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

[MickeyMirth]

We are leaving on the 15th. I am suppose to be packing today. It is not going so well! LOL! Total slacker here. I am holding out for the 10 day weather report!

We leave 12/12. I'm patiently waiting for the packing fairy to show up. I think she must be busy elsewhere.

 

[kateydid]

can 5 adults fit in the AB rooms with the trundle beds? i did not see on disney's website where the 5th person specifically had to be a child but at the same time the reservation system won't allow me to book there with 5 adults even though rooms are available. has anyone done this before? i'm not so much worried about sleeping/crowding/bathroom issues, but i don't want to break any rules or fire codes or anything like that. would it make a difference if i called to book rather than use the online system?

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

can 5 adults fit in the AB rooms with the trundle beds? i did not see on disney's website where the 5th person specifically had to be a child but at the same time the reservation system won't allow me to book there with 5 adults even though rooms are available. has anyone done this before? i'm not so much worried about sleeping/crowding/bathroom issues, but i don't want to break any rules or fire codes or anything like that. would it make a difference if i called to book rather than use the online system?

The trundle bed is small and not for a large adult. There are pictures in this thread. You would be better of packing a twin air mattress and throwing it on the floor where the trundle would be if you opened it. Then just stand it up every morning. But I do not think 5 adults are suppose to be in the room. I am not aware of this being a fire code issue in Florida. But in NY - Manhattan it is!

 

[pixleyyy]

Just back from what was supposed to be a stay at POR. Unfortunately when we arrived they put us in a non-view room (we paid for a water view) and I called the front office to complain. They showed that we had a standard room. So I tromped up to the office and showed my confirmation with waterview on it, where they then told me they were out of waterview. I eventually ended up talking to the manager and explaining my concerns and she had us moved to a waterview room at Coronado Springs. So I only had about an hour at POR but it seemed nice while we were there.

 

[lllGurulll]

Just back from what was supposed to be a stay at POR. Unfortunately when we arrived they put us in a non-view room (we paid for a water view) and I called the front office to complain. They showed that we had a standard room. So I tromped up to the office and showed my confirmation with waterview on it, where they then told me they were out of waterview. I eventually ended up talking to the manager and explaining my concerns and she had us moved to a waterview room at Coronado Springs. So I only had about an hour at POR but it seemed nice while we were there.

That is one reason I never mess with preferred rooms. Personally, I would rather them make the opposite mistake.

 

[C&OsMommy]

I just got all of our confirmation info in the mail from our TA

I took my daughter to see Princess & the Frog last night and now I think it will be really cool to stay at POR, she will "get it"!!!! That thought hadn't even crossed my mind when I made the reservations, it is a perfect fit to the movie!

 

[keishashadow]

Just back, have to report that the French Quarter was great and, IMO, certainly holds up to many of the deluxe resorts when it comes to outdoor theming...so romantic strolling around @ night. I originally thought the curtain in bath area to be strange, but found it really helped getting pulled together.

i'll post some pics when i get my wits about me

 

[glennsgirl762]

Just back, have to report that the French Quarter was great and, IMO, certainly holds up to many of the deluxe resorts when it comes to outdoor theming...so romantic strolling around @ night. I originally thought the curtain in bath area to be strange, but found it really helped getting pulled together.

i'll post some pics when i get my wits about me

Glad to hear you had a good time. Can't wait for your pictures . We stayed at POFQ 2 years ago and felt the same, it's a beautiful resort.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Just booked three nights at POR in March for the Princess Half Marathon, since it is a host hotel and I had a PIN code!

We stayed at CBR in October for another race, so I pretty much know what to expect from a moderate resort. Husband felt that we didn't get much out of CBR in two nights (as far as enjoying the resort amenities) so asked that we either stay value for two nights or make our stay at a moderate longer. Obviously, I went for the longer stay and chose POR!

 

[MissBritt]

DH and I spent 12/15-18 at POR and were very pleased with everything. I would definitely recommend this resort.

 

[Sorrel]

So excited....we get to POR on the 14th for 2 weeks!!! It's our first time there and we can't wait!!!

Anyway, any suggestions for room requests would be appreciated....we wanted a King bed but I understand they are a "preferred room" thing....is it worth requesting one anyway? And we think we'd prefer to stay in AB because the buildings look a little smaller...what buildings could we request that would give us the best option of quiet and no view of a carpark?!? We don't mind a longer walk at all.

Should we email the request? Or if we do the online check in do we get an opportunity to do it then? I have never stayed on-site before in all of the times I have been, so it's kinda new to me

Thank you

 

[seadd67]

So excited....we get to POR on the 14th for 2 weeks!!! It's our first time there and we can't wait!!!

Anyway, any suggestions for room requests would be appreciated....we wanted a King bed but I understand they are a "preferred room" thing....is it worth requesting one anyway? And we think we'd prefer to stay in AB because the buildings look a little smaller...what buildings could we request that would give us the best option of quiet and no view of a carpark?!? We don't mind a longer walk at all.

