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

[hunmcbunny]

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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ahhh gotcha. Try calling directly and see what they can do/find for you.

 

[maryj11]

I have a question. We will be flying on Delta on our way home and using the magic express. I haven't been to POR in a long time. How do we check in before our flight home and get our boarding passes printed out ? We will only have carry on bags so we wont be checking luggage.
When we stayed at the Poly a few years ago they had checked us in and slipped our boarding passes under our door, will POR do this ? I did read that the airline check in desk at POR is open from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm. My problem is we are flying out at 1:00 and the day before our departure we will be at HS and wont be able to check in at 1:00. If they do not slip our boarding passes under the door the morning of departure like the Poly then I guess we will have to get them right before we get on ME right ?

 

[wuzzy6]

We just got back from an impromptu weekend stay at PO-R. We booked a garden view room - did online check-in and requested higher floor near elevators. The day before our arrival, I called and requested a mansion room in Magnolia Bend. Upon check-in, we were given a room in Acadian House (room 8040) which was great - first floor, not so great.

My experience:

*The room was very clean, A/C worked very well, and mousekeeping was thorough.

*The grounds were beautiful, and it was a very pleasant walk to the food court via Ol' Man Island.

*I did not like that the smoking section was right on the main walkway along the river, because it smelled horrible even when nobody was actually smoking there - walking through a cloud of smoke was even worse. Normally, I don't have an opinion about a designated smoking area, because an effort is typically made to keep it away from the main areas. As a former smoker, I understand (and appreciate) the importance of having such an area! However, it was a huge turn-off to have it in such a prominent location.

*The beds were terribly uncomfortable. Cheap mattress - could feel (and hear) the springs. I tossed and turned all night, both nights, because I could not get comfortable. Awful.

*The bedside clock did not work - no display, and yes, I checked to see that it was plugged-in. LOL This was not a big deal, because I had my cell phone.

*Boatwright's Dining Hall - loud, loud, loud! We arrived 20 minutes ahead of our ADR time, and we were seated after a lengthy wait of 25 minutes. This wasn't a huge deal, because we were quite early. The hostess station had 3 people trying to work it, and it appeared to be rather disorganized. Our server was very pleasant, but he was not very attentive. The food was ok - not bad, but not great. DD and I had shrimp and grits - my mother had the pork chop. For what we paid, we definitely will not eat there again.

*Riverside Mill - We had two meals here - dinner and breakfast...

The dinner experience was good - we arrived at the perfect time, apparently, because the place was virtually empty! DD had chicken nuggets and fries - my mother had a BBQ pulled pork sandwich and fries - I had the create your own pasta. The chicken nuggets are the same as everywhere else on property, it seems - hot, fresh, nothing extraordinary, but better than most fast food restaurants (except Chick-fil-a LOL). My mom said the sandwich was ok - not sure what that meant, but there you have it. My pasta was very good - penne with alfredo sauce, broccoli, artichoke hearts, onion, garlic, and chicken. There was a TON of it, too!

The breakfast experience was terrifying - we arrived at a terrible time, because that place was packed wall-to-wall with irritated adults and screaming children. There was no seating, so you had to wait for someone to clear a table and then book it over there before someone else got there first... all while carrying a tray of food. I saw a lot of people taking food back to their rooms - probably the smartest idea for that particular time of day. The food was typical QS breakfast foods - nothing extraordinary, but all hot, fresh, and ok.

Bottom line - this is a good place for a typical QS meal ***IF*** you can time it right!

*Bus service - We were closest to the North Depot, and every bus we took to the parks was standing room only. I can't even imagine how miserable it would have been if it was during a really busy time of year! The bus rides back to the resort, however, were fine - plenty of seats.

*My overall experience has led me to decide that this resort is not a good choice for me. It's lovely for many reasons, and I can truly see how it is a favorite for many people, but I would not choose to stay here again. Still, it was a good weekend, and we had a great time!

 

[Venomhatch]

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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Yes it is possible. I know POR was sold out for the week I wanted, but I know they don't usually have all the rooms booked. I would send the request fax and say you booked a Royal Room because that is all the reservation system said was open. Then tell them you really only wanted to stay in an AB room. But if you have a preference for location at that.

 

[Koh1977]

Best way to get back to POR after dinner at GF (and watching fireworks)?

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[Venomhatch]

Best way to get back to POR after dinner at GF (and watching fireworks)?

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Monorail, Boat, or bus to MK. Then Bus to POR from MK. Just my opinion.

 

[EpcotBill]

Monorail, Boat, or bus to MK. Then Bus to POR from MK. Just my opinion.

That would have been my answer a couple of years ago but now if I don't have a car I would take a taxi. There's no reason to waste that much time on Disney Transport, especially late at night when the kids are about past their breaking point.

 

[Venomhatch]

That would have been my answer a couple of years ago but now if I don't have a car I would take a taxi. There's no reason to waste that much time on Disney Transport, especially late at night when the kids are about past their breaking point.

But guests love free! So if they don't mind spending 20$ or so then taxi works fine also.

 

[EpcotBill]

But guests love free! So if they don't mind spending 20$ or so then taxi works fine also.

Yep, I also love free and for many years I would just use Disney Transport to get everywhere if I didn't have a car. Now I compare the inconvenience with the cost. If I can spend a few bucks (and quite often it's less than $20 to take a taxi) to get where I want to go in 15 minutes instead of an hour and 15 minutes I'll spend the money.

