Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part Three (NOW CLOSED, see 2014 thread)

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

I really love reading this thread, it gets me so excited for our stay in November. This will be our first stay at POR, I have put in a request for Magnolia Terrace, we are booked for a garden view. Just wondering what is the best floor to be on, or if it really makes any difference.

 

[littlelovebug]

We arrived at POR today, and even though the rain was quite a bummer, we've had lots of pixie dust! When we arrived at POR, a super friendly CM informed me that not only were our fax requests met (Top floor, Alligator Bayou, close to main building, with a fridge), we were upgraded to a preferred room (booked standard) in Building 14, and it's a corner room! I was literally giggling and jumping up and down with glee as I walked away from the counter! Lots of other magical moments, but I'm ready to get some zzzzzzzzz's! Thanks again to Andre, Venom and all the other people who contribute to this thread!

 

[Mom2Cody06]

Sent my fax in today for our upcoming stay. We leave on Friday and will be checking in on Sunday! I'm so excited I can barely sleep. Hoping for a mansion building but also told them a first floor room in Alligator Bayou would make us just as happy. Have to finish the window decorations as a surprise for my birthday kid. Looking forward to being at our fave resort in a few days

 

[mrsmomo]

Sent my fax in today for our upcoming stay. We leave on Friday and will be checking in on Sunday! I'm so excited I can barely sleep. Hoping for a mansion building but also told them a first floor room in Alligator Bayou would make us just as happy. Have to finish the window decorations as a surprise for my birthday kid. Looking forward to being at our fave resort in a few days

Were checking in Sunday to! I guess I should get on that fax request!

 

[Rainy29]

Anyone planning to decorate your window at POR for Halloween (or Christmas)?

I plan on decorating for my niece and nephews b-day for the first half of the trip then decorate for Halloween after that. I wonder if they make Birthday window clings?

 

[Patrickprincess]

I leave for port Orleans Riverside in 12 hours and will arrive early tomorrow morning.

 

[andrewilley]

Just wondering what is the best floor to be on, or if it really makes any difference.

Many people prefer the upper floors as there is no one above you to be heavy-footed on your ceiling. But not so good if you have any mobility issues of course.

Andre

 

[CBDisney77]

Only 16 days to go! We started planning at 180 days out and I can not believe it is finally almost here. Putting the finishing touches on everything and making (and remaking) my lists. From those who have been there recently - any last minute tips, tricks or things to bring? Our group is DD5, DD2, DH and I. I have been there many times before, but this is my first time as an adult and my first mod stay (stayed at All Star in high school). This is the first trip for both my girls. We haven't told them yet, but will be surprising them next week so we can do a short countdown. So excited!

We are 16 days out as well!! This will be our 6th trip with our DD4 but our first stay at POR.
Your girls will have a great time. One recommendation I would have is to pre-order disney photopass and stop at as many photographers as you can during your stay to capture all the great memories of your girls first trip! Also, if you are going to the Halloween party while you are there, I recommend dressing up it makes the party so much fun and you can get some great pictures. Hope your girls have a blast! I know it's been hard keeping the Disney secret.

 

[nat1234]

Were checking in Sunday to! I guess I should get on that fax request!

We check in Sunday as well. Looks like Sunday will be busy. Just got an email from Disney telling me our magic bands will be waiting for us when we arrive. One more shift today at work and we leave in the morning.

 

[alwaysdisney]

We check in Sunday as well. Looks like Sunday will be busy. Just got an email from Disney telling me our magic bands will be waiting for us when we arrive. One more shift today at work and we leave in the morning.

We are checking into the French Quarter on Wednesday. We are so excited.

 

[littlelovebug]

I posted last night about all the pixie dust we've been receiving...and then I found out my best friend's cellphone chargers were stolen from her room in Acadian House. I feel awful!! She went to the front desk last night and was told that they would provide new chargers if they didn't "show up" by this morning...

 

[Venomhatch]

I posted last night about all the pixie dust we've been receiving...and then I found out my best friend's cellphone chargers were stolen from her room in Acadian House. I feel awful!! She went to the front desk last night and was told that they would provide new chargers if they didn't "show up" by this morning...

That is absolutely weird. The charger cords... Dang I leave mine out in the open all the time, and never had a problem. I wonder if mousekeeping left the door propped and someone else helped themselves. I know they have propped one door and was cleaning the room next door at the same time. I have seen this first hand, a lot actually. I just hang the sign do not disturb on the door and they leave everything you need in a bag hanging on the door and if its not there when you return you can call down and they will send you another batch of fresh supplies. That way no one enters your room at all the entire time. Down side to this is no Towel Animals!

Sounds like we have to retrain mousekeeping.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

That is absolutely weird. The charger cords... Dang I leave mine out in the open all the time, and never had a problem. I wonder if mousekeeping left the door propped and someone else helped themselves. I know they have propped one door and was cleaning the room next door at the same time. I have seen this first hand, a lot actually. I just hang the sign do not disturb on the door and they leave everything you need in a bag hanging on the door and if its not there when you return you can call down and they will send you another batch of fresh supplies. That way no one enters your room at all the entire time. Down side to this is no Towel Animals!

