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

[eeyoreland]

Thanks for the responses regarding the Mansions. Sounds like they're the place for me? We arrive January 4. Would it be too late to request that area?

KCmike ... AMAZING photos.

 

[Sue M]

Incidentally, I never know which side to call the 'back' of the buildings In general use, I tend to see the river-facing side as the 'front' for practical purposes, as most guests come and go that way - but in terms of the logic of the design and theming, I think the parking lot side should really be regarding as the front of the mansion, and the river gardens would be to the rear of the property.




They usually let me have them a few days before Xmas Eve, but I'll ask in case they can release them now.

Andre

Hmmm you have a point. I always think of the river facing side as the front too, but typically the plantation style houses in the old south did have the river behind the houses, and the front of the plantation home would face the driveway coming off the road. And why I guess they put that beautiful fountain on parking lot side I enjoyed walking past that fountain daily, because I prefer the North (or east depending) Depot over the South Depot.

 

[Sue M]

Thanks everyone for such warm responses to all these photos and Andre I hope its ok I'm posting these in both spots on the different threads. You do an amazing job and have such a wealth of information. Bravo to you.



Port Orleans Riverside (Dockside) by KC MikeD, on Flickr

Well, I'm glad you're pisting your pics here I always look forward to seeing your post trip photos. I think these are the best yet!

Thanks for the responses regarding the Mansions. Sounds like they're the place for me? We arrive January 4. Would it be too late to request that area?

KCmike ... AMAZING photos.

No I don't think its too late. I believe Andre recommends faxing requests around 4-5 days before check in. Venomhatch has a thread on how to fax.

 

[Sue M]

I've been doing some more tweaking of the underlying code on portorleans.org, especially in the News Page to allow better pagination rather than everything flowing via one long page (which was sometimes taking a while to load). As always, any comments or suggestions (especially anything platform-specific) would be appreciated.

Also, did I mention that I've updated the 360-degree panorama shots for each of the major room types to show the new bed covers (POR-AB, POR-mansions, POR-Royal Rooms and POFQ) and also the French Quarter lobby? See http://www.portorleans.org/panoramas-rooms.php for the room photos, and link from there to see the others.

I think my next task will be to do something with the 1,000+ Port Orleans photos that I've got on my hard drive which need classifying, adjusting and uploading.

Andre

On IPad, the 360 panorama doesn't work, because IPad/phone doesn't have Adobe Flash.
But News Page works fine. Was looking at menu for Boatwrights again, that Shrimp & Grits sure sounds good. We had a Shrimp & Grits dish at GF Cafe that was soooo good. I think we'll finally have to try Boatwrights! But if our Canadian $ doesn't stop going down I may be eatting bread & water lol! Ugh.

 

[andrewilley]

On IPad, the 360 panorama doesn't work, because IPad/phone doesn't have Adobe Flash.
But News Page works fine.

Yeah, good old Apple, not supporting an industry standard which even now is still used throughout the web.

They genuinely seemed arrogant enough to think that if they didn't support it (basically as they wouldn't come to an agreement with Adobe) everyone else would change to suit their decision. Sites are gradually moving towards HTML5 instead of Flash, but it still leaves Apple users at a disadvantage in the meantime.

Andre

 

[efoote01]

We are staying @ POFQ. If I have dinner reservations @ Cape May can I take the ferry to DTD & then to the beach club?

TY

 

[andrewilley]

We are staying @ POFQ. If I have dinner reservations @ Cape May can I take the ferry to DTD & then to the beach club?

You could take a ferry to DTD and then get a bus to the Beach Club, yes. There is no water ferry linking DTD and the Epcot resorts though.

You could also try getting a bus to either Epcot or Studios and walking to the Beach Club (the Epcot walking route would require park admission; the Studios route would also allow you to get a Friendship ferry from outside the Studios to the Beach Club).

Andre

 

[tiriggs1]

We are staying @ POFQ. If I have dinner reservations @ Cape May can I take the ferry to DTD & then to the beach club?

TY

Or you can take a taxi for $10 You would be at Beach Club in under 15 minutes. Easiest way. Worth the cost of a taxi!

 

[tiriggs1]

On IPad, the 360 panorama doesn't work, because IPad/phone doesn't have Adobe Flash.
But News Page works fine. Was looking at menu for Boatwrights again, that Shrimp & Grits sure sounds good. We had a Shrimp & Grits dish at GF Cafe that was soooo good. I think we'll finally have to try Boatwrights! But if our Canadian $ doesn't stop going down I may be eatting bread & water lol! Ugh.

FYI: You can download apps/browsers from the Apple Store that will allow you to watch Adobe Flash videos.

 

[hsmamainva]

Or you can take a taxi for $10 You would be at Beach Club in under 15 minutes. Easiest way. Worth the cost of a taxi!

That's what I'm doing!

We're staying at POR next month and have a birthday breakfast at 9:05 in the morning at Cape May Cafe.

I'm just calling a cab.

 

[KCmike]

Water Wheel by KC MikeD, on Flickr

 

[Sue M]

Yeah, good old Apple, not supporting an industry standard which even now is still used throughout the web.

They genuinely seemed arrogant enough to think that if they didn't support it (basically as they wouldn't come to an agreement with Adobe) everyone else would change to suit their decision. Sites are gradually moving towards HTML5 instead of Flash, but it still leaves Apple users at a disadvantage in the meantime.

