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

[MomofTwinPrincesses]

24hrs from now we will be in POR!! Whoohoooo

We put our deposit down 365 days ago, and this is our first family trip ever!(let alone to the world) we told the kids Monday DD6 DS3 and they freaked.

Thanks to Andre and venom and all the other cool kids that answered my newbie WDW and POR questions along the way.

I'll try and pay it forward while we are there and answer any "here now" questions if I can.

Us too. Driving now. Super excited for first family vacation. Thanks to everyone on the Dis I am a little more prepared - I hope.

 

[HiMagicFan]

I plan on decorating for my niece and nephews b-day for the first half of the trip then decorate for Halloween after that. I wonder if they make Birthday window clings?

Check walmart! I sometimes see them but not many - our walmart sells out of stuff and takes a while to replenish

 

[Venomhatch]

Us too. Driving now. Super excited for first family vacation. Thanks to everyone on the Dis I am a little more prepared - I hope.

Oh no, we can't have that. You prepared?!?!? Now we have 24hrs to make it more complicated, muahhahahhahahhaah!

 

[MickeyFan19]

Hello Everyone!!

I'm so happy to have stumpled upon this thread since in 11 days, my husband and I will be checking in @ POR with our baby (who is turning 1 during our vacation ). I'm really excited and nervous at the same time because from the pictures I've seen, the standard rooms are not that big. We have requested for a pack n play for her to sleep in and I just can't picture where in the room to locate it.

I guess my question is, should I upgrade to a different room? With a king bed? What do you guys think?

I apologize if this has been asked before but I'm overwhelmed to see how big this thread is (including the past closed ones).

TIA!

 

[Skjhjb]

SO freaking jealous of all of you who will be there soon! We have 224 days until we hit the road, and 222 days until we check in at Disney....sigh

 

[stef12280]

We will be in POR in 9 Days so excited my kids and I can not wait to there!!!

 

[Disney Diva Mom]

Hello Everyone!!

I'm so happy to have stumpled upon this thread since in 11 days, my husband and I will be checking in @ POR with our baby (who is turning 1 during our vacation ). I'm really excited and nervous at the same time because from the pictures I've seen, the standard rooms are not that big. We have requested for a pack n play for her to sleep in and I just can't picture where in the room to locate it.

I guess my question is, should I upgrade to a different room? With a king bed? What do you guys think?

I apologize if this has been asked before but I'm overwhelmed to see how big this thread is (including the past closed ones).

TIA!

If it is two of you and the baby you will have no problem! I had my youngest there at 4 months in a pack n play with plenty of room to navigate in the room. (Also had 4 year old and a double stroller fit in there too.)

 

[Disney Diva Mom]

24 hour count down to check in!!!

 

[stef12280]

Hi Everyone
I am 9 days out. I am using Magical Express and my flight get into MCo at 7:55pm. I have 3 tags but 4 bags total.

Should I put the tags on or dont use the tags and pick up my bags at baggage claim. I am just concerned about recieving my bags at POR really late.

I am leaning toward maybe just tagging the 3 bags and not one and just claiming that one in baggage claim (putting all the things we will need for the night and day in that bag.

Any thoughts??

 

[DisneyAndrew]

Well, we are back, and I have begun to settle back into reality

Anyway, I wanted to give some quick highlights of our stay at POR.

We had issues getting our Magic Bands to us, but when we arrived to check-in, they had 2 sets. Anyway, the whole check-in process was quick, painless, and downright enjoyable. Yep, I actually had a good time checking in.

As far as our room goes, we got upgraded to a preferred room (Thanks Pixie Dust). Our room was 1547. The location was almost perfect other than going up the stairs to the second floor, but we didn't request anything so no big deal. We were close to our quiet pool which we used several times, a short walk to the main building, and a short distance to the South depot. Excellent room! Also, our room had a working fridge. You could tell it was newer and it kept things ice cold.

