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

[buzznina]

Booked my Free Dining and a RGR-Garden View today it was the only room type left when I called I can't wait and it will be our first time at a MOD! Ok so if I have RGR-Garden View where could I potentially be placed? what is the furtherest I would be from the Main Lobby/Pool ? We will be there Aug 25th thru Sept 1st ! We were originally booked at ASMO w the upgrade to reg dining and my son said mom if we arent doing the waterparks could we at least do a Moderate resort? preferbly POR ?So the pool has a slide ? So I said ok and called back and changed to POR ! So any tips or any info on this new room type would be greatly appreciated

The RGR are located in the Oak Manor and Parterre Place mansions, they are about a 5 minute walk or less to the main Bldg and maybe 1-2 minutes more to the main pool. There is a also quite pool located between the 2 mansions, no slide but very quick to get to. The main pool has a slide and it is open as long as the lifeguards are on duty.

 

[Missytara]

My question is similar: When booking for free dining for trip 9/25-10/5 there were no rooms at my original booking at POP. I upgraded to POR but the only rooms there were water view. I loved the the look of the resort, and the water taxi to DTD. My hubby originally said he didnt care where we stayed, but when I showed him the video of the resort he was adamantly opposed to Magnolia Bend and is only willing to stay at AB. I am somewhat confused as to the category/location matchups. I did request AB at the time of booking (since its closer to things my teen boys would do) but not confident the cm noted it. He only responded that I wouldnt know which area I was in until check-in. Are there waterview rooms in AB? and any thoughts as to how I can politely push for AB? What are the odds that I could get a room with the Murphy bed so my sons do not have to share. They will be 15 and 14 at the time of our trip? (I know the Murphy beds are small, but my youngest is only about 5'2 and would sleep on the floor to avoid sharing with his brother. Magnolia Bend is def a deal breaker for my DH.
I am worried that once we arrive, if we cannot get a room in AB and have to change resorts that we will not be able to carry over the free dining.

Sorry this is so long and I appreciate any experienced help I can get. This is not only our first Disney trip, it is also our first real family vacation. Both my boys will have just had a birthday 8/21 and 9/22 and I want it to be a special as possible.

Thanks,
Beth

You can only guarantee being in AB, if you book preferred rooms.

You can request AB in a waterview room, there are rooms available for a waterview - it is mostly pool view or a long off view of the river.

I would not do online check-in. I would call back CRO and have them read off the request from your reservation. That way you can double check it is there.

I would reiterate at check-in that you want to stay in AB and you will wait for a room until one is available.

 

[Missytara]

any way to get 5 in a Royal Room? 2 adults 3 DK, (8,6,6,). we don't actually need the extra bed, our kids would all pile up with us in the 2 beds. would love to do that.
thanks for info
mikewdw

Unfortunately, room occupancy is not based on sleeping arrangements. It is based on the number of people who can successfully exit a building safely in case of a fire.

In that case, all the mansion rooms are a maximum occupancy of 4 people with an infant under three years of age, with the exception of king bed rooms that are a maximum of two people with an infant of three years of age.

The infant rule of thumb is based on the fact that in an emergency, an adult will carry the infant to safety and will not interfere with the path of exit.

 

[Missytara]

Since free dining was announced today, I decided to price out a trip in September. It was a pretty good deal and would save us some money, even with the change fees for our airline. I contemplated changing our dates to save some money, but then I decided that there is no way I could wait until September. I'm having a hard enough time waiting until the end of April.

I'm also not sure if I would like the DDP. We only have 2 ADRs for our trip and I really have no desire to make anymore. I don't like being on a schedule when on vacation and I feel like having 7 ADRs would really force us into a schedule. I am fine with grabbing food when we are hungry at counter service restaurants.

I would suggest not getting it. Getting into a TS restaurant during free dining is next to impossible, and you would be surprised how quickly people book at the 180 day plus ten mark.

I made all of my ADR's 180 days out, before we got free dining last year. Boy, was I glad I did. Out of curiousity, I tried to make reservations at some of the same times and it was next to impossible.

Don't forget too, there are some wonderful CS restaurants at DTD, as well as a few nice places with good bars and great appetizers.

 

[andrewilley]

Are there waterview rooms in AB? and any thoughts as to how I can politely push for AB? What are the odds that I could get a room with the Murphy bed so my sons do not have to share. They will be 15 and 14 at the time of our trip?

Yes, there are Water View rooms in Alligator Bayou. Most are a fair way from the main building though, but there are a few in building 18 which you might just get lucky and be allocated if you put in a request for "AB close to main building".

