Port Orleans Riverside ?s & Help

[cindybasket]

Hi there. I am in need of a little help here.

We've always stayed when visiting WDW either in a Fort Wilderness Cabin or at the Marriott World Center. The last time we had 6 (2 adults, 4 kids - 14, 11, 2, 1) all the other times 5 people or less. I booked us another stay for July at WDW - however when I called to make the reservation a few weeks ago they said that the cabins were unavailable and that they would reserve us a room at the Port Orleans Riverside hotel. I said okay - will it fit us? I told her the baby needs to sleep in a playpen or a crib too. I had told the lady on the line that I couldn't booked that room through the on-line system (this was before the new Best Rate program) as it states only 5 is allowed. She said it would be no problem and we should fit. The only other option would have been a very costly 2 suite at one of the hotels - I can't remember exactly the price of the room but it was $900+ a night - so I said I'm sorry but that's just not an option for us.

Questions I have - what if we get there and it is just terribly cramped. Do I complain? What would that do if I did? Does anyone think that since I did complain all of a sudden a cabin would become available? I am a little leery about going to POR but from all the pictures posted here it does seem nice except for the room size - I just don't see how I am going to fit a playpen in that room.

I have called again CRO and one lady CM told me I couldn't stay in the POR. I said well, I have my confirmation number and it even states on the ressie that we have 4 kids. She pulled it up and said it sure does - but it isn't supposed to. Should I be worried?

 

[mill4023]

Yes, you can have 4 kids at POR. If one CM told you otherwise, they were wrong. In the Alligator Bayou section, you can have 5 people PLUS a child under 3. You will get 2 double beds, a trundle bed(designed for kids under 10), and a rollaway crib.

We just stayed at POR in May with 2 adults and 4 kids (10, 7, 4, 1).
It's a beautiful resort and we really enjoyed staying there. However, our 1 yr old slept in the bed with DW and I. The room we had was supposed to have a trundle bed, but didn't, so they brought us a rollaway bed. This worked fine and could be folded up during the day, but wasn't as convenient as having a trundle that can just be slid under the bed during the day.

So yes, you will all fit, but it will be tight quarters with both a trundle and a crib. Personally, we don't mind being close, but I know for some families, it's really important to have more space.

 

[fam4jc]

HI. Your youngest child doesn't really "count" in room occupancy. so you should be fine with a port-a-crib. A full size crib would be pretty tight. YOu should call back and see if something has opened up at the cabins if that is what you would prefer. You can also do what my dh just did for a last minute trip. He couldn't find us ANYTHING through CRO for next week that we could come close to affording so went to travelocity and got us a nice split stay with a value and moderate. They may still have a cabin. I know they did last week when my dh booked our trip b/c he called to ask if I wanted that for the week or the split stay.

I hope it works out for you. My advice would be to split up shower/bath times between morning and night and that would make life a little easier in a small hotel room.

 

[PolyAddict]

We were miserable with 3 kids 13,12 and 4.

None of which are big.

Very small for that many people.

As much as I am not interested in value resorts, if I couldn't go deluxe, I'd go 2 rooms value.

Michele

 

[mill4023]

We were miserable with 3 kids 13,12 and 4.

None of which are big.

Very small for that many people.

As much as I am not interested in value resorts, if I couldn't go deluxe, I'd go 2 rooms value.

Michele

Well, I really think it depends on the family. From your username, I'm guessing you are used to staying at places like the Poly. In that case, I'm sure POR would feel cramped. For us, we were perfectly happy with our family of 6 at POR. It's definitely one of those things where opinions vary widely.

For our next trip, I am considering doing 2 rooms at a value instead of 1 room at POR, but only if the cost is pretty close to the same. But that's really more about privacy for DW and I than space.

 

[PolyAddict]

"Well, I really think it depends on the family. From your username, I'm guessing you are used to staying at places like the Poly. In that case, I'm sure POR would feel cramped. For us, we were perfectly happy with our family of 6 at POR. It's definitely one of those things where opinions vary widely.

