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

[Venomhatch]

Andre answered this a number of pages back (page 21 in fact).

Still no Dr Pepper yet. Darn. Or even mr pibb, that is a coke product!!!

 

[Stan Solo]

Congrats, I have never done a split stay, I see more guests doing it.

We are sort of doing a split stay. We are doing 5 nights at POP for rope drop to past closing at the parks. Then 3 nights near the Orlando convention center off sight for Star Wars Celebration. Followed by 5 nights at POR to do what we didn't do last year relax and enjoy the resort. with a few days at MK and Epcot.

 

[Venomhatch]

We are sort of doing a split stay. We are doing 5 nights at POP for rope drop to past closing at the parks. Then 3 nights near the Orlando convention center off sight for Star Wars Celebration. Followed by 5 nights at POR to do what we didn't do last year relax and enjoy the resort. with a few days at MK and Epcot.

Wow, just wow. That's a lot.

 

[rascooby]

Ugh. I forgot about the soda in the parks. No Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb is sad for me. The rest of my family doesn't care though.

 

[Venomhatch]

Ugh. I forgot about the soda in the parks. No Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb is sad for me. The rest of my family doesn't care though.

I know right! I have it mapped out. Trex And rainforest cafes are the only ones I know that have dr pepper or mr pibb.

 

[ARAITHEL]

Hello, all! Looking forward to staying at POR again from Sept. 19-24. Can't wait and I'm looking forward to talking with you all on this forum.

 

[Phatoomch]

It's nice to hear all the great comments of those following along... I almost feel like we are family after what we went through the past few weeks. I am happy many of you will be together at the Poly. I enjoyed the drama and all the help you guy gave!

I know, I've become really attached to you guys - rooting for you all the way

 

[WDW1979]

There will be 5 of us, me, DH, 3 DDs (9, 5, 4). I'm going back and forth between POR and a deluxe, but I really don't think I can justify the cost. We're going for the parks, not the room and I think we'll probalby love POR anyway.

My wife & I both love POR. We have stayed at many Disney hotels, including deluxes like the Contemporary, the Polynesian, the GF, the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, and a couple of DVC resorts. And while each of those has some wonderful things to offer, my wife and I find that we like POR just as much as any deluxe Disney hotel, maybe more. The main reasons for this are the beautiful landscaping & relaxing atmoshpere at POR. The whole resort is designed very well. And we love the food court.

We also are a family of 5, so POR is still an option for us. If POR did not have some rooms that can sleep 5, it would have been a major disappointment for us to not be able to stay there after our youngest had turned 3. But luckily POR does have rooms that can sleep 5 people, so we're happy.

 

[crazyboutdisny]

We are arriving at POR on March 28th, 2012 for 8 nights. When we booked our trip we werent given the option of a preferred room, only a garden view. I am guessing because we booked with the free dining package they block the preferred. Is there any chance that we would be allowed to pay for the upgrade either when we call to pay for our trip in full or at check in??
And also, we will be arriving at the resort late. Our flight doesnt land until after 10pm. Will that work against us for any special requests we have??
Thanks!!

 

[Stan Solo]

Wow, just wow. That's a lot.

The original plan was just the 5 days at POP then SW Celebration at that was it.

After we talked about it we decided to add the days at POR for a number of reasons. We won't be going back any time soon if ever just the two of us. The second week will be more to relax and get some good ADR's. Last year at POR all we did was go go go and did not take any time to truly enjoy the resort. This way we will be able to use ME to get back to the Orlando Airport.

With just the two us we are able to travel with great ease so I don't think it will be too bad . I'm a bit of an uber-planer that is good and bad I'm at the point now where our relaxing part of our vacation is starting to fill up fast.

 

[andrewilley]

Would I be better to request a 2nd or 3rd floor room? Or just Oak manor closest to the lobby?

The problem with asking for a third-floor room is that only the very central portion of each mansion building has three floors (it's where the elevators are located) with just 32 out of a total of 256 rooms. The 'wings' only have two stories, and it's some of the wings which have the rooms closest to the lobby/food court. See the map on the first page of this thread for an idea of how this works, or for more detailed views and plans, check out http://www.portorleans.org/magnolia-bend.php.

Personally I think I'd just ask for a room closest to the lobby, which would rather imply Oak Manor anyway to anyone who knows the resort. Also maybe don't ask for a particular floor (unless you really want an upper floor for some reason) as that will halve, or third, the possible options they have to work with for you.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

POR website description today:

POFQ website description today:

Over the last couple of days, Disney have finally corrected their official booking website and Garden View rooms are now listed as having 2 double beds, rather than guaranteeing 2 queen-size beds. Oh well, better late than never as they say.

The French Quarter Garden View descriptive text is still missing though.

Andre

 

[Sue M]

The problem with asking for a third-floor room is that only the very central portion of each mansion building has three floors (it's where the elevators are located) with just 32 out of a total of 256 rooms. The 'wings' only have two stories, and it's some of the wings which have the rooms closest to the lobby/food court. See the map on the first page of this thread for an idea of how this works, or for more detailed views and plans, check out http://www.portorleans.org/magnolia-bend.php.

Personally I think I'd just ask for a room closest to the lobby, which would rather imply Oak Manor anyway to anyone who knows the resort. Also maybe don't ask for a particular floor (unless you really want an upper floor for some reason) as that will halve, or third, the possible options they have to work with for you.

