Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[momtwoboys]

Hi everyone! Just had a question regarding AB section. We are a family of 4, but would only be interested in the AB section. We have been to Disney each and every year (sometimes 2x) since our 1997 Honeymoon. The last time we stayed at POR it was on our Honeymoon when it was still Dixie Landings. We are thinking of this year for our 15th anniversary of giving this resort a try with our 2 boys age 11, and 13. The looks of the Mansion side do nothing for us....in fact my son with Asperger's thinks the room looks creepy??? Would they allow us to stay in the AB section if we requested it? That is where we were on our honeymoon and back then we were only the 2 of us Any thoughts??? Still trying to decide on our resort for next April!!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi , momtwoboys,

That is interesting what your son said about the mansions. My daughter also has Asperger's and didn't like AB section. We are going to POR in June and I decided to book a royal theme room. My daughter liked it and I will guarantee getting the mansions. Unfortunately you can request it but they will never guarantee. Just a thought for you POR will be going through the refurbishment then and buildings will be closed. You can check the POR unofficial website they have a schedule of the buildings being done. I know when we are going six of the AB buildings will be under construction. If you want to stay at a moderate CSR is lovely. We were there 2 years in a row and my daughter loved it. You may have a better chance of getting what you want. Also the 3 sections are not that different.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi momtwoboys,

I just realized a couple of posts back that there is the schedule of the refurbishment. I spent my honeymoon in 1997 at CBR. My Aspie daughter is going to be 10.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Ok, I am a bit nervous here about staying here the week we have booked now. Up until recently, there seemed to be plenty of rooms available at POR and POFQ. I was playing around with adding a night to our package, and now there are no rooms available at either resort. So, have they overbooked, or is it due to taking out a whole building for refurbs?

Now this is why I am nervous; our flight doesn't get in until 5:30 and we hopefully will arrive at the resort by 7:00 if all goes well. We will do on-line check-in, as we have done for the past 3 trips. We have also put in a request to be in the Acadian House and hoping for a refurbed room (and after as many trips as we've made, Yes, I understand it is only a request). We will put in a secondary request for Oak Manor or Parterre Place. How likely will we be in getting our request with the late time of check-in? We are going to be there for 12 days, I really want to like where we are staying, and we do spend some time at our resort, so it is important. Any answers or calming words will be greatly appreciated.

 

[RAlexander84]

So I think my wife and I have decided to stay here in sept. '12 at the Royal Rooms. At first I was sad there were no canopies, but realized I had to get my DD Princess a royal room. So now the next thing I have to figure out is Friday-Friday(Sept. 14-21) or Sat-Sat(sept.8-15). My DDs 5th bday is Sept. 14th. It really depends on what airfare I get so will probably just book Fri-Sat(sept. 8-16). This is our first trip and while I have done alot of WDW research, I could use and advise anyone has about the POR.

 

[andrewilley]

Would they allow us to stay in the AB section if we requested it?

As has been stated before, requests at Disney are never guaranteed, but if you explain the reasons I'd be most surprised if they were unable to meet your wishes. Maybe contact the resort directly a few days before you arrive (fax is not a bad idea) reinforcing your request? Of course if you're really worried you could always pay extra for a Preferred Room, that would ensure that you are in AB building 14, 15, 18 or 27, which are the best located buildings.

I was playing around with adding a night to our package, and now there are no rooms available at either resort. So, have they overbooked, or is it due to taking out a whole building for refurbs?

They could be sold out of course, is it a peak time that you are going? With some reduction in capacity over the coming 12 months I'd expect more periods where the resort is full. I would advise the same as with the previous poster though, put your requests in the reservation and then call or fax a day or two before you arrive and ask again.

Oh, and remember that if you call the resort's direct phone number your call will be answered by a central switchboard which handles calls for all of the Disney resorts; ask to be put through to the actual room on-site allocation team directly.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

So, today's the day! If my sources are correct, today should see Acadian House pretty much emptied of guests and the start of bringing in equipment for the POR refit.

At POFQ, work started in earnest on the Monday mornings rather than the Sunday, so we need our "agents in the field" to report in...

If anyone is at POR right now, could they maybe check out the area please, and see what's going on? Are any sections (e.g. the side wings) still occupied, or does it look like they will be closing the whole of each building at the start of the work? Presumably the parking lot will be used as a staging area like they did with POFQ.

