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

[Chuckers]

Congrats that is awesome I am so happy for u! So u going alone?

Thanks... it's sort of a solo trip

I have a friend I haven't seen in 7 years coming up from Ft. Laud to spend Fri night, sat, and Sun morning with me. I am desperately trying to get the Wishes Dessert Party for Sat night because he's never done it before. Then Monday a new friend from Tampa is coming in for the day. Plus, I hope to see someone from the boards that I spent 'One More Disney Day' with last year.

So it's a no-so-solo solo trip this time!

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks, Yeah if anyone needs detailed photos of certain areas let me know through PM I will try my best to cover the grounds since we will be there a lot in the next few days.

I'll let you know what I forgot once I've been through them all. But I do seem to have over 25GB of image files in my POR and POFQ folders from this trip, plus some video! Gulp! Shame we didn't manage to find time to meet up in the end, maybe next trip?

Are all 4 of the preferred buildings close to the main building/pool and bus stop??

Yes, that's the whole point of them. The closest distance from any Preferred room to the food court door is 55 yards, while the longest is 250 yards. To the South bus stop the min/max walks are 170 and 435 yards. Building 14 is the closest, but honestly none of them are that far.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

I'll let you know what I forgot once I've been through them all. But I do seem to have over 25GB of image files in my POR and POFQ folders from this trip, plus some video! Gulp! Shame we didn't manage to find time to meet up in the end, maybe next trip?

Andre

Yeah I had been super busy and tired. But yeah maybe by then I can move up so I can afford to disappear from work and reappear after done with no worries lol.

But let me know what was missed if anything. Taking both my cameras and pack of lenses.

 

[ALD85]

No problem. Just don't put the yellow luggage stickers they provide on it, and it'll be sent to the baggage carousel like normal. You can pick it up then go to ME and stow it on the bus.

So if you choose to have them get your luggage, it doesn't even make it to the carousel? For some (stupid) reason I picture a couple of Disney employees standing around the carousel grabbing everyone's luggage. Lol

 

[FigmentChick]

So if you choose to have them get your luggage, it doesn't even make it to the carousel? For some (stupid) reason I picture a couple of Disney employees standing around the carousel grabbing everyone's luggage. Lol

Correct. The luggage with yellow tags (DME luggage) is put on a different tram when unloading from the plane. The luggage is then taken to a warehouse-type area where it is loaded on to box trucks (I think) and taken to the different resorts.

Regular luggage goes on another tram and makes it to the carousels. Hope this helps.

 

[Izzieheartscindy]

I have a question about ME....they say they get your luggage. But what if you want to take the ME and get your own luggage? The whole idea of them getting it for me makes me so nervous.

You can absolutely do that. Don't put the yellow tags on your bags and get them yourself when you land. You can load them into the storage area of the ME bus.

 

[ALD85]

Correct. The luggage with yellow tags (DME luggage) is put on a different tram when unloading from the plane. The luggage is then taken to a warehouse-type area where it is loaded on to box trucks (I think) and taken to the different resorts.

Regular luggage goes on another tram and makes it to the carousels. Hope this helps.

That makes me feel better. Thank you!

 

[Chuckers]

That makes me feel better. Thank you!

F.Y.I. I've used DME 3 times and have never had a problem with them getting my luggage to my room. It may take a couple of hours to get there, but it's there.

I always make sure to use a TSA approved lock and if I have anything of importance (medication, camera, etc) I put that in a small carry on.

I've also had no issues with it getting to the airport on my return flight.

Just trying to easy any concerns you have over letting them handle your luggage.

 

[ALD85]

F.Y.I. I've used DME 3 times and have never had a problem with them getting my luggage to my room. It may take a couple of hours to get there, but it's there.

I always make sure to use a TSA approved lock and if I have anything of importance (medication, camera, etc) I put that in a small carry on.

I've also had no issues with it getting to the airport on my return flight.

Just trying to easy any concerns you have over letting them handle your luggage.

Thank you!!

 

[Venomhatch]

F.Y.I. I've used DME 3 times and have never had a problem with them getting my luggage to my room. It may take a couple of hours to get there, but it's there.

I always make sure to use a TSA approved lock and if I have anything of importance (medication, camera, etc) I put that in a small carry on.

I've also had no issues with it getting to the airport on my return flight.

Just trying to easy any concerns you have over letting them handle your luggage.

Thank you!!

Yeah cant support the TSA lock thing enough. But I back the DME they have never had an issue with our either in the past. I being a CM at one of the resorts have never had an issue with DME and luggage and if one came in with any damage they bring it to our attention immediately.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Question about the laundry room:

Is there a change machine or do I need to remember to grab a roll of quarters from the bank before we leave.

Thanks!!

 

[scrappinggirl]

Thanks... it's sort of a solo trip
I am desperately trying to get the Wishes Dessert Party for Sat night because he's never done it before.

I am desperately trying to get a time on sat April 27th. April still isn't open yet

 

[kandim]

Question about the laundry room:

Is there a change machine or do I need to remember to grab a roll of quarters from the bank before we leave.

Thanks!!

There's a change machine & soap machine. The laundry facilities were bright, clean & very nice so I didn't mind doing laundry so much!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

There's a change machine & soap machine. The laundry facilities were bright, clean & very nice so I didn't mind doing laundry so much!

