Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part One --- NOW CLOSED

[adoptnky]

So very excited!!! DS and I leave today for a return trip to POR!!!! I'm running the Princess Half Sunday morning and can't wait to get my bling!

Kim

 

[nannye]

Not sure if Chelsea still does the Greeter role now. She was on the College Program at the time, and I believe she now works in merchandise - but these things can change regularly of course.



Call 1-407-934-6000 and ask to speak directly to someone on the room allocation team (remembering that your initial call will be answered by a central WDW switchboard, so you will need to get them to transfer you to cast members actually at the resort). Good luck with your requests.



There have been several posts with Murphy bed photos, but the Search Thread feature seems broken here at present, so it's hard to find them. Here's one for you anyway:

Andre

Thanks Andre!

 

[Missytara]

I wonder if this is true as I have 2 requests on my reservation?

Not to worry. Online check-in has absolutely nothing to do with fulfilling requests and anyone who says so doesn't understand how the resort/hotel industry works.

Online check-in just allows you to indicate a time of arrival and a credit card in case of charging, as well as requesting a few small items, such as a pack 'n play, refrigerator and close to transportation.

Fulfilling rooms requests have to do with the time of year, how busy the resort is, whether it is going through a refurbishment that takes multiple rooms out of inventory, overbooking at one or more resorts, maintenance issues that take a room out of inventory, people needing to stay an extra day because they cannot fly out due to inclement weather, people not checking out on time and having to wait to clean the room until later in the day, etc.

As you can see, those have ABSOLUTELY no bearing on whether you did online check-in or not.

 

[Missytara]

We have a dinner reservation for the Spirit of Aloha Show on Saturday 3-10-12, what is the best route to get there from POR and how long should we allow for travel?
I just discovered this board and we are all rookies, so I'm sure I will have a ton more questions in the next 2 weeks before we check in for 8 wonderful nights on 3-9-12.
Thanks

The quickest route will always be by taxi.

The second quickest route will always be by taking a parks bus that is closest to the resort. You should always allow at least 60 minutes for travel going this route. That takes into account if you happen to have just missed the park bus leaving POR and the resort bus leaving the park. In your case, you want to leave enough time to walk up to the monorail platform and catch the monorail, and go on the loop.

The longest wait would be to take the water taxi over to DTD and walk to the bus hub. However, these run sporadically.

I do suggest taking it back though. You are not relying on waiting for a connecting bus and the water taxi runs every ten minutes after 4 p.m. (the last taxi leaves at 11:00 pm). The buses from DTD run until around 2 am, but you have to make the big loop to the westside, so it takes longer.

 

[Missytara]

We check in in a little over a week. Is it better to do the echeck in?

Online check-in allows you to indicate a time of arrival and a credit card for charging. Your packet will be ready and it only takes a few minutes to check-in.

The CM will give you the first available room and it may not be what you want. You will ask for another room and they will have to reprint your cards.

Therefore, IMHO, it defeats the whole entire reason for online check-in. I always suggest if people have requests and they are adamant about getting them, it is best to wait and then reiterate your requests at check-in if you are not given a room to your liking.

So far, I have never done online check-in and have always consistently received my requests; most have been better than expected.

While online/regular check-in ultimately does not have any total bearing on whether they can fulfill them (there are other items that have total bearing on fulfilling requests and I have listed them in a posting a couple of items up the page), it seems that waiting at check-in offers you more of an option of "asking" for what you want, but you still won't necessarily get it depending on the extenuating circumstances as I noted in my earlier post. That is what really have a bearing on fulfilling requests.

That is something that most likely a person sitting in a Central Call Center would not be able to "understand" in the large scheme of things. However, a person such as myself, that works in facilities management, totally gets.....for what its worth.

 

[hunmcbunny]

Online check-in allows you to indicate a time of arrival and a credit card for charging. Your packet will be ready and it only takes a few minutes to check-in.

The CM will give you the first available room and it may not be what you want. You will ask for another room and they will have to reprint your cards.

Therefore, IMHO, it defeats the whole entire reason for online check-in. I always suggest if people have requests and they are adamant about getting them, it is best to wait and then reiterate your requests at check-in if you are not given a room to your liking.

So far, I have never done online check-in and have always consistently received my requests; most have been better than expected.

While online/regular check-in ultimately does not have any total bearing on whether they can fulfill them (there are other items that have total bearing on fulfilling requests and I have listed them in a posting a couple of items up the page), it seems that waiting at check-in offers you more of an option of "asking" for what you want, but you still won't necessarily get it depending on the extenuating circumstances as I noted in my earlier post. That is what really have a bearing on fulfilling requests.

