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

[twokids0204]

Ok I will shortly.

Hey Venom...

Haven't seen you at the other place for a while.

What's up?

 

[andrewilley]

I have to admit, now that I know Venoms issue....im scared!!!! I googled the issue and found many similar complaints (not just at POR....I get it, it can happen anywhere) but I also read that if its in 1 room....it's in more. And that is what has me worried.

I can only refer you to what I already said in post #894. In around 1,000 pages that these POR FAQ threads have amassed over the last couple of years, I think this is probably the first case I've heard like this. If it was a general problem, I think we'd know by now.

However at the end of the day it's your money and your choice whether you stay at home or go on vacation - just please don't let something like this be the deciding factor.

It's rather like researching medical conditions on the internet - you could just end up too frightened to do anything but stay in a sterilised bubble.

Andre

 

[BrentSD]

I have to admit, now that I know Venoms issue....im scared!!!! I googled the issue and found many similar complaints (not just at POR....I get it, it can happen anywhere) but I also read that if its in 1 room....it's in more. And that is what has me worried.

Venom,

My family and I are staying at POR in mid-May. Curious as to what was your issue. Would you please PM details when you get a chance.

Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

Folks, rather than cluttering this thread up with multiple requests for PMs, please could we try PMing the requests directly first if possible, until such time that the full story on this situation has been publicly posted as a Trip Report (or elsewhere) and we can disuss the facts rather than the speculation? Many thanks.

Andre

 

[sunnydays28]

Ditto!

Check your room and ask to be moved, for any hotel room you stay in anywhere. I hate that it happened to Venom, especially because his family was already having a rough trip, but poor housekeeping does happen everywhere. And I'd there was an outbreak and so many WDW rooms had this problem, we would def be hearing about it. They will make it right for you if you happen to get a bad room.

 

[hockeymom3]

I can only refer you to what I already said in post #894. In around 1,000 pages that these POR FAQ threads have amassed over the last couple of years, I think this is probably the first case I've heard like this. If it was a general problem, I think we'd know by now.

However at the end of the day it's your money and your choice whether you stay at home or go on vacation - just please don't let something like this be the deciding factor.

It's rather like researching medical conditions on the internet - you could just end up too frightened to do anything but stay in a sterilised bubble.

Andre

Andre, while I agree that it is clearly not an epidemic, I googled "XXX in hotel room" and dis boards popped up and the first hotel was POR. That being said, this was old )2010 I think) and certainly not the only hotel.

 

[RubySlippers]

Andre, while I agree that it is clearly not an epidemic, I googled "XXX in hotel room" and dis boards popped up and the first hotel was POR. That being said, this was old )2010 I think) and certainly not the only hotel

Check your room and ask to be moved, for any hotel room you stay in anywhere. I hate that it happened to Venom, especially because his family was already having a rough trip, but poor housekeeping does happen everywhere. And I'd there was an outbreak and so many WDW rooms had this problem, we would def be hearing about it. They will make it right for you if you happen to get a bad room.

I can only refer you to what I already said in post #894. In around 1,000 pages that these POR FAQ threads have amassed over the last couple of years, I think this is probably the first case I've heard like this. If it was a general problem, I think we'd know by now.

However at the end of the day it's your money and your choice whether you stay at home or go on vacation - just please don't let something like this be the deciding factor.

It's rather like researching medical conditions on the internet - you could just end up too frightened to do anything but stay in a sterilised bubble.

Is this "issue" being kept a secret for a reason?

 

[conefrog]

I wish someone would just say what the issue was. We are staying there for part of our trip. I don't post here much but an answer would be appreciated. Many are worried now.

 

[4butlers]

Is this "issue" being kept a secret for a reason?

Seriously. It's getting a little ridiculous IMO.

 

[njsmama]

Does anyone have any pictures of the king bed rooms?

I do....let me see if I can get them to download.....We spent our 1st anniversary at POR...We also got married at Cocoa Beach and honeymooned at WL Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

This room was in the Mansion section.

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[/IMG]

 

[hockeymom3]

I agree.....I'm not sure why it wasn't posted on here but it's not my issue so I didn't want to be the one to say it in case there was a reason.

