cruzstitch
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 40
We stayed at PORS with three kids for their first trip. If you're interested, you can see my trip report at tripoutdisney.wordpress.com
1. If you get a badge from the resort (1st Visit, Anniversary, Happy Birthday, etc.) wear it. We were treated very, very well because we were wearing those buttons and not only by the cast members. The characters always pointed out the buttons and gave the kids' thumbs up (for the non-talkers) or asked the kids how the trip was going and what their favorite part was. They were given stickers all over the place. Guests also asked the kids how they liked their trip, especially other kids. I thought it was awesome that the kids who have been there before made a point to talk with our kids. I also heard Happy Birthday being called out all over the place to the people who were wearing their birthday badges. It definitely added to our enjoyment of the trip.
2. Port Orleans Riverside is huge. It has four bus stops: North, East, South (lobby) and West. The buildings closest to the South depot are of course the best location because they're close to both the food and the bus. However, they've also made those premium rooms, and even the rooms that are close are a bit of a hike (figure 3-5 minute walk for the closest buildings). It would take me at least 10 minutes to walk from my room near the West depot to the lobby. However, I only made that walk early in the morning when I was fresh and my feet weren't tired, and it was a gorgeous walk in the light as well. At the end of the night when it was late and we had three tired kids with us, it was way better to be close to a bus stop. The West depot was always the first or second stop, depending on which park we were coming from, which means the bus was never full when it got to us for pick up and we were the first ones off when we got home.
3. Bring a small package of handiwipes. You will not be sorry!
4. Factor in plenty of time for meals and bathroom breaks. It took us at least an hour at every meal, longer at table meals. Lego (our son with Asperger's) had a hard time focusing on his meal because there's so much going on in the restaurants and it also takes a while to actually get the food and find a table. We ended up running late or having to completely skip some things due to me not factoring in enough time for meals. Also, if you see a bathroom, use it. We ended up doubling back several times because kids suddenly announced that they had to go. We were lucky that we were almost always close to a restroom, but there were times when it was inconvenient to have to go back.
5. Arrive early for the parade. Also, if there is a later showing of the parade and your kids aren't totally dead tired, stick around for it, it will be way less crowded.
6. Pack a small flashlight you can easily carry in a bag or a pocket. Whirly Girl (brilliant little thing she is) had packed one without us knowing it. The first night, she didn't have it and we could have used it when Hubs and Lego had gone to the bathroom and the lights were still dimmed on Main Street. She pulled it out of her pocket the next morning and told us she thought it would be a good idea to bring it with us. We carried it the rest of the trip. It was great for checking the maps after night fall and for when we were walking back to our resort room from the bus late at night. The pathways are lit, but not very brightly.
7. Bring ponchos from home, and if you have little ones, buy them the junior size. They sell ponchos in Disney World, but I know they're more expensive than you can find in your local store. We had bought the one size fits all ponchos, though, and they were way too big on the kids. Whirly Girl was tripping over hers, and Hubs ended up using our belts to hitch the kids' ponchos up. Also, if you are bringing a stroller and don't have a rain cover for it, and extra poncho would be a great idea. The stroller parking areas are rarely under cover, and coming back to a soaked seat may not be enjoyable for your little ones! We used a poncho to cover the stroller and saw lots of others doing the same.
8. Bring (or order for delivery from a Florida grocer) breakfast things for your room to save money and food credits. Quarts or half-gallons of milk can be bought at the stores on the property if you're nervous about refrigerated things in Florida going bad (like me). If you purchase food from the food court to take back to the room, request to go containers at the counter and a bag at check out. I saw a lot of folks carrying things back on trays. It was way easier to handle the hot coffee cups with a bag.
9. If you have a kid who's not a strong swimmer, request a swim vest for them at check-in. They will provide the vest for the length of your stay. You just return it before check-out.
10. Bring your own hair dryer, just to be safe. If your hair dryer isn't operating, it will take a while to get a replacement.
11. I went to Party City and bought a bunch of little party favor-type toys that I carried around in my bag for when we were waiting in line or for shows to start. They were great for waiting for buses to arrive as well. The bubbles were my kids' favorites, and often other kids would come over to chase the bubbles as well. It was great for keeping them quiet in line.
12. If your little ones are given a regular glass at a table meal, you can request a cup with a lid and a straw instead.
13. This one is not original, I think I found it on the Mom's Panel on the WDW site. M&M minis containers make great carriers for coins in the park if you like doing pressed pennies. That way, you're not scrounging around a change purse for coins while you're in the parks. Just fill it up with quarters and pennies and you're good to go. The extra added bonus? You get to eat the M&M's first! Also, some of the penny machines in the parks are more expensive (I think the highest I saw was $1.25).