The bus service was exceptional all week. All waits were 20 minutes or less except for one time. In fact, most were probably less than 10 minutes. The service late at night after shows like Fantasmic, Illuminations, and Wishes was even better than normal. We also took the boat to and from Downtown Disney twice during the week. Not only is that a less crowded and efficient way to travel, the trip is really enjoyable. We had one driver who was particularly interesting and talked a lot about the plants, etc. around the river.

The food court we found to be great. We loved getting the large pizza to take back to our room (all 5 of us ate on one pizza for only 2 quick service credits). We never waited very long and everything I ate was good for cafeteria style food. I especially like the make your own pasta station.

As far as the Magic Bands go, we didn't have any major problems with them. We used them exclusively for everything. In fact, the only time I got my KTTW card out at all was to get a FastPass at Space Mountain. Other than that, we used the MB for room entrance, park entrance, dining plan, and FastPass+. Nothing went wrong any of these times (except that stupid plate kept falling off of the door).

Unfortunately, the wheel was not running while we were there. It was freshly painted while we were there and looked really nice. My guess is that if it's not back up by now that it should be soon. We really wanted to see it, but no dice. As for the other activities, we rented a 4 person surrey bike and took a ride around the grounds. That was really neat and well worth the $22. We also sent my parents on a carriage ride for my Mom's birthday, and they loved that.

Overall, we think the world of POR and can't wait to get a chance to go back. If you have any doubts about staying here, I would persuade you to take the plunge and see how great it can be. It's the right balance of activities and seclusion for us.

Thanks again to everybody on here and their input which helped make our trip magical. We hope that others get the same magical experience when they go.

 

[merentha]

Checked in about an hour ago everything has been awesome! We got upgraded to a Royal Room so my wife and daughter are on cloud 90000000.

The bridge by lobby to ol man island is closed looks like redoing planks and also looks almost done.

 

[mrsmomo]

Well I totally forgot about the fax!!! Just typed it up using venoms template, definitely with my own word now to find a kinkos so I can send it lol

Then it's off to get some more supplies because we will be in POR for the first time this Sunday.... Can you tell I'm excited and absent minded

 

[Venomhatch]

Well I totally forgot about the fax!!! Just typed it up using venoms template, definitely with my own word now to find a kinkos so I can send it lol

Then it's off to get some more supplies because we will be in POR for the first time this Sunday.... Can you tell I'm excited and absent minded

Yeah kinkos or ups store.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Wow very fortunate, indeed! You are the first I have heard about the RFID incident. That is nuts!

I know!! It was just about a year ago...last November (beginning) but yes...not even housekeeping. I will for sure be more careful on my own this trip though and not leave the safe open!

 

[jseiden420]

Hello Everyone!!

I'm so happy to have stumpled upon this thread since in 11 days, my husband and I will be checking in @ POR with our baby (who is turning 1 during our vacation ). I'm really excited and nervous at the same time because from the pictures I've seen, the standard rooms are not that big. We have requested for a pack n play for her to sleep in and I just can't picture where in the room to locate it.

I guess my question is, should I upgrade to a different room? With a king bed? What do you guys think?

I apologize if this has been asked before but I'm overwhelmed to see how big this thread is (including the past closed ones).

TIA!

When my wife and DD1 and DS4 stayed at CBR last year we put the pack and play behind the curtain under the small shelf/clothes rod near the sinks. It fit perfect and allowed us to close the curtain at night so we could still watch TV or have a little late night "adult soda". lol

 

[Venomhatch]

I know!! It was just about a year ago...last November (beginning) but yes...not even housekeeping. I will for sure be more careful on my own this trip though and not leave the safe open!

Make sure to check the safe also to make sure it latched. There was one time I heard the lock pulled out with the key. So it was still unlocked. CMs were superfast on replacing it.

 

[ALD85]

That is absolutely weird. The charger cords... Dang I leave mine out in the open all the time, and never had a problem. I wonder if mousekeeping left the door propped and someone else helped themselves. I know they have propped one door and was cleaning the room next door at the same time. I have seen this first hand, a lot actually. I just hang the sign do not disturb on the door and they leave everything you need in a bag hanging on the door and if its not there when you return you can call down and they will send you another batch of fresh supplies. That way no one enters your room at all the entire time. Down side to this is no Towel Animals!

