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

[LaDonna]

okay so I just changed my POR regular room to a Garden View room so I could get free dining, we are a family of 5 so I'm guessing they are still in the Alligator Bayou section just NOT PREFERRED location? Right? So I still need to call and put on my reservation a request for building 16, since I'm trying to get closer to the food court etc????? I know I read somewhere a certain time frame that was best for requests? Was it like 3 days or something like that?

 

[Venomhatch]

okay so I just changed my POR regular room to a Garden View room so I could get free dining, we are a family of 5 so I'm guessing they are still in the Alligator Bayou section just NOT PREFERRED location? Right? So I still need to call and put on my reservation a request for building 16, since I'm trying to get closer to the food court etc????? I know I read somewhere a certain time frame that was best for requests? Was it like 3 days or something like that?

Your are correct with your building placement. Well they say ten to fifteen days from what I can remember.

 

[jomommy]

I'm planning on going next year and starting to think about ADRs and was wondering on people's opinions of Boatwrights since we'll be staying at POR/POFQ. I've heard mixed opinions for the most part - even two different Disney guide books are mixed reviews (one great, one okay rating), but since all you guys love POR, what do YOU think?

It's been a few years since we ate there, but we loved it! Actually, Boatwrights and the food court there have been some of the best food we've ever eaten in WDW. One trip, we actually canceled a character meal just to eat there. I'm sure not everyone agrees, but that's our opinion.

 

[DisneyDreamerMom]

I'm in a similar position as LaDonna, only I lost my preferred room when I switched to the free dining in November (definitely worth it!). I did upgrade to river view but I'm confused by the map as to where all the river view rooms are. I'm not good at maps; I'm sorry.

It looks like buildings 14,18,27,38 for sure. What about 80 & 85? Any suggestions for which one to request? We had booked preferred for the shortest distance to the bus stop/food court, but it doesn't look like any of the river views would be too bad a walk.

 

[Venomhatch]

I'm in a similar position as LaDonna, only I lost my preferred room when I switched to the free dining in November (definitely worth it!). I did upgrade to river view but I'm confused by the map as to where all the river view rooms are. I'm not good at maps; I'm sorry.

It looks like buildings 14,18,27,38 for sure. What about 80 & 85? Any suggestions for which one to request? We had booked preferred for the shortest distance to the bus stop/food court, but it doesn't look like any of the river views would be too bad a walk.

If i read this right and you said you lost your preferred room, then you will not be in 14 or 18 for those are preferred buildings. Maybe if they toss some extra pixie dust your way, but most likely not in 14 or 18. You may get 27 or 38 with river views if you have five in your group.

 

[DisneyDreamerMom]

Thanks Venom. There's just 4 of us, so no guarantee of AB. I thought I had read that riverview trumped preferred, but I must have read that backwards.

Any suggestions on which one to request? This is our first time at POR and I'm so excited!

 

[Missytara]

I'm in a similar position as LaDonna, only I lost my preferred room when I switched to the free dining in November (definitely worth it!). I did upgrade to river view but I'm confused by the map as to where all the river view rooms are. I'm not good at maps; I'm sorry.

It looks like buildings 14,18,27,38 for sure. What about 80 & 85? Any suggestions for which one to request? We had booked preferred for the shortest distance to the bus stop/food court, but it doesn't look like any of the river views would be too bad a walk.

I got a riverview room at Parterre Place two years ago; corner room, king bed. I was smack dab riverfront, not 30 feet from the river. I was solo that year. Sadly, it is now Royal rooms. I was close to the bridge that went over to the front of the building, which I preferred (no pun intended). I did a no parks, all resorts trip, so I spent a lot of time on the water taxi going back and forth to DTD and that bridge was very convenient to the marina.

I laugh about it now, because I have a queen bed at home, with four cats at the time. It took me day to realize the king bed was alllllllllll mine.

 

[Venomhatch]

Thanks Venom. There's just 4 of us, so no guarantee of AB. I thought I had read that riverview trumped preferred, but I must have read that backwards.

Any suggestions on which one to request? This is our first time at POR and I'm so excited!

Just four, yeah you could be in any building with a river view. Even mansions. But if you wanted to stay in AB area, then you could try and request that area. No promises though. Earlier the check in the better chances you have. Good luck and hope your blessed with plenty of pixie dust.

 

[crazy4tig]

We are booked at POR 2 standard rooms for January 2013, there are 9 of us. Am I understanding correctly that if FD is offered we would need to upgrade our rooms? And if that's the case will we be able to just move up to Garden view or will we have to do preferred or river view?? Just wondering if I should change my reservation??? Thanks

 

[Missytara]

We are booked at POR 2 standard rooms for January 2013, there are 9 of us. Am I understanding correctly that if FD is offered we would need to upgrade our rooms? And if that's the case will we be able to just move up to Garden view or will we have to do preferred or river view?? Just wondering if I should change my reservation??? Thanks

You have a slightly skewed interpretation of the way discounts work.

Promos are done to fill rooms. When a discount comes out, it is done to fill those rooms. They could be in your reserved category, it could be lower, and it could be higher. It may not even have rooms available at your current resort and you may have to make the choice to move to another one. Or you may want to use the difference to upgrade to the next higher level of resort.

