Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[hrslvr142]

Would like any suggestions from the "seasoned" veterans here. When I made my reservations I was asked "any special occasions"...mentioned this was first trip for my SO (55 y.o. gentleman) ...so do you think I need to ask for any special area? The cast member was very sweet and professional, acted like she was truly interested in making my trip special so should I think that the magic will happen or try to request a special area. Thanks for any suggestions. We are going 12/10-12/13, just the 2 of us.

 

[Chelsealizw]

Wheres the disboard member STAYING in the refurbed rooms?! I want those pictures! The spy pictures are good, but I want more!!!!

Going in 35 days!!!!

 

[pattyannke]

If it's Tuesday -- it means another week til our trip has ended TWO more Tuesdays and I will be on my way --

 

[anorman]

I can see that too, not kid friendly though. They would be trying to go to sleep and some eyes glow from a painting or something lol. Would give a kid some nightmares.

I was thinking the same thing. My kids would NEVER sleep!

 

[Missytara]

Would like any suggestions from the "seasoned" veterans here. When I made my reservations I was asked "any special occasions"...mentioned this was first trip for my SO (55 y.o. gentleman) ...so do you think I need to ask for any special area? The cast member was very sweet and professional, acted like she was truly interested in making my trip special so should I think that the magic will happen or try to request a special area. Thanks for any suggestions. We are going 12/10-12/13, just the 2 of us.

Pretty much, every area in POR has something special about it. Depending on what category you booked, you may want to ask for a specific area, like the mansions, close to a pool, etc.

I have had a couple of trips where they ask me what will you celebrate; two years ago, I took two friends that were first-time visitors. They each received a pin that they could wear everywhere that stated they were first-timers. If the CM noted it on your request, then you will receive the button at check-in. If you don't, ask for it.

We got a lot of nice compliments from the CM's in the parks when they saw my friends, asking them how much they enjoyed their first time.

It doesn't mean that you will be placed in some special section on the resort, it is mostly part of a promotion they started a few years ago - and you get a button to celebrate the occassion, and sometimes a little extra pixie dust.

 

[jenny105]

I would have liked to have a haunted mansion theme option. Maybe that's why I love the look of the new rooms and tombstone looking headboards so much.

I like the look of the headboards too. Are we in the minority here?

Where's the DISer staying in the refurbed room? We need those pictures!

 

[JaneBanks]

Hey everyone! My husband and I are going to be booking our first stay at POR by the end of this week. We plan on going Feb. 10-17. WE ARE EXCITED!!!!

So, for all of those POR experts out there, any tips and tricks we should know about? Will the rooms be refurbed by then? We are booking a preferred room, are they part of the refurbs and how close to the main hub are they? I really do not know much.

This is only our second trip to WDW. We went last December for our honeymoon and were spoiled by the Grand Floridian.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Missytara]

So, for all of those POR experts out there, any tips and tricks we should know about? Will the rooms be refurbed by then? We are booking a preferred room, are they part of the refurbs and how close to the main hub are they? I really do not know much.

This is only our second trip to WDW. We went last December for our honeymoon and were spoiled by the Grand Floridian.

Any help would be appreciated.

You can check out portorleans.org for some really good information. The preferred rooms are close to the main building, food court, restaurant, marina, and main bus stop - about a two to three minute walk. They are located in the Alligator Bayou section.

There is a general schedule from what we have been able to figure out; it seems they are doing the mansions initially, before AB, so you won't be in a refurbed room that soon.

They are all scheduled to be completed next summer 2012.

 

[JaneBanks]

You can check out portorleans.org for some really good information. The preferred rooms are close to the main building, food court, restaurant, marina, and main bus stop - about a two to three minute walk. They are located in the Alligator Bayou section.

There is a general schedule from what we have been able to figure out; it seems they are doing the mansions initially, before AB, so you won't be in a refurbed room that soon.

They are all scheduled to be completed next summer 2012.

Thank you! Now we just have to figure out what is more important, a nice, new room or a closer walk. lol

Would anybody be able to tell me roughly how long of a walk it is to the main hub from a mansion room?

Also, I know the Arcadia building for sure is refurbed and I forget the name of the other one (which I just read, btw. lol). When I book my trip, I should just request those two buildings?

I'm also interested in a Garden View since the option for river or water view is no longer there. Which building would that be in (if not all) and how is the view?

Thanks again!

 

[Venomhatch]

Thank you! Now we just have to figure out what is more important, a nice, new room or a closer walk. lol

Would anybody be able to tell me roughly how long of a walk it is to the main hub from a mansion room?

Also, I know the Arcadia building for sure is refurbed and I forget the name of the other one (which I just read, btw. lol). When I book my trip, I should just request those two buildings?

I'm also interested in a Garden View since the option for river or water view is no longer there. Which building would that be in (if not all) and how is the view?

Thanks again!

I believe the Magnolia is the building they are currently working on that has refurbs it is the one next to Arcadian Building. Then after that they have the royal guest rooms mostly geared for kids but they are in Oak building and Parterre Building. Its not too far of a walk for some healthy people. I have walked from the Parterre before its didnt seem that long to the main building and South Depot aka main bus stop. If you want the main pool it can be a bit of a trip. But if you dont mind the pools between buildings, (sometimes more quiet) there is a pool right between the Parterre and Oak.

