The New and Updated Port Orleans Riverside FAQ Thread for 2008 --- NOW CLOSED

[anorman]

Only one problem here - there is no real coffee. Nescrape does not count as a fresh cup of coffee.

Nescrape......that's funny!

 

[Golf4food]

You should try what I had to drink at sea when I was in the Navy!!!
Submarines were not known for having gourmet kitchens.
FYI, the sub I was on was built next to the Thresher, and was 20 years old before I got onboard.
You had to take a chisel to the sugar because of the humidity, and the non-dairy creamer you basically had to try to grind to make it dissolve in your coffee, hence the Navy term Black and Bitter.
With all the things people have to do without, I am not going to complain just because I'd rather have different coffee, I'd rather be greatful for the fact I can go to Disney.

I'm sure Nescafe is leaps and bounds better than submarine swill!

You get a pass, then.

 

[JBurke]

After reading the posts, I am looking forward to our trip there in July.
In the past, we have only stayed at WL, but now that my youngest is older we need a room that sleeps 5.
Sounds like we will really enjoy POR!

 

[LovingDisny]

I for one am really looking forward to a quiet spread out resort in the evenings after long days of walking in the busy parks. This will be our first time at POR but from every thing I have read I really think we will love it. It really is a matter of personal preferece. We stayed at CBR in 2004 and we really liked that resort. We enjoyed the fact that it was so spread out and never appeared really croweded. We never had a problem with the busses stoping at several stops around the resort either. it only took a few minutes at each stop but you will see a lot of people really complain about those two factors. So again, personal prefrence We would stay at CBR again, but just wanted to try something new and I really think POR will be a good fit for my family. Thanks to everyone for writing reviews and posting pictures. it really helps when making the all import resort choice.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

We will be there for a weekend, and I am excited!!
Ready for the relaxing "southern" atmosphere of POR. It is the only mod. that I haven't been to.
Here's hoping for a great stay.

 

[JACKIE153]

Alot of what you see and read on this board is a matter of personal preferences.
We will be staying at POR again this year because we like the overall feel of the resort.
We have stayed in the Alligator Bayou section and the Mansions section. The rooms are basically the same, just different decor.
I have walked down to POFQ for beignets and coffee, and while it is quiet, it is also more closed in than POR. The buildings are all surrounding what amounts to groups of courtyards, with quaint narrow streets, inventively name, like Rue De Bega etc. Once in that inner section though, it's buildings all around you, and you loose that feeling of openness. Again, it's an individual feeling.
Some people find this to be a benefit, because it means everything is close, and they don't have as much walking while at the resort.
I don't mind a walk in the morning. The closest building we have stayed at is building 18 in AB. This was a nice location, with the quiet pool and laundry very close for late night swims, and laundry convenience, and the short (1 minute max) walk to the food court was nice for mug refills in the evening.
The furthest away we have been was a toss up between Partierre place and Oak Manor.
Looking at the map, http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/PortOrleansMap.pdf
At Partierre Place, we were on the side of the building, closest to the last smoking area near the river. This was not a bad walk to either the POR main building, or POFQ.
In Oak Manor, we were all the way out at the end of the building near the parking lots, but furthest from the east depot. Until we figured things out, this was by far the worst.

As far as why WE like POR. I wake up early everyday (6:30 feels like sleeping in) At Disney, I am first up, and walk to the food court to get a cup of coffee.
If in AB, I find a place to sit near our room, and relax watching the animals, the people out for their morning runs, or heading to breakfast. In the mansions, I sit on a bench watching the rabbits romp around the courtyard, listening to the whisper of the fountains, and watching the boats go by, bringing the cast members to work etc... After my first cup of coffee, I go back to the room and get my wife's mug, and fill the both of them, so she can wake up to a fresh cup of coffee as well. We don't use the in room coffee makers usually because I don't want to make any noise to disturb anyone still sleepeing. It's also nice if you are there in the evening and watching the sun go down. The people on the DTD boats are always waving, it's nice to listen to the clip clop of the horses taking someone on a carriage ride, the distant laughter of kids as their parents take them around on the surrey bikes, it all adds up to a summer evening in a rural area. ( Incidentally, It sounds like where I grew up, as well as here I live now, even though both are in New England)
In all the years we've stayed there, even when it is fully booked, I can rely on being able to start my morning in the peace and quiet.
I have to say that when I've walked to POFQ for beignets, their courtyard section is quiet as well. It's just not what I am looking for in scenery, and atmosphere.
One of the reasons I won't go back to the value resorts is that I don't find it easy to relax in the mornings, or the evenings. and there aren't really any quiet areas near each building, but that is just us, and the way WE feel.
We did try another mod, not part of the PO duo, and did not enjoy it as much as POR.

Reading this has once again reaffirmed that I have made the right choice of moderate resort for my Disney Trip in 2011. You paint such a beautiful picture of it I just had a big relaxing sigh whilst reading.

 

[Golf4food]

Could someone provide some more information on the dinner offerings at the POR CS? The carved meat, for instance, lists "various accompaniments" for side options: what does that usually include?

 

[andrewilley]

Could someone provide some more information on the dinner offerings at the POR CS? The carved meat, for instance, lists "various accompaniments" for side options: what does that usually include?

