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

[5mouseketeersforus]

Are you asking if you can get "First Visit" buttons for the older two as well? You can if you want to.

Or a sticker or something to acknowledge them KWIM? They asked where their 1st visit buttons were from their visit but DH & I were totally clueless about these kinds of things so we never asked. Now i feel bad.

Technically it isn't their 1st visit so i didn't want to say it was.

ETA: i just don't want them to feel left out. Is this a "suck it up buttercup" situation??

 

[EpcotBill]

Or a sticker or something to acknowledge them KWIM? They asked where their 1st visit buttons were from their visit but DH & I were totally clueless about these kinds of things so we never asked. Now i feel bad.

Technically it isn't their 1st visit so i didn't want to say it was.

ETA: i just don't want them to feel left out. Is this a "suck it up buttercup" situation??

When you check in you could tell the CM that it's the first visit for all of you together. You would be telling the truth. The kids would all get a pin and your conscience would be clear.

Or, you must be able to think of something that the older kids are celebrating. They'll write anything on the pin for them. It's not a big deal, it's not like pool hopping or reusing old mugs.

 

[princessand2princes]

Has anyone ever used Amazon prime to ship things like diapers, wipes, water, snacks etc to POR? I was thinking this might be easier than lugging it along with us (traveling with twins in diapers and will be there for 9 days so a ton if diapers!!). Just wondered if this has worked well for others? With prime, it would get there in 2 days, so I was planning on ordering some things 4 days out donut round be there when we arrive.

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks I will relay this info along to IT.

Could you also mention that it's still bringing up the old site for me? I'm UK based, but I still see old site even when I bypass their STUPID automatic divert to the UK site. (If I'd wanted to see the British site, I would have typed ".co.uk" not ".com" in the first place ... grrr!!! Or at the very least offer the divert as an option, which is what the serious online companies like Amazon do, and then allow that choice to be sticky via cookies)


On the other hand I guess it is quite reassuring to still be able to read about what fun I'm going to have when I check in at the Colonel's Cotton Mill building... (and after ten years I do wish that was now just a joke, but it really does still say that).

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Could you also mention that it's still bringing up the old site for me? I'm UK based, but I still see old site even when I bypass their STUPID automatic divert to the UK site. (If I'd wanted to see the British site, I would have typed ".co.uk" not ".com" in the first place ... grrr!!! Or at the very least offer the divert as an option, which is what the serious online companies like Amazon do, and then allow that choice to be sticky via cookies)


On the other hand I guess it is quite reassuring to still be able to read about what fun I'm going to have when I check in at the Colonel's Cotton Mill building... (and after ten years I do wish that was now just a joke, but it really does still say that).

Andre

Sure ill mention it!

 

[wdwmaw]

A quick question for anyone staying at POR at the moment, or very soon... if you happen to be wandering around the Bayou, could you do me a favour and help me out with some research by letting me know any one or two specific room numbers/locations in building 28?

The easiest ones to locate (as they are near to the ice/vending room) would be the ones I've marked as A, B, C and D on this plan, but any ground-floor room that you can give me a specific number for would be great.

Thanks for the help.

Andre

The bldg is confusing looking at your map. But here is what I see (D) 2801, (A) 2816, (B) 2817, and (C) 2831. If these don't sound right I will run back over there. Got out and it started to rain, rushed to leave didn't want to get wet, I melt hahahaha. That bldg is right behind me so I just ran back there. Another reference, from the parking lot up the handicap ramp, if I go up the ramp and turn left the first room number is 2808. Hope this helps and my numbering is correct, I am going to double check because your map didn't look like the bldg. layout, could be me though.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[lillykat]

Has anyone ever used Amazon prime to ship things like diapers, wipes, water, snacks etc to POR? I was thinking this might be easier than lugging it along with us (traveling with twins in diapers and will be there for 9 days so a ton if diapers!!). Just wondered if this has worked well for others? With prime, it would get there in 2 days, so I was planning on ordering some things 4 days out donut round be there when we arrive.

