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

[DaniB]

Could someone explain what does "riverside standard view" means?

There is now a category of themed rooms and regular rooms; a standard riverside view is NOT a themed rooms.

With the new 'garden view' category now added to the mix from 2012, I expect the cheapest rooms will now most likely be on the far sides of the mansion buildings (i.e. parking lot side) and similar locations in Alligator Bayou. But it's all guesswork at present of course, and probably will be until the new year.

Thanks for the info on the preferred rooms. Most of the resorts seem to place the preferred rooms closest to the main building. As I'm hoping to get Acadian, being close doesn't matter to me.

I'm still a little puzzled on the standard riverside view category for 2011. Does that mean this category/these rooms are actually riverside? Either with a view or stepping out of your room to a view of the river?

 

[DaniB]

The Riverside Mill foodcourt menu states they do not serve hot breakfasts until 7am.

What time does the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at PORQ start? Is that walk-able distance from POR? Does anyone know roughly how long/quick to walk?

 

[andrewilley]

I'm still a little puzzled on the standard riverside view category for 2011.

It means a STANDARD room at Port Orleans RIVERSIDE Resort (i.e. the resort's name, not a view overlooking the river which is more expensive). Most likely parking lot view I guess, or garden/courtyard if you are lucky.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

What time does the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at PORQ start? Is that walk-able distance from POR? Does anyone know roughly how long/quick to walk?

Yes it's walkable, a nice 10-15 minute stroll along the river side pathway.

I've got a feeling POFQ works the same way though, 6am for bakery and grab'n'go service, then 7am for the main hot food counters. Not 100% sure though as I'm never there that early!

Andre

 

[DaniB]

It means a STANDARD room at Port Orleans RIVERSIDE Resort (i.e. the resort's name, not a view overlooking the river which is more expensive). Most likely parking lot view I guess, or garden/courtyard if you are lucky.

Oh! I can't believe I didn't clue in that Riverside was in reference to the resort name. I guess Disney's had too many people mix up POR and PORQ that they put it in there.

Yes it's walkable, a nice 10-15 minute stroll along the river side pathway.

I've got a feeling POFQ works the same way though, 6am for bakery and grab'n'go service, then 7am for the main hot food counters. Not 100% sure though as I'm never there that early!

Thanks Andre! The walk sounds like it should be pleasant then.

I wondered if people at the FQ thread would know about the hours for hot food, so I also posted there. I'll have to see what they said.

 

[thelionqueen]

OK, so I have read through dozens of pages, but not all, so I apologize if this is a repeater question.

We are going to POR late Sept (end of free dining promotion). It is an adults only trip .

I have read lots of negative feedback lately regarding refurbishing, beds, cleanliness, etc. which has me a bit worried. I have stayed at nearly every Disney hotel/resort in N. America and been to WDW more than 30 times, so I consider myself a "seasoned" Disney traveler

Can anyone supply me info on...
What room/section to request (currently have a standard room) which might be refurbished, or at least a nice location far from any construction

We will be renting a car and using the boat to DTD, so no need to be close to bus stops.

Since this will be our first "no kids" trip, I would LOVE a quiet and romantic spot with a view...any help or advice would be most appreciated!!

 

[andrewilley]

What room/section to request (currently have a standard room) which might be refurbished, or at least a nice location far from any construction

Since this will be our first "no kids" trip, I would LOVE a quiet and romantic spot with a view...any help or advice would be most appreciated!!

By late September, we think Acadian House and Magnolia Terrace should have been completed, but check back for updates. As you have a standard room booked, I'd just request a refurbished room, not near a parking lot. The ideal location would be to get a River View in either of those two buildings, but technically that is an upgrade. Doesn't hurt to ask though!

Andre

 

[pooh4brains]

but not new to WDW. We are considering booking a 3 night stay in 1/2012 for 3 adults and 3 kids. I know that the Alligator Bayou rooms have the trundle bed. Will these rooms have queen beds, or MIGHT they have queen beds, depending on the refurb schedule? Just trying to get all of the info straight before I book and from the few posts I have scanned Andre seems like the best guy to ask.

TIA

 

[andrewilley]

It's not 100% sure how they are going to deal with the 5th person option in AB. If they fit queen beds, which still seems to be the intent from what we can find out, trundle beds may no longer fit and they might need to find another option.

The first AB building should be complete by mid-November from what we've heard so far, with four AB buildings completed by Xmas, so we'll have to wait and see. I do hope they don't do away with the wooden-framed beds as a cost-saving measure if they switch to queens though.

Andre

 

[pooh4brains]

Thanks, Andre!

