next one).

Tell you what - just work and plan on the assumption that you will wait up to 20 minutes for every bus, and then it will take 10 minutes going round the Riverside loop before heading off to the park. That way, every time your wait is any shorter than that, you win! Chill, you're on vacation.

Andre
 
andrewilley said:
Chill, you're on vacation.

I think that's the key. No matter where you stay or how much you plan, things will happen that are beyond your control. If you accept that from the get go you'll have a much better time.
 
In short, any resort can have bus issues - all of the WDW bus fleet is run by the same operators and computer systems, using the same buses, with the same drivers. Sometimes it works very well, sometimes not so much, but that applies to ANY resort. You just have to hope you're in the former group!

SO TRUE!!!! Some of our absolutely terrible experiences have been at CR, BWI, and the Dolphin. I'd much rather have bus issues and be paying 1/3 the price :rotfl:
 

Thanks kmg! My friend just got back and they had major issues with buses, waiting at least 20 minutes daily.
 
andrewilley said:
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

Andre- happy to check this out for you while we're here. I'll be in touch!
 
~Sam said:
Thanks kmg! My friend just got back and they had major issues with buses, waiting at least 20 minutes daily.

I would say 20 mins is def average, not a major issue. I have been in Feb, spring break, July and November and 20 mins was about what we waited most of the time. There were some walk-ons, some very few minutes, some 30-40 waits and some that a couple full buses would pass before we got on, but 20 mins was the the majority.
 
Timing is everything when waiting for a bus. Someone can walk up right when a bus is pulling in, while someone else might walk up 3 minutes later, and have to wait 15 minutes. It's no big deal to us. When we stayed at the Poly, we waited 15+ minutes several times, but also didn't wait at all other times.
 
How long should I expect to wait for a bus early AM? We have 8am ADR's for Tusker House & CRT
 
It is always a good idea to give yourself an hour for travel, it is always better to be early rather than late!
 
I am concerned about the multiple stops because I have a scooter and there will be 6 in our party. I will pay for preferred room but which stop would be better. That is why I really want POFQ unless there are no discounts there.
 
Leaving in 5 days for POR and getting excited. Not going to stress about the busses, It will just be about my sweet girl and making memories anyway. I know everyone is busy. But if we are getting a royal room, and want to be be near the mug refills and not too far from parking or the bus, any suggestions? I know I have asked before but wanted some input before I send my fax over. How is building 90? Should I ask for a bottom floor since we will have a stroller or does it really matter since there are elevators? Thanks for everything guys! Will blog and post our trip!!!!
 
I think that's the key. No matter where you stay or how much you plan, things will happen that are beyond your control. If you accept that from the get go you'll have a much better time.

You have no idea how much that is true. I had a very not so fun experience I will be sharing with my Trip Report once we have returned to our normal day to day. People who have easily disgusted stomachs do not read. I head back into the work circle of life on the 9th but I will post sometime that week after.

I'll put it this way. We are not at POR now and our Vacation isn't up til the 9th!
 
You have no idea how much that is true. I had a very not so fun experience I will be sharing with my Trip Report once we have returned to our normal day to day. People who have easily disgusted stomachs do not read. I head back into the work circle of life on the 9th but I will post sometime that week after.

I'll put it this way. We are not at POR now and our Vacation isn't up til the 9th!

Oh geeze .... I don't think I want to let the imagination run away with me on this one, although it kind of already is.

Awaiting the report ...
 
Oh geeze .... I don't think I want to let the imagination run away with me on this one, although it kind of already is.

Awaiting the report ...

Well the report when ready will reflect the truth and no exaggeration of it.
 
