We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside for the first time in 37 days. Can you tell me about the resort, tips? Thank you.
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Staying at Port Orleans Riverside in 37 days...
- Thread starter chipndale76
- Start date
MM311
Active Member
It is a huge resort, so if your room is far away from the main building be prepared to walk, but it really isn't that bad of a walk. There are multiple bus stops around the resort so don't feel like you have to go to the one by the main building because it is usually the most crowded. The food court is great, I personally love the create your own omelet for breakfast. Take time to walk around the whole resort, because it really is beautiful, very well themed, and just has a charm about it. If you go to Downtown Disney try to take the boat, because that is a nice change from the buses. It is our favorite resort, we will be there in 9 days!
The Incredible Schmulk
Well-Known Member
Okay... Little things you should know about Riverside that don't often get talked about on here:
1. One of the windows in the food court is a "make your own pasta" kind of deal. You get a sauce and several toppings, and the cooks whip it all up real quick in a hot pan. It's very popular at certain times of the year, namely those that revolve around marathon weekends. Folks need to carbo-load and all. It's a good value and an excellent last minute dinner option in your resort. What you need to know that doesn't often get mentioned is that the pesto is pretty much all oil. It's gross. Stick with the other sauces.
2. Riverside, unlike French Quarter, has a sit down restaurant in Boatwright's Dining Hall. It's a fantastic little place that doesn't get enough play on these boards. It's one of the easier restaurants to get a last minute reservation on the MDE app, so if you're there on an unseasonably cool day and have the time to do a sit down at your resort, make that reservation and ask to be seated next to the fireplace. It will be a great experience.
3. YeHaa Bob Jackson has been performing in the River Roost Lounge in the main building at Riverside for years, and he's not just a Disney favorite, but a favorite among locals, as well. That being said, if you plan on checking out his show while you're there, I highly recommend getting there a little early or else you will be standing in the back of the bar. Same goes for taking in a football game on Saturdays or Sundays. It's not that big, and the tables fill up fast.
4. At night, the pool bar stays open late, and there's rarely anyone there. If you have a hankering for a nightcap, that's the place you should head. Stay away from the signature cocktails unless you want to go into diabetic shock. They might as well be made of melted Jolly Ranchers. As mentioned earlier, walking the grounds is a great thing to do, especially along the river between the two Port Orleans properties in the evening. Grab a beverage and just wander.
5. Also in the evenings, both Riverside and French Quarter show Disney films on inflatable screens out on the lawn between buildings somewhere on the resort grounds. They will have schedules in the lobbies and on the resort TV channel, and both resorts show different films, so you have a choice. It's a nice way to unwind. I recommend checking that out when you get there.
Well, that's all I have for now. Enjoy your trip!
1. One of the windows in the food court is a "make your own pasta" kind of deal. You get a sauce and several toppings, and the cooks whip it all up real quick in a hot pan. It's very popular at certain times of the year, namely those that revolve around marathon weekends. Folks need to carbo-load and all. It's a good value and an excellent last minute dinner option in your resort. What you need to know that doesn't often get mentioned is that the pesto is pretty much all oil. It's gross. Stick with the other sauces.
2. Riverside, unlike French Quarter, has a sit down restaurant in Boatwright's Dining Hall. It's a fantastic little place that doesn't get enough play on these boards. It's one of the easier restaurants to get a last minute reservation on the MDE app, so if you're there on an unseasonably cool day and have the time to do a sit down at your resort, make that reservation and ask to be seated next to the fireplace. It will be a great experience.
3. YeHaa Bob Jackson has been performing in the River Roost Lounge in the main building at Riverside for years, and he's not just a Disney favorite, but a favorite among locals, as well. That being said, if you plan on checking out his show while you're there, I highly recommend getting there a little early or else you will be standing in the back of the bar. Same goes for taking in a football game on Saturdays or Sundays. It's not that big, and the tables fill up fast.
4. At night, the pool bar stays open late, and there's rarely anyone there. If you have a hankering for a nightcap, that's the place you should head. Stay away from the signature cocktails unless you want to go into diabetic shock. They might as well be made of melted Jolly Ranchers. As mentioned earlier, walking the grounds is a great thing to do, especially along the river between the two Port Orleans properties in the evening. Grab a beverage and just wander.
5. Also in the evenings, both Riverside and French Quarter show Disney films on inflatable screens out on the lawn between buildings somewhere on the resort grounds. They will have schedules in the lobbies and on the resort TV channel, and both resorts show different films, so you have a choice. It's a nice way to unwind. I recommend checking that out when you get there.
Well, that's all I have for now. Enjoy your trip!
mousefreak
Well-Known Member
We'll be checking into POR 365 days from today. So @chipndale76 and @MM311 report back to this thread with your thoughts and suggestions of the resort.
