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

[kristie73]

So this will be our first trip and we booked with POR for March 21-27. I got the garden view room. The day before the Water view, River view, and Preferred Rooms were still options then the next day they weren't there anymore. Only the Standard and Garden view rooms. So we booked Garden View and then I called and asked if a preferred room would become availabe we would like that and we would also like either the Magnolia Mansion or Oak Manor. So what are our chances of getting those buildings with the garden view? I said we would pay extra for a preferred room. Did I do the right thing? I also said we wanted a refurbished room and she said they all are in those buildings? I didn't know to ask for the Royal Rooms, but that was never an option when we were looking at reservations.

 

[andrewilley]

The CM we booked with was totally clueless. We tried to request Oak Manor OR the closest location to the lobby/dining. She insisted Oak manor wasn't a building Magnolia bend was. So she just put in closest to lobby and dining. Should I call back and request a better location?

I would, yes. You were 100% right in thinking that Oak Manor would be the best building to choose. Magnolia Bend is not a building, it's a whole section of the resort containing the four large mansion buildings. A Standard View room will probably put you on the parking lot side of the building though, so fairly well away from the main facilities area - but you can try requesting to be as close as they can get you - see the map in the first post of this thread. A Garden View could give you a bit closer room, and less parking lot.

We are going 2 girls who will be 3 and 5 by the time we go. I saw in the unofficial guide that they are saying that the rooms will be Tiana, Belle or Jasmine themed? Is this true?

Yes, but what they are saying is that all of the rooms will have that same (mixed princesses) theme, so you don't need to request any one or the other.

For the buses, see some of the posts over the last couple of pages. They can get a bit busy at peak times (such as leaving parks after fireworks) and general wait times can vary, but for every person who says they had an especially long wait, someone else says a bus turned up just as they arrived at the stop. It's often just a matter of luck. The bus stops are also shown on the map; from some rooms in the parking-lot side of Oak Manor you might find the East Depot is best, but I'm guessing a quick walk over the bridge to the South Depot might be better - try them both and see which works best for you.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

and we would also like either the Magnolia Mansion or Oak Manor. So what are our chances of getting those buildings with the garden view?

Magnolia Terrace, yes (and all the rooms there are newly refurbished) but not Oak Manor as that's being converted to Royal Rooms and so would be an upgrade.

If you did manage to get a Preferred upgrade, you'd be in one of the Alligator Bayou buildings - 14, 15, 18 or 27. Of those, only #14 is refubished so far.

See the map on the first page of this thread for a better idea of where everything is located.

Andre

 

[lillykat]

I would, yes. You were 100% right in thinking that Oak Manor would be the best building to choose. Magnolia Bend is not a building, it's a whole section of the resort containing the four large mansion buildings. A Standard View room will probably put you on the parking lot side of the building though, so fairly well away from the main facilities area - but you can try requesting to be as close as they can get you - see the map in the first post of this thread. A Garden View could give you a bit closer room, and less parking lot.


Yes, but what they are saying is that all of the rooms will have that same (mixed princesses) theme, so you don't need to request any one or the other.


Andre

Thank you! We don't mind the view since we don't plan to have our blinds open much. I am looking to just make the best request in the category we are in. The garden view was going to cost a lot more and I already talked DH into the royal guest rooms over just booking a standard view room which was almost $250 cheaper for the trip. So I guess I will call and say Oak Manor OR closest to the lobby and food court? The CM who we booked with really didn't know what she was talking about - she also said the new dining plan this year had added a snack credit so you now get 2 credits and forgot to add ME to our reservation. Also they used some random email address which was completely different than I gave them (even though we went over it two times - so I didn't realize I got my invoice until I checked a random address I opened hoping to get an email code.)

So all the rooms will be mixed princess themes? See that is what I thought but the way Unofficial guide worded it - it sounded like each room would be themed to ONE princess either belle, jasmine or tiana.

 

[kristie73]

Magnolia Terrace, yes (and all the rooms there are newly refurbished) but not Oak Manor as that's being converted to Royal Rooms and so would be an upgrade.