Andre

I've had fairly good success just asking for upper floor. This could be either 3rd floor or 2nd fl in a wing. 2 out of 3 stays got top floor. Once got ground floor in Mag. Terrace. Thought I'd hate it, but ended up being a great location just past quiet pool. so very close to bus stop & Old Man Isl bridge And luckily no one jumping above me

 

[Sue M]

1 more sleep till we drive down to Seattle to catch our flights! Overnighting at hotel for 6AM Tues flight. We consider Seattle part of vacay Hope I can sleep. Not so much tonight! Woke up at 3AM and can't go back to sleep

 

[Sue M]

You will all still be very welcome here anyway - even if you might have to wear dark glasses when in the other threads (as I found out too!)

And of course there's nothing to stop you visiting POR during your stay. Take a trip to Downtown Disney, and then get on one of the free water taxi ferry boats which run from the dock right next to the Rainforest Cafe. It's a lovely 20 minute boat ride to POFQ (first stop) and POR (second stop). Have a wander around and see the sights and get a snack, etc. Maybe even pop along to the River Roost lounge one evening (Weds-Sat) and see "Ye Haa" Bob's show?

Afterwards, just get the ferry back - or catch a bus from the front of either of the Port Orleans resorts back to the Magic Kingdom, and then monorail or boat back to the Poly/GF.

I hope everyone has a great time wherever they are staying anyway.

Andre

That's exactly what I have planned. I'm not a transplant but booked WL this trip. We have a DTD day planned, so going to hop the POR bus from MK, and have my fav Pasta Bar lunch, walk around, then take boat to DTD. If Bob has a show on Monday evening? we may take boat back to POR after Rag. Road dinner. Can't remember his show nights.

 

[Venomhatch]

I know, I've become really attached to you guys - rooting for you all the way

Yeah thanks, I do feel connected to all my usual friends on here. We do share what ever we know with who ever as fast as we can to help them out the best way possible. We really did stick together thought the recent stuff. I do appreciate it.

Hello, all! Looking forward to staying at POR again from Sept. 19-24. Can't wait and I'm looking forward to talking with you all on this forum.

Well welcome to the thread! Yeah definitly if you need answers or just shoot the can we are here.

 

[Phatoomch]

Yeah thanks, I do feel connected to all my usual friends on here. We do share what ever we know with who ever as fast as we can to help them out the best way possible. We really did stick together thought the recent stuff. I do appreciate it.

Also, the thing is, since our first 'family' trip last sept (I'd been as a child but this was hubby & daughters first) I have been SO indecisive about where to stay next and even though I was set on POR that could have changed as I've been from ASMo to POR RS to CBR to PORFQ to CBR to POP to POR RGR so I really wasn't sure

However, with this whole escapade I know that my latest decision of POR RGR in December is the right one as I now feel a connection to the place and like a part of the family

 

[nannye]

The problem with asking for a third-floor room is that only the very central portion of each mansion building has three floors (it's where the elevators are located) with just 32 out of a total of 256 rooms. The 'wings' only have two stories, and it's some of the wings which have the rooms closest to the lobby/food court. See the map on the first page of this thread for an idea of how this works, or for more detailed views and plans, check out http://www.portorleans.org/magnolia-bend.php.

Personally I think I'd just ask for a room closest to the lobby, which would rather imply Oak Manor anyway to anyone who knows the resort. Also maybe don't ask for a particular floor (unless you really want an upper floor for some reason) as that will halve, or third, the possible options they have to work with for you.

Andre

Thanks for this explanation Andre, I think i'd prefer a 2nd floor room for the balcolny if at all possible, I'll just ask at Check In for this if i can. That way I can put my V year old to bed and leave while she falls asleep especially for naps. if i am in there she won't sleep. Last year at pop I would just sit outside the door with people walking past. not very pleasant. and if at check in they don't have a second floor room no problem. Thanks for your help, those maps helped me understand the layout much better. Is the elevator on the ground floor? or do you need to go up the stairs to get to it? Is there only one location to the elevators?
Thanks
Erin

 

[Venomhatch]

Also, the thing is, since our first 'family' trip last sept (I'd been as a child but this was hubby & daughters first) I have been SO indecisive about where to stay next and even though I was set on POR that could have changed as I've been from ASMo to POR RS to CBR to PORFQ to CBR to POP to POR RGR so I really wasn't sure

However, with this whole escapade I know that my latest decision of POR RGR in December is the right one as I now feel a connection to the place and like a part of the family

Yeah I hear that.

 

[andrewilley]

Is the elevator on the ground floor?

I was kinda tempted to reply that the elevators have doors on all the floors, that's the whole point.

But yes, the elevators are accessible from the ground level; as you walk into the central open 'lobby' (for want of a better word) of each mansion buliding there are several elevators side-by-side which serve the whole building. There are no extra elevators in the outer two-story sections, you have to walk round along the external corridors (there are plenty of stairway accesses, but only one location per mansion building for the elevators).

(good grief, I do take the strangest vacation photos, don't I?)


By the way, when you are sitting outside your room you actually don't tend to get too much foot traffic going past you, because all the stairwells allow people to take varied different routes to their rooms. Obviously that might vary if your room happens to be right next to the elevators though.

Andre