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

[EpcotBill]

You have to question, what many would see, as the pure motive in doing so. Ask yourself, "Am I being true to myself and a good Disney citizen," and then it should be quite clear. Once you answer this question, if you're interested in doing so, everything will fall into place, provided that things work out the way you expected. However, if you choose to ignore simple logic....I don't even want to go there.

I'm sorry but I have to ask; What are you talking about? If someone wants to upgrade to preferred it has nothing to do with good citizenship or being true to ones self. And what's this about ignoring simple logic? People upgrade to preferred because they want to. They don't have to do any deep soul searching. It's a simple upgrade, either do or do not. It's not a life changing event. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Koz]

I'm sorry but I have to ask; What are you talking about? If someone wants to upgrade to preferred it has nothing to do with good citizenship or being true to ones self. And what's this about ignoring simple logic? People upgrade to preferred because they want to. They don't have to do any deep soul searching. It's a simple upgrade, either do or do not. It's not a life changing event. Maybe I'm missing something.

Painting 2 closets and a ceiling through dinner can do that to a guy. At least I had some time to watch Santana throw a no-hitter.

A few weeks ago, one of the people in my office sent a invite to attend a lunch for a departing colleague. I responded to the intern collecting the RSVP's, "I'll be there, unless of course I cannot, in which case I will be unable to attend." A few hours later, another intern came over, "Charlotte is very confused and is embarrassed to ask you whether or not you're coming to the party."

 

[JenSinMA]

Social experiment. It's 11:30 PM. I just spent the last 4 hours painting a room and decided to loop 5 or 6 meaningless sentences together to see if someone had the "gusto" to try and decipher meaningless giberish. You ohnow, win the prize!

I vote we save the social experimentation for our soul-crushing workplaces, and not subject to meaningless gibberish the honest DISers who post to this thread seeking real advice and support.

 

[andrewilley]

... and then check the rates as soon as they are released.

Although the 2013 rates aren't out yet, if you sneakily try to book from 31 December 2012 (the last available arrival date on the system right now) the Disney website will quote you up as far as 30 January 2013, and if that info is correct it looks like prices are mostly going up by $4/night (the below prices are for standard rooms, plus tax):

Mon, Dec 31 - Tue, Jan 01: $ 244.00
Wed, Jan 02: $ 163.00
Thu, Jan 03 - Sat, Jan 05: $ 183.00 <-- marathon weekend presumably
Sun, Jan 06 - Thu, Jan 10: $ 163.00
Fri, Jan 11 - Sat, Jan 12: $ 178.00
Sun, Jan 13 - Thu, Jan 17: $ 163.00
Fri, Jan 18 - Sun, Jan 20: $ 183.00 <-- MLK weekend
Mon, Jan 21 - Thu, Jan 24: $ 163.00
Fri, Jan 25 - Sat, Jan 26: $ 178.00
Sun, Jan 27 - Tue, Jan 29: $ 163.00

Andre

 

[Koz]

I vote we save the social experimentation for our soul-crushing workplaces, and not subject to meaningless gibberish the honest DISers who post to this thread seeking real advice and support.

Are we back on track now?

 

[ValinWV]

KOZ you had me so confused. For a minute I thought you were thinking I wanted a "free" upgrade and that wasn't want I wanted at all. I am so glad you just inhaled too many paint fumes before you posted.

 

[Elissajoy]

I, for one, got a kick out of Koz' responses !! Thanks for the great humour.

 

[andrewilley]

Alligator Bayou Building 18 is now starting its rehab (the ground floor was closed on Saturday, the upper floor on Sunday) and is due for completion on Friday 15 June. This is last last of the Preferred Location buildings to close, so now there are only refurbished rooms available within that category.

Having two Preferred buildings from the four down at the same time might be a bit of a logistical problem on odd days, but I'm sure they have an option or two up their sleeves...

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

I'll know for sure on the 11th, though!

I suspect the lobby work will still be in progress then, sorry. I've just had the end date confirmed as still being 22nd June, at present anyway.

Andre

 

[Koz]

Southwest opens up their booking for the remainder of the year on Monday. At that point we'll be nearly 180 days to go, ADR's following shortly thereafter.

