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

[edk35]

We were at POR Jan. 6th for 5 nights. When I booked in Oct. I booked a garden view room that stated the rooms had Queen beds. When we checked in, that was not the case. That was around the time within a day or two of checking in, that the Garden room category with the Queen beds disappeared off the Disney website. When we got home I sent an email to Disney. I basically said that the category should not have stated Queen beds, if indeed they could not honor that booking category. It took about a week to hear back, but I did. They credited us back 150 bucks for each room we booked...total 350. I thought that was very nice of them to do. I just wanted to share this since there was discussion on this thread during that time period.

 

[hunmcbunny]

We are paid in full
Now we wait for our mickey mail to come! Wonder how long thats gonna take?

 

[hunmcbunny]

As of yesterday afternoon we are paid in full
Now we wait for our Mickey Mail...wonder how long that will take!

edit: sorry for the double post....I thought the first one didnt go thru.

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

I've been MIA, but still lurking! Our desktop & netbook decided to go on the fritz at the same time, of course. So frustrating my husband has an iPad (which I'm using now), but I'm old school and need a keyboard. This thing drives me nuts if I use it for anything more than a quick email! Anyway, that's my sob story.

24 days until our epic road trip adventure begins! This will be the longest trip we've driven with both kids (from the Chicago 'burbs), so I'm a little scared. But, luckily we're breaking up the trip down with some stops for my husband's work commitments. On the way back though, we won't be so lucky. We plan on going commando and driving straight through

I caught the post a few pages ago about the possible resort changes for some. Hopefully it all works out for everyone!

For those who were asking, we were originally booked in a RR with free dining, so it is technically possible. My understanding though is that they only have a certain amount of rooms allotted for each promotion, so maybe it's that the number of RR rooms with free dining has already been met?

Crossing my fingers that our Mickey mail comes soon! Can't wait to walk through the Magic Kingdom, even though a lot of things will be under refurb

 

[Missytara]

I feel the same way as you. The walk around the resort is part of the experience. We have found we enjoy the moderates more than the deluxes and it is mostly because when you walk out your door, you walk into all that beautiful landscaping Disney does. Even when you walk out to a parking lot, you still see all the plants and trees. And it is always a nice little surprise to see some wildlife such as bunnies, squirrels and otters. Saw the otter at POFQ, but I figure if he was at POFQ, he might be at POR also. I've stayed at AKKV and BLT and didn't care for the walk down those hallways.

Your posting made me think of something. I have always booked a water view room and requested the mansions. I have always been located in either the front section of Oak Manor facing the quiet pool or Magnolia Terrace near the water features. I have always used the bridge to walk over to the main building. I had a big breakfast in the food court, proceed to the main bus stop, go to the parks, come back, take the water taxi to DTD, come back, sit in the lounge and go back over the bridge to my room. I have never used any of the perimeter bus loops ever.

This year, my traveling companions were on a shoestring budget, and we did get free dining, but opted for a standard room location. I requested mansions and connecting rooms. We were in Acadian House in the back facing the parking lot. We had a corner room and the next connecting room, and I don't think we saw five people walk by all week. Two of the girls were smokers and it was quite convenient for them just to walk out into the parking lot to catch a smoke. We opted for a lite breakfast in the room and went straight to the parks, using the North depot. We would eat a good lunch, go to a resort for dinner, transfer back to the park for a bus to POR, and then got off at the North Depot and were in the quiet pool in a matter of minutes. It was such a wonderful different experience for me. Even the walk along the parking lot was wonderful, with all the landscaping.

 

[Missytara]

We are paid in full
Now we wait for our mickey mail to come! Wonder how long thats gonna take?

Your package does not arrive as soon as you pay it off. It would be too difficult to Disney to coordinate the millions of packages they do every year that way.

It arrives about 25 - 30 days before check-in.

 

[shoney]

We were at POR Jan. 6th for 5 nights. When I booked in Oct. I booked a garden view room that stated the rooms had Queen beds. When we checked in, that was not the case. That was around the time within a day or two of checking in, that the Garden room category with the Queen beds disappeared off the Disney website. When we got home I sent an email to Disney. I basically said that the category should not have stated Queen beds, if indeed they could not honor that booking category. It took about a week to hear back, but I did. They credited us back 150 bucks for each room we booked...total 350. I thought that was very nice of them to do. I just wanted to share this since there was discussion on this thread during that time period.