If you did manage to get a Preferred upgrade, you'd be in one of the Alligator Bayou buildings - 14, 15, 18 or 27. Of those, only #14 is refubished so far.

See the map on the first page of this thread for a better idea of where everything is located.

Andre

We really didn't want to be in the Alligator Bayou side. Well hopefully it's the Magnolia Terrace garden room, I guess. Unless they upgrade us to Oak Manor the royal rooms? But not sure those are ready at the end of March. How come ther Preferred upgrade isn't in the mansions? I also forgot to tell her it's my husband's birthday...not sure if that really makes a difference or not to get the requested room. In my opinion the magic all starts with the room.

 

[Sue M]

Now that the dust has somewhat settled, a few thoughts.

I hope these upgrades doesn't mean we will loose some of our POR family?

My first visit to WDW was in the early 80's and we stayed off at the HI. In June the nine of us stayed ten days in 17 AB and loved it and will return in June 2013. My question is what do people see in the Mansions? They seem like hotels/motels where AB feels like a resort!

My daughter who set up the June trip has come four years in a row with DH & DD. This is the fourth different resort and she, in her opinion, feels that there is no need to look any further.

So hi to the rest of our POR family! By the way if you see a 60 something, 6'1", little overweight, male walking with a drop foot and a little thin on top with a big smile from watching the grand kids at one of the parks. That's ME!

POR Mansions is my fav spot. Doesn't seem like regular hotel to me. I feel like I'm Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind They are beautiful, with pretty little courtyards, Fountains, Gazebos, gardens, etc. And love being right on the river. We have had 3 stays here, and last Aug. got one of the new rooms, which I think are very pretty, and upscale, they did a great job

 

[Sue M]

Andre You are too funny popping in on the Poly thread

 

[THERESA522]

Can you all tell me which buildings are scheduled to be refurbished by the time I go? We're checking in on Feb. 27.

 

[poconopixie]

We have GF lagoon view too maybe we will see you March 2-8!

That would be awesome! I will be the very chubby lady with the goofy, dreamy grin.

 

[HeatherLassell]

So all the rooms will be mixed princess themes? See that is what I thought but the way Unofficial guide worded it - it sounded like each room would be themed to ONE princess either belle, jasmine or tiana.

Yes (you are right!) all the royal rooms (there are pictures available) will all look the same! And will be in Oak Manor and Parterre Place!

The elements of the room that are Princess:
Tiana: Fiber optic Princess and the Frog themed head boards
Belle: The bench looks like the "dog" foot stool from Beauty & The Beast
Jasmine: In the carpet is Aladins Magic Carpet PLUS the faucets in the bathroom look like Genies Lamp!



I'm very excited to be staying in a Royal Room this fall!!!

 

[dreamseeker9]

Yes (you are right!) all the royal rooms (there are pictures available) will all look the same! And will be in Oak Manor and Parterre Place!

The elements of the room that are Princess:
Tiana: Fiber optic Princess and the Frog themed head boards
Belle: The bench looks like the "dog" foot stool from Beauty & The Beast
Jasmine: In the carpet is Aladins Magic Carpet PLUS the faucets in the bathroom look like Genies Lamp!

That answers my first question - I was wondering if we could request an Aladdin or Beauty & the Beast room. But if each room is the same, then it doesn't make much of a difference. I'm very excited to stay in them, too!

My friend and I are getting standard view, so I realize we'll probably be on the parking lot side. What are the pros and cons of Oak Manor and Panterre Place? We didn't request one over the other when we made the reservation, but can we modify our reservation at any time to make that request?

 

[HeatherLassell]

That answers my first question - I was wondering if we could request an Aladdin or Beauty & the Beast room. But if each room is the same, then it doesn't make much of a difference. I'm very excited to stay in them, too!

My friend and I are getting standard view, so I realize we'll probably be on the parking lot side. What are the pros and cons of Oak Manor and Panterre Place? We didn't request one over the other when we made the reservation, but can we modify our reservation at any time to make that request?

