Disney's Port Orleans Riverside (Disney Moderate Resort)
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Aspiemom · 05-21-2009, 08:58 AM

I know that many people Like POR but my family's experience was less than stellar. I travel frequently (All the U.S, Europe). I've stayed at all levels of accommodations from the cheapest European Hostel to the Ritz. I normally know what I'm getting into. Of my 100+ Hotel stay. POR ranks in the top 10 worst.

Check-in: We arrived at 10 a.m. By car. Check in took 1 1/2 just to get to the Desk. Of Course our rooms were not ready. We got our Keys to the World and headed to MK. WE got back to the Hotel at 5 pm. and were told our room was in Acadian House. At first our keys did not work at all. We had o walk all the way to check-in to have them re-coded. then mom's worked and ours didn't. Another trip to check-in. Finally they worked. We had 2 rooms that Adjoined. My mom and son in one room and my Husband and I in the next room. The furnishings were shabby. Carpet was dirty and mold in the bathroom. The place smelled musty. The glasses in the bathroom were also very dirty. The TV in our room actually had a crack in it. We were tired and just wanted to go to bed I was not impressed as we were paying high season rates. I could have gotten the Hilton for half the price. But we stuck it out, got the glasses replaced and told housekeeping about the mold in the bathroom. I had some febreze in the car and febrezed the heck out of the rooms.

We were on the first floor because my mom had her scooter. I still felt that we were too far away from the main areas. It was always a long walk just to fill up our mugs and get to the buses. I was not happy, but dealt with it.

Night 2. I hear my mom scream and jump out of bed and head to her room. Her arm was bloody. and there were little bugs in her bed and in my sons bed. My son only sleeps in shorts and his skin was mostly exposed. He was very itchy. We caught some of the bed bugs in a cup and I called the front desk. This was about 1 am.
The manager was there in about 20 minutes. Agreed they were bed bugs and had us moved to Parterre Place. I was totally freaked out. My mom is also on coumadin and she bled for about 6 hours after being bit. Dylan was just itchy..at the time.

they moved us to a king Room and adjoining regular room. IT was dusty and musty too, but a bit cleaner carpets. I immediately checked the headboard and beds. We were exhausted but slept with the ligts on. We never received any medical help or was asked how we were doing after that night. No phone call of concern at all. I was seething. But also determined not to have it ruin my vacation. Things were fine for a while. I got my son benedryl for the itching and got an aveeno bath from a local pharmacy. He seemed fine after that.

We ate at the food court for breakfast a few times and once for dinner. Not really impressed with the food quality at all. The theming of the resort is beautiful, but spread out. It was not really handicapped/Wheelchair friendly.

The pool and hot tubs were crowded in the evening. Pool was murky and dirty. the hot tub had so much chlorine in it, that it nearly melted my contacts off my eyes. We only went back one more time to main pool and stuck with the smaller poo, which was cleaner. (the one next to the laundry).

I found the grounds beautiful. Lots of lizards and even ran into a king snake (Non poisonous). The gift shop ladies were very nice and actually did feel sorry for us with the whole bed bug thing. I found the Transportation to be adequate. We did drive to AK to be at Breakfast when they opened. We also drove to the AKL for Boma and to the Poly for Ohana'. It was easy to get there by car. Typhoon Lagoon bus took the longest and was the most crowded.

Now, my overall trip to the POR would be rated as a 2. Mainly because of the Bed Bug thing. On the last day, my son broke out in scabies like bites from head to toe. Apparently the bed bugs leave eggs under the skin and there's an incubation period of about 6-10 days. It was bad. Very bad. Never seen anything like it. He was seven and has Autism. this was extremely traumatic for him. He had to do ten days of treatment for bed bug bites. It was not fun. We could not bring our suitcases in the house when we got home, for fear that we brought some home. I brought them directly to the laundrymat to use the commercial washers (they get hotter). Disney never helped us at all. Our travel agent (A Disney specialist) was appalled and did what she could. Disney only offered us 1 nights lodging refunded. I refused. It was insulting.

