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

[zabache]

What's the purpose of that? WDW offers the discounts in order to fill rooms. If a resort has a high enough percentage of rooms already booked, then they don't need to include that resort in the promotion. You can "disapprove" all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that WDW is not obligated to offer discounts on all their resorts. The only way you can voice your disapproval is to switch resorts, not go, or stay off-site.

I really can't understand why people are absolutely furious over PO being excluded from FD. I booked there and am choosing to stay there even without the FD because it seems like a deal within itself. It is a room that sleeps 5, is fairly reasonable in price, and is very beautiful. The only reason I can imagine is that people like to think they got something for nothing. If all people want is free dining, then where you stay isn't really an issue.

Many people had reservations at POR because they could only afford to stay there with the FD. The 5 person occupancy is great as well, which in this case is what I'm looking for. Many have cancelled their reservations which in turn will now make the resort not as full as before. My last two trips to WDW have been at POR paying for my room and my dining. Andre's answer was what I was looking for, how can I voice my disapproval, since right now for a future trip the 5 room occupancy room at POR would be great and with the FD it would be even better. POR is the only resort that can fit 5 people into a room that isn't a suite at the best price. I'm pretty sure many others have disapproved. There's nothing wrong with speaking your thoughts even if nothing will come of it as you might think.

 

[LisaTC]

With the river and a lot of trees is there a lot more crawly bugs and flying bugs then at other hotels??

You know, I've never noticed a lot of bugs other than butterflies or an occasional beetle. Other than that...I never paid much mind and I would have because I have a wasp phobia and DD is allergic to mosquito bites big time.

This was my first visit on a Disney Property, and we were at POR Riverside in a RR from 4/27 - 5/2. Just a few observations:

1) I now feel silly for ever worrying about walking distance from lobby to room. We stayed at Parterre Place, and I literally counted 330 steps from the food court doors to our room (garden view). It's a very enjoyable 5-minute walk.

I am so, so glad you said that. I've subtly tried to convey this from time to time as some insist it is such a hike to "get anywhere" at POR. Thank you for posting that. Glad you had such a great time!

 

[wdwguy50]

Several posters have expressed their disappointment and "outrage" that Disney didn't include POR in the FD offer. As has been previously stated the purpose of "offers" is to fill rooms that are empty. Again, several posters have stated that they have already booked at POR on hopes that there would be a FD offer forthcoming. So to Disney it already looks like the rooms are being booked so they don't see the need to include POR in the FD offer. Personally I always book what works with my budget at the time I book. If something better comes along all the better.

 

[lindap1]

I'm sure this will be the millionth time being asked, but which bus stop is the best one to go to if we are staying in RR close to the foot bridge? We have a gardenview room now and want as close to the bridge as possible. Would Oak or Parterre be best? I do not like standing on a bus when going to a park...I know that when leaving a park there is a 80% chance of standing, but you shouldn't have to when going to a park.

 

[lindap1]

Also which are the best rooms to get with a gardenview in the mansions?

 

[LisaTC]

I'm sure this will be the millionth time being asked, but which bus stop is the best one to go to if we are staying in RR close to the foot bridge? We have a gardenview room now and want as close to the bridge as possible. Would Oak or Parterre be best? I do not like standing on a bus when going to a park...I know that when leaving a park there is a 80% chance of standing, but you shouldn't have to when going to a park.

Well, we were in Royal Riverfront in Oak Manor room which was closer to the 2nd food bridge that goes over to the rear of registration near the boat dock and we always got on at the South Depot and returned at night at the East Depot. Here is an overview of buses at POR http://www.portorleans.org/buses.php

Also which are the best rooms to get with a gardenview in the mansions?

Magnolia has convenient gardenview rooms - you could request a room closest to the front of the mansion as near the foot bridge as possible and they would be conveniently located.

 

[mickeysmiles]

Hello, Jumping on now. We will be there the first week of Dec. so looking forward to the trip and POR. We have heard such good things about the resort.

 

[Orangeman98]

I'm sure this will be the millionth time being asked, but which bus stop is the best one to go to if we are staying in RR close to the foot bridge? We have a gardenview room now and want as close to the bridge as possible. Would Oak or Parterre be best? I do not like standing on a bus when going to a park...I know that when leaving a park there is a 80% chance of standing, but you shouldn't have to when going to a park.

lindap1,


I agree with LisaTC that the South Depot is the best stop for anyone leaving for the parks in the morning (especially for MK and EPCOT). If the bus wasn't full at the South Depot, then it would go to the other stops around the resort. However, the buses were usually full between 8 - 10AM.

