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

[HiHoOffWeGo]

your drive around idea is great!!!

Ab-depends on wether you are parked in the lot with rooms off the lot - reg view. If you have that, then about the best but if you have garden view or second floor the you could be 30 to 50 yards away. At 63 I would say not bad.

Go for it!

 

[Stan Solo]

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!

Not sure when you were trying to book for. I just plugged in some random dates in October just to try it out and all rooms and views were available to book on line.

 

[Stan Solo]

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!!!

How about a wake up call from one of the fab five? Yep, you can have Goofy or Mickey Mouse himself call your kids in the morning with a wake up call. You can't choose who calls but I've been told that is best not to have the call made on the hour or half hour and that it's best to have it a few minutes before or after.

 

[xceebeex]

Not sure when you were trying to book for. I just plugged in some random dates in October just to try it out and all rooms and views were available to book on line.

We are planning to go May 5-12th so maybe they are all sold out already.

 

[HeatherLassell]

We are planning to go May 5-12th so maybe they are all sold out already.

How many people in your group?

 

[xceebeex]

How many people in your group?

To check for reservations I use 4 (my wife, myself and our 2 kids, one of them only being a 1 year old), but we will be getting three rooms total since my father and mother in-law and brother in-law and his family are going as well.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

your drive around idea is great!!!

Ab-depends on wether you are parked in the lot with rooms off the lot - reg view. If you have that, then about the best but if you have garden view or second floor the you could be 30 to 50 yards away. At 63 I would say not bad.

Go for it!

YAY! 30-50 yards isn't too bad, we could load them in one at a time, sort of like a relay. My oldest is 9, so she would be a little tough, but my DD5 is tiny and I could just throw her over me like a shawl.

How about a wake up call from one of the fab five? Yep, you can have Goofy or Mickey Mouse himself call your kids in the morning with a wake up call. You can't choose who calls but I've been told that is best not to have the call made on the hour or half hour and that it's best to have it a few minutes before or after.

That's a great idea! I also thought about just turning the TV on Stacy's channel and seeing how long it takes them to figure it out.

 

[HeatherLassell]

To check for reservations I use 4 (my wife, myself and our 2 kids, one of them only being a 1 year old), but we will be getting three rooms total since my father and mother in-law and brother in-law and his family are going as well.

If you JUST book your reservation as 4, 2 adults and 2 kids for May 5-12 the royal rooms will show up. I JUST tried it. I get all 4 options for views "ROYAL GUEST ROOM".

The other rooms need to be added on their OWN reservation and then you can have the CMs tie (i can't think of the word) the reservations together.

 

[xceebeex]

If you JUST book your reservation as 4, 2 adults and 2 kids for May 5-12 the royal rooms will show up. I JUST tried it. I get all 4 options for views "ROYAL GUEST ROOM".

The other rooms need to be added on their OWN reservation and then you can have the CMs tie (i can't think of the word) the reservations together.

Ahhh, I bet it is because I was looking at the Spring Room Only Offer which is less than half that price in your screenshot. It must just not be available for that Spring Offer or something.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Ahhh, I bet it is because I was looking at the Spring Room Only Offer which is less than half that price in your screenshot. It must just not be available for that Spring Offer or something.

Yes it's very possible that the new Royal Rooms are not included in any discount offers right now.

I tried it using the 35% off Canadian Spring offer and I also did not get the Royal Rooms as an option.

 

[3sweetpeas]

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!

Hi and welcome to the Dis! I have never stayed at POFQ but I'll try to answer some of your questions.

I think both resorts are beautiful but I feel like POR has more to offer. I really prefer the pool area. It is very pretty and such a pretty walk to the pool. The food court is definitely great at POR with more selection.
Hee Haw Bob is so much fun and I just love the lushness of the resort. I can't explain it. You'd have to walk it to get it.

From my own experience and the TONS I have read here on the boards, POR really tries to fill your requests and if you don't get what you want, they really try to work with you if you ask nicely at check in. Three rooms together may limit you a little. I would give your preference at booking to be noted and then call again a few days before you arrive.

As far as threads goes, I would go to the RESORTS section and up at the right find the search and put in POR or POFQ and it will bring up posts that discuss either of these resorts and you may find info there.

If you haven't yet, I would go to Andre's sight, Portorleans.org (info on pg 1 of this thread) and study the two.

 

[andrewilley]

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?

Hi, and welcome to our little corner of cyberspace.

By mid-May, well over half of the POR resort should be refurbished (all of the mansions and getting on for half of the Alligator Bayou rooms). Requests for refurbished rooms should be getting progressively more likely as time goes by (and most people already seem to be getting their requests fulfilled anyway).

For the pros and cons, speaking very generally I tend to prefer POR for families - for the more varied and fun landscaping, better pools and other recreation facilities (boat/cycle rentals, fishin' hole, etc), "Ye Haa" Bob Jackson playing in the lounge in the evenings, better food court. On the other hand POFQ is smaller and more intimate, and is great for couples and anyone who wants to be pretty-much assured of a very short walk from their room to the main areas. For more discussion, see http://www.portorleans.org/faqs.php#Choice.

