Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part One [Thread now FULL and closed]

[Venomhatch]

Awe, thats too bad Venom, I just want you to not be stressing out leading up to your vacation, want you to relax and enjoy the lead up.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

Nothing here stresses me, not even DIS stresses me. Just tired.

 

[andrewilley]

We are staying off-site this visit but plan on taking the boat from DTD to POR for the ride. Once there DS and DH would like to rent one of the little speed boats like we did on our last visit. Can we do that if we aren't resort guests?

Sure, Disney will take anyone's money. Just make sure you have ID with you.

I hope you meant 'Fruit Mousse' filling.. because a Fruit Mouse filling at Disney World would be kinda cannibalistic and demented...

Oops, poor Mickey!

Do they have helmets avail for the kids for 2 wheeler bike rentals? If so, is that an extra fee for the helmet?

Helmets are provided free with cycle rentals.

I was wondering if a certain room or area should be requested for the Royal Guest Rooms with Garden View rooms?

It's a personal choice really, there's nothing in particular that SHOULD be requested by all guests. If you've got small kids, or just want to keep walking to a minimum, you might want to request a room close to the main building though?

So everyone is talking about being contacted by the resort after sending in their fax request. No response yet

Please, as it says in the FAQ in the first post, don't EXPECT a reply to a request. It's nice if someone has the time to do so, but it's certainly not something that they do every time. They may be assigning 600 rooms in one day, which is more than enough to keep them busy without also emailing back in response to every fax they receive too. Rest assured they are all read though, but not every request can be met. Just be pleased that the team at POR is as helpful are they are, it certainly does not apply at all resorts.

I did have one question though. This trip Alligator Bayou would have been our only option as we had an extra adult with us. But the next will be just us with 2 adults a 5 year old and 2 year old twins. So that means we would still qualify for any room that holds four. I love the look of the mansion rooms and was just wondering if there is any more or less actual room in the those rooms vs. Alligator Bayou? I'm hopeful we won't need pack & plays by then but I can't be certain.

There are more regular AB rooms than there are mansion building ones (1,024 vs 512) but 256 of the AB rooms are in preferred locations and thus don't have any Standard or Garden View rooms. Also, there will always be a certain number of AB rooms which have to be assigned for families of five. This figure varies by season (more during vacation time for example) but tends to be around 30%-40%. So at any given time, for a family of four, there are probably roughly the same number of free AB rooms as there are mansions.

Ok, everyone I have had one heck of a day and am heavily exhausted. I couldn't meet Andre after all due to that. I am getting out all of the PMs I received real quick and then bed time. Until tomorrow everyone.

Ah, I wondered what happened. We've back at the resort now, so I assumed you have got held up somehow. Maybe one day before I head home we might get to meet?

Andre

 

[z2akids]

We leave in just one week one for our very first Disney trip. I am so excited to be spending it at POR. I want to thank Andre and Venom for all of the help they give everyone. I sent my fax request in. I haven't heard anything, but I know it will be okay. Whereever they put us will be magical!

 

[916chipndale]

Just booked Riverside for 10 nights starting July 15th.

 

[Chuckers]

We stayed at the Dolphin last summer in a grand suite (2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room, dining room, wet bar area) on a teacher discount and it was amazing to have so much space and to be able to walk to 2 parks. This summer, we're staying at POR for a few reasons:
* It was more affordable (even with a comparison of a basic room, once you add in the resort fees and parking fees, the Dolphin was more.)
* It didn't feel as 'magical' to me as the Disney resorts. We'd come back from the parks in all our Mickey gear and have to wade through the HOARDES of convention goers at the bar in their "power suits" and it just felt strange.
* You can't charge to your room when staying at the S&D which isn't a big deal, but was a little annoying.
* All the extra fees really irked me!! I was paying a resort fee for things I NEVER used (except the bottled water,) and the parking fee is ridiculous!

