Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part Three --- NOW FULL / CLOSED

[wdwagain518]

Originally Posted by coffeecassie

Thanks so much for the info! I understand about being a picky coffee drinker. I've been a Barista for the last 13 years, and I have unlimited access to amazing espresso everyday at work. Disney is good at so many things, coffee, sadly, is not one of them.

very true! in case you didn't know-allears.net has a link on their dining page to places around WDW where you can get a cup of real coffee-not Nescafe!

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We're leaving in 6 hours!!!!!
So excited to see POR for the first time! Our plane lands at 1040, so I'm hoping we're there by about 1130, can eat lunch and head over to the marathon expo. Running my first 1/2 and am scared to death!

We put in our requests but hubby forgot to fax so they didn't go until last evening. Oh well! I'm sure there isn't a bad spot. We paid for prefered so I'm sure I'll be happy wherever we are!

[Canooknic]

Originally Posted by Momto2PrncChrmgs

We're leaving in 6 hours!!!!!
So excited to see POR for the first time! Our plane lands at 1040, so I'm hoping we're there by about 1130, can eat lunch and head over to the marathon expo. Running my first 1/2 and am scared to death!

We put in our requests but hubby forgot to fax so they didn't go until last evening. Oh well! I'm sure there isn't a bad spot. We paid for prefered so I'm sure I'll be happy wherever we are!

How exciting!! Have an amazing time - good luck with your marathon xx

[andrewilley]

Marathon answers post coming up...! For most of these though, please also see www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php

Originally Posted by samgminov

Now having read through this thread, I understand that I might be better off faxing in a request? Is it Venomhatch that could help me with this? At this point, I don't know whether to leave our request, put something in during online check-in or fax something? Or all three? Any advice would be very much appreciated. TIA!

Frankly, all three won't hurt. However, I do feel it's a good idea to put your basic requests into your original booking, just to get them logged. Then the next thing is faxing at 3-5 days out, which the room assignment people will at least read individually rather than just seeing your request alongside everyone else's on the computer system.

I don't see any harm in adding requests to your online checkin too - IF the system allows you to, that is. The old version had no free-format text box so you couldn't do much with it, and I'm not 100% sure how the newly upgraded system will handle it as I can't get it to work for me at the moment. But a fax is better as you can go into more detail.

Venomhatch seems to be this thread's guru of the faxed request and getting feedback. I suspect his PM box must be full to overflowing by now! I don't know exactly what voodoo magic he recommends but a lot of people praise him very highly for whatever black arts he performs...

Originally Posted by coffeecassie

I am staying at POR for the first time in May. Does anyone know if you can get extra coffee pods from the lobby or Mousekeeping?

Yes you can, they'll leave as much as you want.

Originally Posted by rebeccaariel

If we'd prefer two queen beds as opposed to a king, how would we go about requesting that?

You don't need to, all the rooms have two queen beds unless you have booked a King Bed room (it's a specific paid-for booking category, not a request).

Originally Posted by SRUAlmn

How do you have your dining reservations confirmed already if you're not going until July 8th?

The ten-day booking window for 8 July resort arrivals would have opened on 9 Jan.

Originally Posted by vicky33006

We are booked in a standard room for March 10-16 I am planning to call this week to make a room request. I know that we are hoping to stay in the mansion section rather than the AB section. Besides that, I'm just hoping to get as close to the food court as possible. How should I go about this request?

Just ask for a mansion building room, located as close as possible to the bridge over to Ol Man Island and the main buildings. A Preferred Location booking would not help you as those rooms are all in the Alligator Bayou section.

I doubt there's any point in asking for Magnolia Terrace over Acadian House as both buildings have some rooms near to the access bridge and some a good distance from it, just explain what you want (and send a fax 3-5 out too, if you wish).

Originally Posted by cerberus

So I just booked a Royal Guest room (no view) just wondering how far the walk will be to the food court and pool? The only other thing available would be a regular gardenview room 9not royal)...wondering if that might be closer for us???

There is a quiet pool between the two Royal buildings, so just a couple of minutes walk from most rooms. The main pool is a bit further, varying between about 3 minutes at the closest to around 8 minutes at the furthest. The Main Building distances would be about the same. I measured the routes a while back, and from the furthest room the walk to the food court door was only about 500 yards.

Originally Posted by kgoodb00

We are heading to POR June 15th-22nd. I booked a standard room since we are driving down and plan on driving to most of the parks. Also, the views don't really bother us. I was wondering where I should request. Even though we are a family of 4, could I request the AB rooms with the murphy bed?