I'm glad you received something back!!!!

 

[hunmcbunny]

I've been MIA, but still lurking! Our desktop & netbook decided to go on the fritz at the same time, of course. So frustrating my husband has an iPad (which I'm using now), but I'm old school and need a keyboard. This thing drives me nuts if I use it for anything more than a quick email! Anyway, that's my sob story.

24 days until our epic road trip adventure begins! This will be the longest trip we've driven with both kids (from the Chicago 'burbs), so I'm a little scared. But, luckily we're breaking up the trip down with some stops for my husband's work commitments. On the way back though, we won't be so lucky. We plan on going commando and driving straight through

I caught the post a few pages ago about the possible resort changes for some. Hopefully it all works out for everyone!

For those who were asking, we were originally booked in a RR with free dining, so it is technically possible. My understanding though is that they only have a certain amount of rooms allotted for each promotion, so maybe it's that the number of RR rooms with free dining has already been met?

Crossing my fingers that our Mickey mail comes soon! Can't wait to walk through the Magic Kingdom, even though a lot of things will be under refurb

OMG you are sooo brave to drive. We are about an hour north of Albany, NY. We drive to Myrtle Beach alot and I HATE that drive with a passion...maybe its because of I-95 which has to be the worst interstate in the whole country.

 

[Hockeyman]

Hello all! We just booked a room at POR for our very 1st time staying there for 4 nights later this month. Staying Wednesday February 29th until Sunday March 4th. I didnt make any requests at all but gentleman I made ressie with at Disney said they room was a water view and a refurbished room. I would like to stay close to main building so should I call and change to a preferred room? Also what is the difference between a water view and a river view? I would actually prefer staying in one of the mansions so i may call and request that at the least.

 

[Missytara]

Hello all! We just booked a room at POR for our very 1st time staying there for 4 nights later this month. Staying Wednesday February 29th until Sunday March 4th. I didnt make any requests at all but gentleman I made ressie with at Disney said they room was a water view and a refurbished room. I would like to stay close to main building so should I call and change to a preferred room? Also what is the difference between a water view and a river view? I would actually prefer staying in one of the mansions so i may call and request that at the least.

Up until last year, there was only a water view category. In 2012, they added riverview. So water view will be pool, fountain, etc. We have also had a running gag that it could be a rain puddle, but someone from the grounds dept. would have to keep filling it up.

River view is actually a view of the Sassgagoula River. You may be on the river or on an upper level room where you can see the river.

If you change to a preferred room, then you have to request waterview.

Many of the mansion rooms are just as close to the main building. I stay in Oak Manor and Magnolia Terrace mostly have never been more than a five minute walk to the food court. My vote is on Oak Manor, the couple of times I stayed there water view, I was right near the quiet pool. It was awesome.

 

[andrewilley]

They credited us back 150 bucks for each room we booked...total 350. I thought that was very nice of them to do.

So how much cash does that make per missing bed-inch then?

We've known about this possible problem for a while now, as they just don't have enough newly refurbished rooms YET to guarantee every guest with a Garden View booking a queen bed room at present (the advertising of queen beds prematurely was an error).

The resort is currently trying to prioritise those guests who have specifically stated/requested queens, or who mention it at checkin, but conversely I guess that also means that if you don't say anything, you'll most likely get double beds.

Good result for you though!

Andre

 

[edk35]

So how much cash does that make per missing bed-inch then?

We've known about this possible problem for a while now, as they just don't have enough newly refurbished rooms YET to guarantee every guest with a Garden View booking a queen bed room at present (the advertising of queen beds prematurely was an error).

The resort is currently trying to prioritise those guests who have specifically stated/requested queens, or who mention it at checkin, but conversely I guess that also means that if you don't say anything, you'll most likely get double beds.

Good result for you though!

