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

[germ539]

This is the POR FAQ Thread. I have just spent an inordinate amount of time deleting posts that involved name calling, reputational attacks, accusing each other of lies, sketch etc.

ENOUGH! For crap's sake, it's a trip to Disney people ... not the invasion of the body snatchers!!

Future off topic posts will be deleted and infractions issued. No warnings.

DIS POSTING GUIDELINES:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

If certain folks can't abide by those, then they will NOT be posting here. I don't think I can be anymore clear on this.

And now back to your normally genial and fun-loving thread.. HUGE thank you to the hosts here who do a great job keeping the conversation on track. Your efforts are appreciated.

Knox

I agree totally on this, I read the one comment last night and couldn't believe it, I think that it is good to hear both the good and the bad of stays, it could happen anywhere, Disney isn't exempt.

 

[andrewilley]

On the one for Magnolia Bend (because that's where I'm hoping to stay, I keep looking at it), you show room 8746 as a Standard View, but 8546 which is right below it on the 1st floor, shows Garden View. How is this possible?

I guess most likely due to some obstruction which only effects the upper floor (a large tree for example)? There are a few other rooms like this, such as ones under stairwells which don't give you a good view of the gardens.

They do re-check periodically to ensure that the categories are accurate, and the room assignment manger actually has a set of photos of the views from every single room in the resort to help him. They thinned out and removed a few trees around the resort recently too, which were starting to obstruct river views for example.

Oh and another question...is it unreasonable to request Magnolia Terrace building, 2nd floor, corner room in a standard view? Is that asking too much?

It can't hurt to ask, you're only asking for three things after all. It might be an idea to prioritise them though.

On a related note, our last night of our trip we have a late-ish (around 7pm) ADR for Kouzzina. After, would it make sense to go from there to DTD and take the boat to get back to POR?

That would work. Or if it's within an hour of Studios closing, take a Friendship boat to the Studios and a bus back to POR from there. DTD bus journeys can be some of the longer ones, so if there's a shorter route it might help.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

With everything else that has been happening on this board, didn't know if anyone else knew this answer.

I did see an answer about using foil balloons, but maybe it got caught up in the purge? However I'm not sure that the POR aircons actually have motion sensors, ours seemed to just respond to the thermostat only.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

I probably shouldn't have caught up on the the thread this morning while eating breakfast.

Andre - I do have a question about your room maps. On the one for Magnolia Bend (because that's where I'm hoping to stay, I keep looking at it), you show room 8746 as a Standard View, but 8546 which is right below it on the 1st floor, shows Garden View. How is this possible? Thanks again for creating and maintaining that site. It is so great for planning a PO stay.

Also I do have pictures from even on the third floor of magnolia that do not have all that great clear views of the river that might be why. There is a lot of trees in their court yard.

 

[germ539]

I was hoping you'd say that, I would rather deal with a thermostat that I can turn up or down, not worry if I have to get up every hour or so in the middle of the night and do jumping jacks to get the air going again (DS is 15 and I dealt with getting up every hour or so a long time ago)

 

[kelleigh1]

I guess most likely due to some obstruction which only effects the upper floor (a large tree for example)? There are a few other rooms like this, such as ones under stairwells which don't give you a good view of the gardens.

They do re-check periodically to ensure that the categories are accurate, and the room assignment manger actually has a set of photos of the views from every single room in the resort to help him. They thinned out and removed a few trees around the resort recently too, which were starting to obstruct river views for example.


It can't hurt to ask, you're only asking for three things after all. It might be an idea to prioritise them though.



Andre

Ok, that makes sense. I was just thinking it looked odd to have that one room listed as Standard in a sea of garden views. But I didn't think of obstructed view.

And thanks for the info on requests. I think the way I typed it is actually in the order of our preference too. In fact, I'm pretty sure that my TA put Magnolia Terrace and 2nd floor on our original reservation. I didn't think of the corner room until I saw a photo of it somewhere.

 

[Venomhatch]

I did see an answer about using foil balloons, but maybe it got caught up in the purge? However I'm not sure that the POR aircons actually have motion sensors, ours seemed to just respond to the thermostat only.

Andre

Yeah POR is thermostat only. If it is off when you came into the room from a park day or something it is because mouse keeping turned it off.

Places like poly, GF, SSR, have a selective motion sensor but we used a Mickey balloon to fool that.

 

[germ539]

Yeah POR is thermostat only. If it is off when you came into the room from a park day or something it is because mouse keeping turned it off.

