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

[Chuckers]

Does anyone know how I could find out if any sports groups/teams will be staying at POR in May, specifically May 25th - June 1? Not a big deal, I just want to be prepared.

The first Saturday in June (in this case, June 1st) is unofficially Gay Day at MK. There's usually a party at one of the water parks on the Friday before. And they've been branching out to the other 3 parks on Thurs, Fri, and Sunday. So there will be a big influx of people at least on Friday for Saturday, if not sooner.

 

[lillykat]

Just out of curiousity, I went to Disney's website today for our trip dates 5/26-6/1 for POR and it comes up SOLD OUT (nothing available), so I wonder if it really is or if other websites have the availability. I've never seen the whole resort being "not available for your dates". Glad we have reservations. Would there be a chance that they are overbooked and they would have to move people to another resort? I'd hate to have to go to another resort but if they would upgrade us to a deluxe, I wouldn't balk at that (we have two groups in our party, so two room reservations.

I am a bit worried to. We are arriving on the 13th. I just put in our dates 13-20th after reading your post. It shows everything except the standard view royal guest rooms as unavailable. I thought it was supposed to be quieter thst week. Does anyone know if there is a way to see if a group is staying.

 

[Chuckers]

I am a bit worried to. We are arriving on the 13th. I just put in our dates 13-20th after reading your post. It shows everything except the standard view royal guest rooms as unavailable. I thought it was supposed to be quieter thst week. Does anyone know if there is a way to see if a group is staying.

You have to remember it's looking for a reservation for your WHOLE stay... if it can't get the whole length in, it's going to say that rooms are unavailable.

 

[lillykat]

Refillable mugs. When we stayed at the poly you could get refills 24 hours. I think I heard at POR this is not true. What hours can you refill your mugs?

 

[lillykat]

You have to remember it's looking for a reservation for your WHOLE stay... if it can't get the whole length in, it's going to say that rooms are unavailable.

True but then the resort must be almost at capacity at least one night or close to that at some point during the 7 nights.

 

[ttcl516]

Refillable mugs. When we stayed at the poly you could get refills 24 hours. I think I heard at POR this is not true. What hours can you refill your mugs?

The Riverside Mill Food Court is open 6am to Midnight. So you can fill it anytime between those hours

 

[Chuckers]

I started to type something and then couldn't delete the post.. never mind

 

[dramaticmissy]

True but then the resort must be almost at capacity at least one night or close to that at some point during the 7 nights.

I checked our reservation too, played around with dates, the only day it is totally booked is a Thursday night 5/9, and that is the only day during our time there the rest have all different categories available.

 

[Shaden]

The first Saturday in June (in this case, June 1st) is unofficially Gay Day at MK. There's usually a party at one of the water parks on the Friday before. And they've been branching out to the other 3 parks on Thurs, Fri, and Sunday. So there will be a big influx of people at least on Friday for Saturday, if not sooner.

Yea Chuckers thanks for that, it clued in for me too, we are there for 2 weeks, starting May 5 ... and I was like ... what, the whole resort is booked !?!??!

But I guess its seein if you could take a single reservation (thus not change rooms) for 2 weeks ...

 

[webstah]

I was wondering if the boat to Downtown Disney stops at different places in Downtown Disney. My Mom is joining us and although she plans to rent a wheelchair/scooter at the parks, she is not planning to do so for DTD. We are eating at Planet Hollywood on our first night and wonder how much of a walk that will be for her? Thanks so much!

The boat from POR only goes to Market Place behind the Rain Forest Café, but on the same dock, different line they have a boat with Red Flags This is and Internal Downtown Disney water taxi, circular route running from the Marketplace dock (next to the Rainforest Cafe) directly over to the West Side dock (opposite Cirque du Soleil) and then back via the Pleasure Island dock (behind Paradiso 37).

 

[abqgreene]

I got Mickey Mail this weekend but no tags for Magical Express. The CM I chatted with said no big deal just give our claim tickets to the ME people and it will not be a problem. Has anyone had luck going it this way or have smother suggestion.

 

[Harters2WDW]

We are going in June with my sister's family. My parents are meeting us there, which is a surprise to my two DDs and three DNs. We plan to do the surprise meeting at POR, where we are all staying, and then head on the boat to DTD. Any thoughts on how/where we should do the big reveal? We arrive on Saturday, my sister's family will arrive Sunday morning and my parents get there Sunday afternoon. My parents will check in and my sister's fam and mine will go to MK for one or two hours. My parents are not doing a ticket that day. We were thinking near the dock, but none of us have ever stayed at POR. Any suggestions welcomed!!!

