Will we live Port Orleans Riverside?

[Tink561]

We got totally spoiled staying at the Poly, especially concierge in December. This will be a 5 night trip, just my three sons and me. Dh has to stay home and work .

What do you like about the Port Orleans Riverside and what don't you like?

thanks,

 

[Miss Kelly]

I really loved the atmosphere at POR. The surroundings were just gorgeous. The food court was nice too.

I didn't like the bus service at POR. You might be a bit disappointed with the transportation there since you are so attached to the Poly(monorail). I thought the busses were slow and cramped. The drivers would always try to get as many people on the bus as possible. We had to stand 80% of the time (with a 6 year old and 12 year old mind you).

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Loops]

We've stayed there twice. Once in Magnolia Bend section and once in the AB section. We liked them both. The property is very nice, we like the theming. The walk along the river is peaceful. We like everything about the resort. Enjoy!

 

[Cinderella2004]

Hi,

We've stayed at both resorts. I think you will like POR just fine. I love it. Poly is my favorite (love the monorail) but POR is well worth the money you save.

We always have a rental car though, so we've never dealt with any transportation issues.

Have a great trip!

 

[Lizzybee]

I can't compare POR to any other resort but I also can't think of anything bad to say about it either, we love it there. It's beautiful, serene, love Boatrwrights Breakfasts, love the boat to DTD, love Bob Jackson in the River Roost (piano man for all ages), love Ole Man Island, love being able to pool hop legally to POFQ. We just found it to be very comfortable and homey in general. I hope you love it as much as we do

 

[sexyravenfan]

POR is and will always be my favorite resort. Rooms, food court, scenery, pools, everything is great.

 

[jsmla]

What we loved about POR
*the quiet pools. What a great idea! When we were there the school-aged kids hung out at the themed pool and there was lots of rowdy fun there. This left the quiet pools for adults and those with young ones. We even had ducks in the pool one day!
*the food court. Nothing specific, just seemed better than the ones at CBR and POFQ.
*Boatwrights. We had breakfast here and really enjoyed it.
*beautiful, lush landscaping. Sassagoula River, fountains, beautiful azaleas and rose bushes in bloom.
*trundle beds at AB. Very nice to be able to sleep 3 kids without paying the $$$ for a deluxe.
*boat to DTD. Much nicer than a bus!

Not so great stuff at POR
*the busses. They arrived promptly but were overwhelmed by the numbers at the stops. DH had to stand on almost every bus when we were there mid-April. I had to stand about 1/2 the time. POR shared busses with POFQ and, with the exception of a few mid-day rides they were packed. This was very unnerving for me because there were always LOTS of very young children trying to stand in the aisle. This felt very, very unsafe to me. Neither I nor anyone in my family could ever remain seated while a 4 year old or someone carrying a child struggled to stand on a moving bus.
*the pedestal sinks in the vanity area. I would really liked to have had more counter surface area.


Hope this helps!

Jennifer

 

[mill4023]

I can't compare POR to any other resorts because we've never stayed anywhere else. We just got back from our first WDW trip a few weeks ago. We stayed off-site for the first half of the trip, then stayed at POR for 4 nights. We really enjoyed it. It is so relaxing and peaceful. My only regrets are that we didn't spend the whole trip at POR and we didn't have any totally free days to just relax around the resort.

The food court is good. Lots of variety, good portions, decent prices, and a nice atmosphere. The boat ride from POR to DTD was nice. I do wish we had been a little closer to the lobby so it would have been more convenient to walk over for drinks and food. I'd definitely recommend requesting bldg 14 or 27. We were in bldg 28 and it wasn't a bad walk at all, in fact, the walk was very enjoyable, but a bit far to be really convenient for just grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning.

 

[shirleyb]

We just stayed there a few weeks ago, and you really can't go wrong. It is a BEAUTIFUL resort. It's hard to express just how pretty this place is!

But, I have to ditto on the busses. Too crowded, and don't even think about taking the bus to Typhoon Lagoon. Took us almost an hour one day!

 

[GoN2WDW]

We have stayed at POR several time and love it! The busses do get crowded, but I think that is probably with any resort that has busses. We stayed at the Boardwalk last time and I know theirs were very crowded at night. Aside from the bus issue, it's a great resort - nice pools, good food court/restaurant, boat to DTD.

 

[Rootskate]

We just returned from our 1st stay at POR and absolutely loved it! What a beautiful place!

 

[jlb]

We have done Poly Conceirge and POR and we really enjoyed the POR. Once we got there we were fine...always in the planning, I am always wondering, will I miss the breakfast, and snack conveince of conceirge, but once I get down there, the answer is always no. We have done conceirge several times, but last year with the AP Rate at the POR, I dragged my family kicking and screaming...you can not beat the value AP Rate, and I told them if we did not like it it was a learning experience. Well going to POR, I promised them the BC next. When I went to book for 2005, the choice was the POR. I was stunned, not only had I planned on Beach Club being the answer, but I figured we were heading back to conceirge. I was going to push it, but I thought why, if this is what they want why not save the extra money for another trip.

Give POR a shot, it is worth it, and I lucked out with my next trip.

 

[Disneys Billpayer]

I spent my honeymoon at the resort formerly known as dixie landings.
I believe it to be the very best moderate resort. I would choose it over the beach club or any other non-monorail resort. I really loved the breakfast at Boatwrights. I thought the pool and the grounds were excellent. And by all means the boat ride to Pleasure Island, Etc. was very conveinent. Something you can't get even at a monorail resort. Have a good stay and enjoy.

 

[Tink561]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm very excited about POR. My boys and I have looked at pictures online and the first thing they said was, "Mom, that's a bigger arcade than the Poly!" Who knew?

I'm getting back in my trip mode and I can't wait to be back at Disney. Now, where to stay in November?!?!?!

I can't believe we'll be at POR in 6 weeks, what fun?!

 

[lynr]

Tink561:

I have always loved the Polynesian, but this past summer we were stranded (ha ha) on DCL during the hurricane and they put us up in POR because we couldn't get a flight home right away when we returned to port.

I have to tell you that I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. I was especially delighted with the food court. My husband and I will be returning for a week in September.

You didn't state when you were going, so the only issue I could see if it is at the busy time of the year, the buses might be crowded. We will probably rent a car to get around faster.

Just remember to request to be close to the food court/main building as it can be quite a walk from the buildings that are further away.

You'll have a great time.

 

[Aidensmom]

We LOVE POR. For all of the same reasons already mentioned. It is an absolutely beautiful resort, Boatwrights breakfast is great (and not too expensive), the pools are wonderful, good food court, POFQ is a bonus "extension" of the resort - an additional pool and food court, being able to ride the boat to DTD/PI is great, and the piano player in the lounge is very entertaining (we planned to have 1 drink, stayed about 4 hours! ....)

You will love it, don't have any hesitation about it.