Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part Three --- NOW FULL / CLOSED

[Missytara]

Quick question.
Does the lead person on the reservation need to be the one to check in?
When we arrive at MCO my husband is picking up the rental car and we are taking Magical Express (the kids really like M.E).

I was thinking he could stop on the way and pick up any grocery items we need. If we beat him there can we check in or does he need to be the one to do it since he booked the trip? We are all listed on the reservation. Just curious.

Yes, you can go ahead and check-in.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Our flight is scheduled to land at MCO at around 10am Sunday morning. Is it safe to assume we'll get to POR around 11 (using Magical Express)?

 

[pigletto]

Yes, you can go ahead and check-in.

Thank you Missytara. That will make things easy if it doesn't matter who arrives first

 

[Chuckers]

Our flight is scheduled to land at MCO at around 10am Sunday morning. Is it safe to assume we'll get to POR around 11 (using Magical Express)?

I wouldn't take that bet. I would say more between 11:30 and noon.

 

[ShesAPirate]

I wouldn't take that bet. I would say more between 11:30 and noon.

Okay, that's fine, too. No rush. We have an ADR at Tusker House at 2:45, so plenty of time either way

 

[Chuckers]

Okay, that's fine, too. No rush. We have an ADR at Tusker House at 2:45, so plenty of time either way

I don't think you'll have a problem making that ADR. Since POR is not a Value, the line for ME shouldn't be that bad. (I've seen the Value load line be about an hour long to board the bus.)

Conservative estimates: 15 minutes from Plane to ME boarding area. 15-20 minutes to board bus and depart. 45 minutes to get to WDW. Then it depends on if there are other hotel stops before POR.

 

[cheryterese]

Can someone direct me to instructions on how to send an online fax? We don't have a land line and my dh was not in his regular work office today so he couldn't do it there and we are 5 days out.

I did a google search and found this: http://faxzero.com/ so am wondering, can I just use that?

Thank you so much!

 

[Venomhatch]

Can someone direct me to instructions on how to send an online fax? We don't have a land line and my dh was not in his regular work office today so he couldn't do it there and we are 5 days out.

I did a google search and found this: http://faxzero.com/ so am wondering, can I just use that?

Thank you so much!

On it... Check your PM box in 5 mins.

 

[andrewilley]

I know I have plenty of time, but since I'm posting... How many days before your trip should Faxed Requests be sent in?

Online Checkin can be done up to 60 days out now, but 'general' faxed requests are best done much closer to your arrival, about 3-5 days is ideal. Much longer than that and they risk being stored until staff start working on your arrival dates. If your request is more urgent/specific (such as a medical request) you might want to contact them earlier though, so they can block a specific room out for you.

I selected the request for both corner room and ground floor. Having not stayed here before, I am not sure if that was a good request. Can anyone comment on the view from this room type?

Personally I tend to prefer the views from the upper floors (and they can be a bit quieter) but ground floor does give you quicker access to the pathways; it's generally best to stick to the pathways from the buildings rather than walking across the gardens. I wouldn't stress about it either way though. You can go in and alter your OLCI info later if you like though, in most cases nothing will be actioned until a few hours before you are due to arrive anyway.

Hi all,
I was wondering about the life jackets people have mentioned borrowing. Can you borrow one for the whole time you are there or do you need to return it everyday? Also where you borrow (I'm assuming the marina) is it far from the main pool? Is there a cost associated with the life jackets (don't want to get there to have to turn around and run back to the room )?

I was also wondering how likely it would be to add two people to our dining reservations when we arrive. Our travel agent said I could call (I have 4 times so far with no luck of them being able to do it yet) but she also said when we check in or even that morning to try and talk to them. It's my MIL and mothers birthday on two of the nights and since my in laws decided later that they would come with us I wasn't able to get them in on those two nights.

I was also wondering when to ask about late checkout (flight leaves at 6 and we wanted to hit the pool and DTD before leaving), should I have put it in our room request fax? I sent that off yesterday.

Life jackets are collected from the marina, and you can keep them for your whole stay. You would be charged for non-return, but otherwise they are free.

If you have no luck with upgrading your dining reservations, just turn up with the extra two people. Arrive a good bit earlier than your booked ADR time, and as long as you're not in a rush most restaurants will try to help you out, and won't turn you away. I wouldn't even think about trying it at the very popular places like Be Our Guest though.

Late checkout is usually something to request the day before you leave, when they can see how early your room will be needed the next day. You can't pre-book it. Also, they may only allow it for one room if you have more than one in your reservation. However, even after you've checked out you can leave your bags with Bell Services and still use the pool/etc (pool towels are provided, and there's a changing room/shower/lockers area right next to the Muddy Rivers pool bar)

Quick question.
Does the lead person on the reservation need to be the one to check in?

Any adult in the party can check you in - but if you have a credit card set up for charging, I would think that person would need to be present.

