Why you like or dislike Port Orleans Riverside

[Disneyof3]

You will love it. We stayed at POR in Feb.05 and we had a blast. The grounds are beautiful and so quiet. We had no problems with noise or anything. The staff was great and the people staying there as you walk to the food court are all cheerful and always said good morning, hello. We ate in the food court once but was always there in the morning getting hot chocolate with the mugs and it was crowded but always seats available. We never got to take a long walk around the grounds but heard there just beautiful beyond the buildings. The pools looked well maintained and clean despite having trees all around them. I can't see how you could be disappointed in this resort.

 

[dumby]

You will love it. We stayed at POR in Feb.05 and we had a blast. The grounds are beautiful and so quiet. We had no problems with noise or anything. The staff was great and the people staying there as you walk to the food court are all cheerful and always said good morning, hello. We ate in the food court once but was always there in the morning getting hot chocolate with the mugs and it was crowded but always seats available. We never got to take a long walk around the grounds but heard there just beautiful beyond the buildings. The pools looked well maintained and clean despite having trees all around them. I can't see how you could be disappointed in this resort.

I see you were there in february 2005 we are planning february 2006. How was the weather in february. I am afraid it will be too cold to enjoy swimming and being outdoors a lot.

 

[Disneyof3]

Sunny.Sunny.Sunny. We had great weather last Feb. The previous year we went the 3rd week in January and we mostly were in pants. Now in Feb. the weather was great. We wore shorts everyday and only sweat shirts at night. I was so excited to go back to Canada with a tan. It was great but it can be a hit and miss thing. Some I've heard went a few weeks later and it was cold. 2 days later after we left we were in Clearwater and I thought it was going to snow. I was in sweatpants and sweat shirts. I woke up that morning and thought I saw my breath Remember the pools at WDW are heated to about 80, so the pool will be warm but the air in the evening will be cold. We brought warm clothes and shorts.
The crowds the 1st week of Feb. were great though.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I love, love, love POR! We stayed 8 nights in the Alligator Bayou this August and everyone in my family (me, hubby, daughter 8, son almost 7, son almost 3) fell in love with it. We talk every day about how much we miss it.

Things I loved...

1. The seclusion : It was so quiet there. You really felt like you are tucked away in the bayou, far from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trap that is Orlando.
2. The landscaping: Lush, lush, lush. It was breathtaking. We loved walking through the beautifully landscaped paths. It was just so relaxing, so peaceful. I can't say enough about how much I loved the landscaping of the AB.
3. Ol Man Island: The pool was a blast. The water slide was tame enough for the kids, yet fun enough for the grown ups. I took my Pooh-sized self down it several times, roaring with laughter the whole way. My littlest one thought the kidde pool was made just for him. The theming is fun and it never felt crowded.
4. Guest rooms: First of all it is a moderate that sleeps five, that's quite rare. I wish Disney had more rooms at moderate and value resorts that can accomodate larger families. Second, the theme. My husband loved the woodsy, down-in-the-bayou theme of the rooms. It was plenty big enough, clean, and the beds were super comfy. My oldest son claimed the trundle bed and slept like a baby each night.
5. Lobby, store, restaurants, recreation: All wonderful. This resort is a vacation all in itself. You can stay a week without leaving and not run out of things to do. We ate many meals at the counter service restaurant and it was really good. I have heard some people complain the service is slow, and that's true, but the food was so much better than your typical counter service food. The have a large variety, everyone is sure to find something they like. I also loved the view from the dining hall. We would sit by the window and talk while they kids colored, watched Disney Channel, or played with the Legos.
6. Bus service: We never waited long for a bus. We also had so many really great drivers that the bus rides were often high points of our day. We had one that got the whole bus singing, clapping, and cheering all the way back from Epcot. I loved the Disney busses.
7. Cast members: All so friendly, all so helpful.

