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

[AmyKat]

When we were at POR at the beginning of the month, we were talking to one of the boat drivers. He mentioned that the hardest part of his job was dodging the guests that didn't know what they were doing in the kayaks and rental boats. He said Disney had to have marine patrol for the guests, not the employees. It was a little cold and rainy so I didn't see anyone renting anything while we were there, but I can see how it would be a problem. The boat driver said that there had been a wreck recently where one of the rental boats hit a ferry and blocked the river for a while.

Life vests are available at the pools. That's a separate safety issue and I don't see Disney discontinuing that practice.

Bus service was equivalent to the service I had when staying at POP and AOA. The only problem I had specifically with POR was that the driver would continue to stop at each stop even if the bus was filled past capacity. If he showed up at the main bus stop with an empty bus and it completely filled up, it seems like he could just radio for more busses to go to the other stops. It was frustrating for everyone to have him stop over and over again when no one was getting off and no one else could get on.

For the ferry service, each ferry will hold 48 people. They only allow 24 people to load at POR and save 24 seats for people at POFQ. Sounds fair, until you get to POFQ and find there are only 2 people waiting. Again, seems like better communication could help here. We had that happen several times where we would have to wait on 2 or 3 ferries only to find out that POFQ didn't have anyone waiting.

My biggest complaint about Disney transportation really doesn't have anything to do with POR specifically. I wish they would train the bus and boat drivers the same way. It seemed like every vehicle we got in had different rules - specifically relating to the double stroller. Different boat drivers had us leave it open with kids in it, leave it open with kids out, fold it and hold it, fold it and put it at the front of the boat, and fold it and put it at the back of the boat. I really don't care where it goes, but knowing ahead of time helps me get the stroller and the kids ready so I'm not hold up the line. Same thing with the busses. You always have to fold it on the bus, but some drivers wanted you to stand with it in front of the back door and others wouldn't allow it. Some wanted it up front and some didn't seem to care what you did. My poor husband had to drag that huge thing back and forth all over busses just based on the whim of the driver.

 

[Gonzofam]

When we stayed 7 days at POR back in January/February 2012, there was never a bus issue. I don't remember waiting more than 10 minutes or so, and there was often 2 buses heading to the same park (i.e. Bus to MK filled up quickly, but 2nd bus was just two minutes behind it). And while the buses did fill up, I sorta expect that.

My cousin and her family only stay at the POP resorts, and they've often complained of waits ranging from 45 to an hour to get on a bus. There's no way I'd deal with that. Not with 3 young boys and one of them being special needs.

 

[andrewilley]

Here now and asked the CMs at the Levee desk. I was told that it is permanent. The reason that I was given was that the rebuilding of Downtown Disney will not include a marina, and as a result all boat rental for resorts on this body of water (not just this resort) is discontinued. That being said, they also said that if they get enough complaints, it might come back.

Thanks for the update. My contact just let me know that the last day for guest water craft rentals will in fact be Saturday (tomorrow), although the CMs will be having a little farewell ceremony today.

Such a shame, it was a lovely relaxing thing to do at the resort, and I for one will miss it. The Disney ethic was always meant to be about "plussing" things, not "minussing" them.

I doubt enough people would make enough of a fuss to get it re-instated, but every comment helps I guess - emails and face-to-face complaints to Guest Relations wouldn't do any harm.

Andre

 

[keahgirl8]

