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

[browneyedgrl4282]

Just booked a royal room for November! My parents AND my inlaws are also coming and we're all going to be at POR. (in seperate rooms). My dad hasn't stayed on Disney property since we stayed at the Poly in 1983. I'm REALLY hoping he likes Riverside....

This isn't my first trip to POR, but we have a ton of "firsts" for this trip:

-first time we're traveling with the in-laws.
-first time we're going with kids!
-first trip for DS1 (3.5) and DS2 (16 months - yes, we are crazy)
-first time my mom and dad have stayed on property in nearly 30 years
-first time my dad has been back to MK and EPCOT since 1986
-First time dad has been to DHS.

So, since it will be a new experience for us, what do the experts on the DIS recommend as "must dos" at POR? Esp. for the kiddos (and the adult newbie)...

Well if you are crazy, so I am! We did Disney with our 5 month old twins in 2009 a year later it was 17 month old twins and 4 month old! The twins are 3 now and the little guy is 2 so it is never a dull moment!

 

[litlpixie]

So jealous of you guys that are leaving for POR soon- I have 50 days left before our "long weekend-birthday trip-w/o the kids "!!

Cant wait to get back to my "home away from home"

 

[boundfordisney]

wow the pics of the rooms are beautiful! soooo looking forward to our first time stay at this resort!

 

[WC*123]

We leave for POR next Thursday (!) and my online check in is now available. Do we have a better chance of getting a room request if we skip online check-in? I've read too many posts over the last 2 months and cant remember the "best" answer.

We are a family of 5, so we will be in AB. We requested a refurbished room as close to the main building as possible. Close to the main building and pool is our main request.

I'm sure the check-in process is quicker by using the online system, but was wondering if you are essentially locked in to their assignment. Thoughts?

 

[hunmcbunny]

We leave for POR next Thursday (!) and my online check in is now available. Do we have a better chance of getting a room request if we skip online check-in? I've read too many posts over the last 2 months and cant remember the "best" answer.

We are a family of 5, so we will be in AB. We requested a refurbished room as close to the main building as possible. Close to the main building and pool is our main request.

I'm sure the check-in process is quicker by using the online system, but was wondering if you are essentially locked in to their assignment. Thoughts?

My understanding is that its not set in stone but its easier and less time consuming to change if you dont do the online check in.

 

[lfeikert]

I just have to share because I know people here will understand!

We are leaving on Saturday to drive down and check in on Monday morning. I'm home today with DS8 who is running a fever and has a bad headache. We have had several cases of confirmed influenza at our school over the last week. I just hope whatever it is it goes away quick and the rest of us don't get it! I'm trying not to let it stress me out right now, but that's not working!

 

[hunmcbunny]

I just have to share because I know people here will understand!

We are leaving on Saturday to drive down and check in on Monday morning. I'm home today with DS8 who is running a fever and has a bad headache. We have had several cases of confirmed influenza at our school over the last week. I just hope whatever it is it goes away quick and the rest of us don't get it! I'm trying not to let it stress me out right now, but that's not working!

This always happens with my kid...it usually happens just a few days before we leave or a day or 2 after we get there. I took her to the dr's last Friday because she was pale and complaining of a sore throat. Not strep but a sinus infection...throat was sore from post nasal drip. So glad we were able to catch this and treat it before we leave.

Call the dr now and explain the situation...they might wanna see him and maybe give him a script. Hope he feels better before y'all have to leave.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

WC*123 - I would not do online as what you request at this point is units in the 30's. You might want to see where they put you first. The only unit that meets what you show us here is 14 and you would have to asked for preferred for that one. Upgrade to preferred and you get what you want or wait and see where they assign you it could be an upgrade to 14?

Good luck and have fun!

 

[mojasa93]

I booked a Preferred room for April 13-21 for our family of 5 YESTERDAY!!! From what I have read building 14 has been renovated (I think). When I was making my reservation the CM told me none of the rooms that sleep 5 have been renovated. Can anyone confirm that? Are there rooms in building 14 that sleep 5?

Also, can I request a specific building (i.e. 14) or view (water) or is that an additional upgrade.

Totally lost here with all the choices these days at POR.
Thanks!

 

[Missytara]

I booked a Preferred room for April 13-21 for our family of 5 YESTERDAY!!! From what I have read building 14 has been renovated (I think). When I was making my reservation the CM told me none of the rooms that sleep 5 have been renovated. Can anyone confirm that? Are there rooms in building 14 that sleep 5?

Also, can I request a specific building (i.e. 14) or view (water) or is that an additional upgrade.

Totally lost here with all the choices these days at POR.
Thanks!

