Changing from POP! to Port Orleans Riverside?

[MissAlmyra]

Hi all,

Planning has started for our next trip, and we're playing with the idea of switching up hotels. For the past two trips we stayed at POP! Century and very much enjoyed our time there. However, with the long bus rides to MK (our favorite/most frequently visited park) and since the trip isn't until 2016, we're considering upgrading to a moderate resort for our next stay. I haven't stayed at Port Orleans Riverside since I was a kid (I remember it as Dixie Landings!), but I'd like to hear from people who have stayed at the resort recently. Would you recommend upgrading, and is the experience worth the price difference?
We're traveling as an adult couple without kids, and we spend the vast majority of our time either in the parks or shopping at DTD.
Thank you so much!

 

[Betsyboo]

As a family of three we've stayed at Pop once and Riverside once. Both were great for different reasons. I agree about the Pop bus rides.

We stated at POR last January and loved it. (I too stayed at Dixie Landings way back when.) Last year we were in one of the Royal Rooms and while my son wasn't thrilled about the theming of the room (part of a discount) he LOVED the headboard with the fireworks.

POR is large but not too large. I'd check out portorleans.org for more info. It's a great site.

As for the difference between the two I'd say room size and theming of the room is probably the difference. My son loved Pop for all the iconic statues etc. but he also liked POR. The boat to DTD is awesome too.

We are an open a park close a park family so we aren't in the room much either but we'd prefer POR over Pop.

My husband and I are headed to POFQ in a couple of weeks so Port Orleans is probably our new "home" resort.

Happy planning.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I have to say, if your biggest reason for moving is the bus rides, you should know the bus rides from Pop to the parks are usually faster than Riverside with its 4 bus stops. Riverside is obviously a nicer resort, though, as one would expect.

 

[Weather_Lady]

If you choose PORS, either book a "preferred" room closer to the main building, or simply request a non-preferred building as close as possible. That way, you'll be using the main bus depot (the "South depot") and will get the most frequent and prompt bus service. If you need to get to DTD, take a pleasant boat cruise on the Sassagoula River.

We stayed at PORS (Alligator Bayou, building 17) in October 2012 and absolutely loved it. Comparing it to a value resort, you'll find that PORS gives you a more expansive resort layout with greater privacy and increased quiet, a larger room with bigger, queen-sized beds (and in Alligator Bayou, an additional child-sized Murphy bed), a privacy curtain in front of the vanity area, dual sinks, an in-room coffeemaker and slightly more tasteful theming. These small differences can add up to a big positive jump in the quality of your hotel experience - they do for us!

 

[Funmeister's Delight]

I like Port Orleans but the buses have too many stops and the boat ride takes waaaaaaaaay too long.

 

[MissingDisney]

If the bus right is that important to you, seriously consider that POR has 4 stops and sometimes stops at POFQ too. I prefer POFQ but it has nothing to do with the busses.

 

[durangojim]

I'm in the minority here, but when we stayed at PORS in 2009 we did not enjoy it. The bus service was the worst we ever had, so bad that we had to catch a cab to MK in the morning after waiting almost an hour for a bus empty enough to hold our family of 4. We've stayed at Pop quite a few times and found the bus service much better there. Also my kids prefer Pop for the theming. We don't find that a moderate offers us much more than a value. Usually we stay at a deluxe - BC, Poly, or Wl, but if we're going to stay at a lower cost resort we'll stay at Pop.

 

[HM Spectre]

I've stayed in Riverside multiple times and really enjoyed it... I like the privacy and how quiet it is compared to a crowded resort... it's beautiful to walk around in at night. The bus rides aren't perfect as others have stated due to the amount of stops at the resort itself but if you get a room close to the station, it's honestly not too bad (especially since you don't have kids to deal with). It's really nice to be able to take a boat ride on a direct line to DTD too, even if it does take a little bit of time. Personally, I'd do it because it's not THAT much more expensive and I really like the relaxing atmosphere... but if quicker transportation to/from MK is your big thing, it doesn't offer much in that department.

 

[ShookieJones]

I love both the PO resorts. Our first (and only) stay at RS was the year after our first stay at a deluxe (AK) and I have to say there was no drop off from our stay at AK. I know those are big words around these parts but it was a really nice experience all the way around from grounds to the theming, the dining etc.

We had to change our upcoming stay at the Poly to a moderate and I was happy to be able to stay at PORS.
I'm not sure of what the bump from a value to a moderate is, but I'm guessing it's not as huge as Mod to Deluxe. So if you've got the extra coin kicking around why not treat yourself I'm betting you won't be disappointed.

On another 'money vs. convenience' note - with all the talk about buses. If you scrounge up an extra 150-175 you can get yourself a rental car and your transportation worries will fly right out the window. Not to mention you'll gain about 1 - 3 hours of your day back depending on how much park hopping you do.

 

[officialtom]

PO Riverside is absolutely gorgeous. The atmosphere is so laid-back and relaxed... I absolutely love it. Going there for the third time in just a few weeks!!!

 

[disneygirl1]

I have stayed at both resorts and if I have the chance to pick between the two, I go with POR every time! The atmosphere and the grounds alone are so worth the upgrade. Remember, it is a large resort. So if being close to the main pool and Rivermill is important to you, be sure to note that on your reservation when you make the switch.

 

[MikeTaylorSound]

POR also has the "build your own pasta" for $10.99 at their commissary. Disney "Must Do" ha ha.

 

[John]

I want to chime in and put my two cents worth in, I love POR. Its what I would call my home resort. To go "childless" is the best! It can very romantic. Its a mostly quiet resort. The bus rides? Lets face it they can be hit or miss no matter where you are (IMO). I agree to getting a preferred room. Ask for building 15. If you can afford it do a carriage ride. The boat ride to DTD is very nice. Its just the two of you, leave the "park commando" style of visiting at home. Take time and soak it all in, smell the rose's. Take one night and spend some time in the lounge, Piano Bob is a hoot....get a couple drinks. A very nice way to end the day. The grounds are beautiful, take a stroll in the evening. IMO POR is a very relaxing resort.

Boatwright's is a nice restaurant, never crowded and has some decent food. Service is good and its close to your room. Besides the "hit or miss" bus service there are not many negatives I could come up with. This is the perfect resort for a couple. The ambiance is worth the cost alone. Nothing like POP.