 

[ttcl516]

We just got back very late Thursday night from our 8 day at POR. I couldn't of asked for a better first Disney vacation. We really had no issues at all. The resort is very relaxing and peaceful. Our first 6 days had awesome bus service no matter where we were or went to. As for the last 2 days we might of waited tops 20 minutes at the South Depot and Magic Kingdom (two separate occasions) Other than that no complaints....how could you (you don't have to drive).
I am sorry to hear Venom had issues with their room. Ours was always clean and whatever request we had (more pillows, coffee & even a new bedspread were always met, and quite quickly).
We ate one night at Boatwrights and the food was awesome. Also the food court although a little noisy at times was never a long wait and the food was quite yummy.
I honestly can't wait to plan our next vacation. Disney really does make it so easy to sit back, relax, and have an awesome vacation.
If I can give any piece of advice it would be to let the little things roll off of you. We encountered quite a few people either arguing back and forth or having an all out yelling match. You can't let these things get you down. It had nothing to do with us. So you must shrug it off and quickly move on.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask....

 

[wdwmaw]

We were there in Dec and we struggled with this question. After a 15 day trip I have to ask, will you eat in the food court often or do you plan to dine mainly parks/other resorts?

If we had it to do over again we would either upgrade to a prefered or switch our garden request to bldg. 24. We found that the West stop was either 2nd or 1st stop and our bus never drove past west as it would other stops since our bus would be full.

We also timed our walk to the stops. From our bldg 17 (our room faced bldg 16 next to the pool) using a stop watch on phone it took us 4:52 from path to bus stop. From bus stop to first set of steps of bldg 24 it took 1:48 timed by the same method. We actually started getting off at west stop when it was first and it was quicker to get to our room than getting off at south.

Hope this helps, just our experience. For the record we ate most of our meals in the parks/other resorts, but have to say the food court food is probably the best we have had at a resort, it was that good. We also wanted a bldg close to laundry, close to bus stop, and close to quiet pool. These were the reasons why we went with a 16 or 17 request just couldn't tell by looking at maps and went with most peoples recomendations here. We really, really loved the Alligator section with all the trees and path. We really didn't like walking to south since you had to leave the trees and walk around and cross a road. From bldg 24 the path to the bus stop was just like the resort.

I posted on the main board, before I found this one, so I'll ask my question here and hope some of you pros can help....sorry if I am beating a dead horse....

Would I be better off using the south depot or one of the other depots in the mornings to avoid the most crowded buses?


I am debating which building I should request....16, 37 or 38.

Also, I am curious to see Venom's report on the room situation he encountered....I have had two room issues at POR....
1. 4 years ago, bugs were coming in the room from under the door and one (we assume) bit my DS in a rather sensitive place while he slept on the trundle! There had been very heavy rains before our arrival and the staff said it was driving all manner of insects looking for refuge...they moved us to a second story room to help escape some of the critters.
2. Last year, I was stripping the sheets off the bed on the regular sheet change day and noticed that there was what appeared to be urine on the mattress cover, not a stain, but it just hadn't been changed from the last guest...YUCK! It was in the center and high up on the cover....like where an infant or young child may have slept between parents. I called and informed management and they took care of it and were very apologetic.

 

[CDolacki2003]

We just got back very late Thursday night from our 8 day at POR. I couldn't of asked for a better first Disney vacation. We really had no issues at all. The resort is very relaxing and peaceful. Our first 6 days had awesome bus service no matter where we were or went to. As for the last 2 days we might of waited tops 20 minutes at the South Depot and Magic Kingdom (two separate occasions) Other than that no complaints....how could you (you don't have to drive).
I am sorry to hear Venom had issues with their room. Ours was always clean and whatever request we had (more pillows, coffee & even a new bedspread were always met, and quite quickly).
We ate one night at Boatwrights and the food was awesome. Also the food court although a little noisy at times was never a long wait and the food was quite yummy.
I honestly can't wait to plan our next vacation. Disney really does make it so easy to sit back, relax, and have an awesome vacation.
If I can give any piece of advice it would be to let the little things roll off of you. We encountered quite a few people either arguing back and forth or having an all out yelling match. You can't let these things get you down. It had nothing to do with us. So you must shrug it off and quickly move on.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask....