Things I didn't like (short list)
1. No towel animals: We saw a few rooms in other buildings that had them, but we never got any. Not a big deal, but it was a small let down. I know the kids would have loved it.
2. Long walks after a very long day: This resort is huge. Walking from your room to anywhere takes a while and after a long day of touring sometimes you just aren't up to it. That said... the grounds are so beautiful and it is so peacful and quiet that it made those walks much easier.
3. Small bath tub: Certainly not a big deal, but my 6 foot 1 hubby was a little cramped in there. No biggie. He just showered instead of soaked, lol.

I would highly recomend this resort to anyone. I will absolutely stay there again. And again. And again!

 

[goofy4tink]

Another Dixie Landings person here. I get blank looks when I call it that now, so trying to mend my ways. But, we love it there. Yes, I own DVC at Boardwalk but DxL (POR) will always be my first love, so to speak. The things we love about it...
The theming is terrific. We actually love to just walk around the resort. It is so relaxing and beautiful.
We have found the food court to be fine. Nothing exceptional, but it's a food court for heaven's sake. If we want a nicer meal, we go to Boatwrights. WE have always had a good meal there.
We love the ability to have two different types of stays there. Either in AB, for a more rustic, informal type stay, or in Magonlia Bend..more formal and 'Gone with the Wind' atmosphere. Both have their good points.
Love taking the boat to DTD. It is so romantic. A very nice change from the buses.

As for things that have been mentioned as not so favorable. I haven't had any issues with the buses, yet. Sure, they make a lot of stops, but this is a big resort. If you go to the parks at the same time as everyone else, it's going to be busy.
I have yet to have any issue with hot water, at any resort. Again, I wonder if it's a matter of timing. I am usually up and moving very early.
Getting your room requests....I try not to make too many. Asking for a room on an upper level, corner room in AB could be very limiting. I also have been given a room that wasn't to my likeing, but now I'm at the point in life where I will ask if there is anything else available. I was originally given a room in AB way in the back of the resort. I've been there, done that. Since we were only there for two nights I didn't want to be that far removed. Asked for something a bit closer and was told that if I wanted to wait for awhile they could give me a ground level, corner room in bldg 14. Oh yes....I'll wait, thank-you very much.
I don't think there is too much to worry about with POR (DxL). It is large and spread out. If being close to the main bldg is important then ask to be put there if at all possible. THen when you check-in, ask to see where your room is on the map and if it isn't quite good enough, ask for a change. Nothing ventured nothing gained. As long as you are nice about it, the CMs do try to get you what you need.

 

[kizmac]

We just got back last night from POR and we LOVED it! I loved the whole resort....the lush landscaping of AB, the pools, the food court, Boatwrights. I cried when it was time to leave.
I loved getting up early and sitting by the main building drinking my coffee. I never made it over to the Mansion section. We were in building 28 AB section. We had two connecting rooms and one was a corner room. Loved the corner room! The room decor was our style and was clean and fresh since they just renovated. The kids loved the waterslide at the pool and the ducks. I want to go back NOW!!!

It is a lot of walking but it didn't bother me one bit. I enjoyed it. I am terrible at directions and it is kinda easy for us direction impaired people to get lost in the AB section. I went out myself late at night one night early part of our trip and seriously started to panic when I could not find my room again. Didn't bring my room key and couldn't remember my room number either. I knocked on the wrong room. Luckily no one answered or wasn't in there. I am not the norm though because my kids knew there way around better than I.

The buses weren't bad at all. I liked using the West Depot. The food court was busy if you didn't get there early or tried to eat at peak times. The hot tub was being refurbished while we were there. The bus to DTD was wonderful to have as an option. I prefer to have a ground room because we could of never lugged all our bags up to the second floor. I don't know if the Mansions have an elevator or not but AB doesn't.

Oh and the Banana stuffed french toast and the sweet potatoe pancakes at Boatwrights are heaven! You must try them both at least once! YUM!

No towel animals in our building 28 room but the mousekeeper did put the kids stuffed animals in different poses on the bed. The kids loved that.

I will try and get some pictures posted a soon as I can. I have probably 4000! Gotta love digital cameras!

 

[Lilolvr]

Don't care for the shared busing or the food court. Neither make this resort worth the jump from a value.

 

[CheshireVal]

OK, I have to be a dissenter. We stayed at POFQ last November and didn't really think much of it. The theming is lovely - as is POR. Boatwrights sweet potato pancakes are GREAT!

