Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[halssister]

Do the rooms in AB have somewhere in the bathroom area to hang swimsuits to dry? Like one of the retractable limes that stretch across the bathtub area? I don't recall from our last trip. DS and I both hate to put on wet suits, so we bring multiple suits and I'm trying to figure out if I need to bring hangers or anything to hang them on to dry. Thanks!

 

[halssister]

Regarding online check in - I've searched around the boards and can't find the answer to this, maybe someone here knows.
We plan on paying for the balance of our room (plus some food etc) entirely with Disney Visa rewards dollars. When we did this on our previous trip, we gave them the rewards card at check in and they used that for the balance. If we do online check in, is there a way to link the rewards card to our account at that time, to be used as payment for the room? I'm worried that if we give a credit card for online check in, that will end up getting charge ahead of time and we will have to mess around to have them switch the charges to be paid with the rewards points instead.

 

[siskaren]

Do the rooms in AB have somewhere in the bathroom area to hang swimsuits to dry? Like one of the retractable limes that stretch across the bathtub area? I don't recall from our last trip. DS and I both hate to put on wet suits, so we bring multiple suits and I'm trying to figure out if I need to bring hangers or anything to hang them on to dry. Thanks!

As far as I know, all rooms at all Disney resorts have this feature. At least, all of the resorts I've stayed at have had it, and I've stayed at POR twice.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Do the rooms in AB have somewhere in the bathroom area to hang swimsuits to dry? Like one of the retractable limes that stretch across the bathtub area? I don't recall from our last trip. DS and I both hate to put on wet suits, so we bring multiple suits and I'm trying to figure out if I need to bring hangers or anything to hang them on to dry. Thanks!

Yep. We use it every trip. You could also go hillbilly and hang the stuff over the railing outside the room. But I don't advise this.

 

[halssister]

As far as I know, all rooms at all Disney resorts have this feature. At least, all of the resorts I've stayed at have had it, and I've stayed at POR twice.

Yep. We use it every trip. You could also go hillbilly and hang the stuff over the railing outside the room. But I don't advise this.

Thank you both! That makes things much easier.
Yes, I remember seeing things hanging outside, and thinking that with my luck, if I did that they would walk away!!

 

[CareHeartsDisney]

Does anyone know if the onsite store sells cases of water?

If I remember correctly, the case of water was 24- 16.9 oz bottles for around $16.00.

 

[Lynzer4]

Regarding online check in - I've searched around the boards and can't find the answer to this, maybe someone here knows.
We plan on paying for the balance of our room (plus some food etc) entirely with Disney Visa rewards dollars. When we did this on our previous trip, we gave them the rewards card at check in and they used that for the balance. If we do online check in, is there a way to link the rewards card to our account at that time, to be used as payment for the room? I'm worried that if we give a credit card for online check in, that will end up getting charge ahead of time and we will have to mess around to have them switch the charges to be paid with the rewards points instead.

To use online check in you have to have paid in full and input a credit card. If you don't want to pay off the room before you arrive you won't be able to do online check in.

 

[halssister]

To use online check in you have to have paid in full and input a credit card. If you don't want to pay off the room before you arrive you won't be able to do online check in.

So does anyone happen to know if you can use the rewards redemption cards to pay for the room online? We have enough money on it to pay the balance (or we will, whenever we request the transfer), and I've heard it's easier to do online check in. If we can't, it certainly isn't the end of the world (hey, we're at Disney, at POR no less, there's nothing to stress about!!!), but it just seems a tad more convenient to do the online check in

 

[dansdad]

So does anyone happen to know if you can use the rewards redemption cards to pay for the room online? We have enough money on it to pay the balance (or we will, whenever we request the transfer), and I've heard it's easier to do online check in. If we can't, it certainly isn't the end of the world (hey, we're at Disney, at POR no less, there's nothing to stress about!!!), but it just seems a tad more convenient to do the online check in

I know for a fact you can call and pay your balance using the rewards redemption cards, not sure about online. So at least you know you can do it.

 

[halssister]

I know for a fact you can call and pay your balance using the rewards redemption cards, not sure about online. So at least you know you can do it.

Thanks! Sounds like a call may be in order either way, to clarify or to pay

 

[smidgy]

I was thinking we'd likely go two times. Maybe once to T-Rex and once to Raglan Road. We'd likely dine at the parks 2-3 times(looking at Boma or Sanaa, 50's Prime Time, and The Garden Grill) and maybe once at Trails End and twice(?) at Boatwrights.

Part of the appeal of staying at POR, would be to boat to dinner, it sounds so lovely and relaxing! Any issues I should at least be warned about before making a final decision? Will construction still be going on then? Will the river boats be shut down etc. Thanks for any insight!

I hope you realize that Boma and Sanaa are at the Animal Kingdom LODGE (resort) NOT the Animal Kingdom theme park. there is no direct transportation from POR to AKL> you would need to drive there, or take a bus to AK park and transfer to an AKL bus.. but remember ANimal kingdom park closes early most days, 5 or 6 ususally.

 

[smidgy]

Thank you both! That makes things much easier.
Yes, I remember seeing things hanging outside, and thinking that with my luck, if I did that they would walk away!!

not to mention it makes the resort look "tacky" instead of pretty.

