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

[andrewilley]

So sad!!! There are no connecting Royal Rooms!

Who told you that? Because they were wrong, there are indeed connecting Royal Rooms - as our now-confessed secret spy Venomhatch proved:

(note the open connecting doorway in this room which was just receiving its finishing touches)

The only connecting ones were in building 24 or in POFQ.

???? Does someone at a call center get paid to make this stuff up or something?

Andre

 

[wallawallakids]

Who told you that? Because they were wrong, there are indeed connecting Royal Rooms - as our now-confessed secret spy Venomhatch proved:

(note the open connecting doorway in this room which was just receiving its finishing touches)




???? Does someone at a call center get paid to make this stuff up or something?

Andre

REALLY?!?! The CM on the phone said no!!! How do I get them?! Now I am so happy. I really wanted those rooms. Do I call back and ask again? Do I say I saw a picture of connecting rooms online?! I was on the phone with her for 50 min!!! I can't believe this.

 

[Golf4food]

Does anyone still remember what the AP rates were like at POR for December 2011? Trying to get a rough estimate for Dec 2012 but I've deleted all of my notes from our Dec 2010 trip so I can't pull up how much we wound up paying for that room. Even a ballpark figure would help. Thanks. (We're planning for the week of the 9th-15th.)

 

[andrewilley]

REALLY?!?! The CM on the phone said no!!! How do I get them?! Now I am so happy. I really wanted those rooms. Do I call back and ask again? Do I say I saw a picture of connecting rooms online?! I was on the phone with her for 50 min!!! I can't believe this.

Yes, call them back. And keep calling until you get someone who knows what they are talking about, or otherwise ask to speak to a supervisor. If all else fails, ask them to call the resort's Room Allocations team and check with them directly. But it really should just be a case of calling once.

However, you should note that it is rarely possible for them to 100% GUARANTEE that you will get connecting rooms, even though there are quite a lot of them. As far as I know, the guideline is that there must be one or two adults, plus any number of children aged 3-17, all from the same family (i.e. living at the same home address) for them to be able to flag two connecting rooms as a guarantee rather than a request.

Andre

 

[wallawallakids]

Ok. 2nd Cm explained it better to me. There are only connecting rooms in standard view section. There are no standard view rooms left, only water view and those RR do not connect. I was so happy to think maybe it would work out, but no. Now I am sad again. She said keep calling and maybe someone will cancel.

 

[wallawallakids]

Yes, call them back. And keep calling until you get someone who knows what they are talking about, or otherwise ask to speak to a supervisor. If all else fails, ask them to call the resort's Room Allocations team and check with them directly. But it really should just be a case of calling once.

However, you should note that it is rarely possible for them to 100% GUARANTEE that you will get connecting rooms, even though there are quite a lot of them. As far as I know, the guideline is that there must be one or two adults, plus any number of children aged 3-17, all from the same family (i.e. living at the same home address) for them to be able to flag two connecting rooms as a guarantee rather than a request.

Andre

Thank you. They did tell me they would guarantee it because we are a family with 4 minors. (oldest is 10).

 

[andrewilley]

Ok. 2nd Cm explained it better to me. There are only connecting rooms in standard view section. There are no standard view rooms left, only water view and those RR do not connect.

Hmm, I'm not totally convinced about that, but maybe they could be right this time? There are quite a few water-view (i.e. facing the pool) and river-view rooms in the two Royal Room buildings, and I did think that at least some of those connected. To be honest, having given it some thought, I'm still pretty sure I'm right on this one.

I wonder if it's worth your while calling the hotel directly (1-407-934-6000) and asking to speak to someone from the on-site Room Allocation team (not just the call-center people who first answer the phone) and get the info straight from the horse's mouth?

What are your travel dates by the way?

Andre

 

[wallawallakids]

Hmm, I'm not totally convinced about that, but maybe they could be right this time? There are quite a few water-view (i.e. facing the pool) and river-view rooms in the two Royal Room buildings, and I did think that at least some of those connected. To be honest, having given it some thought, I'm still pretty sure I'm right on this one.

I wonder if it's worth your while calling the hotel directly (1-407-934-6000) and asking to speak to someone from the on-site Room Allocation team (not just the call-center people who first answer the phone) and get the info straight from the horse's mouth?

What are your travel dates by the way?

Andre

May 16-22. Do I just call the hotel directly and ask? And if they say yes what do I do. Call back the 1800 number and tell them I spoke to the hotel?

 

[wallawallakids]

I am so frustrated. I called the hotel. They said they do connect. I called the 1800 # back...cm said "No. There are no connecting Royal Rooms." Are you kidding me?!

 

[teentoddlermom]

Just a quick synopsis of our stay. We got back home Sunday night from a fantastic stay at POR in the RGR.
The only real issue we had with the room is the new AC bench that they put over the unit. The baffles are NOT adjustable so they constantly blow towards the bed by the door and the person sleeping on that side of the bed suffers I know because after just an hour DD(7) complained about it and that is where I slept during our stay. If you turned the air up then the room got to warm.
I also had to adjust the fridge when we got there, it was set at 3 and I had to move it close to 5 to keep everything nice and cold.

OMG! You solved it. This is why we couldn't figure out regulating the room temperature. I didn't even think it was because of the baffle. I loved the room renovation and thought the baffle was so attractive. But not functional though! Wonder if anything can be done about it? Doubt it. Bad design flaw.