Andre

They could not move us to any of the refurbed rooms. That was marathon weekend. I did not follow this thread much between making ressie in Oct. and checking in. I didn't even know that there was a possibility it would not be done if they were advertising Queen beds. I figured the "garden view" rooms must be done. We have older kids 21, 18 and 13. We would have never booked there if we had known all that was there were doubles.

 

[Hockeyman]

Up until last year, there was only a water view category. In 2012, they added riverview. So water view will be pool, fountain, etc. We have also had a running gag that it could be a rain puddle, but someone from the grounds dept. would have to keep filling it up.

River view is actually a view of the Sassgagoula River. You may be on the river or on an upper level room where you can see the river.

If you change to a preferred room, then you have to request waterview.

Many of the mansion rooms are just as close to the main building. I stay in Oak Manor and Magnolia Terrace mostly have never been more than a five minute walk to the food court. My vote is on Oak Manor, the couple of times I stayed there water view, I was right near the quiet pool. It was awesome.

Awesome thank you. I may call and request the either Magnolia Terrace or Oak. We have 2 little ones in strollers so being close to the main building will be nice to have. Now Magnolia has been totally refurbished already and Oak is going thru the Royal treatment, could i even request Oak still?

 

[Missytara]

Awesome thank you. I may call and request the either Magnolia Terrace or Oak. We have 2 little ones in strollers so being close to the main building will be nice to have. Now Magnolia has been totally refurbished already and Oak is going thru the Royal treatment, could i even request Oak still?

Drats, keep forgetting that the Oak Manor is now RR. No, you would have to book that and then request a water view room.

 

[Hockeyman]

Drats, keep forgetting that the Oak Manor is now RR. No, you would have to book that and then request a water view room.

So many different options to choose from lol.

 

[andrewilley]

In 2012, they added riverview. So water view will be pool, fountain, etc. We have also had a running gag that it could be a rain puddle, but someone from the grounds dept. would have to keep filling it up.

The new categories for 2011 (River and Preferred) and now 2012's Garden View (making a possible TEN categories at one hotel with the Royal Rooms too) do seem to be a bit clearer than before. The puddle-view seems to have been incorporated into Garden now, LOL.

This is how I understand it to work now:

• Standard View: These rooms offer general views around the resort and can include rooms which face towards parking lots - which will most likely be the more common locations for this category. Standard view rooms can be located in any of the buildings at French Quarter and any building at Riverside (EXCLUDING Royal Rooms and Preferred Locations).
• 
  Garden View: These rooms also offer views of the gardens, courtyards, fountains, landscaping or bayou — but NOT of the parking lots. Garden View rooms can be located in any of the buildings at French Quarter and any building at Riverside (EXCLUDING Royal Rooms and Preferred Locations). $10 per night surcharge.
• Water View: These rooms mostly offer swimming pool views, but if you happen to get lucky you might get to look out over the river. They are spread around many of the buildings at the resort, for example French Quarter 2 and 5, Riverside 16, 17, 24, 25, 35, 36, 39 and all of the mansion buildings (EXCLUDING Royal Rooms and Preferred Locations). $25 per night surcharge.
• King Bed: These rooms feature one king-size bed only, and have a maximum occupancy of two persons. Locations vary around the whole of the resort in can be in any View type. There is only a limited quantity of these rooms available — just 62 in French Quarter for example. $25 per night surcharge.
• Preferred Room (Riverside only): These rooms offer close proximity to the restaurants, transportation and main building. Preferred room are located in Alligator Bayou lodges 14, 15, 18 and 27 only (there are no preferred rooms located in the mansion buildings). $25 per night surcharge.
• River View: These rooms offer direct views of the riverfront, but they do not guarantee any particular proximity to the main buildings — however at Riverside, any of the directly river-facing rooms tend to give fairly convenient access to the facilities areas anyway. River View rooms are located in French Quarter buildings 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, or at Riverside in Alligator Bayou lodge 38, Acadian House and Magnolia Terrace. $30 per night surcharge.

The new Royal Rooms will only be located in Oak Manor and Parterre Place, and they have their own similar sub-categories of Standard, Garden, Water and River Views too.