Okay, that's fine, too. No rush. We have an ADR at Tusker House at 2:45, so plenty of time either way

You will be fine for a 2:45 ADR after a 10am flight and getting yourselves checked in and sorted out. If you send your luggage via the ME delivery service you might not have it back in time though, so either take your bags along with you on the bus, or make sure you've got any essentials with you in your hand luggage.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Wow someone didn't wake up on the right side of the bed this morning. Where we can agree requests are requests.

Ok spoke to Room Assignment team just now. They do welcome faxed in room requests but you may not get a confirmation call or email.

I'm so glad I did get out of bed on the right side after all....

I was just trying to say, as you have repeated too, that just because some folks have received direct responses to faxes, please don't be too disappointed or worried if you don't. It doesn't mean they won't look at them and try to help if they can.

In fact, I do know for a fact that spreading a little unexpected, random pixie dust is something they love trying to do if they can.

Andre

 

[melissarose]

I will be at POR tomorrow!!!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Hello Port Orleans Riverside thread!!! I finally get to ask something about this resort since it will be our first time stay ing at POR!!!!! We are very exctied to try a new resort for our short trip. We actually got married at Disney December 8, 2012 and have finally booked our Magic Kingdom/Epcot Bridal Portraits for May 11th!!! These photoshoots are exculsive to Disney brides and grooms and are done starting at 6:00 am in the mornings before the parks open.

Anyways... to get on with my question... What is POR fax number? We are trying to send in our requests (like we did for our wedding/honeymoon trip as well), but I cant find the fax number anywhere.

Thanks for your help!!!

I see you already got your answer to the fax number, but I just wanted to say ENJOY your MK photo shoot! We got married at the Wedding Pavilion in July of 2007 (did a dessert party like you as well,) and did our MK photo shoot during our honeymoon. It was the most amazing experience of our lives to go in through the "back door" to the MK and literally be in the park almost alone (except for some workers who were cleaning.) Enjoy every second of it! It's totally worth getting up at 4am for hair and makeup, ha!

 

[MINRK]

We made reservations today for Riverside(April 20-28). It looks to be one of the more laid back resorts and I really like everything I see and read about it. I am going to call tomorrow with my initial requests which will be ground floor and connecting rooms. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[firstwdw]

Where is the best place to rent a car for one day when staying at Riverside? We would need to be picked up by a shuttle and taken to rental place or is there a place in Downtown Disney that is a very easy and quick walk from where the boat takes drops you off from POR? Other ideas? Would Car Care Center be better?

 

[kenly777]

Where is the best place to rent a car for one day when staying at Riverside? We would need to be picked up by a shuttle and taken to rental place or is there a place in Downtown Disney that is a very easy and quick walk from where the boat takes drops you off from POR? Other ideas? Would Car Care Center be better?

We rented from Alamo for the on site location. We rented from home before we left with a great coupon code. Upon arrival, I asked at the front desk and they gave me a number to call 24 hrs in advance to arrange a shuttle. Upon return of the car, they provided a shuttle back to POR. It was very easy.

 

[Teddie]

Thanks for all the pool info Andre! we are really looking forward to some fun in the sun even if it seems chilly to some!

 

[OttawaON]

So, I sent my fax as directed on Tues, but I didn't hear anything back. Should I still checkin online or just wait in line when we get to POR? We are arriving in POR Sat around 11AM.

Great news! I have confirmed that we received our room requests. A GIANT thank you to Vernomhatch for all of his help.

Lesson--even if you don't receive a reply, your requests may still be magically answered.

 

[cheryterese]

On it... Check your PM box in 5 mins.

Thank you so much for your help, Venom, once again! Room request is in, packing is underway, food options are printed out and loose itineraries are set! And next time I'm not telling my kids until the day we leave - it's ALL they are talking about! The very first thing they want to do is swim at Ol' Man Island!

 

[pigletto]

Any adult in the party can check you in - but if you have a credit card set up for charging, I would think that person would need to be present.

Hmmm. You make an interesting point Andre. I did online check in already and put MY credit card on the account. We share the card but each have a different number.
I guess I will see when we get there. We may just have to putter around the giftshop until the other one gets there. Not a big worry either way

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

I see you already got your answer to the fax number, but I just wanted to say ENJOY your MK photo shoot! We got married at the Wedding Pavilion in July of 2007 (did a dessert party like you as well,) and did our MK photo shoot during our honeymoon. It was the most amazing experience of our lives to go in through the "back door" to the MK and literally be in the park almost alone (except for some workers who were cleaning.) Enjoy every second of it! It's totally worth getting up at 4am for hair and makeup, ha!

Awwwww thanks so much!! Yes we got married on 12/8/12 and tried to do it during our honeymoon as well but they were blocked out from Nov till mid Jan. We originally didn't know if we could afford it but it turned out ok and we booked it pretty fast. I know! I'm so excited to be in MK almost alone taking pictures next to the castle and I'm excited to be able to wear my dress again. I warned my husband that I just may shed a tear being able to do these pictures.