Here's my order of business from now until travel:

1) Book SWA!
2) Book ADR's.
3) Have baby #3- well, I won't but I'll have priority in the room of course.
4) Family of 5 including "spud" (no name yet) off to WDW in December.

 

[nancy01]

Hi Everyone,

We will be staying at POR in October in a perferred room (family of 5). We are trying to decide between building 14 and 18. I like that 14 is closer to the restaurants/buses, but I also like that 18 has no parking lot views. For those who are familiar with the resort, which one would you suggest we request?

Thanks!!

 

[Mrs. Buzz Lightyear]

Any suggestions as to which building is better for a Royal Guest Room with a River View?

I know the rooms are identical, but I wasn’t sure which one may be closer to the main building? Or if anyone thinks a particular room has a close/better view to the river (example strait on view as opposed to being on a side wing view)?

 

[jking6]

I am excited to be staying at POR Riverside Royal Room Aug 12 -16th The rooms look amazing. This will be my first stay at POR. I keep hearing so many good things and with the Royal Rooms I have to give it try!

 

[Gorechick]

Any suggestions as to which building is better for a Royal Guest Room with a River View?

I know the rooms are identical, but I wasn’t sure which one may be closer to the main building? Or if anyone thinks a particular room has a close/better view to the river (example strait on view as opposed to being on a side wing view)?

Oak Manor will be closer to the bridge to the main areas of the resort. Check out the maps at the beginning of the FAQ.

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

We just returned last night from our WDW vacation (May 26-June 3). Sad to leave!

We spent our first night, first time at POP and while it was nice we couldn't wait to check-in to our Royal Room at POR. This was our 6th stay at POR and it did not disappoint!
We checked in early (around 8:00 AM) on Saturday the 27th (this was the state of the lobby upon check-in):

Online check-in:

Concierge:

Our room was not ready yet, but we were given our Keys to the World, and my daughter was presented a scroll from Tiana (same letter that is in the table in the Royal Rooms):

We headed to EPCOT and received a message that our room was ready. For some reason the message didn't include our room number it just said to stop by the registration desk so when we returned to POR we stopped by the desk to get our room number. It was 9777. We had booked a 'river view' room and requested Parterre Place, top floor, corner room. Upon arrival to our room, we realized we were granted all 3-requests!

This is the 'front view' from the room:

and this is view out the "side window":

The room was beautiful and my daughter enjoyed looking at all the things the princesses left for Tiana. I took pictures of the room, but won't post since many have been posted before me.

Here are a couple pictures early morning from Memorial Day:

Flags at half mast:

I wish I was here now - I miss it already!

My daughter got pixie dusted on this trip. We went to the campfire at FQ one night to find her favorite activities/events coordinator, Hannah that we have come to know during our previous trips.

She gave my daughter a certificate for an hour's pontoon boat rental!! When we showed up at the marina the next day to rent the boat, she even had pirate swords, eye patches, bandanas and a goody bag full of pirate loot waiting for my daughter. It was a magical surprise and one we will never forget!! Thank you Hannah!!!

Our building from the boat - our room is the 2nd floor corner on the left of the building (above the lady wearing the striped shirt's head):

Here are some pictures of the lobby work in progress-

May 30:

No chandelier:

June 1 with chandelier:

I didn't find Parterre Place to be far from the food court, granted we were on the river so just crossed the first bridge. We did enjoy having a river view room, so thought it was worth the price to upgrade to that view. I also liked that it was close to French Quarter because we walked there a few times to use the pool, eat, campfire, etc.
Bus service was good. We never waited long for a bus at the resort (only had to stand a couple times) and were lucky on the return trips from the parks - there was always one waiting so we'd run to make sure we got on it before it pulled off.
Mousekeeping was excellent and the food court food was good as usual.
Overall we had a wonderful stay. Every time we return to Port Orleans I fall in love with the resorts (POR and FQ) even more.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for allowing me to post my mini-review!

 

[MinnieMouseMom]

We just returned last night from our WDW vacation (May 26-June 3). Sad to leave!

