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

[KarlaG4Kids]

It starts in this little shack above the pool area.

Andre

Cool, I have been wondering that also! Such a wealth of information this thread and your website are Andre! Thanks so much! I have really noticed how warm and welcoming everyone on here is. It really makes me excited to be staying at POR on our next trip.

 

[Dixiemom]

For the info and the accompanying pic (awesome shot!) about the waterslide origin! What is your guess as to the slide length?

 

[andrewilley]

What is your guess as to the slide length?

95 ft. But that's not a guess.

Andre

 

[sjs314]

I am just starting to read this thread today because we booked a Royal Guest Room for our trip March 7-12. We received a phone call today from AAA telling us Disney called to say that the Royal Guest Rooms will not be ready for our trip. What have you heard? I am very upset because the whole reason we booked this trip was DD really wanted to stay in a new Royal Guest Room. Now that we can't stay in one of those rooms there is really no reason for this trip except we have our airfare booked.

mickeyplanner - I totally understand how upset you must be in the past I planned trips around attraction openings for my youngest DS TOT and Test Track and due to constuction delays, just like with the RR neither were ready on time and my DS was very disappointed. All that being said From what I have read the new room are suppose to be ready 3/9 or 3/10 now unless they are all booked maybe you can ask for a split stay staying the first part of your trip at whatever Deluxe they offered you and the later party in a RR so your DD will not be so upset and still get to sleep in a RR? Just a thought, if it were me I would toss that out to my TA and see what she could do dealing with Disney.
At least the whole point of the trip will not be lost. Good Luck

I thought everyone had been called by now. Wow. I stopped by my local AAA for Disney Day yesterday. Spoke with the Disney Rep there and he told me they should be pretty much done or down to the last few calls but I don't know if he was really informed or not. In fact to be honest I felt like I knew more than he did. They even said during the presentation RGR was not opening until April. Shows how much they know. Or are they right now, Andre?

Venomhatch - I am thinking maybe the TA are being asked or told not to book any RR until April? Disney being cautious since what happened with the RR already haviing fallen behind schedule.

 

[Venomhatch]

Venomhatch - I am thinking maybe the TA are being asked or told not to book any RR until April? Disney being cautious since what happened with the RR already haviing fallen behind schedule.

Yeah I agree with that also, kinda like a buffer time period so they dont have another issue.

 

[andrewilley]

Yeah I agree with that also, kinda like a buffer time period so they dont have another issue.

That would certainly be prudent of them. Even though the first 256 rooms in Oak Manor will now be opening on 9th March (hopefully!!!), that still leaves a further capacity issue given that the second batch of 256 rooms (in Parterre Place) were originally due to open around 23rd March - at which point they were expecting to have all 512 rooms available to sell.

That second phase is now not expected to be ready until nearer 13th April - meaning that all 512 Royal Rooms should be open by then - but in the meantime they will be 50% down on the expected Royal Room capacity. Crucially, perhaps, over the busy Easter week. Let's hope they caught this situation early enough for there not to be too many advanced bookings to create any further guest issues.

Andre

 

[sjs314]

That would certainly be prudent of them. Even though the first 256 rooms in Oak Manor will now be opening on 9th March (hopefully!!!), that still leaves a further capacity issue given that the second batch of 256 rooms (in Parterre Place) were originally due to open around 23rd March - at which point they were expecting to have all 512 rooms available to sell.

That second phase is now not expected to be ready until nearer 13th April - meaning that all 512 Royal Rooms should be open by then - but in the meantime they will be 50% down on the expected Royal Room capacity. Crucially, perhaps, over the busy Easter week. Let's hope they caught this situation early enough for there not to be too many advanced bookings to create any further guest issues.