Andre

 

[bobbie68]

Hi momtwoboys,

I agree you can call and try but the last 2 years when we went I put the request in for the section we wanted with my reservation. I called Special Guest Services and made sure they noted it and I faxed a lettter a couple of days before. When I went to check in I was in a whole different section. I explained about my daughter and they moved me then. Honestly, I wouldn't count on getting what you want, if it can be a deal breaker with your son like it can with our daughter, I would go to a resort that he likes everything about it.

 

[momtwoboys]

To all who responded, esp. Bobbie68! Our son is 10 right now, he will be 11 by the next trip. The royal rooms are out of the question with 2 boys, but he likes the look of the "tom sawyer" type of room that the AB resembles. I have been longing to go back there since our honeymoon!! CSR is not anything that appeals to us, so its POR or another resort completely. POFQ is even scarier to him because of the food court. I love the size of that resort but the decor is out. I would pay for the preferred section, but would not want to end up in a preferred Mansion building. I will keep thinking about this before we book. Thanks to everyone for the latest info on POR.

 

[aubriee]

To all who responded, esp. Bobbie68! Our son is 10 right now, he will be 11 by the next trip. The royal rooms are out of the question with 2 boys, but he likes the look of the "tom sawyer" type of room that the AB resembles. I have been longing to go back there since our honeymoon!! CSR is not anything that appeals to us, so its POR or another resort completely. POFQ is even scarier to him because of the food court. I love the size of that resort but the decor is out. I would pay for the preferred section, but would not want to end up in a preferred Mansion building. I will keep thinking about this before we book. Thanks to everyone for the latest info on POR.

If you simply book Preferred you'd be in AB 14, 15, 18, or 27. The mansions don't have a simple preferred category. The Royal Guest rooms will be in Parterre Place or Oak Manor, but are not classified as 'Preferred' rooms. They are Royal Guest with standard, garden, or water view. According to the WDW site, here are the categories. If you go online like you were going to book a standard room for 8 nights in May 2012 this is what you would see (except the comment in red is mine):

Standard View Included
Garden View +$90.00
Preferred Room +$225.04 (This is the category that would get you in AB 14, 15, 18, or 27)
King Bed +$225.04
River View +$270.00
Royal Guest Room - Standard View +$270.00
Royal Guest Room - Garden View +$360.00
Royal Guest Room - Water View +$495.04
Royal Guest Room - River View +$540.00

 

[TandLMommy28]

So I think my wife and I have decided to stay here in sept. '12 at the Royal Rooms. At first I was sad there were no canopies, but realized I had to get my DD Princess a royal room. So now the next thing I have to figure out is Friday-Friday(Sept. 14-21) or Sat-Sat(sept.8-15). My DDs 5th bday is Sept. 14th. It really depends on what airfare I get so will probably just book Fri-Sat(sept. 8-16). This is our first trip and while I have done alot of WDW research, I could use and advise anyone has about the POR.

Hi! We just might see you around. I have been all set to go with Pop but my hubby, who very rarely voices an opinion about vacation plans, is NOT cool with staying there. He said he doesn't care the price difference, he wants PO. He really wants POFQ but I think I can push him into a royal room. The kids will love it. We are going Sept '12, too and I think our dates will overlap! Enjoy planning. In my opinion, it's half the fun!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

They could be sold out of course, is it a peak time that you are going? With some reduction in capacity over the coming 12 months I'd expect more periods where the resort is full. I would advise the same as with the previous poster though, put your requests in the reservation and then call or fax a day or two before you arrive and ask again.

Oh, and remember that if you call the resort's direct phone number your call will be answered by a central switchboard which handles calls for all of the Disney resorts; ask to be put through to the actual room on-site allocation team directly.

Andre

Andre, what is the fax #? I've already had the request added to the reservation, but I certainly will call and make sure it is there, and I'd also like to submit a fax, so I would greatly appreciate a #.

Thanks!!!

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

We will be arriving at POR July 29th and departing on the 4th of August. When I intially made the ressie I put a special request for the mansions section. Do you think we will be bothered by the refurb? The CM stated "business as usual" but I know they are only a call centre and havent been there physically. Has anyone been a WDW resort doing refurb to shed some light?

I had a big issue with my reservation a few weeks ago and a lovely CM upgraded us to a preferred room location & view with a king bed (he stated the view can vary from waterview to riverview... isn't that the same though?). I loveee the mansions section so I prefer to stay there... but possibly re-thining AB section since I understand rooms look newer? Should I stick with my Mansions section request upon check in OR try to go to AB? (Btw, never stayed in AB- always in Mansions even since the days of Dixie Landings)

THANKS

 

[DaniB]

On our DHS day, it opens at 8am and we want to be there early - so no time for a hot breakfast at Riverside Mill when they start serving at 7am.

