Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread --- 2012, Part Two --- NOW CLOSED

[KarlaG4Kids]

I am OFFICIALLY On VACATION from work. Now I just have to do the laundry, pack, cancel the paper, get the housework done, go to the bank, get my nails done, and WAIT till the limo picks us up on Tuesday AM. Why oh why didn't I decide a 8 day WDW trip would be better than a 5 day WDW trip (before we get on the Dream)! POR HERE WE COME!

 

[Venomhatch]

Come on back to the homeland! You know your little girl would love the Royal Rooms. Or just do a split stay.

She does want a royal stay! Lol.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

I'm not sure if I should ask here or on POFQ thread.. Do you guys remember when POR was called Dixie Landings. Was POFQ has always been called POFQ or was POFQ was part of Dixie Landings? Thanks. ..and why did they change the name?

Polital correctness. Dixie Landigs and Cotton Mill (name of the food court at the time) invoked memories of slavery for some people. It was Port Orleans and Dixie Landings until 2001.

 

[aubriee]

Canada Pavillion is set in the 1800s. That's why they wear the plaid. Because Canadians did wear a LOT of plaid in those days.

lol And they will NEVER wear hockey jerseys for the reason that they would never make everyone happy. We would all want them wearing our favorite teams jerseys.

They play hockey in Canada? I thought it was an American sport. Just kidding!

 

[andrewilley]

Cotton Mill (name of the food court at the time)...

And of course it still is, well according to the official WDW website at least (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-riverside/) where even now they still refer several times to the 11-year-obsolete naming conventions, such as "The Colonel's Cotton Mill building houses the Resort's Main Lobby". Just as well they're really on the ball over there eh?

It's all somewhat of a shame really, as I thought the overall backstory and naming logic of the twin resorts was much better before the change - but I guess Disney had to be proactive in protecting its image from possible misunderstandings.

What I still don't understand though is why they used Port Orleans as an umbrella name, rather than only renaming the Dixie Landings section and leaving Port Orleans as it was. I know internally they share an overall management structure, but then so do the Yacht Club and the Beach Club I think. However from a guest point of view, they are sold as two completely different resorts and it still causes a good deal of confusion (we see it on here quite often for example) to have given them the same base name.

I think I'd have just gone with two more simple names, such as "Disney's Port Orleans Resort" and "Disney's Riverside Resort", much easier all round. Better not change it now though, or it'll take the official website until 2023 to catch up!

Andre

 

[maxiesmom]

What I still don't understand though is why they used Port Orleans as an umbrella name, rather than only renaming the Dixie Landings section and leaving Port Orleans as it was. I know internally they share an overall management structure, but then so do the Yacht Club and the Beach Club I think. However from a guest point of view, they are sold as two completely different resorts and it still causes a good deal of confusion (we see it on here quite often for example) to have given them the same base name.

I had the manager at POR tell me that Disney thinks of POR/POFQ as one big resort, with two separate sections. He was trying to explain to me why they could close down resort amenities without informing the guests ahead of time. Apparently because to WDW you can just walk to the other section of Port Orleans and use their pool/food court/whatever.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thank you.. maxiesmom, andrewilley, Backstage_Gal, and Zuzu03 for your quick respond and the infos. Yes, they could have just left it Riverside and Port Orleans.. But maybe because they are sister resorts that they should share the name "Port Orleans". Actually I don't mind. It just shows that Riverside theme flows smoothly to French Quarters. From the Bayou down to the Mansion and to the heart of New Orleans, French Quarter.

And this is why I love the Port Orleans POR/POFQ. It has its history and everything the resorts has to offer. You can't beat the relaxing boat ride to DTD! I love the simple fact that we can pool hop! Everything is all good!

 

[andrewilley]

I had the manager at POR tell me that Disney thinks of POR/POFQ as one big resort, with two separate sections.

That has always been the case internally, even back when they were Port/Dixie (does anyone remember those bus banners by the way?). However externally - and so from a guest point of view- Disney sells them as two completely different resorts - just like the Yacht Club and the Beach Club, for example, which are also joined.

I just think the choice of naming makes it a bit confusing for new visitors, and it would have been so easy to have completely avoided that confusion when they originally did the rename. Either that, or genuinely make a 3056-room "über-resort" with three sub-sections, Port Orleans: French Quarter, Port Orleans: Alligator Bayou and Port Orleans: Magnolia Bend.

I do wonder how many guests driving to POR for the first time see the first road sign with the words "Port Orleans" (actually for French Quarter) and turn there, not realising they should carry on two turnings for the Riverside exit. It's easy enough to drive across of course, but still a bit confusing.

Just my thoughts on it anyway.

Andre

 

[casnider]

On the disney world website I typed in our dates with the POR and free dining and it would not let me have it for the POR but chose for me instead the Caribbean Beach Resort. Is free dining not allowed for POR this year?

 

[*Fantasia*]

I do remember people's confusion as to where they have to check in because the two resorts have merged into one. And they learned that there are two seperate check ins.

This is about refillable mug, but I am going to ask it here because this is only referring to Dixie Landings and Port Orleans refill mugs. Do you remember back then when the CMs told you to "bring them back, they are refillable for life?" if you still have the Dixie Landings mug or Port Orleans, would they let you reuse them?

 

[MissNurse]

On the disney world website I typed in our dates with the POR and free dining and it would not let me have it for the POR but chose for me instead the Caribbean Beach Resort. Is free dining not allowed for POR this year?

We are booked for free dining @ POR for a royal guest room in Sept. Perhaps it is sold out for your dates?

 

[andrewilley]

... referring to Dixie Landings and Port Orleans refill mugs. Do you remember back then when the CMs told you to "bring them back, they are refillable for life?" if you still have the Dixie Landings mug or Port Orleans, would they let you reuse them?