Andre

As of a couple days ago the week leading up to Easter 4/1 to 4/8 you could book the Royal Rooms, I checked on a whim as DH and I use to go during Easter week and thought about maybe changeing dates...they could have another potential mess it would seem if all the rooms will not be ready until 4/13


I just checked and RR GV is still available to book for those dates under the spring offer

 

[3sweetpeas]

That would certainly be prudent of them. Even though the first 256 rooms in Oak Manor will now be opening on 9th March (hopefully!!!), that still leaves a further capacity issue given that the second batch of 256 rooms (in Parterre Place) were originally due to open around 23rd March - at which point they were expecting to have all 512 rooms available to sell.

That second phase is now not expected to be ready until nearer 13th April - meaning that all 512 Royal Rooms should be open by then - but in the meantime they will be 50% down on the expected Royal Room capacity. Crucially, perhaps, over the busy Easter week. Let's hope they caught this situation early enough for there not to be too many advanced bookings to create any further guest issues.

Andre

Seeing how upset people are here on the boards about the queen beds, I would not want to be a cm at POR check in desk for the next few months. I foresee lots of screaming. I can't imagine.

Queen beds are important to us also because we are a fam of 5 w/ preteens and teens. We have a king at home because my hubby is a horrible snorer. I was so excited that there was a chance to get queen beds.

I have all along thought that my chances were good to get my request of a refurbed room but now with all the meltdowns, I wonder how good my chances really are. I'm also wondering Andre or anyone else who has an idea about this....we are there Mar 3-11th....do you think that because 2 whole mansion buildings are down that will make AB much more crowded with lots more requests?(due to the queen bed thing) Or...do you think it will be quieter because people wanted RGRs.

It has always seemed to me that the higher priced Royal rooms would push more people unwilling to pay the higher price into the other buildings therefore creating a busier atmosphere in the other buildings on a regular basis. Does this make sense?

 

[Stan Solo]

95 ft. But that's not a guess.

Andre

Andre now tell the truth (not that you wouldn't) was this from the top of your head or did you have to look it up? By the way I love your picture of the slide top. It even beats the picture you had of the elevator doors.

 

[andrewilley]

Andre now tell the truth (not that you wouldn't) was this from the top of your head or did you have to look it up?

I actually knew it off the top of my head. God, do I need to get a life!

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

do you think that because 2 whole mansion buildings are down that will make AB much more crowded with lots more requests

At the moment, Parterre is not due to start work until 11th March (a few days after Oak reopens) so during the time you are there, Parterre will probably still be available (albeit without queen beds).

From 11th March onwards, there will only be 1,536 'non-royal' rooms bookable at Riverside (i.e. a quarter less than before). However, given that 768 of those rooms have already been refurbished (the two mansions plus four AB buildings) then that will actually give guests a BETTER chance of getting queen beds in most categories (i.e. 50%).

Can we stop now, my brain hurts... LOL

Andre

 

[3sweetpeas]

Can we stop now, my brain hurts... LOL

Andre

Just one more question....If there's 1,392 rooms with....just kiddin...Hee Hee.

 

[eeyorefamily]

Well, it is good that you think that Queens beds is becoming less of an issue, but I believe that if you have a situation where Queens makes a difference and that is what you booked that is what you should receive, just as if they are offering the Royal rooms they should have them ready. I have slept on a full bed recently and a Queen and a Queen is much more comfortable for two. Setting is a want for some individuals but size and comfort-ability is a must for others. if you have a family who is 6'8, 6'4 5'10 and 5'6 you cannot tell me they will sleep comfortably in two full size beds. that is just impossible to do. If Disney is going to have the options out there they should have options available. Most people are only in there room to sleep and spend the rest of their day in the parks spending a lot of money making the most of their time and wanting to go back to the room for some much needed sleep.

 

[lfeikert]

That would certainly be prudent of them. Even though the first 256 rooms in Oak Manor will now be opening on 9th March (hopefully!!!), that still leaves a further capacity issue given that the second batch of 256 rooms (in Parterre Place) were originally due to open around 23rd March - at which point they were expecting to have all 512 rooms available to sell.

That second phase is now not expected to be ready until nearer 13th April - meaning that all 512 Royal Rooms should be open by then - but in the meantime they will be 50% down on the expected Royal Room capacity. Crucially, perhaps, over the busy Easter week. Let's hope they caught this situation early enough for there not to be too many advanced bookings to create any further guest issues.

