Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part Three (NOW CLOSED, see 2014 thread)

[castoral]

Couldn't find the answer to this but wanted to double check.... You can walk from the pool (Ol' Man Island) to the food court via the marina, correct? Seems like it connects on the map but wanted to double check!

 

[Mr. Pig]

Couldn't find the answer to this but wanted to double check.... You can walk from the pool (Ol' Man Island) to the food court via the marina, correct? Seems like it connects on the map but wanted to double check!

Yes. From Ol' Man Island you walk over a bridge towards the main building. The food court is on the right, the marina is on the left.

 

[cindermama32]

Hi all. We will have our first visit to POR in May and staying in Royal room. I have read a lot of posts but want to know if there is a place to buy some groceries on site like milk, yogurt and stuff like that. Also, I read that each room has a fridge. Will I be able to pack a bunch of stuff in it like 1/2 gallon of milk, yogurt, water bottles? Does anyone have a pic of one?
Thanks so much for your help!

 

[CareHeartsDisney]

Thx for sharing

You're welcome!

We love the Poly so I'm curious...what made your DH say he liked POR better than Poly?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

He liked the overall look of POR but I think it also had to do with the fact that he found a enormous palmetto bug in his suitcase. The kids, my mom and I were at the pool when he discovered it. He didn't tell us until after the trip because he didn't want me to freak out. He also didn't want to have to move to another room. He knew I would have asked for another room.

Of the resorts I've stayed at, I'd rate my favorite as Poly with POR and WL not far behind, followed by AoA with CSR last.

Join the club! We landed in Syracuse yesterday to snow and 18 degrees after 11 days at POR! Ugh.

Did you see Yee Ha Bob while you were there? He was amazing!

I know it's awful. We live in Liverpool. Today, the cold air & wind is brutal, -6 with the windchill. I had to go out in to take my DS13 to the doctor. He just has a cold. I hadn't been feeling well and went to the doctor Monday & was diagnosed with pneumonia. I was on an antibiotic a week before the trip for bronchitis, so was my younger son. My husband came down with a cold during the trip and my older son did too. Unfortunately with all the illnesses, we had early nights so we didn't get to make time for Yehaa Bob.

Yeah. Well, we did, but being a healthy adult male in his mid 40's, I gave my seat up for others because I should.

I don't mine standing at all, but these busses seemed to sardine people on them. It was strange, because the parks didn't seem as busy as past President week trips, but the POR busses were packed no matter what time you went on them...rope drop or not. It was surprising, because I had heard good things about the bus service. It was like roulette most of the time...you never knew where or when you were getting dopped off, and we had to wait very long times for busses all week long. It was really too bad, because POR is a beautiful resort, but the busses really left a bad taste in our mouths.

Oh well, I hope others have a better experience

I've grown tired of the crowded buses over the years so we rented a car and drove to all the parks. We needed transportation to Universal Studios anyway (although we could have taken a taxi). We only used public transportation for the ferry ride to Downtown Disney, the tram ride from the parking lots and the monorail from the TTC.

When I took my kids to WDW & stayed at AoA in Oct. 2012, it took nearly 3 hours for DME! We boarded at 10pm and didn't get into our room until 1am. Two different people told me to board the bus we got on but no one communicated to the driver that he had to stop at AoA. After stopping at 5 resorts (AKL, Kidani, CSR, CBR & Pop), we were the only ones on the bus. I spoke with the driver who showed me his list and AoA was not on it. He apologized and drove us there. Our trips to the parks meant waiting in long lines with standing room only. We took a taxi a couple times when we saw the long lines & wanted to make sure we made it to our ADRs on time.

Last year, while staying at POR with just the kids, I decided I'd rent a car. Our Epcot day was during the Princess Half Marathon & I knew that some of the roads would be closed so the kids and I took the bus. We got to the stop an hour before rope drop. The bus driver announced that due to the roads around Epcot being closed, he had to take us to the TTC and we would have to take the monorail from there. I couldn't believe the length of the line at the TTC! Fortunately, it moved kind of quickly. We made it to Epcot just as it was opening. The park wasn't too crowded. I think a lot of people avoided Epcot due to the marathon & it was interesting to see the runners along World Drive from the monorail as well as at Epcot. We also took the bus to MK one day to avoid having to deal with parking, the tram and monorail. On our last day, we had a few hours to spare before having to leave for the airport so I drove to the MK that day. I think driving to the MK isn't bad at all when you arrive around rope drop. Sometimes you're even close enough to walk to the TTC.

 

[CareHeartsDisney]

Hi all. We will have our first visit to POR in May and staying in Royal room. I have read a lot of posts but want to know if there is a place to buy some groceries on site like milk, yogurt and stuff like that. Also, I read that each room has a fridge. Will I be able to pack a bunch of stuff in it like 1/2 gallon of milk, yogurt, water bottles? Does anyone have a pic of one?
Thanks so much for your help!

I don't have a pic of the fridge but it's about the size of a small college dorm fridge with no freezer. The general store sells milk. I'm not sure about yogurt but I'm almost positive it is sold at the food court. There are some pictures on Andre's site, http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-POR-Main.php.

 

[cindermama32]

Thanks for your response. I was able to find a picure. One more thing- if I want to take a taxi to one of the other resorts or parks is there a taxi stand or somewhere where taxi's show up or would we need to call for one?

