I've only gone and done it!.. POR here we come..

[uktivo]

Hi all,

I can't believe how excited i am and I still have just under a year to go.

We've stayed at CBR and ASM (movies)in the past but I've booked my family and I (Two girls 9 and 7 and of course the boss...) into the POR for May 2014. From the reviews I've read, I think we are going to like it.

We've never had Disney dining plan before, but have the entry level this time.

I'm a little upset that we have paid for a waterview room, thinking this is a preferred room but turns out not to be. I booked with travelcity (low cost Virgin agent). They have advised that the phrase "waterview" will soon become "poolview".
Is there anyway to get a preferred room booked ahead of our visit?

Anyway.. super excited. The children do not know about this and we aren't telling them until a few days before we go..

 

[soarin_over_nj]

Surprise trips are the best...my parents didn't tell me until the night before once! To change your reservation the best thing to do is to call Disney directly
1-407-WDISNEY...Happy planning!

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome....surprise trips are the best!

 

[uktivo]

Surprise trips are the best...my parents didn't tell me until the night before once! To change your reservation the best thing to do is to call Disney directly
1-407-WDISNEY...Happy planning!

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately, i called disney and they said as I'd booked through a 3rd party they couldn't help. I even offered to pay more money to them to upgrade me..

 

[Shaden]

Hi all,

I can't believe how excited i am and I still have just under a year to go.

We've stayed at CBR and ASM (movies)in the past but I've booked my family and I (Two girls 9 and 7 and of course the boss...) into the POR for May 2014. From the reviews I've read, I think we are going to like it.

We've never had Disney dining plan before, but have the entry level this time.

I'm a little upset that we have paid for a waterview room, thinking this is a preferred room but turns out not to be. I booked with travelcity (low cost Virgin agent). They have advised that the phrase "waterview" will soon become "poolview".
Is there anyway to get a preferred room booked ahead of our visit?

Anyway.. super excited. The children do not know about this and we aren't telling them until a few days before we go..

I think that's odd, since there is a Poolview category currently.

You can request a specific building or even room, before you arrive for you trip, check out the POR main thread here.

If you can get your reservation number from your travel agent, you can also call Disney and upgrade to a preferred room if one is available.

 

[uktivo]

I think that's odd, since there is a Poolview category currently.

You can request a specific building or even room, before you arrive for you trip, check out the POR main thread here.

If you can get your reservation number from your travel agent, you can also call Disney and upgrade to a preferred room if one is available.

I must be doing something wrong as I gave the customer service guy at Disney the booking reference and asked if he could ensure a preferred room and I was happy to pay for this. He said no, he could assist..

 

[Tink51196]

I must be doing something wrong as I gave the customer service guy at Disney the booking reference and asked if he could ensure a preferred room and I was happy to pay for this. He said no, he could assist..

I think the issue is that Disney agents may not be able to change booking arrangements you've made with a third party. As much as third party agents may seem appealing, I found that I am a complete control freak. I was more comfortable with calling a Disney agent, making a room only reservation, and contacting Disney direct with questions instead of working around travel agencies work hours, etc.

Is there any way possible to cancel your reservation with the third party and start fresh with a Disney rep... provided the cost is comparable?

 

[resablue]

I think the issue is that Disney agents may not be able to change booking arrangements you've made with a third party. As much as third party agents may seem appealing, I found that I am a complete control freak. I was more comfortable with calling a Disney agent, making a room only reservation, and contacting Disney direct with questions instead of working around travel agencies work hours, etc.

Is there any way possible to cancel your reservation with the third party and start fresh with a Disney rep... provided the cost is comparable?

totally agree, so much easier to call disney and get what you want

 

[ChristineOH]

You will love POR!

Go to portorleans.org and click on the maps. "Water view" is the same as "pool view." There are rooms that are "river view,' but that is not what you have booked.

The pool view rooms all overlook the quiet pools. Check out the maps and know where they are. Some are pretty close to the main building, but some are in the most remote locations. If you are driving, the more remote locations might work for you, because they're near parking. I don't know how you can add room requests to your reservation through travelocity, but read up in the POR thread for info if you'd like to fax a request close to your trip dates.

Even if you are in the further out locations, you will be close to a pool and bus stop. It's such a lovely place to walk around. Keep your eyes out for the river otters! My kids were so thrilled to see them.

 

[JennyDrake]

I think the issue is that Disney agents may not be able to change booking arrangements you've made with a third party. As much as third party agents may seem appealing, I was more comfortable with calling a Disney agent, making a room only reservation, and contacting Disney direct with questions instead of working around travel agencies work hours, etc.

Is there any way possible to cancel your reservation with the third party and start fresh with a Disney rep... provided the cost is comparable?

DITTO.

 

[glammadiva]

I don't know if I am using the correct terms, but Travelcity owns your reservation so that is why Disney Travel could not help you. Pool/waterviews are not automatically preferred rooms. Preferred means your room is closer to the food court and bus stops, not a view classification. Preferred rooms cost more. The 2014 packages/rates are not out yet. So you could end up paying more booking with Travelcity. I would keep an eye out for the 2014 rates and number crunch.

 

[LisaTC]

We had a waterview room and it was in the Mansion section (acadian house) It was very nice and very convenient. You will likely be close to the quiet pools if you have waterview or the first side room that can see the river, but not be riverfront.