Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE Resort

[andrewilley]

I had, but someone has kindly provided the link. Thank you, anyway. Didn't know who "Andre" was.

I didn't know I managed to hide myself away so well... Perhaps I should post more?

Andre

 

[balletomane]

I didn't know I managed to hide myself away so well... Perhaps I should post more?

Andre

I apologize if I put anyone out in asking who Andre was. It is often difficult in reading 156 pgs of posts. I thought I would ask who Andre was to find the site and Marlyn kindly posted the link and I am grateful. Telling someone to read through all the pages to find the answer is not helpful. This board is not as kind as I remember in years past. Haven't been to WDW for 10 years since we lost our business in the flood we had in our area. Finally able to afford it and anxious to return to my happy place. Thank you to all the posters who are helpful and kind in their postings/replies.

 

[Ensusieasm]

I apologize if I put anyone out in asking who Andre was. It is often difficult in reading 156 pgs of posts. I thought I would ask who Andre was to find the site and Marlyn kindly posted the link and I am grateful. Telling someone to read through all the pages to find the answer is not helpful. This board is not as kind as I remember in years past. Haven't been to WDW for 10 years since we lost our business in the flood we had in our area. Finally able to afford it and anxious to return to my happy place. Thank you to all the posters who are helpful and kind in their postings/replies.

Sorry, for any misunderstanding. There is so much information in Andre's first post on this thread that I thought that was what you were looking for. I just went back up to see the link you mentioned that another Dis member provided, and what a wonderful site! Again, my apologies. Was not trying to be dismissive. I hope you enjoy your planning. It must be so exciting with all the new additions to the World. Glad you are interested in POR. It is a lovely resort! Enjoy!

 

[bigmac5]

That cost difference has always been justified by Disney for all the reasons that they have now mentioned in this survey as potentially requiring a 'resort fee' (Magical Express, magic bands, early access to the parks, transportation, free parking at the parks, etc).

But as I said, that won't stop them if they think there is a bit more blood to be squeezed out of us stones.

Andre

The ME, magic bands, early access etc was a magical part of Disney(in my head justified staying on site) even though I figured it was already in the cost. If I have to pay a resort fee then that takes away the magic and why not stay off property and get a bigger place for less with cheaper shopping and food close by. For me quite a dilemma because I love POR.

 

[spdGT]

How easy is it to get connecting rooms? I know the resort can't guarantee connecting rooms. We booked through a travel agent and she said she requested them. We have two royal rooms booked and are arriving in about 6 weeks.

 

[Luv2Run]

I just checked the going rates for B Hotel (located on Hotel Plaza Blvd, near Disney Springs) and for their best available rate for a Friday night (Captivating Queen room) is $169, not including taxes ($21.13) and resort fees ($27/night). So, the total for one night is $217.13 - and that's just for one person. Granted, there are discounts available (AAA, military/government employee, FL resident) but those are also available for onsite Disney hotels like POR, as well. Keep in mind, folks staying at B Hotel do not get DME, magic bands, and the 60-day FP+ window (they get 30 days instead), and the option to add the DDP.

I hate to sound like I'm jumping to Disney's defense, but I've stayed offsite, and as someone who has to fly down, and who is comfortable planning meals and FP+ experiences that far in advance, I much prefer staying onsite. Especially since from a cost standpoint, they're pretty much the same out-of-pocket, you just get more benefits when staying on Disney property. I would not scoff at a resort fee, but I would hope that those fees would go into resort improvements. Be it the rooms, the pools, the transportation, whatever. If they just blindly take more money, then I see that being a problem.

These considerations may not apply to everyone's situation, which is why we have so many options available to us for where to stay. If I were a large family driving to Disney and we planned to pack most of our meals, then I might consider staying offsite, but for the type of visitor I am to Disney World, staying offsite just doesn't make sense for me.

 

[tikkipoo]

Has anyone used online check in here recently. I don't know why the idea scares me to death (8 days to go and I am having my pre-travel panic attacks)

 

[MichellleH]

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere in here....but we booked a standard royal room and I want to know what is the best location I should request? We aren't a particularly picky family but an ideal room location would be nice if given the opportunity.

Corner? Ground floor? Idk lol

 

[dansdad]

Has anyone used online check in here recently. I don't know why the idea scares me to death (8 days to go and I am having my pre-travel panic attacks)

Can I ask what you're afraid of? There isn't a single con I can think of for Online Check In.

 

[tikkipoo]

I am afraid that our Magic Bands won't be activated properly and when we get to the park they won't work. Or something to that effect. (don't think I don't realize it is an irrational fear, but a still a fear)

 

[dansdad]

How easy is it to get connecting rooms? I know the resort can't guarantee connecting rooms. We booked through a travel agent and she said she requested them. We have two royal rooms booked and are arriving in about 6 weeks.

It is 100% dependent on occupancy and how many others have requested them.