Yes, you can request an AB room no matter how many are in your party, and as there are more of these than mansion building rooms you stand a good chance of getting one. Otherwise, the standard view rooms are all around the 'outside' of the resort (closest to the parking lots, see maps) so you might want to request a room not too far from the main building if you want to avoid a bit of walking.

Originally Posted by atisikitabasket

First Timer what are some must do or see at the resort? I getting to French Quarter a pain I really want to try the Beignets!!

Also is the request fax # the one that is in the blog if you select the link on page 1 about rooms or has it changed?

Yes, the fax number is in the first post of this thread. The walk to French Quarter varies depending on where you are located within POR, but from food court door to food court door is about 950 yards from memory. It's worth it anyway. Taking the ferry boat one way can be fun too.

Andre

[cerberus]

Originally Posted by cerberus

So I just booked a Royal Guest room (no view) just wondering how far the walk will be to the food court and pool? The only other thing available would be a regular gardenview room 9not royal)...wondering if that might be closer for us???

Originally Posted by andrewilley

There is a quiet pool between the two Royal buildings, so just a couple of minutes walk from most rooms. The main pool is a bit further, varying between about 3 minutes at the closest to around 8 minutes at the furthest. The Main Building distances would be about the same. I measured the routes a while back, and from the furthest room the walk to the food court door was only about 500 yards.

Andre

Thanks Andre, I think we will just keep our Royal Room then since it is only $100 more

[Venomhatch]

Originally Posted by andrewilley

Venomhatch seems to be this thread's guru of the faxed request and getting feedback. I suspect his PM box must be full to overflowing by now! I don't know exactly what voodoo magic he recommends but a lot of people praise him very highly for whatever black arts he performs...

Andre

Black Arts, VooDoo, seriously, its more like magic! Actually I keep my inbox pretty well maintained and have the admin here expanding my inbox so I can handle even more. I just enjoy coaching guests and helping them make their visits as magical as they can be!

Good Morning from Eastern US Seaboard! I welcome all PMs so samgminov, PM me if you need help!

[Kevin1281]

I need to pull the trigger soon with booking our resort. I've been set on POR for quite some time now, but still haven't been able to decide on a "view".

As I stated in an earlier post, a co-worker of mine told me I was silly to pay for a river view, if I was looking to save some cash wherever possible (which I am looking to do). He explained that a standard view is just fine. Having never been to POR I, obviously, can't picture what a standard view is. It sounds like we will likely be looking at a parking lot if we went with the standard. Is this the case? Is it unattractive? Would it be worth it to upgrade to a garden view? I know we are not going to be sitting in our room all day looking out the window at the view, but we will have an 18-month-old with us, which means we'll be back for naps daily. I just don't want to feel like we are in any old motel/hotel, watching cars in a parking lot.

Garden View - $13.50 more a night + 8 nights + 2 rooms = $216.00
River View - $36.00 more a night + 8 nights + 2 rooms = $576.00

That's the first time I wrote it out like that. After seeing this, river view is out. I know it depends on the individual/the family, but do you personally think the extra $216.00 is worth it to have a garden view, as opposed to a standard view???

[Cinderumbrella]

Here's my thought on the view (and I realize it may be unpopular here )

While looking out your window, you will see something, however, this is also the walking corridor for people to get to their rooms, mousekeeping and maintenance to walk through etc. It's not like at the deluxe resorts where you have a private balcony to accompany your view.

When staying value or moderate, I seldom have my curtains wide open to look out because I don't want people walking by to look in...

As for river rooms being physically closer to the main building, for me, all that goes out the window (no pun intended ) since the elevators seem to be in the center section of the buildings. If I am staying on a top floor (which is frequently a granted request of mine) I still have to walk from my room, wherever it is, to access the elevator to leave (ditto for coming back).

As always, this is my personal view, so your mileage may vary

[Missytara]

Originally Posted by Kevin1281

I need to pull the trigger soon with booking our resort. I've been set on POR for quite some time now, but still haven't been able to decide on a "view".

As I stated in an earlier post, a co-worker of mine told me I was silly to pay for a river view, if I was looking to save some cash wherever possible (which I am looking to do). He explained that a standard view is just fine. Having never been to POR I, obviously, can't picture what a standard view is. It sounds like we will likely be looking at a parking lot if we went with the standard. Is this the case? Is it unattractive? Would it be worth it to upgrade to a garden view? I know we are not going to be sitting in our room all day looking out the window at the view, but we will have an 18-month-old with us, which means we'll be back for naps daily. I just don't want to feel like we are in any old motel/hotel, watching cars in a parking lot.

