Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[andrewilley]

The May Recreation Schedules are now up, see http://www.portorleans.org/news.php?first=280416

The main feature swimming pool hours are currently 9am—10pm, including the new children's Aquatic Play Area at Port Orleans French Quarter. The evening campfires will commence at 6:30pm this month and the Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 8:30pm, with both activities occurring on alternating days at the two resorts — Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday at Riverside.

"Ye Haa" Bob Jackson will not be at the Port on his usual nights of 20 and 21 May due to a wedding commitment in New York.

Andre

 

[mocame]

Does anyone know if POR (or anyone in Disney) has a computer set up where guests can access the internet, not through a smartphone. My husband needs to do a couple things for his business while we are there and can't really do it easily on a smartphone.

 

[Dittz]

duplicate

 

[Dittz]

I think you are talking about the family of the day at MK. To get picked for that I have heard you have to be to MK really early before they open. It is completely random too.

During our 2009 trip, we got picked to be family of the day at AK but we got to the park really early. We didn't plan on getting there so early for that, it just happened that way. I had briefly said "Hello" to a CM while waiting for the park to open and perusing the park map. He came back later and asked if we would like to be the family of the day. There was also another family picked and got to ride a vehicle with a couple characters (we didn't get to see it because we were finishing up our thing.) I don't know why we were chosen because there were other families also waiting there. I look at it as a once-in-a-lifetime magical things.

No I am actually talking about Royal Family of the day at Port Orleans Riverside. When they got off the magical express there were 2 cast members waiting for them with a sign that said "royal Family of the day" and had their last name on it and balloons. There was a fanfare when they entered the lobby too.

 

[dansdad]

I have a question about "the royal family of the day"

My cousin's family was this last year when her and her mom took her 2 youngest to POR. I was just wondering how this was chosen (if you happen to know). It is because they were the first family to arrive that day that was staying in a Royal room? Does it even have anything to do with the Royal rooms?? Or is it again just one of those randomly selected special pixie dust treats??

I have not heard of this. But maybe @andrewilley has some info.

 

[LONES]

I had never heard of this either, but it happened to us on January 12th this year! For us, we were "Family of the Day" over at POFQ. When we got off the magical express, there were 2 CM's waiting for us with a sign that had our last name on it, and a bouquet of balloons. They told us we were already checked in, and we could go right to our room. I mentioned that my parents were with us, and we needed to wait for them to check in. They said they knew they were traveling with us, and their room was ready next door, and they didn't need to check in either. We then went over by the fountains, and the CM took our picture with the balloons and gave us a magnetic frame. They delivered the picture to our room sometime the next day. That's really all there was to it, but I had never seen it happen before.

 

[Marlyn]

Does anyone know if POR (or anyone in Disney) has a computer set up where guests can access the internet, not through a smartphone. My husband needs to do a couple things for his business while we are there and can't really do it easily on a smartphone.

The Contemporary has a business centre. Last time we were at WDW, staying at WL, we needed a computer and WL didn't have one we. We had to go to the contemporary.

 

[AngiTN]

I had never heard of this either, but it happened to us on January 12th this year! For us, we were "Family of the Day" over at POFQ. When we got off the magical express, there were 2 CM's waiting for us with a sign that had our last name on it, and a bouquet of balloons. They told us we were already checked in, and we could go right to our room. I mentioned that my parents were with us, and we needed to wait for them to check in. They said they knew they were traveling with us, and their room was ready next door, and they didn't need to check in either. We then went over by the fountains, and the CM took our picture with the balloons and gave us a magnetic frame. They delivered the picture to our room sometime the next day. That's really all there was to it, but I had never seen it happen before.

Boardwalk does this too. And WL used to offer it for a flag raising, though it wasn't with as much fanfare.
Sounds fun

 

[Dittz]

I had never heard of this either, but it happened to us on January 12th this year! For us, we were "Family of the Day" over at POFQ. When we got off the magical express, there were 2 CM's waiting for us with a sign that had our last name on it, and a bouquet of balloons. They told us we were already checked in, and we could go right to our room. I mentioned that my parents were with us, and we needed to wait for them to check in. They said they knew they were traveling with us, and their room was ready next door, and they didn't need to check in either. We then went over by the fountains, and the CM took our picture with the balloons and gave us a magnetic frame. They delivered the picture to our room sometime the next day. That's really all there was to it, but I had never seen it happen before.

Thats pretty neat. So it obviously isn't attributed to the fact that they were in a royal room. I was thinking it may have to do with the fact that they arrived so early in the morning.. First guests to check in maybe?? Our family is all in canada, so flights tend to be early morning or late evening, we obviously choose early morning arrival and latest departure to get the most disney time in we can.

 

[starousse]

We're staying for two nights prior to a cruise 12/1-12/2. I had booked a preferred room, as it was important to be close to main building. Last night my husband received a special offer pin, so I called to apply to my reservation. It only allowed me to use with a garden room or royal room. I switched it over to the garden room because the savings was close to $140. I also put in a request for building 16 or 17. Was this a wise move? Of those of you who have booked garden rooms, were they okay? Thanks.

