My Disney/Port Orleans Riverside review

Just got back and everyone is still sleeping so figured I'd hop on while it's still quiet . While I've been to Disneyland as a young adult, this is my first trip to the World as an adult and a parent of a 6-year-old (boy).

First off, we drove. While this saved us a ton (I estimate we spent around $200 in gas, didn't add tolls yet and we went in my new Jeep Wrangler), as of right now not sure we would do that again. It was a lot on DH and while I drove a little bit, OOS drivers where the speed limit is higher scared the crap out of me. We also didn't need to leave the resort for anything.

Just make sure you know what to bring.

It was super hot down there and while I had enough to wear, I didn't feel like doing laundry so I shouldve probably packed more tanks and undies. I ended up washing some things in the sink to avoid doing laundry.


The resort:

Loved! Beautiful grounds, bus ride to everywhere was about 20-30 minutes once boarded. We were in building 14 Alligator Bayou which is right near the main building/dining hall and a quick walk from the main pool. We also had a quieter little pool (DS didn't like as much) in our complex. Note that there are no lifeguards though and the quiet pool has a deep end that is 6 ft.

Honestly, my only complaint about the resort was the dining hall. I felt for being "quick service" it was actually pretty slow. One night it took about 20 minutes for the girl to make me a salad, she ran out of stuff then disappeared into the back. One of our early magic hour mornings we got to the dining hall at 7 when it opens, most places were not yet opened and they had one register running and tons of people on line to pay. DH joked that I got my b!tch attitude on but I marched up to a group of employees standing around talking (later a guest said it was their first day) and asked that more people come out to check people out. No other guests took the initiative. ETA: also service is terrible late night so make sure you eat at parks before you leave or have snacks back at the room. I gave up on waiting for a pizza it was such a dysfunction junction.

Speaking of early magic hours....my biggest piece of advice is to get to the parks when or before they open. If you can schedule breakfast before a park opens even better. We did this in AK and it was awesome being able to just walk through there and see everything before everyone else, chat with cast members etc. We also accomplished so much in the MK this way. Second day in MK we got on 7D ride & PPF without fast passes, we're done with everything by 11 am and back at the resort pool bar when a major monsoon hit. Taking breaks in middle of the day are a must in my experience as well!

What else? We did Tusker House breakfast first day and it was fantastic. Both food and characters. Ended up canceling all the other character meals as a result and to save $$$.

We didn't experience any rude people really. By final day (spent 3 days in parks) I think we were all starting to feel Disney-ed out though.

I absolutely decided to book return trip next year and we decided to go with POR again for week of 8/28.

Price with bounce back special including free dining, park hopper and insurance was around $2200. (5 nights 3 days of park hopper) I have until 30 days before we check in to pay off. I had to do a $200 deposit and the travel insurance up front. Can also cancel and look at other deals.

We had the chance to visit friends at the Coronado and we weren't as impressed, but then again it's an older resort.

The free dining only includes one snack, one quick service and one sit down meal (some character meals are 2 sit down meals) so we know we will have to pay some OOP.

If you go to AK absolutely see The Lion King! It was my favorite show. DS also freaked out at the Bug movie in the tree and I had to carry him out screaming. He also did not like Space Mountain at all.

OK I know I'm leaving out a ton so feel free to ask any other questions!!!

Message edited 8/29/2015 10:00:42 AM.

Re: My Disney/Port Orleans Riverside review

Thanks for sharing! Glad you had a great time.

My Disney/Port Orleans Riverside review

Great review enjoyed the read!

Re: My Disney/Port Orleans Riverside review

thank you! so sad to hear about the dining hall experiences.

Re: My Disney/Port Orleans Riverside review

My advice is to definitely speak up and seek out a manager.

Overall it was a great trip and as I said, still booked same resort for next year.

We will just be better prepared now.

Oh, we also did Be Our Guest and T-Rex as our other theme restaurants.

Be Our Guest was okay.....nothing over the top. I had the shrimp with scallops. DH had the braised pork. Overall the food in Disney is really good though....

T-Rex was very loud, also since they weren't Disney employees we noticed less of a care about customer service and the food was basically an Applebee's or Chili's. I got a chicken dish and it actually bothered my stomach a bit. But that's usually the case when I eat in places like that that are all processed.

ETA: Also try the food trucks in Downtown Disney. You will NOT be disappointed. So good. We did this our first night when we checked in and didn't want a sit down dinner.

Message edited 8/30/2015 9:20:52 AM.

Re: My Disney/Port Orleans Riverside review

We loved the Lion King show! Both DH & DS were a part of it! The colors, music, everything was so vibrant! Loved!

OMG my DS (same age) FREAKED over the bug show too! He was screaming & crying in my arms. AK was the first park we went to for the week & DH & I thought we just wasted a lot of money if he was going to freak over everything. Thankfully that was an isolated incident. LOL

T-Rex was very loud. I had a headache the day we went too. Thankfully we had a fantastic server and hostess. Where did you sit? We sat in the forest section...it was by far the best!

Re: My Disney/Port Orleans Riverside review

We were up front right next to the fish tank.

I've since read reviews and heard a lot of kids freak over the bug show.

I don't remember seeing warning signs about it either but supposedly they are there....