Places like poly, GF, SSR, have a selective motion sensor but we used a Mickey balloon to fool that.

One less thing to worry about

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Yeah POR is thermostat only. If it is off when you came into the room from a park day or something it is because mouse keeping turned it off.

Places like poly, GF, SSR, have a selective motion sensor but we used a Mickey balloon to fool that.

So the POR thermostat doesn't require the motion override? We had that issue at CR before we read up on what to push to override it. There's nothing like waking up at 3 am in mid June in a sweat because the A/C has been off for 3 hours...

 

[Venomhatch]

So the POR thermostat doesn't require the motion override? We had that issue at CR before we read up on what to push to override it. There's nothing like waking up at 3 am in mid June in a sweat because the A/C has been off for 3 hours...

Ours stayed on all the time and we didn't override anything. I have to say I was disappointed in one thing I thought I would be ok without it, but I miss the ceiling fan in the royal rooms.

 

[cheer25mom]

Yeah POR is thermostat only. If it is off when you came into the room from a park day or something it is because mouse keeping turned it off.

Places like poly, GF, SSR, have a selective motion sensor but we used a Mickey balloon to fool that.

This will be great for us. Everywhere else we have stayed has had the motion activated theromstats that we have had to bypass. You cannot manually bypass the ones at AoA like you can many of the others, and a balloon doesn't provide enough motion to keep the air on overnight. We had to have mantainance come, take the panel covering the unit off, and hook up a computerized switch to bypass it. They had to come back every 72 hours to do it agian becuase it would reset. With our allregies, we would all have sinus infections by the end of the trip if we didn't keep air moving at night.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Ours stayed on all the time and we didn't override anything. I have to say I was disappointed in one thing I thought I would be ok without it, but I miss the ceiling fan in the royal rooms.

Did POR used to have them? (My brain is so foggy about this place since it has been over 7 years since we stayed here... I remember thinking it was pretty and I remember the noisy elevators in Oak Manor but everything else specific is a blur.)

I confess, I hate ceiling fans since I don't like the feeling of them blowing on me when I sleep (I know, its strange...)

 

[TxRabbit]

Ours stayed on all the time and we didn't override anything. I have to say I was disappointed in one thing I thought I would be ok without it, but I miss the ceiling fan in the royal rooms.

And this is the exact reason why I stalked the Disney site hoping for a non-Royal room to open up with the Spring rate when we wanted to stay. I wonder why they took the ceiling fan out for those rooms?

 

[Disneylvr]

Ours stayed on all the time and we didn't override anything. I have to say I was disappointed in one thing I thought I would be ok without it, but I miss the ceiling fan in the royal rooms.

Is there a ceiling fan in the other rooms? I have to say the fan is actually important to us.

 

[Gorechick]

I disliked messing with the A/C in our Royal Room. I kept a hand towel over the vents to keep it from blowing right on us at night. It was very cold and when we turned up the temp a little we had a burning smell because it turns on the heat. The kids and I ended up with a head cold by the last day of our trip from the cold, dry air in the room.

 

[dansdad]

Is there a ceiling fan in the other rooms? I have to say the fan is actually important to us.

If memory serves, the Alligator Bayou rooms have ceiling fans.

 

[TourPixie]

We check in Saturday and i am so excited. Leaving tomorrow for our drive.

Then this morning I have a little freak out and I am in tears. Last years trip to POR was boked very last minute and it was a trip for my family to run away. My brother was killed January 21st and we checked into POR February 26th. We were really running away from life and it was a wonderful trip.

We immediately started planning this years trip. I have 3 children, a DD5, Ds4 and DD23months. My youngest was born with a disability so we were also recovering from that on last years trip. For this trip we had planned to take my father at my childrens request, sadly my car decided to break down and the budget to bring my father went to its repairs. In the long run it was a good thing as in January this year my fathers cancer returned, we almost lost him more than once during that month and he still remains terribly ill. I the mother also have been dealing with some health issues and underwent a radiation treatment in February, and have been terribly ill ever since, dizzy spells, weakness, confusion, body aches etc. I found out just yessterday that the treatment did not work and that is why I am still feeling so terrible.
So now we leave tomorrow to drive to POR. Staying 6 nights and I am so excited yet so scared. My budget for the trip went into a lot of my medical needs so I am coming in with less than I had hoped for, I am so worried about having the energy and ability to make it through the trip but I can not let my children down.
Like I say maybe this is a mini freak out but I just need reassurance that the disney magic will shine in my childrens eyes and bring us through this just as it is supposed to. Any tips or suggestions in regards to my situation would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[scrappinggirl]

We check in Saturday and i am so excited. Leaving tomorrow for our drive.

