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

[cheryterese]

We were at POR 2/6 - 2/12 for our first on-site trip with the kids and we loved the resort. We were in room 1452 and it was perfect - second floor corner room, garden view, close to everything and yet very quiet. Check-in was easy and our room was ready at 11:30am when we arrived. Landscaping was gorgeous and we loved walking around the resort. We had no problem with storage space and didn't even use all of it (2 adults, 3 kids). We didn't have any problems with slipping on the tiled floor but our 4 year old son did ask why there was no carpet there! The kids loved the pull-down bed and took turns sleeping on it. Housekeeping was adequate, but nothing special. We had a Mickey shape made with 3 towels on the bed when we arrived, but that was it (and we tipped every day). We only used the main pool and loved it. DH would bring lunch over from the food court and we'd sit at the tables near the bar to enjoy lunch and drinks while the kids swam. The food court was always busy and on our last day we waited over 1/2 hour for some fish to find out they had forgotten to put it down so we were comped 2 qs service meals without even asking. All CM's were super friendly.

The only downside was the POR busses at night. Lines always seemed to be the longest for this resort and the busses the least frequent. After the first two nights we decided to try taking the French Quarter bus and that worked out much better and we ended up doing that the rest of the trip. Lines for French Quarter were nonexistent, busses were frequent, we didn't need to stand on the bus, and we enjoyed the 10 minute walk along the river back to Riverside. Not sure why POR bus lines were always so long.

Many thanks to Andre and Venom. We will definitely return to POR! I miss it already.
Cheryl

 

[andrewilley]

Andre-are there only certain sections or building where once can get connecting rooms? Thanks!

They are all over the resort, around 50% of rooms have connecting doors.

I have a question about the buses for Port Orleans Riverside. We stayed at Coronado Springs and we were quite far from the main building. In the mornings we were able to go to the nearest bus stop and the bus would always stop at the main bus stop. We could then go to the food court for breakfast. We could then use the main bus stop to head to the parks.

POR buses do not always work that way, no - and especially in the mornings. Sometimes buses do the South Depot first and then do the outlying stops, while other times it's the outer loop first and then the South. Honestly, I'd just walk from pretty much any room, it'll never be quicker by bus (try it one time maybe, split up and try both options and see who gets their breakfast first ). Put in a request for a room fairly close to the main buildings anyway, that should help.

I've been trying to read every post to avoid asking the same questions that have already been asked, but I'm afraid I may have missed something I'm wondering about. Is everyone getting a response to the room requests that they are faxing in? And if so, about how long does it usually take? 3 more sleeps and then we'll be at POR!

See the FAQ in the very first post, which says:

They may contact you about your requests, but don’t worry if you don’t get any confirmation back.

You could contact Venomhatch about checking that your fax has at least been received if you wish.

Andre

 

[Missytara]

To avoid the issue with the busses at night; I started ending my evening at a resort. I take the bus to DTD; never waited more than 10 or 15 minutes for one - and then took the water taxi back to the resort.

The water taxis run every ten minutes from 4 pm until 11:00 pm, so you are never waiting very long.

Of course, I usually get diverted by the Christmas shop....ugh.

 

[Racemom17]

New Thread, awesome!!!

I have 98 days left until our trip!!! So excited! I was looking over the maps this morning trying to decide what building I want most to be in. We booked a garden view and was thinking originally I would request building 16 or 17 (want AB)... but after looking over the map again today it looks like building 38 is actually settled quite nicely near a bus depot and close to ol' man island (way closer than 16 or 17, judging by the map). Would anyone know about how far of a walk building 38 is away from the main building? Also if we want to get to the parks early (going for EMH and an early ADR) would we be better off going to the main bus depot? Or do the buses pick up that early at every depot. We're not worried about the walk time, but we'll be pushing a double stroller and don't want to tire ourselves out BEFORE getting to the parks!

I'm thinking I'll plan to make my request for building 38, 16 or 17 in that order. We also would prefer ground floor since we'll have that stroller to haul around. Do you think that would be a good request?

We stayed in Building 39 Feb 2011...we loved the location. It was very quiet...we had the quiet pool to ourself most of the time. The laundry was right there...the bus was a quick walk through the trees...and it was only about a 5 minute leisurely stroll to Ole Man Island and the main building. POR is probably one of our favorite resorts.

 

[kalliyan1]

I just booked a package at POR for the end of May. There will be 5 in our party. I really wanted a preferred room but there wasnt any availability under the spring promo.
My question is this:
It it unrealistic to make a building request for one of the preferred buildings when I'm only booked in a garden view? I don't mind paying the difference in the room I just really want to be near the main building. Do they ever grant requests from one room catg. like gardenview to another like preferred?