 

[CareHeartsDisney]

Thanks for your response. I was able to find a picure. One more thing- if I want to take a taxi to one of the other resorts or parks is there a taxi stand or somewhere where taxi's show up or would we need to call for one?

You're welcome! There are usually taxis at every resort's main parking lot. At AoA, I asked Bell Services to call one for me. They simply waved to a driver in the parking lot.

 

[UpstateMick]

Thanks for your response. I was able to find a picure. One more thing- if I want to take a taxi to one of the other resorts or parks is there a taxi stand or somewhere where taxi's show up or would we need to call for one?

There was always a taxi at POR. It was the best resort we ever stayed at for Taxi service. We just walked out front and bell service called a Mears taxi over. Most of the time it was a van too, so plenty of room. come to think of it, I should have taken it much more often and avoided the clown cars they call busses at POR!

 

[lovebug21]

Can anyone tell me if the royal rooms still have the white bedding or are they back to the blue covers? When were there in November they were white which I loved but when my friend called today and asked she was told they were blue.

 

[AmyKat]

They are white. We were just there 2 weeks ago. I don't think there are any plans to change back. They cut up the old covers and changed them to runners for the beds.

 

[andrewilley]

Can anyone tell me if the royal rooms still have the white bedding or are they back to the blue covers?

Still sterile hospital white bedding, but at least they've added a patterned 'bed scarf' at the foot of the bed to match the room theme and décor.

Andre

 

[krist315]

We are a family of 5 but youngest is under 3. When doing room request should I try for AB or Magnolia?

 

[Rebekkap]

Still sterile hospital white bedding, but at least they've added a patterned 'bed scarf' at the foot of the bed to match the room theme and décor.

Andre

I prefer to think of it as lovely snowy white crisp fresh bedding

I always find hotel bedspreads gross - I don't think they're clean (and I'm by no means one of those people who wipes everything down with ineffective and dangerous anti-bacterial wipes, and I'll touch strange TV remotes and everything, but bedspreads are disgusting!)

 

[dumbolove]

I was reading a review the other day about the dining and how it can be crazy in the morning. What time is peak usually for breakfast? Also, I was going to call about making a request for building. We have booked a Garden View. It's just my boyfriend and I going. We do not want to be near the pool areas! We don't mind a walk if we have to to the main building but we do want to be close to busing. Any advice? I really can't decide on what theme I like better! I really wish we could do the princess room, but it's just not in the budget this time! We are graduating college in May and heading to WDW after!

 

[BobbyT]

I was reading a review the other day about the dining and how it can be crazy in the morning. What time is peak usually for breakfast? Also, I was going to call about making a request for building. We have booked a Garden View. It's just my boyfriend and I going. We do not want to be near the pool areas! We don't mind a walk if we have to to the main building but we do want to be close to busing. Any advice? I really can't decide on what theme I like better! I really wish we could do the princess room, but it's just not in the budget this time! We are graduating college in May and heading to WDW after!

When I worked there the busiest time for breakfast was 8:30-9 all the way until lunch started at 11. We would still be serving omelettes and waffles until 11:30 on some days.

Based on what you want I'd suggest you stay in Magnolia or Oak Manor. They are both a short walk to the Food Court and to the East bus depot.

 

[andrewilley]

Well this one came out of the blue:

The Riverside boat rental marina will be permanently closing after today!

The Sassagoula river ferry will continue to operate as normal, as will the pirate cruises and the cycle rentals, but no more Sea Raycers and other boat rentals. Apparently this will happen at the other Moderates too.

And another bit of magic is chipped away.

Andre

 

[lillykat]

Well this one came out of the blue: The Riverside boat rental marina will be permanently closing after today! The Sassagoula river ferry will continue to operate as normal, as will the pirate cruises and the cycle rentals, but no more Sea Raycers and other boat rentals. Apparently this will happen at the other Moderates too. And another bit of magic is chipped away. Andre

This is bad news. One of the reasons my family wanted to stay at POR. Very disappointing. Will they still have life vests for the kids for the pool?

 

[germ539]

Well this one came out of the blue:

The Riverside boat rental marina will be permanently closing after today!

The Sassagoula river ferry will continue to operate as normal, as will the pirate cruises and the cycle rentals, but no more Sea Raycers and other boat rentals. Apparently this will happen at the other Moderates too.

And another bit of magic is chipped away.

Andre

I wonder if it's because some people don't know how to drive them to stay out of the way of the ferries and speeding. I know when we were there last year, we saw quite a few that didn't obey the rules, etc.

I wonder if they will do away with them at the big lake also?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Well this one came out of the blue:

The Riverside boat rental marina will be permanently closing after today!

The Sassagoula river ferry will continue to operate as normal, as will the pirate cruises and the cycle rentals, but no more Sea Raycers and other boat rentals. Apparently this will happen at the other Moderates too.

And another bit of magic is chipped away.

Andre

Wow that is big news! I didn't do it this last time, but I wanted to rent a boat and go down the river, I thought that would be really fun. I'll bet it is because the river is relatively narrow and people would not obey the rules. I'll bet they leave them at the large lakes because it is more open and safer.

Thanks for the timely information!

 

[dreamseeker9]

Very sad about no more boat rentals. I was looking forward to kayaking down the River in September.