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

[JessiMommy]

Can't believe after almost a year of anticipation we will be arriving tomorrow and then checking in at POR on Sunday morning!!! So excited!!!!!! Thanks to Andre and everyone here for your fabulous tips, advice, and trip reports that have made me more and more excited every day!!

 

[kileybeth]

Just got back from our Royal Room stay at POR! We had a WONDERFUL time. Minor irritations with some buses (45 minute wait for an EPCOT bus at 9am?!? Really!?!) Resort was lovely as usual. Pretty crowded (and even moreso when we left)

Overall a great stay, but my comments on the Royal Rooms are not too positive. Disney either spent too little money on the rehab or too much for the quality they got. We had 3 Royal Rooms and they all looked pretty worn already. On the positive side, everyone LOVED the headboards (although when my 3 year old decided we needed the "stars" at 5:30 in the morning they weren't quite as lovely) decor-wise they are a bit on the over-done-Vegas-tacky side, but that's just personal preference. However, 2 of the 3 rooms had visible mold on the outside of the blinds, the gold paint is chipping off the lightswitches and revealing the lovely yellow plastic underneath. A weird probably only nitpicky to me item was that even though all the faucets and hardware was gold, the door handle and hinges on the bathroom door were brushed nickel. We just redid our bathrooms so I noticed the mismatch immediately. We also laughed that with all the specially designed gold items, the 2 things you can get already in gold or brass from any Home Depot were the mismatches. Some of the gold faucets are looking tarnished already. Our bathroom was in serious need of a renovation. Some of the grout was eroding and leaving deep trenches while in other areas the grout was smeared over the tiles. There were also paint splatters/drips on the tiles. If our contractor had left our bathroom like that, we wouldn't have given the final payment. There was also a funky waterstain on the ceiling in the shower. Finally, some of the linens were already worn and the buttons on the bolsters were starting to come off. Pretty poor quality on items that are less than a year old.

Mousekeeping was atrocious. We opened the drawer to put our clothes away and there was hair in the drawer. There was also a pile of hair/dust in the corner in the bathroom. The soapdish in the shower still had white residue on it. By day 2 they had remedied it, but left 3 sets of towels...in a four person room. By far Tuesday was the worst. We returned to our room and found they had left 2 bottles of cleanser - one in the shower and one on the table, had left the coffee pods in the coffee maker and hadn't restocked any of the coffee items. No coffee items on Wednesday either.

None of these things impacted the fun we had (although the coffee thing came close. DH is quite cranky without his coffee!) I do plan on letting POR know so they can remedy it for others. We're pretty easy going, but I know some people would let those things upset them and I don't want someone's vacation "ruined" because mousekeeping is inept or a button on a bolster is loose (and sadly we all know someone who would let that button ruin everything!)

Ok so I will freely admit part of a great stay for me is the nice room and good housekeeping. . I am a bit worried after reading this. and other reviews. This is actually our 3rd trip back to POR and a last ditch effort to make me like it. Having a 7 year old girl who loves her Princesses I was thinking the "new Royal Rooms" might do it oh my

We love the compact feeling of POR-FQ ( that rehab is gorgeous) and are frankly scared silly of all the walking at CSR and CRB so where to Go? We really disliked the values ( to many people, too much noise, no slides, no shade at bus stops, insane CS areas) and altho we really have enjoyed our few times at deluxe resorts we just can't justify the cost right now nor do we want to make our trips less frequently.

So I guess I am asking how can I get over this crazy fear that is building? FQ is kind of boring for my little ones thus the change. AB looks a bit nicer since rehab but we were in bldg 14 before and it was about as far into the bayou as I could take! Mansions once before with no kids before rehab with a king bed and corner room and that was good so I just think I'm being silly and should stop reading all these reviews!

sorry for the rant and thanks for letting me post and I am ready to put on my flame retardant suit now, fire away.
29 days and counting.

 

[kris4360]

The boat to DTD is definitely on my list of Pros for POR. We loved taking the boat when we stayed at POFQ.

It's a tradition for us to take the boat to DTD and eat at T-Rex our first day. Love it!