Awesome! Thanks! (a roll of quarters can weigh a ton when you are already pressing the 50 lb limit on your suitcase )

 

[Angiea1114]

I have become addicted to this thread (and the previous) since I joined just a little bit ago!!!
This will be our first visit to POR, but we have previously vacationed at CBR, ASMu, and POP. We are arriving April 2nd!

Unfortunately we had many problems booking a reservation and finally have that all solved. I needed to get a few things cleared with our reservation before I felt comfortable putting in a request. We will have two rooms booked, 4 adults, 2 teens, one 12 yr and a 5 yr old! Originally, when we booked I asked for AB so we could get a pull down bed, since I thought we'd be more comfortable (but it never got noted on the reservation).

Am I right in saying that these rooms have less storage becasue of the pull down? If so, I definitely don't want that!

My biggest concern is that we willl have my in laws with us and they both have knee problems. They both do walk and only my FIL occasionally uses a cane, which I anticipate he will use on this vacation. They like to go to the food courts and get coffee etc in the am well before the rest of us are up and ready to go! What would be the best way to "word" my request, so I can hopefully get something close to accomodate them??? We are presently booked in a garden view room. At this point, I am not to picky except for something close by for them??

Also, we have not checked in online (due to problems with reservation process) or anything yet!

thanks!

 

[kandim]

I have become addicted to this thread (and the previous) since I joined just a little bit ago!!!
This will be our first visit to POR, but we have previously vacationed at CBR, ASMu, and POP. We are arriving April 2nd!

Unfortunately we had many problems booking a reservation and finally have that all solved. I needed to get a few things cleared with our reservation before I felt comfortable putting in a request. We will have two rooms booked, 4 adults, 2 teens, one 12 yr and a 5 yr old! Originally, when we booked I asked for AB so we could get a pull down bed, since I thought we'd be more comfortable (but it never got noted on the reservation).

Am I right in saying that these rooms have less storage becasue of the pull down? If so, I definitely don't want that!

My biggest concern is that we willl have my in laws with us and they both have knee problems. They both do walk and only my FIL occasionally uses a cane, which I anticipate he will use on this vacation. They like to go to the food courts and get coffee etc in the am well before the rest of us are up and ready to go! What would be the best way to "word" my request, so I can hopefully get something close to accomodate them??? We are presently booked in a garden view room. At this point, I am not to picky except for something close by for them??

Also, we have not checked in online (due to problems with reservation process) or anything yet!

thanks!

i, too, have become addicted to this board!
we returned on 2/13 from a wonderful 10 day stay at POR, it was everything we had hoped for! I had booked garden view but have a knee injury, too, so i simply took Venomhatch's fax template, added in that i had a knee injury & requested to be close to the main building & 1st floor if in AB. Shortly after I sent it, I received a response that my request was granted. We were in building 14 - a very short trip to the food court - and it was perfect!! I didn't find the storage to be too bad, but it was just me & my adult daughter.

 

[jgraney106]

Question about the laundry room:

Is there a change machine or do I need to remember to grab a roll of quarters from the bank before we leave.

Thanks!!

Personally I would grab a couple rolls. One for laundry and the other one for the toll booths. Rental car companies are always trying to sell that toll card opinion!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Personally I would grab a couple rolls. One for laundry and the other one for the toll booths. Rental car companies are always trying to sell that toll card opinion!

No rental car for us but thanks!

 

[Shaden]

Also addicted to this thread (as anyone who reads it regularly I am sure has noted)

Must be the healthiest addiction going for you though

 

[andrewilley]

We will have two rooms booked, 4 adults, 2 teens, one 12 yr and a 5 yr old! Originally, when we booked I asked for AB so we could get a pull down bed, since I thought we'd be more comfortable (but it never got noted on the reservation).

Am I right in saying that these rooms have less storage becasue of the pull down? If so, I definitely don't want that!

My biggest concern is that we willl have my in laws with us and they both have knee problems. They both do walk and only my FIL occasionally uses a cane, which I anticipate he will use on this vacation. They like to go to the food courts and get coffee etc in the am well before the rest of us are up and ready to go! What would be the best way to "word" my request, so I can hopefully get something close to accomodate them??? We are presently booked in a garden view room. At this point, I am not to picky except for something close by for them??

Also, we have not checked in online (due to problems with reservation process) or anything yet.

The best way to guarantee to get a close building is to alter your booking from Garden to Preferred Location, but if that is not an option then just explain that your in-laws have mobility issues and cannot walk very far. This should be noted in your original booking first, but DISer Venomhatch has created his own fax template for requests (see the third post in this thread) and if you fax then I suggest you include that basic detail, but make your message as personal as you can (and don't make it too long).

AB storage is a bit tighter than Magnolia Bend, but honestly it does look worse than it actually is. Both sections only have three drawers, but the AB ones are slightly narrower and are located under the fold-down bed. There is more shelf space in AB to compensate though, and both sections have a large hanging rail within the curtained-off vanity area.

Online checkin is definitely worth doing, especially now that they have the new 'Mobile Lobby' tablets which CMs can use to check you in without you even needing to go to the desk - it was really quick for us, they just looked us up on the system and gave us our pre-prepared packs. Do that before you send any faxed requests though.

Andre