Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part One [Thread now FULL and closed]

[asherls]

Kind of annoyed by the fact that my handicapped mom paid a fortune for us to eat dinner at CRT and the elevator is broken and they told her "oh I'm sure you can walk up the stairs if you take it slowly" anybody else had this issue?

 

[germ539]

(slightly off topic but it goes with my original question that Venom answered earlier)

Can you use the KTTW cards/bracelets at downtown disney also or do you have to use your "real" credit card there?

Thought this might have gotten lost in the thread, anyone?

 

[Venomhatch]

(slightly off topic but it goes with my original question that Venom answered earlier)

Thought this might have gotten lost in the thread, anyone?

I am sorry did I or did I not answer this? Just wondering because you confused me.

 

[germ539]

The part about the bracelets yes, but I thought of another one with charging for downtown disney, can you do that also with the KTTW/bracelets or do you need to bring your regular charge card with you?

thanks (sorry to confuse you)

 

[Venomhatch]

The part about the bracelets yes, but I thought of another one with charging for downtown disney, can you do that also with the KTTW/bracelets?

thanks (sorry to confuse you)

Yeah I remember using my KTTWs down there. I got food down there with it and some merchandise.

 

[germ539]

Didn't want to have to carry the credit cards if I didn't have to

 

[OThopeful35]

You'll probably own the magical express bus! Not too many people come in that late. So it will most likely go strait to POR. Make sure to grab your own checked bags because that late Disney doesn't grab them for you!

THis is so true. On our first trip, we arrived at POR a little after midnight due to the plane having to make an emergency landing in Wichita, Kansas but we were the only ones on ME.

 

[MagicalEars]

So it's been about 7yrs since our last POR stay and allot has changed, including our family size. We put in a request to stay in Magnolia Bend since our littlest is only 2 and this will be the last time we could fit in the mansions. If we don't get our request, how much room is there between the flip-down bed and the other beds in the AB rooms? From the pics it looks a little crammed. Granted, we all on the skinny side, but my wife and DD12 are rather accident prone.

I must say that we're looking forward to the refurb rooms. We used to visit WDW allot and always stayed at POR, even when it was Dixie Landings, so it'll be something new to look forward to.

 

[AmyandMichael]

Just got back from POR after 5 days and hope to get a trip update soon! We loved our Royal room although we were hardly there. Hubby says cheaper place next time but i wan to stay at POR again. I will give you the good and bad when I get the chance.....

 

[andrewilley]

... one day took over an hour to get a bus to HS- (but some great days too). We were at the north depot, and noticed that sometimes the buses seemed to be full and drive right past, and sometimes there was nobody- like we were the first stop and we picked up people at the south depot LAST Do all the buses start at the south and work around or is there no specific order at all? Just wondering, I guess we will most likely be using the south this time- since we booked a preferred room, but wondered if there is a "system"

There is a sort of system, but it's not set in stone and the computers can vary it at any time depending on need. I've asked several people and all say there are no definite rules, only guidelines. MK buses normally do the outer circuit first and then the South Depot (so catching a MK bus at an outer stop is a good idea). However DHS buses do it the other way, so South might be a better choice. However in the peak morning times (before 10:30am) they can run extra buses, as the ones at South can get completely full. But the routing is always based on the bus's hub location (i.e. the park it serves).

Kind of annoyed by the fact that my handicapped mom paid a fortune for us to eat dinner at CRT and the elevator is broken and they told her "oh I'm sure you can walk up the stairs if you take it slowly" anybody else had this issue?

That's awful!!! I'm sure the ADA would have something to say about that! The stairs there are very steep and awkward, even for generally able-bodied people. Could they not offer any other kind of assistance? I guess it does depend on the reason for needing a wheelchair (some people use them for stamina reasons for example) but unless they already knew if your mom was even capable of standing, how dare they speak to her like that? OK, elevators can break down, and it would be one thing to ask her if she felt she was able to attempt the stairs, but quite another to use the wording you refer to. How did you manage, did you have to cancel?

The part about the bracelets yes, but I thought of another one with charging for downtown disney, can you do that also with the KTTW/bracelets or do you need to bring your regular charge card with you?

Anywhere that has the touch sensors for the RFID KttW cards will also be able to accept the MagicBands. I think there may be a few locations at DTD which don't accept any Disney payment cards at all, but I wouldn't swear to that as we don't spend too much time there.