 

[AngiTN]

Thats pretty neat. So it obviously isn't attributed to the fact that they were in a royal room. I was thinking it may have to do with the fact that they arrived so early in the morning.. First guests to check in maybe?? Our family is all in canada, so flights tend to be early morning or late evening, we obviously choose early morning arrival and latest departure to get the most disney time in we can.

I really think it's just luck of the draw. Like they draw a name out of a hat, or just randomly grab a portfolio and that is the family of the day. Though I bet they wouldn't pick someone arriving at say, 11:00 PM. So time may have a factor in who is considered.

 

[Marlyn]

We're staying for two nights prior to a cruise 12/1-12/2. I had booked a preferred room, as it was important to be close to main building. Last night my husband received a special offer pin, so I called to apply to my reservation. It only allowed me to use with a garden room or royal room. I switched it over to the garden room because the savings was close to $140. I also put in a request for building 16 or 17. Was this a wise move? Of those of you who have booked garden rooms, were they okay? Thanks.

If you saved money then that's good...however, if you had wanted to be in the alligator bayou area, which is where preffered is, you may not get that with garden view. (Unless you have a party of 5). You may be in the mansions.
Also. In my opinion, a view isn't really that important to me in a moderate resort. I only think of view when at a deluxe. There are no balconies at POR, just outside walkways. The only time I see the view is when I'm leaving the resort room to go somewhere. Whereas at a deluxe I would sit out on balcony to enjoy the view.

 

[andrewilley]

The Contemporary has a business centre. Last time we were at WDW, staying at WL, we needed a computer and WL didn't have one we. We had to go to the contemporary.

Yes, it's basically only resorts with convention centers that have those sort of facilities (not sure if some DVCs do too?) Certainly Port Orleans doesn't anyway.

Andre

 

[starousse]

If you saved money then that's good...however, if you had wanted to be in the alligator bayou area, which is where preffered is, you may not get that with garden view. (Unless you have a party of 5). You may be in the mansions.
Also. In my opinion, a view isn't really that important to me in a moderate resort. I only think of view when at a deluxe. There are no balconies at POR, just outside walkways. The only time I see the view is when I'm leaving the resort room to go somewhere. Whereas at a deluxe I would sit out on balcony to enjoy the view.

Thanks for the tip. When I booked last night, the CM told me that the garden view rooms were in AB. We're a family of 4, but I really did want AB. I'm almost thinking maybe I shouldn't of switched it and held out for the probable discount that will be offered in the summer.
Historically, are preferred rooms eligible for the room only discount?

 

[Marlyn]

Thanks for the tip. When I booked last night, the CM told me that the garden view rooms were in AB. We're a family of 4, but I really did want AB. I'm almost thinking maybe I shouldn't of switched it and held out for the probable discount that will be offered in the summer.
Historically, are preferred rooms eligible for the room only discount?

I have booked preffered. I would have booked the summer discount but decided to get annual passes instead. I would have been able to get the summer discount on my preffered room. It was available according to me TA...but I got the annual pass discount instead.
I suppose it could change from season to season...you never know what Disney will decide.
If being close to the main food areas, and being in AB are really important to you...I would stay with preffered.

 

[princessemsmom]

The May Recreation Schedules are now up, see http://www.portorleans.org/news.php?first=280416

The main feature swimming pool hours are currently 9am—10pm, including the new children's Aquatic Play Area at Port Orleans French Quarter. The evening campfires will commence at 6:30pm this month and the Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 8:30pm, with both activities occurring on alternating days at the two resorts — Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday at Riverside.

"Ye Haa" Bob Jackson will not be at the Port on his usual nights of 20 and 21 May due to a wedding commitment in New York.

Andre

Thank you for posting this!! It helps to make it real...really close now!! So excited to head back to POR!!

 

[MlWinans]

I am going assume it is worth $337 to upgrade from Pop Century to Riverside?

Anniversary trip for just my Wife and I - 5 days 4 night - every aspect of package would stay the same. All I would do is upgrade to Riverside from Pop Century and the cost would only be $337 right now.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I am going assume it is worth $337 to upgrade from Pop Century to Riverside?

Anniversary trip for just my Wife and I - 5 days 4 night - every aspect of package would stay the same. All I would do is upgrade to Riverside from Pop Century and the cost would only be $337 right now.

Most certainly it is. POR is awesome.

 

[Ensusieasm]

I am going assume it is worth $337 to upgrade from Pop Century to Riverside?

Anniversary trip for just my Wife and I - 5 days 4 night - every aspect of package would stay the same. All I would do is upgrade to Riverside from Pop Century and the cost would only be $337 right now.

YES! It's worth it. That's a good deal. Go for it! It's lovely at POR!

 

[andrewilley]

I am going assume it is worth $337 to upgrade from Pop Century to Riverside?

In this thread, that's probably the answer you are most likely to get. But it is rather like going into an Irish pub and asking the drinkers there if Guinness is any good.

Andre