Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part Three --- NOW FULL / CLOSED

[aaarcher86]

I love this idea! We're going in January, but it's going to be the kids' "big" Christmas present and I've been trying to think of a fun way to tell them to present it.

Same for us with the Christmas present.

We bought each girl a new suitcase and we are filling it with a ton of Disney stuff - T-shirts for the trip, maps, character cards, countdown calenders, etc.

We are trying to decide whether or not we should split up 'we are going' and 'to Disney World' in the suitcases on the bottom.

We will wheel the suitcases out at the end so it doesn't spoil the other presents lol

 

[Missytara]

For Magic Kingdom...

If we want to get to park around 8am when should we go to bus stop? We would go to the main one by lobby as we would grab breakfast first.

Also, what time does breakfast place open up?

7 am.

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Hi everyone,
I am posting for the first time, after spending two weeks absorbing all the advice and great ideas up here. DH (if that means husband I used it correctly!) and I are taking our 2 kids on their first Disney trip ever and our first trips as adults and parents... And they don't know yet. We have royal room reservations POR for 10 days starting on Nov 26 and my daughter will celebrate her 6th bday with a bbb makeover than dinner at Cinderella's table.

Has anyone here ever surprised their kids with a trip? If so when did you tell them? Our flight leaves at 6am so we have to be at the airport by 4 to clear customs. Any ideas on how to wake them up, would you tell them at the airport or before we leave the house? DH and I dont agree so looking for ideas!

Additionally the inlaws decided to join us and booked the same room type and had the reservations linked with a connecting door request. I was wondering if anyone has stayed in the royal guest room with a linking door and had a suggestion on what to request? Our kids love to swim, so we plan on spending a lot of time at the large pool.

I had read on another thread someone had received a phone call from Mickey on their birthday, is this something I can set up in advance, or is it automatic? If anyone has advice on this please let me know

Long first post, but getting so excited I can barely sleep!! Thanks for any help!

We surprised DD a few years ago with a treasure hunt, we hid clues all over the house and it ended in our garage, we had some of her Disney stuffed animals in the trunk of my wifes car and they were holding our reservations and tickets.

 

[Missytara]

We surprised a 5 year old a few years ago. They did a build-a-bear and it said, "Surprise, ......we are going to Disney World tomorrow morning!

It was great.

 

[osu2k1]

Currently we are booked for a Royal Guest Room (standard). I am wondering if I'd be better off booking a Preferred room location. I really don't care about the view, but I wouldn't mind a garden view. I have 2 boys, and so the whole "princess" theme isn't the selling point. I booked it because I thought it was the only way to get 2 queen beds. I just wonder if I'd be happier being closer to the food court, bus stop, cool pool.

Thoughts? If I want to change it, is it something I FAX them before (I have no idea what all that is all about, too). This is our first WDW trip so I am trying to figure it out.
Which building would I request for prefered?
If I were to keep the RGR, where would I want to be? I was thinking Oak Manor.
Can I request a garden view, even though our package isn't for that?

Thanks!!!

 

[Scott MC]

Currently we are booked for a Royal Guest Room (standard). I am wondering if I'd be better off booking a Preferred room location. I really don't care about the view, but I wouldn't mind a garden view. I have 2 boys, and so the whole "princess" theme isn't the selling point. I booked it because I thought it was the only way to get 2 queen beds. I just wonder if I'd be happier being closer to the food court, bus stop, cool pool.

Thoughts? If I want to change it, is it something I FAX them before (I have no idea what all that is all about, too). This is our first WDW trip so I am trying to figure it out.
Which building would I request for prefered?
If I were to keep the RGR, where would I want to be? I was thinking Oak Manor.
Can I request a garden view, even though our package isn't for that?

Thanks!!!

You'll get queen beds anywhere at POR. If you pay for a preferred location, I don't think the building number really matters. They're all in a great spot. As for keeping the RGR rez, based on the maps I've seen, Oak Manor would be a better request if being close to the main building and main bus stop is what's important to you.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Missytara]

Since preferred is a booking category, you cannot request it.

You can book a RR and request one of the two buildings and ask for a garden view room. Oak Manor has more rooms closer to the main building.

 

[Kathy Z]

We love the pasta bar!!!

My favorie is making your own salad. I practically live at the local Saladwork (they know my CYO by heart....sad, I know). I usually include the steak in my salad and it is so nice knowing everything is fresh. I'm far from a health nut, but it's just my favorite thing to eat (in WDW or anywhere). My daughter wants me to tell you her favorite is the pasta bar.

Have a great day!!![/QUOTE]

Is steak one of the items available for the POR CS make your own salad? At home I use leftover flank steak in our salads quite often. Could you tell me some of the other items available. I'd be especially interested in spinach, mushrooms, romaine lettuce, cheese and hard boiled eggs. I can't eat cucumbers, peppers, raw onions or tomatoes.

Today is our 90 day mark so I'm cheering

 

[hollygolitely93]

7 am.

Ha! 7am the restaurant opens or I have to catch a 7 am bus to get to parks at 8am. So...if the latter my next question...how often do buses run...every 20 minutes? If I catch a 7:20-7:30 bus what time will I get to MK... 8:30?

