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

[Venomhatch]

So sorry about the loss of your friend. it always hard to say goodbye to the ones we love.

Thank you very much,

 

[Tinkl0ver66]

For the first time we will be splitting our time for our star next year...the first five night at the Poly and the last four at POR. I've never stayed at POR before and would like some insight as to where to stay. I'm excited to stay there, from what I've seen it looks beautiful!! Any advise would be greatly appreciated

 

[Skampigirl]

Its been a very bad day. So sorry if I missed something.

Just catching up and am so sorry to hear about your friend. Surrounding you and your family with thoughts, prayers and many

Laura

 

[Venomhatch]

Just catching up and am so sorry to hear about your friend. Surrounding you and your family with thoughts, prayers and many

Laura

Thank you really. I had to walk through POR today to clear my head. Seems like the perfect place to do just that!

 

[Tatania]

Venomhatch - it's so cool that there's an employee on the boards to ask advice from. REALLY appreciate it.

I'll be travelling with a guest who is coming in from Croatia (we'll be 2 solo adults) and for him this will be a once in a lifetime thing because of the cost/distance etc. Our dates are Feb. 24, 2014 for a week. We'll have a rental car so can drive to the parks and after reading the Tripadvisor reviews I think Port Orleans Riverside might be preferable over French Quarter after all because there's less distances to walk for pool/food etc.I'm wondering what building you would suggest for a

But my question to you is, if one wants slightly larger rooms with decent closet space, guaranteed fridge and good sized bathroom with privacy (he's my cousin so don't want to be getting intimate in any way here) which of the two resorts would you pick and what areas in those resorts?

 

[Venomhatch]

Venomhatch - it's so cool that there's an employee on the boards to ask advice from. REALLY appreciate it.

I'll be travelling with a guest who is coming in from Croatia (we'll be 2 solo adults) and for him this will be a once in a lifetime thing because of the cost/distance etc. Our dates are Feb. 24, 2014 for a week. We'll have a rental car so can drive to the parks and after reading the Tripadvisor reviews I think Port Orleans Riverside might be preferable over French Quarter after all because there's less distances to walk for pool/food etc.I'm wondering what building you would suggest for a

But my question to you is, if one wants slightly larger rooms with decent closet space, guaranteed fridge and good sized bathroom with privacy (he's my cousin so don't want to be getting intimate in any way here) which of the two resorts would you pick and what areas in those resorts?

Why there is many of us on here. More than most think. As to the room choice between the POFQ and POR, I say POR.

Well as to the conditions you say about the room. I would go with the POR and perhaps ask for the Magnolia Terrace building. It is in a Decent Area. and about 5 or less minutes to the main building across the foot bridge near by.

 

[andrewilley]

If we drive, what is the best route? In looking at a map, it looks like if you take Bonnet Creek to Vista that it bypasses the entrance on World Drive to the TTC. Do I need to take Bonnet Creek to Buena Vista to World Drive? Or is there another way I'm missing?

If you are going to change over to the Studios, then driving might be your best option.

I'd just follow the signs for the parks/MK. Take Bonnet Creek, then turn right onto Epcot Center Drive, and then exit right (after the Epcot turn) onto World Drive. Keep an eye on the lane signs to make sure you don't end up in Epcot or heading off to Animal Kingdom though!

Don't take the Vista Boulevard route though, as that takes you the MK Resorts area but it bypasses the entrance plaza for the MK parking lots.

How late is the pool open at this resort?

The quiet pools are basically 24 hours. The main pool is listed as 7am-midnight, but I've never seen people in there as early as 7am - although there are often people swimming well after midnight. They might be tightening up the rules soon though, and enforcing closing times of the main pool to tie in with new lifeguard hours.

For the first time we will be splitting our time for our star next year...the first five night at the Poly and the last four at POR. I've never stayed at POR before and would like some insight as to where to stay. I'm excited to stay there, from what I've seen it looks beautiful!! Any advise would be greatly appreciated

There's lots of chatter on this subject if you read back through this and previous POR threads, but I've also got a page on the subject at http://www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php. To give you more specific advice we'd need to know what booking category you are staying in, and what your preferences are.

But my question to you is, if one wants slightly larger rooms with decent closet space, guaranteed fridge and good sized bathroom with privacy (he's my cousin so don't want to be getting intimate in any way here) which of the two resorts would you pick and what areas in those resorts?

To add to what Venom has said, there is no difference in room sizes or bathroom sizes between either resort. There are no closets in either resort, but all rooms feature a long hanging rail plus three fairly decent sized drawers (the storage space in the Alligator Bayou rooms at Riverside is slightly less than in the other sections, so if you don't need the extra bed then I'd aim for the mansion buildings at POR).

FQ currently has all (or virtually all) of it rooms with fridges, whereas Riverside is still catching up, should be done by the end of the year.

Andre

 

[Pt0872]

I'm on vacation....but my internal alarm isn't. Up at 6am. Today is our off day, so I took a walk around....amazing how peaceful thi place is. At night this place is incredible with the lights throughout the resort.

This is our second trip to Disney in 12 months and first at POR, wife thinks we should go somewhere else next year but I think I'll be planning another trip here next year.

I love this place....

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I'm on vacation....but my internal alarm isn't. Up at 6am. Today is our off day, so I took a walk around....amazing how peaceful thi place is. At night this place is incredible with the lights throughout the resort.

This is our second trip to Disney in 12 months and first at POR, wife thinks we should go somewhere else next year but I think I'll be planning another trip here next year.

I love this place....