Things like mashed potatos, green beens, carrot or sweetcorn, a sweet cornbread cake (don't ask me why, seems more like a pudding to me) and gravy. Meat is beef or turkey usually.

Andre

 

[KELLY]

We are thinking of upgrading to a moderate. Since we will be there for 9 nights. I know some people don't think the rooms are that much smaller than a value. But after last year I would disagree. We went for 7 nights and everything at pop was fine so we booked again. But the quarters were a little tight. IT was me DH and our 2 girls and our stroller.

But I'm thinking we will miss moderate. I know we did last year. I have stayed at POR maybe in 1994. Long long ago. I would like to stay in the mansion part of POR this time. When I make the change should I ask for the mansions?

 

[Golf4food]

We are thinking of upgrading to a moderate. Since we will be there for 9 nights. I know some people don't think the rooms are that much smaller than a value. But after last year I would disagree. We went for 7 nights and everything at pop was fine so we booked again. But the quarters were a little tight. IT was me DH and our 2 girls and our stroller.

But I'm thinking we will miss moderate. I know we did last year. I have stayed at POR maybe in 1994. Long long ago. I would like to stay in the mansion part of POR this time. When I make the change should I ask for the mansions?

Yes, ask for mansions if that's where you'd like to stay. We have little desire to stay in AB but love the mansions so always request it. You can also request water view, etc. if you want anything specific. The worst that can happen is you don't get it all when you check in.

 

[KELLY]

Yes, ask for mansions if that's where you'd like to stay. We have little desire to stay in AB but love the mansions so always request it. You can also request water view, etc. if you want anything specific. The worst that can happen is you don't get it all when you check in.

Thanks our biggest issue staying at pop is the room renovations look great. But the storage space it is lacking now. There is only 3 draws to put clothes away. We are going for 10 days so this is going to be a serious problem.
I don't overpack either. For the 4 of us we only bring 2 larger suitcases.
I don't want to live out of suitcases for 10 days. NO thanks!

Since we have free dining we will probably take advange of the sit down resturant here. How is the food? I'm sure these questions our repeats but I haven't really had time to read threw the entire thread.

I would like to call today and change my reservation.
Thanks

 

[anorman]

When you go to POR AB at Google Earth, it looks as though the Alligator Bayou section is really thick with foliage and crowding in on the buildings. Is that the way it is? I like my kids to have some room to run around a little but still be in sight....I'm not sure I would be comfortable without at least some open space. I am considering one of the closer in buildings such as 14 or 18 but with garden views. Anyone have information or experience with these buildings?

 

[andrewilley]

Interesting question. The foliage around AB is fairly dense in places, and with the streams and pools too there's not much room to run around off the main footpaths, so if you want larger expanses for the kids to play then I'd suggest Magnolia Bend might be a better option.

Andre

 

[Jill Schwartz]

Hmmm...I've seen quite a few pictures of the buildings themselves, the paths, river and bridges...not that many (or any?) that give an idea of what its like between the buildings, etc. Anyone have pictures of their "views" from the AB building "porches" that aren't views of the river?

Thanks!

 

[anorman]

Hmmm...I've seen quite a few pictures of the buildings themselves, the paths, river and bridges...not that many (or any?) that give an idea of what its like between the buildings, etc. Anyone have pictures of their "views" from the AB building "porches" that aren't views of the river?

Thanks!

anyone.....????

 

[webstah]

go to www.portorleans.org, and review the many photos.
You should see what you want.

 

[andrewilley]

go to www.portorleans.org, and review the many photos.
You should see what you want.

LOL, I was just about to post that.

There are lots of photos in the Gallery of the views around Alligator Bayou, which are mostly woods/foliage/etc. A few rooms right on the outer edges of the resort could have parking lot views of course, but generally even then there are trees/etc too.

Andre

 

[webstah]

LOL, I was just about to post that.
Andre

Hey, I figure you put alot of work into a great resource, why try to duplicate it!
Thanks for all you've done to provide good data.

 

[anorman]

Thanks for the link. I'm not sure that AB is what I what I had in mind though.

If I were to stay in Magnolia Bend, which would be the building closest to the main hub and, without paying for the water view, what would you call the view from a standard room away from the parking lot? Is it courtyard view or garden view?.....for request purposes....

 

[hbehrman]

When you go to POR AB at Google Earth, it looks as though the Alligator Bayou section is really thick with foliage and crowding in on the buildings. Is that the way it is? I like my kids to have some room to run around a little but still be in sight....I'm not sure I would be comfortable without at least some open space. I am considering one of the closer in buildings such as 14 or 18 but with garden views. Anyone have information or experience with these buildings?

We have stayed twice when it was all 5 of us in AB16 on the second floor and it was awesome both times and very peaceful and beautiful with the plantings. However if you are looking for open space I would suggest one of the buildings facing OleMan Isle (18,27,38) on the AB side (of course those would be water view rooms) as their is open grass between the buildings and the walkway that goes around Ole Man Isle and their is a playground on Ole Man Isle as well. Other than that the Mansions side also is all open and has large courtyards to explore.