 

[teentoddlermom]

Just a quick synopsis of our stay. We got back home Sunday night from a fantastic stay at POR in the RGR.
The only real issue we had with the room is the new AC bench that they put over the unit. The baffles are NOT adjustable so they constantly blow towards the bed by the door and the person sleeping on that side of the bed suffers I know because after just an hour DD(7) complained about it and that is where I slept during our stay. If you turned the air up then the room got to warm.
I also had to adjust the fridge when we got there, it was set at 3 and I had to move it close to 5 to keep everything nice and cold.

OMG! You solved it. This is why we couldn't figure out regulating the room temperature. I didn't even think it was because of the baffle. I loved the room renovation and thought the bench was so attractive. But not functional, though! Wonder if anything can be done about it? Doubt it. Bad design flaw.

 

[andrewilley]

May 16-22.

Those dates are currently available in all Port Orleans Riverside room categories (I did a basic online search for a room for two adults, which is why King Bed comes up too. All prices plus tax):

Standard View $1260
Garden View +$68
Water View +$169
Preferred Room +$169
King Bed +$169
River View +$203
Royal Guest Room - Standard View +$203
Royal Guest Room - Garden View +$270
Royal Guest Room - Water View +$371
Royal Guest Room - River View +$405

Is there anything odd about the way you are booking (maybe not via the USA Disney Reservations Center, or looking for a particular offer or discount type which might be sold out for those dates?)

I am so frustrated. I called the hotel. They said they do connect. I called the 1800 # back...cm said "No. There are no connecting Royal Rooms." Are you kidding me?!

I wish I could help you more, but at least I was right about all of the room types having connecting options. What 1-800 number are you using by the way, the correct number for making bookings should be 1-407-WDISNEY.

Why not just book the rooms which you want online, and then call the DRC about adding the connecting room requirement - at least that way they can't tell you the room category isn't available! And online bookings can be cancelled without penalty as long as you're not too close to the travel date, so there's nothing to lose.

Andre

 

[cas2674]

 

[cas2674]

I am so frustrated. I called the hotel. They said they do connect. I called the 1800 # back...cm said "No. There are no connecting Royal Rooms." Are you kidding me?!

I booked in February and was told there was no problem for booking a connecting room. They made a note on my reservation and my sister's that we needed connecting rooms.

 

[wallawallakids]

Those dates are currently available in all Port Orleans Riverside room categories (I did a basic online search for a room for two adults, which is why King Bed comes up too. All prices plus tax):

Standard View $1260
Garden View +$68
Water View +$169
Preferred Room +$169
King Bed +$169
River View +$203
Royal Guest Room - Standard View +$203
Royal Guest Room - Garden View +$270
Royal Guest Room - Water View +$371
Royal Guest Room - River View +$405

Is there anything odd about the way you are booking (maybe not via the USA Disney Reservations Center, or looking for a particular offer or discount type which might be sold out for those dates?)



I wish I could help you more, but at least I was right about all of the room types having connecting options. What 1-800 number are you using by the way, the correct number for making bookings should be 1-407-WDISNEY.

Why not just book the rooms which you want online, and then call the DRC about adding the connecting room requirement - at least that way they can't tell you the room category isn't available! And online bookings can be cancelled without penalty as long as you're not too close to the travel date, so there's nothing to lose.

Andre

Maybe I will do that. Book it online and call them to make them connecting. They are coming up online. I am not calling anyone but disney. I am trying to book straight though them, room only. I was looking for the garden view. I just don't understand why I get a different answer every time. I am going to call again and do it the way you suggested and see what they say this time.

 

[majic2615]

Maybe I will do that. Book it online and call them to make them connecting. They are coming up online. I am not calling anyone but disney. I am trying to book straight though them, room only. I was looking for the garden view. I just don't understand why I get a different answer every time. I am going to call again and do it the way you suggested and see what they say this time.

I booked two RGR's Garden Views and the CM added a note for "guaranteed connecting rooms" (or as close to guaranteed as possible I guess). We are two adults traveling with 3 kids.

Maybe because the rooms are so new not everyone is on the same page yet? Not a good excuse though.

 

[wallawallakids]

I booked two RGR's Garden Views and the CM added a note for "guaranteed connecting rooms" (or as close to guaranteed as possible I guess). We are two adults traveling with 3 kids.

Maybe because the rooms are so new not everyone is on the same page yet? Not a good excuse though.

I am so happy for you!!! (and a bit jealous. ) I tried calling again. This time she told me there were "no royal rooms available during my stay." What? They are online?!
I just called AAA and asked them to try to sort it out for me. I am exhausted. I just want a straight answer. I know there are connecting rooms. I know rooms are available. So why can't you book them?
Fingers crossed AAA gets it for me.

 

[mommy2aprincess]

Hello everyone! We will be staying at POR for the first time in November. It looks like a beautiful resort and we are excited to stay there! I was curious if they have bed rails or if one of the beds could be moved against the wall. I'm a little nervous about my 3 year old falling out of bed. Thanks for your help!

 

[andrewilley]

I tried calling again. This time she told me there were "no royal rooms available during my stay." What? They are online?!

What number did you call, and did you ask for any special offers? The DRC on 1-407-WDISNEY (USA) should see the same general availability as the website shows.

I feel really bad for you, it really should not be this difficult for you to give Disney your money!

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

! I was curious if they have bed rails or if one of the beds could be moved against the wall.

You can request them, yes. Might be an idea to get that added to your booking so they know before you arrive.

Andre