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

[firstwdw]

I've been thinking about staying in POR for the first time this fall (I'm usually a Wilderness Lodge girl) and I know people really love POR. My only problem is the size of the resort. Are there multiple bus stops? If I wanted to stay close to the lobby, which building should I request? Do I have to book a special view or room category to be placed in a close building? Any help you could give would be great!

Our only other trip has been to WL last May and we just returned from our first stay at POR. We absolutely LOVED POR! We booked a preferred room and it worked out well. Yes, there are 4 bus stops but the savings to deal with bus stops was worth it to me. Plus, WL shared with other resorts when we were stayed there-the bus stops at POR are all close by so it's nothing like hauling it all the way to Fort Wilderness to pick up people. We loved the food court so much better than WL, thought POR's gift shop was better, arcade bigger and better at POR and the playground too(if you have kids) and the pool slide at POR was much longer and more fun too! Lots of pluses from entertainment in the lounge, several pools to choose from, fishing, boat to Downtown Disney, walking over to French Quarter and ability to use that resort as well.

I was worried after having fallen in love with Wilderness Lodge but we will be returning to POR for certain.

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks for the info, I will have to call back after I look at the map and pick a specific building.

Sorry, you can't pick specific buildings, only booking categories (standard, pool view, river view, etc). You can always request a particular building, but it's only a request and is not guaranteed.

Andre

 

[splashmtnfan]

Anyone?

Check to see what time the park opens to make sure you can make it by bus!

 

[Missytara]

Thanks for the info, I will have to call back after I look at the map and pick a specific building.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

You do not really want to specify a specific building, because they will not know why you want it. It is best to specify something like first floor, upper floor, close to transportation, etc. You narrow your chances considerably if you just say bldg. No.34.

 

[Missytara]

Check to see what time the park opens to make sure you can make it by bus!

Parks buses begin running as early as 7 am for early morning ADRs; not just by park opening.

The transportation board has all the info on buses to the parks.

 

[lillykat]

We are leaving Oct 1 for a RR Garden View. Would love to hear your thought on the garden view room (was it worth it, ETC) Also any insight you can give on the best Garden View room location?

Have Fun!!

Just pm me around the 20th and it is no problem -happy to do it! I faxed a request in around 7 days before asking for connecting rooms, close to the footbridge and main building, and a 2nd or 3 rd floor room.

 

[ChristineOH]

I've been thinking about staying in POR for the first time this fall (I'm usually a Wilderness Lodge girl) and I know people really love POR. My only problem is the size of the resort. Are there multiple bus stops? If I wanted to stay close to the lobby, which building should I request? Do I have to book a special view or room category to be placed in a close building? Any help you could give would be great!

If you want close to the main building, you should book a preferred room.

 

[elfling8]

Finally finished up my trip report from last month! There are a couple of pictures of the resort and of our towel animals from mousekeeping.
Jealous of all of you heading out to POR soon - have a great trip!

 

[Shell54]

Finally finished up my trip report from last month! There are a couple of pictures of the resort and of our towel animals from mousekeeping.
Jealous of all of you heading out to POR soon - have a great trip!

Just checked put your TR. Your pics are great! We are staying in AB in a preferred room in Sept. for the first time. Were you in a preferred location? Your view was lovely.

 

[elfling8]

Just checked put your TR. Your pics are great! We are staying in AB in a preferred room in Sept. for the first time. Were you in a preferred location? Your view was lovely.

We weren't - it was building 38. When you cross the bridge from the main buildings, we were in the first building if you turn right, and I believe the preferred were to the left. Here are a few more pics just of POR.

In case anyone is wondering how big the fold down beds are, here is DD (average height, skinny 10 almost 11yr old)


coming in on the riverboat at night


pool early in the morning


mansions from across the way


The preferred rooms, I believe:


early morning on the way to breakfast


I think another view of the preferred bldgs (Andre and Venom please correct me if I'm wrong!)

 

[G719]

Just finished making ADRs. I got all the times I wanted. Yay! Now what to do for the next 180 days until POR?

 

[Missytara]

Just finished making ADRs. I got all the times I wanted. Yay! Now what to do for the next 180 days until POR?

Ah, that big gap between making ADR's and getting Mickey mail can be somewhat unbearable at times....

 

[brios86]

I made the mistake of not booking a preferred room and now it's not available for my dates. I am willing to pay for the upgrade if its available at check in. I would also love a corner room. Should I request both or just one? I'm not sure which I want more

 

[jennyjinx3]

Heading to the world in 2 days and hoping to book the Bounceback offer for our November dates at POR!! Fingers crossed it all works out!

 

[Missytara]

I made the mistake of not booking a preferred room and now it's not available for my dates. I am willing to pay for the upgrade if its available at check in. I would also love a corner room. Should I request both or just one? I'm not sure which I want more

If it is available, be advised you will most likely be paying full rack rate for the room.

Disney got pretty savvy regarding "requests" a few years ago at the moderates and turned them into booking categories. Preferred rooms book up pretty fast. I would suggest checking 44 days out from check-in, when people don't pay off their packages and cancel or reschedule. One may become available.

Corner room is a request that you can make.

 

[deerez]

When and how do I do an online check in, we will be arriving here on june 22. Also, do they have luggage racks here? And is there a late check out, we cant leave till early evening on the last day and were thinking of hanging out at the pool till its time to go, not sure if late check it available, if I have to pay, etc

 

[brios86]

If it is available, be advised you will most likely be paying full rack rate for the room.

Disney got pretty savvy regarding "requests" a few years ago at the moderates and turned them into booking categories. Preferred rooms book up pretty fast. I would suggest checking 44 days out from check-in, when people don't pay off their packages and cancel or reschedule. One may become available.

Corner room is a request that you can make.

I'm booked with free dining so I'm already paying rack rate technically. I'll keep on checking. Thanks!

 

[Missytara]

When and how do I do an online check in, we will be arriving here on june 22. Also, do they have luggage racks here? And is there a late check out, we cant leave till early evening on the last day and were thinking of hanging out at the pool till its time to go, not sure if late check it available, if I have to pay, etc

You can do online check in by logging into the Disney website and go into My vacation.

They don't have luggage racks; there is a bench in the room where you could layout a suitcase.

There is late check-out available as long as there is availability; Housekeeping will have to let you know whether there is that day. I normally don't leave until around 5 pm, but I go ahead and check-out in the morning and hang around the pool every year. Your benefits are good until midnight of the day you check out, including the pool. They have lockers and changing areas, so you can change before you leave and don't have to pay the extra money.

 

[Missytara]

I'm booked with free dining so I'm already paying rack rate technically. I'll keep on checking. Thanks!

Ah, that is going to be tough. Free dining; preferred buildings in AB for families of 5.

They book up very fast; since a family of 5 makes out great with free dining and those with young children like to be close to the food court and the pool.

Keep your fingers crossed that someone happens to cancel and you can snatch it up before someone else does.

 

[SHOREDAD]

Ah, that is going to be tough. Free dining; preferred buildings in AB for families of 5.

They book up very fast; since a family of 5 makes out great with free dining and those with young children like to be close to the food court and the pool.

Keep your fingers crossed that someone happens to cancel and you can snatch it up before someone else does.

I don't have free dining going too early in august. My question is about preferred rooms for a family of 5. We booked a preferred room at POR. You are saying they are in the Alligator Bayou section? Also are these the ones with the pull-down beds? And one more ?, if we arrive around 9 or 10PM will we get bumped from the preferred room? I will do online check-in.
Thanks!