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

[Venomhatch]

Originally Posted by cheryterese

My husband just called to add my birthday to our reservation and to add a room request of bldg 16 or 17. When he got off the phone he told me the CM told him he put down a request for bldg 14 (a preferred room, which we didn't pay for - did garden view) or Oak (which we can't stay in because we have 5 people!) so it seems like the CM didn't really know what he was doing, doesn't it? Neither one of those requests woud be valid. I'm frustrated with both him and my husband!

Id like to see what I can do to help, PM me and let see what we can do. I am a little confused reading this but if you want to PM me and explain if most detail you want I will see.

[danicaca]

Originally Posted by 5mouseketeersforus

32 days & counting!!

We have a bit of a dilemma - at least in my mind; wondering if there is anything we can do?

We did the big Disney reveal for the kids on Christmas morning. BIG mistake. There was too much excitement for them to really absorb it so not the huge reactions i was hoping for. Anyway, fast forward to yesterday and everyone is jumping up & down as I start sharing little bits of info. I mentioned that the 3 younger kiddos (see sig) will get a little button since it is their 1st visit. The older 2 are feeling left out of the magic of that . They have been before but they were both so young that they don't really remember anything - unless we show them the pics as proof LOL

Yes, they are older but at 9 & 11: they are still just kids.

What does the DIS say??

We had kind of the same issue on our last trip. Although it was both DH and my 4th trip to WDW, our girls had never been. We put on our ressie that it was their 1st trip, and when we arrived, there were buttons for all of us! We tried giving them back, but the CM said "Well, it is your first trip all together, right?" We wore the buttons the entire trip... I really don't think anyone would care. It is not like to get anything special for it, like freebies that might make you feel guilty! We got a lot of "Welcome!" and "Glad you are here!" from the CM's.

In other news, saved $762 yesterday by applying the Visa discount! Also added a request for Oak, closest to main bridge. We have booked standard, but maybe with the savings, will upgrade to River to make this more of a possibility? Any thoughts? I certainly don't expect to be upgraded for free, but a little pixie dust would be great!

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by wdwmaw

The bldg is confusing looking at your map. But here is what I see (D) 2801, (A) 2816, (B) 2817, and (C) 2831. If these don't sound right I will run back over there ... I am going to double check because your map didn't look like the bldg. layout, could be me though.

Thanks for the quick reply. I think my basic layout is correct, but of course you're there and I'm not. I've been cross-referencing several sources including my own photos, the resort handout maps, and satellite images (plus a PDF document I received a while back, but which sadly seems somewhat inaccurate in a number of places).

Here's a satellite view of the building, which does seem to match with what I had worked out, and my revised plan based on your message:





As you can see, all of your supplied numbers fit in perfectly with the standard "counter-clockwise" numbering system of Alligator Bayou, with the one exception of the room we called 'C', which I think should be 2832 not 2831. Does that now fit with what you see on the ground?

Thanks again for the help, and sorry if you got wet in the process! (No prizes for guessing what my Xmas break project has been by the way )

Andre

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by melissarose

Thanks venomhatch! I asked Andre because someone suggested he might know! But I appreciate anyone's response

Not being a Mac person I couldn't be sure of the answer, but this photo might help give you an idea of scale:



As you can see, the safes are pretty small. It might be a squeeze to get two (even small) laptops in there. We managed with two 10.1" Samsung tablets by the way.

Andre

[Venomhatch]

Remember the top area inside goes up a little more than the opening of the door! I seen friends put one 13 MacBook in there once. I believe maybe two would make it but there would be very little room left.

Oh and your finally getting around to room number labeling alligator bayou area huh?

[teacher31]

So excited to be returning to POR for 10 nights this May! Our last stay there was prior to the refurb and was less than magical. Between the handle on the faucet coming off and the door to the fridge falling off, I would say it was more than due. Can't wait for the quiet pools, pasta bar and the beautiful landscaping! 148 more wake ups!

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by Venomhatch

Oh and your finally getting around to room number labeling alligator bayou area huh?

Yup. I've had the old Magnolia Bend buildings layout on the site for ages, but I'm finally getting round to fully mapping AB and FQ too (and updating the MB ones to match the new style). I'm trying to make this as correct and definitive as possible.

Once you get the basic configuration sorted out, it's not too hard to cut'n'paste large chunks to create each new building. The AB lodges, for example, are all made up from four square blocks of eight rooms, with two sets at right-angles to each other. Only the placement varies, and room numbers just go counter-clockwise around the perimeter. Then add the stairs, and a duplicate layer with +32 room numbers, for the upper floor.