You can check the first page of this thread for the AB buildings that are completed.

Building 14 is in AB, so all the rooms sleep 5. All Buildings in AB sleep 5; only the ones that have been refurbished have the new murphy bed; the other ones still have the trundle.

You can request a view, but that is just a request. Depending on how busy the resort is, they may or may not be able to fulfill your requests.

With all the booking categories at POR now, you book which category you prefer in preferred, royal rooms, king, etc. Then you can request a view.

Where there is a view, you cannot request to be in preferred or royal rooms, but you can request a location.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've booked a standard room at POR for the night prior to our Disney Dream cruise. We won't have a lot of time to explore the resort since we'll be arriving mid to late afternoon and then have dinner ADRs at Downtown Disney. Any recommendations on which building to request if we are taking the boat to DTD? We don't mind walking at all and actually enjoy it. It would also be nice to get a refurbed room if possible.

 

[Missytara]

I've booked a standard room at POR for the night prior to our Disney Dream cruise. We won't have a lot of time to explore the resort since we'll be arriving mid to late afternoon and then have dinner ADRs at Downtown Disney. Any recommendations on which building to request if we are taking the boat to DTD? We don't mind walking at all and actually enjoy it. It would also be nice to get a refurbed room if possible.

Since the marina is close to the Main Building, you can look at the map and request a building close to that area.

You cannot request the four closest buildings in AB; they are a booking category of preferred.

Honestly, any rooms are a nice walk, if you enjoy walking. With the lush landscaping, there is so much to see on your way to the main building. Only the back corner of Parterre Place is the most remote, and they are also a booking category of Royal Rooms. So you will be good either way.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Since the marina is close to the Main Building, you can look at the map and request a building close to that area.

You cannot request the four closest buildings in AB; they are a booking category of preferred.

Honestly, any rooms are a nice walk, if you enjoy walking. With the lush landscaping, there is so much to see on your way to the main building. Only the back corner of Parterre Place is the most remote, and they are also a booking category of Royal Rooms. So you will be good either way.

Thanks for the info. We live in Louisiana and in a log home so the decor of the AB rooms aren't much different than what we have our home decorated with. We really don't mind walking at all (especially after being in a car for 15 or so hours) but I think I'll just put in a request for a room close to the marina.

 

[WC*123]

WC*123 - I would not do online as what you request at this point is units in the 30's. You might want to see where they put you first. The only unit that meets what you show us here is 14 and you would have to asked for preferred for that one. Upgrade to preferred and you get what you want or wait and see where they assign you it could be an upgrade to 14?

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for the info. For some reason I thought there were more buildings complete.
I guess building 38 might be the best I could do for a refurbed room close to the main building, without paying for a preferred room. It doesn't look too far, but the map is so tiny! Its pretty far from the parking lot as well...more excercise! Building 14 looks perfect though...maybe I'll try for an upgrade.

 

[mdrob214]

I just have to share because I know people here will understand!

We are leaving on Saturday to drive down and check in on Monday morning. I'm home today with DS8 who is running a fever and has a bad headache. We have had several cases of confirmed influenza at our school over the last week. I just hope whatever it is it goes away quick and the rest of us don't get it! I'm trying not to let it stress me out right now, but that's not working!

I'd definitely get to the dr. Fever and headache always indicated strep for my kids. I totally get the stressed--my DD was pretty sick last week and we thought it was influenza, too, Fortunately (?) it was just a nasty virus. She's better but still coughing, though.


We will be taking ME to POR this time tomorrow!!! I still need to pack, but everything's mostly organized. (mine, not DD's! but she's on her own)

 

[andrewilley]

It doesn't look too far, but the map is so tiny!

Then go by map, it's only a few inches that way. For a better idea of distances, there's a PDF map or use Google Earth's ruler tool to work out the distances along the paths.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

My son thinks we are going to Bulgaria for some strange reason

Better be careful the kids aren't too disappointed when they find they are going to Disney World instead - all that planning and memorising of the Bulgarian national anthem will go to waste!

Andre

 

[mamamary]

I was just checking availability for the end of june and was surprised that for our dates that only royal rooms were available. Does Riverside usually get fully booked in the end of June? I thought more people would want the royal rooms. Now I'm not sure what we'll do.

 

[hunmcbunny]

I hope this works....The shirt I just got done making using iron-on letters

 

[poohj80]

I was just checking availability for the end of june and was surprised that for our dates that only royal rooms were available. Does Riverside usually get fully booked in the end of June? I thought more people would want the royal rooms. Now I'm not sure what we'll do.

My guess is a lot of people had reservations before Royal rooms were available. Juen is very popular as schools get out.