Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[Missytara]

Heck, if you can see that half-full drinking cup left by a previous guest, that'll count!

Andre

My version was when the grounds department comes around and keeps re-filling a rain puddle - hey, got your waterview.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Don't forget that travel agents may be talking about 'their' allocation of rooms, through the companies they deal with who may have a limited reserved allocation of rooms, but that doesn't necessarily mean WDW are sold out.

Preferred Location and Water View are two different categories, I suspect they will have booked Water View, and the travel agent are just confusing matters by describing Water View as a preference, rather than meaning "Preferred" in the specific POR category sense.

This is what I was wondering about, but it kind of bugs me that the travel agent is misleading someone who has never been there before. I just hope that my friend doesn't get so discouraged that she cancels her trip.

 

[andrewilley]

This is what I was wondering about, but it kind of bugs me that the travel agent is misleading someone who has never been there before. I just hope that my friend doesn't get so discouraged that she cancels her trip.

Don't worry, POR is a lovely resort and I'm sure they'll have a great time there whatever room category they happen to be in. Get them to check out my website (www.portorleans.org) if they want any more info, photos, etc.

The maxed-out room availability will most likely be from people right at the end of their New Year's stays, who will be leaving after a few days. How long into the New Year will you still be staying at WDW?

Andre

 

[Missytara]

Okay, everyone, so I am off to the World on Saturday; will be back very, very, very late the following Saturday.

Will try to post from my smartphone if I have time.

 

[Venomhatch]

Okay, everyone, so I am off to the World on Saturday; will be back very, very, very late the following Saturday.

Will try to post from my smartphone if I have time.

Have a safe trip and yes when you have time we do love the pics. But most importantly have a great time!

 

[Missytara]

Have a safe trip and yes when you have time we do love the pics. But most importantly have a great time!

Hmmm... I guess now I have something to do while I am on the plane - learn how to do that.

First cell phone ever and I go for a smartphone. Who knew?

 

[mb187143]

This is what I was wondering about, but it kind of bugs me that the travel agent is misleading someone who has never been there before. I just hope that my friend doesn't get so discouraged that she cancels her trip.

Keep in mind the Marathon is January 4-7, and the resorts are actually usually full during that time. So the parks aren't terribly crowded, but the resorts are booked.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

The maxed-out room availability will most likely be from people right at the end of their New Year's stays, who will be leaving after a few days. How long into the New Year will you still be staying at WDW?

Andre

We are there Jan. 2 -12, and my friend's family is there the 4th to the 11th. I will definitely point her to your website, I just checked it out myself and found it very helpful. I really like the look of the refurbed rooms. I'm learning as much as I can about POR quickly!

 

[LONES]

We're booked for free dining in January. When we booked about 2 weeks ago, there wasn't an option for a preferred room. I was just on the website now, and it does show availability for preferred. My question is... Are they really that much better? We are traveling with my parents, and quite honestly... distance to the food court and bus stop are pretty critical for them. As our reservation currently stands, the CM we booked with recommended we do a room request for builing 85 in the mansions. Would we be gaining a lot by changing to the preferred buildings?

 

[Venomhatch]

Hmmm... I guess now I have something to do while I am on the plane - learn how to do that.

First cell phone ever and I go for a smartphone. Who knew?

What were you thinking, lol. Get with the program missytara. It's not to hard, I just created a photobucket account and then downloaded the photobucket app from market. Then I send the the pics I want to share there. Copy the links and post the links in a reply here. Some smartphones allow you to attach the pic to the message here. May take. Lil while uploading directly to a post.

 

[Missytara]

We're booked for free dining in January. When we booked about 2 weeks ago, there wasn't an option for a preferred room. I was just on the website now, and it does show availability for preferred. My question is... Are they really that much better? We are traveling with my parents, and quite honestly... distance to the food court and bus stop are pretty critical for them. As our reservation currently stands, the CM we booked with recommended we do a room request for builing 85 in the mansions. Would we be gaining a lot by changing to the preferred buildings?

Quite frankly I was over the moon when I found out none of the mansions were preferred. I love, love, love Oak Manor. Wonderful walk over the bridge to the main buillding.

