Port Orleans Riverside FAQ thread - Royally Refurbished for 2011

[princessmorgan]

So is there a specific category I should be booking if I want a refurbed room in AB?

 

[Lookin4Magic]

Love the AB pictures! I didnt really see any drawers for clothes. What kind of storage is there?

We had 5 of us in a refurbished room last week, and we didn't have trouble with storage. The murphy bed seat has 3 separate drawers underneath. The rest of the space is open, but that didn't bother me. There are two shelves to the left of the refrigerator, one open shelf in the nightstand, and the long shelf over the hanging rack in the bathroom. We unpacked everything!

 

[EPCOTatNight]

We had 5 of us in a refurbished room last week, and we didn't have trouble with storage. The murphy bed seat has 3 separate drawers underneath. The rest of the space is open, but that didn't bother me. There are two shelves to the left of the refrigerator, one open shelf in the nightstand, and the long shelf over the hanging rack in the bathroom. We unpacked everything!

You just made a little boy very happy. We decided to go to WDW just 2 weeks ago. I booked last week for next month. This is a surprise trip for my DS 13th Bday. Since we're getting free dining, we decided to bring my nephew. But, after reading that you had 5 in the room, I added another nephew to our trip. I just assumed the limit was 4 people. I didn't even check, because it's usually just 3 of us. None of them will know until the day we leave, so it's a surprise for all 3. My DS is a WDW vet, but his cousins have never been. I'm happy for them. If I had not come in this thread, I would have never thought about a 3rd child.

 

[crazyboutdisny]

I am new to this board. We are heading to POR in exactly 108 days! We also booked a garden room because we werent given any other option. I am hoping we can upgrade when we check in.

 

[Kanga1]

We had 5 of us in a refurbished room last week, and we didn't have trouble with storage. The murphy bed seat has 3 separate drawers underneath. The rest of the space is open, but that didn't bother me. There are two shelves to the left of the refrigerator, one open shelf in the nightstand, and the long shelf over the hanging rack in the bathroom. We unpacked everything!

Is there a drawar in the nightstand or just a shelf?

 

[mjwheelerali]

19 days until we check into Port Orleans Riverside!!! I've been getting VERY excited reading this thread!!! Love all the photos in the posts, too!!!

Still trying to decide whether to do the online check-in or wait until we are there?? Our flight arrives at 8:55am, so we will be early checking in anyway....also wondering if we should fax our request for a refurbished room or just hope things all work out? We did mention to our TA to put it into the notes, but who knows!!!

 

[Sue M]

19 days until we check into Port Orleans Riverside!!! I've been getting VERY excited reading this thread!!! Love all the photos in the posts, too!!!

Still trying to decide whether to do the online check-in or wait until we are there?? Our flight arrives at 8:55am, so we will be early checking in anyway....also wondering if we should fax our request for a refurbished room or just hope things all work out? We did mention to our TA to put it into the notes, but who knows!!!

Congrats! POR is a beautiful resort. I would phone your TA and make sure she requested a refirbished room for you on your reservation. With the new reservation system I don't think they look at faxes anymore. The request needs to be on the reservation.
It's a personal choice to do on line check in or not. I don't.
Have a great trip.

 

[Sue M]

So is there a specific category I should be booking if I want a refurbed room in AB?

No, just that- request a refirb room in AB should do it! Also think about if you want a ground floor or 2nd floor room. AB buildings don't have elevators.

 

[Sue M]

KCmike great pic!

 

[princessmorgan]

No, just that- request a refirb room in AB should do it! Also think about if you want a ground floor or 2nd floor room. AB buildings don't have elevators.

Thanks for the info! Yes, ground floor would definitely be better with 2 strollers!

 

[curemyreed]

Yesterday I saw a picture on this thread of a check-off list that appeared to be referencing a complete refurb of the rooms in Bldg. 14 & 15 that is currently in progress. Today I can't find that picture!!!

Can someone confirm for me that this refurb is happening? I have a Preferred room for 5 reserved for the end of January and thought I was out of luck as far as a refurbed room goes as the schedule I saw had the refurbishment happening from the "back" of AB forward. Now it looks like we might be able to request a refurbed room in the Preferred section?