As far as the best garden views, all the corner rooms I saw had great views. Even those standard rooms that faced the parking lot had trees that buffered the cars (for the most part).

 

[hoffmase]

hey guys. i have a question.

I see that POR is not included in the free dining offer. Do you think it will be included in a room only discount? I am booked for november and I see that the room only discount only runs until october.

I don't know if I should:
stay where I am at and pay regular price for dining and maybe get a room only discount later in the year
jump ship and get free dining at another moderate
jump ship and get free dining at a deluxe (i know this will be the most expensive)

i welcome your opinions. we are a family of 5 (DH, DW, DD8, DD7, DS4)

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

hey guys. i have a question.

I see that POR is not included in the free dining offer. Do you think it will be included in a room only discount? I am booked for november and I see that the room only discount only runs until october.

I don't know if I should:
stay where I am at and pay regular price for dining and maybe get a room only discount later in the year
jump ship and get free dining at another moderate
jump ship and get free dining at a deluxe (i know this will be the most expensive)

i welcome your opinions. we are a family of 5 (DH, DW, DD8, DD7, DS4)

You will not be able to get a different moderate because POR is the only moderate that sleeps 5. Coronado has suites but I don't know if they sleep 5 and they might be just as much as a standard at a deluxe. You could get a standard deluxe room that will sleep 5. Right now for free dining as a family of 5 you will have to pay more for your room.

 

[dansdad]

Coronado has suites but I don't know if they sleep 5 and they might be just as much as a standard at a deluxe.

The Junior Suites at CSR sleep 6. And yes, they are on par with Deluxe as far as $$ goes.

 

[hoffmase]

Thanks guys. Having a family of five is tough in regards to finding a place to stay. Looks like I can stay where I'm at (POR) and hope for a room discount or pay about the same price and stay at a deluxe with free dining.

 

[Sue M]

I really can't understand why people are absolutely furious over PO being excluded from FD. I booked there and am choosing to stay there even without the FD because it seems like a deal within itself. It is a room that sleeps 5, is fairly reasonable in price, and is very beautiful. The only reason I can imagine is that people like to think they got something for nothing. If all people want is free dining, then where you stay isn't really an issue.

I don't think they are furious, just disappointed. POR to my knowledge has never bern excluded before.

 

[hsmamainva]

The Junior Suites at CSR sleep 6. And yes, they are on par with Deluxe as far as $$ goes.

Aren't the family suites at AOA included in free dining as well? They sleep 6, too.

 

[hunmcbunny]

I'm not jumping ship so to speak if there's no FD. I budget the trip based on full price package (room,tickets & dining). Any deals that come up will just be a bonus.
I LOVE POR! I've looked at other resorts but nothing really grabs my attention. I love having more than 1 bus stop...I love having several quiet pools...and I love the walk around POR, its so relaxing.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

Aren't the family suites at AOA included in free dining as well? They sleep 6, too.

Yes but the person we were responding to didn't ask about a value resort and AOA well still cost more than a room in POR for a family of 5, but yes AOA well sleep 6.

 

[ericstac]

We did a bounce back deal during our xmas vacation this past winter and got 30% off POR, excellent deal being a family of 5 too

With APs we cannot get free dining so room discount is all we can go for. We will be at POR in 3 days!!!!

 

[Koh1977]

I was thinking of doing a split stay with POR and WL. Wanted an AB room, but none are available for our dates with the summer discount. Only Royal Rooms. If I book a Royal Room, is there any way of requesting (and getting) an AB room instead?

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[hunmcbunny]

I was thinking of doing a split stay with POR and WL. Wanted an AB room, but none are available for our dates with the summer discount. Only Royal Rooms. If I book a Royal Room, is there any way of requesting (and getting) an AB room instead?

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how do you know all the AB rooms are taken? Did you try to book preferred? If so that just means all the prefer rooms are booked...try booking garden view and then request AB.

 

[Koh1977]

how do you know all the AB rooms are taken? Did you try to book preferred? If so that just means all the prefer rooms are booked...try booking garden view and then request AB.

The only room types to show as available are the Royal rooms. I keep checking, thinking it's a glitch, but alas, nothing. If I add a night, I do get Pool View to show up, but that's it. They're not all booked (since they are available at rack rate), just none with the discount.

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