Happy Groundhog Day! I hope the fix is in and Spring is coming soon. In the meantime, contributing writer Chris Barry has shared a bag full of letters that arrived in response to his article on “Top 5 Reasons to Stay at Port Orleans-Riverside” (January 22, 2010).
Kelly writes:
I loved your article on Port Orleans Riverside Resort! We have considered staying there but weren’t sure. After your article, I think it is a winner.
I too have been to Disney so many times I can’t count. The first was when I was three with my parents and now my husband and I go with our eleven-year-old (her first trip was at two and a half). Our last trip was also in October 2009 and we are returning in June 2010 for a week. We have always gone “Deluxe” but in 2009 we tried a stay at the Caribbean Beach and loved it! It has drastically changed my view on “Moderates” and we are going to try the beautiful Riverside Resort next.
Thanks for your response. If you loved the Caribbean Beach I think you’ll love Riverside even more. Caribbean Beach is a great place, but to me Riverside just carries itself better. It’s got a wonderful feel to it. Have a great trip in June. Let me know what you think when you get back.
Jimmy M. writes:
I just read your most recent article on Port Orleans Riverside, and couldn’t agree more. We make at least one trip a year to Walt Disney World, and try to stay in a different resort as much as possible. But, we keep coming back to Riverside at least every other trip. Like you said, it is a home away from home. I too, don’t know what started our kick on this resort in particular, maybe the frequency in which we stay there that makes it feel ‘homey’? Whatever the reason, your article made me even more itchy to go back. And we have to wait until October! Thanks for another nice read.
We discovered Riverside quite by accident. My wife was competing in a triathlon at Walt Disney World. Riverside was the Moderate resort choice for registered athletes, so we stayed there and the place instantly clicked with us. We’ve been going back ever since.
Paul writes:
I just wanted to thank you for your article. I’m planning a trip for the first time with my family in April. I couldn’t really decide where to stay. I saw Port Orleans mentioned under the moderate lodging and thought that would be a good choice, but was still unsure. Thanks to your review, I’m sold! If you have any other pearls you would like to share with this newbie, please do.
Glad I could persuade you. You’re going to love Riverside, especially for your first trip. I’m sure I could give you a truckload of tips for all of Walt Disney World, but I’ll stick to Riverside for this response. (You should check out MousePad here on MousePlanet for plenty of Walt Disney World tips.)
- My favorite place to stay in Riverside, as I mentioned in the article, is Alligator Bayou. Not to take away from the Magnolia Bend section, it’s quite nice also. I just find Alligator Bayou a little more intimate and relaxed. See if you could request building 27. It is close enough to everything, but still just enough removed from the busy main building. Disney won’t guarantee requests, but they will try and I don’t think I’ve ever been denied one. Building 18 is great also. My personal opinion is save your money and don’t bother with a water view. The buildings in Riverside all have exterior walkways . So, it’s not like you are sitting on your own private balcony looking at the river. Some of my nicest room locations in Riverside turned out to be Standard view rooms.
- Utilize the French Quarter. The food court is usually less crowded. The authentic Mardi Gras decorations hanging from the ceiling are pretty cool. It’s got an awesome pool and it’s really a beautiful, tranquil place.
- Utilize the river boat. It’s a nice peaceful ride. It’s a nice way to access Downtown Disney. You get to check out the Treehouse Villas along the banks of the river and it’s a great change of pace from the Disney buses.
- Take the horse and buggy ride at night. Opt for the French Quarter route. All three of my kids were lulled off to sleep. It’s a nice way to tour around the resort at a real relaxing pace.
The campfire, the fishing hole, Bob Jackson the piano player, the Beignets at French Quarter, renting a surrey bike with the whole family….you’ll have a great time.
Renee writes:
We are planning to go to Disney World at the end of April and the beginning of May. We are undecided between the Coronado or Port Orleans Riverside. We have read plenty of pros and cons from both. I heard Port Orleans Riverside rooms were a bit uncleanly and moldy. Is this true? Also, that transportation to the theme parks had long waits. We are leaning towards Port Orleans Riverside, but I have a bad allergies.
I can’t comment on allergies because no one I have traveled with has had them. I can say that I’ve never found my rooms anywhere at Disney to be moldy or unclean. I understand people have had bad luck here and there. That could happen anywhere. But eight trips in a row and I haven’t encountered a cleanliness problem.
I’m a strong supporter of the Disney transportation system. I’ve been there and waited for buses. I’ve waited for buses at Deluxe resorts too. I’ve stood on many bus rides. I’ve also ridden empty buses and caught them as soon as I got to the stop. So, it’s a hard thing to comment on. Given what they do and how many people they truck around all day, I tend not to complain and give them the benefit of the doubt.
