Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[Venomhatch]

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

Dan

That is correct and the AB will have a slightly bigger hideaway bed also.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Any dimensions on the new murphy bed? I really want to know the length. I couldn't really tell how tall the girl in the photo a couple pages back is

 

[Venomhatch]

Any dimensions on the new murphy bed? I really want to know the length. I couldn't really tell how tall the girl in the photo a couple pages back is

Id say best guess, 5 and a half feet by 2 and a half feet wide. Just a guess.

 

[cweather]

So are the only alligator bayou rooms that have been renovated are 36-39 and then now 14?

 

[Venomhatch]

So are the only alligator bayou rooms that have been renovated are 36-39 and then now 14?

As far as I know. But Andre might be the best person to ask about that.

 

[cweather]

I'm booking my rooms tomorrow and am wanting a preferred Ab room but renovated so I guess I will ask for 14 then.

 

[LadyCerri]

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.

First, thank you for all the great feedback!! Yes, our TA did request for us too. And I said, we are checking in super early to get our tickets and stuff and head off to MK rope drop. I'm already so geeked out and yes, if we don't get a refurbished room on day one, I will request one for day two. I'm so excited to stay at POR. It looks so cool. I've scoped every page I could.

I just can't wait to leave. Our packet arrived today with our Diamond parking pass and all the other fun AAA bits. I just can't wait. I made up these obnoxious holiday themed itinerary things. I should try to find some New Orleans at Christmas stuff!

Anyway, thanks again. Seven days till we leave, nine till check in!!

 

[andrewilley]

So are the only alligator bayou rooms that have been renovated are 36-39 and then now 14?

We think so, yes. 36 and 37 are open now, and 38 and 14 are definitely in progress. No one has specifically commented about work starting on 39 as yet, but that was due to start last week.

Andre

 

[Stan Solo]

We think so, yes. 36 and 37 are open now, and 38 and 14 are definitely in progress. No one has specifically commented about work starting on 39 as yet, but that was due to start last week.

Andre

It never did make any sence to me that the preferred rooms were not one of the first to get refurbished. I looked at it this way someone would be paying more for a room that doesn't have queen beds or the cool kids bed. I mean sure you have a shorter walk to everything but personally I would rather have a new room. I wonder if this was the reason for change in plans.

 

[Muddypaws]

It never did make any sence to me that the preferred rooms were not one of the first to get refurbished. I looked at it this way someone would be paying more for a room that doesn't have queen beds or the cool kids bed. I mean sure you have a shorter walk to everything but personally I would rather have a new room. I wonder if this was the reason for change in plans.

And I always thought it was probably very deliberate that the preferred rooms were getting done last. This way there would still be a demand for unrefurbished rooms that Disney could charge a premium for. I am just glad to see them get started on the preferred, though, as that is what we have booked for February.

 

[princessmorgan]

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!

Yes, I would also love to know how your family togetherness goes, too!

 

[Stan Solo]

And I always thought it was probably very deliberate that the preferred rooms were getting done last. This way there would still be a demand for unrefurbished rooms that Disney could charge a premium for. I am just glad to see them get started on the preferred, though, as that is what we have booked for February.

This is what I thought at first as well but their was a number of reports of people getting free upgrades. My DD and I were upgraded to a riverview room from a waterview room this past August. Mind you this was a newly refurbished room in Acadia House but, I think AB is a bit different.

By doing the prefered rooms as we start to head into the slower times at DW. If someone wants to be guarantied a refurbished room they can pay the preferred price.

Thinking about it I think Disney made a very smart move. They first converted a couple of further away rooms, let the photos and word to get out. Then they went to work on the preferred rooms. This will create higher demand for these preferred room.

 

[Venomhatch]

This is what I thought at first as well but their was a number of reports of people getting free upgrades. My DD and I were upgraded to a riverview room from a waterview room this past August. Mind you this was a newly refurbished room in Acadia House but, I think AB is a bit different.

By doing the prefered rooms as we start to head into the slower times at DW. If someone wants to be guarantied a refurbished room they can pay the preferred price.

Thinking about it I think Disney made a very smart move. They first converted a couple of further away rooms, let the photos and word to get out. Then they went to work on the preferred rooms. This will create higher demand for these preferred room.

