Need Your Opinions of Port Orleans Riverside - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We're in the beginning phase of planning our 2014 vacation. We splurged last year on WL and BC, and realized how $$$ that was to go deluxe! So, we decided next time to try Moderate category. Is anyone out there a bigtime fan of Port Orleans Riverside? What is your opinion of the rooms, the location, the restaurants, the pool, and the transportation to the parks..for example. Or just give me any feedback you have on POR. Thanks very much
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We just stayed on property for the first time on our last trip and we stayed at POR. We absolutely loved it. Of course we have nothing to compare it to. We stayed in Alligator Bayou in building 37. It was quite a walk to the main building but it was beautiful. The walk really didn't bother us. We loved the food court at this resort. The food was really good. The build your own pasta bar The room we had was a good size. There were 5 of us in the room and we did not feel cramped at all. 3 adults and 2 kids. My 9 year old son loved the murphy bed. He said it was very comfy and fun! The pool was a lot of fun and the water was nice and warm. Which was perfect since it was not hot while we were there. We really did love everything about this resort. We did not use the transportation much while we were there because we had our own car and that was easier for our circumstances. We did take the boat to DTD one time and it was about a 20 min ride. It was a nice ride but if you want to get there fast that is not the way to go. We took the bus back to the resort a couple of times and I think it was about a 10 min ride. I'm not real sure about that. There is a lot of things going on at that resort throughout the day. Games out by the main pool. A piano bar at night in the main building and Carriage rides around the resort. I don't remember what all was offered there. We would definitely consider staying here again. We would like to try some other resorts but if this was the only one that worked for us we would not have any complaints. I hope this helps! I also have some pictures of the resort in my TR. There is a link to it in my sig.
I stayed at POR in October on a couples trip with my boyfriend. It was my first time there, previously I had stayed at CS. I had taken my boys there to eat because it was one of their favorites. Our room was great....very quiet, easily accessible to one of the bus stops and a quiet pool. It was a bit of a hike for food and check out, but we didn't mind.
We did notice that the bus line to return to the resort was generally one of the longest, but we also found that we could take the bus for POFQ and walk over. It wasn't bad...and a nice romantic walk for us!
All in all, we were impressed enough that we wouldn't hesitate to go back. We're trying to experience all of the resorts and have hit all the moderates and are always comfortable!
We've stayed twice now in the Mansions section and loved it! Unfortunately I can't tell you much about the pools as we stayed both times in December where it was too cold for us to try out the pools. Have tried Boatwrights, but that was back in 1996. At that time hubby & me really enjoyed our meal and the restaurant.
As for transportation, we used the buses and really didn't have any problems. I do remember that the POR was also shared with POFQ, but as I said, we had no problems i.e.. over crowded buses, etc. Our room wasn't too far from the bus stop or the main area. We enjoyed the short walk each morning taking in all the beautiful landscape along the river. Oh and we did take the ferry boat to Downtown Disney from POR!!! That was fun!!!
I have stayed at POR and POFQ and while I prefer FQ there are no drawbacks to POR. I really like their pool. IMHO it is better than FQ and CBR. I will say this in favor of POR--the last time I checked--Boatwrights--was the only place on property where you could get sweet iced tea! In my book that makes it a great place! BTW, if there is any where else to get sweet tea--someone please tell me!
I don't think you can ever go wrong with POR. They are currently refurbishing all the rooms. You should visit the unofficial website www.portorleans.org. They have lots of info on there.
I'm glad you asked this question..We are staying there in August also 5 people DH, D14, DSS 11 and DHN 13...We usually stay at Pop Century but went with POR because it will sleep all 5 of us comfortably....and the queen bed's are a plus .....
Right from the start I will tell you I am a spoiled deluxe snob. For years we have always stayed at the GF. That said, back in 2009 we took my MIL to WDW with us, (never again, but I digress), and when I sent her a Passporter as a gift to bone up on the upcoming trip, she informed me she rather stay at the POR!! Not willing to give up my GF club level I added a few days at POR as a 'pre stay' to the GF and we LOVED it. Frankly, the landscaping and scenery there is even more beautiful than the GF. now the last three times we have had to add our little 'pre stay' to each trip....an they keep getting longer!
This year, originally my girls wanted to try BC but then they changed their mind and wanted to do the whole trip at POR. Now, while I will miss the club lounge, by changing my ressie from BC Club level to POR with free dining-upgraded to deluxe, for 10 nights, I saved over $6000!!! It's hard to be mad at that!!!