Sounds like we have to retrain mousekeeping.

They will leave towels too? That's all ill need really, I'm bringing all shampoo soap etc... I'd rather not have them in my room if I can help it.

 

[gipcrew4]

Not feelings tons of pixie dust as a first timer to POR. The slide (which was a huge draw for us to come here) closes at 8! Pool is open u til 11 so the kids have only got on the slide ONE time each AND the freakin marshmallow roast is only at FQ right now. The bridge from the lobby to Ol man River is closed EVERYDAY during the middle of the day, we have only got ONE MICKEY TOWEL <only at checkin> (again, not a huge deal but it is to my kids) and the freakin' air conditioner is being 'upgraded' aka NOT WORKING in the magnolia bend laundry. I probably wouldn't be complaining right now, but after sweating my tail off trying to laundry with kids who are AGAIN disappointed because we got to the pool at 7:55 and the slide was being closed for the night as we walked up....I'm just unhappy at the whole situation and ready to go. The magic bands and Fp+ have been great though. Next time, I'll either stay at a value or do a deluxe for the sake of the monorail. Okay...vent over.

 

[Venomhatch]

They will leave towels too? That's all ill need really, I'm bringing all shampoo soap etc... I'd rather not have them in my room if I can help it.

Just leave a note on the door like a post it note saying you only need this, this and this. Etc...

That works for us.

 

[twokiddos]

Well, we are back, and I have begun to settle back into reality

Anyway, I wanted to give some quick highlights of our stay at POR.

We had issues getting our Magic Bands to us, but when we arrived to check-in, they had 2 sets. Anyway, the whole check-in process was quick, painless, and downright enjoyable. Yep, I actually had a good time checking in.

As far as our room goes, we got upgraded to a preferred room (Thanks Pixie Dust). Our room was 1547. The location was almost perfect other than going up the stairs to the second floor, but we didn't request anything so no big deal. We were close to our quiet pool which we used several times, a short walk to the main building, and a short distance to the South depot. Excellent room! Also, our room had a working fridge. You could tell it was newer and it kept things ice cold.

The bus service was exceptional all week. All waits were 20 minutes or less except for one time. In fact, most were probably less than 10 minutes. The service late at night after shows like Fantasmic, Illuminations, and Wishes was even better than normal. We also took the boat to and from Downtown Disney twice during the week. Not only is that a less crowded and efficient way to travel, the trip is really enjoyable. We had one driver who was particularly interesting and talked a lot about the plants, etc. around the river.

The food court we found to be great. We loved getting the large pizza to take back to our room (all 5 of us ate on one pizza for only 2 quick service credits). We never waited very long and everything I ate was good for cafeteria style food. I especially like the make your own pasta station.

As far as the Magic Bands go, we didn't have any major problems with them. We used them exclusively for everything. In fact, the only time I got my KTTW card out at all was to get a FastPass at Space Mountain. Other than that, we used the MB for room entrance, park entrance, dining plan, and FastPass+. Nothing went wrong any of these times (except that stupid plate kept falling off of the door).

Unfortunately, the wheel was not running while we were there. It was freshly painted while we were there and looked really nice. My guess is that if it's not back up by now that it should be soon. We really wanted to see it, but no dice. As for the other activities, we rented a 4 person surrey bike and took a ride around the grounds. That was really neat and well worth the $22. We also sent my parents on a carriage ride for my Mom's birthday, and they loved that.

Overall, we think the world of POR and can't wait to get a chance to go back. If you have any doubts about staying here, I would persuade you to take the plunge and see how great it can be. It's the right balance of activities and seclusion for us.

Thanks again to everybody on here and their input which helped make our trip magical. We hope that others get the same magical experience when they go.

Thanks so much for this report! I'm so excited! We will be arriving on Monday for our first Disney trip ever! Yay! Can't wait. I hope we have a fridge too. Thanks for the tip on the pizza, what a great deal, we will have to do that one night. The surrey bike is something I'd like to do with my hb and kids too, think that will be fun, and for 22 bucks, can't beat that! Glad you had an awesome time!