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

[pamkat1820]

Yes 3/9, is correct!

thanks, For the reassurance. I swear there is more correct information here on the DIS than from the CM's.

 

[Venomhatch]

It looks like the buildings that the RGRs are in are fairly close to the food court, is that right?

Main building is a short walk north on this map and then to the west. Maybe 1-2 minute walk.

These two will be RGR rooms:
(Picture borrowed from: www.portorleans.org)

 

[rascooby]

I asked a question like this before, but it got buried in the Poly drama, so I'm trying again. As far as distance to the food court, would we be fairly close if we book a River View room? We have to stay in AB because of our family size, so it looks like the river view rooms would be 14, 18, 27 or 38. Our other choice is to book a preferred room, but I think the river view would be nice. We stayed at CBR last time and the walk was so, so long to the dining.

Thanks!

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

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.

We'll see how well this works out for us...I'm just hoping its not a miserable failure We actually leave on a Monday, and check in to a different state/hotel every night until Friday, when we'll finally be in Orlando. Then check in to Disney on Sunday. I'm not *too* worried about going there, it's coming back I'm freaked out about. Hoping the kids sleep for good portions of the drive

 

[Venomhatch]

I asked a question like this before, but it got buried in the Poly drama, so I'm trying again. As far as distance to the food court, would we be fairly close if we book a River View room? We have to stay in AB because of our family size, so it looks like the river view rooms would be 14, 18, 27 or 38. Our other choice is to book a preferred room, but I think the river view would be nice. We stayed at CBR last time and the walk was so, so long to the dining.

Thanks!

Give me five minutes and I'll help you. Just have to finish rubbing my fiancé's feet with lotion for her. Then I'll be back.

 

[Stan Solo]

I was told you can take the boat to downtown disney and get your milk at Hess which is across the street from Planet Hollywood or whatever that place is and its alot cheaper than getting it at the gift shop at POR. This is our first time going so dont go by me.

If you are going to DTD just to go to Hess it would be much faster and a lot less walking to go by bus. Hess is a great place to go for supplies. We got a case of water some milk, chips, energy drinks and the all important Twinkies (can't get them in Canada my DD was 16 and never had them before) they also sell some fruit and other necessities but no gum or Pepsi products.

I found it best to bring some cloth grocery bags to carry everything back to POR I have heard that some guest even bring their luggage with them to Hess to wheel back water.

 

[rascooby]

Give me five minutes and I'll help you. Just have to finish rubbing my fiancé's feet with lotion for her. Then I'll be back.

Ok, just hurry. Our trip is in December, so it's practically an emergency!

 

[Venomhatch]

I asked a question like this before, but it got buried in the Poly drama, so I'm trying again. As far as distance to the food court, would we be fairly close if we book a River View room? We have to stay in AB because of our family size, so it looks like the river view rooms would be 14, 18, 27 or 38. Our other choice is to book a preferred room, but I think the river view would be nice. We stayed at CBR last time and the walk was so, so long to the dining.

Thanks!

Ok the whole building 14 is preferred, so unless you book that you won't be in there. But 27 with a river view could be a very nice choice. Only about a 2-3 minute walk at average walking speed.

 

[GetGlowing]

@Venom TMI! LOL


The Hess was A LOT smaller than we expected it to be. I was expecting something large, spacious, and well lit like a Sheetz (mid-Atlantic chain). But it was small and crowded, imo. Very good gas prices, though.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Main building is a short walk north on this map and then to the west. Maybe 1-2 minute walk.

These two will be RGR rooms:
(Picture borrowed from: www.portorleans.org)

Oh, that's great!! Thanks!!!

 

[crazyboutdisny]

Trying to decide whether to use Garden Grocer or not, how much is a 1/2 gallon of milk at the store onsite?

Are you on the dining plan? When we were there last,everytime we ate at the food court we selected milk as a beverage and took them to our room. We had our refillable cups so we didnt need to get another drink. Saved us huge!! I checked a box with the airlines, was cheaper than mailing, and packed all kinds of stuff....cereal, juice boxes, muffins, granola bars etc etc...we ate breakfast in the room and saved the extra money for souveniers

 

[crazyboutdisny]

So as you know I have posted about the garden view queen bed being an issue when I arrived. Well I called today and asked for a supervisor and got some one in operations and told them my saga of booking garden view queen beds, calling the hotel and being promised they are ready, and then being told when I put it on my requests that it was only a request. and guess what..........I am going to the POLY!!!!! but I will back one day when they finish the refurb because I really want to stay at the POR.