As far as Port Orleans versus Coronado, I haven’t stayed at Coronado Springs. I have been there and walked around. It’s a great looking place. Personally, I like the theme of Riverside better. I like the lushness and intimacy of Riverside more. The one thing that bothered me walking around Coronado was seeing all the people dressed “business casual” with their name tags on. They were there for a convention and it sort of took me out of my Disney bubble and reminded me of work. Heaven forbid if I’m reminded of work at Disney World! Granted several Disney resorts have convention centers, and that could happen at a place as nice as say, the Yacht Club, but if I could avoid a convention center and thus avoid reality for a little while longer, I’m a happier person. Enjoy your trip in the spring. It’s a great time to go…I just might be there myself.
Mary Ann C. writes:
My husband and I first stayed at Riverside when we were dating and it was called Dixie Landings. Since then we’ve never stayed anywhere else. Our daughter is now nine and it’s the only Disney hotel she’s ever known. We plan on going back again this summer after a three year gap and can’t imagine staying anywhere else. It’s our Disney “home.”
It’s great to have a home away from home isn’t it? Enjoy your trip this summer. Three years is a long time to be away!
Louise writes:
My cousin and I had originally thought of staying at Port Orleans Riverside until I read a review in one of the “official” guides for Walt Disney World stating Riverside’s buildings did not all have elevators. We opted to stay at French Quarter for that reason. We lucked out with the latest promotion with the $500 Disney Gift Card being attached to our reservation.
This will be out first trip to Walt Disney World. My cousin is basically leaving all the planning up to me, including all meal reservations (we booked the Dining Plan). After looking over the guide book and perusing the Walt Disney World maps, I figure we will have to plan another trip to catch all the things we’ll miss this time around.
Being Disneyland Annual Passholders, it’s been so easy for us to hit the Parks once a month. I will occasionally book a room at one of the motels on Harbor Boulevard (the Carousel Inn and Suites). We’ve been spoiled by not having to take any kind of transportation to and from the Parks when we stay a weekend at the Carousel Inn. We don’t really know what to expect with the transportation at Walt Disney World, especially the length of time it will take to get from the French Quarter to a particular Park. I’ve read we can take a cab to one of the Parks which we may do the morning of our all day tour. We may have to take the boat ride to Riverside to try the Bananas Foster at Boatwrights. Any advice for a first time Walt Disney World visitor?
That is true, not all of Riverside’s buildings have elevators. So, if that’s a concern for you, you did the right thing. The French Quarter is a beautiful resort. It’s very serene and peaceful as it’s half the size of Riverside and the other Moderates. It has a great food court and a fantastic pool. There is no full service restaurant, but Boatwrights and all of Downtown Disney is just a short boat ride away.
This may sound strange, but to me the Disney buses are part of the experience. I’ve struck up so many great conversations with total strangers on the rides to and from the parks. We’re all drunk on the Disney magic anyway, so why not pass the time chatting about our day in the parks? Riding the buses also always allows me to soak in just how enormous Disney World really is. The ride to the Magic Kingdom always reminds me of how Walt wanted it to be, a true escape tucked away at the far end of his property. I love riding by all the forests and realizing how much open space is still left and not seeing any signs of “civilization.” We’ve seen deer crossing the road on the way back to Riverside at night. You won’t get that on Harbor Boulevard now will you?
As far as tips for a first timer, you hit one right on the head. Accept the fact that you’re not going to see everything. Eight trips in the last seven years and I still haven’t seen everything. Savor what you are seeing and don’t rush around like crazy people trying to pack it all in. When you slow down at Walt Disney World, the magic really increases. Considering you’re familiar with Disneyland, I would spend extra time at places like Epcot and Animal Kingdom. There’s nothing else anywhere like Epcot and the details at Animal Kingdom are extraordinary and take time to appreciate.
Make sure you visit at least one Deluxe resort for a meal or just to walk around. The Boardwalk area certainly comes to mind right away. It’s a destination all it’s own.
My favorite Disney World tip is to not go to a park on an Extra Magic Hour morning. Sounds contradictory and some may argue with this, but let the hordes go to the park with the extra hour while you go enjoy another park that will be much less crowded. That tip has never failed me.
I could go on and on, but find your own way and enjoy your first visit. It’s usually your best.
A Cast Member writes:
Thank you for talking about my favorite place. I was a sous chef there a couple of months ago and I can tell you already that I miss the place. Boatwrights was my home and now that I am at the Polynesian, I miss it.
Thank you again… sometimes I feel Boatwrights is not talked about enough.
Well it’s a pleasure to get a response from you! I think Boatwrights is a great place. Thanks for helping make it so. i think you’re right. It does get lost in the shuffle, but I’ve never been disappointed there.