 

[Kirby]

We just got back today from 8 days in a RR River view at POR. When we first arrived I was a little bummed about our room location, but they were very busy and did not have anything else available. We paid for a river view and technically we received a river view - but you can really only see the river in the Fall/Winter when some leaves fall off of the trees...lol...because right now it is more like an amazing garden/tree view room! I debated all week if I would say something as I was bit disappointed thinking I should have just paid for Garden View, but kept deciding against because everything else was so wonderful it was not important enough.

We had 2 family members who via a "Magical Moment" were upgraded to the Contemporary! We were very happy for them. But last night my DH's grandmother fell when they arrived back to CR (it was late - 11ish). My husband had to rush over and someone from POR Bell Services took it upon themselves to drive him there instead of having him wait for a cab.

I finally decided to speak with a manager because between all the amazing help they provided to my family to/from hospital etc - it was just too much and we wanted to make sure every one knew how appreciative we were.

It was such a great trip (DH's grandmother is a little bruised, black eye, and sore but will be fine) and all of the amazing moments over the 8 days and the support received last night makes you remember what is really important in a family vacation - and it is not a river view blocked by trees!!

And a quick note on the buses - while we did notice larger crowds this year vs same week last year - we had 0 issues with buses. Most we waited was 15 mins or so. I say we got a seat almost every time except once maybe. There had been more chatter than usual on this leading up to our trip - but once again - I was surprised for the better!!

So glad to hear grandma is okay.

I can understand about your disappointment on your room view. We paid for a river view in December and while we could see the river we also felt it was more of a garden view. But then we were so rarely in our room it didn't really matter. The room we got turned out to be perfect for us as far as location so it all worked out in the long run.

 

[smidgy]

we booked a garden view with the bounceback. we requested the mansion section.. not as dark. we, too , are hoping for a room with the river in the background instead of the parking lot. unfortunately, in the mansion sections. there are a lot of rooms facing those huge courtyards in the back. (esp. in oak manor and magnolia terrace, where the bldg. is shaped like the letter "H". ) they are still classified as "garden" view". that doesn't mean you won't have any sight of the parking lot at all. sigh

 

[Echo queen]

If I remember correctly, the case of water was 24- 16.9 oz bottles for around $16.00.[/QUOTE

That so funny when a case of water in real life is like $3.24. Vacation water is better, not.

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks! Sounds like a call may be in order either way, to clarify or to pay

I think the best thing to do would be to call and pay off the balance using your savings card at least a few days before you arrive, then there will be nothing left for them to charge to your logged CC on checkin day.

If you have any balance remaining on your savings card after the room has been paid for, the front desk can apply that to your room account, to be used for magic band charging purposes before they start on your CC.

Andre

 

[emmamomma]

Yes, 24 small bottles of Dasani I believe.

Andre

If I remember correctly, the case of water was 24- 16.9 oz bottles for around $16.00.

Thanks for the info. I heard recently they had cases but for that price i'm better off going with garden gracers and getting a few other things aswell.

 

[goofy4tink]

To use online check in you have to have paid in full and input a credit card. If you don't want to pay off the room before you arrive you won't be able to do online check in.

Nope, you can have an unpaid balance and still do on-line checkin. I did it just last week. My balance did get paid, via my Amex card on file, the morning I was to check in. So, yes, you can have a balance due and do on-line check in. But...if you're paying with points or credits, I would call before arrival and do it via the phone. Otherwise, they will tap into the credit card you have on file. You might be able to get a credit to that account when you get there and then pay with your Visa credits.

I had two wonderful nights at POR-RR. The girls (21 and 20) loved it. There was much squealing and crying when they walked into the room. We got Parterre Place...9226. Not a bad walk to the food court or buses. When we moved to OKW, we really missed POR!! It's such a beautiful resort. My dd knows one of the CMs there....so it was nice to see the two girls get together and laugh and cry and hug. This CM worked check in, so she was the one who left a very personalized message for us. We returned to our room to find a wonderful POR cooler full of special treats! It was so nice and unexpected. So wonderful there. Wish they had DVC there...I would buy another contract in a heartbeat.

 

[halssister]

I think the best thing to do would be to call and pay off the balance using your savings card at least a few days before you arrive, then there will be nothing left for them to charge to your CC which you registered during Online Checkin.

If you have any balance remaining on your savings card after the room has been paid for, the front desk can apply that to your room account, to be used for magic band charging purposes before they start on your CC.

Andre

Sounds like an excellent plan, thank you!!
I love having the Disney Visa.....we would probably never be able to force ourselves to save up enough for a Disney trip normally, but this will be our second trip paid for entirely in rewards dollars . At our current rate, we can probably do this every 4 years.....not as often as most people, but not bad for a "free" trip

 

[Shelly888]

I hope you realize that Boma and Sanaa are at the Animal Kingdom LODGE (resort) NOT the Animal Kingdom theme park. there is no direct transportation from POR to AKL> you would need to drive there, or take a bus to AK park and transfer to an AKL bus.. but remember ANimal kingdom park closes early most days, 5 or 6 ususally.

Yes, I do realize that...thank you! We would likely taxi home after dinner and take the bus from AK to the lodge.