Now Riverside Mill's menu shows for 6am offerings:

Mixed Fruit Cup - $3.39
Danish - $2.39
Brownies - $2.59
Muffin - $2.59
Croissant - $2.29
Chocolate Croissant - $2.79
Bagel with Cream Cheese - $2.59

How does this work for a QSDP breakfast credit? One of these items and a drink only? Not really worth using a QS credit for. Or does Riverside let you have 2 items and a drink for more of a real breakfast? (Ie, mixed fruit cup, muffin & a drink). Anyone eat there this early that would know the answer?

 

[mmforme2009]

This thread has gotten me excited again!!!! I've heard so many contradicting stories/trip reports about PORS that I wasn't sure to stay with it or change rooms.

When we originally booked our trip a couple of months ago the CM told us that a preferred room at Magnolia would be renovated by the time we arrived in October. We went ahead and put in the request for a referb'd room.....fingers crossed The two queen beds were the tipping point in the decision so I hope it all works out.

Waiting for current updates......

p.s. any feedback is appreciated too

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

On our DHS day, it opens at 8am and we want to be there early - so no time for a hot breakfast at Riverside Mill when they start serving at 7am.

Now Riverside Mill's menu shows for 6am offerings:

Mixed Fruit Cup - $3.39
Danish - $2.39
Brownies - $2.59
Muffin - $2.59
Croissant - $2.29
Chocolate Croissant - $2.79
Bagel with Cream Cheese - $2.59

How does this work for a QSDP breakfast credit? One of these items and a drink only? Not really worth using a QS credit for. Or does Riverside let you have 2 items and a drink for more of a real breakfast? (Ie, mixed fruit cup, muffin & a drink). Anyone eat there this early that would know the answer?

This is from allears.net. For breakfast this is what they show...
Breakfast Hours (Seasonal) - 6 - 11 a.m.

Bakery

6 - 11 a.m.

Mixed Fruit Cup - $3.39
Danish - $2.39
Brownies - $2.59
Muffin - $2.59
Croissant - $2.29
Chocolate Croissant - $2.79
Bagel with Cream Cheese - $2.59

Hot Breakfast 7 - 11 a.m.

French Toast served with eggs, bacon and sausage $6.19
French Toast or Pancakes:-- with bacon, sausage and fresh fruit topping $6.19
-- with bacon and sausage OR fresh fruit topping $5.19 - $6.09

Breakfast Platter - with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, sausage and a biscuit $6.29
Egg, Bacon, and Cheddar Sandwich $5.99

Create-Your-Own Omelet - choose from a variety of your favorite fresh ingredients. Served with potatoes $6.99

Bounty Platter $8.29

Freshly Made Waffles
with bacon, sausage, and fruit topping $6.69
with bacon or sausage $5.69
with bacon, sausage, and fruit topping $6.69
with fruit topping $5.49

Grits $2.49

Create-Your-Own Yogurt Parfait, Cereal Bowl or Oatmeal - choose from a variety of cereals or yogurt topped with fresh fruit, berries, grains, nuts and seeds $3.99 - $4.29

Kids' Picks

For children 9 and under

Breakfast Platter - with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and applesauce $4.39

Waffle Plate - with bacon, sausage and applesauce $4.39

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

I'm sorry, I just realized you said no time for hot breafast. I would think you would be better paying OOP for the bakery items. I think you could use a snack credit for most of those.

 

[ShhhQ]

Create-Your-Own Omelet - choose from a variety of your favorite fresh ingredients. Served with potatoes $6.99

Anyone had this.... sounds yummy to me! We go once a month to breakfast at Golden Corral and I always look forward to the omelet bar, wonder if Riverside Mill works the same way!

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

Anyone had this.... sounds yummy to me! We go once a month to breakfast at Golden Corral and I always look forward to the omelet bar, wonder if Riverside Mill works the same way!

I have done it and it delicious. They have quite a few different things you can put in it. I haven't been there in 3 years but I am sure it is the same. I think I had onions, mushrooms and peppers in mine. I don't remember what else was there but I remember there being a bunch of things.

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

Hi, all!!! I am really excited about the royal rooms and I am considering one for our Grand Gathering for November, 2012. Question - I know the royal rooms will be in Oak Manor and Parterre Place. Will all the rooms in those buildings be royal rooms or will it be a mix of royal rooms and regular rooms? My dad, step-mom, and brothers are coming on the trip, too, and I do not think they will be looking to get royal rooms. We would like to stay in the same building, though - will that be possible?