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

[Chuckers]

I'm confused...

I booked my reservation at the Disney website (which I am looking at right now)

The only options for rooms are:
Garden View Included
Pool View +$63.28
King Bed +$63.28
River View +$84.38
Royal Guest Room - Standard View +$84.38
Royal Guest Room - Garden View +$126.55
Royal Guest Room - Pool View +$189.83
Royal Guest Room - River View +$210.95

But according to the Port Orleans website, buildings 14,15,18, & 27 are preferred rooms. I am thinking of making an upgrade to the Preferred Rooms, but there's no price listed. I would like to be in 14 or 15 as I have my own car and would like to be closer to the parking lot and main building. Should I check into asking about a River View or ???

Thanks!

 

[Missytara]

I'm confused...

I booked my reservation at the Disney website (which I am looking at right now)

The only options for rooms are:
Garden View Included
Pool View +$63.28
King Bed +$63.28
River View +$84.38
Royal Guest Room - Standard View +$84.38
Royal Guest Room - Garden View +$126.55
Royal Guest Room - Pool View +$189.83
Royal Guest Room - River View +$210.95

But according to the Port Orleans website, buildings 14,15,18, & 27 are preferred rooms. I am thinking of making an upgrade to the Preferred Rooms, but there's no price listed. I would like to be in 14 or 15 as I have my own car and would like to be closer to the parking lot and main building. Should I check into asking about a River View or ???

Thanks!

If a category doesn't show up, that means it is already book for that time period. I noticed standard view does not show up either.

You may try shifting your dates slightly to see if that is the case.

You didn't say which week you are trying to book; if it is a busy week, preferred rooms at any resort always book up quickly.

 

[Chuckers]

If a category doesn't show up, that means it is already book for that time period. I noticed standard view does not show up either.

You may try shifting your dates slightly to see if that is the case.

You didn't say which week you are trying to book; if it is a busy week, preferred rooms at any resort always book up quickly.

I'm already booked May 9 through May 15 in a Garden View. I may just call them later and find out.

 

[mommy2jack]

I'm already booked May 9 through May 15 in a Garden View. I may just call them later and find out.

I had the same problem when we booked our May 22-28 trip. If you used the new spring promotion I don't think the preferred category is included in the promotion. I was actually booked in a preferred room prior to the new promotion being announced but when I switch my reservation over it was not covered. We decided to stay with the Garden view option.

 

[Venomhatch]

Thanks Andre and Venomhatch for all of help you provide both here and on Andre's site. This morning I sent our fax to the room assignment team explaining my reasons for my room location requests and I received an Email back from David Elg within 15 minutes that we have been assigned a room that meets those requests. I based my personalized fax request on the one our very own "Magical Mouse", aka Venomhatch, provided and I did not ask for anything that we were not already paying for in our booking.

For others like me who do not have a fax machine I wanted to let you know that I used the site gotfreefax.com and it was easy and quick.

I better finish my packing soon!

Magical Mouse, Yeah that has started to stick now I like it. And you all are so very welcome!

Well, darn. I sent in my faxed request when we were 8 days out, not realizing that I was supposed to do it in the 3-5 day window. We're 3 days out today, should I resend the fax? I never received an email from David, but I know that doesn't really mean anything. I'd hate to be a bother by resending, though! It's just that we are there to celebrate my son's 10th birthday and he is Autistic. So I was trying to request a room in AB (we are a family of 5+baby) that is in a quiet location, since he is very sensitive to sound.

So should I resend or just keep my fingers crossed that 8 days out wasn't too far away to make a request?

Also, big thanks to Andre and Venomhatch! I've spent hours going over all the information on this thread and on the Port Orleans website. The last time we were at Port Orleans was for my son's 1st birthday, so we're excited to be back for his 10th!

Your so very welcome. Glad we could be of help!

 

[andrewilley]

Magical Mouse, Yeah that has started to stick now I like it. And you all are so very welcome!

So you're not the Port Orleans Witch Doctor any more?

Andre

 

[quietgirll]

FYI- just finished watching yesterday's disunplugged podcast, and they were talking about the 7 resorts in 7 days they did(wl, AKL, pop, all star, cbr,POFQ, and POR), and most of them picked POR as the one they'd most like to return to!! Woohoo! Altho, they didn't enjoy boatwrights at all, and they were there within just a couple of days of us, and I loved it!! Interesting...

 

[Venomhatch]

So you're not the Port Orleans Witch Doctor any more?

Andre

Better watch that tone.... Just playing! I will always be here for POR Guests!

 

[andrewilley]

For others like me who do not have a fax machine I wanted to let you know that I used the site gotfreefax.com and it was easy and quick.

Thanks for that info, I've added it to the FAQ in the first post - along with a few other updates to save time in readiness for when we hit the 250 page limit again.

Andre

 

[lamommyof3]

My family will be leaving for Disney World in 3 days and we are so excited!! My daughter was only 2 last time she went to Disney, so this is like her very first visit. Because we have a family of 5 we decided to stay in the POR resort. We are from just outside New Orleans, so at first we were a little bummed that with 5 people we couldn't comfortably stay elsewhere (we see alligators, bayous, water, and plantations all the time), but after reading through these posts and looking at the pictures I am really excited! I sent in my room request (thanks venomhatch) a few minutes ago and hope to hear back from them soon! Thanks for all the great info! Anyone else going to be there next week for Mardi Gras?

