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

[hollygolitely93]

Going to WDW with a party of 10 week one December. Staying POR Catching the bus most mornings at south (main) bus stop, our other option would be east as we are in Oak Manor.

Can anyone estimate what time I should be out at bus stop if wanting to be at parks for rope drop (9am).

MK?
HS?
Epcot?
AK?

Also, we have dining at 5:30 TREX DTD...what time should we be at boat dock?

Thank you,

Holly

 

[hollygolitely93]

Another question...we are a party of 10 in 3 rooms with 5 kids...13, 10, 10, 6, 2.

We will get back to resort between 7-8 most nights. Suggestions on things to do knowing bed time will be between 9-10?

I saw smores by a campfire...anyone done this? Movies, too...is that eavery night? Arcade games are by food court?

Thanks!

 

[Gorechick]

Andre has the weekly schedule of resort events at www.portorleans.org. That will give you a good idea of what activities there are.

 

[hollygolitely93]

Andre has the weekly schedule of resort events at www.portorleans.org. That will give you a good idea of what activities there are.

Thank you...anyone do e the campfire and is it worth it? Can anyone tell me which activities were your child's favourites?

 

[Missytara]

Thank you...anyone do e the campfire and is it worth it? Can anyone tell me which activities were your child's favourites?

I have to say we took a five year old last year and she just loved being in the pool every night. But we loved the campfire as well.

We also loved taking the water taxi to DTD and go to Ghiradelli's for ice cream.

 

[Bingham2]

********I have a question. I know check in is at 3pm, but we won't arrive until probably closer to 6:30/7. Is there anything I need to do? online check in maybe? This is my first time staying on-site so I'm clueless.

Bumping up my question. (it's from 3 pages back)

 

[Luvscrappin]

Bumping up my question. (it's from 3 pages back)

I dont think there should be any problem. Last year we arrived around midnight and had no problem, but I did check in online.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

I would think you would be at POR about 5pm.

On-line or not is up to you. We have never done on-line and have always been happy. If you have a request you really want then do the on-line. You can always have things changed if you don't like what you get.

 

[andrewilley]

Can anyone estimate what time I should be out at bus stop if wanting to be at parks for rope drop (9am).

Also, we have dining at 5:30 TREX DTD...what time should we be at boat dock?

I'd be at the bus stop about an hour before park opening time to allow for possible bus wait, transit, security check and getting into the park ready for rope drop.

As for T-Rex, to be on the safe side allow something similar (maybe a bit longer) in case there is a queue and you having to wait for several boats.

Andre

 

[DisneyMom5]

Bumping up my question. (it's from 3 pages back)

We always check in after 3 pm.
3 pm means nothing except for your room might not be ready before 3 pm.
It's not a required check in time. Like the pirate code, it's merely a guideline.
[Checking OUT is another story.]
As long as you are there before midnight (and if it's going to be after midnight, let them know) you're good.

 

[SoosieQ]

My travel companion changed from my best friend to my mom and mom wanted to stay at POR (after staying at FQ 2 years ago) so we have switched from CSR.

It has been a few years since I have stayed here so time to read up!

 

[Bingham2]

Thanks everyone!!!!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

Hey Andre got my new 10-20mm lens. Love it. Thanks for recommending it.

 

[Phatoomch]

Hi! I just wanted to join you guys over here! Phantoomch, invited me over from the December 2012 Roll Call thread!

Because of a wonderful turn of events that unfolded this week, I got a great new job unexpectedly, I was able to change our reservation from POP! to Port Orleans Riverside! I have been stay-at-home moming for the past 2.5 years and man...1 income can be not-so-fun when you are used to 2! But that all changes now! DD is so excited for preschool to start and DH and I are so happy that we will have the additional salary now to save for a new house downpayment, and go to PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE!!!

I think I prefer the Magnolia Bend rooms to be honest. I would be happy with either but, from photos I am more drawn to the mansions. Anyone want to recommend an area for us? We do our laundry probably 2 times while vacationing. I prefer to pack light and wash. So a room in close proximity to the quiet pool/laundry area, near-ish a foot bridge too would be nice. We are vacationing Dec 1 - 9 and going to MVMCP!!!

Oh and I just wanted to say Andre you've down a fantastic job with this thread and the website!!!

BUMPING this for JLa01844 - sorry, I know you must be busy Andre

 

[andrewilley]

As long as you are there before midnight (and if it's going to be after midnight, let them know) you're good.

I think room bookings (for which you have pre-paid for that first night anyway) are guaranteed until 6am the next day.

Hey Andre got my new 10-24mm lens. Love it. Thanks for recommending it.

Which one did you get? I went for the Sigma 10-20, which takes some lovely wide vistas (gotta watch the odd perspective angles you can get though).

BUMPING this for JLa01844 - sorry, I know you must be busy Andre

I thought that one had been answered, sorry.

To be honest, the answer was pretty-much in the question though: if someone wants a Magnolia Bend room in close proximity to the quiet pool/laundry area and near-ish to a foot bridge, my advice would be to just tell the resort those requests and let them assign something suitable. If you get too specific down to buildings/room numbers, you just end up losing the reason for the request and making it harder for them to work out the best alternatives for you.

Personally, I'd suggest booking Water View though, which will automatically get a room near the quiet pool. I guess a Magnolia Terrace ground-floor water (i.e. swimming pool) view room would fit the bill fairly well though, if you look at the map in the first post.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Which one did you get? I went for the Sigma 10-20, which takes some lovely wide vistas (gotta watch the odd perspective angles you can get though).

Andre

I got the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens. I have seen something weird show up in a few shots. Maybe thats what you were talking about.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I think room bookings (for which you have pre-paid for that first night anyway) are guaranteed until 6am the next day.
Andre

That's probably true.
With packages, the problem people are running into is with programs like Free Dining, people are trying to book a room for the first night, but not show up to the second.
If you don't show up that day, and don't let them know your arrival time, they might cancel your ressie.
It's ALWAYS a good idea to let them know if you have a late arrival.

 

[999ghostslover]

We are considering switching our ressie from Art of Animation next May to here. We are very fond of Riverside and FQ but it has been awhile since we stayed here and back then we were a family of 3 instead of 5. So if we do a preferred room will there be a place for my DS3 to sleep. Is that murphy bed a replacement for the old trundle bed? And are they really all queens? That will make a huge difference. I would rather queen beds than a second bathroom any day!

 

[disneycrazy2004]

Hi All,
just wondering if anyone can tell me how well the wi-fi works? We are bringing our laptop for work purposes and wondering if we should up our data before we leave (we have the stick but it is so expensive) or is the WI-fi working well?

 

[Gorechick]

We are considering switching our ressie from Art of Animation next May to here. We are very fond of Riverside and FQ but it has been awhile since we stayed here and back then we were a family of 3 instead of 5. So if we do a preferred room will there be a place for my DS3 to sleep. Is that murphy bed a replacement for the old trundle bed? And are they really all queens? That will make a huge difference. I would rather queen beds than a second bathroom any day!

The Murphy bed is the replacement for the trundle and now there are queen beds in all the rooms.