Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[princessmorgan]

My kids are 14, 12, and 11. They are also spoiled because our house is large and they all have full or queen beds. We were hesitant to start staying on site because we were used to getting 2 bedroom condos in Orlando (you can get them very inexpensively) and we all really liked it. Then we stayed at POR for 2 nights a few years ago and really loved it. Last year we got 2 rooms and that was wonderful. This year that is just not in the budget for us sooo... we are all staying in one room.

At your kids ages, I honestly think you'll be fine. If my kids weren't so ridiculous about sharing beds, especially my 14 year old son, I think we would be fine. My husband snores.....LOUD...so that is an issue for us also. I think the hardest thing is the lights out problem. I tend to wind down slower than the rest (so I spend a lot of time on the DIS) but that doesn't seem to be a problem for you so I think you'll be ok. The curtain that pulls across the bathroom area is nice for morning.

I actually like that we are all on top of each other. Family togetherness. :

LOL! Yes, definitely family togetherness

 

[Venomhatch]

We just got back last night from a stay in one of the new refurbished rooms in Alligator Bayou.

Here are some pictures from room 3653

Wow very nice pics. You shared great ones. Thanks!

 

[LadyCerri]

So, I've become a fanatic on the eve of our first Disney family vacation. We are staying at POR and I really really want a refurbished room. There are six of us (though one is only 2) so it's AB for us and we booked through AAA and our travel agent included the request on our reservations BUT how good is that guarantee?

Should we check in online and request it again and if so, how? We're ten days out so we can check in online but DH and I are in debate over whether or not we should. We're coming in bloody early that day to drop our stuff at POR before kicking off rope drop at the MK (we're early morning people) so we'll be there well in advanced of our 3pm in check in but I'm really worried about leaving it to chance. DH, on the other hand, believes if we do online check in that we'll be locked into a room, a non-refurbished room.

Anyway, thoughts? Please. Help a slightly neurotic mommy.

 

[mrsheppo]

So, I've become a fanatic on the eve of our first Disney family vacation. We are staying at POR and I really really want a refurbished room. There are six of us (though one is only 2) so it's AB for us and we booked through AAA and our travel agent included the request on our reservations BUT how good is that guarantee?

Should we check in online and request it again and if so, how? We're ten days out so we can check in online but DH and I are in debate over whether or not we should. We're coming in bloody early that day to drop our stuff at POR before kicking off rope drop at the MK (we're early morning people) so we'll be there well in advanced of our 3pm in check in but I'm really worried about leaving it to chance. DH, on the other hand, believes if we do online check in that we'll be locked into a room, a non-refurbished room.

Anyway, thoughts? Please. Help a slightly neurotic mommy.

I checked in online and had requested a refurbished room and our request was granted. We stayed in AB and were in building 36. You may want to ask for that building as that area has been refurbished.

 

[4butlers]

We had requested a refurbed room through our TA also. I also did online check in. You can't request it again through online check in. But when we got there and checked in, I just reiterated that we wanted a refurbed room. We got there around 10:30 and were able to get one!
When you first get there and check in to get your park tickets and KTTW card, just remind them of what you want.

 

[Sue M]

So, I've become a fanatic on the eve of our first Disney family vacation. We are staying at POR and I really really want a refurbished room. There are six of us (though one is only 2) so it's AB for us and we booked through AAA and our travel agent included the request on our reservations BUT how good is that guarantee?

Should we check in online and request it again and if so, how? We're ten days out so we can check in online but DH and I are in debate over whether or not we should. We're coming in bloody early that day to drop our stuff at POR before kicking off rope drop at the MK (we're early morning people) so we'll be there well in advanced of our 3pm in check in but I'm really worried about leaving it to chance. DH, on the other hand, believes if we do online check in that we'll be locked into a room, a non-refurbished room.

Anyway, thoughts? Please. Help a slightly neurotic mommy.

A room request is just that, a request, not a guarantee. In August we requested a new room (in mansion section), and checked in (regular, didn't do on-line) around 9am. We did get our request, but Aug is no where near as crowded as holiday times.
I hope you get your request. Since you plan on getting to check in early, there shouldn't be a long wait. Even if you don't get a new room, POR is our fav moderate. Beautiful resort.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

If there is no refurbed room available that day, you can always request a room change the next day too.