I will not stay here again...ever.

thinktink79 · 08-14-2009, 11:57 AM

Stayed here during our honey moon in 2005, Great resort. Wonderful Staff and very pretty location! no negatives!!

JEANYLASER · 08-19-2009, 03:18 PM

I went the Port Orleans Riverside on October 2007 and it's awesome! and you see a hidden bed!

FLdisneymom · 09-02-2009, 11:16 AM

POR is my favorite resort to date. It is beautifully themed as you would expect with any Disney resort. The resort is spread out quite a bit but that is what I like about it though it does mean a fair bit of a walk to get the the main building.

Sue M. · 09-06-2009, 04:32 PM

I just returned from a stay at POR Aug. 20, 2009 - Aug 24. (split stay with WL). There were 3 of us, myself and 2 adult daughters. We requested Magnolia Terrace or Oak Manor, and we Got Magnolia Terrace, room 8524. Great location! The only thing that could have been better would have been an upper floor. Don't like being on ground floor because of extra foot traffic, but it was o.k. As I said the location was great! Right next to quiet pool, and bridge over to Old Man Island, and main bldgs, with food court, etc. Also a short walk to the bus stop.
The grounds were beautiful, so peaceful. Loved strolling along the river, along the paths with the mansions, you felt like you were transported back to a different era.
I didn't get to explore AB section, as we were only there 4 nights.
I loved Piano Player Bob's show in the River Roost. It's a must do! I would have liked to ride in the horse drawn carriages but dd's weren't interested!
CM's were great. Food court had good variety and plenty of seating. My only negative comment, is that for a resort of this size, the one hot tub was tiny.
This is a great resort, and I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again. I think it's the best themed of the moderates. And I like that there is the option of a quiet pool.

tweety41 · 02-23-2010, 07:51 PM

Loved this resort and WILL be going back. E

genie1953 · 02-24-2010, 10:39 PM

We were at Port Orleans Riverside in Sept/Oct 2005 and absolutely loved everything about it. We were on a budget at that time and could not afford a Deluxe resort so settled for POR and were so glad we did so. We can well afford a Deluxe resort for our upcoming April trip but have absolutely fallen in love with POR and can't imagine staying anywhere else. We will be staying there for 9 nights on the upcoming trip and cannot wait!

Brenn1024eyes · 03-06-2011, 08:57 PM

We stayed here in 2007 and it was our first Disney Vacation, I think from the moment we entered the lobby we were "disneytised". This place is so relaxing and the castmembers were very welcoming, the mousekeeping left towel animals and even took some of the kids stuffed animals and made elaborate displays everyday. I am going back this summer in JUNE, I cannot wait. Mainly I am here because the anticipation is just killing me.

Brenn1024eyes · 03-06-2011, 08:59 PM

My first trip was in 2007 and I am going back in June! I just cannot wait!

TootiesMom35 · 03-26-2011, 01:23 AM

We stayed at POR August 2010. We arrived after midnight due to an emergency landing in another state and didn't arrive at POR until a little after midnight. It was our first trip and the CM was very friendly and welcoming. Our luggage was also lost

in the process but the CM assured me that they would track it down (which they did and it was delivered to our room later on the next day).

Our room view was of the quiet pool and it was so beautiful and peaceful, we loved it. The room was clean and stayed that way throughout our 7-day visit. Mousekeeping did an excellent job. We did not have any issues with the buses. The only negative I did have was that we were far from the food court but that can happen at any resort, but overall, we loved the POR and will more than likely stay there again sometime in the future.

HiMagicFan · 04-06-2011, 09:52 PM

I have only stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside - Acadian House (North Depot) every time (1996, 2006, 2010, 2011).

WDW is great in that they have been wonderful in fulfilling my requests to stay at this location (I feel in love with it the first time I stayed here in 1996).

