how to request Alligator Bayou?

[twitherite]

We have reservations at Port Orleans Riverside. Our check in date is on September 23rd, only 15 days away!! I would like to request the Alligator Bayou section. Any tips on the best way to ensure we get what we request? Can I request this when I do the online check-in prior to arrival or is it best to call Disney direct?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[aubriee]

I always have the CM add any room requests at the time of booking, but you can call anytime. Supposedly rooms are assigned about three days out though, so I'd do it soon. If your request is not met at check in, you can ask if another room is available that might be closer to your request and tell them you are willing to wait for it to be ready. Most CMs will try to accommodate you, but some won't. It's just luck of the draw. If room location is important to you, I would not do online check in. The only thing there for you to check is first floor, close to transportation, and if you need a port a crib or a fridge at a Value. Online check in is designed for people who don't care where their room is located. It just speeds up the check in process (most of the time--sometimes online check in line is longer than regular check in). If you may need to talk to a CM about switching your room around then use regular check in.

When we stayed at PORS the requests I had the CM note were first floor, AB buildings 14, 18, or 27. This was before they made those buildings preferred. When we arrived we had been assigned top floor Acadia House. I very politely asked the CM if there was anything available in AB. She went to the back for a few minutes, then came back and offered a first floor room in either AB 18 or 27. We chose the one in building 18 and it was ready. As we were walking down that hallway past the lounge, Boatwrights, and toward the food court the family that had checked in beside of us, was right in front of us. They were fussing among themselves, that they were stuck in the mansions and how the CM checking them in wouldn't even look for a room in AB and just told them that no rooms were available and they had to take what they were assigned. That other room in AB 27 that we were offered would have been perfect for them, but their CM wouldn't even look.

 

[rao363]

I was told to call 10 days before arrival. At that time the resort should have you reservation and can make more specific notations for your requests.

 

[Belle5]

If you have five people in your party you will be given a room in AB automatically. I would definitely not get my heart set on staying there otherwise. If you are going at a busy time (free dining) those rooms will likely be booked for families of five. Unlike the above poster, when we requested AB with a party of four our request (in person) was not granted. I would say that to get AB would be something that would be a bonus if you get it but to in no way expect it.

 

[aubriee]

I was told to call 10 days before arrival. At that time the resort should have you reservation and can make more specific notations for your requests.

Wouldn't do any good. The resort number actually goes to the central call center. The CM answers according to which number lights up on her screen. All they can do is add a request to your ressie. If you call now that same person can add the request now.

For example the number listed for PORS is 407-934-5000. For Saratoga Springs the number is 407-827-1100. For Pop Century the number is 407-938-4000. I can call the PORS number to add a room request and five minutes later you could call the SSR number to add your room request. We could get the exact same CM. She would answer PORS when I called and SSR when you called because those are the lights that lit up for her. Have you ever seen the CMs at the resort answering calls? They don't have time, so all calls go to the Central Call Center and are dealt with there. For that matter if you call from your room, those calls also go to the central call center and then sent where they need to go.

 

[Costino1]

I been to POR twice and got lucky and got AB without even asking.

I love that area and will try to request it from now on.

I usually traveled with my parents who had a heart problem and a back problem, so I tell them that and they give us 1st floor always

 

[OKW Lover]

There is a simple way to do this. Just call the same number you used to make your reservation and have your request for AB noted on it. That's all it takes. No need to call the hotel (which won't do any good anyway) or fax (ditto) a request.

 

[nkereina]

A request gets added to your reservation, so it doesn't matter when you call or add it. When are you going? Refurbishments start for AB at the end of October, which will cause some AB buildings to be shut down. But if you aren't picky about which building you're in, I don't think you will have a problem. Also, if you are a party of 5, you will be automatically placed in AB.

If you have control over your arrival time, arriving early could help a little - if you aren't in AB, you can ask the CM if there is a room in AB you can be placed in, and he or she can switch things around if its available.