Port Orleans Riverside

[Disney1ca]

We have just returned from the Port Orleans Riverside(Jan 29-Feb 5/05) and can not say enough about how wonderfull it was. It was WELL WORTH the difference between this and a value resort. It was BEAUTIFULL. The alligator Biyou section was great. We stayed at biyou 39 which is right beside its own pool and laundry room. There was so much to do at this resort that we enjoyed our days away from the parks more than inside the parks. Mind you we have been to the Parks far too many times, however, be sure to take some time to experince the resort. Just a word of caution, if you rent that 4 seater surrey bike, be prepared to sweat, it is hard to peddle..lol.. WE fully intend to use only this resort in the future.

Glen

 

[klj27]

I am so glad to hear this. We booked 6 nights at CSR and then decided to stay two more nights. They couldn't accomodate us CSR so we booked at POR for the extra nights. I have read that you can use the pool at POFQ too. Did you find this to be true?

 

[BettyCv]

I am soooo happy to hear this! We will be there May 15-21. Did you have a renovated room? If so, is there any chance you can post a picture???

Would you care to list some of the things you did at the resort? Did you have children with you?

By any chance, did you go over to POFQ? I was thinking about checking out the pool there, too, when we go.

TIA,

BettyCv

 

[Disney1ca]

With 1 main theme pool at Riverside(Ol man Island) and 5 other large pools swimming is well taken care of. Yes you can go the POFQ and use their pool which we went to only once as POR has by far better facilities. POFQ pool would be good for very young kids. Kids older than 5 would like POR much better. POR also has a great childrens play area, a fishing pond, bike rentals. nice walking paths, better restaurants, great access to downtown Disney by free riverboat, campfires, entertainment, has constant bus service to all parks. These really are only a few of the wonderfull things to do there. Having said all that, It is just simply a nice place to look at. You will not want to leave. Alligator Biyou 39 was renovated and had a fridge, coffee maker, hair dryer, trundle bed, iron and board. Ask for upgrades to pool side and whatever else you may desire. If it is slow they will give it to you. You may have to ask a few times but if you are nice to them, they will do it. We had our 12 year old and 9 year sons with us and they want to go back ASAP. Sorry I have no pics to post but I cant see how anyone could be disapointed by this place.

Glen

 

[rkmassa]

I am so glad to hear this. We booked 6 nights at CSR and then decided to stay two more nights. They couldn't accomodate us CSR so we booked at POR for the extra nights. I have read that you can use the pool at POFQ too. Did you find this to be true?

You are allowed to use the pool at FQ. Your refillable mug is also good there too. We walked over one morning and had breakfast at FQ. It was very nice, but much more crowded at the pool and food court. We were happy to be staying at POR.

 

[klj27]

Glen,

You mentioned that your room was recently renovated and had a refrigerator. Do you know if all the rooms do or just those that have been renovated already?

tia,
Nicki

 

[Disney1ca]

The fridge was not expected by me to be in the room so I was more than happy to see it there. same as the coffee maker, iron and board etc. The entire resort seemed to be spotless so I have no idea if only my building only had this or not. I will say the Alligator Biyou for my opinion is the way to go as the mansions seemed to big for me. Beware this is a large resort and being able to enjoy walking is a must. I saw that the main parking lot always seemed to have a lot of cars in it which was funny to me as there are really no room areas near the main building area. I guess they were unaware of the large parking lots just behind all the buildings. They must have carted their luggage a loooooooooooong way to their rooms...lol

 

[ciera321]

Thanks for the great report, now I really can't wait to stay at POR in May!!!

 

[Rootskate]

That is great to hear! We are staying there for the 1st time this May and I cant wait to get there!! I am glad you had such a nice stay!

 

[tippytoe]

Disney1ca, could you tell us about the campfire? Thanks!

 

[highland3]

Me too please. I hadn't heard about that before now.

 

[MAC3]

Oh I can't wait for June. We have 4 days booked here and am very excited about it.

Today I booked our Cirque tickets and DQ. Next I will buy our Aps and we're golden.

Oh and then theres the PS's????? Hummm...I love planning.

Thanks for the report!

 

[sweetinmaine]

Can't wait to stay there in March! We loved the resort last year. This year, with the kids and grandkids, it will be even that much nicer! Don't you just love Disney!!!

 

[cyndibelle]

were on our way there in just a few minutes....so excited..cant wait cant wait....

 

[MAC3]

Have a great time cyndibelle (and let us know what you thought of POR when you return!)

 

[Disney1ca]

POR has campfires on select nights. To find out which nights and to book this you must go to the marina where you rent the boats and surrey bikes. There is no fee for the campfires. You can by smores kits for $5 which include 2 chocolate bars, lots of marshmallows, graham crackers and 2 sticks. They tell ghost stories and have sing a longs. The campfires take place about 10 feet from the fishing dock entrance on ol man island. For even more free campfire fun with free Disney movies shown every night go to Fort Wilderness campground and go to Chip and Dale's Campfire. This is everynight and it is FREE, which is not a word spoken too often at WDW. Take your own transportation to FW campground as Disney buses dont go from resort to resort directly. It takes maybe 5 minutes by car.

Glen

 

[lauran cameron]

Hizzah! Disney1ca!

2 yrs. ago we stayed at POR for the first time Thanksgiving weekend.

At first I was a little leary b/c we were all so used to OKW villas and BW villas. But when I saw the scenery and everything they had to offer there it was fabulous!

Oh! And to add, their CM that worked in the food area on Thanksgiving managed to get us a spot on their tightly packed reservation list truely making it a WDW Thanksgiving to remember!!!

AND!!! We adored it soooo much that we went down for Thanksgiving again, and even though we were staying at OKW, we took the trip down to POR and has Thanksgiving dinner there again (this time we made our reservation early) The same CM was there as the hostess and we Thanked her for the Magical Thanksgiving she gave us the year before. She even got a little teary eyed.

I will never forget our WDW '03 & WDW '04 POR Thanksgivings & I am glad someone else saw POR's Disney magic

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I just sent off an email to my DU agent and asked her to grab me a room at POR for June when the AP rates come out. We were booked at Movies but I've spent so much time telling everyone here how much we loved POR on both our stays there I figured I should be staying there instead!! I thought we were excited before...now we get BCV and POR. Does life get any better?!!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Disney1ca - thanks so much for the great review.

We are leaving 3 weeks from today for POR. Will my 3 and 4 YOs enjoy the pool at POR or do you recommend that we use POFQ. I've been hearing at FQ's pool is better for the young'ns, if that is the case, do you recommend a resort switch? TIA

 

[Disney1ca]

The 5 pools at POR provide more options and fun than the 1 pool at POFQ. I would prefer POR well over POFQ just by the way it looks and feels to be there. I can not say enough about the sheer beauty of POR. It is so well landscaped, is so unique in its mansions and Alligagor Biyou area that you cant help but love it. The pool at POFQ is cute so try it out as it is only a short stroll from POR. However we used it once and never went back as POR is much nicer. The water slide is even longer and more fun at POR. Too us it was like a Premium resort at a Moderate price. As I have stated previously, we enjoyed POR so much that when we return, we not even go to the parks.