 

[tanialesser]

We surprised a 5 year old a few years ago. They did a build-a-bear and it said, "Surprise, ......we are going to Disney World tomorrow morning!

It was great.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the build a bear idea!!!! I think thats what we will do, thanks Missytara!

Venom thank you so much for the PM 15 sleeps to go.

 

[theresamom]

Just book POR today!!! We booked a gardenview Royal Guest Room (I've never stayed in anything beyond a value resort, so please allow me to capitalize my Royal Guest Room -with my pinky up! I'm so excited!)

I've heard about the bus issues at this resort. Based on the fact that I will be staying in a Royal Guest Room, my nearest bus stops seem to be the South and East depots.

However, I've read that some people have had better luck with the buses by using the POFQ buses from the ROYAL GUEST ROOM locations. Is this a good suggestion? Is it a long walk? Are the buses less crowded? Could I ask more questions about this?

Thoughts?

 

[andrewilley]

However, I've read that some people have had better luck with the buses by using the POFQ buses from the ROYAL GUEST ROOM locations. Is this a good suggestion? Is it a long walk? Are the buses less crowded? Could I ask more questions about this?

LOL, however much is written people will always ask more questions about buses, so you're not alone. It's a very subjective matter though, even on the same day you'll hear totally contradicting reports of what worked best for two different guests.

Some POR guests occasionally come back via POFQ and walk, if that bus happens to arrive first and has a shorter queue, but generally not many set off from there in the fist place. If you're on the river-facing side of the mansions, South is probably your quickest option. If you're on the other side, East may be quicker for you. East will usually have less people waiting, but you could also end up with more crowded buses as they'll have made several stops before you. It's really best to judge it for yourself when you get your room, and maybe try both and see which works best for you?

For the record, I tend to use South mostly - but then we tend to try to get rooms near to the main building, so that's usually our closest stop.

Andre

 

[ksromack]

I'm so happy to find this thread again! We arrive in less than 4 weeks now and I'm beside myself with excitement! I had subscribed to the threads before we went over 250 pages and for some reason missed subscribing to Part Three I'm off to start reading from the begining!

 

[Gorechick]

Just book POR today!!! We booked a gardenview Royal Guest Room (I've never stayed in anything beyond a value resort, so please allow me to capitalize my Royal Guest Room -with my pinky up! I'm so excited!)

I've heard about the bus issues at this resort. Based on the fact that I will be staying in a Royal Guest Room, my nearest bus stops seem to be the South and East depots.

However, I've read that some people have had better luck with the buses by using the POFQ buses from the ROYAL GUEST ROOM locations. Is this a good suggestion? Is it a long walk? Are the buses less crowded? Could I ask more questions about this?

Thoughts?

We were in Parterre Place which is considered the further Royal Room building. We used the South depot and never thought it was too far to walk or too crowded.

 

[andrewilley]

I'm off to start reading from the begining!

Better be quick, we're up to 65 pages again already.

Andre

 

[DisneyClown]

How long does the Yee Ha Bob show run, typically?

 

[Missytara]

How long does the Yee Ha Bob show run, typically?

He goes from around 8 to midnight. He takes "breaks" but at his age it is to slow down the pace of singing and meet with the guests, ever since he had back surgery a few years ago.

But his show really stops running.

 

[Moneypenny]

We are really looking forward to our second stay at POR in February. We went the same time last year and loved it!

Anyway, I've signed DD up for Y.E.S. class at Animal Kingdom. She and DH need to be there at 8:30 and no later. The park opens at 9:00. Will a bus be running to AK at 7:30? We are almost always rope drop people and have found that it works really well to get to the bus stop an hour before the park opens, but I've never been to the bus stop 90 minutes before so I'm not even sure if buses are running then or not. If not, I think I'll send them in a taxi just to be safe.

Thanks so much!

 

[canadakath]

Hi everyone,
I had read on another thread someone had received a phone call from Mickey on their birthday, is this something I can set up in advance, or is it automatic? If anyone has advice on this please let me know

Welcome! We have done the birthday phone call twice for my son's 6th and 8th birthdays. It is Goofy that calls, not Mickey. We arranged it through the front desk (in person) once and I think on the phone once and stated what time we wanted the wake up call. The timing was just about right on both of them. First a CM comes on to ask to speak to the birthday person, then a recorded message from Goofy comes on, I think with a few words from the CM at the end. The recorded message is good enough to fool the little ones into thinking it's really Goofy calling and talking right now. Don't forget you can put the phone on speaker if you want to record this! It's a great way to start their birthday!

 

[siskaren]

We are really looking forward to our second stay at POR in February. We went the same time last year and loved it!

Anyway, I've signed DD up for Y.E.S. class at Animal Kingdom. She and DH need to be there at 8:30 and no later. The park opens at 9:00. Will a bus be running to AK at 7:30? We are almost always rope drop people and have found that it works really well to get to the bus stop an hour before the park opens, but I've never been to the bus stop 90 minutes before so I'm not even sure if buses are running then or not. If not, I think I'll send them in a taxi just to be safe.

Thanks so much!

Buses start running at 6:30 am every day.