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

[CJK]

Sad to hear about the boat rentals. Can you still rent at Downtown Disney? But you know, even when staying at a moderate hotel, I find that we usually rent boats at the deluxe hotels. Strange.

 

[siskaren]

I was reading a review the other day about the dining and how it can be crazy in the morning. What time is peak usually for breakfast? Also, I was going to call about making a request for building. We have booked a Garden View. It's just my boyfriend and I going. We do not want to be near the pool areas! We don't mind a walk if we have to to the main building but we do want to be close to busing. Any advice? I really can't decide on what theme I like better! I really wish we could do the princess room, but it's just not in the budget this time! We are graduating college in May and heading to WDW after!

I would just ask for what you want - not close to a pool (they're probably not used to that ) and near a bus stop.

Based on what you want I'd suggest you stay in Magnolia or Oak Manor. They are both a short walk to the Food Court and to the East bus depot.

Oak Manor is all royal rooms and dumbolove didn't book a royal room.

 

[dumbolove]

I would just ask for what you want - not close to a pool (they're probably not used to that ) and near a bus stop. Oak Manor is all royal rooms and dumbolove didn't book a royal room.

We are always afraid of them "upgrading" us to a pool view...no thanks! lol it doesn't appeal to us.

 

[patclairesmom]

Well this one came out of the blue:

The Riverside boat rental marina will be permanently closing after today!

The Sassagoula river ferry will continue to operate as normal, as will the pirate cruises and the cycle rentals, but no more Sea Raycers and other boat rentals. Apparently this will happen at the other Moderates too.

And another bit of magic is chipped away.

Andre

This is really sad news.

 

[scoobydooby]

This is really sad news.

Isn't it just. This was one of our main reasons to stay here. Disney are taking too much away and adding too much onto their prices. Ultimately a poor marketing strategy.

 

[andrewilley]

Isn't it just. This was one of our main reasons to stay here. Disney are taking too much away and adding too much onto their prices. Ultimately a poor marketing strategy.

I'm hoping this is a misunderstanding or perhaps just something temporary as this was the first I heard of it yesterday, but it was from a very reliable on-site management source.

Anyone there at the moment care to find out what is being said at the Riverside Levee desk?

Andre

 

[lillykat]

I'm hoping this is a misunderstanding or perhaps just something temporary as this was the first I heard of it yesterday, but it was from a very reliable on-site management source. Anyone there at the moment care to find out what is being said at the Riverside Levee desk? Andre

I hope you are right...but I think they took the boats away and made them seasonal at CBR or CS so maybe they are getting rid of more moderate perks? Sad if it is true.

Andre do you know if this will end the life vest loans they had for kids for the pool? We used them last trip and in the past at the POLY.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Anyone there at the moment care to find out what is being said at the Riverside Levee desk?

We'll be there Wed but hopefully someone will know/share sooner....

 

[jcyoung]

I hope you are right...but I think they took the boats away and made them seasonal at CBR or CS so maybe they are getting rid of more moderate perks? Sad if it is true.

Andre do you know if this will end the life vest loans they had for kids for the pool? We used them last trip and in the past at the POLY.

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.

 

[andrewilley]

Andre do you know if this will end the life vest loans they had for kids for the pool?

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

Andre

 

[ttcl516]

Awww...I hope this is just something temporary. My son was so looking forward to this on our next trip

 

[ConvenientTruth]

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.

 

[cbrown1007]

I sent a fax on Monday for our check-in this Sunday. I didn't hear anything back. Should I? How do I know they received it?

 

[jennyjinx3]

I sent a fax on Monday for our check-in this Sunday. I didn't hear anything back. Should I? How do I know they received it?

I sent a fax on Sunday too!! Except I hope they don't fax me back....I did it at work!!

 

[jclouti]

I'm hoping this is a misunderstanding or perhaps just something temporary as this was the first I heard of it yesterday, but it was from a very reliable on-site management source. Anyone there at the moment care to find out what is being said at the Riverside Levee desk? Andre

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.

 

[jclouti]

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.

Here now. We had excellent bus service the entire week. In the mornings there was always a CM there to let people know what was going on. Other than one trip to Downtown Disney midday where we waited about 15 mins, we rarely waited more than 5 mins. At peak hours the busses were full, but we would often see two busses show up at once to handle the volume. There is also a screen at the South bus depot in the shelter for Epcot and AK that shows the current time and expected time for each of the busses.

 

[JayhawkFans]

Here now. We had excellent bus service the entire week. In the mornings there was always a CM there to let people know what was going on. Other than one trip to Downtown Disney midday where we waited about 15 mins, we rarely waited more than 5 mins. At peak hours the busses were full, but we would often see two busses show up at once to handle the volume. There is also a screen at the South bus depot in the shelter for Epcot and AK that shows the current time and expected time for each of the busses.

Hoping that they finally got the word that something needed to be changed. We are staying at POR for the first time in October and had hoped to try a trip without a rental car. Seeing your positive post has me a bit more hopeful that we can attempt the busses. We'll just have to wait and see ....

 

[dansdad]

I sent a fax on Monday for our check-in this Sunday. I didn't hear anything back. Should I? How do I know they received it?

It is rare to hear back from them.

 

[WDW1979]

They do recycle, with separate receptacles. A few years back we went on a behind the scenes tour and they said they also go through the other garbage as well and recycle from those containers as well.

There was a recent episode of a TV comedy show where the fictional mucipality required separate recycle bins for many differnet types of items, such as a recycle bin for disposable coffee cups without lipstick on the rim of the cup, and a separate recycle bin for disposable coffee cups with lipstick on the rim.

 

[WDW1979]

Well this one came out of the blue:

The Riverside boat rental marina will be permanently closing after today!

The Sassagoula river ferry will continue to operate as normal, as will the pirate cruises and the cycle rentals, but no more Sea Raycers and other boat rentals. Apparently this will happen at the other Moderates too.

And another bit of magic is chipped away.

Andre

Oh, man, that is disappointing. We have stayed at Riverside but never rented boats as my kids had been too young, but my daughter is now old enough to drive a boat with me in it and we planned to rent a Sea Raycer a couple of times during our upcoming March 2014 visit.