Port Orleans riverside

[tinkerbell24]

:wave:
I am going to port Orleans riverside in may and was looking for some advice if possible

I tried to ask this question on another post but it never showed so appologies if I am repeating myself I also know there have been many posts about this but I just thought I'd ask anyway as my situation is slightly different.
I have been reading a lot of reviews and I never realised that this resort was so big!! I have been reading that it's advised to make a room request,although not guaranteed that they do normally try.
I have m.e/FMS and although I don't need a disabled room, I don't know that if after walking in the parks all day I could handle a long trek to my room ESP with a 3 yr old.
I quite like the look of the magnolia bend section, does anyone know if this is a long way from the food court/busses?
Also do u think it is worth making the request or just waiting til we get there and see how our luck goes?

I noticed on my invoice that the agent who booked my holiday put in a request for a royal room but that was way last year before the prices came out so I doubt this will happen since I'm not too fussed about paying the extra for one.
Any advice would be much appreciated :

 

[DreaminO'Disney]

We stayed at POR in September 2009. Our room was in Oak Manor in Magnolia Bend. It was right across the bridge from the main building but was still a 5 minute walk. It seemed to be the closest to the main building. If you definitely want to stay in that area, you may want to request Oak Manor.

 

[tinkerbell24]

Thanks for the advice I think oak Manor is now the royal rooms!! I think the other two buildings will prob be for standard rooms but I wasn't sure if these were long walks or if maybe I'd be better off just waiting to see how my luck goes:shrug:

 

[Rob562]

It might be helpful to take a look at the resort map to see where everything is.

It's about 3/4 of the way down on this page.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Other/maps/Gallery/01Mar2008-Resort-Maps.htm
(Right-click and choose Open in New Window if it isn't big enough for you to view in the pop-up)

Buildings 14, 15 and 18 in Alligator Bayou are some of the best locations as they're close to the food court and the South Depot bus stops outside the main lobby. But I believe they're all now Preferred location rooms, and requests alone won't get you into them.

Also, the Alligator Bayou buildings do not have elevators to the second floor, so if you can't do the stairs you'd have to make sure you get a room on the first floor. All of the mansions have elevators.

I like Magnolia Terrace (building 85) for location in the mansions. It's a quick trip across the river via bridges and Ol Man Island to get to the food court, and the East Depot bus stop is just across the parking lot.

-Rob

 

[real mad hatter]

It's A Doddle.

Hi there,this year is our third vacation to PORS. Number one,yes it's a spread out resort,not huge in walking distances as most people say,number two,your correct Oak Manor and Parterre Place are now royal rooms.Nearest mansion bld to food court is Magnolia Terrace.Number three,ten days before you arrive,go onto your mydisneyreservations.com and tell them why you would like a room near food court,explain your circumstances and I guarantee they will do their best to accommodate your request.:wave:

 

[Uncle Lupe]

We were in building 17. It always seemed like a long walk but looking back at the full resort map we were lucky. Just make sure you know your way to the room in the daytime so you do not get lost on the winding paths at night. Always make a request as soon as you can for what ever you want/need.

You may want to pay for the preferred room that would be closer to the main building without the worry.

Have a great time and take the boat to DTD so relaxing and fun.

 

[Stellajack]

We have stayed in all four of the mansions buildings. Magnolia Terrace is our favorite, but the shortest distance bridge to the Main Building probably would be Oak Manor's crossover.

Now, many on this forum have talked about the walking required for this resort. I would say to you that if you can negotiate the parks, you should have no problem with this or any other resort, but if your fibromyalgia condition requires your use of an ECV, you should definitely give them a call and discuss your room preferences. At any rate, enjoy this resort.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We stayed at POR in April of 2010. I had requested a few buildings and we were placed in building 27 in a corner room, top floor. It was a very nice room right on the river. I would gladly pay for a water view or whatever they are calling that building now. Just a short walk to main areas. I've only been to POR once but if we go back I'll stay in AB again.

 

[minnielaw]

We have stayed at POR on two occasions. The first year we were in Alligator Bayou, building 14, corner room...primo! We had a wonderful view of the water and were a stone's throw from Riverside Mill (food court, etc.). However, we drove to the parks each day and this location was VERY far from the parking lot. So, my advice is to check out the resort layout (as an earlier poster recommended) and determine your greatest priority....distance to food court, distance to bus stop or distance to parking lot.

On our most recent visit, we requested a building close to parking because one of group had recently undergone foot surgery. We were placed in Magnolia Bend, Acadian House. Our room was steps from the parking lot, but a much longer walk to the main building.

As much as people complain about the size of the resort, I just don't get it. Even though we were in the furthest building (Acadian House) from the food court, our walk was not over 5 minutes. There are bridges that connect Ole Man Island (the pool) to each section and we cut through the island to get to the food court.

I agree that if you are able to make it around the parks, navigating POR should be no problem! Good luck:wave:

 

[RonAnnArbor]

For the most convenient and easiest buildings without any added cost, call and ask for Buildings 90 or 95. I have requested those buildings pretty much since Day One when it was Still Dixie Landings and have never not gotten a room in one of those two buildings.

 

[tinkerbell24]

thanks for all your advice

i think ive made a decision to try and make a request for magnolia bend as i know they have elevators so if i was placed on a higher floor i wouldnt have to take the stairs!!
i am also hoping that by taking half days at the parks i dont tire myself out too much. i wont have a car(both me and my partner are still not sure about driving abroad lol) so being close to the bus stops and the main building are probably my main aims but i do know that no matter where i am in disney i will have a fair bit of walking to do, but on a bad day every little helps

i feel a bit better after reading your comments, there were a lot of worrying reviews on this resort that i hadnt read before i booked, but you have all put me at ease and im sure we will have a great time... we will be in disney after all

 

[Bowler Hat Girl]

thanks for all your advice

i think ive made a decision to try and make a request for magnolia bend as i know they have elevators so if i was placed on a higher floor i wouldnt have to take the stairs!!
i am also hoping that by taking half days at the parks i dont tire myself out too much. i wont have a car(both me and my partner are still not sure about driving abroad lol) so being close to the bus stops and the main building are probably my main aims but i do know that no matter where i am in disney i will have a fair bit of walking to do, but on a bad day every little helps

i feel a bit better after reading your comments, there were a lot of worrying reviews on this resort that i hadnt read before i booked, but you have all put me at ease and im sure we will have a great time... we will be in disney after all

I just wanted to say that you shouldn't necessarily go for Magnolia Bend just because of elevators. I stayed there for the first time last month, and I also wanted to have the option of using the elevators. We were in Acadian House, and it took us a good long while just to find the elevators, and our room was nowhere near them. We were perfectly happy taking the stairs (which turned out to be right outside our room), but the only time we bothered with the elevator was when we took the luggage up and when we took it back down again!

That being said, Magnolia Bend was just gorgeous, and I'm already planning on a royal room next spring, partially just to be in that section. Just don't request that section based solely on the elevators, because they may be in the dead center of a very large building, and you'll be walking awhile!

Have a great time, no matter where you end up