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere in here....but we booked a standard royal room and I want to know what is the best location I should request? We aren't a particularly picky family but an ideal room location would be nice if given the opportunity.

Corner? Ground floor? Idk lol

That's hard to answer for someone else as it completely depends on what YOU like. Some people prefer ground floor while others prefer upper floor. Some people like close to the stairs or elevator and others like to further away. What would be your ideal room?

 

[dansdad]

I am afraid that our Magic Bands won't be activated properly and when we get to the park they won't work. Or something to that effect. (don't think I don't realize it is an irrational fear, but a still a fear)

By doing Online Check In you're not forbidden to stop by the Front Desk to check in. And just by doing Online Check In you are not guaranteed to be able to Bypass The Front Desk. All you are doing with Online Check in is providing them some basic information that they would normally get from you when you are at the Check In Desk. There really is nothing to fear.

 

[MichellleH]

By doing Online Check In you're not forbidden to stop by the Front Desk to check in. And just by doing Online Check In you are not guaranteed to be able to Bypass The Front Desk. All you are doing with Online Check in is providing them some basic information that they would normally get from you when you are at the Check In Desk. There really is nothing to fear.

I just did the early online check in. Do they take the rest of my resort balance payment? My husband's card is connected to the account so I'm not sure if they charged anything.

I requested ground floor, corner room. I don't really have an idea of what I would like/best location because I haven't been there so I can't even imagine.

 

[Marlyn]

I apologize if I put anyone out in asking who Andre was. It is often difficult in reading 156 pgs of posts. I thought I would ask who Andre was to find the site and Marlyn kindly posted the link and I am grateful. Telling someone to read through all the pages to find the answer is not helpful. This board is not as kind as I remember in years past. Haven't been to WDW for 10 years since we lost our business in the flood we had in our area. Finally able to afford it and anxious to return to my happy place. Thank you to all the posters who are helpful and kind in their postings/replies.

Ask away....that's what the forum is for!! If you have t been to WDW in 10 years, then you'll have lots of questions. So much has changed! Happy planning!!

Has anyone used online check in here recently. I don't know why the idea scares me to death (8 days to go and I am having my pre-travel panic attacks)

Online check in saved me when I forgot my credit card at home in 2014. My card was on file due to online check in so I was able to charge to room and not having my CC with me didnt end up being a nightmare.

 

[dansdad]

I just did the early online check in. Do they take the rest of my resort balance payment? My husband's card is connected to the account so I'm not sure if they charged anything.

If you booked a room only and there is a balance due upon check in, they will charge the CC on file for the remaining balance around 2 or 3 AM of your check in day. So prior to your arrival.

I requested ground floor, corner room. I don't really have an idea of what I would like/best location because I haven't been there so I can't even imagine.

Those are good requests. I would leave it at that and see what kind of magic the room assigner will have for you.

 

[balletomane]

If you booked a room only and there is a balance due upon check in, they will charge the CC on file for the remaining balance around 2 or 3 AM of your check in day. So prior to your arrival.

Oh dear. Just read this. I was hoping to pay the balance with my Disney gift cards. Any advice on what to do now?

 

[dansdad]

@balletomane I would call beforehand and use your Gift Cards to pay the balance. We do this all the time for the same reason as you.

 

[MichellleH]

@balletomane I would call beforehand and use your Gift Cards to pay the balance. We do this all the time for the same reason as you.

So they will charge the remaining balance on the hours prior to the actual physical check in date ...or the hours after i submitted the online check in? We don't get there until next month but I went ahead and did the online check in today which is 30 days in advance. Sorry I'm confused on this.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I am afraid that our Magic Bands won't be activated properly and when we get to the park they won't work. Or something to that effect. (don't think I don't realize it is an irrational fear, but a still a fear)

Online check in lets the resort your arrival time, which can improve your chances of having your room ready for you when you arrive. It also makes the check in process go faster. But in order to double check and make sure everything works okay, then stop at the check in counter and have them check the bands for you.

I just did the early online check in. Do they take the rest of my resort balance payment? My husband's card is connected to the account so I'm not sure if they charged anything.

We usually have a room only reservation with a balance due at check in. They usually charge the balance to the credit card on file before we arrive at the airport.

Oh dear. Just read this. I was hoping to pay the balance with my Disney gift cards. Any advice on what to do now?

If your credit card is charged then go to the front desk with the gift cards and they will remove the charge to your credit card. But as the previous poster said, just call ahead of time and apply the gift cards then. I did this for our last trip, calling two days before arrival.

 

[Wood Nymph]

So they will charge the remaining balance on the hours prior to the actual physical check in date ...or the hours after i submitted the online check in? We don't get there until next month but I went ahead and did the online check in today which is 30 days in advance. Sorry I'm confused on this.

They charge the credit card on your arrival day for a room only reservation, not when you do online check in.