Thank you everyone, I'm so excited!
We have a river view room. I called today and requested a few buildings that are closer to hub so we'll see.
BigRedDad
Well-Known Member
My biggest tip for this resort is to find alternate travel plans other than the resort buses. I can understand 1 or 2 bad instances, but not all of them. Other than the bus issues, everything at this resort is enjoyable. It is such a nice place. Be sure to plan a night to listen to the Piano Bob in the bar. He is so much fun and entertaining. A fin relaxing close to a long day.
jenluvswdw
Well-Known Member
One of my favorite resorts. Enjoy a late night stroll especially after it rains. It is so pretty! Have fun!
TB4244
Well-Known Member
39 days and we'll be there too
But I'll keep my eye on this thread as this is my first time at POR too. Great info everyone!
FrostyNaples
Well-Known Member
We stayed here in the Alligator Bayou section this past June, 1 king room, corner unit. It was nice and quiet.
We found driving the car to the main building, and parking there, worked best every morning. That way we got right to breakfast, and head to the main bus stop afterwards. (save the walking for the parks)
The Bus was busy, but that is all in the time of year, day, and what parks you go to. Most times when the bus filled right up, it did not stop at any other stops and went right to the park. They have a good system going.
We did not utilize the restaurant, though it was nice looking, and had live entertainment most nights.
The cafeteria area, like most resorts, poorly designed for 'rush hour' attendance. You have people criss crossing through ordering stations since they are lumped together, as well as the fountain machine is a free for all in the center of the seating area. I don't understand why these places are not setup for proper 'flow'.
In any case, still good food, plenty of seating even for busy times.
The boats to DTD we neat, surely we road them for the novelty, as you can't expect to get anywhere quick with them, but still a nice cruise down the river.
Soon this fall we will be trying the French Quarter, which i hear is equally as enjoyable, and at a smaller scale.
Enjoy your trip to POR!
Zipadeelady
Well-Known Member
My one big piece of advise would have been to request a building closer to the pool and lobby area but you did say that you have done that already. We have had rooms through out the resort and honestly didn't mind the one farther out but I did prefer to be closer especially after a long day in the parks.
Also i have to respectfully disagree with @BigRedDad. We were there last December and had nothing but good things to say about the buses. We never waited that long and the stopping at a few other stops didn't take much time at all. Plus if you drive yourself to MK then you have to wait for the ferry or monorail then walk to your car and to me that seems just as bad if not worse. I guess it's a matter of opinion.
Boatwrights was wonderful!! We had one of our best meals there. It wasn't crowed and the service we had was great.
Ohh the memories. I'm starting to get a bit jealous!
Also i have to respectfully disagree with @BigRedDad. We were there last December and had nothing but good things to say about the buses. We never waited that long and the stopping at a few other stops didn't take much time at all. Plus if you drive yourself to MK then you have to wait for the ferry or monorail then walk to your car and to me that seems just as bad if not worse. I guess it's a matter of opinion.
Boatwrights was wonderful!! We had one of our best meals there. It wasn't crowed and the service we had was great.
Ohh the memories
. I'm starting to get a bit jealous!
We're so excited. This is our 15th trip as well, but our first at POR. Our youngest is now almost five so we needed a bigger room. Have you eaten at Boatwright's?
meganwdw
Well-Known Member
We are staying there for the first time in 51 short days! We were able to get one of the Royal Guest Rooms which I'm hoping puts us closer to the main buildings! We usually stay at POFQ or OKW so I'm looking forward to trying something new! Quick question, we will be driving down and will probably be arriving after the typical dinner rush times. Will it be possible to do a walk up at Boatwrights? I don't want to make a reservation that we might miss.
I would think it's possible. You can always go online the same day to reserve a table. Plus you cN make reservations and cancel them if you need to just with 24 hours notice.
Tuvalu
Premium Member
Just so you know, the Royal rooms are located in the mansion buildings (Oak Manor and Parterre Place) which are across the river from the main building; you will need to walk across the bridge. It's not a far walk, but depending on where your room is in the building it may be closer to use one of the other bus stops rather than the one outside the main building.
You probably will be able to just walk up to Boatwrights, but you can always check for a seating time while you are on your way down. The dining app on MDE now allows you to book only 20 minutes in advance. And if Boatwright's is full, the food court is right next door.
Longers
Well-Known Member
Sorry no - I save up all year for our trip and just make the most of the time I have there and (shock horror) do not make any dining reservations. I just get quick service meals and that works for me. The nearest to anything else was a BOG lunch! I always think sit down will take longer and i will be wasting time. I know for some that is also what makes the experience but I am not a great food lover so find that works for me. Have a great time. We will soon all be there.