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

[teacher31]

And yet another teacher! We leave for a week at the dolphin and then move over to POR for the last three days. I cannot WAIT! It's been one of 'those' years.

 

[zabache]

Did I mention I'm a teacher too. I wish I could go right when school gets out but I will be at a workshop the week after. A bit extra $ for the trip

 

[just teachin]

Y'all will never guess what I do... I'm done a full week before DH and DD (we're each in a different district!), but we're leaving the day after DH and DD are done. It's been a rough year here, too. I'm looking for our first WDW trip in June!

 

[Smuckles]

Thanks for the suggestion for those hanging shelves. They seem like they'll work nicely.

I plan to submit a fax with a couple of requests soon, but I noticed a little bit of an inconsistency in the available advice. The sample fax mentions "two weeks" from the moment the fax is sent. PortOrleans.org recommends five days prior to arrival.

We arrive on the 22nd. Is the commonly used timeframe the five day mark?

 

[Shaden]

BUahaha, the trick is to teach at University, we are just going through exams now, should be done marking and all in about 10 days.

 

[Rorey]

We officially booked today, Nov. 28th to Dec. 7th at POR. This will be our first time at the resort and we are super excited about it!

 

[disneymomma76]

Guess what, I am a teacher as well! We arrive May 28th, and are staying until the 7th! I guess we are all getting the heck out of Dodge the second school lets out! Watch out POR, the teachers are invading!

Too funny! I teach at our local community college and am out May 17th. My hubby is an elementary principal. Kids get out May 29th. Hubby is done May 30th. Throwing the kids in the car and heading south as soon as he gets home. It is a surprise trip for the kids and I'm having a hard time keeping my mouth shut. I'm trying to figure out how to pack the car with the kids home.

The teachers are definitely invading POR. We arrive May 31st and stay until June 8th.

 

[andrewilley]

I noticed a little bit of an inconsistency in the available advice. The sample fax mentions "two weeks" from the moment the fax is sent. PortOrleans.org recommends five days prior to arrival.

Personally, I still stick by my suggestion of around 3-5 days, unless there are special reasons for sending it earlier (medical requests, etc). This is because that is the timeframe when the room assignment team tends to start working on any specific room blocking that might be required. Two weeks in advance seems to work fine for many people though, but I feel there is the danger that your fax might sit in an in-tray for a while rather than being 'current' when it arrives. Oh, and I usually suggest not addressing your faxes to any particular individual, just send it to the team.

Just my 2c worth anyway, you're free to do whatever you wish!

Andre

 

[elfling8]

Another teacher here, on April vacation and leaving today!!!
I'm an assistant teacher at a preschool part time, 3 yr old class I've been telling them all week that I'm going to see Mickey! Actually I have more requests to say hi to Buzz than anyone else.

 

[stephyarcouette]

haha!! another teacher here but took this year off to be with kiddos while Daddy is overseas!

Question: my reservation page says I can check in online (I'm Canadian so the site is different I believe). Now it asked me for a credit card and time of arrival and a room request.
The only thing in the room request was ground floor or trundle bed, there is no mention of specific building or room, is that normal? Will I get a different online room thing 10 days before the trip?

 

[mom0299]

I'm a teacher, too! Well, an elementary librarian. Does that count?

We will be there June 7-15.

 

[Southern Bell]

Our kids are grown-up, sort-of. So we are considering a no-kids visit to POR this fall for a week sometime in Aug/Sept/Oct. We have been to DW many times. We are thinking about a no-parks trip. Just hang out at POR, swim, boat ride to DTD, peek at some of the fancy resorts, eat, etc. My wife loves to just lay around and get sun burned, however I get bored quickly. Has anyone done this? How did it go?

Well I can understand why people would do that! But if I go to Disney I have to see all of Disney that I can! LOL! Thats just me! LOL!

My husband and I went to Disney for the first time by ourselves last october 2012 and took advantage of the cheaper room rates and free Dining. We have always went on our vacations (Disney and elsewhere)with someone, our parents, siblings, nieces, cousins, children and now grandchildren.

It was relaxing and a little odd just asking each other where we wanted to eat and go! LOL! Where not used to that! LOL! Loved it and I would recommend anyone who loves Disney to go at least once in their lives by themselves no matter what you choose to do! That was the fun of it! We got to do what we wanted and when we wanted! LOL!

 

[klwdisney]

I have been trying to 2 weeks to do the online check in on Disney's site. I get to the credit card part and then i get these continuous "stack overflow" type pop up messages and I can't go any further and I have to get off the internet completely to get off that site. GRRR!!! Has anyone else had this issue???

Also, when the card is asked for, is it to pay off the balance owed? We were going to pay when we arrived but wanted to do the online check in so they were aware of when we'd be arriving.

 

[Missytara]

I have been trying to 2 weeks to do the online check in on Disney's site. I get to the credit card part and then i get these continuous "stack overflow" type pop up messages and I can't go any further and I have to get off the internet completely to get off that site. GRRR!!! Has anyone else had this issue???

Also, when the card is asked for, is it to pay off the balance owed? We were going to pay when we arrived but wanted to do the online check in so they were aware of when we'd be arriving.

Online check-in now requires to have a credit card on file; it will not charge you anything. You can have it removed at check-in.

 

[ChristineOH]

I have been trying to 2 weeks to do the online check in on Disney's site. I get to the credit card part and then i get these continuous "stack overflow" type pop up messages and I can't go any further and I have to get off the internet completely to get off that site. GRRR!!! Has anyone else had this issue???

Also, when the card is asked for, is it to pay off the balance owed? We were going to pay when we arrived but wanted to do the online check in so they were aware of when we'd be arriving.

I left the credit card part blank when i checked in online. I have a package, and my trip was already paid off. It may be different for room only, which it sounds like you have. They ask for your card to have your number on file, like any other hotel.
I can't help with your tech issues. Sorry! You may just have to call.

 

[PJHuntleyCO]

We have a family of 5. We requested a handicap accessible room and it looks like they gave us a wheelchair accessible room at POR. Will this really fit a family of 5? It looks like it is just a King and a double. Which I don't think is workable for us. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[KittyKat1978]

Where do you get the gift cards in Canada? I'd never thought of doing this, but it's a great idea and would save me from having to carry around too much cash and/or my credit card.

I buy the gift card when I am in Disney. And reload it as I go.

You can't get them in Canada. Sorry.

 

[andrewilley]

We have a family of 5. We requested a handicap accessible room and it looks like they gave us a wheelchair accessible room at POR. Will this really fit a family of 5? It looks like it is just a King and a double. Which I don't think is workable for us. Any help greatly appreciated.

There is an Alligator Bayou room option set up specifically for guests who need wheelchair access but have a family of 5 (as most of the wheelchair accessible rooms do not feature the murphy bed). They have probably allocated that for you, but you might want to give the special assistance line a call to confirm it.

Andre

 

[PJHuntleyCO]

Thanks!

 

[nickgid]

Hello,
I am back from our first time vacation to POR Riverside. I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU!!! To all of you on this board. We had the best time not only at the parks but also at this resort. I was able to make a room request and got exactly what we asked for! I would have never thought to do this without this link. Again, big hugs for all of your help!