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

[andrewilley]

Yes there are Halloween activities at the resorts. See some of the historical schedules from previous years at http://www.portorleans.org/recreation-activites-schedule.php.

Andre

 

[Sydney2977]

Does anyone know if POR or POFQ are included in the military discounts that are offered? (I have heard that both resorts are excluded from the free dining offer, so I thought maybe they'd be excluded for other discounts too.)

 

[teambeaman]

Yes there are Halloween activities at the resorts. See some of the historical schedules from previous years at http://www.portorleans.org/recreation-activites-schedule.php. Andre

Yay!!! Thank you Andre!!! Now I know I did the right thing in making the switch!

 

[BelleKer]

Does anyone know if POR or POFQ are included in the military discounts that are offered? (I have heard that both resorts are excluded from the free dining offer, so I thought maybe they'd be excluded for other discounts too.)

They haven't released the military rate for anything after September 2014 yet, but it has been included this past year. POR is DH and I's favorite resort, and we ALWAYS use the military rate. It's about 35% off the rack rate.

 

[rosie49ers80]

Does anyone know if POR or POFQ are included in the military discounts that are offered? (I have heard that both resorts are excluded from the free dining offer, so I thought maybe they'd be excluded for other discounts too.)

We have used the Military discount at POR the last 3 summers and are heading there again using it this August.

 

[Sydney2977]

They haven't released the military rate for anything after September 2014 yet, but it has been included this past year. POR is DH and I's favorite resort, and we ALWAYS use the military rate. It's about 35% off the rack rate.

We have used the Military discount at POR the last 3 summers and are heading there again using it this August.

Thanks for the quick responses! We were thinking about WL for next trip, but the budgeter in me says POR would be a better choice for this trip. (My goal in life is to eventually stay at every resort) We've visited but never stayed. It looks fun though, and I think our family would enjoy!

 

[BelleKer]

Thanks for the quick responses! We were thinking about WL for next trip, but the budgeter in me says POR would be a better choice for this trip. (My goal in life is to eventually stay at every resort) We've visited but never stayed. It looks fun though, and I think our family would enjoy!

DH and I have that very same goal. We haven't stayed at any Values, because we can't get passed the service and quality of POR. It was the hotel that started the Disney resort craze in us.

Honestly, we just stayed at WL for two days for the 24 hour event, it was gorgeous, but I love POR. We didn't get to use the pool, but I was underwhelmed even by looking at it. The lobby is beautiful and would definitely stay at least once, but POR is still my favorite.

 

[joannamet]

Has anyone done many of the activities at POR? We've stayed there before and love it but we didn't spend much time at the resort. With 2 9 year olds we might want to try the fishing hole and the campfire and maybe a movie.

 

[ILoveMMouse]

Has anyone done many of the activities at POR? We've stayed there before and love it but we didn't spend much time at the resort. With 2 9 year olds we might want to try the fishing hole and the campfire and maybe a movie.

The movies are a lot of fun! A nice break from the parks in the evening. Last year our room was in Oak Manor, right near the courtyard where they play the movies. It was nice having our room close by if someone wanted to go get a snack or drink.

We've done the fishing hole once, but didn't have much luck. I think my girls enjoyed it, but we didn't have one single bite, and neither did any of the other people who were out on the dock

 

[joannamet]

Getting my fax ready to send and I can't decide which building to request. We have garden view and I want Alligator Bayou. I want to be very close to a bus stop and parking but I really don't mind a longer walk to the Food Court. I'm thinking building 38. We were in that last Magnolia building last time and the walk to the food court wasn't bad at all.

Has anyone stayed in the 30's area? Any other suggestions?

 

[siskaren]

Don't request a building, just say what you want: Alligator Bayou, near a bus stop and parking.

 

[ericstac]

We had a great room.. Building 24 corner room.. it was like 20 steps from our door to our car. it was just like our own little house
The West Depot is right there too but we drove everywhere.
It was maybe a 5 minute walk to the mainhouse but it is a beautiful walk, we did it daily for the pool and food and didn't complain once..

 

[Phenomenalbrandi]

Hello! We are staying at POR for our upcoming August trip. We are Disney veterans, but this is our first stay at this resort. I'm working on our window decs and wondered if anyone had the measurements for the windows here? I see from photos they have the segmented panes. Thanks so much for the help!