 

[KAE2008]

I decided to work on my early morning "night shots". Some of them turned out better than others. I used my camera with a tripod and tried to get at least 3 images taken at different shutter speeds of the same subject. The idea is to combine them as a "High Dynamic Range Image" or HDRI. This is the first time I've tried this but I like it so far (even if I don't know what I'm doing ).

South Depot

Blue Bayou

If you look at the sign on the right side of the last photo, you'll see I had some alignment issues. The camera has to be locked down really good and can't move at all during all of this. Oh well.

 

[KAE2008]

Riverside Nights

 

[Venomhatch]

I decided to work on my early morning "night shots". Some of them turned out better than others. I used my camera with a tripod and tried to get at least 3 images taken at different shutter speeds of the same subject. The idea is to combine them as a "High Dynamic Range Image" or HDRI. This is the first time I've tried this but I like it so far (even if I don't know what I'm doing ).

Well those were pretty amazing. What equipment were you shooting with? I'd love to chat more say pm about these. I mean just so that we don't crowd up this thread.

 

[KAE2008]

Well those were pretty amazing. What equipment were you shooting with? I'd love to chat more say pm about these. I mean just so that we don't crowd up this thread.

Thank you!
I'm off to work now, but I'll PM you when I get back home tonight.

 

[Stan Solo]

Looks like this puts an end to the discussion on whether the head boards are new or not. "11/29 remove/store/protect artwork, mirrors, HB, accoessories. 8AM"

 

[Venomhatch]

Thank you!
I'm off to work now, but I'll PM you when I get back home tonight.

Ok thanks, ttyl.

 

[nkereina]

So, I've become a fanatic on the eve of our first Disney family vacation. We are staying at POR and I really really want a refurbished room. There are six of us (though one is only 2) so it's AB for us and we booked through AAA and our travel agent included the request on our reservations BUT how good is that guarantee?

Should we check in online and request it again and if so, how? We're ten days out so we can check in online but DH and I are in debate over whether or not we should. We're coming in bloody early that day to drop our stuff at POR before kicking off rope drop at the MK (we're early morning people) so we'll be there well in advanced of our 3pm in check in but I'm really worried about leaving it to chance. DH, on the other hand, believes if we do online check in that we'll be locked into a room, a non-refurbished room.

Anyway, thoughts? Please. Help a slightly neurotic mommy.

Online check-in makes no difference as to whether or not you will get a refurbished room. Some PP's have reported they got refurbished rooms when they did online check-in. I did online check-in in September and I did NOT get a refurbished room, and it was noted as a request on my reservation. I did ask politely to be switched and it was not a problem. Since there's a chance you will have to switch rooms if they don't grant your request when assigning rooms, I would advise against online check-in just to save you (and the people behind you) the time, and the CMs the hassle. Also, there is no place at the online check-in page to notate the refurbished room request anyway.

Did your TA call Disney and notate the request with them? For people who don't book through a TA and directly with Disney, they have to call and have a CM notate the reservation with requests. I used to work at AAA and I can't think of a place on the TA's web site for Disney where you can add a request like that. We used to have to call. I would make sure your TA called, or even try calling Disney yourself to add the request. Since you're close to leaving, the reservation may have been released back to Disney now so they may let you talk to them directly rather than through your TA.

 

[Missytara]

Looks like this puts an end to the discussion on whether the head boards are new or not. "11/29 remove/store/protect artwork, mirrors, HB, accoessories. 8AM"

I can confirm from my trip last week that the headboards and frames did NOT change. The new mattresses overhang the frame by about three inches on either side. With a connecting door, it overlapped about a half inch and you had to pull the door open around the mattress. Somewhat awkward.

 

[DisneyGuess]

3 more days!!

I love the pics of the refurbed AB rooms. I requested one, along with specific buildings 36, 37, & 38. Hopefully we get in one of them!