However while it's still in the test-and-adjust phase I would never rely on Disney's payment system as being 100% reliable, and I always carry an alternative method of payment anyway. For example what happens if you max out your $1000 room-charge limit without realising? Or you just want to travel off-site.

If we don't get our request, how much room is there between the flip-down bed and the other beds in the AB rooms?

There is enough of a gap to be able to walk past fairly easily, don't worry.

We loved our Royal room although we were hardly there. Hubby says cheaper place next time but i wan to stay at POR again. I will give you the good and bad when I get the chance.....

Personally, having done the Royal Rooms once now, I would say that while it was very nice, and I loved staying there, as DD is now 13 we probably won't be doing it again. Once you're made the lights flash a few times, and enjoyed all the fun details, you tend to just use it like any other room. And for a two-week stay, a regular Garden View room (which we've also done) would be about $500 cheaper - and I can do a lot with $500.

Andre

 

[Missytara]

How does the size of POR Murphy beds compare to day beds at Deluxes? Really want to try this resort for NYE and DD will be bringing her BF so we need that extra bed which we had at BC last year but don't want to spend the money that we did last year.

The murphy bed is no where near the size of a day bed.

 

[stephyarcouette]

I am sorry that this is not specifically about POR but I find these boards overwhelming and I'm comfortable here! Can I ask about the dining plan? When we receive the bill, is there a total in dollars? Is there a max that we can spend for the meal to be on the dining plan? I'm mainly talking about table service meals. Is the menu restricted for those using dining plan versus cash or credit? Also tipping...help!!!!

 

[hamreb]

This might be an odd question, but I'd like to do some running while at POR. I'll be running early in the am so we can still make rope drop. Is there any real concern or special consideration I should take in terms of the wildlife? My wife is convinced I am going to be eaten by an alligator.

 

[kelleigh1]

I am sorry that this is not specifically about POR but I find these boards overwhelming and I'm comfortable here! Can I ask about the dining plan? When we receive the bill, is there a total in dollars? Is there a max that we can spend for the meal to be on the dining plan? I'm mainly talking about table service meals. Is the menu restricted for those using dining plan versus cash or credit? Also tipping...help!!!!

Yes, you'll get a regular receipt with the actual $ total.

There isn't a limit on how much you can spend, although I believe there are some things that you can't order if on the dining plan, but those seem to be few and far between. Although, alcohol is a separate charge not included in the dining plan as are some other specialty drinks. But as for food, I don't recall ever coming across any food items that we couldn't order.

Tipping, you pay separately. Cash or credit card is fine for the tip. We preferred cash because then we wouldn't have to worry about the possibility of any additional unexpected charges on our credit card. And I'm pretty sure the receipts usually show the recommended tip amounts, so you don't have to spend your vacation doing math.

 

[andrewilley]

I'll be running early in the am so we can still make rope drop. Is there any real concern or special consideration I should take in terms of the wildlife? My wife is convinced I am going to be eaten by an alligator.

LOL, no, you'll be fine. Just try not to step on the rabbits or squirrels who can get pretty brazen about being around people.

Andre

 

[G719]

Does the gift shop at POR carry the Disney ponchos? I want to get my girls Disney ones this year. Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

Does the gift shop at POR carry the Disney ponchos? I want to get my girls Disney ones this year. Thanks!

Everywhere at WDW carries ponchos, but they are often only displayed when the weather gets wet.

Andre

 

[joanzie72]

If I were to schedule an ADR at 8am at Ohana's could I take the bus to MK and then mono it over to get there in time?

What time do the buses start running each morning?

 

[KittyKat1978]

Just paid off my balance. 46 days to go!

Would it be silly to request not a wheelchair accessible room?

I would really like the two sinks.

 

[andrewilley]

If I were to schedule an ADR at 8am at Ohana's could I take the bus to MK and then mono it over to get there in time?

What time do the buses start running each morning?

Buses start at 6:30am to help with breakfast bookings, but you'd need to check with the drivers to make sure they are going to where you want to be (you may even find a bus will drop you direct to the Poly). Check the night before to see what they recommend as I don't know if the monorail will be running early enough for you (depends on park opening time). Regardless, allow AT LEAST an hour. Or there's always the taxi option, might be easier that time of the morning.

Would it be silly to request not a handicap accessable room?

I would really like the two sinks.

No harm in doing so if you want. They shouldn't normally give you a Wheelchair Accessible room, but if the resort is especially full it can happen.

Andre