 

[Missytara]

What were you thinking, lol. Get with the program missytara. It's not to hard, I just created a photobucket account and then downloaded the photobucket app from market. Then I send the the pics I want to share there. Copy the links and post the links in a reply here. Some smartphones allow you to attach the pic to the message here. May take. Lil while uploading directly to a post.

Huh.

You lost at missytara.......forgive me, I grew up in the 60's. I am pretty savvy at the computer, but the phone has thrown me looped a loop.

Luckily I am traveling with a younger group - maybe then can provide a translation of your post and set it up for me.

I just sent my first text a few weeks ago. Who knew you used the phone?????

 

[LONES]

Quite frankly I was over the moon when I found out none of the mansions were preferred. I love, love, love Oak Manor. Wonderful walk over the bridge to the main buillding.

In general, I think I like the looks of the mansions better, too!

I'm pretty sure Oak Manor will be in the middle of a refurb while we're there. Magnolia Terrace (which is what was put on our room request) looks like it wouldn't be too bad. However, since that's one of only 6 refurbished buildings, I'm afraid we'll have a tougher time getting that request. That's why I'm debating changing to the preferred rooms. It's so hard to know what to do!

We are doing a room only for Friday night... and then re-checking in with free dining the next morning. I'm hoping that the fact that we will be checking in so early will help us with our requests!

 

[gr8tdame]

We are doing a room only on Saturday night Jan 7th. FD starts Jan 8-17th.
Garden view was all that was available.

 

[Missytara]

In general, I think I like the looks of the mansions better, too!

I'm pretty sure Oak Manor will be in the middle of a refurb while we're there. Magnolia Terrace (which is what was put on our room request) looks like it wouldn't be too bad. However, since that's one of only 6 refurbished buildings, I'm afraid we'll have a tougher time getting that request. That's why I'm debating changing to the preferred rooms. It's so hard to know what to do!

We are doing a room only for Friday night... and then re-checking in with free dining the next morning. I'm hoping that the fact that we will be checking in so early will help us with our requests!

I have my fingers crossed!

 

[Sue M]

In general, I think I like the looks of the mansions better, too!

I'm pretty sure Oak Manor will be in the middle of a refurb while we're there. Magnolia Terrace (which is what was put on our room request) looks like it wouldn't be too bad. However, since that's one of only 6 refurbished buildings, I'm afraid we'll have a tougher time getting that request. That's why I'm debating changing to the preferred rooms. It's so hard to know what to do!

We are doing a room only for Friday night... and then re-checking in with free dining the next morning. I'm hoping that the fact that we will be checking in so early will help us with our requests!

I prefer the mansions too. We've stayed in both Magnolia Terrace and Acadian House, both rooms faced the shared quiet pool in between those buildings.
If you look at the POR map, you'll see that those locations are right by the bridge over to Old Man Isl. Just walk to the path on the left around the Main Pool area and you are on the short bridge over to food court. Great location. And both buildings are finished.
I put my request in for either Mag. Terrace or Acadian - near River path & quiet pool.

 

[Sue M]

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

 

[kylmac]

We loved staying at Magnolia Terrace-great location-close to the bridge to get to the pool or restaurant. Bus stop very close. The CM checking us in moved us closer from where we were booked originally-very nice! Of course, my daughter had to go on about how I take too long checking in and that I talk to everybody and that's why it takes so long....it was worth it! Very nice lady anyway!
Elizabeth

 

[andrewilley]

I just sent my first text a few weeks ago. Who knew you used the phone?????

You're certainly on a roll now! You'll be tweeting and posting foursquare checkins from your phone before you can say Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Have a great Thanksgiving to all my American Port Orleans friends by the way.

Andre

 

[KAE2008]

...
Have a great Thanksgiving to all my American Port Orleans friends by the way.

Andre

Thank you Andre.
Since it is a day for giving thanks, I'd like to thank all of you for everything I've learned here. I'm sure I'll have an extra magical trip because of it.

And for those of you who will be there any time from Nov. 26th to Dec. 3rd like Missytara:
If you happen to see a goofy looking guy with a faded Port Orleans Baseball hat*, glasses, a ponytail and a Mickey earring, don't be afraid to say hello.
The name is Ken

Only 2 more days!!!!! I still can't believe it.

*Okay, I do plan on getting some kind of new hat while I'm there.