That is something that most likely a person sitting in a Central Call Center would not be able to "understand" in the large scheme of things. However, a person such as myself, that works in facilities management, totally gets.....for what its worth.

You just answered my question before I had the chance to post it lol

 

[shoney]

We just got back from 7 nights at POR!

We were in a refurbed room...8001 in the Arcadia building....first floor facing the back (away from the river) in front of a fountain.

I called back in January after it was known that their was a room issue. I was transferred to the resort check in desk and a note was made on my account. We check in about 12pm and was told what building, but not the exact room. We gave them a our # and they sent us a text about a half hour later with the room number.

At that time, we were in the food court having lunch. the kids were soo excited to see the room, so we sent them off with their room keys to find it. they love that kind of stuff. We'll a few minutes later, we got a call from them! They were greeted by a snake on the path!!!! We never did see another one!

The room itself was OK. Yes it was newly refurbed and had queen beds. When I said to my husband, I'm so glad we got a new room. He laughed and said "that is new room!" The quality of the linens and towels are poor...no high thread counts here! My ds12 commented on the scratchy sheets! Rooms at a Holiday inn express or Hampton Inn have nicer things. I was glad it was new and clean! I wish Disney would have done away with the ugly, old fashioned bed spreads!!!!

We were not in the room much anyway!

The resort itself is beautiful. the main pool area was hectic at times, but fun.

the food court had lots of choices, but crowded.

Bob in the lounge was sooo much fun. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. We caught parts of the act on 3 different nights. think fun renditions of Piano man, sweet caroline, etc.

On Saturday night, we had ADR's at Sanaa. The kids were tired and didn't want to go. We took them to the food court for dinner. then, they went off to play in the arcade. My husband and I had dinner at Boatwrights. It was one of our best meals! I had the prime rib and he had beef tenderloin....both were great! (our worst meal was at le chefs de france!) We were so glad we went there!

We also did a carriage ride one night and it was nice. The lady was very talkative and loved her horse. We had Drummer....gorgeous horse, just a little slow! That is ok because our ride was a little longer than it should have been!

The buses were ok, we didn't have to wait too long. We tried to use the North depot as much as possible. The South in the morning was very hectic.
throughout the week, we rarely had a seat, but we didn't care as long as we were on the bus. We did often share with the French quarter. Leave lots of time! It is a very slow process!

The mardi gras parade was very cute. They gave out tons of beads and candy...so big hit with the kiddos!

It was a very nice resort....spread out, with beautiful views, landscaping. Everyone who worked there was very nice....especially in the lounge!

 

[browneyedgrl4282]

Those murphy beds are not going to work for me! UGH! They are meant for children, why would they put them that high up when they are that small! I can just see my son rolling right off that! Great, just great!

 

[yolie912]

We have a dinner reservation for the Spirit of Aloha Show on Saturday 3-10-12, what is the best route to get there from POR and how long should we allow for travel?
I just discovered this board and we are all rookies, so I'm sure I will have a ton more questions in the next 2 weeks before we check in for 8 wonderful nights on 3-9-12.
Thanks

Hello,
You can take the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then get on the Monorail to the Polynesian. Its easy! =)

 

[monami7]

Yesterday I booked a Royal river view room for 2 nights in May with a military discount. I can't wait for my girls to see it! SO EXCITED!!!! I am planning on surprising them!

 

[Muddypaws]

My daughter slept for 2 weeks on the murphy bed. She wasn't really thrilled with it, but the alternative was to sleep with her brother so she stayed put. We had to ask for a couple of extra blankets for her. Katie is a very slight and small 11 year old and is about 4'7".

I agree about the horrible, awful bedspreads! They really need to go!


murphy bed 2 by Breeze617, on Flickr

 

[mumofcrzykids]

Ok I know this was probably previously asked already, but I cant look through all 146 pages of replies. I booked a "garden view" last Sept Simply because I wanted queen beds and that was the only category they were listed under. (we have 6 people to our room 2 adults 3 kids and a baby just 1) we really need the extra sleep space. When should I call the resort to explain that to them and request a room with the queen beds? And should I ask for just "queen beds" or should I ask for a specific building number?

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Browneyedgirl - I have to agree. Last June, 5 of us stayed in AB 16 but we are older then 15 so with the trundle you can sleep all 5 but with the Murphy we are now going to need two rooms. Bummer! We were planning 12 nights for June2013 and looks like we will drop that back to 7. At least we are at POR even though the stay is shorter then we wanted. Any thing other then A Deluxe sleep 5 adults now?

WDW will get 14 days between the two rooms but will miss out on 5 days of park hopper and 5 days of meals for 5 people. There loss! I wonder if they thought out all options when they did this? Did they really know how many adults slept on those trundles?

