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

[dltnboz3mom]

We usually stay Deluxe but it's just not in the budget this year. We booked at POR and my husband is concerned about the beds. Can anyone tell us if the beds are comfortable?

 

[Pixiedust34]

We usually stay Deluxe but it's just not in the budget this year. We booked at POR and my husband is concerned about the beds. Can anyone tell us if the beds are comfortable?

We love POR! Love it!!! But I have to admit that the beds were too small and way too soft for us. I'm hoping that POR will get a rehab with new beds soon. I know they'll still be double beds, but I'm hoping that the new beds will be a bit firmer. It is a lovely resort. We're staying at CSR (queen beds!!) on our next trip, but are hoping for POR on our 2011 trip. POR is our favorite.

 

[primgirl]

Do the hair dryers at POR work well? I read a thread that the ones at POP are horrible and I'm wondering if I should bring my own when we stay at POR next month.

 

[scottny]

Did you find the buses crowded? I've read some bad things about the bus picking up at POFQ first and then working it's way around POR so I'm worried.

No.
We got a seat or had to stand a few times but the buildings we stayed in were the first stop after FQ. Not sure if they still r (hope so) but I am always at the bus before 8am. Coming home once it was a wait at MK but we decided to just take the FQ bus and then walked back over. Nothing like when I was at POP and waited nearly 50 minutes for a bus at MK.

 

[singitalto]

They have the following drinks at the soda machine(while we were there in May)
Coke, Diet Coke, Vanilla Coke, Cherry Coke, Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Sprite, Barq's Root Beer, Orange Fanta, Minute Maid Lemonaid(light) and Hi-C Fruit Punch.
Hope that helps you out!!!

Thanks!! I know they had the Caffeine Free Diet Coke at Pop last time I was there (3 years ago) Glad to hear they have it at POR!!!!

3 1/2 more days till we leave!!!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

No.
We got a seat or had to stand a few times but the buildings we stayed in were the first stop after FQ. Not sure if they still r (hope so) but I am always at the bus before 8am. Coming home once it was a wait at MK but we decided to just take the FQ bus and then walked back over. Nothing like when I was at POP and waited nearly 50 minutes for a bus at MK.

thanks for the great tip!

 

[Yarna]

WooHoo!! Thanks to the latest free dining promo, we're heading back to POR in February!! I'm crossing my fingers that the next 6 months fly by.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Just contacted our TA for a POR quote for next summer! Our trip dates are under a black out with the current FD codes, but we plan to book a room-only trip and are hoping that a room-only code will become available for next summer.

We're excited to be returning to POR again!

Here's a little song to celebrate! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy9woUANZK4

 

[snykymom]

OK, all you POR lovers! I need some reassurance! I'm booked at POR for the first time, and I'm second guessing myself!

Let me start by saying I love CSR, but wanted the boat to DTD this time. Well, now I'm renting a car, so the boat isn't that important anymore.

I'm worried since POR hasn't been renovated and CSR has. Are the rooms run down? My dh is joining me for a couple of days, and I'm worried about his reaction - he doesn't like Disney that much (going just for me), and I want him to like the hotel.

Any fans of both POR and CSR who can make me feel better? CSR is an extra $100, or I'd probably do the switch without issue.

THANKS!

 

[Pixiedust34]

OK, all you POR lovers! I need some reassurance! I'm booked at POR for the first time, and I'm second guessing myself!

Let me start by saying I love CSR, but wanted the boat to DTD this time. Well, now I'm renting a car, so the boat isn't that important anymore.

I'm worried since POR hasn't been renovated and CSR has. Are the rooms run down? My dh is joining me for a couple of days, and I'm worried about his reaction - he doesn't like Disney that much (going just for me), and I want him to like the hotel.

Any fans of both POR and CSR who can make me feel better? CSR is an extra $100, or I'd probably do the switch without issue.

THANKS!

I just replied to you over on the CSR thread.

