Advice on Port Orleans Riverside

wdwsplash83

wdwsplash83

Member
Hi, have booked my next WDW trip for September this year and I'm staying at PORS because it looked so nice in photos and vidoes. Also back then the reviews where good but the closer I get the reviews seem to be getting worse:shrug:

Has any stayed recently and what was it like? would you recommend staying there? I was thinking maybe changing to Coronado Springs as it's the same price. :veryconfu

I have already stayed AKL but can't afford it this time around.

Any Help or personal reviews would be great, many thanks.
 
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drossjr

New Member
wdwsplash83 said:
Hi, have booked my next WDW trip for September this year and I'm staying at PORS because it looked so nice in photos and vidoes. Also back then the reviews where good but the closer I get the reviews seem to be getting worse:shrug:

Has any stayed recently and what was it like? would you recommend staying there? I was thinking maybe changing to Coronado Springs as it's the same price. :veryconfu

I have already stayed AKL but can't afford it this time around.

Any Help or personal reviews would be great, many thanks.
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We have stayed at POR 3 years in a row and had no issues at all. All CM's have been very friendly and helpful. Resort was clean and well taken care off and they have been doing alot of refurb's and upgrades the last few times we have been there. Beautiful resort. Its large but if you get a rental car thats no worries, plenty of pools and bus stops. I like the Alligator Bayou area myself. I would stay stick with this rather then CS
 
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karlbeau

karlbeau

New Member
We have stayed at PORS many times and find it to be pleasant and well worth the money. The recreational areas are top-notch and the ability to hop on a boat to get to Downtown Disney is an extra bonus - especially when you decide to just relax and enjoy the view.

We have noticed that the "food court" area has become a little less enjoyable because of declining quality in food and service. Boatwright's Landing is a FABULOUS restaurant with tasty recipes and great service We are not sure why the food court is suffering? Perhaps it was just some bad experiences and this is not a trend??

Anyway - I would highly recommend PORS over Coronado Springs for the convenience and the recreational areas.
 
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Danielle Shay

Member
My family has stayed at POR almost every time we've gone to Disney the last ten years or so. (I think around 15-ish times) We love it and haven't gotten tired of it yet. I suppose one could complain that the place is quite large and requires a lot of walking to get to the lobby/food court, depending on the location of your room. I've never had a problem with this. The grounds are so pretty that I would go walking even if I didn't have to. The place is beautiful, and we especially love staying in Alligator Bayou.

And there is always Bob the piano guy (? I think his name is Bob, surely someone else can correct me if I'm wrong) for entertainment in the evenings. The show is quite fun. The place has always been clean and full of friendly CMs when we've been there. So yes, I HIGHLY recommend staying at Riverside!
 
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lebeau

lebeau

Well-Known Member
We are staying at POR because it was the only moderate I could get the 35% off discount for during our stay. But I'm excited. I've always wanted to stay there. I've heard almost nothing but good things about it.
 
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eroyee

eroyee

Active Member
POR is our favorite moderate resort. You should love it. I would also recommend the mansions side. there are bus stops all around the resort and pools, too. Food court is the same as about any other food court. Lot less noisy than the values. Enjoy your magical vacation at the happiest place on earth.......:)
 
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Bigeagle

Bigeagle

Member
We stayed at POR for the first time during the 2nd week of August 2009. We had previously stayed at ASMo twice before, but felt it time to move up a notch for a little more room and a little more "mature" theming. Our daughters were 10 and 8 this time, so we kinda felt we'd outgrown the scenery of ASMo (it was great when they were younger).

Since we live in the deep South (near Charleston, SC), POR seemed like it would feel like home. I also read many wonderful reviews, but then would find the occasional not-so-great trip report. The worrying is natural, and I don't want to discount anyone's less-than-staisfactory experience, but with so many excellent reviews, I had a comfortable feeling that this was the right resort for us. We were not disappointed!

We stayed in Magnolia Terrace and were very close to a bus stop. Our room was clean, well-cared for, and the extra square-footage was a plus. Two vanities in the bath area was a real asset for four people to use as we dressed for breakfast ADRs. To be honest, we didn't spend that much time in the room, but the building was quiet and convenient. The food court wasn't too far away, and we got to enjoy the beautiful grounds when we walked there. Since POFQ is so close by, we took the boat (a bonus) there to eat a few meals in that food court too (another bonus). No complaints about the bus service--the buses were prompt and the resort seems more centrally located than AS, so the trips to the parks are quicker. To top it off, we surprised our daughters with a carriage ride reservation around the grounds one evening at dusk (another bonus not available too many other places). The main pool with the water slide was lots of fun, the quiet pools really are (quiet), and was I even able to quickly do some laundry one morning while my family slept in using the on-site facilities without having to wait for a washer or dryer. While we did not eat at Boatwright's (TS restaurant at POR), it's a nice option to have another restaurant to easily choose from at this resort.

