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

[HeatherLassell]

figured it would be - suspect its just an out of date website.

thanks

Your best bet for a website if you want up to date (and very good information/pictures) is http://portorleans.org And of course asking questions in this thread...just read the first page first as a lot of answers are already there for you!

 

[EpcotBill]

wow - that was fast.

Just got an email from them



awesome stuff - thanks guys

Very impressive how fast, and never expected an email back from them

When are you checking in? I'm just wondering how far in advance to send my fax.

 

[Midnight Tboy]

When are you checking in? I'm just wondering how far in advance to send my fax.

Hi,

I'm checking in on Monday.

I'd read on portorleans.org it was recommended to send 2-3days before. I wasn't too sure if weekends were counted though, so sent today to be sure (aswell as could check it off the list of neverending jobs to do ).

 

[andrewilley]

It looks like Oak Manor is the best building to be closer to the Main building. What number is Oak Manor?

Yes it is, the building is number 90 (see map in first post).

Also, does anyone know of a map with the room numbers on it?

http://www.portorleans.org/magnolia-bend.php

May I also ask how the headboard fireworks work? Is there sound too? Is there a button to turn it on and off (I would think LOL!).

There's a button. No sounds, and the show lasts about 30 seconds a go.

When you check in with the Magical Express is there help to get your luggage to your room?

Magical Express delivers your bags directly to your room, nothing for you to do.

Are all the rooms non-smoking rooms?

From the FAQ in first post:

Is smoking allowed in any of the buildings?

No, smoking is no longer permitted in any part of Walt Disney World apart from specially designated smoking areas which are clearly marked on the resort maps.

And from my site:

On 1 June 2007, all Walt Disney World resort hotels became completely non-smoking, with just a few designated outdoor smoking areas defined for those who still feel the need to light-up. Smoking is no longer allowed in guest rooms, on balconies, in corridors or in any other public areas. Previously, smoking was permitted at Riverside in Lodges 17, 27, 28, 34 and 36, Acadian House and Oak Manor, and at French Quarter in buildings 2, 4 and the upper floors of 6.

When are you checking in? I'm just wondering how far in advance to send my fax.

No more than 5 days. 3-4 days for multi-room bookings, perhaps a little closer for single rooms. I've recently revamped a lot of my sub-sections on the general subject of room location choices and making special requests into a single page to make them easier to find: http://www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php. I'd appreciate any comments on anything I may have left out though.

Andre

 

[EpcotBill]

Thanks for the replies on the fax. The last time I got what I requested was a few years ago when I faxed Pop Century. That was years after everyone was saying that Disney doesn't look at faxes anymore. I'm checking in at POR 31 August so I have a little time to compose my fax.

 

[TrueDisneyLove61207]

Fax just sent through the net at gotfreefax.com

Requested a Refurbed AB room, preferrably Building 38, with 16 and 17 as hopeful backups.

Fingers crossed it went through alright.

I noticed the fax website seemed to drop the leading 1 on the number, but suspect that makes no difference

What's the fax number to POR??

 

[Backstage_Gal]

What's the fax number to POR??

It's on page one under FAQ's as recommended to read in the thread title.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Bit of an off question but can anyone compare the bus service at POR to the bus service at Pop?

We stayed at Pop previously and the bus service was fantastic, I'm a bit worried after hearing mixed reviews on the POR buses. We are aiming to go last week of September, first week of October (2013!) will this be peak time regarding the buses?

Also, is it possible to upgrade to a Royal room at check-in (obviously if there's availability)? If so, is it rack rate they charge you or how does that work?

 

[ARAITHEL]

Bit of an off question but can anyone compare the bus service at POR to the bus service at Pop?

We stayed at Pop previously and the bus service was fantastic, I'm a bit worried after hearing mixed reviews on the POR buses. We are aiming to go last week of September, first week of October (2013!) will this be peak time regarding the buses?

I can compare the busses with other values (ASmo) and POR. No comparison. It's one of the many reasons I'm staying at POR. We go the same time as you are thinking every year. (end of sept) the wait for a bus is usually never over 20 minutes. This is probably because the crowds are so low. I personally thought it was just as good as any other deluxe or moderate that I've stayed at for bussing. Only sharing with one other resort helps! We waited over 40 minutes for an Epcot bus at ASmo...not good. And I realize that this could have been a glitch in the system too. Moderates have covered bus stops. Not a big deal, but just more classy.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I can compare the busses with other values (ASmo) and POR. No comparison. It's one of the many reasons I'm staying at POR. We go the same time as you are thinking every year. (end of sept) the wait for a bus is usually never over 20 minutes. This is probably because the crowds are so low. I personally thought it was just as good as any other deluxe or moderate that I've stayed at for bussing. Only sharing with one other resort helps! We waited over 40 minutes for an Epcot bus at ASmo...not good. And I realize that this could have been a glitch in the system too. Moderates have covered bus stops. Not a big deal, but just more classy.

That's great to hear! Thank you

 

[Fire14]

Bit of an off question but can anyone compare the bus service at POR to the bus service at Pop?

We stayed at Pop previously and the bus service was fantastic, I'm a bit worried after hearing mixed reviews on the POR buses. We are aiming to go last week of September, first week of October (2013!) will this be peak time regarding the buses?

Also, is it possible to upgrade to a Royal room at check-in (obviously if there's availability)? If so, is it rack rate they charge you or how does that work?

