Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Can anyone tell me if there are any referbished rooms in Alligator Bayou...King rooms specifically? DH and I are book for August 2012 for an Adults Only anniversary trip!!! Thanks!!

 

[joell51868]

We just got back on Fri and we were in Magnolia Terrace. Our refurb'd room was a little different than the others posted. We only had a shower.

 

[joell51868]

Heres a pic of the shower. Luckily my kids arent little or we wouldve have to asked to be switched to a room that had a tub.

 

[andrewilley]

We just got back on Fri and we were in Magnolia Terrace. Our refurb'd room was a little different than the others posted. We only had a shower.

That was an Accessible Room.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Can anyone tell me if there are any referbished rooms in Alligator Bayou...King rooms specifically? DH and I are book for August 2012 for an Adults Only anniversary trip!!! Thanks!!

By August 2012 the entire resort should have refurbished rooms, including Alligator Bayou. See the FAQ in the first post of this thread.

Andre

 

[gigi1313]

That was an Accessible Room.

Andre

i thought all the accessible rooms had king beds (to be able to maneuver a wheelchair)... dh would LOVE this room (even though it's not necessary) as he loves those big showers (we were randomly assigned one at ASMu once)...

 

[Sue M]

That was an Accessible Room.

Andre

Looking at the pic of the accessible room, is it only those that have the armoire? Our Acadian room didn't have one. We weren't in an accessible room. But an Armoire instead of the bench & hooks would be nice!

 

[andrewilley]

Looking at the pic of the accessible room, is it only those that have the armoire?

Correct. The standard refurbished rooms are a bit lacking in drawer/storage space now!

Many of the Accessible rooms have two queen beds now - they have made extra space for wheelchairs/etc by enlarging the recessed section near the door, and making the wall flat. You can see what they've done by looking at the ceiling by the door.

Andre

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Love the pics of the refurbed rooms! Thanks for sharing

 

[KristiKat]

Heres a pic of the shower. Luckily my kids arent little or we wouldve have to asked to be switched to a room that had a tub.

We'd have to switch if we got a room like this. My DD5 is terrified of showers. When we stay somewhere besides home I have to take a hand towel and wrap it around the shower head so she can't see it. When she was about 2 my mother was getting ready to give her a bath and while water was still running accidently hit the shower switch thingy. DD was already in tub and well I think you can figure out the rest. The water coming down terrified her. My poor mother cried cause she was so upset that she got so scared of the water.

 

[Missytara]

We'd have to switch if we got a room like this. My DD5 is terrified of showers. When we stay somewhere besides home I have to take a hand towel and wrap it around the shower head so she can't see it. When she was about 2 my mother was getting ready to give her a bath and while water was still running accidently hit the shower switch thingy. DD was already in tub and well I think you can figure out the rest. The water coming down terrified her. My poor mother cried cause she was so upset that she got so scared of the water.

It is very rare that someone would get one of these rooms; they are set aside for handicapped accessibility.

They are not the norm.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

Buildings 16 and 17 are the closest to being preferred but without paying the extra. They are both nicely located and you'll be fine with the distances from the main building. You could also look at rooms on the riverward side (but not actual river iews) in Magnolia Terrace or Acadian House. From 2012, Oak Manor (which is also a nice location) will have Royal Rooms only.

Andre

Thanks for the help! I think I like the mansion rooms better but the landscaping around AB looks pretty neat... decisions decisions!

 

[TandLMommy28]

Is there an official date that the Royal Rooms open? I am so anxious for reviews of the rooms as people get into them. I'm still debating whether or not it will be worth $300 to upgrade for our 8 night stay.

 

[Venomhatch]

Is there an official date that the Royal Rooms open? I am so anxious for reviews of the rooms as people get into them. I'm still debating whether or not it will be worth $300 to upgrade for our 8 night stay.

No there is not "OFFICIAL" date, we only have the dates on portorleans.org to go with.

Which state:

Magnolia Bend, Oak Manor: starts 15 January 2012, for approx. five weeks [Royal Themed Rooms]
Magnolia Bend, Parterre Place: starts 19 February 2012, for approx. five weeks [Royal Themed Rooms]

So the first ones (Oak Manor) should, repeat should be done on the 19th of February before they move on to do the next building (Parterre Place).

 

[janabananas]

Are standard view rooms in both AB and the mansions? I am hoping for a standard in a Mansion because I read that AB buildings do not have elevators. Due to mobility issues, I must have access to an elevator or be on 1st floor. However I am not a fan of first floor rooms. Any info would be fantastic!!

 

[webstah]

Are standard view rooms in both AB and the mansions? I am hoping for a standard in a Mansion because I read that AB buildings do not have elevators. Due to mobility issues, I must have access to an elevator or be on 1st floor. However I am not a fan of first floor rooms. Any info would be fantastic!!

You might find more info about that on the disABILITIES! board. You an always specify in a request that it is health related.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Are standard view rooms in both AB and the mansions? I am hoping for a standard in a Mansion because I read that AB buildings do not have elevators. Due to mobility issues, I must have access to an elevator or be on 1st floor. However I am not a fan of first floor rooms. Any info would be fantastic!!

Sorry, but there are no elevators in the AB rooms.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Originally Posted by KristiKat
We'd have to switch if we got a room like this. My DD5 is terrified of showers. When we stay somewhere besides home I have to take a hand towel and wrap it around the shower head so she can't see it. When she was about 2 my mother was getting ready to give her a bath and while water was still running accidently hit the shower switch thingy. DD was already in tub and well I think you can figure out the rest. The water coming down terrified her. My poor mother cried cause she was so upset that she got so scared of the water

It is very rare that someone would get one of these rooms; they are set aside for handicapped accessibility.

They are not the norm.

Actually, is it not rare. Guests without a specila need are assigned HC all the time. If the number of HC rooms in the resort have not been blocked by special needs then the rooms will be assigned like any other room. It would be rare that every HC room would be booked at one time at a resort.

KristiKat ~ I would ask at check-in and if assigned a HC room, just explain your DD's fear and ask for a non HC room.

Are standard view rooms in both AB and the mansions? I am hoping for a standard in a Mansion because I read that AB buildings do not have elevators. Due to mobility issues, I must have access to an elevator or be on 1st floor. However I am not a fan of first floor rooms. Any info would be fantastic!!

Please do call Disney resort reservations, or your TA if you booked through one, and let them know you have mobility issues and require an HC room ( and request an upper floor) or if you do not require not an HC room, still let them know you have mobility issues and would prefer an upper floor room. Disney Special Needs are fabulous and will be sure you get what you need. Of course, ask at check-in before your room key is made up and ask them to change your room to an upper floor if you happened to be assigned a first floor. I have work with special needs every trip, do not want a first floor room, and have never had a problem.

 

[nkereina]

Actually, is it not rare. Guests without a specila need are assigned HC all the time. If the number of HC rooms in the resort have not been blocked by special needs then the rooms will be assigned like any other room. It would be rare that every HC room would be booked at one time at a resort.

KristiKat ~ I would ask at check-in and if assigned a HC room, just explain your DD's fear and ask for a non HC room.

I used to work in a hotel and when all the handicap rooms weren't in use or reserved, we'd only assign the left over handicap rooms if no other standard rooms were available. I don't know if WDW does this or not. I'd imagine they would rather keep accessible rooms clean in case of walk ups (which are probably rare at WDW) or in case someone finds they just need to switch to a handicap accessible room. I made a request to NOT be placed in an accessible room, so its definitely something that can be noted.

 

[GetGlowing]

We just got back from a stay, booked a King room and had HA shower. But maybe all King rooms are that way?