Andre

 

[Stan Solo]

In the refurbished rooms did anyone figure out why LHMC is printed on the side of the furniture? I think we all agree that the 101971 is for October 1971 or am I off base on this?

 

[BDL]

Been following this thread since the begining. Even back when it was the " Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - 2011 Royal Refurbishment " thread.

I have been around the boards and have heard rumors and seen DIS'ers vehemently demand this, but I defer to those that have more insight and better contacts, about whether this may come to pass.

There has been a lot made about the lack of resort specific merchandise. And I for 1 would love to have the variety POR shirts (especially POR seasonal clothes). My question is, has there been enough of a push to at least get the resort specific mugs back?

I've had my fat POR "fishing hole" mug for 12-13 yrs and it's still a great mug. But the art work if fading something awful. I'm gonna miss it and am hoping some day to get it rplaced.

 

[xceebeex]

Hi, and welcome to our little corner of cyberspace.

By mid-May, well over half of the POR resort should be refurbished (all of the mansions and getting on for half of the Alligator Bayou rooms). Requests for refurbished rooms should be getting progressively more likely as time goes by (and most people already seem to be getting their requests fulfilled anyway).

For the pros and cons, speaking very generally I tend to prefer POR for families - for the more varied and fun landscaping, better pools and other recreation facilities (boat/cycle rentals, fishin' hole, etc), "Ye Haa" Bob Jackson playing in the lounge in the evenings, better food court. On the other hand POFQ is smaller and more intimate, and is great for couples and anyone who wants to be pretty-much assured of a very short walk from their room to the main areas. For more discussion, see.

Andre

Thanks for the input! If I were to go with POR and wanted a refurb'd room, what are the best buildings to target? Can I make that request doing an online reservation or do I have to call in? It seems like POR might be better for our situation.

How far is the walk from POFQ? I read somewhere that sometimes it makes sense to take the bus to POFQ from the parks because the lines are usually shorter and POFQ is only one stop.

Thanks again!

 

[Venomhatch]

In the refurbished rooms did anyone figure out why LHMC is printed on the side of the furniture? I think we all agree that the 101971 is for October 1971 or am I off base on this?

I think you may be right. I was wondering about that.

 

[ldo]

will all of AB (sleeps 5) rooms by done by end of Aug.?

 

[Missytara]

In the refurbished rooms did anyone figure out why LHMC is printed on the side of the furniture? I think we all agree that the 101971 is for October 1971 or am I off base on this?

My guess was way back when; Little Hidden Mickey Clue.

 

[pianoronni37]

I have a question...

My husband and I booked a Garden View room a few months back, when it stated "2 Queen Beds." Then we realized - by the time we get to POR (Jan 22), not all of the Garden View rooms will have queen beds!

We're not small people - we don't want a room with 2 doubles! So what is my best chance of getting a larger bed? We have booked a King bedroom in the past, but when we saw 2 Queen beds, we thought it would be nice to try something different... and now when I called Disney reservations, the King bedrooms are booked.

We honestly don't care about the renovated rooms - we love POR just as it is, so a renovated room would only be a bonus. But now we know that Queen beds are only in the renovated rooms.

Would you suggest we call ahead and request a renovated room, wait until we get to the resort and ask for a renovated room, or wait until we get to the resort and ask how much it would be to get a King bedroom (maybe a cancellation has happened)?

Thank you for your help! Even if we have to sleep in separate beds... totally worth it to stay in the lushness of POR... stepping into the lobby we both agree nothing feels more like home!

 

[Stan Solo]

My guess was way back when; Little Hidden Mickey Clue.

I like that one Missytara. Anybody else have any ideas?

I have a question...

My husband and I booked a Garden View room a few months back, when it stated "2 Queen Beds." Then we realized - by the time we get to POR (Jan 22), not all of the Garden View rooms will have queen beds!

We're not small people - we don't want a room with 2 doubles! So what is my best chance of getting a larger bed? We have booked a King bedroom in the past, but when we saw 2 Queen beds, we thought it would be nice to try something different... and now when I called Disney reservations, the King bedrooms are booked.

We honestly don't care about the renovated rooms - we love POR just as it is, so a renovated room would only be a bonus. But now we know that Queen beds are only in the renovated rooms.

Would you suggest we call ahead and request a renovated room, wait until we get to the resort and ask for a renovated room, or wait until we get to the resort and ask how much it would be to get a King bedroom (maybe a cancellation has happened)?

Thank you for your help! Even if we have to sleep in separate beds... totally worth it to stay in the lushness of POR... stepping into the lobby we both agree nothing feels more like home!

If you like the mansions then call and ask if it would be possible that you be placed in Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace. I think this would greatly increase your odds of getting a refurbished room.