BUT - for an adults only trip(don't know the specifices of who you will be traveling with), I think it's BORING!! There is no "buzz" there if that is what you are looking for. No nightlife really unless you take the boat to DTD. If we had the kids with us, it probably would have been fine, but the rooms are small and claustrophobic (sp?) since you cannot leave the curtains open because of the walkways right outside the window.

I have to agree with this. I think POR is a beautiful resort, but, to me, it's just kinda "blah."

I would actually choose Pop Century over POR because at least there's more of a feeling of excitement. There just wasn't anything at all special to me about POR.

 

[MinnieSummer]

POR is just a so-so resort. I've stayed in both POR and POFQ and in AB and the Mansions. If I have to stay at PO I will only stay in the Mansions. That section is actually very nice. The AB section gives me the creeps and I won't walk around at night as it's very dark and overgrown (yes I know that's part of the landscaping and theming but I don't feel safe). I do think it has a great table service restaurant and I enjoy the boat ride to DTD.

Other than that it's POP, CSR or a Deluxe.

 

[afcgirl]

I thought POR was fine, but did not love it.

I was disappointed in the evening bus service, the noisy air conditioning, the motel feel of the rooms, and the food court.

I thought the grounds were beautiful and the pool was fun. For the money, it was a good value.

 

[dolphin01]

I was disappointed in the evening bus service, the noisy air conditioning, the motel feel of the rooms, and the food court.

Ditto. Wouldn't stay there again unless I got the discounted rate or code.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I realize that by the time I get back , it will probably be too late, but I will offer anyway. I would be happy to post an honest review of this resort once we return on Nov 1.

I am a deluxe snob and have booked POR for later this month. I just could not justify a $500-1000 price difference just for a hotel room this trip. (For the record we stayed at the Beach Club last time, and while it was nice, I thought the room was a little small, especially for a corner room, and we walked a long way to get back to the lobby. So we vowed next trip not to pay the deluxe rate since we spend so little time in the room anyway.)

For this trip, we have requested to stay in a N/S room in the Manisons. Other than that, have not made any other requests (top floor, corner room etc.) because I want to ensure we get that mansion room (were not wild about the rustic theming of the Bayou. This is also why we have never considered staying at WL or AKL, but I digress....)

Anyway, I will be happy to post an honest review about it. I am not one of those people who expects to pay Walmart prices and get the Ritz Carlton so I think my expectations are probably in check.

PS: I love this board and have learned SO MUCH! That is why I am offering to help out my fellow DIS'ers!

 

[jenrose66]

I'll put in a disclaimer (I've never actually stayed at Riverside), but I have been to POFQ 3 times the most recent time being this last July.

I think the grounds to Riverside are gorgeous. I love walking along the river from FQ to RS. The mansions look lovely from the outside (I've never been inside).

The last two times I've been to Disney it's been in July, so I would say that I dislike how busy the foodcourt gets. I just don't care much for how it is set up. However, if it's not that busy, I don't know how big of a deal it is.

I'm just spoiled by the smallness of POFQ so I find Riverside to be big.

I think the resort is definately worth trying though...

 

[lkneller]

it is so pretty and peaceful. It makes me feel nice just to walk about the property. It is convenient. We drive everywhere and the parking lot is an easy walk. It is only a 5 minute drive to MGM or Epcot, and easy drive to others areas. The quiet pools are.. quiet. We got hot made to order omlets at the food court for breakfast. The rooms are pleasant. The resort is well maintained and clean. Had no complaints. and I am told I am very fussy!

 

[tmanaster]

We loved the pretty, quiet grounds. The food court was great. I really like the two sinks and the privacy curtain. Our mousekeeper was great. Our room was clean and she left us great towel animals every day. The pool was great too! The only thing I didn't like was the playground. It was great for my older girls (6 and 7) but scared me to death with my 2 yr old twins. It was just too big, tall and hard to reach for me. Other than that, I loved every minute of our stay there and would stay there again in a heartbeat!

 

[dumby]

Just bumping it up