I stayed at the Dolphin a long time ago.. I haven't stayed at POR yet, but I would choose a Disney Resort over the Swan/Dolphin any time. Yes, the Swan and Dolphin are luxurious, but, they're not owned/run by Disney. The "Disney Magic" just isn't there. I can stay at a Swan or Dolphin style hotel almost anywhere, but I can stay at a Walt Disney Resort in only one place.

Also, I believe the restaurants are not on the dining plan and I always have a dining plan when I go.

 

[Smuckles]

I asked a similar question as this one a few days ago but the thread moved very quickly and I think it got lost in the activity and unnoticed. I hope you don't mind me asking it again

I completed online check in for our trip in April. I just couldn't resist. It allowed me to make requests on the website. I checked off "second floor" and "corner room". There wasn't a chance to type anything, I believe.

Because I completed online check in, should I still send a fax? We really wish to be in the Alligator Bayou section. Did I mess that possibility by completing online check in?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[dansdad]

I asked a similar question as this one a few days ago but the thread moved very quickly and I think it got lost in the activity and unnoticed. I hope you don't mind me asking it again

I completed online check in for our trip in April. I just couldn't resist. It allowed me to make requests on the website. I checked off "second floor" and "corner room". There wasn't a chance to type anything, I believe.

Because I completed online check in, should I still send a fax? We really wish to be in the Alligator Bayou section. Did I mess that possibility by completing online check in?

Thanks for any advice.

I would still send a fax, specify that you made some requests during online check-in and would like to change or add to them.

 

[andrewilley]

I completed online check in for our trip in April. I just couldn't resist. It allowed me to make requests on the website. I checked off "second floor" and "corner room". There wasn't a chance to type anything, I believe.

Because I completed online check in, should I still send a fax? We really wish to be in the Alligator Bayou section. Did I mess that possibility by completing online check in?

This has turned into a general answer, as well as to your specific question...

I had quite a long chat with the room assignment manager yesterday, and had a good discussion about requests. He said that the information you give to the reservations center DOES get through to them, and they run daily reports pulling out keywords from the free-form text field (which apparently can contain as much as you want, so make sure the DRC agent enters exactly what you ask them to). For example they have automated searches which pick up words like "Alligator Bayou", etc.

Online checkin helps too, especially in terms of letting them know arrival times and it speeds up the process at the desk as they have all the necessary info already to hand. About 25% of arriving guests are using this facility at the moment. (The "Corner Room" option is becoming a bit of a headache by the way, as almost everyone is ticking it and they only have so many corner rooms available!).

I did suggest adding AB vs. MB as an online choice, but apparently it's difficult at the moment as the listed options need to be able to apply to all possible rooms, and Preferred Location rooms can't be requested in MB. Hopefully it will come at some point though.

Faxed requests 3-5 days out are still very welcome, but please make sure you address them to the room assignment team generally, rather than to an individual or to the team manager. Otherwise, if that person happens to be off for a few days, or on holiday, the rest of the team may not go through a 'personally' addressed message to their manager. Try to keep to the point rather than giving your whole life story, so the important information stands out. I guess if you find you've written more than a page, you've probably overdone it for a room location request.

Also please keep to the published fax and phone numbers rather than being tempted to try to contact individuals directly; it may work out fine, but Disney have noticed an upsurge in direct communication which they don't really encourage. I think POR is kinda drawing a bit of attention to itself regarding room requests at the moment, and it seems to be showing up on Disney's corporate radar - which may not necessarily be a good thing in terms of their overall desire to offer a consistent guest experience - so it might be best not to rock the boat.

Oh, and yes, the senior folks at POR have worked out that people are using a pre-prepared template and Googled around and tracked down where it comes from.

Andre

 

[myjourney]

Last time we stayed at POR my grandkids had a blast renting a bike and riding along the river bank. We happen to be bringing bikes this time. my question is are they allowed to ride their own or do they have to rent them?

 

[CDolacki2003]

This has turned into a general answer, as well as to your specific question...