It just all depends on the time of year and how many rooms are available on that promo. You won't know until it is announced and you call, so there is no reason to change your room category now, unless you wanted.

 

[Caseystigger]

We just switched from POFQ to POR 10/20-10/26 so we could get free dining! Very excited! Got the Royal Guest room with river view! Will be our first time at POR. Any suggestions on which building to request? I kmow it's between Oak Manor and the one that starts with a "P".

 

[Missytara]

We just switched from POFQ to POR 10/20-10/26 so we could get free dining! Very excited! Got the Royal Guest room with river view! Will be our first time at POR. Any suggestions on which building to request? I kmow it's between Oak Manor and the one that starts with a "P".

Parterre Place has some of the most remote rooms, but with riverview, you are guaranteed to be closer to the front of the building and closer to the bridge that leads to the front of the main building and the marina. It is closer to the river, but a bit farther from their quiet pool.

Oak Manor is closer to the bridge that leads to the food court side, the main pool and is a bit closer to their quiet pool.

 

[hunmcbunny]

does anyone know when the free dining will be available in Feb?
Anxiously waiting for July 11th when we can book the whole package deal.

 

[crazy4tig]

You have a slightly skewed interpretation of the way discounts work.

Promos are done to fill rooms. When a discount comes out, it is done to fill those rooms. They could be in your reserved category, it could be lower, and it could be higher. It may not even have rooms available at your current resort and you may have to make the choice to move to another one. Or you may want to use the difference to upgrade to the next higher level of resort.

It just all depends on the time of year and how many rooms are available on that promo. You won't know until it is announced and you call, so there is no reason to change your room category now, unless you wanted.

Thanks, my interpretation came from all the posts that were upgrading their rooms at POR because they weren't able to apply FD to a standard room. And had read that POR has traditionally been the 1st resort to sell out of the FD promo. And i wasn't sure if Disney always excluded standard rooms.. In hope of selling the more expensive rooms. Thanks again for your input.

 

[DisneyMom5]

We are booked at POR 2 standard rooms for January 2013, there are 9 of us. Am I understanding correctly that if FD is offered we would need to upgrade our rooms? And if that's the case will we be able to just move up to Garden view or will we have to do preferred or river view?? Just wondering if I should change my reservation??? Thanks

Thanks, my interpretation came from all the posts that were upgrading their rooms at POR because they weren't able to apply FD to a standard room. And had read that POR has traditionally been the 1st resort to sell out of the FD promo. And i wasn't sure if Disney always excluded standard rooms.. In hope of selling the more expensive rooms. Thanks again for your input.

Right...you might not HAVE to upgrade, if there are standard rooms available for the sale. For some dates there are, for some there are not.

does anyone know when the free dining will be available in Feb?
Anxiously waiting for July 11th when we can book the whole package deal.

I'm waiting to! Hope we hear something soon!

 

[Missytara]

Thanks, my interpretation came from all the posts that were upgrading their rooms at POR because they weren't able to apply FD to a standard room. And had read that POR has traditionally been the 1st resort to sell out of the FD promo. And i wasn't sure if Disney always excluded standard rooms.. In hope of selling the more expensive rooms. Thanks again for your input.

It is not uncommon for everyone to upgrade for free dining. Mods will go to deluxe; values will go to mods and off-site will go to values. I watched the last two years when FD opened up for my week and two weeks later, off-site hotels were offering up to 45% off their rooms; they were suddenly empty. It made sense to me.

For obvious reasons, values will upgrade to the lowest category at the mods, getting DDP, in lieu of QSDP, so standard rooms will get snapped up in minutes. They have a huge savings, think a parking lot view at a mod is better than a value, and they get a table service meal. It is a no-brainer. That is what people mean by you might have to upgrade if you do not book FD fast enough.

Hope that helps.

 

[crazy4tig]

Thanks that does help. I guess I'll have to take my chances. I'm just nervous about not being able to get get FD at POR cause we need a room that sleeps 5!! I'll just keep my fingers crossed ... Thanks for the info

 

[Missytara]

Thanks that does help. I guess I'll have to take my chances. I'm just nervous about not being able to get get FD at POR cause we need a room that sleeps 5!! I'll just keep my fingers crossed ... Thanks for the info

POR does sell out quick in AB. Imagine getting a room for five, with paying only double occupancy with two adults, but three kids qualifying for the adult DDP. The great part is that the disboards know early; have your finger poised on that first button on the phone at 6:55 am and keep dialing until you get through!

 

[Phatoomch]

We just switched from POFQ to POR 10/20-10/26 so we could get free dining! Very excited! Got the Royal Guest room with river view! Will be our first time at POR. Any suggestions on which building to request? I kmow it's between Oak Manor and the one that starts with a "P".

I would request Oak Manor - it is closer to the bridge which goes over to the lobby/foodcourt.

If you read the first post in this thread, you will find the most helpful website which includes maps of POR and information on room requests

 

[Venomhatch]

I would request Oak Manor - it is closer to the bridge which goes over to the lobby/foodcourt.

If you read the first post in this thread, you will find the most helpful website which includes maps of POR and information on room requests

Yeah I agree. Even though the north end of Parterre Building and the south end of Oak are about 1400 feet to the south depot, which is about 200 feet maybe a little more past the food court. If your in the north end of Oak it would be about 1500 maybe 1550 feet to the south depot.