DH wants to not go anywhere else but POR after our bad experience last month at BC. We only stayed there because of proximity to Epcot for F&W & most of the family won't ride a Disney bus - which we love to do. Hope to be back there in December. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Venomhatch]

I'm on vacation....but my internal alarm isn't. Up at 6am. Today is our off day, so I took a walk around....amazing how peaceful thi place is. At night this place is incredible with the lights throughout the resort.

This is our second trip to Disney in 12 months and first at POR, wife thinks we should go somewhere else next year but I think I'll be planning another trip here next year.

I love this place....

Its definitely a nice resort to unwind and clear your head at.

Good morning POR Fans! I wish you all a very Magical Day!

 

[Tarheel Mom]

Its definitely a nice resort to unwind and clear your head at.

Good morning POR Fans! I wish you all a very Magical Day!

Good morning! Hope you're having a great day so far

Counting down the days...three weeks from today we begin our trek down and arrive at POR the next day (the 20th). Started packing a few odds and ends last night. I love hearing everyone's experiences with POR ~ gets me more excited about our trip. Wishing everyone a day filled with lots of pixie dust!

 

[AmyKat]

I'll be landing at MCO at this time in 99 days. I think I'm more excited about Disney than I am about Christmas!

 

[Skampigirl]

Thank you really. I had to walk through POR today to clear my head. Seems like the perfect place to do just that!

It is indeed. I hope the wind whispering in the oak trees and the singing birds soothed your soul.

many

Laura

 

[Pt0872]

Ok forget that.....
Tried to have breakfast this morning...9am. There are lines to get to the lines so you can have breakfast.

It's so full that boatwrights is almost full. So here we are at Denny's and the place is empty.

 

[ny3boys]

How early does the front desk open? We arrive on a Sunday with a room only booking. On monday we have to check out and then back in, for our package reservation. We wanted to be at Animal Kingdom at 8am for the early magic hour- so we will need the tickets and dining plan to be active on our magicbands before we leave. Also, what are the chances that they make us move to a different room when we check in for the Monday package? We are booked in a standard room for the package, but could only get a Garden View room on Sunday (room only). Should I not even unpack anything? It will really mess with my plan if we have to change rooms. We have fp+ in the evening on Monday, since we plan to hop to Epcot after an early dinner. That's why I want to be at AK at rope drop- we don' t have any FP+ for there. I also have to go to GR and get the "stroller as a wheelchair" tag for my son- but it isn't vital we do that immediately, we could go back to GR after they got on the big rides they wanted.

 

[sunset7132]

How early does the front desk open? We arrive on a Sunday with a room only booking. On monday we have to check out and then back in, for our package reservation. We wanted to be at Animal Kingdom at 8am for the early magic hour- so we will need the tickets and dining plan to be active on our magicbands before we leave. Also, what are the chances that they make us move to a different room when we check in for the Monday package? We are booked in a standard room for the package, but could only get a Garden View room on Sunday (room only). Should I not even unpack anything? It will really mess with my plan if we have to change rooms. We have fp+ in the evening on Monday, since we plan to hop to Epcot after an early dinner. That's why I want to be at AK at rope drop- we don' t have any FP+ for there. I also have to go to GR and get the "stroller as a wheelchair" tag for my son- but it isn't vital we do that immediately, we could go back to GR after they got on the big rides they wanted.

This is a good question I hope someone answers . We have to recheck in on the 11 th same resort

 

[andrewilley]

Tried to have breakfast this morning...9am. There are lines to get to the lines so you can have breakfast.

It's so full that boatwrights is almost full. So here we are at Denny's and the place is empty.

It can get pretty busy over breakfast time, anything from 8am to 10am is pretty chaotic. It's worse if you want to visit more than one counter and then go to pay, at really busy times you can be there ages and end up with cold food.

How early does the front desk open?.

Front Desk is open 24/7. I think the checkin/checkout day turns over at 6am, so any time after then you could do your swapover and get sorted for the second part of your stay.

They normally do their utmost to avoid changing rooms during split bookings, but it would be worth mentioning this in advance by fax before you arrive so they can block the room out for you (mentioning the unfortunate category change, and saying that you'd prefer a downgrade for that one night rather than a room change - you never know, they may even be able do it the other way round though). And certainly make sure that the two bookings are pre-linked on the reservations system anyway.

Andre

 

[kittyab]

What time does breakfast start?

 

[Music City Mama]

If you are going to change over to the Studios, then driving might be your best option.

I'd just follow the signs for the parks/MK. Take Bonnet Creek, then turn right onto Epcot Center Drive, and then exit right (after the Epcot turn) onto World Drive. Keep an eye on the lane signs to make sure you don't end up in Epcot or heading off to Animal Kingdom though!

Don't take the Vista Boulevard route though, as that takes you the MK Resorts area but it bypasses the entrance plaza for the MK parking lots

Thanks, Andre. I remember driving to BLT a few months ago via Vista and I thought it bypassed the entrance for MK parking/TTC. Epcot Center Drive to World Drive makes perfect sense. Thanks again!

Counting down the days...three weeks from today we begin our trek down and arrive at POR the next day (the 20th). Started packing a few odds and ends last night. I love hearing everyone's experiences with POR ~ gets me more excited about our trip. Wishing everyone a day filled with lots of pixie dust!

Looks like we'll be there at the same time (although, we arrive on the 23rd) -- also in a Royal Guest Room. I'm getting pretty excited now that we're less than a month out!

 

[Tarheel Mom]

Looks like we'll be there at the same time (although, we arrive on the 23rd) -- also in a Royal Guest Room. I'm getting pretty excited now that we're less than a month out!

I am sooo excited too! This will be our first onsite stay and I think I'm as giddy as my dd6 about the Royal Guest Room. POR looks like such a wonderful resort ~ I'm so glad we get to try it out!