Sounds like we have to retrain mousekeeping.

We had a similar experience at POR last year...only slightly different. We were gone for the entire day (went to Universal). While we were gone, they changed our room over to the RFID lock. Fine, we understand the need to come in and make some changes. However, when we returned home at about 8:00 at night, our door was propped open. We have no idea how long it was like this?! Called the front desk and they apologized but that was all. There was nothing taken, but the people doing these various things need to be more cautious. On the other hand, on our first day there when we left in the am, I left the room safe wide open. It contained a kindle, ipods, jewelry, and about $2000+ in Disney gift cards/cash. I think I was so excited to be there it just slipped my mind. I always lock it and have the key in my park bag! Anyway, by the time I noticed we were gone for quite a while. When we got back to the room, everything was as we left it. So, we were fortunate to have an honest housekeeper. Sadly, it is not always the case.

 

[Venomhatch]

We had a similar experience at POR last year...only slightly different. We were gone for the entire day (went to Universal). While we were gone, they changed our room over to the RFID lock. Fine, we understand the need to come in and make some changes. However, when we returned home at about 8:00 at night, our door was propped open. We have no idea how long it was like this?! Called the front desk and they apologized but that was all. There was nothing taken, but the people doing these various things need to be more cautious. On the other hand, on our first day there when we left in the am, I left the room safe wide open. It contained a kindle, ipods, jewelry, and about $2000+ in Disney gift cards/cash. I think I was so excited to be there it just slipped my mind. I always lock it and have the key in my park bag! Anyway, by the time I noticed we were gone for quite a while. When we got back to the room, everything was as we left it. So, we were fortunate to have an honest housekeeper. Sadly, it is not always the case.

Wow very fortunate, indeed! You are the first I have heard about the RFID incident. That is nuts!

 

[TooBoyz4us]

I leave for port Orleans Riverside in 12 hours and will arrive early tomorrow morning.

Yay!!!! Wishing you a MAGICAL vacation !!!

 

[TooBoyz4us]

We check in Sunday as well. Looks like Sunday will be busy. Just got an email from Disney telling me our magic bands will be waiting for us when we arrive. One more shift today at work and we leave in the morning.

Yahoooooooooooo!!! I hope the day flies by for you!

 

[TooBoyz4us]

Just had to share my excitement this morning...........

Made the final payment on our package this morning, so we are OFFICIALLY,OFFICIAL!!!
Were going to Disney World !!!!!!

(I was supposed to pay it off yesterday, but due to a deposit that didn't show up like it was supposed to , I had to wait and pay this morning. I was so nervous all night, that I got up and was calling Disney at 7:01 am this morning )

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Only 16 days to go! We started planning at 180 days out and I can not believe it is finally almost here. Putting the finishing touches on everything and making (and remaking) my lists.

From those who have been there recently - any last minute tips, tricks or things to bring?

Our group is DD5, DD2, DH and I. I have been there many times before, but this is my first time as an adult and my first mod stay (stayed at All Star in high school). This is the first trip for both my girls. We haven't told them yet, but will be surprising them next week so we can do a short countdown. So excited!

One of my co-workers brought his DDs last year for their first trip to DW. They were 3 and 6 at the time. Instead of going to the MK the first day, he and his wife decided to bring them to EPCOT for their first day. Their thought was that MK would be so overwhelming that the girls would be too stimulated the first day, and, by comparison, if they saw MK first they would think EPCOT was completely boring and lame. So, the fibbed to the girls and told them that MK was closed for cleaning that day and off they went to EPCOT. The girls loved all the rides, and exploring the countries and character spots. The next day when they went to the newly cleaned MK, they had a wonderful time. He says he would definitely bring little ones to EPCOT first.

Tom

 

[DonaldDuck77]

Just had to share my excitement this morning...........

Made the final payment on our package this morning, so we are OFFICIALLY,OFFICIAL!!!

Me too

Now just have to get MDE worked out for my in laws and hope MB and FP+ magically appear soon.

 

[katielafave]

One of my co-workers brought his DDs last year for their first trip to DW. They were 3 and 6 at the time. Instead of going to the MK the first day, he and his wife decided to bring them to EPCOT for their first day. Their thought was that MK would be so overwhelming that the girls would be too stimulated the first day, and, by comparison, if they saw MK first they would think EPCOT was completely boring and lame. So, the fibbed to the girls and told them that MK was closed for cleaning that day and off they went to EPCOT. The girls loved all the rides, and exploring the countries and character spots. The next day when they went to the newly cleaned MK, they had a wonderful time. He says he would definitely bring little ones to EPCOT first.

Tom

Interesting. We are doing MK the first day, it is the most recommended park for the day and I don't want to spend a whole day answering "where is the castle?". We are doing 6 park days - 3 will be MK.