 

[Missytara]

Ok I know this was probably previously asked already, but I cant look through all 146 pages of replies. I booked a "garden view" last Sept Simply because I wanted queen beds and that was the only category they were listed under. (we have 6 people to our room 2 adults 3 kids and a baby just 1) we really need the extra sleep space. When should I call the resort to explain that to them and request a room with the queen beds? And should I ask for just "queen beds" or should I ask for a specific building number?

Call back CRO and ask for a refurbished room; you will automatically be in AB already with your family of 5 plus infant. If you ask for a specific building no., they won't know why you want it.

If you make requests in broad brush strokes, it also gives the Room assigner more wiggle room if giving you what you want. They will have multiple buildings to choose from.

Reiterate at time of check-in that you want a refurbished room.

I should also note that they are just queen sized mattresses; the boxspring and bed frame remain. I was in a refurbished room last Nov/Dec. and I didn't really notice any difference - it overhangs three inches on either side.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Browneyedgirl - I have to agree. Last June, 5 of us stayed in AB 16 but we are older then 15 so with the trundle you can sleep all 5 but with the Murphy we are now going to need two rooms. Bummer! We were planning 12 nights for June2013 and looks like we will drop that back to 7. At least we are at POR even though the stay is shorter then we wanted. Any thing other then A Deluxe sleep 5 adults now?

WDW will get 14 days between the two rooms but will miss out on 5 days of park hopper and 5 days of meals for 5 people. There loss! I wonder if they thought out all options when they did this? Did they really know how many adults slept on those trundles?

Can't you book at ASMus in a family Suite?? It will sleep 6, but it only offers CS dining...

 

[Missytara]

Can't you book at ASMus in a family Suite?? It will sleep 6, but it only offers CS dining...

Next year, AoA will be open and they also have suites; they are considered values, but pricey. They might be cheaper than two rooms at a mod.

CSR has junior suites, but they are very pricey.

 

[Fire14]

We check in in a little over a week. Is it better to do the echeck in?

I was told by a CM when I called to make request that if you do echeck in their is a better chance at getting what you want. I'm not sure I have never done this before because I never really cared were I stayed since I had been staying deluxe my past few visits. This time I really want a new room so I'm not sure let me know how it goes.

I know online check in has nothing to do with what room you get but I've found I just like it better so I can grab my packet and go not answer 20 questions. Plus when my BFF flys from one airport and I another sometimes she beats me to resort so this way she can check us in get our room number ( most of time) and tell me which section to park in so I'm not parking twice.

 

[digiMom]

This post is really just to subscribe to this tread.

We stayed recently at POP, but visited POR to see it and eat lunch. I'm really leaning heavily towards staying here the next time we go. It was really beautiful. And my husband loves pine trees and fishing, so it seems like a no-brainer. The boat ride to DTD was really nice!

The only thing that seemed "off" was out experience in the food court. First, it took a long time to get out food and it wasn't really busy. Is this normal? Also, I got the Chicken Fettacini Alfredo for my DD and, well, it was kind of gross. We just took out the chicken because it was really fatty and grizzly. Almost like oysters or something; I was kind of worried it wasn't fully cooked. Is this normal, or did we just hit it wrong? Thanks!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

We are staying at POR June 10-15th. If I request a refurbished room (we are a family of 5 so need trundle), will it be in one of the farthest buildings from the food court? If so, is that farthest from the "best" bus stop? Just wondering if I should request a refurbished room or a certain building closer to food court and pool. Thanks!!

 

[Missytara]

This post is really just to subscribe to this tread.

We stayed recently at POP, but visited POR to see it and eat lunch. I'm really leaning heavily towards staying here the next time we go. It was really beautiful. And my husband loves pine trees and fishing, so it seems like a no-brainer. The boat ride to DTD was really nice!

The only thing that seemed "off" was out experience in the food court. First, it took a long time to get out food and it wasn't really busy. Is this normal? Also, I got the Chicken Fettacini Alfredo for my DD and, well, it was kind of gross. We just took out the chicken because it was really fatty and grizzly. Almost like oysters or something; I was kind of worried it wasn't fully cooked. Is this normal, or did we just hit it wrong? Thanks!

You may have just hit it wrong.

I have been very impressed with the food court; ironically most people say next to POP, it is the best one on property. I have taken friends there several times and they all been very impressed.

That being said, last year I did get a tossed your own salad with steak and it was rather grissly; I couldn't even chew it.

I took it back up to the CM and told them it must have been overcooked; she made me a new one and it was just fine.

Also you will love the added amentities; including the sit down dining; Boatwright's very good. Miss those breakfasts though.....