No Disney doesn't know marketing techniques lol. Your exactly right. They probably have employees on every possible disney themed forum watching to see if it works also.

 

[DisneyFive]

That is correct and the AB will have a slightly bigger hideaway bed also.

Sweet. That's better than the double/double we've done at POP the last two years. Would be nice to have a little more room. Thank you.

Dan

 

[DisneyFive]

I've searched and didn't find the answer to this... would like your input...

O.k., so is the South Depot a much better option than the other two depots in the AB section of POR? From what I gather, South Depot is always picked up and dropped off first.

So by the time the bus gets to the North or West Depot, is it generally pretty full? How much time does is take for the bus to get from the South Depot to the North or West Depots?

Please share any info you can with regards to this, as I'm trying to figure out if a preferred room is definately the way to go from a bus standpoint.

Dan

 

[Venomhatch]

I've searched and didn't find the answer to this... would like your input...

O.k., so is the South Depot a much better option than the other two depots in the AB section of POR? From what I gather, South Depot is always picked up and dropped off first.

So by the time the bus gets to the North or West Depot, is it generally pretty full? How much time does is take for the bus to get from the South Depot to the North or West Depots?

Please share any info you can with regards to this, as I'm trying to figure out if a preferred room is definately the way to go from a bus standpoint.

Dan

That first part is not necessary true. Depends on what park the bus leave from and comes back to the resort determines where the bus goes first. Also I believe if memory serves me right the one or two parks bus pickup areas at the park have combined riverside and french quarter on to one bus back to the hotels. In that case the bus goes to the one FQ stop first and then on to the cycle of POR stops.

As to the south depot, I usually always go there, just because I have never had to wait too long their, and you can get breakfast and coffee before boarding the bus to the parks. I usually see several buses there even some waiting just to pull up and board more people. So it is up to you.

 

[DisneyFive]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I read that busus sometimes start at POFQ (I should have mentioned that), and then on to POR, but even in that case they typically start the POR portion at the South Depot correct?

Just trying to gauge how much better the South Depot is than the North or West, and if a preferred room is a much better option (besides being closer to the main buildings).

Dan

 

[Missytara]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I read that busus sometimes start at POFQ (I should have mentioned that), and then on to POR, but even in that case they typically start the POR portion at the South Depot correct?

Just trying to gauge how much better the South Depot is than the North or West, and if a preferred room is a much better option (besides being closer to the main buildings).

Dan

As the PP stated, it is not always the same order. I was on buses that dropped off first at POFQ and then proceeded all the way around to the other depots, dropping off last at the South depot.

It was clear in the morning a lot of buses also made the loop before getting to the south depot, because they were almost always full very early in the morning.

We used the depot for the Acadian House where we were staying and it was wonderful. I now prefer it to the South depot.

 

[Venomhatch]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I read that busus sometimes start at POFQ (I should have mentioned that), and then on to POR, but even in that case they typically start the POR portion at the South Depot correct?

Just trying to gauge how much better the South Depot is than the North or West, and if a preferred room is a much better option (besides being closer to the main buildings).

Dan

Typically and this is just my opinion, yes much better at the south depot. From my stays there I never have an issue at the south depot. I love the preferred room, the only benefits to them are the closeness to the Main Building and Bus Station. I stayed in building 14 this year in Feb and loved being able to walk down stairs and maybe 30 feet to the food court. But the room options aren't any different in my opinion. Just locations.

 

[sarahbug79]

We are back from our 8 night stay at POR. It was our first time staying there last time we stayed at FQ. I loved this resort it was so much nicer that FQ. We were in AB building 36. I was really worried about getting a room right by my family and would have loved a new room. We didn't check in until past 11 pm and we got both a room next to them and a new room

The walk to the north bus stop wasn't bad although we did get lost a few times building 37 would have been closer but we did just fine. I liked getting on at the north stop. Most days the bus only went to one other stop and left for the park. At the north stop there were never all that many people. The one day we got on at the south the stop was packed. Everyone rushed for the bus I didn't like it at all. We rarely shared with FQ only leaving some of the parks.

I thought there was enough storage. I put the 3 kids' clothes in the drawers under the trundle. Ours under the sinks. Food on the little shelves next to the fridge.