Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[Venomhatch]

I do hope that they stick with the generally rustic feel of the current rooms, I don't think there's much point in making them look too much like the Magnolia Bend rooms.


I predict that when you pull down the extra bed from the wall, you'll find a surprise Princess and the Frog character detail (think about what the area of the resort is called for a clue...).

And the comforters on the beds will also have hidden details...

Andre

Yeah true...

 

[Colleen27]

I read the updates in post #1 but didn't see this mentioned - Is there any definitive info as to which buildings in AB will be refurbed before the holidays? Specifically are bldgs 38 or 39 on the schedule? I'm not sure I want a new room badly enough to request any of the other buildings that are expected to be done by January!

 

[Venomhatch]

I read the updates in post #1 but didn't see this mentioned - Is there any definitive info as to which buildings in AB will be refurbed before the holidays? Specifically are bldgs 38 or 39 on the schedule? I'm not sure I want a new room badly enough to request any of the other buildings that are expected to be done by January!

From http://www.portorleans.org/rehab.php ; "Alligator Bayou, Lodges 36, 37, 38, 39: starts 25 October 2011, for approx. eight weeks."

That is all that is known, no exact building first etc. So just keep tuned in and if someone hears for sure they will post it here. Good luck!

 

[Colleen27]

That is all that is known, no exact building first etc. So just keep tuned in and if someone hears for sure they will post it here. Good luck!

Thanks! First/last doesn't really matter to us - we're looking at having to push our Nov trip back to late Jan, so all four should be done well before we arrive. I just wanted to be sure before I request bldg 38 or 39 when I call to change our dates that the refurb would include those rather than just bldgs 34-37.

I'll definitely be staying tuned to see pics of the new rooms. I love the new POFQ and Mansions rooms, but the extra bed in AB really works better for us so the kids don't have to share.

 

[Venomhatch]

Thanks! First/last doesn't really matter to us - we're looking at having to push our Nov trip back to late Jan, so all four should be done well before we arrive. I just wanted to be sure before I request bldg 38 or 39 when I call to change our dates that the refurb would include those rather than just bldgs 34-37.

I'll definitely be staying tuned to see pics of the new rooms. I love the new POFQ and Mansions rooms, but the extra bed in AB really works better for us so the kids don't have to share.

No problem, building 38 should have a great view depending where you get you could get a river view if you pay for it lol.

 

[lovehoney]

I predict that when you pull down the extra bed from the wall, you'll find a surprise Princess and the Frog character detail (think about what the area of the resort is called for a clue...).

That would be really cool!

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

So is there a preferable "standard" room? When do I make that request, when I check in or now through my TA?

 

[Venomhatch]

So is there a preferable "standard" room? When do I make that request, when I check in or now through my TA?

Well I don't know the best standard room, but I know we made our request through out TA, and I faxed a letter to the number I have and has worked in the past. But as previously mentioned requests are not concrete, I would suggest calling the number for WDW and ask them to patch you through to the resort front desk and confirm your request with someone there at least 10-14 days out from your arrival.

Good luck!

 

[andrewilley]

That is all that is known, no exact building first etc. So just keep tuned in and if someone hears for sure they will post it here. Good luck!

I have been a little reluctant to post detailed info on exact planned dates, as obviously anything more than a month or two away is still very much subject to change - so please don't hold anyone to this, or get cross if it doesn't happen!!

However at the moment the pre-Xmas refurb dates that I have are:

Building 36, starts 25 Oct
Building 37, starts 1 Nov
Building 38, starts 22 Nov
Building 39, starts 29 Nov

The first building (36) should be completed by 11 Nov, with all four complete by 16 Dec. But as I said, all that could be subject to change!

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

I have been a little reluctant to post detailed info on exact planned dates, as obviously anything more than a month or two away is still very much subject to change - so please don't hold anyone to this, or get cross if it doesn't happen!!

However at the moment the pre-Xmas refurb dates that I have are:

Building 36, starts 25 Oct
Building 37, starts 1 Nov
Building 38, starts 22 Nov
Building 39, starts 29 Nov

The first building (36) should be completed by 11 Nov, with all four complete by 16 Dec. But as I said, all that could be subject to change!

Andre

Thanks for the help on this Andre! I thought maybe you had a better idea perhaps to the schedule.

 

[Missytara]

Well I don't know the best standard room, but I know we made our request through out TA, and I faxed a letter to the number I have and has worked in the past. But as previously mentioned requests are not concrete, I would suggest calling the number for WDW and ask them to patch you through to the resort front desk and confirm your request with someone there at least 10-14 days out from your arrival.

Good luck!

Standard rooms do have some wonderful wooded views; I had two the first two years I stayed.

Just a note; faxes are no longer used because the computer system sorts the requests electronically. So requests should always be attached to your reservation.

Also, they don't "transfer you to the front desk at the resort." If you call the Central Reservations office, they will attach the request to your reservation.

If you call the number posted for each resort, you are actually talking to a central call center. The person answers the phone "as if they are in the resort." Depending on the time of day, they may not even be in the State of Florida.

So if the phone number comes up XXX-XXX-XXXX, they will answer "Port Orleans-Riverside. If the phone number comes up YYY-YYY-YYYY, they will answer "Grand Floridian." And it will be the exact same CM. That person just pulls up your reservation and confirms what the original CM put on it months before when you made your reservation and your request. You will never be talking to anyone at the front desk.

It is all about the illusion that you are.

