Sound off on Port Orleans Riverside

[sdkuhn77]

We stayed at POR in the RR last April. It was nice, but nothing spectacular for us. Our last trip before that, we stayed at AKL and we liked it better. The food court does have an awesome pasta bar! I would recommend that for sure.

My one complaint would be trying to catch a bus back from the parks at night. We either waited forever for a bus to show up or the line was insanely long. We caught on super quickly that no one was taking the French Quarter bus, so we would hop on it and stop at their food court for beneigts for breakfast the next morning and then catch the ferry to POR.

As for the RR room, my girls did enjoy the room each night. The fireworks in the headboard kept them entertained.

 

[stephm0188]

The royal room we stayed in was lovely and the location of the room was decent. The theme of the resort was gorgeous. My son enjoyed the pool.

All of that said, I absolutely would not stay there again. Transportation was awful, and that alone kills the resort for me personally.

 

[tcherjen]

Maybe it is just us, but we have stayed there quite a few times and it isn't overly big to us. Dh joked since we are staying at FQ this time does that mean we will walk over to Riverside. (I walk over to FQ each trip and dd loved the waterslide there)

 

[VLB]

Ack! Awful transportation, mentioned by two people? How bad, and does anyone else have opinions or experiences?

Double beds with our reliable transportation at CBR sounds a bit better, suddenly.

 

[tng123]

We stayed at POR Riverside in November and had no transportation issues at all. Coming and going to the parks, we never waited more than 5-10 minutes for a bus.

 

[teentoddlermom]

It is a beautiful resort. It is big and spread out. There are a few preferred buildings that I have never been able to book, I would pay for preferred in a heartbeat there. If you get preferred, you're golden! But, enjoy this resort and how lovely it is. You get used to the walk to the food court. The new decor, especially in the AB buildings is so charming! The Royal rooms are adorable too! I think it is so much like a deluxe, except that the room feels a bit smaller than deluxe. The Queen beds are nice, and the food court is big and crazy, but at least there is enough seating once you get through the chaos of the food area. I think this resort is so big, it should have 2 food courts or at least a few smaller cart stations for coffee and muffins near the more the remote buildings. Once, when I stayed at AoA LM they had that set up and it was awesome. Have a great trip!

 

[sdkuhn77]

Ack! Awful transportation, mentioned by two people? How bad, and does anyone else have opinions or experiences?

Double beds with our reliable transportation at CBR sounds a bit better, suddenly.

Our experience was during Spring Break, so I don't know if that makes a difference. But we noticed transportation going to the parks was no problem as long as you didn't get on the bus by the main entrance. That was the last stop to pick up, so definitely go to one of the other three bus stops to get on.

Coming back from the parks we noticed the first night the wait was crazy bad. We waited 45 minutes at MK and not one bus came and the line was horrendous. Then we noticed the FQ bus sitting waiting for people to show up. It didn't even register with us that we could use the FQ bus and then walk or take the boat back to POR.

After that night we used the FQ transportation each night. That bus came more frequently and no one got on it. At Epcot we stayed until after fireworks and when we got to POR bus stop the line was jam packed and a bus was leaving packed full. Right next to the POR bus stop is the FQ bus stop. It was sitting there with a few people on it. We took it and the few people on it were going to POR. LOL! We would have waited at least 3 buses if we stayed at the POR bus stop. Not fun with small kids.

Even if it takes the same amount of time to get back to POR, I would rather be moving than waiting in line. They need more buses to help out. When we stayed at AKL before if there was a lot of people waiting, then the CM would call in for another bus and it showed up right away. When we stayed there it was summer, so similar crowds. I don't know if transportation is also an upgrade when staying at deluxe, but we weren't pleased with POR transportation.

 

[WDWFan06]

Ack! Awful transportation, mentioned by two people? How bad, and does anyone else have opinions or experiences? Double beds with our reliable transportation at CBR sounds a bit better, suddenly.

We have stayed at both of these resorts and transportation has never been a huge problem. You can have a bad bus experience at any resort. One persons experience should not effect your decision. We like POR a lot better than caribbean beach because it feels more deluxe to us at least.

