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

[Tarheel Mom]

Oh, lovely...Well right now it's 14 degrees...So I'll take 39 or 60s anyday!
Thanks for you help!

Oh, you'll be fine ~ just be prepared that it might not always be warm and sunny. The day that it started out at 39, it warmed up pretty quickly. As long as you take a few things for cooler weather and keep a positive attitude, things will work out! Can't wait to hear how much fun you have!

 

[pumpkinjl]

First of all, I tried to read all the posts and I hope I don't duplicate anything!

A few questions:

1. How long is the boat ride from POR to Downtown Disney? Once there, how far is the walk from the dock to BBB?

2. What time does the first bus run for guests with early dining reservations in the parks?

3. We are going the first week of March - will there be any Mardi Gras activities or events? Are they worth it? (We are from Louisiana)

4. Are there any special activities for kids at the resort - maybe in the lobby?

5. Can someone explain GG to me? I understand how to order online ..$40 minimum etc. However- how far in advance do I need to order? Do they send it to the lobby? How do we get our stuff once at the hotel?

6. Are there any other uniquely POR or POFQ activities that we must experience? My girls are 4 and almost 7.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Tarheel Mom]

I didn't see that anyone else had posted pictures of the bed scarves / runners so I uploaded a few. Please don't hold my mousekeeper responsible for the condition of the beds. Evidentially she left the scarves next to the bench when she cleaned the day before and we found them the next morning. I quickly threw the covers up and put the scarves on. They added a little color to the "lily white" bed covers but I still prefer the old bedspreads. Sorry the pics are so big, Photobucket was acting up, anyway, enjoy...

ETA: As you can see we had a Royal Guest Room. I'm not sure what the scarves look like for the other mansion rooms or Alligator Bayou...

 

[mulan1123]

First of all, I tried to read all the posts and I hope I don't duplicate anything!

A few questions:

1. How long is the boat ride from POR to Downtown Disney? Once there, how far is the walk from the dock to BBB?

2. What time does the first bus run for guests with early dining reservations in the parks?

3. We are going the first week of March - will there be any Mardi Gras activities or events? Are they worth it? (We are from Louisiana)

4. Are there any special activities for kids at the resort - maybe in the lobby?

5. Can someone explain GG to me? I understand how to order online ..$40 minimum etc. However- how far in advance do I need to order? Do they send it to the lobby? How do we get our stuff once at the hotel?

6. Are there any other uniquely POR or POFQ activities that we must experience? My girls are 4 and almost 7.

Thank you in advance.

I can some questions for you.

The boat to Downtown DIsney takes about 20-25 mins.

I think buses run quite early as 6:30 I heard mention while I was there.

 

[dansdad]

1. How long is the boat ride from POR to Downtown Disney?

About 15-20 minutes.

Once there, how far is the walk from the dock to BBB?

Sorry, I don't know where BBB is located.

2. What time does the first bus run for guests with early dining reservations in the parks?

6:30AM

3. We are going the first week of March - will there be any Mardi Gras activities or events?

Yup.

Are they worth it? (We are from Louisiana)

Not sure. We've never been during Mardi Gras, but with you being from Louisiana, not sure if it would be a big deal to you.

4. Are there any special activities for kids at the resort - maybe in the lobby?

Not in the lobby, but there are activities poolside every afternoon weather permitted.

5. Can someone explain GG to me? I understand how to order online ..$40 minimum etc. However- how far in advance do I need to order?

It depends on how busy they are. Most usually order 10-14 days prior.

Do they send it to the lobby? How do we get our stuff once at the hotel?

If you are not in your room to receive the order, they leave it with Bell Services. Anything that needs refrigeration will be kept refrigerated. Once you get back to your room, call Bell Services and they will bring it up.

6. Are there any other uniquely POR or POFQ activities that we must experience? My girls are 4 and almost 7.

The carriage ride and there is a fishing hole which are unique to POR. But there are also boat rentals, bike rentals, nightly outdoor movies, nightly marshmallow roasts and hair wrap station.

You might want to check out Andre's awesome site that has a ton more information about POR and POFQ.

http://portorleans.org/

 

[cindrelly4evr]

Ugh.... we leave tomorrow for the most magical place and sitting at dr office waiting for husband to come out from xray as he hurt his back pretty badly

 

[Belle61513]

Ugh.... we leave tomorrow for the most magical place and sitting at dr office waiting for husband to come out from xray as he hurt his back pretty badly

Oh no! I hope he gets better soon!!!

 

[lillykat]

First of all, I tried to read all the posts and I hope I don't duplicate anything! A few questions: 1. How long is the boat ride from POR to Downtown Disney? Once there, how far is the walk from the dock to BBB? 2. What time does the first bus run for guests with early dining reservations in the parks? 3. We are going the first week of March - will there be any Mardi Gras activities or events? Are they worth it? (We are from Louisiana) 4. Are there any special activities for kids at the resort - maybe in the lobby? 5. Can someone explain GG to me? I understand how to order online ..$40 minimum etc. However- how far in advance do I need to order? Do they send it to the lobby? How do we get our stuff once at the hotel? 6. Are there any other uniquely POR or POFQ activities that we must experience? My girls are 4 and almost 7. Thank you in advance.

