Port Orleans Riverside

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Could all you wonderful Disers give us some input about PORS. We are thinking of staying there Christmas 08. All the times in the past we've stayed at value resorts but this time there will be 5 of us so we need bigger, and DW insists on having a hot tub available next time we go.

How is the food court? How late are the pools open? How late is the slide open? How would you rate the hottub? What do you think about the rooms? Are they big, or will we be falling over each other? Do they have those cooler type refridges? Do they do anything special for Christmas morning? Any info you can pass our way will be very appreciated.

 

[Sophie_2003]

Hi,

we stayed at POR in October and are going back December, so you know we enjoyed it. Here are some answers:

We liked the food court, especially the make your own salads, pasta at dinner and oatmeal and yogurt at breakfast. Good value for money. There is also a sitdown restaurant, Boatwrights. The food was good but we found the service a bit slow.

I think 5 in a room my be a little tight; there were three of us ad there was plenty of space. Don't know if you can get bigger rooms or you just get a trundle bed. There were two double beds in the room, even that was a bit tight for us (we're use to full or king size).

Pools and slides were open late. The main pool is great, but our DD preferred the quiet pool which we had to ourselves. Didn't try the hottubs. We had a small fridge in our room, but the setting was too cold and it froze our milk and yogurt!

Oh, just looked at your dates, looks like we were there at the same time in October!

Hope this helps a bit. There are many people on here with tons of info

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Hi! We stayed at POR last Dec-Jan. There are 5 of us and we never felt cramped. The trundle bed (only available in Alligator Bayou) was small, but fine for a little person. We loved the Pool (at POFQ, too) and dining choices were great since there are 2 resorts plus DtD nearby. I particularly liked the hottub at FQ~very private and beautiful at night!

We did have a fridge. We weren't there until Dec 29 so I don't know about Christmas morning.

Have fun!

 

[scottny]

I love it. went in July and will be back in January. The food court is great. the grounds are beautiful. I have heard parties of 5 love it. I say go and enjoy.

 

[Cowboysfan]

we were there last christmas and this past sept. LOVED the hut tub, the only drawback is that it only holds 7 (according to the sign) and there always seems to be a few kids in there, so it fills up - i told my kids that "they have their pool, and that this is the adult pool", but that was just our rule for our kids.
I have no complaints about the layout, themeing or scenery, the food court was good.
On Christmas, they left a gift for the kids (Disney drawing set).
The room was a decent size, 5 wasn't too bad, but if spend a lot of time together in the room, i can see how some may feel cramped, but we didn't spend a lot of time hanging out there (parks, pool, DTD...).

incidentally, after spending last christmas ther, i keep telling my DW that i don't want to hang any decorations, i just want to go there - she doesn't bite though - she doesn't feel christmasy in 80 degree weather.

 

[Lilolvr]

We didn't care for POR. The shared buses with POFQ was a nightmare. With strollers and a small children, waiting through cycles of people to fighting to get on the bus was crazy.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1526053

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1411881

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1438767

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Any other Christmas experiences?

 

[dawgfan]

You will love it. You may never go back to the budget.

 

[SGMCO]

We loved POR and we've only stayed at CSR, no Values or Deluxe resorts.

Whenever we first arrived and walking to our room in the Mansions section,
my DH turned to me and ask "Is this a Deluxe Resort?"
since I'm the one who make all of the traveling arrangements.
He couldn't believe it wasn't a Deluxe and we've visited several Deluxe resorts for dinner before.

As for the Hot Tub I was disappointed because it was
located right next to the Main Pool and all of the kids were in it, very crowded.
Whenever we went to visit POFQ to swim at there pool I loved there HT
because it wasn't next to the Main Pool but hidden away and not full of kids.

The grounds at POR were beautiful and we really enjoy the little animals wondering around.
Your gonna LOVE the Boat ride to DTD, it was so enjoyable.
We spent a lot of time in DTD because of the convenience of the Boat.
DTD made it easy to go to the other Resorts for Dinner and back.

We ate at Boatwrights for Breakfast, very Good! Could not eat all my pancakes.
The Rivermill FC has the best Build your own Pasta station,
you'll have to try it. My DS and I loved sitting next to all the gears which are part
of the large Mill red wheel, really cool!!

You won't regret moving up to a MOD it's worth it.
POR feels like a Deluxe without the extra $$$.
Have a Great Trip!!

