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

[Rorey]

Sigh we had to post pone our trip that was scheduled for this friday. My father in law has taken a turn for the worse and it not expected to live very long, we are talking days. Now we are going in June.

sorry about your FIL. Prayers for you and your family.

 

[Millie12591]

Not yet (see the FAQ info in first post) but they should be done by August. Once the RGRs are finished and the final ones opened on Friday (yes, it's all still on schedule) then they will move on to the rest of Alligator Bayou, and that area seems to take around two weeks per building.

Andre

Mr. Andre, do you happen to know what the rooms will look like in the Alligator Bayou section, once they are finished?

 

[aubriee]

Mr. Andre, do you happen to know what the rooms will look like in the Alligator Bayou section, once they are finished?

Some are already finished. There's one picture on the first page of this thread. Andre also has several pictures of them on his site. Just click on it, in his signature. Here's some:

http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-guest-SurlyMermaid.php

 

[andrewilley]

Mr. Andre, do you happen to know what the rooms will look like in the Alligator Bayou section, once they are finished?

Yes, just like all the pictures of the finished rooms. (Buildings 14, 36, 37 and 38 are already done). See the first few posts in this thread, or I've got some at http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-guest-bunkkinsmom.php too.

Andre

 

[Doylemom22]

We are just 8 days away!

I have tried online check in and cannot seem to enter room requests. Has anyone else had this issue? The box pops up but I cannot seem to enter text??

I have already added a request to my reservation by phone...

Thoughts? I had hoped to speed things up by using online check in.

Thanks all...

 

[JenSinMA]

We returned from our trip last Thursday and had a great time. POR was beautiful and we would return in a heartbeat.

The resort honored my room request (#38), so we stayed in a refurbished room. It was a nice room but a little tight for our family of 5 (kids 11,9,and 6). My wife thought I was crazy, but I took some photos of the drawers under the murphy bed. I saw that people were asking about them before I left. Did someone already post them? If not, I can post them soon.

We used all available space for clothes. The kids each took one drawer under the murphy bed and the adults used the space above the closet and all hangers (we requested 10 addl hangers after we arrived). We also cleared out the drawer between the queen beds and used the bottom of the coffee maker stand. It worked, but we needed to "organize" everytime we returned to the room..the kids throw clothes everywhere.

I have some pool pics showing spring break mid-afternoon crowds that I will post soon. I'm still getting caught up at work...

So glad to hear that your room request was honored! That is just what I requested--a refurbed room in AB, preferably bldg. 38. I arrive on Saturday for just one night, and I'm trying to decide if I should do the online check-in. Did you do it? I just fear that on a Saturday at 5pm, the lobby might be busy and since I'm only there one night, it doesn't really matter what room I get.
Any advice?

 

[WC*123]

So glad to hear that your room request was honored! That is just what I requested--a refurbed room in AB, preferably bldg. 38. I arrive on Saturday for just one night, and I'm trying to decide if I should do the online check-in. Did you do it? I just fear that on a Saturday at 5pm, the lobby might be busy and since I'm only there one night, it doesn't really matter what room I get.
Any advice?

I was hesitant to do online check-in as well, but ended up doing it. We arrived on a Thursday at 5PM. Before checking in online, I called a final time and asked the phone rep to add my requests to the reservation. About 3 days before our trip, I sent a fax to the resort with my requests/preferences, arrival date, and confirmation number. In it, I wrote that I understand it is just a request and there are no guarantees. I then resent the fax a second time the following day.

There was no line for online check-in or regular check-in when I arrived. Honestly, I never saw much of a line during our stay. My check-in only took 2-3 minutes since I didn't have many questions. When I checked out, I had to wait for another couple to check-in and the process definitely takes longer if you don't do online check-in.

My recommendation would be to check-in online to save time, call again with your request today, and fax your request to the resort tomorrow (fax number is on the 1st post here). Then, have a resort map ready when you arrive and if you don't like your location, you can always ask if another location is available. You are not locked into a room by checking in online. One thing I learned on our trip is that Disney has excellent customer service and will strive to satisfy every customer.

Have a great trip!

 

[WC*123]

We are just 8 days away!

I have tried online check in and cannot seem to enter room requests. Has anyone else had this issue? The box pops up but I cannot seem to enter text??

I have already added a request to my reservation by phone...

Thoughts? I had hoped to speed things up by using online check in.

Thanks all...

The only request you can make during the online check-in process is to add a pack and play. It's just a check box and you can't add a comment. Best to add the request to the rez by phone then send a polite fax to the resort 2-3 days before your arrival. See my post above for more details.

 

[Doylemom22]

The only request you can make during the online check-in process is to add a pack and play. It's just a check box and you can't add a comment. Best to add the request to the rez by phone then send a polite fax to the resort 2-3 days before your arrival. See my post above for more details.

Thanks!! Going online now!! Soooo excited!!!

 

[scdufek]

Just booked my flights for our trip in October. Holy Cow , the flight for our family of 4 costs almost as much as the room and tickets! We could have gotten cheaper flights, but I thought direct would be best since the kids are so young. Oh well, thinking about relaxing by the pool and hanging out in our RGR makes it better

I know what you mean about the flights! We're going in Oct as well and staying at the POR for the first time. We decided to drive the 1.5hr over to Dayton, Ohio since the we would save over $700.00 on our flight. Can't wait for October to get here!!!

