Disney has also applied for the necessary work permit in order to start refurbishment work on the first Magnolia Bend mansion building, Parterre Place, which was approved on 17th February (thanks wdwmagic.com). This time Disney will be using a different contractor, New Horizons Construction Services, instead of Friedrich Watkins Company. Although both companies have a proven track record of undertaking major construction projects for Disney, presumably this will mean that any possible last-minute delays in the completion of French Quarter will be unlikely to effect the start date of work at Riverside.Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.
In order for Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside to continue to flourish as a magical destination, it is necessary for us to make enhancements from time to time. As a result in May 2011, the resort will begin going through a refurbishment to replace the double beds rooms with queen beds. The refurbishment work is expected to continue through Spring 2012 for our Guests' future enjoyment.
The last guest room refurbishment at Port Orleans Riverside took 12 months to complete, with Magnolia Bend taking from March 2004 to August 2004 and Alligator Bayou taking from August 2004 to February 2005. Thus we should probably expect the mansion buildings to be completed sometime before Thanksgiving 2011, and Alligator Bayou by April/May 2012.
There is, incidentally, no confirmation at all as to whether the previously rumored Royal/Princess themed rooms might be added to any of the Riverside mansion buildings during this refurbishment. One or two cast members have hinted that this might be the case, but it’s just as likely that they have merely been reading the various speculations on the internet. Personally, I’m keeping a very open mind on this one at the moment.