Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2014 (Please read first post for FAQs!)

[littlelovebug]

I'm a little late but I wanted to pop in and say I'm subbing! We visited POR last September (our second time staying here) and I just convinced DH to let me book a trip for this September! I'm not sure if I thanked Andre and Venom back then, but even if I did, it's worth saying again...I used the fax form and was given some serious pixie dust! I booked standard and asked for an AB room on the second floor near the main building and got...Building 14, second floor, corner room! I never expected the upgrade to preferred and the added bonus of a corner room, but it was a pleasant surprise! Can't wait to visit again soon!

 

[datunofficialDP]

So I just discovered the gorgeous royal guest rooms and I need all the details for it as possible! Has anyone stayed there? Me and my boyfriend want to book it?

 

[andrewilley]

Do you think it makes a difference that we are going to be there at end of January/Beginning of February when it's not as busy as some peak times of year?

Off-peak periods are quieter, but the Disney resorts are still surprisingly full so there will still be times when there is standing room only on the buses. The trick is to avoid the busiest times of day if you can (early mornings and park-closing time) or just live with it! Really though, don't worry too much, it's only a bus ride.

So I understand these are guidelines but are we better mornings to go at say 8 am to the West stop or the south stop for rope drop if we are staying in preferred view? then south for the other three parks?

Generally yes, for MK buses you might want to use the outer stops and for other parks use the South stop. However I rarely think it through that deeply, and I just go to the nearest bus stop and try to get on the next bus.


Sometimes I suspect we over-plan these things...


Andre

 

[hunmcbunny]

Off-peak periods are quieter, but the Disney resorts are still surprisingly full so there will still be times when there is standing room only on the buses. The trick is to avoid the busiest times of day if you can (early mornings and park-closing time) or just live with it! Really though, don't worry too much, it's only a bus ride.




Generally yes, for MK buses you might want to use the outer stops and for other parks use the South stop. However I rarely think it through that deeply, and I just go to the nearest bus stop and try to get on the next bus.


Sometimes I suspect we over-plan these things...


Andre

totally agree with this. Will be following this advice on our next trip...no over-planning!

 

[LorieR]

Just booked POR for Nov 4-11 of this year and realized it will be my 13th stay there!!! Love to visit other resorts but POR is obviously where we love to stay!!

 

[lillykat]

Off-peak periods are quieter, but the Disney resorts are still surprisingly full so there will still be times when there is standing room only on the buses. The trick is to avoid the busiest times of day if you can (early mornings and park-closing time) or just live with it! Really though, don't worry too much, it's only a bus ride. Generally yes, for MK buses you might want to use the outer stops and for other parks use the South stop. However I rarely think it through that deeply, and I just go to the nearest bus stop and try to get on the next bus. Sometimes I suspect we over-plan these things... Andre

Lol yes I completely agree. I remember how easy trips were pre kids. Unfortunately now that we have two kids, a double stroller and a set of grandparents it is much harder to just squeeze in or go with the flow. Can't wait to ditch that stroller but it won't be on this trip.

 

[hunmcbunny]

Lol yes I completely agree. I remember how easy trips were pre kids. Unfortunately now that we have two kids, a double stroller and a set of grandparents it is much harder to just squeeze in or go with the flow. Can't wait to ditch that stroller but it won't be on this trip.

If you are gonna be at MK for the fireworks....wait until the crowds thin out a bit before heading to the busses. Find a spot to sit and have an ice cream or snack and people watch.

 

[lillykat]

If you are gonna be at MK for the fireworks....wait until the crowds thin out a bit before heading to the busses. Find a spot to sit and have an ice cream or snack and people watch.

Thank you we did that last year. This is definitely the best advice dispute our prior POR experience We shopped for an hour while the kids crashed in the stroller. Unfortunately the buses were very "off" that night and when we got to the huge line (only line at the bus stop was for POR) people were saying it had been 45 mins since the last bus and they were in line for more than an hour. Buses were coming regularly for all other hotels including POFQ (would have jumped their bus but caught in the 2nd row of a 3-4 lane line.). Only time we have ever had a bad bus experience in all our trips...

This year there is an 11 pm parade. So will we have to wait 2 hours or fight crods to leave at 11? I have only been when there is one parade a night.