Andre

I did check on MacBook and can see the panoramas on that!

FYI: You can download apps/browsers from the Apple Store that will allow you to watch Adobe Flash videos.

Would you mind PMing me which is a good one?

We are staying @ POFQ. If I have dinner reservations @ Cape May can I take the ferry to DTD & then to the beach club?

TY

My fav way of getting to BC is taking POR bus to DHS and taking Friendship boat. The busses from DTD to Epcot resorts are awful. All 4 Epcot resorts share the DTD bus. And DTD bus service is notoriously slow.
I love taking the por boat to DTD, it's a very scenic relaxing ride, but not to connect to the resorts.

Water Wheel by KC MikeD, on Flickr

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

The Christmas / New Year 2014 Recreation Activities and Movies Schedule for Port Orleans Riverside is now available. See my main Recreation Activities Schedules page for a full-size printable PDF version.

The evening campfires commence at 5pm over the holiday period this year and the Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 7pm. These will both take place four days a week, with the other three days featuring indoor activities at 5pm instead.

There are lots of other free festive activities for all the family planned too, including live performers, character greetings (with Santa himself making an appearance at Riverside) on Christmas Eve, cookie decorating, a cast member gingerbread house competition, and a New Year's Eve Party at Riverside.

Andre

Thanks so much, Andre!

 

[ElsaColon]

So my husband and I will be staying at Port Orleans for our anniversary! I've stayed at Port Orleans before at the Royal Rooms and in the standard rooms before their renovation. I was thinking of staying in the Alligator Bayou as we have never stayed there before. I would like opinions. What room do you think is best as far as location, views, the room itself and building style?

I'm so excited to stay at Port Orleans again! It's one of my favorite resorts. I appreciate your opinions!

Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

What room do you think is best as far as location, views, the room itself and building style?

There are 2,000+ rooms, so you're going to get a lot of different answers! It'd be easier if you told us what room category you've booked, and what your personal preferences are (i.e. what do you mean by "best", what "styles" do you like, etc).

Andre

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

So my husband and I will be staying at Port Orleans for our anniversary! I've stayed at Port Orleans before at the Royal Rooms and in the standard rooms before their renovation. I was thinking of staying in the Alligator Bayou as we have never stayed there before. I would like opinions. What room do you think is best as far as location, views, the room itself and building style? I'm so excited to stay at Port Orleans again! It's one of my favorite resorts. I appreciate your opinions! Thanks!

DH & I love the Preferred AB rooms. We've been lucky enough to be in buildings 14 or 18 for all of our stays. Close to everything. We were just there in November & loved everything as usual. We have tried the mansions & they just aren't for us. Loved the carriage ride which we did last year for our anniversary. The boat ride to DTD is a must every trip. Enjoy your stay!!

 

[kermiebudge]

Hi Everyone,

I've been a lurker on this thread for years but I am now coming out from the shadows because I need advice. I am on my way to WDW Feb. 19-March 1. I booked right after the Late Winter Room Offer came out and the only room available at that point was a Royal Guest Room (garden view) which I booked. But I am an Alligator Bayou girl at heart and really want to get over to that side. I've been checking daily for two months now and POR is completely sold out on the WDW website. For another $100 dollars or so I could book a Preferred Room on Orbitz. Do those in the know think if I request a room in Alligator Bayou that request would be honored? Or should I book the room via Orbitz? Any downsides to booking though an outside venodor? I think I would lose all my dining reservations if I do that which is a consideration but not the end of the world. Any advice you can offer would be appreciated! Thank you!!!!

We are booking same dates and have been stalking the site for a category other that RR to open up.... Just today, GV opened! I know it's no guarantee of the bayou, but we did request it.... The family really wasn't feeling the RR vibe from me, so we are hoping that we'll get bayou with a straight GV booking


Edit: Boy, that was fast...looks like the GV rooms got snatched up again! Good luck & keep trying

 

[ElsaColon]

There are 2,000+ rooms, so you're going to get a lot of different answers! It'd be easier if you told us what room category you've booked, and what your personal preferences are (i.e. what do you mean by "best", what "styles" do you like, etc).

Andre

Well I booked a standard room but would be willing to upgrade. I just wanted to know what everyone thought in their opinions was "best". I know this various from person to person but I like to hear different perspectives!

I'm leaning toward AB as of now. I requested to be placed there but my reservation does not indicate anywhere AB. Perhaps it is a note only the CMs can see. I will be calling before arrival to clarify this if in fact I do choose to stay with AB!

 

[RustManFan]

Most people want a preferred room at AB and as close to the main building as possible. Not us! We elect to say in the back near the West Depot where it is extra peaceful and relaxing. Once when I was on a solo (business trip in area) I was offered a Mansion room and said no

6 times so far but I miss it so and hope to visit again in 2016

 

[ElsaColon]

DH & I love the Preferred AB rooms. We've been lucky enough to be in buildings 14 or 18 for all of our stays. Close to everything. We were just there in November & loved everything as usual. We have tried the mansions & they just aren't for us. Loved the carriage ride which we did last year for our anniversary. The boat ride to DTD is a must every trip. Enjoy your stay!!

Thank you. I'm definitely leaning towards AB. I've always wanted to do the carriage ride! Perhaps it will be something we try this trip! I love that after visiting so many times there is still so many Disney experiences we haven't done. We make it a point to try at least one new Disney first a trip.