You can count us as another family who'll be practicing lots of family togetherness next week, lol. It's DH & I, our 2 yr old, 10 yr old, 13 yr old, & 15 yr old. It will be interesting! Bt we're at Disney & at my favorite resort!

 

[3sweetpeas]

3 more days!!

I love the pics of the refurbed AB rooms. I requested one, along with specific buildings 36, 37, & 38. Hopefully we get in one of them!

You can count us as another family who'll be practicing lots of family togetherness next week, lol. It's DH & I, our 2 yr old, 10 yr old, 13 yr old, & 15 yr old. It will be interesting! Bt we're at Disney & at my favorite resort!

Our kids are almost the same ages minus the 2 year old. I would love to hear how it went when you get back!

Have you given your older kids a pep talk about "togetherness"? We're still almost 3 months out and I'm giving pep talks. We usually split a 2 wk stay....half on site and half in a condo off site. Last year we were 5 nights at POR and 3 nights in a 1 BR at Kidani and then off for 4. This will be the longest stay at POR for us so I'm a bit nervous. We also had 2 rooms last year.

So...I'd love to hear how it goes!

Have a great time! Jealous!!!

 

[Missytara]

Online check-in makes no difference as to whether or not you will get a refurbished room. Some PP's have reported they got refurbished rooms when they did online check-in. I did online check-in in September and I did NOT get a refurbished room, and it was noted as a request on my reservation. I did ask politely to be switched and it was not a problem. Since there's a chance you will have to switch rooms if they don't grant your request when assigning rooms, I would advise against online check-in just to save you (and the people behind you) the time, and the CMs the hassle. Also, there is no place at the online check-in page to notate the refurbished room request anyway.

Ditto here. I arrive the Saturday after Thanksgiving and never do online check-in. I usually book riverview when I travel alone. I wait to check in and tell them I will wait for my room as requested. I arrive around 10:45 am and usually am in my room no later than 1:30/2:00 pm. Works for me.

This year, I arrived with an entire crew; two couples and two small children. We made the ressies, with the 6 year old in my room, so we could be in the mansions. We booked standard view, because that was what they could afford. I requested connecting rooms.

Not only were our rooms already available when we arrived around 11:30 am, we got Acadian House (refurbished rooms), connecting, I got the corner room, and we were facing the parking lot, but we had two smokers. So it was ideal!

You should have seen me - 51 years old - jumping up and down like Tigger to the CM that I got refurbed rooms. She just chuckled. Then I bounced my way down to where my companions were checking in and told them we were in refurbed connecting rooms in the mansions. Their CM chuckled as well.

When we got there, the pack n' play was already set up in their room; no wait.

We had lots of pixie dust sprinkled on us this trip.

 

[nkereina]

Ditto here. I arrive the Saturday after Thanksgiving and never do online check-in. I usually book riverview when I travel alone. I wait to check in and tell them I will wait for my room as requested. I arrive around 10:45 am and usually am in my room no later than 1:30/2:00 pm. Works for me.

This year, I arrived with an entire crew; two couples and two small children. We made the ressies, with the 6 year old in my room, so we could be in the mansions. We booked standard view, because that was what they could afford. I requested connecting rooms.

Not only were our rooms already available when we arrived around 11:30 am, we got Acadian House (refurbished rooms), connecting, I got the corner room, and we were facing the parking lot, but we had two smokers. So it was ideal!

You should have seen me - 51 years old - jumping up and down like Tigger to the CM that I got refurbed rooms. She just chuckled. Then I bounced my way down to where my companions were checking in and told them we were in refurbed connecting rooms in the mansions. Their CM chuckled as well.

When we got there, the pack n' play was already set up in their room; no wait.

We had lots of pixie dust sprinkled on us this trip.

That's great! Our room was in Acadian House in September also. 3rd floor in the back facing the courtyard between the building and the parking lot. The room was nice and never heard a peep from the outside! We were originally assigned a room in AB but we prefer the mansions so we waited, and our room was ready around 2pm. Worth the wait!

 

[DisneyFive]

Did I read that correctly that the new refurbished rooms have two queen beds now, including the Alligator Bayou buildings?

Dan