Next time you check in, notice how often the phone rings at the resort front desk...... and you will notice never.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I cant wait to see more pics! A little over 2 months now til I am there for the first time!

 

[portobello_rd]

just got back from my first trip to WDW since 1985 and my first stay at POR. it was WONDERFUL! really. it was great. we got a king size bed room that had been refurbished with the new decorations and flat screen tv. it was very cozy. our mousekeeper left us the cutest little animals every day which i thought was nice because it was just DH and i, no kids. I really didn't think the resort was too spread out, granted, my building was the first one in the mansions over the bridge. Even though the East depot was the closest bus stop we always walked to the front because the bus was always empty when it got there and it was worth that alone. we ate breakfast here a few days, but the night i got heatstroke and we ate at the CS was good too. that all you can eat pasta was fantastic!

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Just wondering if anyone can let me know the approximate time the Bob Jackson takes his break. I see that his show runs from 8:30 to approx midnight. We sort of wanted to hit the second set but not sure when that may be....

 

[Venomhatch]

Standard rooms do have some wonderful wooded views; I had two the first two years I stayed.

Just a note; faxes are no longer used because the computer system sorts the requests electronically. So requests should always be attached to your reservation.

Also, they don't "transfer you to the front desk at the resort." If you call the Central Reservations office, they will attach the request to your reservation.

If you call the number posted for each resort, you are actually talking to a central call center. The person answers the phone "as if they are in the resort." Depending on the time of day, they may not even be in the State of Florida.

So if the phone number comes up XXX-XXX-XXXX, they will answer "Port Orleans-Riverside. If the phone number comes up YYY-YYY-YYYY, they will answer "Grand Floridian." And it will be the exact same CM. That person just pulls up your reservation and confirms what the original CM put on it months before when you made your reservation and your request. You will never be talking to anyone at the front desk.

It is all about the illusion that you are.

Next time you check in, notice how often the phone rings at the resort front desk...... and you will notice never.

Yes I know this now lol. But that is what I did last year and the year before that and got what I wanted. I believe you on them automating the calls and like you said you don't know where your faxing anything so I believe now it is pointless to fax now. But everyone deserves to try. But like many members have stated here, it is best to have your TA or call the reservations line and ask them to attach a request to your stay.

Good luck...

 

[Ckmommy72]

We are going to POR starting January 21, and currently we are booked in a preferred room. Which is great, however, we'd really be more comfortable if we could get queen beds. DH and I would never sleep in a double together...too small!!! So, consequently we'd be each sharing with a kid. Not the end of the world, but not our preference.

I know preferred rooms are in AB, and those buildings will not be done with refurb yet. So, we'd ideally like to switch to a refurbished room in Magnolia Terrace, which i know is not preferred, but is still pretty close to main bldg.

Here's the thing. My wonderful MIL is giving this trip to us as our Christmas gift, and has booked it through a travel agent she is friends with. MIL has said to me on more than one occasion how glad she is that she got us a preferred room, even though it cost more, etc. I don't really want her to know that I plan to change rooms if possible. (I've already made a few changes/requests with the TA, and the TA always tells her about it.)

I don't believe I can make changes directly with Disney since it was booked through a TA, right? What are my chances, upon check-in of simply asking to be put into a refurbished room in MT? If we are able to do so, will we get a credit for the extra money MIL spent? Don't really care about the extra money if we are comfortable, just want to know what to expect/ask about.

TIA for your help!

 

[Missytara]

I don't believe I can make changes directly with Disney since it was booked through a TA, right? What are my chances, upon check-in of simply asking to be put into a refurbished room in MT? If we are able to do so, will we get a credit for the extra money MIL spent? Don't really care about the extra money if we are comfortable, just want to know what to expect/ask about.

TIA for your help!

You can't make change w/o the TA, because they "own" the reservation until they release it to you about a week before you go.

There are other categories that are about the same cost; i.e. waterview in other buildings.

Remember, other people may be asking for a refurb room; so your chances at check-in may be slim. You can certainly ask at check-in and take your chances.

I would ask the TA if you can change like to a water view room and request Magnolia Terrace. There won't be any difference or little difference in price and hopefully her feelings won't be hurt.

 

[andrewilley]

I would ask the TA if you can change like to a water view room and request Magnolia Terrace. There won't be any difference or little difference in price and hopefully her feelings won't be hurt.

Agreed. Maybe use the same value to switch up to a Water View, you could show her some pics on the web (I know a site that has a few ) and say how great they look, and you were wondering if the agent might be able to switch your location, etc. Then add the refurbished room angle afterwards.

Andre

 

[Ckmommy72]

You can't make change w/o the TA, because they "own" the reservation until they release it to you about a week before you go.

There are other categories that are about the same cost; i.e. waterview in other buildings.

Remember, other people may be asking for a refurb room; so your chances at check-in may be slim. You can certainly ask at check-in and take your chances.

I would ask the TA if you can change like to a water view room and request Magnolia Terrace. There won't be any difference or little difference in price and hopefully her feelings won't be hurt.

Thanks, that is pretty much what i thought. I guess I'll have to call the TA, I just don't want MIL to think we are ungrateful, like she didn't do it right, and now we have to make all these changes. Although, it would have been nice if she just let me book it directly through Disney instead of her doing it through her friend!!

 

[waggles02673]

We will be there on Thursday and the wife booked a room with king size bed. Any ideas as to where we might be building wise? Just wondering if all buildings have some rooms with king sized beds or just some of buildings. Doesn't really matter where we are as we will be at Disney!!! Just curious.

Thanks

Jon