 

[shaneray]

Ack! Awful transportation, mentioned by two people? How bad, and does anyone else have opinions or experiences?

Double beds with our reliable transportation at CBR sounds a bit better, suddenly.

Its a roll of the dice at this and every other resort. You can find horror stories about them all. If you are afraid, book CBR.

 

[VLB]

Thanks all! I was just jumpy at two separate posts. CBR had it's own glitches, but not enough to make me complain.

Having the POFQ option helps - and I'm like the previous poster, who doesn't mind taking the same amount of time to get home (as waiting for the right bus), if it means we're always moving. Standing in line is especially brutal after a full park day!

Vanessa

 

[nichanda]

Hi everyone! We are thinking of a trip to POR this February.

My parents may be joining us, and my mother has mobility issues. She isn't in a wheelchair but has trouble walking as she's had double knee replacements. I'm wondering if room requests are frequently met? We're hoping to get a room close to the main building for her, and would really like it if our (DH, DS and myself) room could be close to theirs, at least in the same building or next door.

Is this something that you would have to book an accessible room for, or do they take requests easily? I know requests aren't guaranteed, so I"m scared that we will end up in a room that requires a large amount of walking. I don't think she could do that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[WDWFan06]

Hi everyone! We are thinking of a trip to POR this February. My parents may be joining us, and my mother has mobility issues. She isn't in a wheelchair but has trouble walking as she's had double knee replacements. I'm wondering if room requests are frequently met? We're hoping to get a room close to the main building for her, and would really like it if our (DH, DS and myself) room could be close to theirs, at least in the same building or next door. Is this something that you would have to book an accessible room for, or do they take requests easily? I know requests aren't guaranteed, so I"m scared that we will end up in a room that requires a large amount of walking. I don't think she could do that. Thanks in advance.

This January we stayed at POR and my mother had a total knee replacement that November. She had trouble walking ect and we even rented a wheelchair for her for that trip. We had sent in a fax explaining the situation and our royal river view room was very close to the bridge over to the main building. Are all requests met? Probably not. Does it hurt to try? No way.

 

[jmillertime]

Does anyone know how many people the Yee Ha Bob room fits?

 

[desheag]

We will be at POR Jan 18-23!! I have heard wonderful things about this resort, but I've never stayed here! We are sooo excited!!

 

[PixiePoppins]

Does anyone know how many people the Yee Ha Bob room fits?

According to allears.net, it seats about 100. There is some overflow seating nearby, but you can't see Yehaa Bob well from there. Bob is the best!!

 

[PixiePoppins]

We will be at POR Jan 18-23!! I have heard wonderful things about this resort, but I've never stayed here! We are sooo excited!!

Welcome to your new home! Have you visited www.portorleans.org for lots of details and pics? Enjoy!!

 

[jmillertime]

Staying at Riverside for sure. Looking to upgrade to either a standard preferred location room or a Royal room. Is the royal room really worth the extra money?

 

[WDWFan06]

Staying at Riverside for sure. Looking to upgrade to either a standard preferred location room or a Royal room. Is the royal room really worth the extra money?

After paying more for a Royal Room I would not do it again.

 

[sweepy109]

We just got back from our second stay here. Transportation was often an issue for going to the parks but we didn't have issues coming home. In fact, we waited 40 minutes for a bus to MK one morning and missed opening. We waited less time for a bus returning to the resort after wishes.

We love the resort but felt that the staff cares a little less this time around. Our fridge was broken and after claiming to fix it twice they sent someone to look at it again. He said he fixed it again but really all he did was put bags of ice in the fridge. The fridge issue was never resolved and we couldn't use it the entire trip.

 

[SarahKate]

We got a royal room on our last trip and while it was cool the first day or so, it just became a room after that. We wouldn't pay extra for it next time. Also, we felt that the room was further away from things than other rooms. My future preference would be to pay for a preferred room that's closer to everything.

Re: transportation, we usually rent a vehicle but have had to use the bus a few times. We never felt the waits were unreasonable but I think all resorts have some bus issues from time to time.