Then this morning I have a little freak out and I am in tears. Last years trip to POR was boked very last minute and it was a trip for my family to run away. My brother was killed January 21st and we checked into POR February 26th. We were really running away from life and it was a wonderful trip.

We immediately started planning this years trip. I have 3 children, a DD5, Ds4 and DD23months. My youngest was born with a disability so we were also recovering from that on last years trip. For this trip we had planned to take my father at my childrens request, sadly my car decided to break down and the budget to bring my father went to its repairs. In the long run it was a good thing as in January this year my fathers cancer returned, we almost lost him more than once during that month and he still remains terribly ill. I the mother also have been dealing with some health issues and underwent a radiation treatment in February, and have been terribly ill ever since, dizzy spells, weakness, confusion, body aches etc. I found out just yessterday that the treatment did not work and that is why I am still feeling so terrible.
So now we leave tomorrow to drive to POR. Staying 6 nights and I am so excited yet so scared. My budget for the trip went into a lot of my medical needs so I am coming in with less than I had hoped for, I am so worried about having the energy and ability to make it through the trip but I can not let my children down.
Like I say maybe this is a mini freak out but I just need reassurance that the disney magic will shine in my childrens eyes and bring us through this just as it is supposed to. Any tips or suggestions in regards to my situation would be greatly appreciated as well.

WOW, sorry for all ur going through! I am glad to hear ur still going and didn't cancel ur vacation. Have you considered a wheelchair or a scooter to help you make it thru the parks? Where r u driving from?
I don't go until end of next month.
Michelle

 

[kelleigh1]

Wait a minute, maybe I'm completely misunderstanding, but does POR have ceiling fans? In all of the rooms except the Royal Rooms?

Our old apartment had ceiling fans, but where we are now - nothing. And I so miss them. If I can get a ceiling fan on vacation, I would be so happy.

 

[Venomhatch]

And this is the exact reason why I stalked the Disney site hoping for a non-Royal room to open up with the Spring rate when we wanted to stay. I wonder why they took the ceiling fan out for those rooms?

I thought maybe it was because the refurb gave them newer stronger ac units. Which my fiancé thought was fine the ac did its job. I miss the fan personally, but whatever, lol.

Is there a ceiling fan in the other rooms? I have to say the fan is actually important to us.

If memory serves, the Alligator Bayou rooms have ceiling fans.

Both of the above comments: they do in the Alligator Bayou. As for the regular mansion rooms, I do not remember.

We check in Saturday and i am so excited. Leaving tomorrow for our drive.

Then this morning I have a little freak out and I am in tears. Last years trip to POR was boked very last minute and it was a trip for my family to run away. My brother was killed January 21st and we checked into POR February 26th. We were really running away from life and it was a wonderful trip.

We immediately started planning this years trip. I have 3 children, a DD5, Ds4 and DD23months. My youngest was born with a disability so we were also recovering from that on last years trip. For this trip we had planned to take my father at my childrens request, sadly my car decided to break down and the budget to bring my father went to its repairs. In the long run it was a good thing as in January this year my fathers cancer returned, we almost lost him more than once during that month and he still remains terribly ill. I the mother also have been dealing with some health issues and underwent a radiation treatment in February, and have been terribly ill ever since, dizzy spells, weakness, confusion, body aches etc. I found out just yessterday that the treatment did not work and that is why I am still feeling so terrible.
So now we leave tomorrow to drive to POR. Staying 6 nights and I am so excited yet so scared. My budget for the trip went into a lot of my medical needs so I am coming in with less than I had hoped for, I am so worried about having the energy and ability to make it through the trip but I can not let my children down.
Like I say maybe this is a mini freak out but I just need reassurance that the disney magic will shine in my childrens eyes and bring us through this just as it is supposed to. Any tips or suggestions in regards to my situation would be greatly appreciated as well.

Oh my wow you have a lot on your plate right now. I don't know what your budget is but if you want some help you can PM me and I can help you the best I can there. I just don't want everyone to see your things like how much your working with etc. my fiancé is a planner so I can use her advice also if you want me to share it with her? Also we would need to see what kind and when special meals you have reservations for, tours, side trips, etc.

My fiancé is good at planning and can help tremendously. You don't have to but the offer is out there for you.