I didn't use amazon prime but last trip DD#2 turned one ( we stayed at the poly). I shipped a med size uhaul box ground with fedex. It was about 25 lbs (diapers, wipes, swimmies, disposible placemats, take and toss cups and silverware and santizing wipes. ) Cost about $17 or $18. You can price it right on their site if you know weight and size of box. Shipped it on the Friday a week before our Sat arrival. It was signed for on wed night and waiting in our room with our bags from ME. We also did garden grocer for milk, yogurt, bottled water, juice boxes, snacks and breakfast. So easy when you have little ones. I didn't want to ship food bc I wasn't sure if it would arrive okay. Would do it again if I had things I didn't want to bring home again. So easy and cheaper than brining an extra bag depending on airline.

 

[cheryterese]

My husband just called to add my birthday to our reservation and to add a room request of bldg 16 or 17. When he got off the phone he told me the CM told him he put down a request for bldg 14 (a preferred room, which we didn't pay for - did garden view) or Oak (which we can't stay in because we have 5 people!) so it seems like the CM didn't really know what he was doing, doesn't it? Neither one of those requests woud be valid. I'm frustrated with both him and my husband!

 

[Shaden]

Hey all, just switched ressie to POR may 5 - 15 King bed .... but .... we are ONLY interested in Magnolia bend .... Alligator bayou i am sure is cool for some but is actually not at all our taste. I really cant believe its the same resort. The decor and grounds are much more similar to French quarter than bayou.

Anyway, I know the cms say there isnt .... but ... any wah to ensure you get mag bend ? Or to increase your chances ???

 

[livinlife25]

Hey all, just switched ressie to POR may 5 - 15 King bed .... but .... we are ONLY interested in Magnolia bend .... Alligator bayou i am sure is cool for some but is actually not at all our taste. I really cant believe its the same resort. The decor and grounds are much more similar to French quarter than bayou.

Anyway, I know the cms say there isnt .... but ... any wah to ensure you get mag bend ? Or to increase your chances ???

Book a royal room

 

[Venomhatch]

My husband just called to add my birthday to our reservation and to add a room request of bldg 16 or 17. When he got off the phone he told me the CM told him he put down a request for bldg 14 (a preferred room, which we didn't pay for - did garden view) or Oak (which we can't stay in because we have 5 people!) so it seems like the CM didn't really know what he was doing, doesn't it? Neither one of those requests woud be valid. I'm frustrated with both him and my husband!

Id like to see what I can do to help, PM me and let see what we can do. I am a little confused reading this but if you want to PM me and explain if most detail you want I will see.

 

[danicaca]

32 days & counting!!

We have a bit of a dilemma - at least in my mind; wondering if there is anything we can do?

We did the big Disney reveal for the kids on Christmas morning. BIG mistake. There was too much excitement for them to really absorb it so not the huge reactions i was hoping for. Anyway, fast forward to yesterday and everyone is jumping up & down as I start sharing little bits of info. I mentioned that the 3 younger kiddos (see sig) will get a little button since it is their 1st visit. The older 2 are feeling left out of the magic of that . They have been before but they were both so young that they don't really remember anything - unless we show them the pics as proof LOL

Yes, they are older but at 9 & 11: they are still just kids.

What does the DIS say??

We had kind of the same issue on our last trip. Although it was both DH and my 4th trip to WDW, our girls had never been. We put on our ressie that it was their 1st trip, and when we arrived, there were buttons for all of us! We tried giving them back, but the CM said "Well, it is your first trip all together, right?" We wore the buttons the entire trip... I really don't think anyone would care. It is not like to get anything special for it, like freebies that might make you feel guilty! We got a lot of "Welcome!" and "Glad you are here!" from the CM's.

In other news, saved $762 yesterday by applying the Visa discount! Also added a request for Oak, closest to main bridge. We have booked standard, but maybe with the savings, will upgrade to River to make this more of a possibility? Any thoughts? I certainly don't expect to be upgraded for free, but a little pixie dust would be great!

 

[andrewilley]

The bldg is confusing looking at your map. But here is what I see (D) 2801, (A) 2816, (B) 2817, and (C) 2831. If these don't sound right I will run back over there ... I am going to double check because your map didn't look like the bldg. layout, could be me though.

Thanks for the quick reply. I think my basic layout is correct, but of course you're there and I'm not. I've been cross-referencing several sources including my own photos, the resort handout maps, and satellite images (plus a PDF document I received a while back, but which sadly seems somewhat inaccurate in a number of places).