Yes my girls were turning 4 and 6 last May. They loved the slide and the pool (vests are free at the boat house). Big highlight was the carriage ride. 25 mins you can go to either POFQ or around POR. They do movies under the stars which we skipped but many families were there.

 

[spiritsim]

Originally we booked POR then switched to CSR BC. After 2 months we have reconsidered and returned to our POR RR reservations.......lol Just call us confused but happy.

 

[buzznina]

First of all, I tried to read all the posts and I hope I don't duplicate anything!

A few questions:

Once there, how far is the walk from the dock to BBB?
It will be a short walk, maybe 5 minutes, to The World of Disney where BBB is located

6. Are there any other uniquely POR or POFQ activities that we must experience? My girls are 4 and almost 7.
Movies, Marshmellow roast, surrey bike rental, carriage ride and YeeHaa Bob puts on a very famly friendly piano and interactive singing show.

Thank you in advance.

 

[spiritsim]

I like the new bedding at least you know its clean, hotels do not clean those comforters very often. To costly and they take forever to dry and the vibrant colors would wash out too fast.....I prefer clean to flashy......

 

[siskaren]

I like the new bedding at least you know its clean, hotels do not clean those comforters very often. To costly and they take forever to dry and the vibrant colors would wash out too fast.....I prefer clean to flashy......

I disagree. I think the beds look half-made (especially since the blanket is sandwiched in between the sheets), and that big expanse of white is just too much of a contrast against the rest of the room. And how often would the comforters need to be washed anyway? I think once a month would be fine unless there's an obvious stain on it. I'm very disappointed with this change.

 

[DahliaRW]

As far as the Mill food court area - do they have much you could buy the night before and put in your fridge for breakfast? Trying to figure out if I should do a grocery order or not. I'm kind of worried about doing that since we may have to switch rooms. Dh and I both need protein with breakfast and I'm gluten intolerant. Looking for hard boiled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. Unfortunately 7am may be too late for us to go get a hot breakfast there some mornings if we want to get to the parks by rope drop, and we hate to spend time eating breakfast at the parks!

 

[andrewilley]

I think the beds look half-made (especially since the blanket is sandwiched in between the sheets), and that big expanse of white is just too much of a contrast against the rest of the room. And how often would the comforters need to be washed anyway? I think once a month would be fine unless there's an obvious stain on it. I'm very disappointed with this change.

Me too, it still looks half-done. However, I guess something had to be done as I believe the comforters were actually washed even less than once a month, due to their weight and the logistics of cleaning them, although I must admit it never concerned me especially.

A much better solution would have been to design lighter-weight themed bedcovers (perhaps duvet style?) which allowed more regular washing without detracting from the theme of the room. The current solution still looks half-finished to me - the bed has a standardised "corporate hotel chain" look within an otherwise themed environment, and it just doesn't work for me.

As far as the Mill food court area - do they have much you could buy the night before and put in your fridge for breakfast?

Lots of stuff, yes. Anything from the grab'n'go cabinets or the bakery would be good choices, or fruit, cereals or yogurt (keep it in your room fridge). You might need to discuss your choices with the CMs in terms of allergy options though, and not sure how protein-heavy most of it would be.

Andre

 

[DCLogs]

So I called POR just now and talked to housekeeping. They said all of POR and POFQ are done with bedspeads. I am the one that thinks that the rooms look unfinished. I Payed for a royal room in May, now I might just do a standard room.

 

[Venomhatch]

So I can POR just now and talked to housekeeping. They said all of POR and POFQ are done with bedspeads. I am the one that thinks that the rooms look unfinished. Pay for a royal room in May, now I might just do a standard room.

Yes the Royal Rooms lost a big item with the be spreads. But the whole room decor is still worth at least one stay in the royal rooms.

 

[andrewilley]

1401 <-> 1402
1403 <-> 1404
1411 <-> 1412
1415 <-> 1416
.
.
.
9929 <-> 9930
9931 <-> 9932


Guess what I'm working on?

Andre

 

[spiritsim]

I disagree. I think the beds look half-made (especially since the blanket is sandwiched in between the sheets), and that big expanse of white is just too much of a contrast against the rest of the room. And how often would the comforters need to be washed anyway? I think once a month would be fine unless there's an obvious stain on it. I'm very disappointed with this change.

aaaah I beg to differ have you ever shined a black light on a hotel bedspread? It shows all biological hazards .....gross You would be surprise how many couples use one bed for fun and the other to sleep in......no thank you I always take the comforters off the beds before letting my kids even sit on it.

 

[keahgirl8]

aaaah I beg to differ have you ever shined a black light on a hotel bedspread? It shows all biological hazards .....gross You would be surprise how many couples use one bed for fun and the other to sleep in......no thank you I always take the comforters off the beds before letting my kids even sit on it.

Yeah. I'm not a major germaphobe, but I don't want to lay on anything that has been used by hundreds of people, and only gets washed once a month.

 

[kumash]

Woo hoo! Just booked a stay for DH and I for Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2014. This will be our first stay at POR. I'm really excited because it'll be our 5th wedding anniversary. We got married at WL in 2009.