 

[DisneyFive]

You just made a little boy very happy. We decided to go to WDW just 2 weeks ago. I booked last week for next month. This is a surprise trip for my DS 13th Bday. Since we're getting free dining, we decided to bring my nephew. But, after reading that you had 5 in the room, I added another nephew to our trip. I just assumed the limit was 4 people. I didn't even check, because it's usually just 3 of us. None of them will know until the day we leave, so it's a surprise for all 3. My DS is a WDW vet, but his cousins have never been. I'm happy for them. If I had not come in this thread, I would have never thought about a 3rd child.

That's just too cool! Yes, the Dis boards can be a huge help. I hope you 5 have a magical time, especially through the eyes of your nephews. Our first time (for any of us: my wife, myself, our 3 kids, and her parents) to Disney was two years ago, and we all came away from the vacation with an amazing feeling and that fun sense of wonder.

Have a great time.

Dan

 

[3sweetpeas]

According to the web sight a regular room will be called "standard view" they should call it "keep an eye on your car view". Whenever I go to a regular hotel I always ask for a view that overlooks the parking lot so I can see my car from my room. This standard view is $67 less expensive then garden view but was not a option when I booked our trip. I think the free dinning may have had something to do with this.

It was the same for me when I booked and I booked on the first morning it was offered, so I think they just didn't offer it for free dining. Wow! $67 less! That's alot! We were in building 16 last year and I think it would be classified parking lot view but it was in the distance and we didn't even notice it. I think I'm starting to like that "keep your eye on your car view"!

 

[Stan Solo]

Yesterday I saw a picture on this thread of a check-off list that appeared to be referencing a complete refurb of the rooms in Bldg. 14 & 15 that is currently in progress. Today I can't find that picture!!!

Can someone confirm for me that this refurb is happening? I have a Preferred room for 5 reserved for the end of January and thought I was out of luck as far as a refurbed room goes as the schedule I saw had the refurbishment happening from the "back" of AB forward. Now it looks like we might be able to request a refurbed room in the Preferred section?

The photos you are looking for we're posted by KAE2008 unfortunately the band with has been exceeded. According to the photos building is/was being refurbished. You can find more info here ---> http://www.portorleans.org/rehab.php

 

[nkereina]

19 days until we check into Port Orleans Riverside!!! I've been getting VERY excited reading this thread!!! Love all the photos in the posts, too!!!

Still trying to decide whether to do the online check-in or wait until we are there?? Our flight arrives at 8:55am, so we will be early checking in anyway....also wondering if we should fax our request for a refurbished room or just hope things all work out? We did mention to our TA to put it into the notes, but who knows!!!

They no longer accept faxes for room requests. If I were you, I wouldn't do online check-in. We found that when we have requests and are arriving very early like that, they assign us to whatever room will most likely be ready when we arrive and disregard our request. Because of this, we prefer not to do online check in and wait until we get there so we can reiterate our request.

 

[disney*mom*82]

I wish we were going to WDW for Christmas again this year. But, we will be there soon enough!

 

[andrewilley]

The photos you are looking for we're posted by KAE2008 unfortunately the band with has been exceeded. According to the photos building is/was being refurbished. You can find more info here ---> http://www.portorleans.org/rehab.php

I'll PM KAE2008 and if he can FTP them to me, I can host his pics on portorleans.org for him to avoid this happening.

Andre

 

[Debrn]

Andre, I had to sell my DVC (BLT)during my recent divorce. Me & kids were really sad about it. Kids thought we'd never go back. After such a rough year I decided we need to head back to our Happy Place.

I booked a March trip with free dining Royal room, and chose POR thanks to you !!
I'm gonna surprise them at Christmas. Can't wait to see their expressions.
So I just wanted to say thanks love the site.

 

[Ziemba]

Is there a drawar in the nightstand or just a shelf?

There was a small drawer, and a shelf just at foot level in the nightstand.

 

[andrewilley]

Andre, I had to sell my DVC (BLT)during my recent divorce. Me & kids were really sad about it. Kids thought we'd never go back. After such a rough year I decided we need to head back to our Happy Place.

I booked a March trip with free dining Royal room, and chose POR thanks to you !!
I'm gonna surprise them at Christmas. Can't wait to see their expressions.
So I just wanted to say thanks love the site.

So sorry about your rough year, and I hope planning your WDW trip can help take all your minds off things a little. There's nothing like looking forward to a trip to Disney to generate a smile or two.

Andre