 

[JenSinMA]

I was hesitant to do online check-in as well, but ended up doing it. We arrived on a Thursday at 5PM. Before checking in online, I called a final time and asked the phone rep to add my requests to the reservation. About 3 days before our trip, I sent a fax to the resort with my requests/preferences, arrival date, and confirmation number. In it, I wrote that I understand it is just a request and there are no guarantees. I then resent the fax a second time the following day.

There was no line for online check-in or regular check-in when I arrived. Honestly, I never saw much of a line during our stay. My check-in only took 2-3 minutes since I didn't have many questions. When I checked out, I had to wait for another couple to check-in and the process definitely takes longer if you don't do online check-in.

My recommendation would be to check-in online to save time, call again with your request today, and fax your request to the resort tomorrow (fax number is on the 1st post here). Then, have a resort map ready when you arrive and if you don't like your location, you can always ask if another location is available. You are not locked into a room by checking in online. One thing I learned on our trip is that Disney has excellent customer service and will strive to satisfy every customer.

Have a great trip!

Thanks! I'm doing just what you said.
Btw, when I called this morning to reiterate my location request, the CM said that my room was already assigned. Not sure I believe it, but she said that they assign rooms 5 days ahead. So at this point she couldn't make any changes to my requests, but it was mostly there in the system already (just not the building number I requested.) I'm still going to fax the resort directly tomorrow. I did the online check-in. Now I'm super curious to see if it pays off time-wise. I'm not sure what to expect on the Saturday after Easter at 5pm.

Thanks again for the quick advice. This board rocks!

 

[DisneyFive]

Yes, they sell Bacardi white rum (clear) in .375ml bottles for $13. They had a pretty good selection of liquor in the gift shop, but that was the only rum available.

Thank you very much. So about twice the price we would pay around here. Could be worse. Just need to determine if we want to save a few $ and transport in luggage, or just buy down there. In the grand scheme of things, the extra cost is minimal though compared to the overall vacation cost.

Thanks again.

Dan

 

[WC*123]

Thank you very much. So about twice the price we would pay around here. Could be worse. Just need to determine if we want to save a few $ and transport in luggage, or just buy down there. In the grand scheme of things, the extra cost is minimal though compared to the overall vacation cost.

Thanks again.

Dan

Agreed. We brought a bottle in luggage, but needed to buy extra mid-week...its vacation right? The cost isn't bad when you compare it to the mixed drink prices at the pool bar! We were able to make 4-6 drinks with one bottle.

 

[tyzzle]

I am pretty sure I seen the answer to this question before, but was wondering if I can make request for bed rails for the room? Thanks for any help

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Yes you can.

 

[patclairesmom]

We've been here since Friday and what a great place it is!!! Wireless is not that great so I haven't been able to really log in. We got our request, a refurbished room in AB. We are in building 37 which is a great location. We paid for standard view and got bumped up a little to garden view. My 13 year old DS is sleeping every night on the murphy bed. He is about 5'8". Yes very tall for his age. He has always slept curled up, so I knew the bed wouldn't be a problem.

The pool has been crowded, but fun. There is usually 1 lounge chair available somewhere.(check the hot tub area). I just wish those families wouldn't take a chair for every one of their children. They're not going to lay down and sun themselves people!!!

One fun thing we did was rent bikes for an hour and took them all around the resort and into PORFQ. We also got to see some of the mansion buildings that are getting the royal makeover. I think it's funny that they hang the pictures on the wall before they put in the capeting.

That's it for now...back to Epcot for dinner after the kids take a shower

 

[andrewilley]

Btw, when I called this morning to reiterate my location request, the CM said that my room was already assigned.

Unless you really pushed the point and asked to be transferred, you would probably not have been speaking to a CM based at Port Orleans at all, but to someone at a central Disney switchboard where they answer calls on behalf of all of the resorts. So they may or may not have been able to give you accurate information. You'll know soon enough though I guess!

If you're really concerned, send a fax about 3-4 days out, as those do go directly to the resort.

Andre

 

[mommykds]

My kids do not like sharing a bed so we have always brought a twin air mattress for 1 of the 3 kids to use. Since the beds are now queen does anyone know if a twin air mattress will fit in the room anymore?

Thank you!!!

 

[Mickeygolf]

My kids do not like sharing a bed so we have always brought a twin air mattress for 1 of the 3 kids to use. Since the beds are now queen does anyone know if a twin air mattress will fit in the room anymore?
Thank you!!!

I've been trying to get an answer to this question since I've been following this thread. I hope someone will be able to help us with it.

 

[3sweetpeas]

My kids do not like sharing a bed so we have always brought a twin air mattress for 1 of the 3 kids to use. Since the beds are now queen does anyone know if a twin air mattress will fit in the room anymore?

Thank you!!!

We were there at the beginning of March in building 38 in a refurbished room.
Our kids don't like sharing either. My 12 year old son slept in a bed; my 11 year old 5'2 daughter slept on the murphy bed and my 15 year old son slept on a twin air mattress. We moved the table next to the bed in front of the connecting door kind of like an end table and put the air mattress along the wall where the table goes. It fit just fine. We then stood it up against the wall in the morning, closed the murphy bed, and it worked out just fine.
My boys each had a small suitcase on the radiator; my daughter put her clothes in the murphy bed drawers, and my husband and I had our large suitcase on the floor under the hanging rack in the sink area. Last year we paid for 2 rooms but could not do that this year and honestly, we were fine. We knew what we were in for before we left and it was actually kind of fun. It shocked me how well it went.
Hope this helps!