For our next trip, I am considering doing 2 rooms at a value instead of 1 room at POR, but only if the cost is pretty close to the same. But that's really more about privacy for DW and I than space."
I have stayed at a variety of hotels, but disneys size of moderates and values are quite small. We actually stayed POR when my 1st 2 girls were 4 and 6 and the room size was fine.

I was just expressing my feelings of having 3 kids and 2 adults felt very cramped, so one more with a crib, I can't imagine how they would get around in that room.

We barely moved around that room w/o stepping all over someone or something.

Michele

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

We just came back from POR mid June. We thought it was absolutely beautiful. I think you would be fine in the one room, unless you plan on being in there quite a bit. Save your money and spend it elsewhere at Disney! Enjoy!

 

[pygmymom]

We also just returned from POR June 25, have stayed there many times before with our DDs now 18, 15, and 13. My eldest sleeps on the trundle, she is barely 5' and claims it's comfortable. The room was fine, especially with the new privacy curtain in the bathroom area. Yes, the addition of the playpen will make it "cozy", but hopefully, you won't spend a lot of time in the room anyway. Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

Budget is an issue for us since we have two small children, 4 and almost 2. I have stayed at POR and at WL both times in a standard room. Never again. It was cramped. Last year we tried WL because the room was a bit bigger than POR. Keep in mind that a crib takes up even more room space. My husband finally abmitted that a standard hotel room was too cramped for us.
My husband is a non Disney husband. I was surprised when he suggested CR or a 1 br villa for our 2006 trip. I don't think he's seen the prices. Ouch!
Shhhh Quiet.

 

[PoohHappens]

I would think for the same price as a cabin you could have 2 rooms connection at POR, when you have children they will guarantee connecting. Just a thought. We have had a pack and play up at night for sleeping in a value and did ok, just needed to take it down when we got up.

 

[Olallamom]

We just got back from POR on July 1. We loved the resort, we stayed in the AB section with 5 in a room. Kids ages were 16, 7, & 8. The room was fine but I can't imagine trying to use the trundle and a pack n play in there. We ended up spending more time than planned due to the rain in the room. If you weren't planning on spending much time in the room then it would be do able. I think I would consider a cabin or 2 value rooms.

 

[cindybasket]

Thanks for everyone's opinions. I'm still a little worried. The cabin option was not available for us as they did not have any available when I called and I checked again just last week. I will most probably ask again when we arrive if one became available. Some people may be worried about the hurricane and may have cancelled their trip.

The 1 year pretty much WON"T sleep in anything other than his crib or play-n-pack. When he is ready to go night-night he wants to be put down (not rocked, not held) given a blanket and his pacifier. He will roll-over and go to sleep for us (yeah). If he is rocked, held or put in a bed with anyone else, he will fight his sleep. So we really need that playpen or crib. He will sleep in his stroller though during the day while at the parks - he just likes being not bothered by anything else.

We usually don't spend very much time in the room other than sleeping and getting ready. If the babies (2,1) have had it at the parks, either my hubby or I will go with them back to the room. Leaving a parent with the older kids.

The worst case scenario is that we are going to be CRAMPED. I guess I could just tell myself that it's a very big sleepover from our younger days. The best case scenario is that we are going to LOVE it - or that a cabin became available.

About 2 rooms, I believe that it would be cheaper than a cabin rental. Cabins can go from anywhere from $239 - $339 (I believe that's the holiday rate though - not sure). So 2 rooms - might work. I just sort of think that if we did though our 2 year old would have a constant game (every minute we are at the resort) of wanting to go to the other room. He does like to explore and in the cabins he is constantly going from the bunk-bed area to the murphy bed and trying to go outside on the deck. That would wear down my nerves after about 500 times.

Any who - it's Disney World and I think we will be happy at least most of the time.