Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part One (Please read first post for FAQs!)

[Venomhatch]

Originally Posted by joanzie72

If I were to schedule an ADR at 8am at Ohana's could I take the bus to MK and then mono it over to get there in time?

What time do the buses start running each morning?

You could... And you could take a boat from the pier. There is one that goes to GF and then Poly also. Monorails can be busy sometimes so go with whatever looks less busy.

[Venomhatch]

Originally Posted by andrewilley

(you may even find a bus will drop you direct to the Poly).

Andre

Umm I have never had a bus come from the POR to the POLY... Do you mean like their route changed and now instead of going back to POR they are going to POLY? They could also just go to a bus there at the station also for the POLY.

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by Venomhatch

Umm I have never had a bug come from the POR to the POLY...

Just thinking of those early-morning buses to get people to character meals. Never used one myself but I gather there is a service which can get you to places like Cape May Cafe, etc if you let the driver know which resort is needed. But that could be out of date info; buses at WDW are a black art, I don't think anyone fully understands them - even the drivers!

Andre

[Venomhatch]

Originally Posted by andrewilley

Just thinking of those early-morning buses to get people to character meals. Never used one myself but I gather there is a service which can get you to places like Cape May Cafe, etc if you let the driver know which resort is needed. But that could be out of date info; buses at WDW are a black art, I don't think anyone fully understands them - even the drivers!

Andre

Meant to say bus.

[shan23877]

It's been my experience that early morning bus drivers will sometimes offer to take you directly to where you need to go ONLY if you are the only family on the bus.

Twice last spring we had drivers (Epcot and DHS drivers) offer to take us to a resort if we needed when we were the only ones on his bus.

Of course they're not required to and the ones who do are the 'extra mile' types.

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by shan23877

Of course they're not required to and the ones who do are the 'extra mile' types.

LOL, yes they quite literally are!

Andre

[webstah]

Originally Posted by stephyarcouette

I am sorry that this is not specifically about POR but I find these boards overwhelming and I'm comfortable here! Can I ask about the dining plan? When we receive the bill, is there a total in dollars? Is there a max that we can spend for the meal to be on the dining plan? I'm mainly talking about table service meals. Is the menu restricted for those using dining plan versus cash or credit? Also tipping...help!!!!

Originally Posted by kelleigh1

Yes, you'll get a regular receipt with the actual $ total.

There isn't a limit on how much you can spend, although I believe there are some things that you can't order if on the dining plan, but those seem to be few and far between. Although, alcohol is a separate charge not included in the dining plan as are some other specialty drinks. But as for food, I don't recall ever coming across any food items that we couldn't order.

Tipping, you pay separately. Cash or credit card is fine for the tip. We preferred cash because then we wouldn't have to worry about the possibility of any additional unexpected charges on our credit card. And I'm pretty sure the receipts usually show the recommended tip amounts, so you don't have to spend your vacation doing math.

Unless you are on the Deluxe dining plan, appetizers are also a seperate charge. The regular dining plan includes meal, non-alcoholic drink (excluding some specialty drinks), and dessert.
You can see the details here.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/med...2013Dining.pdf

[LovingDisny]

I too have seen an early morning bus come by at POR that said "character meal" on the display screen instead of a park name. I did not see one on the morning that we actually had an early ADR though... of course
I will be asking about it when we arrive though, because we have a couple of breakfast meals scheduled on this trip. if the elusive character meal bus is not around on our needed day, we plan to take a cab.

[LovingDisny]

I just love seeng my ticker slide closer and closer to POR....

[BMC423]

Originally Posted by stephyarcouette

I am sorry that this is not specifically about POR but I find these boards overwhelming and I'm comfortable here! Can I ask about the dining plan? When we receive the bill, is there a total in dollars? Is there a max that we can spend for the meal to be on the dining plan? I'm mainly talking about table service meals. Is the menu restricted for those using dining plan versus cash or credit? Also tipping...help!!!!

Most servers will ask you if you are on the DP before you start your meal. Normally the things that are not included in the DP are alcoholic beverages, sharing apps(unless otherwise noted). If you have any questions about what qualifies. For TS you get an app, an entree, a dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage.

As far as the bill, yes you will get a dollar amount. You will have to give your room card for the bill and sign. IF you order anything that isn't covered by the DP you will see a total for that. If you have a credit card attached to your kttw card you can charge that to your room. If not you can pay the balance as you wish.

We normally add any extra charges to the room, but tip in cash. This works out well for us because we get points for the extra charges, and I can plan in advance for tips.

[momtwoboys]

which resorts normally share with POR for Magical Express?

[Venomhatch]

Originally Posted by momtwoboys

which resorts normally share with POR for Magical Express?

Last time a friend said it went POFQ, POR, then I believe SSR and OKW!

But it can change!

[SRUAlmn]

I know this was asked quite a few pages ago, and I don't think it was answered, but I was wondering the same thing, so I thought I'd ask it again.

Are you able to put multiple Disney Gift Cards on your room account? We've been saving for the past few months and have been buying gift cards every so often. Our family members have also bought us gift cards for holidays to help us save. Putting it all on our room charge would be SO much easier than juggling the different cards. Thanks

[MsHershey]

through iRun Disney for the Jingle Jungle 5k. I forgot to request that I would like a Mansion Room. Should I call back now and make that request or wait. We are going 11/8 - 11/16.

Thanks.

[j2thomason]

Originally Posted by SRUAlmn

I know this was asked quite a few pages ago, and I don't think it was answered, but I was wondering the same thing, so I thought I'd ask it again.

Are you able to put multiple Disney Gift Cards on your room account? We've been saving for the past few months and have been buying gift cards every so often. Our family members have also bought us gift cards for holidays to help us save. Putting it all on our room charge would be SO much easier than juggling the different cards. Thanks

I have done this in the past at Pop Century. I had three different cards & they just used each one until it was empty & then I ended up with one left over with a small balance. I LOVE that you can just go to Walgreens, CVS, etc. and get gift cards to help someone else have a more magical experience, or as a way to help budget your own trip.

I have a friend who I work with that took her children & grandchildren this week. She thought the dining plan was too expensive for her to buy for all twelve people in her family. Instead, she bought the gift cards and put the amount she allotted for each of them for their meals. If they went over, they were on their own. If they planned & chose wisely they had enough to buy all go their meals while they were there!