When we were at POR at the beginning of the month, we were talking to one of the boat drivers. He mentioned that the hardest part of his job was dodging the guests that didn't know what they were doing in the kayaks and rental boats. He said Disney had to have marine patrol for the guests, not the employees. It was a little cold and rainy so I didn't see anyone renting anything while we were there, but I can see how it would be a problem. The boat driver said that there had been a wreck recently where one of the rental boats hit a ferry and blocked the river for a while. Life vests are available at the pools. That's a separate safety issue and I don't see Disney discontinuing that practice. Bus service was equivalent to the service I had when staying at POP and AOA. The only problem I had specifically with POR was that the driver would continue to stop at each stop even if the bus was filled past capacity. If he showed up at the main bus stop with an empty bus and it completely filled up, it seems like he could just radio for more busses to go to the other stops. It was frustrating for everyone to have him stop over and over again when no one was getting off and no one else could get on. For the ferry service, each ferry will hold 48 people. They only allow 24 people to load at POR and save 24 seats for people at POFQ. Sounds fair, until you get to POFQ and find there are only 2 people waiting. Again, seems like better communication could help here. We had that happen several times where we would have to wait on 2 or 3 ferries only to find out that POFQ didn't have anyone waiting. My biggest complaint about Disney transportation really doesn't have anything to do with POR specifically. I wish they would train the bus and boat drivers the same way. It seemed like every vehicle we got in had different rules - specifically relating to the double stroller. Different boat drivers had us leave it open with kids in it, leave it open with kids out, fold it and hold it, fold it and put it at the front of the boat, and fold it and put it at the back of the boat. I really don't care where it goes, but knowing ahead of time helps me get the stroller and the kids ready so I'm not hold up the line. Same thing with the busses. You always have to fold it on the bus, but some drivers wanted you to stand with it in front of the back door and others wouldn't allow it. Some wanted it up front and some didn't seem to care what you did. My poor husband had to drag that huge thing back and forth all over busses just based on the whim of the driver.

I was wondering if this was a safety issue. I have seen people get dangerously close to the ferry boats in the past.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

I am reading about the potential mess of the bus system....I've used it numerous times in the past without too many problems....is it POR that is particularly bad or do some just not like the bus system in general. We go the same week in June every year (starting with father's day) and have used the buses at CSR, ASM/S/MU, Fort Wilderness, and several others.

I have found that every resort has issues with buses at one time or another. It is not POR alone. I have been there many times and not had any problems. I think it is having multiple stops that bothers people the most. I stayed at Yacht Club last year and for the most part there we didn't have a problem, but at other times it felt like we waited forever for whichever park we were going to while multiple buses for the other parks would come by several times. You are going to find people telling you that the bus service stinks and others will tell you they love it. I believe for the most part the bus service is fine, sure occasionally it is slow or too crowded. I have never had such a bad experience with the buses that I have said no I am never going there again.

 

[andrewilley]

I was wondering if this was a safety issue. I have seen people get dangerously close to the ferry boats in the past.

Yeah, but that's been the same way for more than 20 years, why now all of a sudden? Has anyone heard of any recent serious incidents which might cause a Disney-legal-knee-jerk reaction? The last one I know of was when a Disney ferry boat driver rammed and took a chunk out of the dock.

Andre

 

[ConvenientTruth]

I have found that every resort has issues with buses at one time or another. It is not POR alone. I have been there many times and not had any problems. I think it is having multiple stops that bothers people the most. I stayed at Yacht Club last year and for the most part there we didn't have a problem, but at other times it felt like we waited forever for whichever park we were going to while multiple buses for the other parks would come by several times. You are going to find people telling you that the bus service stinks and others will tell you they love it. I believe for the most part the bus service is fine, sure occasionally it is slow or too crowded. I have never had such a bad experience with the buses that I have said no I am never going there again.

As long as it is on par with the other resorts then I am a happy man. We did CSR last year so the multiple stops isn't an issue...I've just read some reports mentioning POR specifically as poor and wanted to see if those were thr typical anomalies experienced at every resort or the norm at POR.

 

[lillykat]

When we were at POP last year they had lifevests by the pool to be used by guests. So it is not just where they rent out boats. I would guess that they will continue doing that at POR.

Interesting in May we had to go to the boat marina to borrow the vests. They said they did not have them by the pool. Did you go before or after mid May last year?

 

[lillykat]

Those are picked up by the pool now, not from the marina. Andre

Lol needed to read the next post to get your answer. Thank you! Last year we had to borrow at the marina. So glad to hear they still have it. I was dreading adding it to our luggage.

 

[andrewilley]

Lol needed to read the next post to get your answer. Thank you! Last year we had to borrow at the marina. So glad to hear they still have it. I was dreading adding it to our luggage.

