Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part Two [Thread now FULL and closed]

[klwdisney]

Honestly I wouldn't change hotel based on busses. It's hit or miss. And I'd rather be on a packed POR bus than a deluxe bus that seems to service 5 hotels on one bus! 90% of the time we had a seat and weren't crammed in. We tended to get to the parks just a hair after they opened and took an afternoon break every day. Leaving the MK after Wishes we had to wait for 3 busses before we finally got onto one. If we stay for fireworks, we usually tend to take a cab back to the hotel instead of waiting with the masses. They are coming out with new busses that have been designed to hold more guests we were told... but not sure when that's happening. I would just bring a little cab money in your pockets every day and if the busses seem insane, just get a cab! Just ENJOY POR.... it's such a beautiful resort! We were pretty far from the main bldg and never once minded it - even with a tired 7 year old after a very long day - because it's such a beautiful resort!

 

[Dixiemom]

I think I have seen this answered before but can't recall where exactly....We will be driving to the parks with the exception of MK. Requested a mansion building so thinking East Depot......for MK would it be faster to board at another depot?

 

[Dixiemom]

When we checked in we found we'd been upgraded to a garden view room in Magnolia Terrace, 3rd floor, connecting rooms. Had a GREAT night watching Yeeehaawww Bob ... I'm still singing!!

Let me know if you have any questions!!

I think you got the room I am hoping for LOL

 

[Dimples1973ca]

So excited to be staying at POR Pool view Royal guest room in just 35 days. Originally we were going to be a family of five staying at Poly CL level but due to health reasons my in laws cannot join us. So we switched to Mod, saved enough for the five of us to go on another trip when we are all healthy enough to do so. So excited. Stayed at POFQ and Alligator Bayou in the past. DD is going to love the princess theme. Yippee POR July 2! Here we come!

 

[NokOnHarts]

I know there is no way to know for sure, but how likely would a family of 4 be able to get AB if booking a standard room? Not sure the $25 per night is worth doing preferred as it's already a stretch to upgrade from a value this trip. I have ALWAYS wanted to try POR AB section (had it booked in 2012 but had to cancel) - but with 2 mansion buildings now royal rooms, do we have a good chance of getting AB if we request it on a standard room booking?? I know priority always goes to a family of 5...

 

[amybaud]

Just got back from an 8 night stay at POR. We were in a river view room and requested AB, close to main pool, ground floor. All of our requests were granted and we were in the perfect room!

Only had two incidents with buses. 98% of the time we were running to catch the bus before it left. Only had to stand once and we were on the buses four times a day - every day. Of our two incidents, one was probably pretty normal. Went to catch a bus at 7am for an 8 am character breakfast at AK. Must have just missed the bus, because we waited 26 min for an AK bus to come. It was the day MK was open 24 hours and Star Wars weekend at HS. That was our longest wait all week. The other incident was very odd. We were walking up to the depot and saw our HS bus pulling up, so we started running. Got to the depot and a lot of people were waiting. They all stood up, so we got at the end of the line. Bus doors opened and no one was getting on. I thought there must be a wheelchair up there or something. Finally, my DH started shoving his way to the front. By the time we worked through the crowd, the empty bus pulled off. Everyone was in line waiting for MK. Why they all stood up was a mystery to me. Probably something with crowd behavior. Anyway, we were always able to get on the first bus that showed up.

The resort was fabulous and I would not hesitate to stay again. Had previously stayed at AKL and I think I liked POR better. Years ago we stayed at CBR, but didn't know what we were doing, so I don't really count that.

My DS (7) really enjoyed the slide at the main pool, but preferred to swim and play in the quiet pool behind our room. Spent many hours there.

Am already planning my next Disney vacation which sadly will probably not be until 2015. How will I survive that long of a wait??

Anyway, I hope everyone going still have a great trip and enjoy their stay at POR. I'll still be following the boards while I wait just so I can share in everyone's trip planning.

 

[LovingDisny]

Honestly I wouldn't change hotel based on busses. It's hit or miss. And I'd rather be on a packed POR bus than a deluxe bus that seems to service 5 hotels on one bus! 90% of the time we had a seat and weren't crammed in. We tended to get to the parks just a hair after they opened and took an afternoon break every day. Leaving the MK after Wishes we had to wait for 3 busses before we finally got onto one. If we stay for fireworks, we usually tend to take a cab back to the hotel instead of waiting with the masses. They are coming out with new busses that have been designed to hold more guests we were told... but not sure when that's happening. I would just bring a little cab money in your pockets every day and if the busses seem insane, just get a cab! Just ENJOY POR.... it's such a beautiful resort! We were pretty far from the main bldg and never once minded it - even with a tired 7 year old after a very long day - because it's such a beautiful resort!

DITTO! I wouldn't be overly concerned about the busses either. At every resort they are hit or miss and their are pro's & con's to each resorts bus system-- how large the resort is, how many resorts share the bus, how crowded it is, and so on.. The best advice for the busses... come to the bus stop with a good attitude, and with plenty of time to get where you are going. If you run up with only 30 min to make it to rope drop or a an ADR, you are going to be checking your watch, tapping your toes and feeling rushed. 10 min is going to seem like 25. But buy all means, don't let scary bus stories keep you from staying at POR. It is so lovely and fun!