How can they still allow 5 people if the trundle won't fit? I guess you're right - they'll have to figure something out especially if we're allowed to book a POR room for 5 guests. We'll go ahead and book and hope for the best I guess. I'll be checking back in case there are any updates.

Thanks again! We're excited for POR!!

 

[KCmike]

Outside our front door

 

[jen42002]

All these pictures are making me wish the summer would go faster. 65 days for us until POR (August 20-27). Andre, I recall you mentioning you may be there in August? Any other DISers at POR during the same timeframe?

 

[anorman]

All these pictures are making me wish the summer would go faster. 65 days for us until POR (August 20-27). Andre, I recall you mentioning you may be there in August? Any other DISers at POR during the same timeframe?

Me! Arriving August 19th to the 29th. I don't like to wish what little summer we have here away, but come on August!

 

[POOHLUV69]

All these pictures are making me wish the summer would go faster. 65 days for us until POR (August 20-27). Andre, I recall you mentioning you may be there in August? Any other DISers at POR during the same timeframe?

We'll be there Aug 19-26, it's our first stay at POR and we're so excited

 

[peterox]

We have only ever stayed deluxe resorts club level. Our girls are 8 and 11 and when they saw the Royal Rooms they said that is where thay want to stay on our next trip. I book the Royal Room river view for next April. Will we be disappointed?

 

[Missytara]

We have only ever stayed deluxe resorts club level. Our girls are 8 and 11 and when they saw the Royal Rooms they said that is where thay want to stay on our next trip. I book the Royal Room river view for next April. Will we be disappointed?

It is hard to tell, since no one has stayed in them before, they haven't even been started yet. As far as being disappointed in the room once you get there, hard to tell until we see photos of one actually already built.

Or do you mean you always stay deluxe and you move down to a moderate, will you be disappointed.

Have an open mind and you won't be disappointed. Let yourself fully enjoy the experience. Honestly, I have never stayed club level, but I did stay deluxe one year and I went back over to POR to visit several times. While, I appreciated my opportunity to stay there, there is so much to offer at POR. It is my all-time favorite resort.

 

[Carrie772]

Thanks for all the pictures! So excited to be leaving soon!

 

[andrewilley]

We have only ever stayed deluxe resorts club level. Our girls are 8 and 11 and when they saw the Royal Rooms they said that is where thay want to stay on our next trip. I book the Royal Room river view for next April. Will we be disappointed?

It's really hard to say, the concept is so different.

I guess the two things that are most likely to concern you would be the lack of indoor corridor access back to the lobby/etc (POR has outdoor access to all the guest rooms, so that also means no private balcony either) and also the lack of room service and the general 'pampering' features you tend to get at deluxes, especially club level.

For the kids, I rather doubt either of those will bother them much - they will love being able to walk out of the door straight onto the resort grounds or over to the pool area - and if you get a river view, even better! The rooms are a little smaller, but I've done twin-hotel stays at Beach Club/POR and I've honestly never found it a worry.

One thing which might bother you is the distance to the parks. The 4 minute walk from the Beach Club to Epcot is wonderful, and is the one thing I missed when I moved back over to POR. Every park is either a bus or car drive away, nothing is walkable. The boat to Downtown Disney is nice though.

Andre

 

[peterox]

It's really hard to say, the concept is so different.

I guess the two things that are most likely to concern you would be the lack of indoor corridor access back to the lobby/etc (POR has outdoor access to all the guest rooms, so that also means no private balcony either) and also the lack of room service and the general 'pampering' features you tend to get at deluxes, especially club level.

For the kids, I rather doubt either of those will bother them much - they will love being able to walk out of the door straight onto the resort grounds or over to the pool area - and if you get a river view, even better! The rooms are a little smaller, but I've done twin-hotel stays at Beach Club/POR and I've honestly never found it a worry.

One thing which might bother you is the distance to the parks. The 4 minute walk from the Beach Club to Epcot is wonderful, and is the one thing I missed when I moved back over to POR. Every park is either a bus or car drive away, nothing is walkable. The boat to Downtown Disney is nice though.

Andre

yes we are looking forward to walking out of our room onto the resort grounds. I have paid for the River view and that seams to be a good move. We are also renting a car so the distance isn't a concern. I am starting to get excited to visit POR because of this dis forum. I think the royal room will be nicer then the standard deluxe room. Thanks for your help!

 

[snykymom]

I just went onto Disney's official site to take a look at the Rooms for 5 page (regarding a different thread). And I noticed that POR is no longer mentioned - the only mod listed is Ft. Wildreness. Does this signal a real change after the refurb?
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/groups/