Here's a satellite view of the building, which does seem to match with what I had worked out, and my revised plan based on your message:

As you can see, all of your supplied numbers fit in perfectly with the standard "counter-clockwise" numbering system of Alligator Bayou, with the one exception of the room we called 'C', which I think should be 2832 not 2831. Does that now fit with what you see on the ground?

Thanks again for the help, and sorry if you got wet in the process! (No prizes for guessing what my Xmas break project has been by the way )

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks venomhatch! I asked Andre because someone suggested he might know! But I appreciate anyone's response

Not being a Mac person I couldn't be sure of the answer, but this photo might help give you an idea of scale:

As you can see, the safes are pretty small. It might be a squeeze to get two (even small) laptops in there. We managed with two 10.1" Samsung tablets by the way.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Remember the top area inside goes up a little more than the opening of the door! I seen friends put one 13 MacBook in there once. I believe maybe two would make it but there would be very little room left.

Oh and your finally getting around to room number labeling alligator bayou area huh?

 

[teacher31]

So excited to be returning to POR for 10 nights this May! Our last stay there was prior to the refurb and was less than magical. Between the handle on the faucet coming off and the door to the fridge falling off, I would say it was more than due. Can't wait for the quiet pools, pasta bar and the beautiful landscaping! 148 more wake ups!

 

[andrewilley]

Oh and your finally getting around to room number labeling alligator bayou area huh?

Yup. I've had the old Magnolia Bend buildings layout on the site for ages, but I'm finally getting round to fully mapping AB and FQ too (and updating the MB ones to match the new style). I'm trying to make this as correct and definitive as possible.

Once you get the basic configuration sorted out, it's not too hard to cut'n'paste large chunks to create each new building. The AB lodges, for example, are all made up from four square blocks of eight rooms, with two sets at right-angles to each other. Only the placement varies, and room numbers just go counter-clockwise around the perimeter. Then add the stairs, and a duplicate layer with +32 room numbers, for the upper floor.

Still a way to go yet, but MB and AB are pretty much done now, and FQ is about half way there. I hope people will find it useful once it's done, as we get a lot of questions on the subject here.

Andre

 

[princessand2princes]

I didn't use amazon prime but last trip DD#2 turned one ( we stayed at the poly). I shipped a med size uhaul box ground with fedex. It was about 25 lbs (diapers, wipes, swimmies, disposible placemats, take and toss cups and silverware and santizing wipes. ) Cost about $17 or $18. You can price it right on their site if you know weight and size of box. Shipped it on the Friday a week before our Sat arrival. It was signed for on wed night and waiting in our room with our bags from ME. We also did garden grocer for milk, yogurt, bottled water, juice boxes, snacks and breakfast. So easy when you have little ones. I didn't want to ship food bc I wasn't sure if it would arrive okay. Would do it again if I had things I didn't want to bring home again. So easy and cheaper than brining an extra bag depending on airline.

Thanks lillykat. I'm conflicted whether to just order diapers from Amazon, or ship a box of things. I had better make up my mind soon as we leave in 2 weeks! Thanks for your input

 

[Venomhatch]

Yup. I've had the old Magnolia Bend buildings layout on the site for ages, but I'm finally getting round to fully mapping AB and FQ too (and updating the MB ones to match the new style). I'm trying to make this as correct and definitive as possible.

Once you get the basic configuration sorted out, it's not too hard to cut'n'paste large chunks to create each new building. The AB lodges, for example, are all made up from four square blocks of eight rooms, with two sets at right-angles to each other. Only the placement varies, and room numbers just go counter-clockwise around the perimeter. Then add the stairs, and a duplicate layer with +32 room numbers, for the upper floor.

Still a way to go yet, but MB and AB are pretty much done now, and FQ is about half way there. I hope people will find it useful once it's done, as we get a lot of questions on the subject here.

Andre

Well keep up the good work!!! I use your site and suggest it to guests all the time considering staying at POR. Mapping the rooms reminds me of when I went to Washington DC and stayed in a Marriott Hotel there that just had underwent a remodel. They assigned me a room number that didn't exist.

 

[zy144622]

Will in room fridge hold 1 or 2 gallons of milk. I know we will need 2 but if they don't fit...I need another plan.