Disney's PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER RESORT Information & Questions

[rinnythepooh]

Ugh, this "direct-to-room" thing is suddenly making me reconsider not going to a park on arrival night! I figured by the time I got there and got checked in, it would be too late to be worth the bother, but... But I swore after my first trip that I would never ever ever go to MK on a Saturday ever again, and I can't believe I'm stupid enough to even consider it. But, if I got there early enough and didn't have to wait to check in... No! Stick to the Plan! (Where's a smiley for slapping myself when I need it?)

Regardless of whether I use it, I am curious to read people's experiences with direct-to-room.

I also would like to hear more about direct to room. On our last two trips, with fastpass plus we were able to go to Epcot the day we got in and get on Sorin and a couple of other rides then enjoy World Showcase and have dinner there. It was most enjoyable. We will do it again. We did try MK one time the day we got in and I agree with you, never again, will leave that one for early opening.

 

[dansdad]

I also would like to hear more about direct to room.

Here's a good description of it from the test they ran last summer.

To participate in the Direct to Room check in, visitors must first complete a number of steps to set up their online Disney profile, including creating a My Disney Experience account, linking their hotel reservation and ordering MagicBands.

Prior to arrival, participants must use Disney's online resort check-in system and pay for any outstanding balance due on their reservation. In addition, participants have up to one hour before their anticipated arrival time to leave a credit card on file in the check-in process to cover any room charges.

Once participants complete this check-in process, they just wait for an e-mail and/or text message (depending on the notification preferences set up during check-in) that notifies them that their room is ready, and provides the room number. The MagicBand device acts as the room key, so there is no need to go to the hotel lobby before heading to the room.

If participants opt to receive an e-mail notification, the message includes a copy of the resort map marked with room number maps. Those who opt only for text message notifications receive a message that says simply, "Your room number XXXX is ready," and invites them to go directly to their room.

 

[buzznina]

With the excellent luck that we have had with getting our faxed in requests met, I will be trying this. We do not have to worry if our room will be ready, since we always arrive late so I know our room will be ready. BUT; not until they can fix their online payment program, I always use Target $50 GCs to pay off our RO reservation and do not want it to get billed to my CC on file. I know I can call in and make the $50 payments, but it is a bit of a pain for both myself and the CM and it has been easier to do it at check-in. But on our last trip in December, I was able to use the online payment option and entered all of my GCs in about 15 minutes

 

[Kay7979]

We just checked in today after transferring from Boardwalk Villas. I had booked a standard view but they gave us a first floor room in building 5 that has a beautiful garden view and is at the end of 5 very close to the main building. This is a super location. I'm very pleasantly surprised.

 

[pooh2001]

so cool an upgrade
maybe it is low season and better rooms are available
congrats !

We just checked in today after transferring from Boardwalk Villas. I had booked a standard view but they gave us a first floor room in building 5 that has a beautiful garden view and is at the end of 5 very close to the main building. This is a super location. I'm very pleasantly surprised.

 

[NewmanFamily6]

I love the idea of bypassing check in to go straight to the room. It does have some possible problems though like if the keys don't work when you try to enter, the room isn't anywhere close to where you had requested, or you were supposed to have connecting rooms but they aren't anywhere close. There will be kinks requiring trips to the desk so I do not think they can cut back on desk employees. Currently, people have issues with the bands not working properly for room doors, park tickets, and meal plans.

 

[MrsForeverEeyore]

How would the "direct to room" work in regards to faxing in requests? Would you still recommend faxing in the request as before?

 

[ChrisNY2]

I'm so happy to hear about the direct-to-room checkin. Check-in always takes SO LONG! No matter how I say "Oh yes, I've stayed here several times," they insist on describing the map, the activities, etc. And then typing, and typing, and typing on their computer.

 

[andrewilley]

I've heard from a guest arriving early next week who has already had their email confirming the direct-to-room option. It looks like this will be the default message sent out to all qualifying guests (i.e. those who have received their magic bands, and completed the full online checkin process) although as I said you can always still go to the lobby if you want. Hopefully the queues will be shorter too, as not so many guests will be checking in at the lobby.

My contact at the resort has said they will probably no longer pre-prepare named welcome packs for all of the guests who get these emails, as they found many were not being collected and it was becoming both time-consuming and wasteful. They will make packs up for people immediately if they do choose to use the front desk. There are now in-room welcome information packs anyway, and you no longer need a personalised Key to the World card as you'll have received your magic band in advance, so I can certainly see his point.

