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

[Kricketnp]

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!

Just returned last night...although there were some times it was different, the order we typically saw was West first then North then East and South last.

Didn't see any of the double buses you mentioned but they sound cool!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

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!

Andre has the best information about the bus routes on his website:

http://www.portorleans.org/buses.php

 

[Phenomenalbrandi]

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

Thank you so much for this info!! This is such a great thread. Do you know which sections have which style? I have requested Alligator Bayou.

 

[andrewilley]

Just returned last night...although there were some times it was different, the order we typically saw was West first then North then East and South last.

Correct, for MK the route is normally West, North, East, South, then park. Other parks generally do South first. But it does vary occasionally.

Thank you so much for this info!! This is such a great thread. Do you know which sections have which style? I have requested Alligator Bayou.

Ground floor AB rooms have the four large panes, while upstairs rooms have each of those split into four smaller panes (so 16 panes in all):

Andre

 

[kgoodb00]

Just booked my stay for October! I will be staying at POR from the 21st to the 25th. Can't wait!!

 

[WDWdadof3]

Correct, for MK the route is normally West, North, East, South, then park. Other parks generally do South first. But it does vary occasionally.

So if you're leaving for MK early in the morning, is there a good chance the bus will be full by the time it reaches the South Depot? We're staying in a Royal Room and it seems like South is the closest to us followed by West - would it be worthwhile to walk over to the West Depot in order to reduce the chance that the bus will pass us by?

 

[joannamet]

South is always the most crowded so when getting on the bus its probably worth a little bit of an extra walk to use a different stop. Getting off, use the closest stop.

 

[andrewilley]

So if you're leaving for MK early in the morning, is there a good chance the bus will be full by the time it reaches the South Depot? We're staying in a Royal Room and it seems like South is the closest to us followed by West - would it be worthwhile to walk over to the West Depot in order to reduce the chance that the bus will pass us by?

From a standard Royal Room, I'd suggest probably the East Depot for getting to the MK. West would be your worst choice. But in the mornings they sometimes lay on extra buses / change routes as buses get full, so there really are no hard-and-fast rules.

Andre

 

[joannamet]

I booked the Pirate Adventure for the 2 9 year olds in our party, 1 boy and 1 tom-boy girl. It seems very expensive so I'm wondering if its really worth it since it only includes a snack, not lunch. Of course the adults get a couple of hours kid-free so that alone might be worth the price.

Has anyone's kids done the Pirate Adventure? Do you think its worth the cost?

 

[WDWdadof3]

From a standard Royal Room, I'd suggest probably the East Depot for getting to the MK. West would be your worst choice. But in the mornings they sometimes lay on extra buses / change routes as buses get full, so there really are no hard-and-fast rules.

Andre

I agree, thanks for the response. I wrote West by mistake in my original post. West makes no sense as it's on the complete opposite side of the resort from the RRs.

 

[KingdomHearts24]

Hey guys I'm leaving tomorrow from POR and I was wondering if you can leave things for the next guest or any random guest just to make their day a lil brighter. I still have a lot of Dasani water bottles we haven't used during our stay. Id say around 20 maybe (garden grocer gave me a bigger pack than ordered).

 

[1disneychic]

Thanks everyone for the responses about the bus stop order for MK. I was just putting together a fax for a room request and wanted to figure out where the best place would be for us. It looks like being near the west stop is best. I'll cross my fingers and hope that whatever bus stop we go to won't have any buses drive past already full!

 

[andrewilley]

Hey guys I'm leaving tomorrow from POR and I was wondering if you can leave things for the next guest or any random guest just to make their day a lil brighter. I still have a lot of Dasani water bottles we haven't used during our stay. Id say around 20 maybe (garden grocer gave me a bigger pack than ordered).

You can of course, but I'd suggest giving it to someone directly rather than just leave it in your room. If you don't find a suitable DISer, just hand it over to a thirsty looking family walking along the path near your room.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

By the way, has anyone taken a look at the requests section in the Online Checkin page over the last few days? I know there's an addition or two due to be added to list soon, but.... well, take a look before they get round to fixing it.

Andre

 

[Ichiban]

By the way, has anyone taken a look at the requests section in the Online Checkin page over the last few days? I know there's an addition or two due to be added to list soon, but.... well, take a look before they get round to fixing it.

Andre

So what are my chances of being upgraded if I request one of the "other" buildings?

 

[kbmartin]

I've been having issues with online check-in this week. It was giving me request options for the Polynesian Resort. Now, it SEEMS fixed, and the options for room and amenity requests are ONLY as follows: Corner Room, Second Floor, Ground Floor, Highest Floor. Are these the only options? Or - is the system still experiencing bugs? (The Polynesian options included specific buildings...) I want to request Magnolia Terrace as our building, so I don't want to miss out on that request if it's normally an option... Let me know. Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

I've been having issues with online check-in this week. It was giving me request options for the Polynesian Resort. Now, it SEEMS fixed, and the options for room and amenity requests are ONLY as follows: Corner Room, Second Floor, Ground Floor, Highest Floor. Are these the only options? Or - is the system still experiencing bugs? (The Polynesian options included specific buildings...) I want to request Magnolia Terrace as our building, so I don't want to miss out on that request if it's normally an option... Let me know. Thanks!

The POR Requests page had been broken since Monday, the resort staff were trying hard to get Disney IT to fix it (not sure how tricky it can be for a large IT department to edit a faulty database table, but hey).

Normally you get options to request a corner room and some floor choices only, however I do know that they have wanted to add AB vs. MB as a request for some time - but again, as soon as the aforementioned IT Department get around to it. (There were some issues with ensuring that the option was only visible when it would be a valid request - to avoid Preferred Location guests requesting a mansion building room, or Royal Room guests requesting Alligator Bayou)

For more info on requests, try www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php.

Andre

 

[SteviesDaddy]

We arrive on the 18th of August. We plan on doing online check-in and faxing requests one week out. We have a preferred room. I plan on requesting a corner room, and specifying floor. Is there anything that I am forgetting that will make this trip more magical for my In-laws, wife and two year old boy? Any hidden treasures at resort or in parks that I may have missed? Thank you everyone who keeps this site the diverse wealth of knowledge it is.

 

[ALD85]

Question that is not POR exclusive (but we're staying here)-I will have my sister in my room and we will both be charging but paying separately, can they apply our separate credit cards to our bands? I'll also have 3 rooms I'm booking, so it would prob be best not to do online check in, correct? Thanks!

 

[Venomhatch]

Good afternoon everyone! Been a lot going on today and just wanted to pop on and make an appearance. Have a Magical Day!