1. If you get a badge from the resort (1st Visit, Anniversary, Happy Birthday, etc.) wear it. We were treated very, very well because we were wearing those buttons and not only by the cast members. The characters always pointed out the buttons and gave the kids' thumbs up (for the non-talkers) or asked the kids how the trip was going and what their favorite part was. They were given stickers all over the place. Guests also asked the kids how they liked their trip, especially other kids. I thought it was awesome that the kids who have been there before made a point to talk with our kids. I also heard Happy Birthday being called out all over the place to the people who were wearing their birthday badges. It definitely added to our enjoyment of the trip.
2. Port Orleans Riverside is huge. It has four bus stops: North, East, South (lobby) and West. The buildings closest to the South depot are of course the best location because they're close to both the food and the bus. However, they've also made those premium rooms, and even the rooms that are close are a bit of a hike (figure 3-5 minute walk for the closest buildings). It would take me at least 10 minutes to walk from my room near the West depot to the lobby. However, I only made that walk early in the morning when I was fresh and my feet weren't tired, and it was a gorgeous walk in the light as well. At the end of the night when it was late and we had three tired kids with us, it was way better to be close to a bus stop. The West depot was always the first or second stop, depending on which park we were coming from, which means the bus was never full when it got to us for pick up and we were the first ones off when we got home.
3. Bring a small package of handiwipes. You will not be sorry!
4. Factor in plenty of time for meals and bathroom breaks. It took us at least an hour at every meal, longer at table meals. Lego (our son with Asperger's) had a hard time focusing on his meal because there's so much going on in the restaurants and it also takes a while to actually get the food and find a table. We ended up running late or having to completely skip some things due to me not factoring in enough time for meals. Also, if you see a bathroom, use it. We ended up doubling back several times because kids suddenly announced that they had to go. We were lucky that we were almost always close to a restroom, but there were times when it was inconvenient to have to go back.
5. Arrive early for the parade. Also, if there is a later showing of the parade and your kids aren't totally dead tired, stick around for it, it will be way less crowded.
6. Pack a small flashlight you can easily carry in a bag or a pocket. Whirly Girl (brilliant little thing she is) had packed one without us knowing it. The first night, she didn't have it and we could have used it when Hubs and Lego had gone to the bathroom and the lights were still dimmed on Main Street. She pulled it out of her pocket the next morning and told us she thought it would be a good idea to bring it with us. We carried it the rest of the trip. It was great for checking the maps after night fall and for when we were walking back to our resort room from the bus late at night. The pathways are lit, but not very brightly.
7. Bring ponchos from home, and if you have little ones, buy them the junior size. They sell ponchos in Disney World, but I know they're more expensive than you can find in your local store. We had bought the one size fits all ponchos, though, and they were way too big on the kids. Whirly Girl was tripping over hers, and Hubs ended up using our belts to hitch the kids' ponchos up. Also, if you are bringing a stroller and don't have a rain cover for it, and extra poncho would be a great idea. The stroller parking areas are rarely under cover, and coming back to a soaked seat may not be enjoyable for your little ones! We used a poncho to cover the stroller and saw lots of others doing the same.
8. Bring (or order for delivery from a Florida grocer) breakfast things for your room to save money and food credits. Quarts or half-gallons of milk can be bought at the stores on the property if you're nervous about refrigerated things in Florida going bad (like me). If you purchase food from the food court to take back to the room, request to go containers at the counter and a bag at check out. I saw a lot of folks carrying things back on trays. It was way easier to handle the hot coffee cups with a bag.
9. If you have a kid who's not a strong swimmer, request a swim vest for them at check-in. They will provide the vest for the length of your stay. You just return it before check-out.
10. Bring your own hair dryer, just to be safe. If your hair dryer isn't operating, it will take a while to get a replacement.
11. I went to Party City and bought a bunch of little party favor-type toys that I carried around in my bag for when we were waiting in line or for shows to start. They were great for waiting for buses to arrive as well. The bubbles were my kids' favorites, and often other kids would come over to chase the bubbles as well. It was great for keeping them quiet in line.
12. If your little ones are given a regular glass at a table meal, you can request a cup with a lid and a straw instead.
13. This one is not original, I think I found it on the Mom's Panel on the WDW site. M&M minis containers make great carriers for coins in the park if you like doing pressed pennies. That way, you're not scrounging around a change purse for coins while you're in the parks. Just fill it up with quarters and pennies and you're good to go. The extra added bonus? You get to eat the M&M's first! Also, some of the penny machines in the parks are more expensive (I think the highest I saw was $1.25).