 

[Missytara]

I had the same problem when we booked our May 22-28 trip. If you used the new spring promotion I don't think the preferred category is included in the promotion. I was actually booked in a preferred room prior to the new promotion being announced but when I switch my reservation over it was not covered. We decided to stay with the Garden view option.

That would also be the reason.

If they have booked most of one or two of the categories, then they also would not be included when you price out and book the trip.

Good one; had forgotten about that!

 

[Missytara]

FYI- just finished watching yesterday's disunplugged podcast, and they were talking about the 7 resorts in 7 days they did(wl, AKL, pop, all star, cbr,POFQ, and POR), and most of them picked POR as the one they'd most like to return to!! Woohoo! Altho, they didn't enjoy boatwrights at all, and they were there within just a couple of days of us, and I loved it!! Interesting...

I have to honestly say for the money and the amount of food you get, Boatwright's is not my cup of tea. However, their pecan pie is to die for; but you can get it some days at the Bakery.

But I am also still bitter about them no longer being open for breakfast. I love the option of the make-your-own omelet at the food court, but at my age, I just love the option of the leisurely breakfast at Boatwright's. My favorite was the omelette or the sweet potato pancakes. My mom loved them too. We have made them at home, but it is just not the same as Boatwright's.

I love to hear people loving to go back to POR again; it has been my go-to resort since 2004.

 

[DCampbell]

Wow this is a great thread. I can't wait to try it out. It is great that some rooms sleep five.

 

[andrewilley]

Well, darn. I sent in my faxed request when we were 8 days out, not realizing that I was supposed to do it in the 3-5 day window.

Don't worry about it, it should still get looked at, it just might get stored away for a few days until they start working on your trip dates.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Don't worry about it, it should still get looked at, it just might get stored away for a few days until they start working on your trip dates.

Andre

I have revised my advise that I have been giving guests and I tell them between 7-10 days and still get something back email or call. But Some don't get any message back but that is because of traffic in the office I am sure. We are busy here also.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I've been reading through this thread and am getting excited about our upcoming stay in August. I would like to know if anyone thinks it's worth it to upgrade to a river view from a garden view in the RGR? Will a river view guarantee a closer location to the main bldg? Also, we will be celebrating DH's big 50th on this trip...any recommendations? Carraige Ride maybe?

 

[ChristineOH]

I'm confused...

I booked my reservation at the Disney website (which I am looking at right now)

The only options for rooms are:
Garden View Included
Pool View +$63.28
King Bed +$63.28
River View +$84.38
Royal Guest Room - Standard View +$84.38
Royal Guest Room - Garden View +$126.55
Royal Guest Room - Pool View +$189.83
Royal Guest Room - River View +$210.95

But according to the Port Orleans website, buildings 14,15,18, & 27 are preferred rooms. I am thinking of making an upgrade to the Preferred Rooms, but there's no price listed. I would like to be in 14 or 15 as I have my own car and would like to be closer to the parking lot and main building. Should I check into asking about a River View or ???

Thanks!

It didn't give me an option for preferred either. I booked river view instead. I have a party of 5, so I know I will be in AB. Of the three buildings in AB that have river view rooms, two are also preferred buildings, and I requested either of those two, 14 or 27. The others are in building 38, which would be fine too. But for you, buildings 27 or 38 aren't close to parking, so it may not work.

 

[andrewilley]

I would like to know if anyone thinks it's worth it to upgrade to a river view from a garden view in the RGR? Will a river view guarantee a closer location to the main bldg?

River View Royal Rooms are mostly fairly close to the main buildings, but be warned that there are some located at the far end of Parterre Place which are a bit more of a walk. Unless you particularly want that view, I'd suggest staying with your current booking and putting in a location request by fax just before you arrive, or upgrading to a Pool View room (all of which are fairly close to the bridge to the main building). See the map and links in the first post for info.

Andre

 

[rsleleux]

Yes, the pasta and salad options are at POR. For more details, see the POR food court menus at www.portorleans.org/riversidemill.php.

Andre

Thank you!

 

[rsleleux]

My family will be leaving for Disney World in 3 days and we are so excited!! My daughter was only 2 last time she went to Disney, so this is like her very first visit. Because we have a family of 5 we decided to stay in the POR resort. We are from just outside New Orleans, so at first we were a little bummed that with 5 people we couldn't comfortably stay elsewhere (we see alligators, bayous, water, and plantations all the time), but after reading through these posts and looking at the pictures I am really excited! I sent in my room request (thanks venomhatch) a few minutes ago and hope to hear back from them soon! Thanks for all the great info! Anyone else going to be there next week for Mardi Gras?

We are arriving Saturday and are also from Louisiana. I thought the same thing at first, about not wanting to be somewhere that resembles the same ole same ole but after reading up on POR, the fact that it feels like home makes me excited! I know several people going to Disney world and the rest are going on the Disney cruise during Mardi Gras! It going to be a lot of fun!