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

[princess@heart]

We love having our car! We leave early because we want to be early. Disney has everything marked well. We have never needed a GPS there. We just follow the signs.

Awesome!!! Thank you! That's just what I was hoping to hear.

 

[princess@heart]

We always have a rental car when we visit. The transportation system is great but I feel like it takes to much time away from doing what we really want to be doing. Having a car gives us so much freedom! As far as the cost goes I book way in advance and keep checking to make sure I get the best rate and for these trips the car doesn't have to be fancy.
As far as getting to parks early we always want to be there an hour before park opens. Parking is no problem at that point. I do have to say we never go in the middle of summer and try not to go during spring breaks. I still say getting there early AM is the best way.
Also the area is really marked well. We have used both GPS and just the signs and have had no problem (unless hubby doesn't listen to me then sometimes we have to make a u turn ) but even that isn't a big problem. We did take the bus to DTD it really did take forever but...there is so much construction going on there that parking can be a pain.

Thanks for all the tips!!!

 

[Fommt2]

Last year we were in Building 28 (which I have requested again for our upcoming trip). I like being away from the 'hub' of the resort, it was so peaceful. Some days we got off the bus at the South stop, bought a drink/ice cream and walked back to our room, other days we stayed on the bus until the West stop. I'm really hoping they honour our request (although we are probably the only people to have EVER requested it so there's no reason why they won't!! Lol)

Yes that's why I think I'm going to leave putting a request in and just see where we get. I love the grounds of the Disney resorts and walking round them helps you appreciate where you are

 

[WDW1979]

I am torn between requesting a mansion room or just seeing where the cards fall. We don't need the murphy bed in the AB rooms since it is just the 2 of us.

I want something that still feels Disney. Distance isn't an issue for us because we have no physical limitations.

Would you recommend the AB rooms or the mansion rooms? I guess I'm just asking which ones you all like better.

Thanks!

Hi TeachTink, I have stated at Riverside many times, including three times with my wife before we had children, and several times since. When our third child turned 3, it was Alligator Bayou for us, the only rooms at Riverside that accommodate five.

I love the buildings in Magnolia Bend ("the mansions"), and during our first few trips when we could stay there I did not want to stay in Alligator Bayou because the mansions seemed so much prettier. But that must have been because I did not really visit Alligator Bayou; now we love Alligator Bayou! It is very serene with lots of great landscaping.

We have stayed at many Disney resort hotels, including most of the deluxes at Walt Disney World, and Riverside is our favorite, primarily due to its beautiful landscaping and serene atmosphere.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

Hi TeachTink, I have stated at Riverside many times, including three times with my wife before we had children, and several times since. When our third child turned 3, it was Alligator Bayou for us, the only rooms at Riverside that accommodate five.

I love the buildings in Magnolia Bend ("the mansions"), and during our first few trips when we could stay there I did not want to stay in Alligator Bayou because the mansions seemed so much prettier. But that must have been because I did not really visit Alligator Bayou; now we love Alligator Bayou! It is very serene with lots of great landscaping.

We have stayed at many Disney resort hotels, including most of the deluxes at Walt Disney World, and Riverside is our favorite, primarily due to its beautiful landscaping and serene atmosphere.

This made me smile. I hope I get into Magnolia Bend.

 

[DWillowBay]

Only SIX more days!!! Can't wait to experience POR!

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I know this isn't POR specific, but I wanna surprise the fam with a Disney gift basket upon arrival. Anybody have any experience with this service? How is the food treated? If I order a bag of chips n salsa in the basket, will I be left with broken chips? I'm sooo excited, we will be there Aug 17-24. Any pics of gift baskets? When in August will you be there Andre?

My friend ordered a balloon/flower arrangement and picture frame for us when we did our November 25th anniversary trip. We were in the room right away at check in (but there room wasn't ready) to drop off luggage before we went to the parks. On the way to the parks we stopped in the lobby and I actually saw the balloon/flowers being handed to a CM and said can you bring this to this room. LOL I wondered if it was for us, but didn't know for sure until we got back to our room at night. Funny. Oh and for some reason the frame came to our room, and by accident the flowers went to my friends room. LOL She had to come by and personally deliver it.

