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

[andrewilley]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments about the website, glad you're finding it useful.

Andrew, Thanks so much for the information. I think we'd be happy in 14 or 18. Do you recommend faxing in your request in addition to having it on your reservation?

I always reckon it can't do any harm. I'd suggest faxing 2 days ahead of your arrival for one or two rooms, three days for three-room bookings, and four days for four or more rooms. Don't be too specific down to a room number, but tell them what/where you're looking for, and why, so they may be able to match your needs.

On your website it states that you can pay for just refills for a refillable mug purchased previously. I take that to mean there's a program for unlimited refills using an older mug for a reduced fee?

Also if I do use a mug can it be used at POR and POFQ?

No, I don't think there is a re-use option, the mug is valid for the current stay only. But you can re-fill it as often as you like, at both food courts. In fact, the design is now generic for all of WDW for each year so I doubt you'd have any problems in using your mug at other resorts too if you happen to try out other food courts while you're there.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Oops, double-post.

 

[tigger137]

Hi, are there safes in the room at POR?

Yes, they do. (I know this post was months ago but I've only just seen it and had to share this story!)

I don't if they've been changed to code-access now (and I really do hope they have) but a few years ago they had a key.

DH put the key on the rental car key ring, as he had done on other trips.

But this time we were at POR before cruising, not heading back to the airport.
Evening before the cruise we dropped the car off at the Car Care Center.

Later that night, about 11pm, we decided to put the DCL luggage tags on our bags.
Luggage tags, together with all cruise documentation and our passports, were in the LOCKED safe.
And the key was still on the rental car key ring.

We thought we'd have to wait until the morning and hope someone could help us then (remembering the bags had to be ready for collection by 8am, I think it was). I decided to phone the Front Desk and ask, hoping they'd then get someone to us early in the morning. But within 10 minutes 2 very nice Disney gentleman turned up, 'broke into' the safe, and fitted it with a new lock/key.

True Disney magic.

 

[churchlady]

Subbing!

 

[Golf4food]

We only ate breakfast in the Riverside Mill once our last stay at POR and weren't eating "healthy" at the time, and the Allears menu doesn't list a lot as far as detail goes, but... what healthy options are there for breakfast as the Mill? Is there wheat bread for toast, for example? On the breakfast sandwiches do you have options for breads?

Alternately, are there microwaves in the Mill we could use if we bring something healthy of our own?

Stupid cholesterol and junk. I just want tasty and unhealthy!

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

There is a microwave and toasters in the mill anyone can use.

 

[andrewilley]

The food court also does a design-your-own yoghurt parfait (which my DW loves), cereal, oatmeal and omlettes, plus pre-prepared fruit cups, etc. I think the bread is just bread, though.

There are lots of bacon, sausage & other unhealthy options with syrup of course.

Andre

 

[Jill Schwartz]

I feel silly asking this now, as our trip is not until Aug/Sept POR trip but with the 180 ADR I need to get a plan going!

On depature day (approx 3pm ME) we can either go to park for the morning which will require a very early morning wake up in order to go to airline check with our luggage and bell services with our carry-ons before heading to a park for RD.

Another option would be, if we are finished wth the parks: Sleep in a bit later, go to airline check-in and bell services before heading to Kona for a 10am breakfast. Return to POR for pool time from about noon to 2:30. Are there any lockers at the pool that would hold a couple backpacks full of pool stuff? Are there showers and changing rooms? 11am is check out, so will our key cards stop working (assuming we need a key card to get into the shower and locker area)?

Anyone have pics of these areas?!

Thanks!

 

[Amy&Dan]

andrewilley: Just have to say I love your site! We just found out yesterday we get to stay at POR (got to upgrade from Pop for ten nights for about $120 thanks to discounts being extended for Easter week) and my whole family spent about two hours looking at all the pictures you had posted etc. We have stayed there before in 2005 and your site reminded us of all we have to look forward to!

 

[andrewilley]

Are there any lockers at the pool that would hold a couple backpacks full of pool stuff? Are there showers and changing rooms? 11am is check out, so will our key cards stop working (assuming we need a key card to get into the shower and locker area)?