I personally found service at POR and POP to be equal with a possible slight edge to POR during "rush" times. I felt buses were prompt and I personally never felt like sardine on POR bus.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I personally found service at POR and POP to be equal with a possible slight edge to POR during "rush" times. I felt buses were prompt and I personally never felt like sardine on POR bus.

Great, thanks!

 

[laura_<3]

Good morning all you happy Dis'ers! I think everyone needs to give everyone else a break! Everyone involved has legitimate points. The new PP who asked the original question had no idea how long he was supposed to wait for an answer. He's new! (WELCOME!). On the other hand, sometimes questions do get lost in the shuffle because the right person with that answer may not be online in that time frame. Andre specifically, uses his personal time to carefully answer any question that the rest of us can't answer and he's very consistent. Andre is very valuable here.

This thread is very kind and helpful and I hate to see it slammed.

Having said that, this is an excellent lesson in that when we say something on the net, people can't see our faces or hear our inflections so it's easy to misinterpret.

Love POR and love this thread! Don't hate me for sounding like a mom.

Just caught up on this thread - well said

We have around 4 months to go, not long now

 

[AnnePTC]

For the nightly courtyard movies, can you bring camp chairs to sit in or does everyone just bring towels from the rooms to sit on? Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

You know, the more I look at this lobby photo the more I think that all of the tiling above is new. I'm sure the older tiles were lighter and more neutral in colour, and the grouting was darker. I was going by what I was told by the photographer about the right-hand side being old, but those darker tiles look far too new and match so perfectly with that gorgeous decorative strip that I think they must all be new. Also the hard-wood border between the tiles and the old carpet is gone.

I can't wait to see this finished - given the level of detail we can see so far, and the quality of the finish, I think it will look really beautiful.

Andre

 

[Mariep26]

Hi everyone. This is an amazing thread and thanks to Andre for his website which is an amazing resource. I have checked FAQs but have not gotten all the way through this thread so I apologize if this is a stupid question or has Bren asked a million times. So we are taking a special trip in March of next year so that we can take my DSS along. He was upset that he couldn't make our December trip so we agreed to take him in March. So our reservation will be for 5 and my youngest will be 3 so she finally counts. I was looking for rooms that accommodate 5 and the more I read about POR, the more I am sure that it is the place for us. So here is the dumb question...if I book for 5, they automatically price me into an Alligator Bayou room with the Murphy Bed. Is that correct? Do I need to make any specific requests to ensure we have the correct room? We will book pretty quickly once the packages are available so I am trying to be prepared. Thanks!!

 

[Stan Solo]

You know, the more I look at this lobby photo the more I think that all of the tiling above is new. I'm sure the older tiles were lighter and more neutral in colour, and the grouting was darker. I was going by what I was told by the photographer about the right-hand side being old, but those darker tiles look far too new and match so perfectly with that gorgeous decorative strip that I think they must all be new. Also the hard-wood border between the tiles and the old carpet is gone.

I can't wait to see this finished - given the level of detail we can see so far, and the quality of the finish, I think it will look really beautiful.

Andre

That is definitely new tile. When you compare to old photos these tiles are very different. I wonder what they have in plan for the center part where the carpet is?

I also can't wait to see it finished. When we went last year I said to my DD that this room could use some work. The odd rung and some decorative pieces were broken or even missing.

Hi everyone. This is an amazing thread and thanks to Andre for his website which is an amazing resource. I have checked FAQs but have not gotten all the way through this thread so I apologize if this is a stupid question or has Bren asked a million times. So we are taking a special trip in March of next year so that we can take my DSS along. He was upset that he couldn't make our December trip so we agreed to take him in March. So our reservation will be for 5 and my youngest will be 3 so she finally counts. I was looking for rooms that accommodate 5 and the more I read about POR, the more I am sure that it is the place for us. So here is the dumb question...if I book for 5, they automatically price me into an Alligator Bayou room with the Murphy Bed. Is that correct? Do I need to make any specific requests to ensure we have the correct room? We will book pretty quickly once the packages are available so I am trying to be prepared. Thanks!!

They should automatically put you in AB but it would not hurt to call and have this confirmed. It would put your mind at ease.

 

[andrewilley]

... or has Bren asked a million times ... if I book for 5, they automatically price me into an Alligator Bayou room with the Murphy Bed. Is that correct?

Yes, it's automatic. If you have a party which includes 5 people aged 3 or over, you can only be allocated to Alligator Bayou. In fact, if you check the room types which pop up if the online booking systems, you'll notice that of all the Royal Guest Rooms vanish from the list when you select five people instead of four. You can still choose what type of Alligator Bayou room you would like though, from Standard, Garden View, Preferred Location, Water or River View.

See www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php for more discussion on room options and how they work.

Oh, and don't worry, Bren hasn't asked this before.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

I wonder what they have in plan for the center part where the carpet is?

New specially commissioned carpet. Mind you, the existing one was only about five years old, and was actually not in that bad shape for something that must get a LOT of daily use. But I guess that's one of the things that's so great about Disney, and keeps us all coming back - to keep everything looking as fabulous as we all want it to, they tend to swap stuff out well before it wears out. I've heard there will be a new chandelier too. I do hope the large paddle-fans are staying, as they always gave a lovely authentic feel to the location.

Current carpet:

Pre-2007/2008 carpet:

And yes, I reckon all of the tiles in the recent pics are definitely new.

Andre

 

[Mrs. Buzz Lightyear]

Andre thanks for all the updates! You keep me coming back for more