Andre

P.S. I'm not sure if Preferred Locations will 'trump' River Views or not (in the same way that King Bed covers all other areas too). I still need to get a definite answer on that one, as otherwise a River View in AB would only allow for building 38.

 

[Day-Day]

I recently booked using the AP rate and the best deal came up as a River View. I'd like to have a king bed as well. Is this something I can ask for by calling and attaching this as a preference?

I'd like the king but don't want to pay any more than I'm already being charged for the River View.

 

[Hockeyman]

The new categories for 2011 (River and Preferred) and now 2012's Garden View (making a possible TEN categories at one hotel with the Royal Rooms too) do seem to be a bit clearer than before. The puddle-view seems to have been incorporated into Garden now, LOL.

This is how I understand it to work now:

• Standard View: These rooms offer general views around the resort and can include rooms which face towards parking lots - which will most likely be the more common locations for this category. Standard view rooms can be located in any of the buildings at French Quarter and any building at Riverside (EXCLUDING Royal Rooms and Preferred Locations).
• 
  Garden View: These rooms also offer views of the gardens, courtyards, fountains, landscaping or bayou — but NOT of the parking lots. Garden View rooms can be located in any of the buildings at French Quarter and any building at Riverside (EXCLUDING Royal Rooms and Preferred Locations). $10 per night surcharge.
• Water View: These rooms mostly offer swimming pool views, but if you happen to get lucky you might get to look out over the river. They are spread around many of the buildings at the resort, for example French Quarter 2 and 5, Riverside 16, 17, 24, 25, 35, 36, 39 and all of the mansion buildings (EXCLUDING Royal Rooms and Preferred Locations). $25 per night surcharge.
• King Bed: These rooms feature one king-size bed only, and have a maximum occupancy of two persons. Locations vary around the whole of the resort in can be in any View type. There is only a limited quantity of these rooms available — just 62 in French Quarter for example. $25 per night surcharge.
• Preferred Room (Riverside only): These rooms offer close proximity to the restaurants, transportation and main building. Preferred room are located in Alligator Bayou lodges 14, 15, 18 and 27 only (there are no preferred rooms located in the mansion buildings). $25 per night surcharge.
• River View: These rooms offer direct views of the riverfront, but they do not guarantee any particular proximity to the main buildings — however at Riverside, any of the directly river-facing rooms tend to give fairly convenient access to the facilities areas anyway. River View rooms are located in French Quarter buildings 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, or at Riverside in Alligator Bayou lodge 38, Acadian House and Magnolia Terrace. $30 per night surcharge.

The new Royal Rooms will only be located in Oak Manor and Parterre Place, and they have their own similar sub-categories of Standard, Garden, Water and River Views too.

Andre

P.S. I'm not sure if Preferred Locations will 'trump' River Views or not (in the same way that King Bed covers all other areas too). I still need to get a definite answer on that one, as otherwise a River View in AB would only allow for building 38.

Thank you Andre

So then I should call and try to upgrade from a water view to a river view in the mansions and try to request Magnolia Terrance since they seem close and also all the rooms have been upgrade?

 

[andrewilley]

I recently booked using the AP rate and the best deal came up as a River View. I'd like to have a king bed as well. Is this something I can ask for by calling and attaching this as a preference?

I believe it actually works the other way around, i.e. to get a king you need to have booked King Bed as a category. However some of those King Bed rooms do happen to overlook the river, so you could then put in a request for a river view.

I've been told that the King Bed rooms were regarded as likely choices for honeymooning couples so they are quite often located in the nicer sections of the resort (e.g. not so many parking lot views).

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

So then I should call and try to upgrade from a water view to a river view in the mansions and try to request Magnolia Terrance since they seem close and also all the rooms have been upgrade?

Who can say? The mansions vs. Alligator Bayou is still on a request basis rather than a booking category, so you could still get either section anyway.

Maybe next year they'll break down Alligator Bayou and the two remaining non-Royal mansion buildings into separate bookable areas too? A final total of 15 categories seems a nice semi-round number! (Only half joking actually. I think that would have made more sense than some of the other category options, as so many people seem to specifically want AB or mansion building rooms).

Andre