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So, I'm leaning towards POR for our 5 day stay over spring break. We have very little resort options...it looks like the World will be packed during our stay! So...Garden, Pool, and Preferred room choices are available to us now...which should we choose? I have never stepped foot on this property during all of our stays! I don't even know what preferred means! Also, no patios with these rooms? Are there outside entrances??
There isnt a patio or balcony because they are outside entrances. Depending on if you have 4 or 5 people they will put you in Mansions or Alligator Bayou. We always get Riverview or Pool view. Standard view most likely will be of parking lot. I believe preferred are rooms closer to the main building for convenience sake.
Lisa, one thing to keep in mind with these moderate resorts and the extra bed is that those rooms that sleep 5 will be assigned to parties of 5 first. I know you want the extra sleeping setup to accommodate your teen children, but make sure you note this when you book. Otherwise they may see a party of 4 and place you guys in a room without the extra bed. Being this is during spring break and it looks like a lot of the resort's may be full, there could be the chance that you don't get a room with the extra bed even if you request it. The extra bed is not a bookable category.
That said a preferred room at Riverside would put you guys close to the main pool and lobby, which houses the gift shop, food court, restaurant, and lounge. Most people love this resort, but we did not. It was too "campy" for us.
Keep in mind that wilderness lodge has rooms with bunk beds that are a bookable category. This way each kid gets their own bunk and you don't need to worry about lucking out with the extra bed at the moderates.
I just wanted to add that at this resort I wouldn't bother with a riverview, since there isn't a private balcony. When we stayed there, we kept our curtains shut most of the time since there were always people walking past outside. And pool view rooms are sometimes too noisy with all the activity outside. The garden rooms have landscaping or courtyard views and are actually quite nice and peaceful.
With no patio or balcony, I would book garden view or even standard view (who cares if you're stuck facing a parking lot if you can't sit outside anyway?). A preferred room means that you'll be housed in a building that is closest to the main building with the check-in, food court, Boatwright's, and the store.
Remember also that the extra bed in alligator bayou is only meant for someone about 5ft or shorter....it's not a regular twin bed. Dimensions are 63"x30"
We typically get the preferred room as it's closer to the food court and bus depot. The river view or garden view is of little value as you will most likely have your shades pulled and not really see them anyway.