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

[BigDaddyWill]

We are at 180 days today...made the "hard to get" ADRs this morning and the rest this evening, lol.

Will

 

[Kathy Z]

I'm still a little confused about the actual layout of the Parterre (and Acadian) buildings. On the overhead maps of POR it appears that the farthest out "wings" of those buildings are actually separated from the block U shape of the main part of the buildings. Is it correct that they are actually separate, smaller buildings or are they actually connected to the main part of buildings 95 and 80 respectively? I do understand that elevators are in the center sections of the mansion buildings. Would I be correct in assuming that there are at least stairways down to an outside entrance from the second floor of those "wings"?

We're booked in a RR Riverview room and my first request is noted as being near the South Depot. Close to the South Depot is actually the most important thing to us; only booked the Royal Riverview because we prefer the mansions and thought that category would give us the best shot of being close to the South Depot.

We'll be at POR for our first time in 61 days.

 

[Venomhatch]

HUGE THANKS TO VENOMHATCH!! Checked in yesterday, and we got covered in pixie dust!! Ready for first day at parks today.

No problem, May your visit be filled with pixie dust for the duration of your stay!

I'm still a little confused about the actual layout of the Parterre (and Acadian) buildings. On the overhead maps of POR it appears that the farthest out "wings" of those buildings are actually separated from the block U shape of the main part of the buildings. Is it correct that they are actually separate, smaller buildings or are they actually connected to the main part of buildings 95 and 80 respectively? I do understand that elevators are in the center sections of the mansion buildings. Would I be correct in assuming that there are at least stairways down to an outside entrance from the second floor of those "wings"?

We're booked in a RR Riverview room and my first request is noted as being near the South Depot. Close to the South Depot is actually the most important thing to us; only booked the Royal Riverview because we prefer the mansions and thought that category would give us the best shot of being close to the South Depot.

We'll be at POR for our first time in 63 days.

Yes the out most ends of the buildings aka wings do have staircases at the ends of them.

 

[Kathy Z]

Great, I did assume that they do have staircases (for fire safety at least). But I still wonder if they are separate small buildings as they appear to be on the overhead view or is that an illusion?

 

[Venomhatch]

Great, I did assume that they do have staircases (for fire safety at least). But I still wonder if they are separate small buildings as they appear to be on the overhead view or is that an illusion?

The mansions with separate wings are connected by air bridges/walkways or pathways on the first floor to the next building.

 

[LaniesMom]

Hello all! So thrilled to be able to post this: Just booked a trip for my May 8 birthday. It's the 8th anniversary of my 29th birthday, lol
Will be in a Royal Room May 5-10 with my 4 y/o DD and twentysomething cousin.

Have not visited POR since it was Dixie Landings. Really excited to try it out, I love trying different resorts. About the busses: How many stops between the two resorts? Which stop is the first stop on the way to the parks?

I love not having to drive while on vacation; I don't have an issue with multiple stops. We stayed at CSR in 2009 and the service was terrific. But we usually go the week before Thanksgiving when crowds are low. Will the first full week in May have comparable crowds do you think??

TIA for your help!!

 

[ttcl516]

80 days until our magical stay!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

80 days until our magical stay!!!

We will be staying at POR at the same time.

 

[osu2k1]

We had made the requests for Oak Manor and 3rd floor and got it! It's a great room, over looking the garden, but not actually a garden view. We've done dinner at the hotel food court the last two nights and have loved it. The Royal Guest Room is beautiful. The buses have been great, only waiting for a few minutes. This morning on the way to AK I had to stand while the rest of the family sat. Getting on the bus at the South Depot really is key to getting an actual seat in the morning.

Going to Chef Mickey's for Breakfast tomorrow, one of the CMs was able to get as an ADR for it when we arrived!

Only complaint is the wireless in the room, it stops working and you have to reconnect. Speed is fine though.