I had quite a long chat with the room assignment manager yesterday, and had a good discussion about requests. He said that the information you give to the reservations center DOES get through to them, and they run daily reports pulling out keywords from the free-form text field (which apparently can contain as much as you want, so make sure the DRC agent enters exactly what you ask them to). For example they have automated searches which pick up words like "Alligator Bayou", etc.

Online checkin helps too, especially in terms of letting them know arrival times and it speeds up the process at the desk as they have all the necessary info already to hand. About 25% of arriving guests are using this facility at the moment. (The "Corner Room" option is becoming a bit of a headache by the way, as almost everyone is ticking it and they only have so many corner rooms available!).

I did suggest adding AB vs. MB as an online choice, but apparently it's difficult at the moment as the listed options need to be able to apply to all possible rooms, and Preferred Location rooms can't be requested in MB. Hopefully it will come at some point though.

Faxed requests 3-5 days out are still very welcome, but please make sure you address them to the room assignment team generally, rather than to an individual or to the team manager. Otherwise, if that person happens to be off for a few days, or on holiday, the rest of the team may not go through a 'personally' addressed message to their manager. Try to keep to the point rather than giving your whole life story, so the important information stands out. I guess if you find you've written more than a page, you've probably overdone it for a room location request.

Also please keep to the published fax and phone numbers rather than being tempted to try to contact individuals directly; it may work out fine, but Disney have noticed an upsurge in direct communication which they don't really encourage. I think POR is kinda drawing a bit of attention to itself regarding room requests at the moment, and it seems to be showing up on Disney's corporate radar - which may not necessarily be a good thing in terms of their overall desire to offer a consistent guest experience - so it might be best not to rock the boat.

Oh, and yes, the senior folks at POR have worked out that people are using a pre-prepared template and Googled around and tracked down where it comes from.

Andre

Thanks for the info Andre, oh and also for the live feed. Will miss it when you leave.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[amybaud]

I, too, will miss the live feed when it is gone. Too bad disney couldn't install permanent ones. What has shocked me the most is how quiet the resort looks. My first thought was that there must not be many people there, but when I checked a crowd calendar, they are at an 8 or something. This really excites me. AKL was crazy busy all the time. The peacefulness after a day in the parks will be very rewarding and makes me so glad I am staying here.

Now, for my question. In the end, it was cheaper for me to upgrade to a river view room than it was to keep my single night rack rate room prior to my week long package. Haven't researched these rooms because I was expecting to stay in the preferred ones. My question is how far is the farthest river view room from the main building? I believe these would be the rooms in AB 38 and Acadian House. We will not be checking in until around 8pm and know that our room pool will not be as plentiful as those that get to check in earlier.

 

[G719]

I was checking out the webcam a couple days ago and I saw someone toss some trash into the bushes. She probably thought nobody was watching her.
LOL

 

[Smuckles]

I would still send a fax, specify that you made some requests during online check-in and would like to change or add to them.

Yeah, it couldn't hurt. Thanks.

​

This has turned into a general answer, as well as to your specific question...

I had quite a long chat with the room assignment manager yesterday, and had a good discussion about requests. He said that the information you give to the reservations center DOES get through to them, and they run daily reports pulling out keywords from the free-form text field (which apparently can contain as much as you want, so make sure the DRC agent enters exactly what you ask them to). For example they have automated searches which pick up words like "Alligator Bayou", etc.

Online checkin helps too, especially in terms of letting them know arrival times and it speeds up the process at the desk as they have all the necessary info already to hand. About 25% of arriving guests are using this facility at the moment. (The "Corner Room" option is becoming a bit of a headache by the way, as almost everyone is ticking it and they only have so many corner rooms available!).

I did suggest adding AB vs. MB as an online choice, but apparently it's difficult at the moment as the listed options need to be able to apply to all possible rooms, and Preferred Location rooms can't be requested in MB. Hopefully it will come at some point though.

Faxed requests 3-5 days out are still very welcome, but please make sure you address them to the room assignment team generally, rather than to an individual or to the team manager. Otherwise, if that person happens to be off for a few days, or on holiday, the rest of the team may not go through a 'personally' addressed message to their manager. Try to keep to the point rather than giving your whole life story, so the important information stands out. I guess if you find you've written more than a page, you've probably overdone it for a room location request.