 

[ocalla]

We are thinking of switching resorts from WL to POR for our upcoming trip. I really do not want to stay in Alligator Bayou, and wondered if I requested to NOT stay there would that be a problem?

Or should I request to stay in a certain section instead?

Thanks

 

[Missytara]

We are thinking of switching resorts from WL to POR for our upcoming trip. I really do not want to stay in Alligator Bayou, and wondered if I requested to NOT stay there would that be a problem?

Or should I request to stay in a certain section instead?

Thanks

You can keep your request simple, by just requesting "mansions" rather than a specific building in the mansions and would most likely end up in the mansions.

I always request Oak Manor, because it is my favorite location and I always get it, but I go at a slower week and I travel alone, so I have never been placed in AB - since it is specifically reserved first for families of five.

 

[andrewilley]

If you liked the idea of Wilderness Lodge, you'll probably like Alligator Bayou too, so I wouldn't be too worried either way. But you can always request Magnolia Bend mansions anyway.

Andre

 

[BrerMama]

We just booked our third trip to Riverside, with free dining. The practical side of me really wanted to book ASMu family suites, but my kids and dh wanted Riverside again so badly. We did spring for the preferred room and I'm excited to see what that will mean once the new year (and new room categories) start. We've been in Building 15 and 38.

Love this place and can't wait to practice my new photography skills capturing the resort!

 

[Missytara]

We just booked our third trip to Riverside, with free dining. The practical side of me really wanted to book ASMu family suites, but my kids and dh wanted Riverside again so badly. We did spring for the preferred room and I'm excited to see what that will mean once the new year (and new room categories) start. We've been in Building 15 and 38.

Love this place and can't wait to practice my new photography skills capturing the resort!

Per Disney's website, the preferred room description reads like this:

"These rooms offer close proximity to the Registration Building, dining, transportation, and resort amentities."

I would say that would be the buildings that are closest to the main building, main pool, and marina.

 

[ShhhQ]

Thinking of booking POR for next year (waiting untill after this years trip to decide... for several factors, including whether I have the $ for the deposit) Previously, we have only stayed at Pop... this year ASSp. Next year, I want to try a moderate...had thought about CBR, but then looked at some video and photos and started 2nd guessing myself... didn't like the color schemes and thought ehhh maybe not. Then yesterday, I saw some room pictures of Alligator Bayou and totally fell in love with the decor!!! I looked at it and said "THIS is Me!!!"
One concern I have about possibly booking here.... the bus situation. My DM and I go, she has many issues and uses an Electric WC.... while I have really bad feet and leg pain so I opt to use an ECV. Loading on buses can be a problem since there are 2 of us and the buses only have room for 2. This hasn't been too much of a problem at Pop because they only have 1 stop and a dedicated bus. We are trying ASSp this year as we wanted to try a new place.... we chose sports because they were the first bus stop at the all-stars if they end up sharing. How much of an issue can this be at POR?

 

[snykymom]

Thinking of booking POR for next year (waiting untill after this years trip to decide... for several factors, including whether I have the $ for the deposit) Previously, we have only stayed at Pop... this year ASSp. Next year, I want to try a moderate...had thought about CBR, but then looked at some video and photos and started 2nd guessing myself... didn't like the color schemes and thought ehhh maybe not. Then yesterday, I saw some room pictures of Alligator Bayou and totally fell in love with the decor!!! I looked at it and said "THIS is Me!!!"
One concern I have about possibly booking here.... the bus situation. My DM and I go, she has many issues and uses an Electric WC.... while I have really bad feet and leg pain so I opt to use an ECV. Loading on buses can be a problem since there are 2 of us and the buses only have room for 2. This hasn't been too much of a problem at Pop because they only have 1 stop and a dedicated bus. We are trying ASSp this year as we wanted to try a new place.... we chose sports because they were the first bus stop at the all-stars if they end up sharing. How much of an issue can this be at POR?

You may want to post this question on the disAbilities forum on these boards. I think they'll have more specific information for you on how to make it work.