Apparently the information message that will be sent out just before arrival is going to contain a bit more info than the trial version did too.

Andre

 

[Denis Lane]

I have 2 rooms reserved for this December, my mom and 2 nephews in 1 room and my wife and I, my sister and niece in the other room. I had to do 2 separate reservations, but want to ensure everything is under me, so i can put all charges on my card, etc.. Is that possible? Has anyone had problems with 2 reservations and getting things to link? Will we be able to use any magic bands to open the 2 room doors or only those in each room able to open their own door?

 

[dansdad]

I have 2 rooms reserved for this December, my mom and 2 nephews in 1 room and my wife and I, my sister and niece in the other room. I had to do 2 separate reservations, but want to ensure everything is under me, so i can put all charges on my card, etc.. Is that possible?

Yes, it is possible to have the same credit card on 2 rooms for charging purposes.

Has anyone had problems with 2 reservations and getting things to link?

There were reports or issues with linking 2 reservations in the very early stages of MDE but they seemed to have gotten their act together lately.

Will we be able to use any magic bands to open the 2 room doors or only those in each room able to open their own door?

No. Your MB will only be able to open the door to the room you are registered in.

 

[andrewilley]

No. Your MB will only be able to open the door to the room you are registered in.

I would have thought it should be possible to request an additional old-style Key to the World card for the other room, which I believe can be enabled in conjunction with their magic bands, which should solve the problem of accessing the other room. Or just get connecting rooms.

Andre

 

[dansdad]

I would have thought it should be possible to request an additional old-style Key to the World card for the other room, which I believe can be enabled in conjunction with their magic bands, which should solve the problem of accessing the other room. Or just get connecting rooms.

Andre

Yes, getting the old KTTW card will solve the issue.

 

[rinnythepooh]

I've heard from a guest arriving early next week who has already had their email confirming the direct-to-room option. It looks like this will be the default message sent out to all qualifying guests (i.e. those who have received their magic bands, and completed the full online checkin process) although as I said you can always still go to the lobby if you want. Hopefully the queues will be shorter too, as not so many guests will be checking in at the lobby.

My contact at the resort has said they will probably no longer pre-prepare named welcome packs for all of the guests who get these emails, as they found many were not being collected and it was becoming both time-consuming and wasteful. They will make packs up for people immediately if they do choose to use the front desk. There are now in-room welcome information packs anyway, and you no longer need a personalised Key to the World card as you'll have received your magic band in advance, so I can certainly see his point.

Apparently the information message that will be sent out just before arrival is going to contain a bit more info than the trial version did too.

Andre

Do you know if the bounce back offer will be in the in room welcome packet?

 

[andrewilley]

Do you know if the bounce back offer will be in the in room welcome packet?

Normally, bounceback leaflets are put in the room by mousekeeping.

Andre

 

[buzznina]

I love the idea of bypassing check in to go straight to the room. It does have some possible problems though like if the keys don't work when you try to enter, the room isn't anywhere close to where you had requested, or you were supposed to have connecting rooms but they aren't anywhere close. There will be kinks requiring trips to the desk so I do not think they can cut back on desk employees. Currently, people have issues with the bands not working properly for room doors, park tickets, and meal plans.

With both of the issues you stated, you will be able to know in advance to arriving, when they email you the room number(s), whether its a location you like or the rooms are not close together. If it does not match what you hoped for , then you know the first stop will be the front desk and you save yourself a trip.

 

[rinnythepooh]

Normally, bounceback leaflets are put in the room by mousekeeping.

Andre

In November 2014 it was in the welcome booklet they gave us at the front desk when we checked in. I just don't want to miss it if we do the direct to room on our next trip.

 

[Belle61513]

Question about King Rooms...
We paid the upgrade for a king room, but want to request building 4. When we were last in bldg 4, we had 2 queens.

So: are there king rooms actually in bldg 4? I don't want to ask for something that doesn't actually exist.

 

[siskaren]

Check the interactive map at http://www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php.

 

[buzznina]

In November 2014 it was in the welcome booklet they gave us at the front desk when we checked in. I just don't want to miss it if we do the direct to room on our next trip.

When we went this past December, mousekeeping was suppose to leave it in the room but did not. When I went to the front desk to ask about it, they said they do not have them anymore and that they would call mousekeeping to drop one off. Well; after asking the 2nd day, I found a mousekeepers cart and grabbed one for myself. Never did get one dropped off You can always call the BB offer line ext. 8844 and they will verbally tell you.