Garden View - $13.50 more a night + 8 nights + 2 rooms = $216.00
River View - $36.00 more a night + 8 nights + 2 rooms = $576.00

That's the first time I wrote it out like that. After seeing this, river view is out. I know it depends on the individual/the family, but do you personally think the extra $216.00 is worth it to have a garden view, as opposed to a standard view???

I have had just about every view there is on property.

My last two trips with my traveling companions and their budget, we did standard view. We actually loved the location. We were at the rear of Acadian House on the end opposite the bus stop. However, once you walk the sidewalk over to the building, and walked along the building, you were in the shade.

The Mousekeeping staff was dropped off around 7:30 am every morning, but they were very quiet and respectful about guests who might sleep in. There was hardly any cars back there and we only (in 8 days) saw five people walk past our room. It was like our own private little area.

The walk to food court was maybe five or six minutes, and it was wonderful in the morning, to watch as the staff was getting ready for their various duties on property.

Now a few years ago, on a solo trip, I was blessed with a riverview room on the end of Parterre Place. There were only four rooms at that end and not once did anyone walk past my room - and I spent a lot of time at the resort. I wasn't 30 feet from the river's edge (first floor) and every night before I went to bed, I pulled my chair out in the alcove of the room door and watched the last few water taxis go by in the evening. It was a wonderful way to end the day.

I have had a few pool views that I thought I would enjoy, but it was actually noisier in the evenings than I thought.

Either way, the resort is beautiful. If there are things you would like to do for the additional money, I say stick with standard view. If you want to go for it, enjoy the riverview.

[ItsNotMuchofaTail]

Originally Posted by Kevin1281

I need to pull the trigger soon with booking our resort. I've been set on POR for quite some time now, but still haven't been able to decide on a "view".

As I stated in an earlier post, a co-worker of mine told me I was silly to pay for a river view, if I was looking to save some cash wherever possible (which I am looking to do). He explained that a standard view is just fine. Having never been to POR I, obviously, can't picture what a standard view is. It sounds like we will likely be looking at a parking lot if we went with the standard. Is this the case? Is it unattractive? Would it be worth it to upgrade to a garden view? I know we are not going to be sitting in our room all day looking out the window at the view, but we will have an 18-month-old with us, which means we'll be back for naps daily. I just don't want to feel like we are in any old motel/hotel, watching cars in a parking lot.

Garden View - $13.50 more a night + 8 nights + 2 rooms = $216.00
River View - $36.00 more a night + 8 nights + 2 rooms = $576.00

That's the first time I wrote it out like that. After seeing this, river view is out. I know it depends on the individual/the family, but do you personally think the extra $216.00 is worth it to have a garden view, as opposed to a standard view???

I do, and I did, LOL. I booked RGR Garden View in Nov. I wanted the feel of the resort, not the feel of the parking lot. I use Disney transportation, so I don't need to get to a car. My 9 year old has some special needs, and we frequently return to the room midday or later. I enjoyed walking to our room, which overlooked the fountain in Oak Manor. It felt much more vacation-y to me not to see the parking lot. I would do it again. Some people will tell you its not worth it at all. So, for them, its not worth it. Different strokes.

[RubySlippers]

Looks like POR is completely booked next weekend. We are coming in on the 18th and our friends called to book a last minute trip to join us at POR. They were told that there are no rooms available . They booked Saratoga Springs instead. 1 week.... WE CAN NOT WAIT!!!!

[Kevin1281]

Originally Posted by Cinderumbrella

When staying value or moderate, I seldom have my curtains wide open to look out because I don't want people walking by to look in...

That's what I was thinking.

[Kevin1281]

[QUOTE=ItsNotMuchofaTail;47154530]I wanted the feel of the resort, not the feel of the parking lot.QUOTE]

But, I'm also thinkning this! Ahhh. What to do?

[Kevin1281]

Is EVERY standard view a view of the parking lot, or just the majority?

[Venomhatch]

[QUOTE=Kevin1281;47154636]

Originally Posted by ItsNotMuchofaTail

I wanted the feel of the resort, not the feel of the parking lot.QUOTE]

But, I'm also thinkning this! Ahhh. What to do?

If I was at WDW I would not want to see the parking lot! I at least go with a Garden View!