Go to the first post in this thread. You can see the location of OM and PP. I think either one is good. I'm personally asking for OM.

 

[momtolots]

I'm so happy for all of you for your upgrades.
About 8yrs ago, we stayed POR and loved it. In 2011, we stayed at POLY for the 2nd time (we had stayed there in 1998).
Well, today, we decided we wanted to do some different things while in Florida. So, we changed our reservation from POLY CL, to POR, garden view A saving of over $1800.00. We are so happy.
Here's hoping everyone, wherever, you stay, has a really magical holiday.

 

[Stan Solo]

Wow! 53 pages already! Andre you should rename this thread 2012 Royal Replacement.

Andre I don't know where I read it (I think it was your wonderful web site) but you said something about not knowing how they possibly get the royal rooms done in the time line that was proposed. I guess you were right . This was before Acadia House even started its renovations.

 

[andrewilley]

How come ther Preferred upgrade isn't in the mansions?

It's location based, and the four buildings in Alligator Bayou which have been classified as 'Preferred' status (14, 15, 18 and 27) offer some of the shortest walks to the main building and main bus stop.

Can you all tell me which buildings are scheduled to be refurbished by the time I go? We're checking in on Feb. 27.

Nothing more will be completed by then, although Oak Manor will be closed at the time. So just Acadian House, Magnolia Terrace, and Alligator Bayou 14, 36, 37 & 38. Unless of course they sneak in an extra AB building during the Royal Room delay (39?) but I think we'd have seen signs of work starting by now. [Spies: anything visible?]

My friend and I are getting standard view, so I realize we'll probably be on the parking lot side. What are the pros and cons of Oak Manor and Panterre Place?

Not much to call between them to be honest. Oak is closer to both the main buildings and to the East bus depot though, so that gets the edge IMHO.

Wow! 53 pages already! Andre you should rename this thread 2012 Royal Replacement.

Andre I don't know where I read it (I think it was your wonderful web site) but you said something about not knowing how they possibly get the royal rooms done in the time line that was proposed. I guess you were right . This was before Acadia House even started its renovations.

Yeah, pretty busy here isn't it?

And I did say that somewhere didn't I, in one of my first news postings about the provisional POR refurbishment timetable I think. I also predicted the whole Garden View issue, saying that I was worried that the WDW website was probably wrong in claiming that all the Garden View rooms would feature queen beds from the outset. So I'll just bask in the glory of a few accurate predictions for a while... and try to quietly ignore anything else I may have got spectacularly wrong! LOL

Andre

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Andre - A few pages ago I spoke of the fact I like AB because it feels more like a resort. Now if you could have the music they play on our buses playing here on our thread that would be sweet.

Is there any way I can get a copy for my MP3?

 

[vamassey1]

We'll be there the 15th to the 22nd. Hoping for a queen room in the AB section. The new rooms are soooo cute!

I would be happy with a refurbed AB room too. My DD is 21 and thinks she's a true southern belle so she wants the Mansions. Since we're from Louisiana they both look great.

Be on the lookout for us.

 

[andrewilley]

Andre - A few pages ago I spoke of the fact I like AB because it feels more like a resort. Now if you could have the music they play on our buses playing here on our thread that would be sweet.

Is there any way I can get a copy for my MP3?

I've got most of the Port Orleans background music tracks listed at http://www.portorleans.org/music.php, but the track most people seem to associate with the buses is Please Baby by Reverend Gary Davis.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

I've got most of the Port Orleans background music tracks listed at http://www.portorleans.org/music.php, but the track most people seem to associate with the buses is Please Baby by Reverend Gary Davis.

Andre

Thanks for fixing that.

 

[shoney]

I would be happy with a refurbed AB room too. My DD is 21 and thinks she's a true southern belle so she wants the Mansions. Since we're from Louisiana they both look great.

Be on the lookout for us.

As a Long Islander that has never been south of Virginia (well have been to Florida, but that doesn't count as "the South" to me!), I am looking forward to the Louisiana theme! I'll take either one, too!

Someday, I'll get to New Orleans...it is a dream trip of mine!

See ya there!