Originally Posted By hightp OK, my wife and I have decided to stay at Port Orleans Riverside on our next trip (in August). We would prefer Magnolia Bend, rather than the Alligator Bayou. What opinions does everyone have as to the best section. We'd like something within walking distance to the food courts. My wife had knee replacement surgery last year, and can get around fine, but I know we'll be doing a lot of walking and don't want to stress her out too much on the way to breakfast. Have all the 'manors' been refurbished? I know they were working on them a few years ago. Does anyone know if Disney is going to be offering a summer discount, yet? The last 2 years, they offered a free food plan. Thanks.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I think I would recommend French Quarter as its going to be a LOT less walking around. All you have to do is drop down an elevator to get to the food court. If you chose to stay at Port Orleans Riverside then please call their resevation desk and let them know about your wife's knee replacement so you can get a room close to the food court/ main bus stop. I would recommend staying at a Deluxe resort before Port Orleans. Perhaps the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. At least you can drop down and elevator to get a cup of coffee or a meal as apposed to having to walk accross a resort to get food. I'm at WDW right now and I'm staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I normally stay at Port Orleans Riverside. But I am so glad that I am staying here. We are saving the walking for the parks. We just drop down the elvator and there is everything we need. Even the bus stop is just of the front door. We don't have to engage in the "Mickey Waffle Iron Wars" at the food court like the moderate food courts. The food court here is much more calm as apposed to the "war zone" that exists at the Value and Moderate resorts. As for rates. You want to book a room and wait for the discounts. Chances are there will be discounts available here at WDW in August. There are no guarentees. So lock in a room first.
Originally Posted By hightp Thanks Tom. We've kind of decided on Riverside. We were at French Quarter last time, and wanted to try something a little different. I tried to suggest the Wilderness Lodge,and the Animal Kingdom lodge, even the Poly, but it seems like we're destined for the Moderates.
Originally Posted By jnemo We just stayed at the Riverside last week. We were in Magnolia Bend, first building across the bridge. There was a bus stop just behind our building which was the east bus stop. If we ate breakfast we would catch the bus in the front.
Originally Posted By sgennawey Last May I stayed at Parterre Place in the Magnolia Bend section. Loved it. My walk was down a path, across the bridge and along the front of the lobby building. I could also cut through the arcade and lobby and walk most of the way to the bus stop under cover. I would recommend the Oak Manor. It is closer to the bridge. Have fun!
Originally Posted By Labuda Just make sure you wear socks in the room at all times so your feet don't get dirty, and don't expect much from housekeeping.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Now, Iggy, the same could be said for Mousekeeping at almost every WDW resort!
Originally Posted By Labuda My feet have never gotten filthy walking barefoot in another resort's room.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey Two years ago we had issues with the housekeeping at Riverside. The housekeeper was often VERY late; one day she didn't show up until AFTER 5:00 pm, and she didn't even clean the room, she just replenished the towels and toilet paper. I called Disney and complained and was contacted by Guest Services by phone, who then sent us $50 Disney Dollars to make amends. We didn't have any issues with Mousekeeping at Riverside last year. The room was spotless every day, and it was cleaned in a timely manner. When I stayed at Pop Century in May the Mousekeeping was also exceptional. When we go in 16 days (YAHOO!) I'll be keeping a watchful eye. We're not staying at Riverside this time, because the family wanted to try out Pop Century.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<My feet have never gotten filthy walking barefoot in another resort's room.>> That should NEVER happen at WDW Resorts ... not with their pricepoints, not with their rep. BUT I haven't seen a housekeeper with a real vacuum cleaner in years. They have those little push sweepers, which they don't use and are useless ... they don't pick up hair. They don't pick up food remnants. They don't pick up much of anything. But you can thank the consultants who said 'why clean the carpets, who looks down?' Yeah, it really is that simple.
Originally Posted By hightp That's a good thing to know. My wife is kind of a clean freak. She'll be complaining if she doesnt't think things are as clean as they should be.
Originally Posted By 1Gee1 I have stayed at POR on seven trips and have always been pleased! I didn't ever notice the carpet being dirty, but I usually take slippers to wear in the room. The only complaint I've ever had there had to do with our neighbors...something out of the control of Disney. On one of the trips, I took my sister who was recovering from cancer surgery. I told the reservation CM the situation and that I'd like for her to do the least amount of walking possible. We were booked into Alligator Bayou, Bldg. 14. It was a VERY short walk to the food court. They also put us on the main floor so my sis didn't have to walk up the stairs. All very thoughtful arrangements on their part. Tell them it's a medical necessity. I've stayed in both sections (Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend). If your heart is set on the MB section, I agree with sgennawey about Oak Manor...it's definitely the closest of the mansions. One thing nice about the mansions...they have elevators and AB buildings don't. Something I would recommend: Go see 'Piano-Playing Bob' in the lounge one evening. He's a lot of fun!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<My feet have never gotten filthy walking barefoot in another resort's room.>> I've never had any problem at Dixie Landings (POR) but once at the Yacht Club I punctured my heel on an old rusty nail hidden in the carpet and ended up having to have my foot amputated. ;-)