They moved them over to the pools late July/early August, in a big basket which you should return the vest to after use. They are at all the pools by the way, not just the main one.

Andre

 

[Devster]

Kinda a POR, kinda a dining question.

Arrive in the afternoon on a Thursday, will be eating at resort for supper the first night - do we need to make reservations at Boatwright's Dining Hall, or will we be okay without them?

After an early start to the day and a minor (-1) time zone change it's hard to say when we're going to feel like eating, and I'd prefer to play it by ear if that's possible rather than have to go at a specific time because that's what we had to reserve.

 

[andrewilley]

Arrive in the afternoon on a Thursday, will be eating at resort for supper the first night - do we need to make reservations at Boatwright's Dining Hall, or will we be okay without them?

After an early start to the day and a minor (-1) time zone change it's hard to say when we're going to feel like eating, and I'd prefer to play it by ear if that's possible rather than have to go at a specific time because that's what we had to reserve.

You might be OK if it's a quiet time of year (after the Easter weeks, yes?) but it's not guaranteed - especially if you want to eat in the mid-evening period. Maybe see how you feel when you arrive at the resort, and try to book a slot at that point (at least that way you won't be turning up at the podium at 8pm and joining other waitlisted folks).

You could also gauge demand over the few days before you travel by seeing if any same-day (or next-day) availability comes up on the website, that way you'll know what your chances are like.

Andre

 

[lillykat]

They moved them over to the pools late July/early August, in a big basket which you should return the vest to after use. They are at all the pools by the way, not just the main one. Andre

So it is a daily use and return item? Do they have a lot? Run out? When we did it last year and at the poly they wrote our info from our room card and told us to return at the end of the stay. In fact last trip the family in front of us and my girls got the last jackets they had at the time.

 

[andrewilley]

So it is a daily use and return item? Do they have a lot? Run out?

There were plenty when I was there last (August).

Andre

 

[lillykat]

There were plenty when I was there last (August). Andre

Thank you!!! Thank you for all your help your site and updates have been very helpful trying to plan!

 

[Devster]

You might be OK if it's a quiet time of year (after the Easter weeks, yes?) but it's not guaranteed - especially if you want to eat in the mid-evening period.

It's the Thursday before Easter. But with a 6yo DD, it's not likely to be too late, probably no later than 6 Eastern, since our body clocks will be that single hour ahead (for what that's worth - getting up a 5am is more likely to mess us up).

Maybe see how you feel when you arrive at the resort, and try to book a slot at that point (at least that way you won't be turning up at the podium at 8pm and joining other waitlisted folks).

Booked a 5:15 for now as a placeholder, will do as you suggest and check 'em in the days leading up and perhaps change day of worst case. Thanks for the help.

 

[andrewilley]

Booked a 5:15 for now as a placeholder, will do as you suggest and check 'em in the days leading up and perhaps change day of worst case. Thanks for the help.

Remember the 24-hour cancellation penalty.

Andre

 

[DJFan88]

Not true. We walked to the main bus area. The busses were hit or miss at this resort. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to drop off / pick up / sharing with FQ, etc. The one time we did walk to the depot in back (WAY back…across a parking lot) of Oak Manor, the bus was so full we had to wait for two.

Okay fine,, well that one in the back of Oak Manor is the one I was talking about as not the best bus to take. This is the reason I am going to request by the other side (bayou rooms) and get on the 2nd, (or 1st in one instance) stop. Don't like seeing full busses go by.

 

[Texastiger]

Wondering how loud the construction work is at Oak Manor. We have a royal room reserved for the beginning of April. Is it really loud during the day? I picked POR because I wanted a peaceful setting when we aren't at the parks. Should I change our reservations to another location? Really wanted to try out the royal rooms.

Also, are the bedspreads really gone? I've seen some videos on you tube from the past week where the blue ones are there. Not sure if they are old videos that were just uploaded this week or what.

 

[EpcotBill]

I doubt the boat rental thing has anything to do with safety. The only thing that matters to todays Walt Disney Co is the almighty dollar. If it doesn't bring in revenue it's gone. I think the marina just wasn't making enough money. I know I haven't rented a boat in about 15 years.