 

[Missytara]

Thank you! Now we just have to figure out what is more important, a nice, new room or a closer walk. lol

Would anybody be able to tell me roughly how long of a walk it is to the main hub from a mansion room?

Also, I know the Arcadia building for sure is refurbed and I forget the name of the other one (which I just read, btw. lol). When I book my trip, I should just request those two buildings?

I'm also interested in a Garden View since the option for river or water view is no longer there. Which building would that be in (if not all) and how is the view?

Thanks again!

It takes no more than 15 minutes to walk anywhere in POR to the main buildnig.

Garden views are in all the buildings.

You can request a refurbed building, but unfortunately, so is everyone else.

 

[Venomhatch]

It takes no more than 15 minutes to walk anywhere in POR to the main buildnig.

Garden views are in all the buildings.

You can request a refurbed building, but unfortunately, so is everyone else.

Hey Missy, Can they put it into their request aka special instructions for river view in whatever building they want?

 

[nkereina]

Hey Missy, Can they put it into their request aka special instructions for river view in whatever building they want?

River view rooms are an upcharge and separate booking category. If they weren't able to book a river view room, it's most likely because they are sold out or unavailable for another reason. I don't think that's a request they'd grant.

 

[JaneBanks]

It takes no more than 15 minutes to walk anywhere in POR to the main buildnig.

Garden views are in all the buildings.

You can request a refurbed building, but unfortunately, so is everyone else.

Thank you! That's not bad at all. I was expecting worse. lol


I'm now toying with the idea of going over to FQ since all the rooms are queen beds now. It breaks my heart a little since POR looks so beautiful and suits my tastes much better but I'm the type of sleeper that takes up the whole bed and a double bed will not cut it for hubby.

If I can just get that guarantee that we'd be in a refurbed room, I'd book POR in a heart beat.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Chicago Mo]

I hear nightmares all the time about the bus. we are paying for the preferred room... praying for building 14. we are a grand gathering too.
if i am reading the web site correct the blue bayou and delta are the stops for us.. but FQ is picked up first? How crowded?
to go to the Poly for Ohana's would it be better to go to DTD? Or bus to magic kingdom take the fairy boat back over?!?
just trying to figure the best routes.. any and ALL comments are Very MUCH APPRECIATED!

 

[Missytara]

Hey Missy, Can they put it into their request aka special instructions for river view in whatever building they want?

No, it is a booking category and is already sold out for their time period.

Used to be waterview was one category and then you could request pool, fountain or river. Now it is broken up into separate categories and appears to be selling out faster.

 

[BDL]

I hear nightmares all the time about the bus. we are paying for the preferred room... praying for building 14. we are a grand gathering too.
if i am reading the web site correct the blue bayou and delta are the stops for us.. but FQ is picked up first? How crowded?
to go to the Poly for Ohana's would it be better to go to DTD? Or bus to magic kingdom take the fairy boat back over?!?
just trying to figure the best routes.. any and ALL comments are Very MUCH APPRECIATED!

As for the bus issues, I've been on crowded busses leaving POR before, but never to point where people had to wait for a 2nd bus.

To avoid any issues with standing on the bus or over crowding, walk to the main building and catch the bus there. When you get back, it is a nice convenience that there are 4 bus stops to cut down on the walking.

Depends on what time you want to get to Ohana. You can take the bus to MK and then the monorail to Poly. Or, if the res is too early for the busses, you can take a cab. I had to do this for my last trip.

 

[Missytara]

I hear nightmares all the time about the bus. we are paying for the preferred room... praying for building 14. we are a grand gathering too.
if i am reading the web site correct the blue bayou and delta are the stops for us.. but FQ is picked up first? How crowded?
to go to the Poly for Ohana's would it be better to go to DTD? Or bus to magic kingdom take the fairy boat back over?!?
just trying to figure the best routes.. any and ALL comments are Very MUCH APPRECIATED!

Buses begin running at 6:30 am for early ADR's; depending on your ressie, you will be able to get there early.

Don't use DTD buses during the day; only at night to get back from resorts. They are "dead-heading" in the morning hours. They send a bus that is headed from the parks (or diverted) if one stop gets too crowded with people. It is not a good service to use in the morning.

 

[Chicago Mo]

thank you! FQ is the first stop with the bus correct?

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I hear nightmares all the time about the bus. we are paying for the preferred room... praying for building 14. we are a grand gathering too.
if i am reading the web site correct the blue bayou and delta are the stops for us.. but FQ is picked up first? How crowded?
to go to the Poly for Ohana's would it be better to go to DTD? Or bus to magic kingdom take the fairy boat back over?!?
just trying to figure the best routes.. any and ALL comments are Very MUCH APPRECIATED!

I have not stayed at POR yet, but I would definitely take the bus to MK and then either the boat or the monorail to the Poly. The buses to and from DTD are always the worst.