 

[uccats97]

Hello! We are staying at POR for our upcoming August trip. We are Disney veterans, but this is our first stay at this resort. I'm working on our window decs and wondered if anyone had the measurements for the windows here? I see from photos they have the segmented panes. Thanks so much for the help!

I need that info too!

 

[Venomhatch]

Updated the Dates Thread for all of the 2015 guests still to come: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3080566

Don't forget to check out the, "Suggested Items to Bring Thread": http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3234490

Also if needed for room/requests: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3116216

Hope everyone is having a Magical Night!!!

 

[andrewilley]

We had a great room.. Building 24 corner room.. it was like 20 steps from our door to our car. it was just like our own little house
The West Depot is right there too but we drove everywhere.
It was maybe a 5 minute walk to the mainhouse but it is a beautiful walk, we did it daily for the pool and food and didn't complain once..

You know, I sometimes think that the people who request building 14 to be right next to the food court can actually miss out on some of the enjoyment of being at Riverside.

I know that with small kids the reduced walking is a real plus, but perhaps when you walk straight from room to food court to bus stop, you actually miss a whole load of charming features that you might otherwise find by chance as you stroll around the resort.

However someone please remind me I said that when I get back from late EMH at the MK completely exhausted though!

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Hello! We are staying at POR for our upcoming August trip. We are Disney veterans, but this is our first stay at this resort. I'm working on our window decs and wondered if anyone had the measurements for the windows here? I see from photos they have the segmented panes. Thanks so much for the help!

The outer edge is about 5ft by 5ft, as you say broken up into smaller panes which vary by section (some areas have four large panes, some have 16 smaller ones, some have six).

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

You know, I sometimes think that the people who request building 14 to be right next to the food court can actually miss out on some of the enjoyment of being at Riverside.

I know that with small kids the reduced walking is a real plus, but perhaps when you walk straight from room to food court to bus stop, you actually miss a whole load of charming features that you might otherwise find by chance as you stroll around the resort.

However someone please remind me I said that when I get back from late EMH at the MK completely exhausted though!

Andre

Not true "one who is interested will always explore". I found even when I have been so close I still walk around and explore and see the sights. Plus a lot of guests tht have requested to stay at the closest buildings, have had some pretty important medical reasons, either to them selves or others in the family. Allowing family to be close and the others could go explore.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

You know, I sometimes think that the people who request building 14 to be right next to the food court can actually miss out on some of the enjoyment of being at Riverside.

I know that with small kids the reduced walking is a real plus, but perhaps when you walk straight from room to food court to bus stop, you actually miss a whole load of charming features that you might otherwise find by chance as you stroll around the resort.

However someone please remind me I said that when I get back from late EMH at the MK completely exhausted though!

Andre

Not true "one who is interested will always explore". I found even when I have been so close I still walk around and explore and see the sights. Plus a lot of guests tht have requested to stay at the closest buildings, have had some pretty important medical reasons, either to them selves or others in the family. Allowing family to be close and the others could go explore.

You are both correct! I always explore the resort some, but I feel like if I'm a little further away, I see and do things more often, taking different pathways and things like that. But if I'm close, I'll only head out with my camera once or twice. I sometimes like being "forced" to see more of the resort! I've stayed in Magnolia Bend my last (and only) trip, and I only explored a little of Alligator Bayou, so I wouldn't be disappointed to stay there, but I would also be perfectly happy in a Mansion! We arrive here on the 29th after about a week at All Star Sports.

 

[1disneychic]

We are heading out next weekend to POR with my mom and niece. Absolutely can not wait!!! I've been poring over this thread for months and have gotten lots of good info. The only thing that remains confusing is the bus transportation. For anyone who has been recently, I'd like to know the order of the stops specifically for MK. We'd be arriving at the bus stop probably around 8:30 (a little earlier if I can get everyone up and going on time!). I've seen people say West depot as well as South depot as the first stop. I've also seen South depot being the last stop. Although, ideally, we'd like to have one seat on the bus to hold DS, a bag, and the stroller, we don't mind standing. What I really don't want to happen is a bus to go by full--so disappointing to see MK on the bus and then to see it drive on past. Also, does anyone know if the double bus (articulated? might be the better word) has been in service yet? I saw pictures of them earlier and was wondering when they would start running as well as how that would affect transportation at POR. Thanks for any info you can provide!