Also please keep to the published fax and phone numbers rather than being tempted to try to contact individuals directly; it may work out fine, but Disney have noticed an upsurge in direct communication which they don't really encourage. I think POR is kinda drawing a bit of attention to itself regarding room requests at the moment, and it seems to be showing up on Disney's corporate radar - which may not necessarily be a good thing in terms of their overall desire to offer a consistent guest experience - so it might be best not to rock the boat.

Oh, and yes, the senior folks at POR have worked out that people are using a pre-prepared template and Googled around and tracked down where it comes from.

Andre

Okay, thanks for the explanation. At the end of the day, these requests aren't hugely important to me. It would just be nice to be in AB. In reality, I could receive none of my requests and still be thrilled.

 

[jenn91997]

I actually sent a fax early this week for a room request. We are arriving on Monday
I was very pleased to get a return email from the room inventory manager informing me that all my requests will be met.

I was surpised to get a response.. but super happy

 

[Happy Elf]

If we are staying at POR can the kids swim at the feature pool at POFQ or is that a no-no. I know you can't pool hop, but I wasn't sure if that was considered pool hopping since it's sorta the same resort. Thanks for your help!

 

[dsnydaddy]

I, too, will miss the live feed when it is gone. Too bad disney couldn't install permanent ones. What has shocked me the most is how quiet the resort looks. My first thought was that there must not be many people there, but when I checked a crowd calendar, they are at an 8 or something. This really excites me. AKL was crazy busy all the time. The peacefulness after a day in the parks will be very rewarding and makes me so glad I am staying here.

Now, for my question. In the end, it was cheaper for me to upgrade to a river view room than it was to keep my single night rack rate room prior to my week long package. Haven't researched these rooms because I was expecting to stay in the preferred ones. My question is how far is the farthest river view room from the main building? I believe these would be the rooms in AB 38 and Acadian House. We will not be checking in until around 8pm and know that our room pool will not be as plentiful as those that get to check in earlier.

Acadian and Magnolia both have river views. I find that they are not that much farther to the main building than the preferred rooms. The big difference is that you have to walk across ol man island. Thats a quick walk. Magnolia is somewhat closer than Acadian.

 

[mum2four]

If we are staying at POR can the kids swim at the feature pool at POFQ or is that a no-no. I know you can't pool hop, but I wasn't sure if that was considered pool hopping since it's sorta the same resort. Thanks for your help!

Yep! POR and POFQ are considered "sister" resorts, so you can swim at both pools.

 

[Happy Elf]

Yep! POR and POFQ are considered "sister" resorts, so you can swim at both pools.

Awesome! Thanks for the info, that will make my kids happy campers!

 

[scrappinggirl]

I, too, will miss the live feed when it is gone. Too bad disney couldn't install permanent ones. What has shocked me the most is how quiet the resort looks. My first thought was that there must not be many people there, but when I checked a crowd calendar, they are at an 8 or something. This really excites me. AKL was crazy busy all the time. The peacefulness after a day in the parks will be very rewarding and makes me so glad I am staying here.

Now, for my question. In the end, it was cheaper for me to upgrade to a river view room than it was to keep my single night rack rate room prior to my week long package. Haven't researched these rooms because I was expecting to stay in the preferred ones. My question is how far is the farthest river view room from the main building? I believe these would be the rooms in AB 38 and Acadian House. We will not be checking in until around 8pm and know that our room pool will not be as plentiful as those that get to check in earlier.

Is the weblink still working now? how do I get a look at it??????

 

[ohnowewontgo]

I booked POR garden view for July 20th, thru 27th. Our last Disney vacation for a few years, so we're going to make it count. We're flying this time, which I'm really happy about. I am soo over that ten hour drive. Do I need to add Magnolia Bend to my request now? Or wait and just fax it in a few days out? I could live with Alligator bayou....but Magnolia is more my speed.