 

[portocall]

Ok so I will freely admit part of a great stay for me is the nice room and good housekeeping. . I am a bit worried after reading this. and other reviews. This is actually our 3rd trip back to POR and a last ditch effort to make me like it. Having a 7 year old girl who loves her Princesses I was thinking the "new Royal Rooms" might do it oh my

We love the compact feeling of POR-FQ ( that rehab is gorgeous) and are frankly scared silly of all the walking at CSR and CRB so where to Go? We really disliked the values ( to many people, too much noise, no slides, no shade at bus stops, insane CS areas) and altho we really have enjoyed our few times at deluxe resorts we just can't justify the cost right now nor do we want to make our trips less frequently.

So I guess I am asking how can I get over this crazy fear that is building? FQ is kind of boring for my little ones thus the change. AB looks a bit nicer since rehab but we were in bldg 14 before and it was about as far into the bayou as I could take! Mansions once before with no kids before rehab with a king bed and corner room and that was good so I just think I'm being silly and should stop reading all these reviews!

sorry for the rant and thanks for letting me post and I am ready to put on my flame retardant suit now, fire away.
29 days and counting.

You seem intent on FQ, which might be part of the problem as the resorts are so different, yet similar. When we did POR in 09, mousekeeping was excellent. I had to stop reading reviews just because some people just look like they are happiest when they complain, some are genuine in that they don't like to complain but there really were some serious problems and without knowing the reviewer irl I find it hard to tell the difference between the two online. While I am inclined to believe the reviewer you quoted on the condition of the royal room she had, I also know someone very recently back who said her room was still like new. I think if you go with having a good time top on your mind and not wishing you were at another resort you probably will have a good time.

 

[Venomhatch]

You seem intent on FQ, which might be part of the problem as the resorts are so different, yet similar. When we did POR in 09, mousekeeping was excellent. I had to stop reading reviews just because some people just look like they are happiest when they complain, some are genuine in that they don't like to complain but there really were some serious problems and without knowing the reviewer irl I find it hard to tell the difference between the two online. While I am inclined to believe the reviewer you quoted on the condition of the royal room she had, I also know someone very recently back who said her room was still like new. I think if you go with having a good time top on your mind and not wishing you were at another resort you probably will have a good time.

Nice... Would that be saying the grass is greener at another resort lol.

 

[MARAJIM]

The Water View and some River and Garden View rooms in Acadian House and Magnolia Terrace do still give very easy access to the main buildings though (a short walk across the bridge via Ol' Man Island) so you could try requesting those locations.

Andre

Andre, thanks for a great thread!

My husband checks in on Thursday the 15th and the boys and I get there on Friday. I have booked a standard room at POR and have requested Magnolia or any of the mansions. (Really, really want the mansions!) I called and confirmed that request was on my reservation. Do you think it is necessary to confirm again my request via faxing, etc. or is this enough?

If when the DH gets there and if we do not have a mansion, what is the likelihood of him waiting it out and getting one?

Did I mention that I really want a mansion room ?!

P.S. I didn't do on-line check in, should I? Somebody should do a study of the overall percentages of getting requests via on-line check in versus the old way!

 

[RubySlippers]

We are traveling with a 13 year old and a 2 year old and have booked a preferred room. I have requested a banquette bed but I know that it is not guaranteed...keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[andrewilley]

I called and confirmed that request was on my reservation. Do you think it is necessary to confirm again my request via faxing, etc. or is this enough?

P.S. I didn't do on-line check in, should I? Somebody should do a study of the overall percentages of getting requests via on-line check in versus the old way!

First, online checkin makes no difference in terms of whether you get requests met or not. It just gives them an idea of when you are arriving really, and allows them to have your welcome pack ready for you. You can still ask for a room change if you're not happy, but that might take a little longer of course.

Second, yes I would suggest faxing too. "Calling the resort" just gets you through to an off-site WDW call center, where they can only check what's showing on your computer reservation. If you fax 3-5 days out, your fax goes directly to the room assignment team at the resort who can block out a room for you if applicable. The only downside of that is that the room needs to actually be available when you arrive, which might not be the case if you arrive at 10am and the previous occupants have only just left. They generally prefer to leave all of the more open requests (e.g. simple AB vs. the mansions preferences) until your arrival time, so it's more likely they can find you a suitable room from the 'Ready' pool on the day (so you don't have to wait).

Andre

 

[bartleyosu]

Hey, if anyone goes to the new wine lounge in Italy, Tutto Gusto?, can you let me know how it is? We love Italy's wine and I really want to go there. Only 10 more days!!!