TIA!!!

 

[Harters2WDW]

Sorry...double post!!

We are going in June with my sister's family. My parents are meeting us there, which is a surprise to my two DDs and three DNs. We plan to do the surprise meeting at POR, where we are all staying, and then head on the boat to DTD. Any thoughts on how/where we should do the big reveal? We arrive on Saturday, my sister's family will arrive Sunday morning and my parents get there Sunday afternoon. My parents will check in and my sister's fam and mine will go to MK for one or two hours. My parents are not doing a ticket that day. We were thinking near the dock, but none of us have ever stayed at POR. Any suggestions welcomed!!!

TIA!!!

 

[siskaren]

I got Mickey Mail this weekend but no tags for Magical Express. The CM I chatted with said no big deal just give our claim tickets to the ME people and it will not be a problem. Has anyone had luck going it this way or have smother suggestion.

First of all, are you sure you're signed up for ME? Second, from what I've read, some people are getting the ME tags in their Mickey Mail, but some are getting it separate, so the tags could still be coming. I'd call DME (866-599-0951) to confirm that you are signed up. If for some reason you don't get the tags though, don't worry about it. I read the Transportation board a lot, and the experts there assure people all the time that DME can still pick up your luggage even without tags.

 

[andrewilley]

At this point, our ressie starts on October 29th. We are hoping to keep that so we are guaranteed to get in a room when we get there for a little nap.

If you arrive technically the next morning after your reservation has started, they will still charge you for the room and 'normally' the rule is that will guarantee to keep your room until 6am the following day. However if you let them know, as long as you're still paying then there will be no problems. Might be worth sending them a fax a few days beforehand just to reinforce the point that you have paid for an extra night purely so you have a room ready when you arrive.

On the plus side, you'll get some extra unused dining credits from that first night which might come in handy later during your stay.

I am a bit worried to. We are arriving on the 13th. I just put in our dates 13-20th after reading your post. It shows everything except the standard view royal guest rooms as unavailable. I thought it was supposed to be quieter thst week. Does anyone know if there is a way to see if a group is staying.

I've heard the resort has been very full recently, at pretty close to 100% capacity for several months, and it looks to be staying that way through until June at least. Popular place!

Andre

 

[CourtNut]

wow!

Excellent report

DW and I are addicted to viewing pictures of POR so yes, interested in viewing those from you, never stayed and POR and want to learn/see all we can before arriving in August

I will definitely post some pictures then! I'll put them up on the picture thread (and post a link in this thread). But, that will have to wait until tomorrow, as that will be my first free moment to get those done - gotta love returning from vacation to a ton of work! Vacation was so nice, but I've been having to burn the candle at both ends since I returned!

 

[kelleigh1]

200 days until we get to check in. Still seems so far away, but since I'm looking forward to the summer, I'm not really in a rush for it to get here.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I got Mickey Mail this weekend but no tags for Magical Express. The CM I chatted with said no big deal just give our claim tickets to the ME people and it will not be a problem. Has anyone had luck going it this way or have smother suggestion.

DME tags/documents come in a completely different envelope from the WDW paperwork.

 

[SkywayGuy]

Just out of curiousity, I went to Disney's website today for our trip dates 5/26-6/1 for POR and it comes up SOLD OUT (nothing available), so I wonder if it really is or if other websites have the availability. I've never seen the whole resort being "not available for your dates". Glad we have reservations. Would there be a chance that they are overbooked and they would have to move people to another resort? I'd hate to have to go to another resort but if they would upgrade us to a deluxe, I wouldn't balk at that (we have two groups in our party, so two room reservations)

Keeping fingers crossed we don't get "bumped" to another resort if they have overbooked. I really am looking forward to staying here again (we stayed in 1995 when it was Dixie Landings)

Disney just announced a 24 hour MK park opening on the 24th, and that is memorial day weekend as well. It's gonna be packed! We check out on the 24 and so will miss the hoopla, and I'm not really disappointed.

 

[germ539]

I've heard the resort has been very full recently, at pretty close to 100% capacity for several months, and it looks to be staying that way through until June at least. Popular place!

Andre

Andre, have you ever heard of them overbooking and having to move people? If so, where would they move someone to?