Venomhatch said:
Ok so we are on day two and I got pics and videos of the requested areas only because our little one got food poisoning from "Be Our Guest", the only thing she ate the night before and the Disney referred clinic confirms the Cornish hen was not cooked properly. So today at 3:15 am our little girl started getting sick constantly. Around 4pm she finally was able to eat some grapes and drink some power aide and keep that down. We returned to the room right after where we woke after a nap and she has now been since 12 noon no sick moments just tired. Point being avoid the Cornish hen for now. I had the strip steak and my fiancé had the same and we're fine. I am sorry I have not been on here more today but its been first priority to her and when she was settled down this morning and resting I went out and snapped the photos and vids real quick. PM me if you have more photo requests and ill see what I can do.

Oh also for future guests... If you or someone in your group is not well, they will cancel your dining and tour ressies on that circumstance alone for no charge on the same day. So if your not well they won't force you to keep your same day reservations.

I hope your daughter is feeling much better now and enjoying herself!
 
Love the room number maps, Andre! Is that new? Great job!

Frying Pan and Fire comes to mind (does that saying translate across the Atlantic?).

Chill, you're on vacation.

Andre

That's what my dh always says. His day to day job is very stressful.
Waiting for a bus at WDW...not stressful in comparison.
Leaving enough time is key.

SO TRUE!!!! Some of our absolutely terrible experiences have been at CR, BWI, and the Dolphin. I'd much rather have bus issues and be paying 1/3 the price :rotfl:

Our worst bus experience was at the Contemporary, after a breakfast at Chef M. I agree whole-heartedly!
 
I am concerned about the multiple stops because I have a scooter and there will be 6 in our party. I will pay for preferred room but which stop would be better. That is why I really want POFQ unless there are no discounts there.

If you're staying in a Preferred Location, you should use the South Depot. Do you have an Accessible room booked? There's a handy shortcut pathway past the parking lot area which avoids the main building completely when getting to the South bus stop.

There are two covered shelters for the buses. Wait under the one for the park you want, and get someone in your party to let the driver know that there's a scooter to load. You will be loaded first before the other passengers.


Leaving in 5 days for POR and getting excited. Not going to stress about the busses, It will just be about my sweet girl and making memories anyway. I know everyone is busy. But if we are getting a royal room, and want to be be near the mug refills and not too far from parking or the bus, any suggestions? I know I have asked before but wanted some input before I send my fax over. How is building 90? Should I ask for a bottom floor since we will have a stroller or does it really matter since there are elevators? Thanks for everything guys! Will blog and post our trip!!!!

The Royal Rooms that are closest to the main buildings are also mostly the furthest from the elevators (see my floorplan maps). However apart from the central block, the mansion buildings are only two floors and the stairways are fairly shallow, so getting an empty stroller up and down one of the closer sets of stairs is not a major issue as long as your little one can help out by walking a short distance.

Oak Manor (90) is mostly closer to the main area, but as I've said before, the very best rooms are actually in the northern wing of Parterre Place (95). I'd word your fax in terms of what features you want rather than asking for a specific building (e.g. ask for "close to the main buildings, and probably on the ground floor unless the room is fairly close to an elevator as we have a stroller". If you had more time, I'd have said to also put this request in your original booking too.


Love the room number maps, Andre! Is that new? Great job!

That's what my dh always says. His day to day job is very stressful.
Waiting for a bus at WDW...not stressful in comparison.
Leaving enough time is key.

Yes, the maps are fairly new, I first uploaded them over the Christmas break, and I've been doing some update tweaks this past trip to finalise a few of the finer details. On my website, you can click on the overall resort maps to zoom in to each building directly.

Amen to not stressing about the buses - people are getting far too worked up about it! You're on vacation, just chill and allow yourself plenty of time, and if you get there early then that's a bonus - oh, and it might help to try to avoid peak exit times when coming back from the parks.

Just consider the alternative of getting buses from off-site hotels, where they may only have a few a day, and then only to the TTC!

Andre
 
When we stayed at AKL and WL there was a toaster at the condiment station that I saw people use for their own bread and bagels.

Is there one at POR and is it for use by anyone (I'm trying to figure out why someone would need it if they were purchasing cooked food)


Thanks!!!
 
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