I'm sure some have had problems during their stay at POR, but that's going to be true at any WDW resort. There are no guarantees. If the photos and descriptions of POR first attracted you to this resort, we think you'll be rewarded with a wonderful stay there.

BTW...our family agrees that we really want to stay there again.
 
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JillC LI

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
Danielle Shay said:
And there is always Bob the piano guy (? I think his name is Bob, surely someone else can correct me if I'm wrong) for entertainment in the evenings. The show is quite fun. The place has always been clean and full of friendly CMs when we've been there. So yes, I HIGHLY recommend staying at Riverside!
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Can kids get in to see Bob the Piano Guy, or is it a bar environment that he performs in like Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk? :shrug:
 
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Chrononymous

Chrononymous

Well-Known Member
I agree with everyone...POR is a fabulous resort. The first I ever stayed in, and probably the best too.
I actually don't mind the food court, but I agree that the quality has gone down in recent years. Sadly that seems to be true in all the food courts though. I love sitting by the waterwheel. it's one of my favorite quiet spots in all of WDW. That, and the rocking chairs by the pool!

Of course, I also really like Coronado Springs. Their counter service food is a little pricier but better quality. As long as there are no conventions going on there...it can be a quiet and lovely spot. Though a lot of walking, because it's so huge!
 
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shipley731

shipley731

Well-Known Member
JillC LI said:
Can kids get in to see Bob the Piano Guy, or is it a bar environment that he performs in like Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk? :shrug:
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There are always tons of families with kids in the River Roost where Bob performs. He does a really great job of getting kids (and even adults) involved with his performance & if I remember correctly, he pulls kids up on stage with him occassionally. He is an awesome performer & really good at what he does. DH & I have talked to him a few times & he is super nice. The only real draw back that I see is that it's crazy LOUD in there when he's performing. At 10pm, I usually want to wind down, relax, have a quiet drink before I go to the room. (but that's just me.)
 
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dixiegirl

dixiegirl

Well-Known Member
drossjr said:
We have stayed at POR 3 years in a row and had no issues at all. All CM's have been very friendly and helpful. Resort was clean and well taken care off and they have been doing alot of refurb's and upgrades the last few times we have been there. Beautiful resort. Its large but if you get a rental car thats no worries, plenty of pools and bus stops. I like the Alligator Bayou area myself. I would stay stick with this rather then CS
Click to expand...

Took the words out of my mouth!!! LOL:)........I second all that he said!
 
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dixiegirl

dixiegirl

Well-Known Member
Danielle Shay said:
My family has stayed at POR almost every time we've gone to Disney the last ten years or so. (I think around 15-ish times) We love it and haven't gotten tired of it yet. I suppose one could complain that the place is quite large and requires a lot of walking to get to the lobby/food court, depending on the location of your room. I've never had a problem with this. The grounds are so pretty that I would go walking even if I didn't have to. The place is beautiful, and we especially love staying in Alligator Bayou.

And there is always Bob the piano guy (? I think his name is Bob, surely someone else can correct me if I'm wrong) for entertainment in the evenings. The show is quite fun. The place has always been clean and full of friendly CMs when we've been there. So yes, I HIGHLY recommend staying at Riverside!
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Oh god LOVE bob!!! Gotta tell you , we are DVC members at SSR and I still miss my POR...Very homey feel..and we went there like you for 10yrs before we made the leap to DVC land....But I always have a soft spot for POR although..It'll always be Dixie Landings to me!!!
 
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brizmom1999

Member
We stayed our first time last Aug/Sept and I thought about changing several times before and was glad I didn't. We used the boat to get to the French Quarter and Downtown Disney. It was quiet and serene. We tried the surrey bikes. The bus stops were close. The quick service area was nice. The grounds were beautiful. We would definetly go back there again. We are trying the wilderness lodge this August only b/c the bounce back deal was too good to pass up.
 
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krankenstein

krankenstein

Well-Known Member
I just stayed at PORS over MLK weekend. My jaw literally dropped looking around the place. I still can't get over how good the resort looked! It is a fabulous place. Don't worry about the reviews, you'll be fine there. :wave:
 
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