 

[EpcotBill]

Hey, if anyone goes to the new wine lounge in Italy, Tutto Gusto?, can you let me know how it is? We love Italy's wine and I really want to go there. Only 10 more days!!!

A new thread in the Restaurant forum would probably get a much larger audience.

 

[Clamesa]

Thanks Andre for this great thread and the web site. I cannot believe that after almost 2 year of lurking finally I will see the resort by myself.

Thanks to Venon for his helpulfs comments and "inside information.

Two nights more and we will be having a great time, because we are sure it will be fun. !!

 

[Scott MC]

I'm going to ask a silly question here.....
Is there any chance of getting turndown service at POR? My last 4 trips to WDW have all been at deluxe resorts (several CL stays), and one of my favorite aspects of these resorts was coming back to the room freshened up and the bed turned down. Is there any chance of this happening at POR?

Thanks!

 

[MARAJIM]

Second, yes I would suggest faxing too. "Calling the resort" just gets you through to an off-site WDW call center, where they can only check what's showing on your computer reservation. If you fax 3-5 days out, your fax goes directly to the room assignment team at the resort who can block out a room for you if applicable.
Andre

Thanks for the response. So does anyone have a standard fax sheet request? Lay it on thick or just be very specific.

My DH doesn't land until 3:35 at MCO so after ME he will be getting there at later than the "regular" check in time. Unfortunately, Thursday afternoon is an odd time to check in! So maybe on-line is the way to go???

 

[Gorechick]

In response to the posts about RR's looking worn already, one thing I noticed and felt upon staying in our Royal room in August was that it looked as if they rushed to get these rooms finished. One of the leaves on the lights above the sinks was pushed upward, there was an open gap between the moulding and wall in the bathroom, a hole in some grout, and the lightswitch plates were really away from the walls with a visible gap in between. I was overall happy with the room, but it left the impression that they didn't take their time to finish it right.

 

[Venomhatch]

Thanks Andre for this great thread and the web site. I cannot believe that after almost 2 year of lurking finally I will see the resort by myself.

Thanks to Venon for his helpulfs comments and "inside information.

Two nights more and we will be having a great time, because we are sure it will be fun. !!

Yeah no problem I love to help. Have a magical vacation!!!

 

[andrewilley]

I'm going to ask a silly question here.....
Is there any chance of getting turndown service at POR?

Well for the price difference between a moderate and a deluxe for a couple of weeks, I could maybe fly over from the UK and turn down your sheets each night for you?

(Well you did say you were going to ask a silly question )

Andre

 

[Sue M]

Well for the price difference between a moderate and a deluxe for a couple of weeks, I could maybe fly over from the UK and turn down your sheets each night for you?

(Well you did say you were going to ask a silly question )

Andre

meee too!

 

[Sue M]

I just posted a ton more pictures on the Riverside picture thread. There are still more to come, maybe tonight, maybe not until next weekend. Who knows!

Here's one of my favorites that I posted today.


POR 211 by disneyfreak0306, on Flickr

Great pic!

 

[luvlife]

In response to the posts about RR's looking worn already, one thing I noticed and felt upon staying in our Royal room in August was that it looked as if they rushed to get these rooms finished. One of the leaves on the lights above the sinks was pushed upward, there was an open gap between the moulding and wall in the bathroom, a hole in some grout, and the lightswitch plates were really away from the walls with a visible gap in between. I was overall happy with the room, but it left the impression that they didn't take their time to finish it right.

I was just wondering what building you were in? We are going in late January RGR, garden view. I was considering requesting a room close to bridge. Thinking that maybe I should request something farther out instead. I would think the closer rooms are just so much more popular.

 

[canadiankitten]

Hi All!
Just a question, DH and I have requested a Garden View room in the Mansions section, when I called Disney reservations to confirm everything (I'm a bit type A) The woman on the telephone told me that there are no garden view rooms in the mansion section, and that we would more than likely be placed in the AB section of the resort. Can anyone verify for me if this is true or false? We are going from Dec 3-10

We would ideally prefer to be in the Mansions section rather than AB, as this is our 5th anniversary trip, and they looked a little more "romantic" than the AB section.

I appreciate all of your thoughts and advice!