Should we email the request? Or if we do the online check in do we get an opportunity to do it then? I have never stayed on-site before in all of the times I have been, so it's kinda new to me

Thank you

AB I think Is by far the most elegant(can I use that word LOL) and Its such a nice area to walk to the main building.We had # 14 wich Is the frist building as you goto the AB section.But I would suggest one a little further away just because you like to walk,matter of fact that a good Idea we might just do the same. To get a view other then a parking lot view you have to pay for a peffered room.Its so worth It speacialy In the morining when the suns comeing up you can have your coffie on the porch and watch the ducks In the river,nice view

 

[DW2010]

This may be a silly question but we're a family of 5 including a 4 year at time of travel. I was told that we could get a room here for a family of 5. I see that they have 2 double sized beds. A double-sized bed seems awfully small for 2 adults to share Can someone clarify this for me?

 

[sarbah77]

This may be a silly question but we're a family of 5 including a 4 year at time of travel. I was told that we could get a room here for a family of 5. I see that they have 2 double sized beds. A double-sized bed seems awfully small for 2 adults to share Can someone clarify this for me?

All moderates with the exception of Coronado Springs have double beds. They're not that small. The space for the fifth person is a trundle bed and it's generally for a smaller child.

 

[andrewilley]

A double-sized bed seems awfully small for 2 adults to share Can someone clarify this for me?

Single vs. Double ... I think there's a clue in the name.

Andre

 

[Incredimom3]

We were there in September with a family of 5 (DD14, DD13, DD10). Our 13 year old slept on the trundle. It should be fine for your 4 year old. I worried at first about her seeing creepy crawlies on the floor as this was Florida and she was near the door, but the only visitor we had was a tiny lizard. I was very impressed with how quiet and comfortable this resort was for a family our size. We did pick up some ideas (from disboards and allears.net) which helped with maximizing space. I purchased small plastic baskets (from the dollar store) for each member of our family and placed them on the AC unit. Each person would put his/her lanyards, keys, wallet, purse, fanny pack, etc... in the basket. This helped avoid clutter and save time as we went in and out. As four of our group were female, we had lots of stuff. I purchased a folding closet organizer (for sweaters, shoes,etc...) from Marshalls. It had six cube-shaped shelves and it velcroed over the closet rod. This provided space for hair care items, first aid, make up, etc... I think you'll love POR. We had a fabulous time there.

Stephanie

 

[LuvTheMagic985]

We visited POR and my review is somewhat mixed. Though I agree that the resort itself is very beautiful and I enjoyed the food court alot, our stay was the worst I have ever experienced on Disney property. Again, I don't hold this against the resort as a whole but it will be a while before I stay there again.

We were put in the 'Alligator Cabins', the room turned out to be occupied (unknown to us at the time). We dropped off our belongings and headed to the park, on arrival back to the room we could not enter. We walked (LOOOOONG WALK) back to the Registration desk only to be told that Staff would not retrieve my purse, cell, wallets,or laptop (all in the room), until the 'other couple' returned to the room. It was horrible to think what could have happened to my belongings for all those hours. We were then moved to another room for the night without our belongings. We finally received them shortly after midnight. Thanks so much to the family who was in the room, they were as concerned as us about our belongings and called our room to be sure that nothing was missing. We never received an apology from Disney Staff A VERY UNMAGICAL start to our vacation.

The next day while we were at the park I received a call from the staff that were again being moved because the room we were in was booked to yet ANOTHER family. We had to head back to the resort and move again, this time to one of the Mansions. Again, I was dismayed because as I unpacked I noted the bathroom had hair in the sink and mold all along the grout in the shower. I have to say that NEVER have I experienced this in ANY Disney resort prior and definitely not expected to see at the price point one pays for a Moderate. To say the least, I was almost in tears. My Disney experience was slowly being shattered.
We went on with our vacation and I tried hard not to concentrate on the happenings of the first two days. I did inform housekeeping of the shower and it was sparkling by the next day.
My experience there gave me the distinct impression that POR was ill kept and poorly ran. I will admit that the POR property and grounds are definitely beautiful, bus services was fairly nice, and the food court was never packed or dirty, and we did enjoy the little bar area for catching football games. Also, both of our cabin rooms had the trundle. I did not technically sleep on the trundle but I did pull it out and laid on it for awhile just to test it out. I am only 4'11 and I would have been fine sleeping on it. However, the property is extremely spread out so inclement weather conditions can be quite a problem there. We did walk to the French Quarter and I have to say, it I had to choose again I would have picked it instead just due to the proximity of things there. Overall, I still think Disney is wonderful and I adore their resorts. I think we just had a terrible stroke of bad luck at POR.

 

[daisyx3]

As I skimmed this thread I have seen a couple of references to rollaways. Is this an option in Magnolia Terrace? I thought with 3 kids we'd have to do Alligator Bayou, but no one is excited about the trundle, even though I am taking a twin air mattress and sleeping bag for it.
If Magnolia is not an option, what is a good water view building that isn't too far from the main areas?
Robin M.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered but this thread is huge and alot to read thru. Does POR have pool activities in the summer? We stayed at ASMu last summer and they had games, music, dances, and nightly movies by the pool, does POR offer anything like this?

Thanks

 

[jakezackalex]

Are the rooms big enough to have an Aero bed in them? I was thinking of moving the table and putting the bed there. My boys won't share a bed.