Thanks Venomhatch for all the tips & tricks!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

We had made the requests for Oak Manor and 3rd floor and got it! It's a great room, over looking the garden, but not actually a garden view. We've done dinner at the hotel food court the last two nights and have loved it. The Royal Guest Room is beautiful. The buses have been great, only waiting for a few minutes. This morning on the way to AK I had to stand while the rest of the family sat. Getting on the bus at the South Depot really is key to getting an actual seat in the morning.

Going to Chef Mickey's for Breakfast tomorrow, one of the CMs was able to get as an ADR for it when we arrived!

Only complaint is the wireless in the room, it stops working and you have to reconnect. Speed is fine though.

Thanks Venomhatch for all the tips & tricks!!!

Glad to hear everything worked out for your family. Very cool you got Chef Mickey's!!!

 

[Nixie]

We check in tomorrow!! I am having trouble sleeping because I am too excited. Hubby and I have already had a great start to our anniversary celebration. I know it is only going to get better tomorrow. I cant wait to see this beautiful resort for myself. Must try and sleep now. Have to be up by 5am to make our 9am flight.

 

[andrewilley]

The mansions with separate wings are connected by air bridges/walkways or pathways on the first floor to the next building.

Yes, even though they are shown as separated buildings, they are linked at the corners so you get get between them easily enough on either level.

Apart from the central section of each of the mansions (which is the only place where there are elevators) the rest of the wings/etc are only two stories anyway, and there are access stairwells all the way around.

Andre

 

[GATORinaZ28]

We check in tomorrow!! I am having trouble sleeping because I am too excited.

YAY! Thats the way most people here get I think! I know I do. Since we usually drive, and I'm awake, we leave at midnight and drive through the night.

 

[ttcl516]

We will be staying at POR at the same time.

I am soooo excited!!! This is our first ever family vacation, so just trying to plan everything as much as I can so it can be extra magical. At this point I am not sure if I want to request a certain section, or just leave it up to fate. Everyones tips and hints have definitely made the planning process that much easier.

 

[Venomhatch]

I am soooo excited!!! This is our first ever family vacation, so just trying to plan everything as much as I can so it can be extra magical. At this point I am not sure if I want to request a certain section, or just leave it up to fate. Everyones tips and hints have definitely made the planning process that much easier.

It is entirely up to you about to or not to request anything. But the amount of info traveling through these POR threads is definitely helpful.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Ok, having a bit of brain fuzz...but I'm having more questions the more i research.
I booked preferred, I can also request to be river view or garden view? Can you see the river from 14? Close to food court and pool would be my first choice, but if the kids could also see the river, that would be beyond amazing!!

 

[ShesAPirate]

We booked a King room. I would love to be as close as possible to the main building/food, and on the first floor or in a building with an elevator. Any suggestions?

 

[Venomhatch]

Ok, having a bit of brain fuzz...but I'm having more questions the more i research.
I booked preferred, I can also request to be river view or garden view? Can you see the river from 14? Close to food court and pool would be my first choice, but if the kids could also see the river, that would be beyond amazing!!

Yes from building 14 you can see the river and it isn't too far away either. Say maybe 30-50 feet from water.

We booked a King room. I would love to be as close as possible to the main building/food, and on the first floor or in a building with an elevator. Any suggestions?

Well if your in the Alligator Bayou area then that is the closest to the main building but no elevators in those buildings so if you were concerned with stairs then you'd have to get a first floor room.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Well if your in the Alligator Bayou area then that is the closest to the main building but no elevators in those buildings so if you were concerned with stairs then you'd have to get a first floor room.

Thanks! This will be our first time at POR. So exited!

 

[5mouseketeersforus]

We are staying in the Royal rooms - standard view in late Jan/early Feb.
I'm not very good at making special requests for hotel stays - but given that we are travelling with 5 kiddos (ages 11, 9, 6, 2 & 3 months) for the first time - is there anything special that we should be adding to our rez? Is there anything super important?

I did request that we have connecting rooms since the 4 older kids will be in one room while DH & I with the baby will be in the other; and a crib/pack & play for the babe.

Would the CM who is assigning rooms look at our rez and just know what would make sense for us?

If you think there is something else that we are missing - would you kindly inform this first-timer

TIA