Still a way to go yet, but MB and AB are pretty much done now, and FQ is about half way there. I hope people will find it useful once it's done, as we get a lot of questions on the subject here.

Andre

[princessand2princes]

Originally Posted by lillykat

I didn't use amazon prime but last trip DD#2 turned one ( we stayed at the poly). I shipped a med size uhaul box ground with fedex. It was about 25 lbs (diapers, wipes, swimmies, disposible placemats, take and toss cups and silverware and santizing wipes. ) Cost about $17 or $18. You can price it right on their site if you know weight and size of box. Shipped it on the Friday a week before our Sat arrival. It was signed for on wed night and waiting in our room with our bags from ME. We also did garden grocer for milk, yogurt, bottled water, juice boxes, snacks and breakfast. So easy when you have little ones. I didn't want to ship food bc I wasn't sure if it would arrive okay. Would do it again if I had things I didn't want to bring home again. So easy and cheaper than brining an extra bag depending on airline.

Thanks lillykat. I'm conflicted whether to just order diapers from Amazon, or ship a box of things. I had better make up my mind soon as we leave in 2 weeks! Thanks for your input

[Venomhatch]

Originally Posted by andrewilley

Yup. I've had the old Magnolia Bend buildings layout on the site for ages, but I'm finally getting round to fully mapping AB and FQ too (and updating the MB ones to match the new style). I'm trying to make this as correct and definitive as possible.

Once you get the basic configuration sorted out, it's not too hard to cut'n'paste large chunks to create each new building. The AB lodges, for example, are all made up from four square blocks of eight rooms, with two sets at right-angles to each other. Only the placement varies, and room numbers just go counter-clockwise around the perimeter. Then add the stairs, and a duplicate layer with +32 room numbers, for the upper floor.

Still a way to go yet, but MB and AB are pretty much done now, and FQ is about half way there. I hope people will find it useful once it's done, as we get a lot of questions on the subject here.

Andre

Well keep up the good work!!! I use your site and suggest it to guests all the time considering staying at POR. Mapping the rooms reminds me of when I went to Washington DC and stayed in a Marriott Hotel there that just had underwent a remodel. They assigned me a room number that didn't exist.

[zy144622]

Will in room fridge hold 1 or 2 gallons of milk. I know we will need 2 but if they don't fit...I need another plan.

[LaniesMom]

Originally Posted by zy144622

Will in room fridge hold 1 or 2 gallons of milk. I know we will need 2 but if they don't fit...I need another plan.

Haven't stayed at POR since the re-furb yet but we stayed at CSR right after their re-furb in 2010 and we could only fit half gallons of milk in there. So if the POR fridge is the same, I'd say no. Andre or Venomhatch would know better than me.

[LaniesMom]

So excited to say my trip is now official!!
Bringing my 4 y/o DD and cousin (20-something) along for a birthday trip for myself. Got a Royal Room with the Disney Visa discount for May 5-10. I am beyond thrilled, as I have wanted to stay at every Mod and this trip will make my goal!

Trying to navigate things on here and plan in more detail now that Christmas is over. One question: Which building/area is closer to a bus stop? A RR in Parterre or Oak Manor? Was not going to make any requests but would love to be close to a bus stop.

[lillykat]

Originally Posted by princessand2princes

Thanks lillykat. I'm conflicted whether to just order diapers from Amazon, or ship a box of things. I had better make up my mind soon as we leave in 2 weeks! Thanks for your input

If you ship from amazon you will either have to leave diapers behind or find a way to get them home when they didn't come down with you. If you ship a box you can work out what you normally use in a day and add a certain amount extra to account for extra changes or illness etc. If you ship a box you can just ship whatever quantity of each item you need vs having say full packages of things and then having to choose to find room to bring it home or to ship it.

[tcherjen]

I love looking at the pictures of the resort. I think this will be the resort we stay at.

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by zy144622

Will in room fridge hold 1 or 2 gallons of milk.

You can fit a gallon carton in the fridge, but I rather doubt you'd easily get two in.

Originally Posted by LaniesMom

One question: Which building/area is closer to a bus stop? A RR in Parterre or Oak Manor? Was not going to make any requests but would love to be close to a bus stop.

Oak would be closest for the East bus stop. Both Oak and Parterre are fairly even in terms of getting to the South depot (depending on where in the building you end up - you need to be as close as possible to the bridge). See the map in the first post.

Andre