You cannot guarantee AB with a party of four unless you book a Preferred Location room, but they are usually pretty good at monitoring and granting requests - especially now that two-thirds of the general room inventory will be located in Alligator Bayou anyway. However [and I'm not actually advocating this of course] if you happened to have a party of five booked (2 ad, 3 ch) but the fifth child didn't actually turn up on the day............?

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Lol sure. It wasn't any problem. Just got my heart rate up a lil each time I hear a noise near by.

LOL. Yes, thank you Mr Bond.

Now you've revealed that you took the photos (I must admit I did have my suspicions, the timing seemed very coincidental!) do you want me to go back and credit you?

Andre

 

[Missytara]

Andre - I also kinda thought that distinguishing between waterview and riverview now, that opened up some larger possibilities. I would think that a long, far away view of the river would be considered waterview now. So that could encompass more rooms.

The distinguishing factor I see between AB and the mansions having more waterview rooms, is in the mansions, you don't just have the pools, but the fountains as well.

 

[THERESA522]

It is really hard for me to gauge size or distance. I can imagine yards compared to a football field because i used to play, but...

Please comment on the time to walk to the Riverside Mill Food Court (QS) and to the pool from Building 38.

Is there any other location to refill a mug of coffee besides the Riverside Mill Food Court?

No place to refill, other than the food court.

Timewise, I think 6 minutes to the food court is a good estimate and that's walking slowly. Basically from 38, the pool is right in the middle of the walk to the food court, so about 3 minutes. I hated the walk to the food court when I stayed at AKL, but the walk @ POR was very quick to me, maybe b/c of the beautiful grounds!

 

[Goofy22]

The RGR are located in the Oak Manor and Parterre Place mansions, they are about a 5 minute walk or less to the main Bldg and maybe 1-2 minutes more to the main pool. There is a also quite pool located between the 2 mansions, no slide but very quick to get to. The main pool has a slide and it is open as long as the lifeguards are on duty.

Thank You we were curious

 

[Venomhatch]

LOL. Yes, thank you Mr Bond.

Now you've revealed that you took the photos (I must admit I did have my suspicions, the timing seemed very coincidental!) do you want me to go back and credit you?

Andre

Yeah of course I want my credit lol

 

[maui13]

Getting very excited for our trip! Less than a week away. Forgive me if I am getting confused about rooms and placement here. We were one of the few that booked a garden room when it actually said Queen beds. So tomorrow (5 days out) I am going to call and request a refurb room. We arrive very late at night. (probably midnight) So will be happy wherever they put us. But want to make the request anyway. My husband is quite tall and a queen bed would be appreciated. (especially since that's what we booked) At any rate. I understand AB is for families of 5. We are a family of 4. So what buildings are possibilities for us? Just curious where we may end up! Or what I should request. TIA for any help!!! Very excited for my girls first trip!!!

 

[disney*mom*82]

Mostly packed, 3 more days until we leave for POR

2 of my children have appointments at the childrens hospital 2 hrs away today, so no work, Ill finish packing when we get home tonight, DH will pack the van while Im at work tomorrow and then any last minute packing happens Thurs. Friday as soon as the kids are off the bus and DH is home, (4pm) we are off! Then 16 hours of driving and we will be at POR

 

[hunmcbunny]

Mostly packed, 3 more days until we leave for POR

2 of my children have appointments at the childrens hospital 2 hrs away today, so no work, Ill finish packing when we get home tonight, DH will pack the van while Im at work tomorrow and then any last minute packing happens Thurs. Friday as soon as the kids are off the bus and DH is home, (4pm) we are off! Then 16 hours of driving and we will be at POR

Have a safe trip! Sometimes I wish we lived closer so we could drive.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Mostly packed, 3 more days until we leave for POR

WOW!!! Have a wonderful trip!!!

Getting very excited for our trip! Less than a week away. Forgive me if I am getting confused about rooms and placement here. We were one of the few that booked a garden room when it actually said Queen beds. So tomorrow (5 days out) I am going to call and request a refurb room. We arrive very late at night. (probably midnight) So will be happy wherever they put us. But want to make the request anyway. My husband is quite tall and a queen bed would be appreciated. (especially since that's what we booked) At any rate. I understand AB is for families of 5. We are a family of 4. So what buildings are possibilities for us? Just curious where we may end up! Or what I should request. TIA for any help!!! Very excited for my girls first trip!!!

Hope you get the room you want! Please come back and update us so we know what room you get!! Have a wonderful trip!!!!!

 

[peyjax]

Just back and wanted to say what a beautiful resort POR is! We stayed here in 07 and I really did not want to return. However at the request of family we went.