I fought it for years. I figured I'm already paying enough money to be here and part of that money is for transportation. It didn't matter how long it took, I wasn't going to pay for a taxi. I'm older and wiser now.

 

[andrewilley]

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.

You could always book the Pool View with that extra night (of even try adding several extra nights and see if anything different shows up) and then call and cancel out a night later - it's always easy to cancel nights, much harder to add them.

Andre

 

[donnamk123]

Monorail, Boat, or bus to MK. Then Bus to POR from MK. Just my opinion.

They do not have bus service to MK from GF so it would have to be monorail or boat.

 

[amy-bee-0]

We checked out of the Port Orleans Riverside very early Saturday, May 3rd (the magical express picked us up at 3am). When we arrived at the airport, I realized we left two jackets hanging in the room. I immediately called Disney and asked to speak with the Riverside front desk. After repeatedly being connected to the French Quarter instead of Riverside (and having French Quarter ask me to call back later when Riverside might answer their phone - they couldn't get a hold of them either), I left a message with someone describing the jackets and their location. They confirmed they had my contact information when I said I'd pay the mailing expenses and said they would talk to their manager. I e-mailed Sunday as well explaining the situation (we're in Canada and I was trying to avoid long distance charges while being transferred around if I called). Today I get a voice mail from Riverside Lost and Found saying they don't have my jackets. What the heck? Of course it's my fault for forgetting then but it never occurred to me that they wouldn't be able to get them back to me considering how quickly I realized the mistake and I'm willing to pay all costs. Housekeeping wouldn't have even started to clean the room yet. Does anyone have the phone number for Riverside's front desk?

 

[scullyh]

We are hoping to use the pool on our departure day til about 3pm, is this allowed? Also do the change rooms happen to have a hair dryer?

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

We are hoping to use the pool on our departure day til about 3pm, is this allowed? Also do the change rooms happen to have a hair dryer?

Yes, you are allowed to use resort facilities until midnight of your departure day, I believe, but I don't remember seeing blow dryers at the change rooms.

 

[Ravenne]

That would have been my answer a couple of years ago but now if I don't have a car I would take a taxi. There's no reason to waste that much time on Disney Transport, especially late at night when the kids are about past their breaking point.

But guests love free! So if they don't mind spending 20$ or so then taxi works fine also.

I hate how long it takes to get any where via Disney Transport, and at times, I certainly wouldn't mind dropping the $20 for a taxi, but the biggest issue for me is car seats. I have lil ones that still need car seats per FL law, and one of the biggest draw about vacationing at WDW is that we don't have to schlep those cumbersome things with us...not that we'd haul them around while we're touring resorts and parks anyway. Granted, the drive is fairly short, but if car seats weren't an issue, I'd take a taxi in a heart beat. Unless you guys know something about legally not requiring car seats in taxis that I don't know, then please do share.

 

[andrewilley]

. Does anyone have the phone number for Riverside's front desk?

I can't give you a direct extension number for them, but the 1-407-934-6000 number should be able to connect you to someone at the resort on request - ask to speak to a manager in the Housekeeping department, who should be able to check on who cleaned your room after you left and find out what happened. There is a storage area in each building that they sometimes put things in temporarily before it gets taken to Lost Property. You could also fax the resort on 1-407-934-5777, which goes direct to the Riverside admin offices.

Andre

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Is anyone here now (POR) or arriving today? ? I have more than a half case of bottled water and some other snacks I'd love to pass on if possible! Send me a PM if so! My post disney vacation depression starts today!

-Kelly

 

[Koh1977]

I hate how long it takes to get any where via Disney Transport, and at times, I certainly wouldn't mind dropping the $20 for a taxi, but the biggest issue for me is car seats. I have lil ones that still need car seats per FL law, and one of the biggest draw about vacationing at WDW is that we don't have to schlep those cumbersome things with us...not that we'd haul them around while we're touring resorts and parks anyway. Granted, the drive is fairly short, but if car seats weren't an issue, I'd take a taxi in a heart beat. Unless you guys know something about legally not requiring car seats in taxis that I don't know, then please do share.

I agree! I think my 7 year old is ok according to FL law, but my 3 year old?

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[Pineappley]

I hate how long it takes to get any where via Disney Transport, and at times, I certainly wouldn't mind dropping the $20 for a taxi, but the biggest issue for me is car seats. I have lil ones that still need car seats per FL law, and one of the biggest draw about vacationing at WDW is that we don't have to schlep those cumbersome things with us...not that we'd haul them around while we're touring resorts and parks anyway. Granted, the drive is fairly short, but if car seats weren't an issue, I'd take a taxi in a heart beat. Unless you guys know something about legally not requiring car seats in taxis that I don't know, then please do share.

In Europe (I'm from the UK and it's the same when we're on holiday in Spain etc) you don't need to use a car seat when in a taxi with a baby/child.

I assumed it was the same in the US because we did take taxis when we were at Disney last year and there was no mention if it at all either in the pre-booked vehicles or the ones you hail. My daughter was 5 then.

 

[LisaTC]

Here's some taxi information: http://www.taxifarefinder.com/newsroom/2012/03/20/taking-taxis-with-infants-toddlers-and-young-children/

Additionally, the child safety laws in FL do not apply to for-hire car services, including taxi cabs. That means thousands of children visiting Orlando and riding on the state’s roads in taxis are likely not in a safety seat. You can request one when hiring a taxi/driver.