You will still have full access to all of the resort facilities on your checkout day. Your keycard will not open your room door after 11am (obviously) but it can still be used as ID to get into the parking lots etc, for rentals, and even for charging if you wish. Lockers and wash facilities (including showers) are located next to the Muddy Rivers pool bar. There is a small fee for using the lockers ($1 in quarters) but the showers are free, no keycard is needed. Free towels are also available at the poolside of course.

By the way, don't forget you can also ask whether late checkout is available for your day of departure, which would give you access to your room until 1pm. We've only once had this request turned down, when the resort was very busy. Just ask at the front desk when you check in, or a few days before you leave.

Andre

 

[GrammyJudy]

How close is Bldg 14 to the main building?

 

[andrewilley]

How close is Bldg 14 to the main building?

You could probably throw a stone.

Andre

 

[Jill Schwartz]

Thanks Andre...and also for the reminder on the possible late check out as that might really help as we could then delay airline check in until after returning from breakfast.

We've been granted an hour or two late check out at a hotel in the past (non-Disney) only to return to find out that promtly at 11am our keys were de-activated for everything...even getting in the back door where we had parked. Had to stand in line at the front desk to tell them we had been granted late check out. They said, "yeah, we just automatically turn off all the keys at 11am..." Perhaps Disney's system is a bit better so we aren't hiking it back to the registration!

You will still have full access to all of the resort facilities on your checkout day. Your keycard will not open your room door after 11am (obviously) but it can still be used as ID to get into the parking lots etc, for rentals, and even for charging if you wish. Lockers and wash facilities (including showers) are located next to the Muddy Rivers pool bar. There is a small fee for using the lockers ($1 in quarters) but the showers are free, no keycard is needed. Free towels are also available at the poolside of course.

By the way, don't forget you can also ask whether late checkout is available for your day of departure, which would give you access to your room until 1pm. We've only once had this request turned down, when the resort was very busy. Just ask at the front desk when you check in, or a few days before you leave.

Andre

 

[Dowellfam]

Is bldg 14 part of AB? I want to request the closest building to the food court- having 3 kids and an infant, I really want to be centrally located!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Is bldg 14 part of AB? I want to request the closest building to the food court- having 3 kids and an infant, I really want to be centrally located!

Yes, 14 is part of the AB section. It is right next to the food court. http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/port-riverside.htm It is very popular and highly requested. So we put in our request to be in the AB section in either 14, 18 or 27. We got 27 and it was great! Less than 5 minutes to the food court, the bus stop, and the pool!

 

[glennsgirl762]

Love your site Andre! Can't wait till we stay here in June for 10 days! That's the longest we've ever stayed. This resort is so beautiful, we stayed at POFQ 3 years ago, loved it! We had the pleasure of being able to walk over to POR, a short relaxing walk, and knew we would stay there. Took a lot of pictures of POR, probably more than POFQ, lol. We weren't suppose to be coming back this year, actually not for another 3 years! But DH surprised us and booked the trip, gotta love him.
I am so excited!!! Thanks for everyone listening to me blab on and on and for posting all the information I can get my hands on. You guys rock!

 

[Jen414]

Can anyone tell me about the quiet pools? Is one better than the others? They all look like they are a different shape. Are they? My girls always like the main pool, but also tend to enjoy the quiet pools to play with their diving sticks. Thanks.

 

[webstah]

The quiet pools are spread throughout the property so you can go to one near you.
There really isn't anything special about them.
The laundry facilities are next to the quiet pools, so we just go to the one nearest us.
You do have to bring a towel from the room, or your own if you take them, because the quiet pools do not supply any, only the main pool.
Also, there aren't any life guards at the quiet pools that I have ever seen.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

I guess this is the best place to ask- Does anyone know if we could use a CS credit to purchase a make your own salad, or for the pasta bar at POR Mill?

 

[webstah]

The riverside mill is a CS location. The make your own salad, pasta, and carving station (available only at dinner) are all 1 CS