So in my experience, depending on when you are arriving, don't plan that it will be in your room when you get there. But it should be there before you come in from the parks that night.

We got there around noon-1pm, so I would say around 2-3pm is when it probably got to the resort to be delivered. And with room check ins not suppose to be before 3pm, if your room is ready earlier you might get there before the package.

this is the link to Disney Florist.
http://disneyworld.disneyfloralandgifts.com/home.do

 

[Gorechick]

I ordered the Kool Snack cooler from Disney Florist in 2012. We really liked it and still use the cooler.

 

[gydell]

Is the Murphy bed a twin bed?

 

[SteviesDaddy]

Thanks Rejoyceoverdisney

 

[SteviesDaddy]

Thanks gorechick.

 

[staticgirl50]

One more day and we will be there! ♥

 

[TeachTink]

DH and I would like to take a carriage ride while we are at POR. Does anyone know how far in advance the carriage rides can/should be booked? We are going in May. Can I book it now? If I wait until a week or so before we go to see what the weather forecast is looking like, will that be too late to get a reservation? Am I worrying for nothing and we will be able to just wait in line and get a carriage ride?

 

[Katelly]

DH and I would like to take a carriage ride while we are at POR. Does anyone know how far in advance the carriage rides can/should be booked? We are going in May. Can I book it now? If I wait until a week or so before we go to see what the weather forecast is looking like, will that be too late to get a reservation? Am I worrying for nothing and we will be able to just wait in line and get a carriage ride?

I'm not sure how far in advance you can book but I would not wait until a week before either. When we were at POR last month, I had reservations for the carriage ride that I had made about two months prior I believe. I'm glad I went ahead and made those reservations as the rides were completely booked the evening we went. It's a popular thing to do at POR!

Just be warned though that if you have reservations and call to cancel less than 24 hours prior to your ride, you will be charged the full cost.

 

[lillykat]

DH and I would like to take a carriage ride while we are at POR. Does anyone know how far in advance the carriage rides can/should be booked? We are going in May. Can I book it now? If I wait until a week or so before we go to see what the weather forecast is looking like, will that be too late to get a reservation? Am I worrying for nothing and we will be able to just wait in line and get a carriage ride?

We got one night of in Mid May last year.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I'm not sure how far in advance you can book but I would not wait until a week before either. When we were at POR last month, I had reservations for the carriage ride that I had made about two months prior I believe. I'm glad I went ahead and made those reservations as the rides were completely booked the evening we went. It's a popular thing to do at POR! Just be warned though that if you have reservations and call to cancel less than 24 hours prior to your ride, you will be charged the full cost.

I guess we were lucky last March as we made our carriage ride reservations when we checked in for that same night. Loved it. We chose the trip around POFQ & Lori our driver was amazing with all the info she tells.

 

[patclairesmom]

A few questions...

I am going to have my car with me for the first time while staying on property this coming trip. I have always used buses and monorails on previous trips. How well do GPS systems work at Disney (I ask because one time in Chicago, my GPS was horrible!!)?

How long should I plan on it taking to get from POR to the parks? Is there a lot of traffic before rope drop? How long for parking?

Is it just easier to leave the car at POR and take the bus?? I ask that because I love the freedom of not having to wait for a crowded bus.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Don't use your GPS. We wanted to go the the Beach Club and it took us to the Boardwalk. As long as your in the bubble the signs are clearly marked. Even though we have a car, we like to use Disney transportation. We have driven to the parks and we usually get a parking spot at the very end of the row. Then to try to find your car is another issue.

 

[andrewilley]

Is the Murphy bed a twin bed?

I assume you mean as in a single bed, not a bed for two people? If so, then yes. It's about 63" x 30".

Andre

 

[gydell]

I assume you mean as in a single bed, not a bed for two people? If so, then yes. It's about 63" x 30".

Andre

Thanks! I am trying to figure out if an adult can sleep in it. Do they have rollaways or can I bring a blowup bed?

 

[georgiesgirl]

We will be arriving to POR in November and will be using a ECV for the first time. We are booking preferred and will be in AB. Do they have ramps to the first floor as well as stairs? By the way we do not need a handicap room. Thank You!