Any other suggestions as to what to request to try to get close to the main buildings?

Thanks

 

[danicaca]

We arrive on May 28th. We have a friend who leaves on the 17th, and wants to leave her stroller for us - is that too long to leave something at bell services? Would they even hold it that long? Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

I really wanted a preferred room but there wasnt any availability under the spring promo.
My question is this:
It it unrealistic to make a building request for one of the preferred buildings when I'm only booked in a garden view? I don't mind paying the difference in the room I just really want to be near the main building. Do they ever grant requests from one room catg. like gardenview to another like preferred?

Well it never hurts to ask! I'd suggesting asking for a room as close as possible to the main building and see what they can do. (16 and 17 are both quite good too, if they can get you in there)

Andre

 

[sueernieb]

We just returned Monday from a seven night stay at POR building 38. Room was fine-just awfully far from food court. We tipped, even for asking for more hangers that we never got. The bedspread on our bed was replaced one time. The other 6 days it layed folded up on the other bed. We have stayed in moderate, value and deluxe hotels on property and have always had the bedspread replaced daily. Anyone else experience this?

Sue

 

[andrewilley]

We have stayed in moderate, value and deluxe hotels on property and have always had the bedspread replaced daily. Anyone else experience this?

Not that I'd really have noticed whether ours had been replaced or not during a stay, but I very much doubt they would replace those heavy bed covers even weekly for the same guest, let alone daily. Unless there was a problem of course.

Andre

 

[Srbright]

Yes... if ours got shoved to the floor they would replace it. But folded on another bed, I don't see why they would replace it?

Stacy

 

[sueernieb]

My fault. I did not explain myself well. I meant that the bed was not made by putting the bedspread back on the bed on top of the blankets. Sorry

Sue

 

[Princess Vespa]

My fault. I did not explain myself well. I meant that the bed was not made by putting the bedspread back on the bed on top of the blankets. Sorry

Sue

We have had ours not put back on the bed, but I would think that was just housekeeping realizing I did not want it on the bed. First day at the hotel, it is the first thing that comes off and tucked into the corner. My guess is that they just assumed since you removed it that you did not want it.

 

[Shaden]

We have had ours not put back on the bed, but I would think that was just housekeeping realizing I did not want it on the bed. First day at the hotel, it is the first thing that comes off and tucked into the corner. My guess is that they just assumed since you removed it that you did not want it.

^^ This exactly ...

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

My, my the POR threads move FAST! It's like watching a really good tennis game

Thanks Andre for the new thread!!

 

[pigletto]

My fault. I did not explain myself well. I meant that the bed was not made by putting the bedspread back on the bed on top of the blankets. Sorry

Sue

I have had it done both ways. At some hotels the very large duvet was folded nicely at the bottom. I don't know the rhyme or reason behind it, but I have seen it done that way

7 MORE SLEEPS FOR US!!!
In fact this time next week we'll be on our way to the airport.

 

[Venomhatch]

My, my the POR threads move FAST! It's like watching a really good tennis game

Thanks Andre for the new thread!!

It will pick up for the next few days at this pace then slow down after about a week. Then up and down in spurts lol.

 

[andrewilley]

I just thought I should let you know I'm going to bed now, and in less than 12 hours time I should be on a jet plane bound for the colonies and the shores of the Sassagoula River! Westward Ho!



Now, have I remembered to pack everything...?

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

I just thought I should let you know I'm going to bed now, and in less than 12 hours time I should be on a jet plane bound for the colonies and the shores of the Sassagoula River! Westward Ho!



Now, have I remembered to pack everything...?

Andre

Come on my friend! Do me a favor, and because I am an Aviation Nut take some pics of the plane(s) you fly over on. I love the big planes!!! Have a safe trip over and look forward to having you again!

 

[pigletto]

I just thought I should let you know I'm going to bed now, and in less than 12 hours time I should be on a jet plane bound for the colonies and the shores of the Sassagoula River! Westward Ho!



Now, have I remembered to pack everything...?

Andre

Have an absolutely wonderful time Andre!

 

[PrincessKyleigh]

One year I surprised my dd with a scavenger hunt type thing where the clues eventually led her to a stuffed Mickey and a certificate good for one Disney vacation

I love surprise Disney trips! We did a scavenger hunt two years ago. It was a great way to surprise them. This trip will be our third surprise. The only thing they know is that the next time we go to WDW we're staying at RGR at POR.