 

[delyrium]

I have a standard room booked for 4/2-4/9. Do you guys think I should definitely fax in a request if all I want is to be within an easy distance of a bus stop? What if I'm most interested in AB and there's only four of us?

 

[hunmcbunny]

Thank you we did that last year. This is definitely the best advice dispute our prior POR experience We shopped for an hour while the kids crashed in the stroller. Unfortunately the buses were very "off" that night and when we got to the huge line (only line at the bus stop was for POR) people were saying it had been 45 mins since the last bus and they were in line for more than an hour. Buses were coming regularly for all other hotels including POFQ (would have jumped their bus but caught in the 2nd row of a 3-4 lane line.). Only time we have ever had a bad bus experience in all our trips...

This year there is an 11 pm parade. So will we have to wait 2 hours or fight crods to leave at 11? I have only been when there is one parade a night.

yeah same thing happened to us the first time...the 2nd time it was better. I guess theres no rhyme or reason when it comes to the busses

 

[siskaren]

Sometimes I suspect we over-plan these things...

Ya think?

 

[lillykat]

yeah same thing happened to us the first time...the 2nd time it was better. I guess theres no rhyme or reason when it comes to the busses

Well I think this was just bad luck. This line was crazy long (never seen it like that). People were begging the cast members in orange to call for another bus. He was insistent that after parades and fireworks that they do not add more buses. They have ONE bus going back and forth. But people pointed out it doesn't take that long for it to go to the hotel and back. We were lucky we waited 30-40 mins before a bus came. Felt bad for those who were waiting 45+ by the time we got in line. Interestingly about 2 or 3 buses pulled up at once. I do not think that was typical. All other resorts had about 2-4 buses pulling up and going while we waited. Also they had very long roped lines (running almost the length of the overhang under maybe 3-4 numbers...three rows deep). No other resort had a line like that. Wondered if the bus broke down and the CM was new and didn't know. Bc I read here that normally they run every 20 mins but that they add buses after the fireworks. People who left right after the fireworks were still in line when we arrived after and hour of shopping.

 

[lillykat]

Sometimes I suspect we over-plan these things... Andre

Ya think?

We wouldn't have this site if we all weren't over planners...lol

 

[totebagg]

So I just discovered the gorgeous royal guest rooms and I need all the details for it as possible! Has anyone stayed there? Me and my boyfriend want to book it?

We stayed for one night last October and it was lovely. This was our very first visit to WDW and we ended up staying CBR for the rest of our stay because of free dining but I convinced my hubby to go one day earlier so I could not only stay at POR but in the royal rooms. The theming and detail is perfect and we loved the fiber optic headboards. I don't think you'd be disappointed in the rooms! Hope you guys have a Fabulous time.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi

We stayed at he Royal Rooms when they first opened and really enjoyed it. The rooms are nice and I think the decor was a lovely choice.

I think you will enjoy it.

 

[zabache]

Hey guys. Looks like the will have earlier EMH the week leading up to Easter Sunday. So instead of 8-9 am EMH at MK it will be from 7-8 am. How early will the buses start running now? I have an 8:05 am ADR at CRT. I wanted to get in the park before the crowd to take pics and just take in the experience. Will they let me in before 7?

 

[siskaren]

If EMH starts at 7, I doubt they'd let you in before that. Normally, buses start running at 6:30, so if I had to guess, I would say 5:30.

 

[zabache]

Yeah the cm on the chat just told me that I will be let in at the same time as everyone else at 7 am. As far as for buses this is what he wrote:
- Between Resorts and Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom

Buses begin running from Resort approximately 45 minutes prior to Park opening.
Buses arrive at the Park approximately 30 minutes prior to Park opening.

So anytime around 6:15 am

 

[Lorna13]

Great thread with excellent advice and information thanks! We are staying in POR 1st 2 weeks of July. I know it will be exceptionally busy but school holidays don't allow differently. A question for my intrigue and from your experience so not looking for a direct answer just a guess...
There are 3 of us myself DH and DD (6) we had booked a pool view room with TA but MDE says a standard room - given peak season and our small numbers which area do you guess we might be given?
Unsure if I'll fax to request a certain room/area or leave it up to luck and pixie dust!

 

[DrDad]

I just read about this drink at POR. Has anyone tried it and is it spicy enough for someone like me who likes things very spicy?
thank you in advance for your replies.