 

[Missytara]

Thinking of booking POR for next year (waiting untill after this years trip to decide... for several factors, including whether I have the $ for the deposit) Previously, we have only stayed at Pop... this year ASSp. Next year, I want to try a moderate...had thought about CBR, but then looked at some video and photos and started 2nd guessing myself... didn't like the color schemes and thought ehhh maybe not. Then yesterday, I saw some room pictures of Alligator Bayou and totally fell in love with the decor!!! I looked at it and said "THIS is Me!!!"
One concern I have about possibly booking here.... the bus situation. My DM and I go, she has many issues and uses an Electric WC.... while I have really bad feet and leg pain so I opt to use an ECV. Loading on buses can be a problem since there are 2 of us and the buses only have room for 2. This hasn't been too much of a problem at Pop because they only have 1 stop and a dedicated bus. We are trying ASSp this year as we wanted to try a new place.... we chose sports because they were the first bus stop at the all-stars if they end up sharing. How much of an issue can this be at POR?

POR does share buses at certain times of the day with POFQ, especially busy times like early morning and late evenings. So they can get crowded quickly. Many people comment on the fact that busy times, the buses are terribly crowded.

I go the week after Thanksgiving and it is less crowded so the buses aren't so bad, so people aren't quite as restless waiting for the driver to load two h.c. persons into the bus at one time - there is also more likelihood there will be room for two.

If you definately want to do POR, realize that it is a really huge resort - while POFQ is really much more compact and has only one stop. It may better suit both your needs, and you can always get over to POR on the water taxi - they can accommodate more h.c. persons.

Or if you do go to POR, I would suggest going to the parks and returning off-times. I love coming back mid-afternoon for a good long nap before dinner, and I have sometimes had the bus almost to myself.

Good luck.

 

[pianoronni37]

My husband and I went to POR in January, and we loved it so much, we're going back in February 2011!

As far as room requests go, my husband and I requested Magnolia Bend. I already had the mindset that I would HATE Alligator Bayou if placed there. Well, unfortunately, there were only doubles available in Magnolia Bend, so we were put into Alligator Bayou.

I grudgingly dragged my luggage down the bend, across the bridge, started to brighten up when I saw the gorgeous lushness of the place, the proximity of the BEAUTIFUL pool area, walking through the bend, coming onto Building 28... I looooved it! And the decor was so pretty!!

I can't tell you how much I loved our stay - it was peaceful, like we were the only ones at the resort. My husband never wants to stay anywhere else (except maybe the Poly!). I've always dreamt of the Wilderness Lodge, but I think I love the outdoors of POR much better!

So, my point is - you may not get your request, so do NOT have your heart set on it! And you know what?? It doesn't even matter. POR is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been, I fell in love with everything there, and I can't WAIT to return - hopefully I get the Bayou this time!

 

[webstah]

Thinking of booking POR for next year (waiting untill after this years trip to decide... for several factors, including whether I have the $ for the deposit) Previously, we have only stayed at Pop... this year ASSp. Next year, I want to try a moderate...had thought about CBR, but then looked at some video and photos and started 2nd guessing myself... didn't like the color schemes and thought ehhh maybe not. Then yesterday, I saw some room pictures of Alligator Bayou and totally fell in love with the decor!!! I looked at it and said "THIS is Me!!!"
One concern I have about possibly booking here.... the bus situation. My DM and I go, she has many issues and uses an Electric WC.... while I have really bad feet and leg pain so I opt to use an ECV. Loading on buses can be a problem since there are 2 of us and the buses only have room for 2. This hasn't been too much of a problem at Pop because they only have 1 stop and a dedicated bus. We are trying ASSp this year as we wanted to try a new place.... we chose sports because they were the first bus stop at the all-stars if they end up sharing. How much of an issue can this be at POR?

Please keep in mind that the buildings in Alligator Bayou do NOT have elevators. Only the ones in Magnolia Bend do. All the buildings in POFQ have elevators.
If you want to stay in Alligator Bayou, you might want to specify that you need 1st floor.