The cafeteria is very easy to use and the tomatoe soup is great ~ especially on that cold or wet day.

The best part of the stay here is the people. Most helpful and welcoming. Makes you feel like family. (Don't miss the Piano Man!! always gets a crowd)

The worst part is the walk from the Entrance/Main Lobby & Cafeteria to the Hotels...especially in the cold cold cold or rain rain rain!

Luv this place!

phoebec · 07-24-2011, 11:01 AM

We stayed in the Alligator Bayou from June 5-11. We loved it. The resort is beautiful, the pool is great, the foodcourt is wonderful. The only complaint we had all week was with the buses. The waits seemed too long, and ate up a great deal of time. However, we absolutely loved this resort. The AB is so peaceful and beautiful. The rooms were very clean. Once the refurb is done, I would not hesitate to give the resort a 10. We took a carriage ride and rode the surrey bikes. Nothing but great memories.

DrDoof4Prez · 09-21-2011, 08:07 AM

We have stayed at both sides of POR. We stayed in AB 12/08-1/09 and MB in May 2010. Both sides are unique in their own way. On one hand there is AB with all its vegitation and rustic vibe, that while walking around we often felt alone (which at that time of year was a welcomed relief from the crowds at the parks). On the other hand there is MB with its majestic mansion look, fountains, open spaces and quiet pools that we basically had to ourselves. We really enjoyed both sides of the resort and would be happy to be placed in either of them.

A few side notes:

-We never had an issue with Mousekeeping and we didn't feel that either side really needed a refurb.

-The Mill is great for CS for any meal of the day. We always tried to get one of the few tables outside when we would have breakfast there. Between the sun rising above the trees and the soft breeze, it was a great way to start a day. We also never had an issue trying to get a table inside, no matter how crowded it got in there.

-Buses were never an issue for us. There are 4 bus depots (West, North, East, South), with the South depot being the closest to the main building. We did what we could to not wait at the South depot. On mornings where we ate at the Mill, we would usually head back to our room to grab whatever we needed for the day, before heading to the depot closest to us. We did this so that we could sit while we waited for the bus, didn't have to deal with the lines that grow at the South depot and because the South depot was more often than not the last depot that got picked up, so not waiting there meant we were very likely to get a seat. We also never felt that it took any longer getting a bus at POR than at any other resort.

-Boatwright's is not the greatest restaurant. However, it's worth going to if you are planning a night to hang out at the resort.

-The boat to DTD is a nice perk. Taking the ride is a pretty different experience at night than durring the day.

-YeHaa Bob Jackson is a lot of fun. He plays at the River Roost Lounge and is great entertainment. He usually goes on at about 8:30, but by the time he is done it is usually standing room only, so try to get there early if you plan on seeing him.

-Schedule a horse driven carriage ride. They are a wonderful and relaxing way to see the resort. Back in '08 it was $35 for the carriage, not per person. I'm sure the price has gone up a little since then. You can bring drinks with you, so stop off at the Roost before and grab yourself a glass of wine or cocktail (or anything else you prefer or can legally drink).

POR is hands down our favorite moderate resort and we highly suggest it to anyone who is looking to stay mod.

welovetheWORLD · 10-16-2011, 03:54 PM

Over the last few years we have stayed at all of the moderates and POR is our favorite by far...every time we try another we keep returning to POR. Beautiful grounds, spacious rooms, wonderful eatery...you can't go wrong here!

biologytyler · 01-22-2012, 10:53 AM

Out of any moderate resort at Disney, Port Orleans Riverside is the best bang for your buck. It has its own full service restaurant unlike most other moderate resorts. It has many many pools and a hot tub. A huge arcade, a huge and amazing gift shop. The rooms are quiet and it provides you a more peaceful and intimate experience that really puts you in the heart of Disney Magic. I would recommend this resort to anyone, whether first time Disney World Vacationer or a seasoned pro. This Resort is simply one of the best Walt Disney World has to offer. Now, go check it out for yourself.