 

[mrsatc]

5 days until we arrive!!! Just faxed off final requests and now to finish packing! (We actually leave on Thursday, but going to spend a couple days with my dad before finishing our drive to FL).

So excited to see POR in person! I've loved all the pictures that have been posted on this and the photo thread!

 

[Srbright]

Andre,

Can I put in a request to move from POFQ to Riverside when we get there? We have free dining and POR is sold out.

Also, can we upgrade to a deluxe during our stay? Ie ask to move for the last 3 nights?

Stacy

 

[SMorgan711]

Hi ! We're staying at POR in November! So excited!!

Question. The piano guy at the Scat Cat Club.. I thought I read he wasn't playing anymore but everything I'm reading is that he's still there.

Any info?

Thanks!

 

[webstah]

Hi ! We're staying at POR in November! So excited!!

Question. The piano guy at the Scat Cat Club.. I thought I read he wasn't playing anymore but everything I'm reading is that he's still there.

Any info?

Thanks!

The Scat Cat Club had Saxaphonist Elliot Dyson, who will be or already has stopped performing there. Yahoo Bob JAckson play piano in the River Roost loung. POFQ has the Scat Cat club, POR has the River Roost Lounge

 

[SMorgan711]

The Scat Cat Club had Saxaphonist Elliot Dyson, who will be or already has stopped performing there. Yahoo Bob JAckson play piano in the River Roost loung. POFQ has the Scat Cat club, POR has the River Roost Lounge

Oh gotcha. I thought it was at Riverside but then I read about the guy at FQ and just thought I was mistaken.

We will make sure to watch Bob in Novemeber! Thanks!

 

[LovingDisny]

OMG..... 12 more days

DH and kids are getting excited now! I caught DS 15 checking out the calendar & counting days this morning..

 

[Venomhatch]

OMG..... 12 more days

DH and kids are getting excited now! I caught DS 15 checking out the calendar & counting days this morning..

Good for you hope you all have a very magical time!

 

[Missytara]

Andre,

Can I put in a request to move from POFQ to Riverside when we get there? We have free dining and POR is sold out.

Also, can we upgrade to a deluxe during our stay? Ie ask to move for the last 3 nights?

Stacy

You will lose your free dining if you request to move; it is like starting q new ressie.

Same thing if you upgrade to a deluxe the last three days, you will be starting a new ressie and you will pay full rack rate for the room.

Disney is not the type of place that gives last minute discounts like regular hotels.

 

[LovingDisny]

Good for you hope you all have a very magical time!

Thank you Venom!! Glad to see you back on the thread.

 

[4butlers]

Just got back from an 8 night stay at POR. We were in a river view room and requested AB, close to main pool, ground floor. All of our requests were granted and we were in the perfect room!


My DS (7) really enjoyed the slide at the main pool, but preferred to swim and play in the quiet pool behind our room. Spent many hours there.

Can I ask what building you stayed in? Thanks!

 

[mamattorney]

Maybe a silly question, and I think the answer may be no, but if you have booked a pool view room (+$25 night), can you request a preferred room (+$25 night) instead of a pool view?

When we booked our room using a cast member discount code, the only room type available to us to book was pool view, so we took it. For the same money,we would have booked a preferred in a heartbeat though. I'd rather be in building 14 and look out at the parking lot than in one of the far off pool view rooms.

I just didn't want to put it in our "room request" fax if it's not done. I will just request building 18 or 16 and see what happens. Arriving in 2 weeks and getting very excited!

 

[3cooks]

14 days and counting here, I think I'm more excited than my DD! This will be our 5th POR stay. My DD complains that we always stay at the same place, but as long as I'm footing the bill, POR it is! Room requests have been made and the request fax is ready to go, but honestly, I don't care what room we're in. I've had the best parking lot view Parterre has, and still had a fantastic trip. If my food court walk is two minutes longer than someone else and if I have to stand on a bus or two, at least I'm at Disney!

 

[tazmanrmv]

Honestly I wouldn't change hotel based on busses. It's hit or miss. And I'd rather be on a packed POR bus than a deluxe bus that seems to service 5 hotels on one bus! 90% of the time we had a seat and weren't crammed in. We tended to get to the parks just a hair after they opened and took an afternoon break every day. Leaving the MK after Wishes we had to wait for 3 busses before we finally got onto one. If we stay for fireworks, we usually tend to take a cab back to the hotel instead of waiting with the masses. They are coming out with new busses that have been designed to hold more guests we were told... but not sure when that's happening. I would just bring a little cab money in your pockets every day and if the busses seem insane, just get a cab! Just ENJOY POR.... it's such a beautiful resort! We were pretty far from the main bldg and never once minded it - even with a tired 7 year old after a very long day - because it's such a beautiful resort!

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the cab ride back to POR from MK cost?