We got a refurbished room and all I can say is WOW those queen beds really do make a difference. We were in the mansions and it is so pretty there. The fact that we had amazing weather might have helped. The pool activities were awesome and my kids voted to stay there instead of going to the water park. All of you made a good choice in picking this resort!

 

[Stan Solo]

My question is similar: When booking for free dining for trip 9/25-10/5 there were no rooms at my original booking at POP. I upgraded to POR but the only rooms there were water view. I loved the the look of the resort, and the water taxi to DTD. My hubby originally said he didnt care where we stayed, but when I showed him the video of the resort he was adamantly opposed to Magnolia Bend and is only willing to stay at AB. I am somewhat confused as to the category/location matchups. I did request AB at the time of booking (since its closer to things my teen boys would do) but not confident the cm noted it. He only responded that I wouldnt know which area I was in until check-in. Are there waterview rooms in AB? and any thoughts as to how I can politely push for AB? What are the odds that I could get a room with the Murphy bed so my sons do not have to share. They will be 15 and 14 at the time of our trip? (I know the Murphy beds are small, but my youngest is only about 5'2 and would sleep on the floor to avoid sharing with his brother. Magnolia Bend is def a deal breaker for my DH.
I am worried that once we arrive, if we cannot get a room in AB and have to change resorts that we will not be able to carry over the free dining.

Sorry this is so long and I appreciate any experienced help I can get. This is not only our first Disney trip, it is also our first real family vacation. Both my boys will have just had a birthday 8/21 and 9/22 and I want it to be a special as possible.

Thanks,
Beth

Hi Beth. You have a number of very good things going for you. First of all all the construction should be all done when you go so that should not be a factor. Second you made the request when you booked. Third you are going during a slow season so the resort will not be packed and forth you have the numbers on your side. Let me explain. AB and MB each have 1024 rooms but you can remove 512 rooms from MB because 512 room will be royal rooms. When you think about it the odds are against you getting a room in MB not AB.

I would also advise not doing the online check in its just easier to get things fixed when you are face to face in the first place. The other thing I would do is be sure to have your sons birthdays listed as a celebration on all your reservations it just seems to help help with the magic of pixie dust.

 

[ncneighbor]

You can only guarantee being in AB, if you book preferred rooms.

You can request AB in a waterview room, there are rooms available for a waterview - it is mostly pool view or a long off view of the river.

I would not do online check-in. I would call back CRO and have them read off the request from your reservation. That way you can double check it is there.

I would reiterate at check-in that you want to stay in AB and you will wait for a room until one is available.

Thanks, Missytara. I called CRO and request was NOT on reservation, but a very helpful CM added it for me. When I explained the situation, she did try for a preferred room but still no availability. She gave me the fax number and a phone number she said was direct to the resort. I will do as you suggest and not do online check-in and also fax in the request as well the recommended 3 days before arrival. Hope that will take care of it. We plan to arrive in the early am and are perfectly willing to wait all day if necessary for an AB room.

Beth

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Yikes! I've been watching availability for our time frame of travel and rooms for a party of 5 have been there. Now they are gone, so POR must be sold out for the room type while we are there. Panic is setting it for a refurbished room!

 

[ejrj]

Hi Everyone!

We are booked for our first family trip Sept 29-Oct 5. I've been planning for a few months now. The trip was to be me, hubby, DD 4, & twin DDs 2. Yesterday my in-laws jumped on the wagon.

Up until the point, I had been planning on AB since it would have given us the extra bed surface and I'm really not sure if my littlest girls will be in cribs (pnp) or in beds. Now that my in-laws are coming, my DD 4 will likely sleep in their room (She only sees them a few times a year as they live about 14 hours away). So this opens up the possibility of staying in either AB or the mansions. Which would you request? And also what building in either choice would you request? Presuming (hmmm....) that all the renos are done.

Thanks for sharing your experience !

 

[Missytara]

Hi Everyone!

We are booked for our first family trip Sept 29-Oct 5. I've been planning for a few months now. The trip was to be me, hubby, DD 4, & twin DDs 2. Yesterday my in-laws jumped on the wagon.

Up until the point, I had been planning on AB since it would have given us the extra bed surface and I'm really not sure if my littlest girls will be in cribs (pnp) or in beds. Now that my in-laws are coming, my DD 4 will likely sleep in their room (She only sees them a few times a year as they live about 14 hours away). So this opens up the possibility of staying in either AB or the mansions. Which would you request? And also what building in either choice would you request? Presuming (hmmm....) that all the renos are done.

Thanks for sharing your experience !

You didn't note what level of booking category you have. For instance, if it is not a RR, that means Parterre Place and Oak Manor are not available to you.

If you booked preferred, you are definately in AB.

If you booked garden view, standard view or water view you could end up in either.