Thanks for that positive review. We are trying POR for the first time this October. We are CBR fans but have decided to venture to another resort. Andre's other site and this thread helped us to quickly decide on POR. The latest topic though has me a little worried and I am thankful my DH does not read the boards or his OCD would kick in and we would be else switching back to CBR.

 

[kelleigh1]

I spent at least an hour today watching YouTube videos about POR. Between that and Andre's site, I am very excited that we chose POR for our fall trip.

Also helped with the snowy New England blues. POR looks so much better than the 2+feet of snow outside my door.

 

[magicalmoments4]

I agree.....I'm not sure why it wasn't posted on here but it's not my issue so I didn't want to be the one to say it in case there was a reason.

Venom was still at Disney when he posted and said he would post his TR in three days time. So, yes, everyone must wait patiently and for those that already know, please refrain from taunting the rest of us who are waiting until Venom posts that TR. I agree with Andre about cluttering up the thread with PM requests, it's maddening Andre, I liked the analogy about self diagnosing on the internet!! We could all become hypochondriacs and we might as well live our lives in a bubble.

 

[BMC423]

I can only refer you to what I already said in

It's rather like researching medical conditions on the internet - you could just end up too frightened to do anything but stay in a sterilised bubble.

Andre

I agree! Years of vacation planning have taught me that people will always be quick to share any negative experiences but the opposite is true of positives experiences. I am not saying that this is what Venomhatch is doing as he has made it very clear he is just stating what happened to him and not trying to get people to abandon ship. I am saying this in regards to all the negative info you can find when searching hotel reviews on the internet.
I do not know what his problem was, and while I do want to know I can wait for his TR.

If I can give any piece of advice it would be to let the little things roll off of you. We encountered quite a few people either arguing back and forth or having an all out yelling match. You can't let these things get you down. It had nothing to do with us. So you must shrug it off and quickly move on.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask....

THIS !!! We always seem to witness families arguing or being unhappy and I couldn't agree with you more. Somethings will happen that are beyond your control you can either shrug it off and move on or let it ruin your vacation. Thanks for your review.

We were there in Dec and we struggled with this question. After a 15 day trip I have to ask, will you eat in the food court often or do you plan to dine mainly parks/other resorts?

I agree with you on this. When I first started planning this trip I was set on a particular area of M.B. Now not so much. While I still want to stay at MB our exact location doesn't really matter. I realized that on all our past trips we did not frequently eat at the food court or use the main pool. Sure we used the main pool once or twice but mostly we swam in the quiet pools.

 

[njsmama]

We were there in Dec and we struggled with this question. After a 15 day trip I have to ask, will you eat in the food court often or do you plan to dine mainly parks/other resorts?

If we had it to do over again we would either upgrade to a prefered or switch our garden request to bldg. 24. We found that the West stop was either 2nd or 1st stop and our bus never drove past west as it would other stops since our bus would be full.

We also timed our walk to the stops. From our bldg 17 (our room faced bldg 16 next to the pool) using a stop watch on phone it took us 4:52 from path to bus stop. From bus stop to first set of steps of bldg 24 it took 1:48 timed by the same method. We actually started getting off at west stop when it was first and it was quicker to get to our room than getting off at south.

Hope this helps, just our experience. For the record we ate most of our meals in the parks/other resorts, but have to say the food court food is probably the best we have had at a resort, it was that good. We also wanted a bldg close to laundry, close to bus stop, and close to quiet pool. These were the reasons why we went with a 16 or 17 request just couldn't tell by looking at maps and went with most peoples recomendations here. We really, really loved the Alligator section with all the trees and path. We really didn't like walking to south since you had to leave the trees and walk around and cross a road. From bldg 24 the path to the bus stop was just like the resort.

Thanks for the input!!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

After a day of recooperation and one more day of leisure in the parks. I will go back to work on Monday. But I will and promise to continue to support this thread and help anyone who may need it. I spoke with the resort manager and they are well aware they tell me and did quarantine my room I was in. They will be looking into other rooms around it for signs of the problem and will take care of it accordingly.

Will the guest that PMed me and told me about the room 9534 or parterre river room please pm me back I have info for you.

 

[Venomhatch]

Accidental double post.