We spent our first night, first time at POP and while it was nice we couldn't wait to check-in to our Royal Room at POR. This was our 6th stay at POR and it did not disappoint!
We checked in early (around 8:00 AM) on Saturday the 27th (this was the state of the lobby upon check-in):

Online check-in:

Concierge:

Our room was not ready yet, but we were given our Keys to the World, and my daughter was presented a scroll from Tiana (same letter that is in the table in the Royal Rooms):

We headed to EPCOT and received a message that our room was ready. For some reason the message didn't include our room number it just said to stop by the registration desk so when we returned to POR we stopped by the desk to get our room number. It was 9777. We had booked a 'river view' room and requested Parterre Place, top floor, corner room. Upon arrival to our room, we realized we were granted all 3-requests!

This is the 'front view' from the room:

and this is view out the "side window":

The room was beautiful and my daughter enjoyed looking at all the things the princesses left for Tiana. I took pictures of the room, but won't post since many have been posted before me.

Here are a couple pictures early morning from Memorial Day:

Flags at half mast:

I wish I was here now - I miss it already!

My daughter got pixie dusted on this trip. We went to the campfire at FQ one night to find her favorite activities/events coordinator, Hannah that we have come to know during our previous trips.

She gave my daughter a certificate for an hour's pontoon boat rental!! When we showed up at the marina the next day to rent the boat, she even had pirate swords, eye patches, bandanas and a goody bag full of pirate loot waiting for my daughter. It was a magical surprise and one we will never forget!! Thank you Hannah!!!

Our building from the boat - our room is the 2nd floor corner on the left of the building (above the lady wearing the striped shirt's head):

Here are some pictures of the lobby work in progress-

May 30:

No chandelier:

June 1 with chandelier:

I didn't find Parterre Place to be far from the food court, granted we were on the river so just crossed the first bridge. We did enjoy having a river view room, so thought it was worth the price to upgrade to that view. I also liked that it was close to French Quarter because we walked there a few times to use the pool, eat, campfire, etc.
Bus service was good. We never waited long for a bus at the resort (only had to stand a couple times) and were lucky on the return trips from the parks - there was always one waiting so we'd run to make sure we got on it before it pulled off.
Mousekeeping was excellent and the food court food was good as usual.
Overall we had a wonderful stay. Every time we return to Port Orleans I fall in love with the resorts (POR and FQ) even more.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for allowing me to post my mini-review!

Thanks for the review and the pictures!!

 

[Cait8383]

My family will be traveling to POR this October for 9 nights staying in a Preferred room. I am just curious what type of requests I should make. I was thinking about asking for Building 18 near the quiet pool for convenience to the pool and the laundry services. Just curious if this would be a logical request or if there are better ones to make. Thank you for your help as this is the first time we have staying at this resort and very much looking forward to it.

 

[thinguy]

Comparing Pop century and Riverside it looks like riverside is a bit more expensive but has a bit more to do and better eats.
But doesn't have the crazy eye catching theme that my 8yr girl would like. How close is Riverside to downtown disney for shopping?
Any stayed at both?

 

[jenniferma]

Comparing Pop century and Riverside it looks like riverside is a bit more expensive but has a bit more to do and better eats.
But doesn't have the crazy eye catching theme that my 8yr girl would like. How close is Riverside to downtown disney for shopping?
Any stayed at both?

There is a boat that takes you from Por to Dtd. It is a sort, beautiful ride. My DDS loved Por. They loved the carriage rides at night, the food court etc. we are still deciding for our next trip. Por is our moderate choice if we cannot afford a deluxe. I am selling it as the tiana hotel. They love princess and the frog, just not as much as the monorail

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Comparing Pop century and Riverside it looks like riverside is a bit more expensive but has a bit more to do and better eats.
But doesn't have the crazy eye catching theme that my 8yr girl would like. How close is Riverside to downtown disney for shopping?
Any stayed at both?

I've been to both and to me an 8yr old is probably more into the theme than the bones to the hotel. Pop was pretty budget. I much prefer the mods to the values. Kids will have fun either way, it's your budget that will have the final decision. We are not in our rooms much at all, but when we are, I prefer the mods for sure

The ferry to DTD is nice. Pools are great and grounds are pretty.