Andre

I've been following all of this religiously since we are scheduled to check in to a RGR on March 26th. I was all but certian that they would be ready by then, but this post kind of makes me wonder. Yes, some of them might be ready, but will there be some of us booked in RGR that might get bumped because not enough rooms are ready? How would they ever decide who moves and who doesn't?

Also, if they are ready for my trip, it will only be Oak Manor, right? So no need for me to make a building request . . .

 

[bobbigrl27]

I was just curious if there is an age limit for the hot tub use? My daughter is 10 and she enjoys getting in the hot tub for a few minutes every once in awhile.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Well, it is good that you think that Queens beds is becoming less of an issue, but I believe that if you have a situation where Queens makes a difference and that is what you booked that is what you should receive, just as if they are offering the Royal rooms they should have them ready. I have slept on a full bed recently and a Queen and a Queen is much more comfortable for two. Setting is a want for some individuals but size and comfort-ability is a must for others. if you have a family who is 6'8, 6'4 5'10 and 5'6 you cannot tell me they will sleep comfortably in two full size beds. that is just impossible to do. If Disney is going to have the options out there they should have options available. Most people are only in there room to sleep and spend the rest of their day in the parks spending a lot of money making the most of their time and wanting to go back to the room for some much needed sleep.

I Totally Agree

 

[xceebeex]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here, but this site is awesome. Anyway, my wife and 2 kids (3yrs and 1 yr) along with my mother/father in law and brother in law his wife and son, are planning a trip to Disney May 5th-12th and have pretty much narrowed it down to POR and POFQ. From what I have read here so far it looks like POFQ is fully renovated and has queen size beds and POR is partially renovated. It looks like people think POR has the better food court and POFQ has better (quicker) access to the bus since it is only one stop. POR is a little cheaper for the nights we are looking at since they are running 20% off. So my first question is, how easy is it to request a certain area in POR (one that is renovated)? Second, what is the likelihood of me getting what I request? And lastly, is there a specific thread somewhere that lists the advantages/disadvantages of POR/POFQ or do I have to basically look at the FAQ’s for each and compare that way?

Thanks!

Anyone? Also, can you book Royal Rooms on the website yet or just over the phone? When I put in my dates, I don't see an option for the Royal Rooms.

Thanks!

 

[bunkkinsmom]

It's coming down to the wire and the kids still don't know! DH came up with a great idea today but I need some input from my POR peeps to see if it's a possibility:

We will be arriving in Orlando a day earlier than expected and we really want to freak the kids out. We are going to the Pirate Dinner Theater thingy (that's the latin for it) and I am looking at getting a room only discount for that night and then praying to not have to change rooms the next day. DH's plan would be to drive around and wear the kids out until they fall asleep in the car. Then drive into Disney and over to Port Orleans. I would hop out at check-in and get checked in while he continues to drive around. Then we would carry the kids into the room and let them sleep. The next morning they would wake up and just think that they are in a hotel and then we would surprise them! Sounds like a great plan, but how easily would it be to get them from the car to the room? Normally we stay at OKW and you can park pretty much right outside your room, is it like that in Alligator Bayou?

Also, is there some kind of wake up service or special thing I can order for a Cast Member to come to the room early?

Any input is appreciated!!!

 

[HeatherLassell]

I was just curious if there is an age limit for the hot tub use? My daughter is 10 and she enjoys getting in the hot tub for a few minutes every once in awhile.

Spa / Hot Tub

Opening hours: 8am until midnight
Maximum temperature: 104°F
Maximum use: 15 minutes
Capacity: 7
Children under 12 years of age must have adult supervision
For health and safety reasons, diaper-age children must wear plastic pants or swim diapers


(from portorleans.org)

 

[Stan Solo]

I actually knew it off the top of my head. God, do I need to get a life!

Andre

No, I think you need to go on a trivia show that has some big time cash and prizes and all the questions are about POR.