I have seen people using old Dixie Landings mugs, yes - but I've never actually had the nerve to try it myself though, LOL.

You're right though, they did specifically tell people until around the year 2000 that the mugs were sold as perpetually refillable (and the signage said the same). After 2000, the terms were changed and wording was printed on the new mugs saying that they were valid for the current stay only. Of course, the old agreement was only ever valid for the resort at which you purchased them, so if they wanted to quibble now they could say that technically Dixie Landings no longer exists.

Anyway, debate on this general subject is not encouraged on the DIS - but no harm in us referring to the facts I assume.

Andre

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

That has always been the case internally, even back when they were Port/Dixie (does anyone remember those bus banners by the way?). However externally - and so from a guest point of view- Disney sells them as two completely different resorts - just like the Yacht Club and the Beach Club, for example, which are also joined.

I just think the choice of naming makes it a bit confusing for new visitors, and it would have been so easy to have completely avoided that confusion when they originally did the rename. Either that, or genuinely make a 3056-room "über-resort" with three sub-sections, Port Orleans: French Quarter, Port Orleans: Alligator Bayou and Port Orleans: Magnolia Bend.

I do wonder how many guests driving to POR for the first time see the first road sign with the words "Port Orleans" (actually for French Quarter) and turn there, not realising they should carry on two turnings for the Riverside exit. It's easy enough to drive across of course, but still a bit confusing.

Just my thoughts on it anyway.

Andre

I remember when the buses designated their resorts with a flag icon-similar to the colored flags the boats use now. I think I still have the transportation brochure from 1992.

I have wondered why they don't allow you to book a specific category of Alligator Bayou or Magnolia Bend. I suppose they would cause even more confusion if they broke it down more since the two sections share a lobby. At least FQ appears to be a distinct resort.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I have seen people using old Dixie Landings mugs, yes - but I've never actually had the nerve to try it myself though, LOL.

You're right though, they did specifically tell people until around the year 2000 that the mugs were sold as perpetually refillable (and the signage said the same). After 2000, the terms were changed and wording was printed on the new mugs saying that they were valid for the current stay only. Of course, the old agreement was only ever valid for the resort at which you purchased them, so if they wanted to quibble now they could say that technically Dixie Landings no longer exists.

Anyway, debate on this general subject is not encouraged on the DIS - but no harm in us referring to the facts I assume.

Andre

No debates here!! Thank you! I was just curious because since Dixie Landings changed its name and whether if POR would still honor the mug, mugs that was bought way before 2000. Now I know. Those mugs with Port Orleans and Dixie Landings designs are now part of Disney's Nostalgia!

 

[andrewilley]

What are they doing and when is it scheduled to be completed? Going in June. Thanks!

I posted the following updates on www.portorleans.org/news.php a bit earlier today. By the way, if you want to receive any news as soon as I post it, you can subscribe to the site's RSS News Feed, or follow on Facebook (PortOrleans.org) or Twitter (@PortOrleansOrg). Thanks!

The lobby refurbishment now underway at Port Orleans Riverside will be completed in two stages. In order to minimise disturbance to guests, construction work will take place overnight between 11pm and 7am, which is why "Ye Haa" Bob Jackson’s show in the adjacent River Roost Lounge will be ending at 11pm during the construction period instead of the usual midnight. There should be no other impact for guests as the lobby area is completely isolated from all guest room areas.

Stage One: Monday 23 April to Wednesday 9 May 2012

One-third of the lobby area will be separated off by a construction wall, however guests will still be able to use the remaining section for Registration, Online check-in and Concierge services. It has been suggested that doing online check-in before you travel may help speed up your arrival process.

(Thanks to Denise at MouseSteps for the photo)​

Stage Two: Thursday 10 May to Friday 8 June 2012 (end date is still to be confirmed)

The other two-thirds of the lobby will be separated off by a construction wall and services will be split while this phase of the work goes on.

• Registration (regular check-in and check-out) will now use the desks in the newly completed section of the main lobby.
• Online check-in will be located within the main entranceway lobby during the busier parts of the day (9am to 6pm) and will return to the regular desks overnight until 9am the next morning.
• Concierge services will be located in the front of the River Roost lounge.

Plenty of signage will be in place throughout the process to direct people to the correct locations.

Work will include replacing the central carpet and tiles, new 'open plan' modular desks, and general paintwork refreshing and other updates. The overall steamboat embarkation hall concept will still be retained though, in keeping with the rest of the resort's theme and storyline.

Hope that helps,

Andre

 

[MickeyEars]

Thanks Andre, this helps a lot!!! Now we'll know what to expect when we arrive in a few weeks.

Carla

 

[germ539]

I agree, that definately helps to know what to expect when we arrive also. I plan on taking lots of pics of everything, so hopefully I can post them when I get back (that will be a job in itself.)

Andre, if I get alot of the hotel, would you like them for your website also?

 

[MicRac]

Thanks Andre! I was wondering what to expect at check in, but it sounds as usual Disney will be most accommodating with their construction.

 

[book_junkie]

I still have my mug from 1994, looked like this:

and the old key card, where the lock punched through the holes in the key like this:

18 years and a Royal Room later, we're coming back!

I even remember the date stamps on the furniture when we were there- are they still there in the refurbished rooms (not Royal Rooms)?

 

[*Fantasia*]

I still have my mug from 1994, looked like this:

and the old key card, where the lock punched through the holes in the key like this:

18 years and a Royal Room late r, we're coming back!

I even remember the date stamps on the furniture when we were there- are they still there in the refurbished rooms (not Royal Rooms)?

Wow!! That's awesome!! Thank you for sharing the pictures! It's great that you kept them!