I also made reservations thinking we were getting queen sized beds. I might have to call and see what they say! I am really nervous that we wont even get a garden view since according to the website the resort is full and we arrive at 1130pm!! I doubt there will be any pixie dust at check in
Were they pretty accomidating??

 

[klmrph]

Are you on the dining plan? When we were there last,everytime we ate at the food court we selected milk as a beverage and took them to our room. We had our refillable cups so we didnt need to get another drink. Saved us huge!! I checked a box with the airlines, was cheaper than mailing, and packed all kinds of stuff....cereal, juice boxes, muffins, granola bars etc etc...we ate breakfast in the room and saved the extra money for souveniers

Yes, on the dining plan, thanks for the tip about getting milk at the food court. I am going to skip Garden Grocer and just order a case of water from Staples, right now they are $5.99 with free shipping. I am also going to pack some snacks like suggested especially since we are flying SW and can take an extra bag anyway. I don't mind paying $3.19 for a half gallon onsite, I think GG was charging that price too and their other prices on stuff was high too.

 

[rascooby]

Ok the whole building 14 is preferred, so unless you book that you won't be in there. But 27 with a river view could be a very nice choice. Only about a 2-3 minute walk at average walking speed.

Thanks! I will continue to obsess about it for months and then decide.

 

[stephmarty]

No way a family of 5 can book a royal room, right? I have three little girls who would love it.

 

[crazyboutdisny]

Yes, on the dining plan, thanks for the tip about getting milk at the food court. I am going to skip Garden Grocer and just order a case of water from Staples, right now they are $5.99 with free shipping. I am also going to pack some snacks like suggested especially since we are flying SW and can take an extra bag anyway. I don't mind paying $3.19 for a half gallon onsite, I think GG was charging that price too and their other prices on stuff was high too.

We did the Staples water also!! This year the place I reserved a stroller from delivers water so we are doing that.
We are also flying SW! It is awesome not to have to stress about paying for bags and packing as few as possible! What I did with my box was made a handle out of duct tape so it was easy to lift. Yes, I am an obsessive planner But it paid off because we had plenty of snacks and when we were waiting in a long line I was popular with my kids...they all wanted a snack!! Another thing I am taking this year is bagels and peanut butter. There are toasters at the food court so when I run down to get my morning Diet Coke....I'll toast my bagel!! I am all about saving where I can!!

 

[buzznina]

No way a family of 5 can book a royal room, right? I have three little girls who would love it.

Correct, unless your youngest is under 3.

 

[andrewilley]

Yes 3/9, is correct!

Wow, put back to 3rd of September eh? (Two nations divided by a common language, as they say - not to mention how we write dates differently )

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

No way a family of 5 can book a royal room, right? I have three little girls who would love it.

Sadly no, two queen-sized beds only. An infant under 3-years-old can be added though, but not another adult/child.

... and then being told when I put it on my requests that it was only a request. and guess what..........I am going to the POLY!!!!!

Hey, congratulations! Somewhere deep down inside I can't help thinking "uh oh, here were go again..." though. Good luck everyone!

As far as distance to the food court, would we be fairly close if we book a River View room?

Yes, at POR the River View rooms are among the closest to the food court (apart from Preferred Locations). If you look on the maps you'll see that sometimes the quickest way is to walk across Ol' Man Island, which I love doing early in the morning before lots of people start swimming. Even the furthest walks, which would probably be building 38, really aren't that far at all.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

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.

I've just been informed that rooms which overlook the river in Alligator Bayou buildings 14, 27 etc officially count towards the River View category rather than Preferred Location. So if you plan on asking for those rooms, you would stand a better chance if you book a River View and request AB 14/27 (as those rooms are included within the River category), rather than booking Preferred and requesting a river view (as that would technically be an upgrade).

All of this is more of an issue when the resort is full to capacity. If there is plenty of unused space, there will be lots more ability to flex the guidelines a bit to try to fulfil requests (the same would apply to King Bed rooms).

Andre