 

[wdwpixie]

I don't have expertise on all of your questions, but this was the first resort we ever stayed at WDW. We fell in love...we have stayed @ WL and BC and are staying at YC this Christmas, but only because we booked so late and there was NOTHING available @ POR. My son and I made a quick trip over Memorial Day a couple of years ago and were delighted to be able to stay at POR again.

I think the buses tend to run a little full as mentioned; probably a downside....also, we stayed the first time with 4 of us and had a trundle. I think it'd be great for little ones if 2 don't mind sharing the full-sized bed, but my teens fought over who got stuck with the trundle (little ingrates!).

Overall, the theming in beautiful and if you can get a room near the Alligator Bayou (?), you'll be very close to the food court (good!) and transportation. I highly recommend this resort!

 

[ThreeAngels]

I think your family of 5 would love POR! We're a family of 5 and we stayed there in October '06. We'll be back there this December/January. Don't know how late the pools were open and don't know anything about the hot tub, but the Riverside Mill food court was wonderful and YUMMY. Boatwright's, the table service restaurant was really good, too. We loved the whole atmosphere at POR. It's so lush and tropical feeling. I would definitely NOT say the room was big, but we spend next to no time in the room anyway, and it was comfortable for the five of us. DD is looking forward to sleeping in the trundle bed again. It was so nice to hop on the boat to DTD, and you can walk over to POFQ for some beignets for breakfast. We really loved the gift shop there, too. So big and so many things. The buses were always crowded, but I've never been on a Disney bus that was NOT crowded.

10 thumbs up to POR from us!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

thank you everyone. it's almost time to book again

 

[HACAM]

We have stayed at POR the past 2 spring breaks (March 06 and March 07). both years we were happy with our accomodation, the first year seemed better than this past March, but I felt like I was very cramped in the room this last time. Our kids are 12, 10, and 7...so it did feel a bit cramped. This coming March we will be staying at POFQ in 2 rooms, so that should give us lots of room.

Good luck with your trip, I think you will enjoy the resort.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

How is the food court? The food court was rehabbed earlier this year. Good selection and nice outdoor patio too.How late are the pools open? The quiet pools are 24 hours, but no life guard. How late is the slide open? The slide is open until about 10 pm or so. How would you rate the hottub? Love it.What do you think about the rooms? Are they big, or will we be falling over each other? They are bigger than a value but smaller than a deluxe. Depending on whom the 5 are, (2 adults, 3 children) you'll be fine in AB with a trundle. Do they have those cooler type refridges? Yes, all rooms in POR have mini-fridges and coffee makers.Do they do anything special for Christmas morning? Not that I know of. Of course, there are the spontaneous CM surprises and you can order Christmas trees and decorations for your room, including Christmas morning stockingsAny info you can pass our way will be very appreciated.

We didn't care for POR. The shared buses with POFQ was a nightmare. With strollers and a small children, waiting through cycles of people to fighting to get on the bus was crazy.

Never had a problem with buses any time I've stayed at POR/POFQ. I've maybe twice been on a bus that stopped at POFQ when staying at POR and vice versa.

 

[OB1]

the room is 315 sq. feet. That is tight with 5 people. Measure on your drive way an area that is 26' by 12'. NOW - there are 2 beds, an armoire, a table & a light, and oh - a bathroom. Look at where all those items would fit in the box you drew or taped on your driveway and figure out how 5 people can exist in that space. You better get along really, really well.

good food court, fridge in every room, not sure about the pool, its a big resort. Depending on your location, you can be far, far away from the food court.

We liked the resort a lot, as well as POFQ. We have stayed at all the moderates and we enjoy the PO the best.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

thanks everyone. we love all of the help you give and get on this site.

 

[Princessbaby]

My family of 5 stayed there for the first time in August and we absolutely loved it. We were in building 16 of AB and it was such a great location- far enough way that we didn't see many people, but yet, we were still only a few minutes away from everything. We can't wait to stay there again. Have fun!!

 

[freshstart19]

I was quoted the PO Riverside for 5 of us in early January. I see where some families have thought it was tight for space. I'll have my husband, 2 18 year old girls and a 5 year old girl. I ideally wanted the girls to be able to stay up later than the 5 year old. I was interested here because it's close to DTD. My DH does not like exterior room entrances. Was it very loud? In researching further, I believe I read that PO Riverside has connecting rooms. That might be a better option for us. Does anyone know? That would be a whole lot cheaper than a 2BDR in Saratoga Springs.