Plus my DH just loves the gumbo! You will love it!
Have stayed at POR twice and absolutely love it! The first time was in the mansion rooms and the second in bayou. I love the bayou sections. It's beautiful. My son was twelve when we stayed there last 2 years ago and he fell in love with it. When we booked for our trip for August he requested POR. He said that he thinks it's such a beautiful relaxing place to go after a day in the parks. He could have stayed at AKL and passed on it. He also loves the pool (so do I) and the food court. We have taken advantage of the surrey bike rentals and also the boat to DTD. Basically we have not one complaint about this resort. This year we plan to rent one of the boats and do a few other things we didn't do last. It is true that it can be quite a walk to some things depending where your room is. But, it's so beautiful and relaxing that we don't see it as a problem. We also saw a lot of things that brought a smile to our faces: bunnies, geckos, stuff like that. If you loves animals it's a treat.
We were there in June and loved it. We were in AB building 18. The food court was awesome and the resort was beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. The buses were hit and miss but that is true with most resorts. We ate at boatwrights and really enjoyed the meal. My kids loved the pool and we rented surrey bikes and went on a carriage ride.
POR is our fav moderate. I have no problem going back and forth between deluxe &POR.
W prefer the Mansion section. Last Aug we got one of the newly refirb rooms in Acadian House, and they are very nice. The rooms were totally gutted and everything is new, incl the air conditioner now with wall thermostat. A big plus for me to be able to program the exact temp.
POR has a little more to offer with the boat to DTD, Horse & Carriage Rides, and evening entertainment in the lounge.
Beautiful landscapping, we really enjoy walking along the river paths.
99% of the time the busses work well. We use the stops in Magnolia Bend, either East or North Depot. I prefer these to the main stop, less crowded. And closer to our room.
Also like the quiet pool option, if we feel we don't want to go to main pool.
We stayed at deluxes our first year, and POR the second visit. I don't think I'll ever switch from the moderates again!! It's a lovely resort, more child-friendly IMHO than the deluxes, so much fun and very well done. You will love it!
WL and BC are our two favorite resorts (we own DVC points at BCV). We stayed at POR for a short trip in February 2010, and we loved it! The grounds are beautiful and our room was quiet. We made a room request for "near transportation" and we were very close to a bus stop (I think we were in Alligator Bayou Bldg. 23), so that was great, especially given how spread out the resort is.
We were there for a short time and it was cool, so we didn't swim and we didn't have an opportunity to eat at the resort. But I think you will love it, as I've heard many, many positive things!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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We stayed in Alligator Bayou in building 37. It was quite a walk to the main building but it was beautiful. The walk really didn't bother us. We loved the food court at this resort. The food was really good. The build your own pasta bar 
The room we had was a good size. There were 5 of us in the room and we did not feel cramped at all. 3 adults and 2 kids. My 9 year old son loved the murphy bed. He said it was very comfy and fun! The pool was a lot of fun and the water was nice and warm. Which was perfect since it was not hot while we were there. We really did love everything about this resort. We did not use the transportation much while we were there because we had our own car and that was easier for our circumstances. We did take the boat to DTD one time and it was about a 20 min ride. It was a nice ride but if you want to get there fast that is not the way to go. We took the bus back to the resort a couple of times and I think it was about a 10 min ride. I'm not real sure about that. There is a lot of things going on at that resort throughout the day. Games out by the main pool. A piano bar at night in the main building and Carriage rides around the resort. I don't remember what all was offered there. We would definitely consider staying here again. We would like to try some other resorts but if this was the only one that worked for us we would not have any complaints. I hope this helps! I also have some pictures of the resort in my TR. There is a link to it in my sig.
]Read all about our Disney Experiences on the Williams Family Blog: 
I'm glad you asked this question..We are staying there in August also 5 people DH, D14, DSS 11 and DHN 13...We usually stay at Pop Century but went with POR because it will sleep all 5 of us comfortably....and the 
queen bed's are a plus .....
), and when I sent her a Passporter as a gift to bone up on the upcoming trip, she informed me she rather stay at the POR!! Not willing to give up my GF club level I added a few days at POR as a 'pre stay' to the GF and we LOVED it. Frankly, the landscaping and scenery there is even more beautiful than the GF. now the last three times we have had to add our little 'pre stay' to each trip....an they keep getting longer! 
Di109 
POR is Great!!
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